Back to School!

So, since I was 5 years old, I knew I wanted to be a teacher.  There was the occasional hope of becoming a "walmart check-out lady" in the elementary school years, but other than that, my goal has not changed.  Anyways, as soon as I graduated high school, I took a job teaching preschool while going to college, and I haven't made a career change since.  In 2008, Rebekah and I decided to open our own preschool.  Since then, I haven't taught my own classroom.  Last year, I took over a classroom for a few months after a teacher resigned, but I haven't had my own room in a very long time.  Well, this year I felt led to get back in the classroom, and since one of our pre-k teachers moved out of town, I decided it was a perfect opportunity!  (We miss you, Kristen! )
We have three preschool (4 year old) classes this year, and I am teaching with some highly talented, very creative, wonderful ladies.  While watching them plan for the new school year, and seeing all the awesome ideas they had come up with, I realized I needed to get cracking on some cute ideas for the class!! 
I decided to go with a hollywood/movie theme in my classroom.  I like it, the kids like it, and hopefully I won't want to change it in a few weeks!  Ha!

My circle time area...My classroom theme each week is a different book.   
August is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, & Rainbow Fish.
 Any suggestions for next month?

The Backstage Reading Lounge
This is where we will have our reading groups when we start them. 
For now, it is one of our learning center rotations!

My spin on a Pinterest birthday display

My Job Board

My class rules.  We emphasize the Don't Whine rule everyday! Hehe!

And the dreaded time-out spot!

Okay, okay, so I can't take credit for the ideas...it was all pinterest.  (BTW if you don't have a pinterest account, you should get one!)  I just put my hollywood spin on it! 
So, it is a cute classroom, if I do say so myself!  My goal for the year is to...obviously...teach the children the things necessary for survival in kindergarten, but mostly to teach these young minds about the love and mercy of my God.  I will only have them for a short time, but I want to make sure at the end of that time, that I am able to share with them as much as I can about Him.  I pray daily that I will display God's love in my life, and that will shine through to them.  Will you help me in that prayer?

Off to 1st grade she goes!!

Last week, my baby started first grade!  Those of you who know me knew that kindergarten was SUPER HARD for me.  She had been with me everyday since birth, and I suddenly had to take her to an unfamiliar place, drop her off with unfamiliar people, and have zero control over her day to day experiences...not good for this control freak mama!  Ben and I were in the process of selling our house, so we weren't in the school zone we wanted to be in, so we decided to put her in a private christian school for her first year of school.  It was a half day program, and it was a smaller environment.  I cried for weeks...she loved it.

This year should have been easier for me, but it was much, MUCH harder for some reason.  We sold our house this summer and moved into a great school zone.  Charli and I took a tour of the school this summer. The school was terrific!  It had great facilities and a very friendly staff.  We left there registered and ready for first grade!  We waited eagerly on our letter telling us who her teacher would be.  When we finally got it, we found our her teacher would be Mrs. Scott.  We immediately went to the school's website to look for her picture or bio, and found nothing.  She wasn't listed on the first grade page.  In fact, the only Mrs. Scott in the whole school was a 3rd grade teacher and she was not pictured.  Again, the control freak in me freaked out, only a little! ;)

Anyways, we met Mrs. Scott at open house the Sunday before school started and we love her.  I knew immediately she was going to be great for Charli.  I can't wait to get to know her better! 

Okay, so here are the pictures from her first day!



Being a teacher, I love to get gifts...so, we figured her teacher would too!  Thanks pinterest for this super cute idea!
 "Soda" lighted you're my teacher!



She came into the kitchen clapping because she was so excited! :)

Waiting patiently on Mrs. Scott.

Sitting at her desk waiting on me to leave!



 She had a great first week of school, but that doesn't make me worry about her any less.  I pray that she will be a shining light at that school.  That she will share her love for and knowledge of the Lord with all those she comes in contact with!

....man, I love that girl! :)