Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Winter Fun in our classroom!

 Winter is in full force here in Madison- inside our classroom and outside!! It was 25 degrees outside on my way to school this morning- BBRRRRR..... we even had an "ice" day this week. Crazy!
This is just an update from some of our winter activities the last two weeks.  Next week we move into our circus/zoo unit, I'll keep you posted!

Here is my Little Masters art class' work from our first week back to school:
K5- Winter landscapes in crayon, oil pastel, and paint

K4- Snowmen in "snow" - Oil pastel and paint

In our classroom- we are discussing Polar Animals... what better way to begin that with a yummy polar bear snack!
Ingredients: Sugar Cookies, Icing, Raisins, Oreos, and Bananas 



 This is our bulletin board for the polar unit- each day in morning meeting we complete "interactive" writing (whole group) and write our facts about penguins onto fish- why?? because penguins EAT fish! That's why!

We read "The Mitten" by Jan Brett and discussed details from the story here

then we graphed our favorite animal from "The Mitten"-  The Rabbit had the most votes!

This is our classroom door for January

Creative Writing- "If I lived in a snowglobe"

Our vowel sort snowman!  The children cut pictures and glued them to each "part" of the snowman based on the vowel sounds a, o, or u.. they did GREAT with this.

Our winter writing, "In the winter, I like..."  and our snowmen

This is our Little Master's art for today- we studied Claude Monet:
K4- Water Lilies

K5- Water Lilies under the bridge




That's all I have for today! 

P.S. Baby and I are moving right along... doing great!
Our next doctor appt. is on January 27th! HOPING to find out if Baby Mason is a boy or girl....
I'll keep you posted :)


Be Merry!~

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Silence is golden.... But hard!

Hello!!
Silence has always been hard for me... but in this case, it was necessary and a very special time for me and my husband!  However, oh my, am I so excited to finally share! I haven't been able to write a post in awhile due to this a secret we've been keeping (and my inability not to spill the news)!!!
 Now, onto the news because this MOMMA is about to bust!!!!!! Yea! You read it right! Colby and I are expecting our first baby in July... July 24th to be exact! We are sooooooooo excited and playing the "name game" each night even though we don't know the sex of our baby yet! Of course no names have been decided.. but it is a fun game!
God's plan for us is a baby.. a miracle of life- and His timing is always perfect- especially considering it is a SUMMER baby and I have the summer off from work, Yes! Thank you Lord for doing all things in your perfect timing... You are SO good.

Sooooo.... You want the details??? Sure! I have only been holding this absolute pure joy in for 11 weeks now ! Colby and I found out the Wednesday morning before Thanksgiving holidays via an early morning pregnancy test because I was "late" (I am NEVER late)! So-there we are, bright and early and- positive! And three...cough cough... Okay, only my very close friends know this true number, but any who...some odd number of pregnancy tests later (your welcome, Walgreens), all confirming that yes, we really are pregnant- I called the Dr. for our first appt! We went at 6 and a half weeks to see Dr. Gebhart (love him) and to see our little pea! It was only a tiny ball then but we heard the most incredible sound that day- whoosh whoosh bump bump- our pea had a heartbeat! 132 beats per minute!
So.... Back to work and life we went with the best secret in the world!! I'll fast forward through us sharing the news with our close family and friends at Thanksgiving ( it was so wonderful, everyone was so excited) and through my morning sickness spill- ick, thankfully better now...And get to the best part so far...
 Here we are! Baby Mason's debut!
11 weeks and precious already...

Meet Baby Mason!  

**Side note: The extra "sac" underneath is the yolk sac that feeds the baby at first- disappears by 13wks*

See my feet (top right)!!
It was incredible watching baby Mason stretch out their legs and then *quick* bring them back in! We weren't quick enough to get an outstretched picture, but it moved all around for us! A busy body like Mommy and Daddy already! :) 
Tiny hands and fingers.. oh my. so excited. 
Today our heartbeat was 170! Strong and Healthy... and looking good!!


Please keep us all in your prayers as we continue to grow in our mighty God's plan!

I wish each of you a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  We will be celebrating/welcoming 2011 along with Margaret and Peyton as they become the SMITHS at the King Edward Hotel!  I can't wait to say "Happy New Year"  surrounded by my closest college friends!

2011 is SURE to be a GREAT YEAR (especially that wonderful day when our baby arrives!)

I'm sure you haven't noticed this.. (HA) but this is a VERY MERRY MASON signing off!
(okay- gooby.. sorry)

Happy New Year!!!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

It's all about Jesus!

Hello all! I am happy to report that our Kindergarten play was a huge success- I am so proud of my "babies".. they did SO good! Here is a clip of one of the songs they sang, clearly this is not them- but close enough.
Happy Birthday Jesus!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saNPouQVvFk

This video is ALMOST as precious as my sweet K5's singing -tears tears tears. It is no question to me why God requests that we "act as children" in our faith... They have faith that is SO pure, SO honest, and they just ADORE Jesus with every breath... Let it be a reminder to us all this season! Happy Birthday sweet Jesus!

Colby and I had a very nice weekend at home... we ordered a pizza  (even had it delivered!) and watched a movie (New in Town) by the fire on Friday night.. it was so wonderful to be home, warm, and cuddling! Saturday- I was able to finish up Christmas shopping  with my mom! I just love shopping days with her... it is always a fun time.  Saturday night we attended Kristen Parker and David Russell's wedding! It was beautiful and KP looked GORGEOUS! Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Russell!!!
This morning we went to church with our family at Ridgecrest for the "Joy to the World" Christmas concert...
Jody Walker sang "I believe"-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQBDtKC-cQ0&NR=1
It was such an awesome performance this morning... This reminded me of another favorite song... Here it is on YouTube (can you tell I have been playing on the computer today?) Turn up your volume, grab your kleenex, be ready to be humbled!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6LbGxUdAeA&feature=related
WOW.. right?  
I don't think there is much left for me to say after these songs... Thank you God for sending your Son...


In closing... I have a special announcement!  It is my hubby's birthday tomorrow! Decenber 13th! Such a young TWENTY EIGHT year old! :)  
Happy Birthday to the love of my life! I love you Colby!

Love to all!
Merry Merry!

(I do apologize for not knowing how to post the actual videos to this link... maybe I'll figure that out one day- any tips?)