Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday Maggie's grade took their first field trip.  The went to a great pumpkin patch in Saraland put on by College Park Baptist Church.  At first I was wondering why were were going to one so far away when there are other closer, cheaper, ones near by.   But my questions were soon put to rest.

The church really does a GREAT job with their field trips.  They had several activies for the kids - two story times, a pumkin decorating area, a general store where they could choose their snack, a "hay" ride (although there was no hay but I wasn't complaining), individual pictures of each and every kid (including a print out!) and a group photo for the teacher! All the stories and even the hayride had biblical truths in them.  Their many volunteers were WONDERFUL with the children - so engaging and creative!  I was impressed.  And the kids had a GREAT time.  And they were so well behaved throughout the whole experience.

But my favorite thing of the whole day was really just getting to be with the class - to put faces with names, meet a lot of the parents.  I've been feeling very disconnected from the class since I can't volunteer at the school that much with Abby.  So this was a special opportunity for me.  (Siblings aren't allowed on field trips, so Ben took off work and stayed home with Abby so I could go - thank you!!)

Class Photo:

(one child was home sick.)

 

 One of the Storytimes:

 Yes, Maggie was enjoying herself:

 Hayride took them to the baseball field behind the church:

They had a story along the edge of the field to read as you rode along:

Maggie with Reagan (left, tablemate) and Blakely (center, buddy for day - we rode together)

 Of couse we had to take one home.....love that smile!

Nursery Rhyme Day

There was a little bear

Who had a little hair

Right in the middle of his forehead.

And when he had fish was very very good

And when he had none he was horrid!

Wait.... that's not how it goes.... let's see if Maggie can do it right:

Star Student, Chapel and first admirer?

Maggie was blessed to be picked as the first star student for her class.  She's had a lot of fun learning about all the privileges and responsibilities that come with it.

The fun started on Friday when she got to bring home the Star Student Poster.  She spent the weekend coloring it and filling in the blanks.  Mrs. Robbins told us during orientation that we of course could help them fill in the blanks.  However, Maggie insisted on doing most of it herself.


Monday she got to present her poster to the class.  Her favorite book that she listed on her poster is rather obscure - it's called "Winter's Gift " and was a gift from Grammy last Christmas.  We stuck it in her backpack and Mrs. Robbins ended up reading it to the class during story time.

This week Maggie gets to be Mrs. Robbins helper - collecting papers, etc.  She gets to be line leader which means she must also hold the doors for the rest of the class.  Today in chapel she was recognised by the principal, Mr. Currie.  She also got to help him lead the pledge of allegiance.  You can watch that video by clicking here or on the link to the right.

During Chapel, the kids recited their memory verse.  The K5 class did great at this! Everyone that tried got it right.  Also, Mr. Currie told them the story of Samuel and Eli and the kids really enjoyed his interpretation. :-)

On the way home from school today Maggie told me that there was a boy who yanked her hair while standing in line to go to the playground.  My first thought was "Oh! Maybe He likes her!"    I tried to explain this phenomenon to her but she didn't get it.  I can't blame her.  Boys are often hard to understand. :-) 

They finally came. . .

 . . . the tears that is.

Today, for the first time, when I dropped Maggie off at school I just dropped her at the curb instead of walking her into class.

The school has lots of helpers - older students and the principal - out there to greet students and walk the younger ones to their classes.

She took it like a big girl.

I wanted to bawl!  It didn't hit me until I was pulling away, but as I watched her being led into the school in my rearview mirror, I thought "There goes my heart."

 

First Day of School!

Well today was the BIG day! Daddy took off work so he could go with us to drop off Maggie and pick her up.  We all did a good job getting out the door on time - I have to say I was proud of myself. :-)

Maggie showed signs early on of being nervous.  We let her have Fruit Loops for breakfast - usually she only gets them on her birthday!  But she just picked at them for a long time.    Then on the ride to school she was very quiet - I started taking a few pics to document the day and asked Maggie to look at me.  She just said "no."   I didn't bother correcting her. :-)

Once at school she did ok until we got the door for her building - I had to give her a couple of gentle nudges to get her to walk forward.  And while waiting for her turn to enter the classroom she was VERY quiet indeed!  

But she did smile for the picture with Mrs. Robbins and didn't make a fuss about going into the room.

Mommy and Daddy did quite well today also.  It felt weird not to have her with us but there were no tears. :-)  

When we picked her up, she looked like she had a fun day! 

Her attitude in the car was back to the usual happy girl we know and love.

And she even got a prize out of the trinket box.  Apparently the whole class did so well today everyone got to pick out something. :-)

We took her out to lunch at Moe's - her choice.  By the way, I was very disappointed in that the restaurant seems to have stopped greeting it's customers in the usual manner.    I digress.


She told us all about her day, well, as much as she could remember.   She found out today that as the "Star Student" for next week, she'll get to be line leader and Mrs. Robbin's helper for the class! She was very excited about that!  
We're all looking forward to day two!