Ladybug Land

this year in kindergarten the class had the great opportunity of learning about bugs. the awesome teachers they had mrs. flandermeyer & mrs. patterson ordered ladybug land. they watched the life cycle of a ladybug. emma lael talked about this every day. i ordered a ladybug land for her to have at home.

tiny yellow eggs are laid on leaves

(eggs hatch in 3-7 days)

the eggs were delivered via us mail on a strip of white paper in a test tube.

open up the test tube and place eggs in ladybug land.

larval stage

(2-4 weeks) 

 pupa stage

(5-7 days)

the ladybugs below are in pupa stage

they went into this stage at different times.

adult ladybug
(life span: a few months)
here we have our first ladybug. they are born yellow...within 30 minutes their spots will begin to appear and darken as the days pass.

 i'm not sure who is more excited about this emma lael or me. ;)

Congrats to Natalie

natalie has been in the beta-club since 9th grade. 

very proud of her.

 natalie was the recipient of the chemistry award. congrats!!!!

Congrats Cole Dylan Barnes on your graduation.

Cole Dillion Barnes

a very special young man

He will attend College in the fall with a major in youth ministry & music.

Cole & Natalie have been dating for almost 2 years. We had the pleasure of attending his graduation & celebrating with Cole & his family.

 this is what Natalie had made for Cole for his graduation gift.

 Drew, Cole, Mike, Stephanie & Natalie

Emma Lael is one of Cole's biggest fans.

kindergarten graduation

the past couple years i've put the pictures emma lael has made on what we've named the  "art wall" she picks out her favorite and we put it on the wall. 

this has become a fun way to show off her art work.

each week they memorized a bible verse. she can recite over 25 bible verses from memory, that's impressive.

 kent loves kisses & hugs from his kiddos. this picture showcases the relationship they have...they LOVE each other sooooo much. this was taken before we left for the graduation.

 i LOVE this girl.

 

 one very happy graduate.
i don't recall getting choked up when garrett & natalie graduated from kindergarten. kent & i both cried today. it's amazing to see emma lael thrive. she's a ray of sunshine to everyone she meets. kleenex was a must today for both of us.

 mrs. flandermeyer & mrs. patterson both loving, caring, nurturing, Godly & humble women. they love the children & the children love them. we could of never imaged what wonderful teachers emma lael would be blessed with her first year of school.

 
 PTCUMC 2013 Kindergarten Class

emma lael really loves her friends. i mean really loves her friends. this is gavin, he will be going to school with emma lael in the fall.

 
 payton & fletcher
fletcher comes over to play. she loves to have her "boy" friends over to play because they like to play in the dirt she says. her "girl" friends want to play dolls & house and she likes to be outside playing pirates & power rangers.

 nathan is her BFF. she loves this sweet boy. the size difference is so funny. nathan & fletcher have been over together to play with emma lael. she said "momma this is the best the day"

 beautiful ella. ella & emma lael have known each other since we brought emma lael home. they have a very special friendship.

 amy & joseph came to watch the graduation. i thank God for such amazing friends.

 emma lael & ella holding their graduation tassels.

proud mom & dad

first time we saw your face may 2010. precious

 may 2012 preschool graduation. precious

 may 2013 kindergarten graduation. precious

emma lael saying her goodbye's to mrs. patterson. 

sweet

 the kids have a job weekly. the last week of school emma lael's job was to clean the board. she needs a little help with this job. ')

Violin Spring Recital

"my dreams is for the happiness of all children. i feel respected and friendly feelings from everyone. in particular, i cannot help but feel respect and warm feeling for young children. and my heart brims over with desire to help make all the children born upon the earth fine human beings, happy people, people of superior ability. my whole life energies are devoted to this end. 

-shinichi suzuki

 "the aim and final end of music should be none other then the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul."
john sebastian bach

it is amazing how much emma lael has learned in the past 9 months. she has taken to the violin as if it was in her soul. she was one of 10 that was given an award last night. she graduated from suzuki book 1. we are proud very very proud of her.

Young LIfe Capernaum Prom

capernaum gives young people with disabilities an unforgettable and life-changing experiece. with one-on-one help and attention from young life leaders, these young people get to do as many camps & activities as their peers.

cole, garrett, ben (young life leader) & kent capernaum volunteer. kent spends 2 fridays a month with these great young people. many of the times we all go with him. we always have a great time.

 kent, ben & owen

 garrett & jessica dancing....yes, this may be the first & last time i ever see garrett dancing.

 "put your hands up" the girls dancing with josh one of the capernaum regulars
jessica, natalie, eve & lynsey all came to partake in the prom events. they all said this was more fun then their own prom.

 natalie teaching cole to dance....he can sing, play guitar, piano, drums every instrument but he has no rhythm to dance. we gave him the hardest time about this. he's a great sport.

 disco diva in action...she was on stage 80% of the night ;)

 john travolta would be proud

 natalie, lynsey & eve

 two peas in a pod

 our church set up a photo area for people to get their pictures taken. we had the best time...as you will see.

 possibly might be our christmas card this year ')

she said "i'm ready to go" 

 before we left for the dance

 dancing with her big brother

 pretty...beautiful....gorgeous girls inside & out