CONGRATS, Little Sis....

We are so proud of you and all your accomplishments! Thanks for letting us share in your special day and here's to a bright and beautiful future!!! This past weekend, Ty and I road tripped it down to StL for a short, little visit to celebrate with Aunt Calie. We were all ready to cheer her on as she made that walk triumphantly across the graduation stage....

 

YOU DID IT!!!

 

 

And...with this last walk across the stage, the Meier kids are all officially done with undergrad studies. I have a feeling the last one to graduate is also going to be the first one to get her Master's.

 

Waiting to move that tassel...

 

Stopping for a quick photo op....

 

Celebration lunch with the gang...

 

And, a little preview of what this cutie is going to look like in about 17 years from now!

 

Way to go, Calie!!! All your hard work has paid off and I couldn't be more proud of you!!!

Graduation Day!

So, my first official year teaching in the Des Moines area is coming to an end. In fact, tomorrow is my last day and marks graduation day for my 5th graders. I have thoroughly enjoyed this group of kids and their awesome, supportive, and involved parents. I couldn't have asked for a better way to continue on with my teaching career....especially considering how much I liked teaching in Ottumwa and how hard totally re-locating jobs can be. It's been an EXTREMELY stress-free year and I learned a tremendous amount from this new group of students. Writing them their congrats letter was a breeze and definitely included one of my FAVORITE quotes from good old Dr. Seuss...

  "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And, YOU are the one who will decided where you'll go!"

This quote (in a Dr. Seuss kind of way) sums up parts of my teaching philosophy...life is definitely about the choices you make and the way you react to what happens to you. It's absolutely heart-warming to see my students becoming advocates for themselves and learning from all the ins & outs of everyday experiences! They are a tremendous group of students.

So, tonight, the kids and I had fun putting together these little goody graduation caps. I actually think they turned out cute and are going to be a hit tomorrow in class....

Hopefully they will be able to tell what they are...LOL!

Ty working on a little tassel making herself....

They were more excited about the fact that they were going to get to try one of their own....silly kids!!! Who says there's anything wrong with sneaking Reeses Pieces?!?!

Thanks, Munchkins, for all your help. You two have a wonderful way of making all the things on my "to-do" list that much more fun! What a great, goody graduation cap-making team we are!!! I know my students will love hearing that you helped make those little fun things...in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if you guys have a few handmade thank-you cards waiting for you when I pick you up tomorrow afternoon....

Someone's a preschool GRADUATE!!!

Trey Jacob Weite officially GRADUATED from preschool yesterday afternoon!!

Thanks to a wonderful co-worker who graciously agreed to cover my class during her planning period, I was able to join Jason over at Indian Hills Daycare Center to see our "baby" walk the "stage" and grab his first official diploma!! We also enjoyed a little lunch with Trey and heard him sing songs with his fellow graduates!!

Sitting at the pint-sized table with my little man was such an honor. He had places all ready for us and was eager to show and share with us all of his little preschool routines...it was so fun to see him in his "element" which is something we usually just get to hear about, not actually see for ourselves. The excitement that was written all over his face was absolutely PRICELESS!!! I want to state for the record that I did not shed one tear (at least while we were there with him)....the proud smile I wore on my face the entire time definitely kept the tears from falling!!!

Trey and Daddy ready to eat some lunch....

So fun to watch them pass the bowls around and let them serve themselves....he even poured his own milk!

The Graduates showing "five" so Mrs. Lyn knew they were ready to start the singing fun!

Singing the "Number Rock" song....(On a side note...he wore his preschool shirt and for those of you who've never seen these, they are adorable! The kids get to draw a picture of themselves and write their own names, which are then screen printed onto the shirt. SO.CUTE. I'm totally gong to take a close-up shot of Trey's self portrait and upload it soon...it is hilarious!!!)

Trey on the risers posing with his first official diploma!!!

Me and Jason with our little GRADUATE!!!

Trey Jacob,

You are officially done with preschool and have had an absolute blast learning and having fun each and every day over at Hills.  I'm so proud of and all your accomplishments and can't wait to attend many, many more graduations and celebrations. I have a feeling there are many more diplomas in your future and you know your daddy, sisters, and I will be there supporting you EVERY step of the way! We LOVE you more than you'll ever know!! Never lose that love for learning and enjoy your little summer break. KINDERGARTEN is right around the corner!!!

Love you BUNCHES,

Mommy