First week of school is already in the books, and we had a great start to the year.  Not too many tears, and so far band-aids have fixed all of our owies.  Wednesday is our weekly Chapel day, and I have to confess it's one of my favorite perks of the job.  I just love that we have a children directed church service.  Everything is child-centered, with lessons made just for them.  We sing fun songs with actions.  Celebrate birthdays, and students of the month are recognized.  Each week chapel is presented by a different teacher, classroom, or guest speaker.  You can find out who is presenting each week's chapel on the school newsletter. 

Chapel Families -  Our students walk across the street to church for chapel.  All our students are divided into Chapel Families - this is a mix of older students who help the younger kids.  This year there are 15 chapel families.  Each family has a 7th or 8th grade student as the main leader, then there is a mix 6th and 5th graders that help direct the younger students in the group.  Each family sits in their own pew during chapel and has to behave, sit quietly and pay attention to the lessons.  This is great practice for the younger students, pre-school on up, to sit still and work on their listening skills.  Our older students shine as they help the little kids with buttoning jackets in the colder weather, holding hands across the street, and holding doors for the smallest kiddos.    I'll never forget one day a few years ago when my oldest daughter was in preschool and ran to the school door, she wasn't yet big enough to get it open.  Before I could get there, a big kid opened the door.  Later I asked my daughter who the big kids, since I didn't know, she replied it was her chapel buddy!  As a mama myself, I can't express enough how good it feels to see my little ones being treated kindly by the older big kids. Now as my girls have grown, I am so proud to see them learning to care for the little ones.  Chapel families are just one example of the extra, in a Christian School. 

Any good listener will tell you that if you are quiet you can really find out some interesting things...

Tops on my list this week was learning what two 4th graders thought about the red arm chairs in the school office. I about couldn't contain myself when I heard these two discuss whether or not it was worth the risk to sit in the "sick kid" chairs.  Haha.  That's pretty true.  Those are the chairs that sick kids have to sit while they wait for mom or dad to come take them home from school.  With all the coughing and colds going around I can't say that I really blame them.  Would you risk it???  Speaking of that I think I will at least wipe those chairs with a Lysol disinfecting wipe or 17.....

I read an article recently that said that September is the new January. At first I thought, "really???" Is this just a marketing ploy to put out new year's decorations in the stores months early?  But I'm looking around here and thinking well...maybe...

New books, new shoes, new folders, new kids, new routines, new bedtimes... Maybe you've even made a few new resolutions or house rules like no TV before homework, or vowed to get out of the house without any fashion meltdowns.  

Actually back-to-school should really just be a holiday.  Think of it we should celebrate a little bit more. Maybe instead of cake a super special breakfast or something. We should have prizes and streamers... oh wait... I sort of did just buy my kids of ton of new things. Any more effort just might wear me out.  So maybe it just fine the way it is....  Hope your new year is going well.  :)

What a great week.  In no particular order events of the first week included only a few skinned knees.  That gravel on the playground and new shoes can be a dangerous combination. Nothing a few band-aids can't solve.  Thankfully.

Did any one else have the blessing that their child's feet grew the morning of school?  That was a challenge in our house. The brand new school shoes didn't fit.  Nothing another shopping trip can't solve... Looks like we're on a problem solving streak.. ;) That's got to be a good thing.

Also in the halls this week, I heard several compliments on our Kindergarten teacher's new clothes.  One sweet child told her she looked like a chandelier.  That seemed to have sparked several minutes of conversation for the entire class to discuss her patterned blouse.  Personally, I'd love to look like a fancy light fixture any day. Really who wouldn't?

On last thing... be sure to hop on over to our school's Facebook page to see our 7/8 grade teacher take the ALS ice bucket challenge.  It's a fundraiser and awareness campaign that is sweeping social media and it seems everyone is taking the challenge to post video of themselves dumping a bucket of cold water on their head. 

That just a tiny peak of a few things that have gone on at school this week. Come inside and visit for more funny stories anytime. Blessings from our home to yours.

Just a few more days before the first day of school.  Are you ready?  Ready or not here it comes before you know it! 

My girls can't sleep they are so excited to be back in school.  We've been busy this summer with swim team, Camp Luther, vacations, and 4-H, we've made new friends and have been lucky to catch up with a few old friends too. 

Teachers have been busy back in the classrooms picking out new materials, locker tags, books, markers, well everything really.

Mae has even been sneaking in and decorating the halls. She really enjoys taking care of the large bulletin boards in the hallways.  Did you know that we save one board just for newspaper clippings of students and teachers? Yup sure do. 

Just a few reminders before school starts...
*don't forget the tissues and anti-bacterial wipes
*don't skip breakfast
*missed registration night? well we can forgive you :) Just pick up the paperwork in the office.
*take a first day of school photo. Your kids might think it's dorky, but hey it's not really for them anyway.
*one of my favorite things about St Paul is that you walk your child right into his/her classroom.  Any day, every day.  It's very reassuring as a parent to see your little one in the place they spend so much time.  (oh yeah, it's nice to get one more hug before you go too!)