Goodbyes are NEVER easy!

The last day of school was so bitter sweet for me this year.  I was excited to see our rough group go that we had this year and ready for summer for our yearly refreshing time, but I knew it was going to be good-bye to a school full of people that mean so much to me!  After being in a school for 9 1/2 years, you become very close to everyone in it!  I would never change my experience at Smith Elementary for the world.  I have been blessed with THE BEST team ever full of caring friends that I have learned so much from.  Parents and students have been a blessing as well as a challenge at times!  Looking back at a year ago, I never would have thought that I would be closing this chapter to reopen to a new one this year BUT I know that I am going in God's path and it is where He wants me to be.  Without Smith, I wouldn't have my husband (we met there), my kids (had both of them while working there), and have made some of the greatest friends!

Jennifer and Me....we had kids at the same time and shared many tears!

Amy and Me...we had kids at the same time and went through a lot together!

My partner Brenda and Me...I learned a lot from this lady!!!  Thank you!

Krista and me....one of the calmest people I know!!!

Christen and me....HILARIOUS!!!!!

Heather and me....the best laugh award goes to HEATHER!!

Terry and me...there are not enough words to describe this man!  He is like a daddy to me!  Love him to pieces!

Angie and me!!!  She is moving to Marshall for next year!

Jamie and me...we started at Smith together and are leaving together...one of my fave student's mommas!

Holly, Michelle, and Christina....the baby teachers that I LOVE!!!!  I am so glad that some of our kids will still be in school together!



Richelle and me....we worked together with math but most of all became great friends!!

 For some reason I did not get home with a picture of Tracy (my best friend at school)--probably too many tears!!!  She was my rock for many years!  Love you Tracy!!!!

Moving on...

There has been several references to what all has happened to me at Smith Elementary this year....after 9 years...here's my story...

About 2 months ago we were ALL forced to turn in our transfer forms...yes forced to turn them in to the new principal at the new elementary school, Marshall Elementary. We were first told that they would be taking the last hired from each team and they would be the first to go. Well, I knew that I was at the top of the seniority at Smith so I didn't turn in my transfer at first....we were then told that all has changed and NO ONE is safe so we all had to turn them in. I turned mine in at 3 one Thursday, I was called at 4 that same day for an interview at Marshall (new Elementary school) at 8 am that Saturday morning. I was basically told that if I didn't go in, I was waving goodbye to a job! Well, I went in and I knew by her responses in the interview that she would hire me. Well, her secretary called me the next day during church to tell me that I would be teaching 5th grade at Marshall next year. When I asked to talk to my husband about the change, I was told NO because the district has said that since I turned in a transfer, I had to accept the transfer that was granted....A BUNCH OF POOP if you ask me! We were ALL forced to turn them in! Well, I was told by my principal on the phone that afternoon that I had to accept it or who knows what would happen. Unfortunately, and against Curt's wishes, I accepted the job.

I was furious with how things were handled so I started seeking out other job options immediately. I did not tell a soul because I didn't want any rumors or gossiping to start. My mom asked me one Thursday night if I had thought about private schools, of course I never have because all I have ever known is public schools...she said she would mention it to one of her friends the next few weeks when she saw her about keeping me in mind if they had any openings at St. Anthony Catholic School in The Woodlands. RANDOMLY, the very next night, her friend called her telling her of a middle school math opening that they had at St. Anthony! Wow! I KNEW IT WAS A GOD THING! I have interviewed at St. Anthony, toured The Woodlands Christian, and interviewed at Roberts Elementary in HISD (where my great friend Jennifer Heemer teaches) and will be working at St. Anthony next year.   I KNOW this is where I am supposed to be!  We will be taking a big pay cut, but I will be off earlier in the afternoons to get Brooklyn and Colson from school.  I will be teaching 6th-8th math as well as an ESL class, and a Lego Robotics class.  I am very excited about the opportunity and all of the people there.  They are genuinely happy to have me join them there. 
This week will be incredibly hard at Smith.  Saying goodbye is not easy for me to do...I do not love change. 

Colson's Last Day of School

We made it through our first year in school!  I am very proud of Colson....we ripped him from DeeDee's house in October when he got in to the Early Learning Academy.  We definitely had our time-outs, hitting, kicking, yelling, and accidents but we made it through!  His teacher Mrs. Elke was so supportive of us potty training and though she did think he was young, she stuck with it and took momma's word!  Colson loves Mrs. Elke!  Mrs. Betty is the one who had to rip him from Daddy's arms in the morning...he did much better just walking in all by himself with us staying in the hallway and not going in the room with him!!  He now knows how to do many things....of course we work at home with him too...
count to 18 without skipping any numbers
spell his name
say his first, middle, and last name
recognize all letters
say all letter sounds
recognizes 5 shapes
all animal sounds
sings entire songs
hits a ball with a bat
kicks while ball is still and when it is rolled to him
Thank you for a good year Mrs. Betty and Mrs. Elke!  Can't wait for the 3s!!  He will do great! 

Blessings...

Wow!  God's timing truly is perfect!  I was assigned 2 student teachers this semester at Smith in 5th level.  I have never had a student teacher but was so excited to help nurture a novice teacher and give them ideas and skills that they will use in the future.  My first student teacher was a nightmare...couldn't wait for the 6 weeks to end.  FORTUNATELY, my partner, Brenda, and I were sent a second student teacher that was a dream.  We have become GREAT friends and talk on the phone even though she is out of my room now.  I went through a lot while she was in my room.  I was moved to a new school in the district...rephrase that...forced to go to a new school in the district, interviewed at new schools, and went through a roller coaster of emotions with her in my room.  Not only is she one of the most mature Christians I have met at the age of 23 but she is tons of fun and the kids LOVED  having her in my room.  I told her that I needed her more during this time than she needed me!  God has a funny way of working that out!  She will be going to Thailand to teach and do mission work and I am convinced that she will be used in a mighty way there!  My students miss her dearly but I think I miss her more!  Here's to Lynne.....

Brenda, Lynne, and me!

Brooklyn's Graduation from PreK

We feel truly blessed to have had Brooklyn enrolled in the Early Learning Academy for the past 2 years.  She has learned SO MUCH academically, socially, and emotionally.  She has matured in all of the areas so much and I am CONFIDENT that she will do amazingly well in kindergarten!  She has loved all of the facts that she has learned about the various themes of study they have had!  She often randomly brings facts up that she has learned many months ago!  I must admit that I think Daddy and I have learned a few things we didn't know also.  She has gotten in the happen of completing 3 nights of homework a week and LOVES it!  I will relish in that now because I know it will not always be that way!  Her head teacher was Mrs. Sanford who is amazing!  Brooklyn's new favorite colors are red and black because those are Mrs. Sanford's!  Mrs. Sue was wonderful for Brooklyn.  She loved Brooklyn and always reassured me that she was doing well in school.  We are sad that Ms. Kristina will not be back next year because she is transferring universities!  She was always a great listening ear and loved Brooklyn like she was her own!  She helped her become brave and not cry at everything!  Mrs. Claudia joined us mid-year and we were so excited that she joined.  She is such a calming personality which I am sure is welcomed in a crazy class of 4 year olds!
Her graduation was WONDERFUL!  The kids all led the rest of the group in a song that the class voted on.  There were about 10 songs or so and then they ended with the Daily report and Presentation of Certificates.  The Daily Report is a daily occurance in class when they say their name and answer the question from Channel 4 where we learn more!  The question at the graduation was, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"  Brooklyn's response was, "When I grow up I want to be a vet," then she started to pass the microphone on and then grabbed it back and added that her name was Brooklyn Juliann Alford!  She was so mature when her graduation cap fell off in the middle of the program.  She just let it fall off and kept on singing!  I was so so proud of her!!!!!!

Ready for graduation!

Colson dressed up for the day also!

Funny faces!

Being goofy!!

The programs were beautiful!

The inside was so cute!

Pomp and Circumstance

This is what Brooklyn's mouth does when she is trying not to smile! 

Brooklyn and Sam led the class in "Happy Days"

Got our certificates from the principal of Wunsche Senior High School!

Sam-Brooklyn-Alyssa

Mrs. Sanford is our angel!

Love our Wednesday mornings with Mrs. Sue

Miss Jessica was our high school helper in the afternoons!

This is Mrs. Claudia

We made gift card pots for all of the teachers!

Mrs. Kristina

I got to do all of the money collecting and shopping!!!

Fun times!

Before the AWANA closing program, we went to a birthday party of Lily's and then went to eat with the Kuhn family!  Jill got some great pictures of the kids together!  They are tons of fun!!!  The ages that the kids are is so fun!!!

This one is hilarious!   Both with matching chocolate mouths!

Disney's Toy Story on Ice

In December, Tracy asked if Brooklyn and I wanted to join she and Kate to see Toy Story on Ice!  It was a great girls day!  We went to the show and the girls LOVED it!  It was so fun to see their faces and Tracy and I were very impressed with how they pulled together the 3 different movies to do the show!  It was a day full of fun and amazement!  Thank you for the invite Tracy!

She was so excited!

Of course Jessie is her fave character!

Brooklyn and Kate

Great seats and ready for the show!

These looks make it all worth it! 

She was thrilled to see Jessie!