Another VBS is done!

The girls love the Vacation Bible School at a nearby church. This was the 5th year we've attended (Brenna has always been in class, Molly started in the Nursery and then in classes and I have taught in the craft room for 2 years and then as a classroom teacher for the last 3) and each of us comes away tired and happy each day. We've made some nice friends from other schools and look forward to seeing each other again each summer. The themes change each year and this time around we were "camping" at SonRock Kids' Camp so we had lots of outdoor, nature or animal themed decorations and projects.

This year I taught the Scrupulous Skunks who are a class of rising Kindergarteners. It was especially nice because the music teacher at the girls' school, Sr. Rachel, carpooled with us each day and she taught the other class of Kindergarteners and our teams moved through all our activities together each day. Molly was a Luminous Lizard and Brenna was a Baccivorous Bear. I think they like to keep us running for the dictionary each year! As usual we ended the week with a concert and the kids performed several songs for us.

What a great week!

My little skunks singing and hanging out in the tent outside our classroom!

It Is Done.

"Choose Jesus" was the theme song

"Talk Talk" was the kids' favorite because of the "chatter" between verses. I liked the lyrics: "The Bible says that love is not words. Love is an act doing good for the world. It's time to live like love is verb. God gives us love so it and be turned and turned and turned and returned."

VBS is done for another year. It was fun and worthwhile on so many levels, but above all it was tiring! Molly actually came home today and took a long nap as the week obviously caught up with her. The kids ended with a performance of the songs they learned and I was able to get some video clips. Not of Brenna though as her group was all the way to the left and I had to sit near my class (on the top step in this clip - Molly's the short one in the middle)

The kids all came back to the classroom to pick up their bags and one of my little pumpkins was crying her heart out that we were done. I had to promise, promise and pinky swear promise that I would come back next year and teach up a level so we could be together again. How could you say no to this sweetie? All of my kids (rising first graders) were wonderful and spending the whole week teaching them (our volunteer commitment is only one day but I always wind up there all week!) really gave me a chance to get to know their personalities better. Plus they are so good for my self esteem so make me feel so loved in such a short time!

Here's another cutie - the toothless girls!

Creativity

Molly's class was using colored pasta to make collages at VBS this week. Molly made this summer scene. It wasn't until later that I noticed she used the red colored elbow shapes and two small circles to make a crab in the sand. How cute is that?

Arghh!

Pirates galore today at VBS!

The adults sometimes enjoy the themes as much (or more!) than the kids. I had my pirate gear but check out the music director! We all joked that it would have been hilarious had he been pulled over while driving in today. Try explaining that ensemble to a police officer!

We also have about a dozen teen helpers who are fabulous and very enthusiastic. We're having a great week and I'm enjoying teaching Molly's class. It's a fun group of kids who are so well behaved and really enjoy the activities.

Cowgirl

I think I'm going to find a picture every day of this one without those teeth! :)

This week the girls and I are at Vacation Bible School each day. I'm teaching in Molly's class while Brenna is off on her "yearly playdate" with her classmates. (This is not our home church yet we've been at their VBS for 4 years now so we've met some nice folks that we don't see through the school year.) Today was Western day. Get ready for pirates tomorrow!

VBS Concert

The last day of VBS ends with a concert. Over the course of the week the kids learn about 6 or 7 songs complete with hand motions. It's definitely one of their favorite parts of the day. We listen to the song CD in the car driving to and from each day and Molly can't understand why I don't do the hand motions while I'm driving!

The show is always a highlight for Brenna and Molly was in 7th heaven to finally be able to do it too. This is one of their favorite songs called "Obey-o."

Final Hours . . .

Tomorrow will be our last day of Vacation Bible School and I think the girls are really going to miss it. We've all had a fun - and tiring! - week and have enjoyed the program. The water theme has been perfect for the steamy hot temperatures we've had the past few days.

And I now have a new respect for teachers! I come home exhausted each day and I only have 12 very well-behaved 4 & 5 year olds for a half day! I think part of it is that Dean has been away for a full week so I've been running around with kids in tow nonstop. He's due back tonight so the thunderstorm watch we are under had better not get in his way. This momma needs a break!

VBS

We are elbows deep in "Take the Plunge" Vacation Bible School (and yes Dad, it really is at a Catholic Church. He doesn't believe me!) Brenna has been doing this camp for 3 years and Molly has been dying to do it as well. She's spent previous years in the childcare room while I volunteered doing crafts so she's happy to finally be in her own class. And wonder of wonders I'm back voluntering - this year every day. Silly me said I would teach this year so I have Molly's class - a group of 13 kindergarteners called the "Steadfast Starfish." They are great kids and we are having a ball.

As you can see, today was Hawaiian shirt day. Overall, I couldn't be happier with the program, the people and the fun activities. It has always been one of Brenna's favorite summer highlights and now Molly and I can see why.