Turkey 🦃 Day

 I’m grateful to move to Waco to see the snow, the Christensen’s, Family, friends, houses, essential things, everything, trials, Ms Francis, Ms Balestrini, Ms Brown

Pres Nelson's Gratitude Challenge 2020

 Hello my sweet son,

President Nelson asked us to write a gratitude journal this week on social media. This is the most social media I get: Youtube, blogger, Pinterest, and that's it. Being that I can't really post things on youtube, I decided to go for a blog. It won't be seen by many, but hopefully it will be seen by you in a time you need to see it.

You are my treasure, sweet boy. I still remember how excited I was that you were coming to our family. Your sweet spirit has been such a joy. As a baby you were loving and chubby. You loved balls, hair and your thumb. As you grew, few things changed. You loved to be Inside-Out-Backwards-Boy, setting a trend in your first grade classroom. Miss Demi Andrews was your teacher. Do you remember her? She was from Florida and she was a great teacher. You loved weapons (agh!) and gloves. 

You're 10 now and in fourth grade with Ms Balestrini and Ms Brown at Aristoi Classical Academy. You have a therapist that we love named Ms Francis Cook. You have uncontrollably strong rage, but you are trying so hard to reign it in. 

You are loved. Whether raging or not. You are loved. By so many people. The list is too long to compile, but I hope you feel it. Not only from your Momma, but from friends, cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles, Daddy, and GOD. You one of my cherished possessions that isn't really a possession, but something that I hope I watch grow forever knowing who you are---one of my own.

Thank you for being my boy. Each stage of life has taught me more about what God does. Having children and loving them NO MATTER WHAT is a gift from God. He wants me to know what it is like to watch His children learn, make mistakes, and grow. I am learning that and my heart is full. I love you and I always will.

-Momma.

Spelling B II

 Bruiser took 4th place out of all the Fourth graders at Aristoi Classical Academy! The word he missed was “listless.” He spelled it with an extra s at the end: “listlesss.”

So proud of you, Bud!! 

Matthew also received a compliment from his teacher, Mrs Brown. She said that he was one of five kids to complete the recitation of the poem, Concord Hymn.

Mom helped him with the first bit, but Grammie helped him finish it off!! Thanks Grammie!

Concord Hymn

BY RALPH WALDO EMERSON

Sung at the Completion of the Battle Monument, July 4, 1837

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,

   Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,

Here once the embattled farmers stood

   And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe long since in silence slept;

   Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;

And Time the ruined bridge has swept

   Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,

   We set today a votive stone;

That memory may their deed redeem,

   When, like our sires, our sons are gone.

Spirit, that made those heroes dare

   To die, and leave their children free,

Bid Time and Nature gently spare

   The shaft we raise to them and thee.

Spelling Bee

 Dear Parents,

Congratulations are in order for your child! He or she is one of the homeroom's Spelling Bee finalists and will advance to compete in the fourth grade Bee on Thursday afternoon. 

Thursday, twelve fourth graders (three from each homeroom) will compete to see which two students will advance to the schoolwide Bee at a date to be determined.