Showering [the soon-to-be] Mrs. Hight!

MY BEST FRIEND IS GETTING MARRIED!!!!!  ...no this isn't new news, but it's still incredibly exciting!  And I'm even more excited that I get to be a part of their big day!  Because I'm old [okay, because I'm married], I was asked to be the 'Matron of Honor'.  The Maid of Honor, Kara, is about a zillion miles away, so I was flying solo for the Bridal Shower... and once I realized that it was probably a good idea to throw the bridal shower before the wedding happened, I had to get my butt in gear!  Weddings tend to sneak up on me...

My first thought when I figured out that I would be hosting a bridal shower was 'Yay!' -- followed quickly by, 'Oh crap!'.  Not only was the wedding only a couple months away, but because everyone lives in different places I anticipated a difficult time finding a date and location that would work for everyone.  Thankfully, things fell into place and the time and place were locked in!

I love party planning, but while I am fairly organized and love details, it's entirely different to plan and coordinate something than it is to HOST it!  I am not the type of person who likes to draw attention to myself or be anywhere near the center of attention.  But because I love my friend, I sucked it up and immersed myself in the details and planning so that I didn't have to think about the many many many people on the guest list [who I didn't know].  And then I made my mumsy promise to go with me, too!

After designing and ordering the invites [the fun part!], I set out to find some fun games [thank you pinterest!] that would appeal to a wide variety of guests.

I spent the next few weeks planning, reserving, ordering and crafting :)  And here's how it turned out:

The Beautiful Bride-to-Be and her Fabulous Mumsy!

....we met LOTS of new people!

'He Said... She Said' Game :)  I don't know if Keicia got all the quotes right, and she said half of te

One of the games was a Mad Lib version of vows for Keicia!  Somehow I don't think we'll be hearing these at the wedding next month... but at least she has a back up!

Apparently, Keicia never quite looked her age.  In this 'Before she was a Bride' game, guests had to guess Keicia's age in the numbered pictures.  And again, I don't think Keicia got all of the ages right, either!

So here's to my best friend in the whole world!  She is going to be a beautiful bride!!!

The thoughts and sayings of preschoolers ~ Volume III

When I accepted my new job offer, I knew [as you may have read in my last post] that I would miss many things about working with my preschoolers.  But one of the things that I will miss most of all are the cute, crazy, silly, adorable and down right random things that preschoolers say.

Because of this, in honor of my last day as 'Teacher René', I bring you the final edition [for now?] of 'The Thoughts and Sayings of Preschoolers' ~ Volume III:


Group of kids walking in a line out to the bus.  One girl trips at the top of the steps and falls down.
Boy: [raises hands up over his head and looks back to the door of the building] No worry... no worry!  She okay!  She okay!

Two little ones playing with playdough...
Boy1: What are you making? Ohhhh.... are you making a big fluffy pillow?
Boy 2: Yeah!
Boy1: Is it for ants?  Ants love pillows!

Little boy walking into class on a rainy morning...
Boy: Hi!  I was just walking on water!!!

Little Girl running past...
Me: Remember to use your walking feet!
Girl: But when I have to go to the bathroom I have to run!
[same little girl, on a different day, after using the restroom]
Me: Did you remember to wash your hands?
Girl: I don't have to.
Me: Well, we always wash our hands after going to the bathroom.
Girl: No, I sanitize after going to the bathroom....

Little girl, standing up to do 'Show & Tell'...
Girl: [beginning to lift her dress up] I'm going to show my new underwear!
               ...no, to her dismay, she was not allowed to show her underwear for show & tell.

Little girl, after completing her 'Vv vulture' craft...
Me: Okay, [girl], what'd we make today?
Girl: Vuh vuh (sounding out the letter), Ostrich!
Me: Close...... a vuh vuh vulture!

Same craft, different student...
Teacher Becky: What'd we make today, [boy]?
Boy: A Veagle!

Brothers... fighting over a puzzle...
Me: boys, what's wrong?
[squabbling back and forth]
Me: [boy 1], come here for a second. -- What's going on over there?
Boy: I'm just helping [boy 2] do the puzzle.
Me: Well, it doesn't sound like he wants help right now.
Boy: Yes, he does want help... he just doesn't know he wants help yet.

Finishing our 'Vv vase' craft with a little boy. We glued a vase onto the paper and glued tissue paper flowers onto the drawn stems...
Me: What'd we make today, [boy]?
Boy: Flowers!
Me: That's right!  And where are the flowers? [trying to prompt him to say 'vase']
Boy: .....in the glue.

Little boy, after telling the class that they would be getting a new teacher because I have a new job...
Boy: So, you're leaving, teacher Rene'?
Me: Yes, today is my last day with all of you in class.
Boy: Well, don't forget to take your car!


During this last week at preschool, my co-workers were kind enough to treat me to lunch and dessert, all of my kiddos signed a giant card for me, and some of the sweetest students in the world brought me flowers.  I definitely felt loved!

I have had the most wonderful three years with all of my current and past preschoolers and will treasure my time with them forever!  But they can't get rid of me that easily.... only working 4 days a week at my new job, I'm sure I'll pop in a time or two to visit on days off!