Classroom Recognition's

Natalie and Stephen each had recognition ceremonies in their classrooms.  It was fun to attend and get to see them with their classmates celebrating a great school year.  Stephen's classroom had awards based on types of candy...it was such a cute idea.  Stephen got the "Sweet Tart Award," which is perfect for him because he is such a good friend.  In Natalie's classroom they also shared a bio poem that each child wrote about themselves as well as a bubble map of their traits written by her classmates.  It was really fun to hear Natalie's bio poem; it was so sweet and I especially liked where she said she wishes to become a better sister!!  

When Natalie's teacher called her up to recognize her she got choked up.  She said Natalie always makes it seem like it is the best day and that whenever she is having a bad day she sees Natalie and is inspired to make it a better day.  I can't remember exactly how she worded it, but it brought tears to my eyes and reminded me that Natalie has always had this special gift.  Even when Natalie was a tiny thing, like 18 months old, we would talk about what a 'beutiful day' it was.  When she got sick, Natalie had a LOT of REALLY hard days and yet she seized every good moment she could squeeze out of every day.  I remember when Natalie was almost three and had just finished the worst chemo, we relaxed a little and put her in a little dance class.  She actually ended up being in class with the already three year old because they thought Natalie seemed mature.  During each class there would always be several little girls that would melt down and cry or have a tantrum over some random thing, it always stuck out in my mind because Natalie actually had real things happening that made her days hard and she never was did that.  It seemed as if Natalie would look at them in amazement wondering what there was to cry about...how could you be sad when you were dancing!!!!  That has always stuck with me and been such a lesson in my life.  The things my daughter has taught me...

Natalie's teacher's comments were a special reminder to me to not let those things fade and to continue to let my daughter influence my heart each day because she has such a gift for seeing the beauty and joy in life. 

Friends!!!

Natalie was also honored in the school assembly because she was chosen to be in Respect Corp.  It's a student run leadership group and only one kid from each class is chosen at the end of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade to be in respect corp; so it is a pretty big deal!!  She will serve in it for the rest of her time in elementary school.  I was super proud of her and she was SO SO excited!!

My Stephen...

.....So proud of him

Crazy boys!!!