Baby Animals

Our little Joy School group went to Baby Animal Days at AWHC last week. We have such a fun group this year. There's a younger sibling at each house who thinks they should get to go to Joy School too. Lincoln begs to go every time I drop Bentley off and is so excited when its at our house so he can be a part. And he felt extra special to go on a Joy School field trip with all the big kids.

I'm not sure that I'll ever get over the fact that we pay to let our kids learn about"farm life" for a day. And the fact that my kids are those that think horses and cows and chickens live on a "farm" instead of out back really blows my mind. But whatever. We've got to make the best of what we've got and right now that is a lonely fish in a bowl on a counter and we'll probably end up with city kids.

Enough of that rant.

Here's Lincoln watching the chicks. He really liked the chicks, duckling and bunny--the softest animals. He spent his time with the duckling rubbing it's head across his cheek because he liked how soft it was.

One thing you don't experience regularly on a farm is a train ride at the end of the day. As you can imagine the 6 boys were pretty excited.

Here's our group, minus the 1 girl, plus a couple of the younger brothers.

Bowling Field Trip

The Joy School kids went bowling on the last day of class before the holiday break. We went at 9:30 on a Thursday morning and had the place to ourselves (I never would have guessed bowling alleys were open that early).

Bentley appointed himself to be the keeper of the balls.

Lincoln really wants to be a big kid and thinks he should get to go to Joy School too. Bentley eventually let him help push the ball.

The kids loved it!

Christmas Bells are Ringing

 Our little Joy School group did their Christmas program for a nursing home this week. First, we met at the church and practiced.

 We only have 4 kids in our group, so if the younger siblings wanted to play along we let them.

 Here are the three boys, 2 shepherds and a wiseman. Our Mary, and the only girl, was having a difficult time with the old people. So her and I stood in the corner and looked the other direction. I may be better with old people than I used to be, but I could totally see where she was coming from.

Luckily, her little sister wasn't scared so she was Mary. Lincoln helped them out with Jingle Bells. By the way he rang his bell I'd say he could have a strong future with the Salvation Army. Would you be more likely to give to a cute bell ringer or what?

Oh, and year two of this program resulted in Bentley knowing and singing the words to the songs!

Chocoholic

When I picked Bentley up from Joy School today the mom said, "I just have to show you Bentley's brown page." They had cut brown things out of magazines and glued them on a sheet of paper, making the brown page. Bentley's page was covered with Oreos, chocolate ice cream, a chocolate candy bar, and chocolate milk.

She asked if he had a sweet tooth.

Sweet tooth?

Are you kidding me? The kid's a chocoholic. And brown is one of his favorite colors.

First Day of Joy School: Year 2

And so it begins....

 

 He also went to the dentist today, and what you're looking at is the 'model of oral health'. Which isn't surprising, with his love of flossing and all. Joy School and the dentist. It was a big day at our house. (Bentley loves the dentist. Really. Loves. Not sure which he was more excited about Joy School or Dr. Doug.)

And his totally rad backpack.

Belly Button Expert

At Joy School today one of the boys lifted his shirt up.

Bentley started laughing, "That's funny!" And pointed at him.

I asked, "What's funny?"

"He has an innie!"

That prompted another boy to raise his shirt so Bentley could identify what sort of belly button he had.

In case you are wondering, Bentley is very proud of his outie.

1 Graduation Down

Typically when a school year ends and you have to repeat that grade it is called failing, but in pre-school they call it graduating!

Last night Bentley graduated from Joy School. He loved Joy School this year and made some good friends. His confidence has soared and his willingness to sing has also improved.
 

His favorite weeks were when I got to be his teacher! Oddly, those were my least favorite :) He is already counting down the days till Joy School starts again.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Bentley has had so much fun in Joy School this year. Yesterday was their little Christmas program. They performed at a nursing home in the morning and then at a party for families last night.

Bentley was a shepherd and Hudson, who has been at our house for a few days, got to fill in for a sick inn keeper, and also was a wise man by morning and a shepherd by night.

Oh Joy!

Chod got up early this morning to make Bentley waffles--with whipped cream and sprinkles.

Why?


Because it was his first day of Joy School.