Sunday, May 30, 2010

The End of a Very Sweet Chapter


I remember it clearly, it was our move-in day here in SC.I was very pregnant sitting on the front porch in a beach chair watching the moving company unload our belongings; our new neighbor walked over and introduced herself. She noticed a 2 year old Winston running around, had to have noticed my pregnant belly and at some point asked about our plans for preschools in the area. Preschool was the last thing on my mind at the time but I remember she spoke so highly of the one her children attended as well as the church in which it was affiliated. I made a mental note to investigate at the proper time.

It wasn't long before I made some calls and visits and without any doubt, I knew Bethany CDC was the one for us. During the first phone call, the director asked me my plans for Winston's entrance into Elementary School and urged me to consider waiting that extra year due to his August birthday. She told me it was one of the greatest gifts I could give a boy with an August birthday -- and she was ever so right about that. We were wait listed but by the time registration rolled around, we enrolled without incident and were excited to become a Bethany CDC family.

The welcoming, loving arms of Bethany wrapped around us quickly and haven't let go since. From the beginning of our time at the CDC, I have been amazed at just how much those teachers LOVE the every single one of those children they teach -- it never ever seemed like a job to them, always a privilege. We've had different styles and different personalities in the teachers we've been assigned and all of them were gifts to our children and our family at just the right time.

I have so many fond, sweet memories from Bethany - one of which happened this past year. One morning I got a call from Vicki, the director. Lilly was running a high fever, felt awful and needed to come home early. When I arrived to pick her up, I walked into the office to find my sweet little girl curled up in Vicki's lap. Vicki had stopped what she was doing and was holding Lilly in her arms, rocking her until I could arrive. I could have cried watching the tender loving care my daughter was receiving by someone who could have easily put her down on the rug for a nap until I could get there. This is just one example of what Bethany gave us over these last 4 years.

We made some wonderful friendships that will last far beyond our years at the CDC with children, other Bethany parents and teachers and staff. Both of our children children learned so much while they were there.As parents, Joe and I learned to cherish the innocence and freedom of childhood....many of the gifts will last a lifetime.

Our last days at the CDC were bittersweet - we are sad to be leaving our beloved preschool but so thankful for the gifts of our time there. We'll stay very close to the CDC because of our church and the wonderful Christian people we met along the way but no doubt, we will miss our daily trips to a most special place.
We could not have asked for a more wonderful place to introduce our children to school life than Bethany.We are so grateful.


Field Day Relays- Run Lilly Run
Enjoying a popsicle treat after Field Day events. Lilly and her sweet friend, McCoy.
5 day 4's - Mrs Shabeldeen and Mrs Harris

Last Day as a Preschooler - growing up way too fast

Two sweet girls - Lilly and Hannah

Final Sing a Long at Bethany
Blessing before the Picnic - I love that she knows exactly what to do

They don't get any better than Mrs Walters - we had her for Lunch Bunch. One wonderful lady.

Mrs Harris and Lillly

Mrs Shabeldeen

Friday, May 28, 2010

And All God's People Said......AMEN!

The crazy train I've been on these last 8 months just pulled into the station and I am knocking people out of the way to get OFF this insane ride for a much needed break. I cannot even fathom how we survived these last few months with the schedule we've been keeping. Endless meetings, PTA responsibilities, Bible School planning, school functions, baseball games or ballet lessons...it's been something every night and literally one thing after another.While much of it was fun and all of it was important - it has left me absolutely worn out and ready to close the calendar and turn off the phone for the summertime.

Our house is an absolute disaster...stuff E-V-ER-EE-WHERE and disorganized....a tired Mama Grant living in a dirty, cluttered, disorganized house is NOT a good combination for this family....especially Mama Grant. It's time to recharge, clean up and enjoy some summer days free of meetings, errands and activities. We'll hit the beach, the pool and all sorts of other stuff but it'll be low-key and worry-free. It'll fly by and we'll be back in school mode in the blink of an eye....so here's a quick summary in pictures of all the fun and hopefully we'll get back on track with some timely blogging. We had a lovely lake trip, Lilly's dance recital and Winston's last big days as a 1st grader that deserve posts all their own....and I'll get to all that...but for now.....this is best we've got until we can find our sanity and praise the Lord for a cloudy, overcast first part of this Memorial Day weekend, I can think of no better way to spend this weekend than cleaning like a mad woman. Pray for the children, I have a sneaking suspicion they will not agree with this plan!
Here's what we've been up to instead of blogging...
Spending time with good people - Courtney's pony party at Middleton Place was a lovely way to spend a Saturday in late April. I love the picture of these sweet children.
Little League night at the RiverDogs...we all had fun at The Joe....
The teams walked the field...
Waiting for the game to start....

Love this picture....
Lilly enjoyed the Dippin' Dots...



A sweet little girls sings at her Mother's Day Tea at Bethany...our last one EVER...sniff sniff


Lilly and her sweet friend sing for the Mommies...


A Mother's Day Dinner fit for a Queen....thanks Daddy, Winston and & Lilly - I loved it!


A Field Trip to Boone Hall for my first grader. Enjoying the bus ride with his favorite classmate...

Switching gears to temporary opponents at the ball field.....it was so cute to see them play against each other and shake hands afterwards.

End of Season Awards....Winston with his coaches. A GREAT first year of baseball. Some of best coaches we've ever had....thanks Coaches!
Great season #2 -- you learned alot, played hard ALWAYS and win or lose, played like a champ.