You've Got to See This!!

Our Groundhog Day celebration was so wonderful!  You have got to check out Wendy Boyer's Slideshow  Wendy made our darling groundhog hats (and her twins' dresses)!!!  You'll feel like you were there!!!

Janice Sears, writer and also great photographer, did a super Article and Slideshow!!!  Enjoy!!

Groundhog Day 2011 with Sir Walter Wally!!!

What a day!!!  And what wonderful friends I had with which to share it!!  My transitional kindergarten class joined me on a field trip to Raleigh, NC's Museum of Natural Sciences!!

I got there a wee bit early...and guess who I got to hold!!!

This is actually the retired "Sir Walter Wally."  His name is Davidson.  He's 9 years old...surpassing the usual lifespan.  He was very snuggly!

Then my precious students arrived...in their groundhog hats made by one of our amazing Moms!!!!

Punxsutawney Phil and Gracie had their own "handlers" for the day!!

Aren't they adorable!!!!  Those are the cutest "groundhogs" I've ever seen!!

Then we headed inside for a chance to see Sir Walter Wally (the star of the day!!) up close and personal!

And then a fun surprise!

I think he wanted to kiss me!  I wasn't too sure about that!

Isn't he a cutie?????

This is Denise, Sir Walter's and Davidson's handler!  She was wonderful...a sweet Sister in Christ!!

Waiting for storytime!

And back outside...look who was the most stylin' in her groundhog hat!

And Sir Walter Wally's big moment!

And then...interviews with News 14!!!

It was a really fun day!  Happy Groundhog Day everyone!!!  Even if we have 6 more weeks of Winter!!!

Apex Baptist Church Preschool!!!

ABC Preschool invited me as a part of their study of animals that hibernate!!!  They had done some wonderful projects!!  Grover and Gracie couldn't wait for their chance to share their story!

And the boys and girls were ready to listen!

And isn't this one of the most beautiful little girls you've ever seen!?!

When you give to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, she and many others are blessed with hope for a healthy future!!!

Thanks, ABC Preschool!!!  It was a joy to spend time with you!!!

And thank you for the beautiful Thank You notes, students!!!  I LOVE them!!  I read each one.  And thank you, too, for the LifeWay giftcard!!  I can't wait to go!!!

Visit to Methodist Children's Center in Cary, NC

Gracie and Grover loved meeting these new friends!

We had fun "getting the wiggles out!"  They were super stretchers and wigglers!!

Thanks for letting me visit!!  We loved every minute!!

ChickfilA Dinner Event...so Merry...and yummy!!

Thanks to Marnie and ChickfilA of Apex for a wonderful evening of Christmas celebration!!!  Of course the food was tasty...especially those peppermint shakes!!!  Not only were we visited by Santa Cow and Elf Cow, but were even serenaded by harpist, Rose Stenbuck!  Wow!

Lots of great friends came out on that blustery night!!

My wonderful Pastor, Matt Rice, from The Creek Church in Morrisville, and his little darlin's were there!!!

Grover and Gracie got some special hugs!  And some of my amazing students came out to help me read...and sing...and quote the passage from Luke 2!!!

I'm so thankful that this dear one (a former student of mine from Cary Christian School) got to come!!!  Her visit came after a trip to the ER for stitches in her sweet cheek.  I'm so proud of her bravery!!!

A pose with my favorite PK's in their cow hats!!  Aren't they just so precious?!?!

Sweet hugs from some of my cuties from PPCC!!

Delightful new friends...such intent listeners...and so sweet!

Love those smiles!!!

Even grown-up friends came to visit!!!  Thanks, Johnny and Rhea, for your love and support!!!

Again, thanks to ChickfilA of Apex for allowing me to be a part of your Christmas festivities!!!

Visit to Carmel Christian School in Matthews!!!

Wow!  I had such a fabulous time at Carmel Christian School!!!  It was so great to be back in Matthews!!  I was greeted so warmly and treated grandly!!!

April Getz, their media specialist, is so fabulous!  She handled every detail so beautifully!

And the students and teachers were equally wonderful...amazing listeners...and the best question askers I've ever experienced!!

I LOVE making new friends!!!

Even older...cool...big kids love picture books!!!  Some of these even came ready to take notes!!!  Love it!

There was even one teacher with a Groundhog Day birthday!!!!!!!!!!  How cool is that!!!

Carmel Christian School got a really special treat...a visit from my Mom and Daddy, the illustrator!!!!!  The students loved the opportunity to ask him lots of questions about illustrating!!!  It was such a blessing for me to have them there!!  Here they chat with April...just after she served us the most delicious lunch!!!

It was a delightful time!!!  Thanks, Carmel Christian!!!

Eat More Chicken!!!

Thanks to ChickfilA of Apex for allowing us to participate in your Christmas celebration!!!  It was fun and delicious!!!  Thanks to lots of friends...old and new...for coming out to share in the festivities!!!

Look who was there!!!  Even Sparky!!  Have you ever seen sweeter smiles???

Elf Cow was happy to give out lots of hugs!

This was the first storytime...for the earlybirds!!  Some of my friends from PPCC came to help me read the story!!  They were great singers and helped in reciting Scripture from Luke 2!!

Santa Cow and Elf Cow listened and participated!!!  They made Jingle Bells sound the best ever!!!!

And more special guests came...and we saw the blessing of prayers answered!!!  Look who came all the way from China!!!

The Chicken Minis and Peppermint Milkshakes were soooooo yummy!!  And we had a fabulous time!!  The boys and girls all got their pictures made with Santa Cow and Elf Cow and got the cutest magnet frame to put it in!!! 

If you missed out on the merry-ness, don't fret!!!  You have another chance!!  We'll be back at ChickfilA at Beaver Creek Commons on Monday, December 13 from 5:30-7:30 for Christmas dinner with Santa Cow and Elf Cow!!!  Come join us!!!