It's Five Minute Friday when I link up with Lisa-Jo of The Gypsy Mama.  She gives us a word each Friday and we get to write on it for five minutes flat.  Our word for today is THANK YOU.


GO

Every day in our Pre-K 3 class, there are opportunities for the children to practice good manners. When we catch them saying thank you, they receive a star on our highly visible manner board. After reaching a milestone, they are awarded a sticker.

You'd be amazed by their response.  When a child has a simple sticker placed on them, the class erupts with applause and shouts of congratulations.  Miss Debbie takes a photograph, of course.

The early years are when habits are formed.  Saying please and thank you may seem so simple but it can make such a difference in life.

Cultivating an attitude of gratitude is a gift you can give to your children.

Thanksgiving may be over.  But the attitude of thankfulness can continue throughout the year.

I want to remember to give thanks in all things.  Each day is a gift from God.  How I receive each day is a choice.  I desire to always have a thankful heart that reaches out in love.

I may not receive a sticker or applause or shouts of congratulations. But being thankful changes my perspective and brings a smile to my face.  So I choose to be thankful.

STOP


Blessings and love,

Children are such a blessing.  They speak their minds.  They are flexible.  They show their emotions easily.  They cry one minute and laugh the next.

It's such fun to spend the day with a classroom of twenty 3-4 year old children.  You never know what they will say.

Small kid, big deal

Since the weather in Phoenix has become a bit cooler, I wore a blazer to school.

We were on the playground and Sam told me I should button my blazer.

I laughed and said "That's OK Sam.  Miss Debbie needs to lose a few pounds first."

He replied: "You need to exercise."

I asked him what I should do.

Sam said, "The bike that doesn't move." He smiled up at me.

I laughed and said I would have to listen to him.

Before I left for the day, I peeked into his after school class and said goodbye.  Sam looked up, pointed at me and yelled "Do your exercise Miss Debbie!"

Needless to say I went home and exercised on my treadmill.  Thank you Sam for the inspiration.


Since I'm on the subject of exercise, our school participated in the American Diabetes Association School Walk for Diabetes.  The children learned about diabetes and ways to eat healthy and to exercise.

They colored fruits, vegetables and sports equipment.  They each wrote their names in crayon and we posted it on the wall as the walk progressed.

Everyone got to wear red shirts in lieu of their uniforms as they participated in the walk.

Since this post contains lots of red, I had to share Kenzie's photos.  My niece Kristin loves to dress her up and take pictures.  Isn't she the cutest?

#585 Children say the cutest things
#586 The refreshing honesty of children
#587 Teaching the children about exercise and healthy choices
#588 Being inspired by a child
#589 Raising money for diabetes research
#590 Cooler weather in Phoenix
#591 Seeing photos of sweet Kenzie
#592 A short work week
#593 A Thanksgiving feast with the children and their parents
#594 Thanksgiving with Greg's family
#595 Planting red geraniums in the front entryway
#596 Looking forward to turkey and all the trimmings
#597 Thankful for my church family
#598 Looking forward to hiking in the mountains

I'm linking up with Ann of A Holy Experience as we continue to count our every day blessings.



Blessings and love,