Squeezing in a few special moments...

When I took on my extra job almost 2 months ago now...my biggest concern what the impact that so many crazy hours would have on our family time and my one-on-one time with the kids...but somehow, in the midst of a ridiculously crazy schedule, God has helped me prioritize and I have managed to squeeze in some special times :)
One of those special times came last week when I joined Alexia's class on a field trip to the bowling alley! 

Here is the group of kids who were on my bowling team:

The kids did great and had a ton of fun!  It was a first bowling experience for many of them.  So, each group of kids received a "Safety Lesson" from the bowling alley manager...

Once everyone knew and committed to the "rules for safety"...they were ready to bowl :)

Alexia LOVES bowling and had a great time!  She was also a great encourager to her friends as they were getting the hang of it.  The kids did great (of course, the bumpers did have a little bit of an impact on their overall score!)

It was fun to watch Alexia interact with all of the girls outside of the classroom setting...it amazes me the friendships that have developed between these girls in just a few short months! 

Alexia and her posse!

And here is Mrs. Deiter with her whole crew...she has been a wonderful teacher for Alexia's first year of school...I am very thankful for her.  She's extremely kind-hearted, but very consistent in her expectations and follow-through with the kids. 





Then, after spending some time with Alexia and her classmates, it was time to join Megan and her class for their Easter Party this week!  I didn't tell her I was coming ahead of time and she was thrilled to see me.  I actually snuck into the room when she wasn't looking and sat down in a grouping of chairs with the other parents.  She was asking this one mom to take her picture (it was Ms. Krystal who is actually the mom of a family in our small group whom Megan knows very well)...anyway, right after she asked that, I spoke up and said, "I'll take your picture Megs!"  She turned and looked at me and the look on her face was PRICELESS!  She said, "Mommy...what are you doing here???"  Then she started yelling, "Yea, my mommy's here...Yea, my mommy's here!!"  I guess she was a little excited :)

Here she is when I first got her attention that I was there...

It was really neat to watch Megan interact with her friends.  Last year, she would have rarely chosen to be in a room full of kids, but she seemed to be thoroughly enjoying all of her new friends.  Every time I turned around, she was laughing and smiling...

Or tickling someone...

Or tackling someone...

Wait...that's the same boy -- uh oh!

Or hugging someone...

Or posing for a snapshot with a good friend!

After watching how much she enjoyed being with her friends, I now understand why she truly wants to invite every one of them to her birthday party!  I guess I'll be reserving a local park for her party :)

Her Easter Party was a lot of fun with good food and treats, fun games...

and of course...a huge Easter Egg Hunt!

I had a great time with Megan at her Easter Party!  I know it meant a lot to her that I was there, because I heard her telling Alexia all about it later that day. 

I'm sure the day will come when she won't be so excited to see me show up at her school, but for now...I'll enjoy every moment of spending this time with her!