202 Summer Cookout

Last night I had a cookout for my 4th graders. I have done this in the past and had lots of fun. I invited all of my students and had 11 show up...not bad (plus the Secrests, mom/dad, G, and Rachael). The kids were excited to see each other, I was excited to see them, and we had a great time. We played "baby toss" (a homemade game that belongs to a friend), volleyball, tag, and misc. other games. One of the great things is that I use the esplanade when we have a larger get-together. It's like a bigger open yard, only I don't have to mow it!! So we spent lots of the evening out there, and came back to the backyard to eat our dinner.

I really enjoy teaching and the fun I get to have with some great kids. I think that part of my ministry as a single is that I can spend a little extra time with my students that maybe I wouldn't be able to spend if I were married and had my own kids. So, I get to be "mom" to lots of kids and I don't have to pay for them! (And they do slip often and call me mom--but they also tell me that they slip at home and call their moms Miss Steininger sometimes) And many of my students need more positive attention, and role models, and love!

Anyway, here are two pictures we took during the evening. The first is just a group shot, and the second is the silly shot.