Welcome to 2008!

Welcome to 2008! I know that I am a little tardy with my salutation. Coming back to school after the winter holiday can sometimes feel like starting all over. I hope that you were all able to spend a little extra time with your children during the holiday.

I am quite sure that many schools exist that have staff members who love the children in their care. I just get to see firsthand examples here at AMA of the love that is shared by the staff and students. Of course, I especially get tears in my eyes when I see my sixteen year old son, a former student, playing with the children on the playground.

Daily, I see the students, infant to elementary, sharing hugs and kisses with their teachers and their friends. I hear teachers spontaneously tell the children "I love you," and the children say, "I love you too." One of Mrs. Couch's kindergarten boys says good-bye to her every afternoon with "good-bye Mr. Couch" and she replies, "good-bye Miss E....." (They love their private joke!)

Sure, we have frustrating moments. We have entire bad days (especially when it is too cold to go outside and play.) But we are like a big family. The love that we share on a daily basis gets us through the tough times.

The best moment I have had all year was at nap-time last week. I was sitting on the floor with two little girls patting their backs. One was petting my fuzzy sweater and she said, "Mrs. Cunningham, you are so soft." The other little girl looked up from her mat and said, "And you're pwetty and you smewl good."

I just love them, I love their honesty, I love their wisdom, I even love their bad days. I'm proud of them and I'm so blessed that you share them with us. Try to take a moment today to appreciate your child right now, at the age and stage that they are. Write down the funny things they say and kiss their whole face even when you want to pull out your hair. I'm wishing lots of memories for you in 2008. Enjoy!