our university friends

We have been so lucky this year to pair up as pen pals with a group of Marian University "future teachers".  The kids have really been working on their letter writing skills and eagerly await mail delivery from the "big" students.  Amber Owens, a St. Chris grad and an "almost" student teacher here, has speared-headed this endeavor and she organized a get together for us on Friday, November 18th.

Group pic of us and our pen pals...Amber is on the far left standing.

Several of our "pals" had to work or were in class so we did
some pairing up!  This gal was a hit...she has a BUNNY!

The Marian students brought a favorite book from their
childhood to read to the children...thought that was such
a fabulous idea!

We even got a pic of our very own Mama Drake who was
there working on auction stuff!

The Marian "kids" brought cookies and drink pouches...I mean, a good
book, good company, good food and good drink...it doesn't get much better
than that at St. Chris at 2:00 on a Friday afternoon.

These Marian students were soooo good at engaging
my kids...this is why Marian University turns out so many
excellent teachers including many on our own staff.

The kids brought their folders with all the letters they are accumulating this
year and I saw lots of them rehashing old letters with their pen pals.

I want Makayla's  pen pal's purse!  Next time we meet
we will read to them!

The Marian students also brought gift bags to our kids
with chips, notepads, pencils, etc.  The way to a kid's
heart is definitely through gift bags!

Amber directing and organizing...she is so ready to be a teacher and she made it such a laid back experience for me and
for that I thank her immensely!

What an experience for our kids!

The Marian kids walked my kids back to their room at the end of our day and got to see Malcolm and their "digs".  When I told my kids that we would be writing our thank you letters on Monday the enthusiasm was just so great!

Thank you Amber and all the Marian University students...you were fabulous!