It’s time to spend some time bragging on Noelle, because she has worked so incredibly hard this year at school!  She got 8 awards at her awards ceremony on Monday!  Here she is with her favorite teacher in the entire earth (her words), Mrs. Biggerstaff, after she presented Noelle with the character award she entitled, “The Above and Beyond Award.”  She said during the awards presentation that Noelle will go far in life because of the way she does everything with all her heart!  This is one happy girl right here, with one amazing teacher we will never forget and can’t thank enough for such an incredible year!!! 

I love to go to all of the special events for Noelle, and she loves having me with her!  I hope that never changes!

 

Out of the entire class, Noelle got the “Top Speller” award.  Spelling comes very naturally for Noelle.  She actually never missed a word the entire year, including the bonuses.  Her spelling average was 110!  She worked hard on spelling at school, but we didn’t have to go over her words very much at home (Friday mornings while I was doing her hair).  She’s a natural!  This is the award that she really really wanted, and she was very nervous she wasn’t going to get it.  I told her she might tie with someone, but that she can’t do better than perfect, so she has to get the award… but still, her stomach was in knots!  I love this smile on her face… pure satisfaction on a job well done.  After school, she told me, “Mom, now it’s my goal to be the best speller next year too!”  She’s already motivated to work hard at school next year.  I’m so proud of her attitude to want to do well and be successful.  This was the first time I think she truly felt that, and I know she was so proud, which is awesome, because she is building confidence in herself and her ability to achieve whatever she puts her mind to doing!  After I took this picture, I think Mrs. Biggerstaff thought Noelle was going to sit down, but instead, she dove in and gave her the biggest hug!  She was so happy; it was awesome!

 

Carson and Noelle won the Computer award for being the most computer savvy… the school computer teacher, Mrs. Clark, awarded two kids per class with the computer award.  Noelle does know a whole lot about technology, thanks to her amazing Daddy!  Congrats girls!

Chloe, Ayah, Noelle and Carson were happy little girls after their awards ceremony!

Noelle blossomed this year!  Last year, was an unbelievable challenge for all of us due to her kindergarten experience, but this year was the total opposite, thank God!  Not only did she blow us away with her academics (she also got the top reading award they gave to the top 4 best readers), but she gained self-confidence in that she is important and special at school, to her teachers and her peers.  She began leading and teaching, instead of cowering away in fear.  I use such strong comparison language, because I want you to know how far we’ve come.  We don’t take one award of hers for granted.  She truly worked hard in every area to gain trust and respect.  She’s a kind, gentle, patient, and lovely little girl, and we are blessed beyond measure to have her as our daughter!  With all of that being said, I wanted to share some words of encouragement her teacher wrote to us, as a testimony to her awesome year in 1st grade!

To me:

I love your girl.  You have done a great job raising her.  She is wonderful.  God knew that I needed her this year.  Noelle has been a blessing.  I will not forget your family.
Thank you for your kindness.
Marcy Biggerstaff

To Mike:

I just loved having Noelle in my class.  She is a beautiful girl, inside and out. I will miss her!
Marcy Biggerstaff

To Noelle:

           

It really does take a village to raise a child, and we are so grateful for Mrs. Biggerstaff and Mrs. Arnold, for the positive examples they have been to Noelle this year!  Our girl is happy, smart, loving and my biggest prayer answered, confident! 

Keep up the good work, Noelle!  This is only the beginning… with all of our hearts, we love you to the moon and back, forever and always!