Turkey Time Already?

So, Halloween has just ended and Thanksgiving is 20 days away...But today, we celebrated Thanksgiving Dinner at school with our families. 
 

We made precious turkey headbands for the occasion. 

 

My teammates and I think that tracing patterns and constructing them into a finished product is a lost art!

Sometimes we just need some reassurance from our friends that we are piecing it together correctly.

Mission Complete!  I love the "awws" we get from parents as we walk into the cafeteria. 

My Little 1st Grade Turkey...I myself did one of those "AWWS"!

Daddy got to come eat lunch...

And Yommy did too!

   

He's one lucky little Turkey!!!

Really, it is never too early to celebrate being thankful.  God's blessings are all around us!  Granted some days our blessings are easier to see than others, but there is always something for which we can give thanks!

Verse of the day - "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Thessalonians 5:18

Blessings,
Kelli

May "Extra Chesse" be with you!

I am going to be very honest with you...I love teaching Science way more than I ever did learning it in school.  I was not a good Math/Science student.  My brother and I tease that he got the Math/Science gene and I got the Reading/English Language Arts gene from our parents. (Please don't use this fact against me if you find errors in my posts!)

Most 1st Graders, on the other hand, LOVE Science!  Who wouldn't with all the hands-on experiments and investigations they get to do?  But sometimes, I think I try to "stuff" their brains too full of information.  Here's my proof...

#1 - Science Lesson: Natural vs. Man-Made light

After teaching the light unit, I make a big deal out of asking our "Light Operator" to turn off/on the MAN-MADE lights in our classroom.  One day, my students got a little loud (I know - it is SHOCKING that 1st Graders were being loud).  I turned off the lights for a minute to calm us down a bit and I hear one of students say, "You better be quiet, Mrs. Mac turned off the MERMAID lights!" 

#2 - Science Lesson: Heat

After discussing and observing various sources of heat, I introduced the concept of friction.  Before I could define/describe friction, one of my students said, "I know what friction means...It means the story is not real!"  At least I know he was listening during Reading and understands the difference between fiction and non-fiction!

One last funny school story...

Everyday, we sing a "Super" song to the students that earned a "SUPER" on their behavior calendar the day before.  Part of the song goes, "Following directions, doing assignments, showing others empathy".  After we had been in school about a month I hear of one my girls singing, "Following directions, doing assignments, showing others EXTRA CHEESE".  May you always show others "extra cheese" as well!

I LOVE MY JOB!  Kids really do say the darndest things!

Verse of the day - "He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with happy shouting." Job 8:21

Blessings,
Kelli

My antlers are still up!

Well, I promised not to post to until the series was over - win or lose.  Obviously, I thought I would be posting a happy, joyous post about the Rangers winning the World Series.  Unfortunately, this is not the case.

I have been kicking and cursing myself for saying over and over again, "Oh yeah, the Rangers have this.  They are much more dominant than the Giants."  And my dad told me not to buy my ALCS Champions shirt.  He told me it was like putting away the equipment before the game is over.  But, I couldn't resist and bought it anyway!  In all seriousness, I know nothing I did or didn't do caused the Rangers to lose.  I guess I'm sort of trying to make sense of it all.  They looked so good going in, they had peaked at just the right time - Sadly, it was just not meant to be this year.

Congratulations San Francisco Giants.  You won - fair and square.  In these 5 games, your team played better than mine. As much as I hate to admit it!

Seriously, who knew a beard could hold so much power?

Rest up, Rangers...March is right around the corner!  And to all those young, talented pitchers - take a page out of Michael Young's book and DON'T SELL OUT (especially to the Yankees!!!).

Antlers up to you Texas Rangers - I still love and will always love you!  Congratulations - I am very, very proud of you!

Verse of the day - "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." 1 Corinthians 13:4

Halloween Highlights Part Two

And now the rest of the story...

Saturday, we took the kids to Trick or Treat at the mall.  And while we only managed to get one tattoo from one store, we still had a good time!  Isn't it a proven fact that a trip to Barnes and Noble can make any day better?

How far down does a rabbit hole go?

  

The Queen of Hearts, she stole his heart!



And I'm MAD about this Mad Hatter

 

There you are Texas pageant teeth, we've been waiting on you to make your appearance!

 

These two were reading a book about Tornadoes...which Jackson greatly fears and yet also finds extremely fascinating!

Sunday morning, we headed to Church and then to Jackson's football game (Yep, they played on Halloween). 

Mrs. Casias sprayed the boys' hair for Halloween and good luck!  It worked, they won!

 

It showed up a little better on the lighter-haired boys!  He still thought it was super cool!

And to conclude our Halloween activities, we went Trick or Treating!

First stop - Mr. and Mrs. P's house.  These two are also known as my friend Michel (who teaches with me) and her husband Brian.  They were so sweet to let us come over WAY early to begin our rounds. 

 

Next stop - Uncle Johnny and Aunt Betty's...  Aunt Betty was still at work when we arrived, so we "entertained" Uncle Johnny with our "antics" until she got home.  That's code for, my kids didn't take a nap and were acting like NUTS.



Then, we met Yommy and Papa at Rosa's for a combined Trunk or Treat/Supper event.

Papa looks good in the hat! 

So does Kendall!

 

With a FEW of our goodies from Yommy and Papa - My kids are way too spoiled!  They are very lucky to have so many people who love them - even when they are tired, cranky and hopped up on sugar.



Our last stop was Danny and Debbie's house - We got a two-for-one special because Jason and Dezz were also there!  I didn't get a picture of the kids with their goodie bags from Debbie and Danny, but they were super-cute!  Did I mention my kids are spoiled????

 

Dezz made these Brownie Bite "Suckers" for the kids.  Aren't they precious - she's so talented!



And Jason in the hat!  Good times!!!

Sadly, we didn't make it by several houses on our list.  I'm not so good at sticking to the Trick or Treat "schedule".  Thanks to everyone for inviting us over, sorry if we didn't make it!  Hope you and yours enjoyed some Halloween fun as well!

Verse of the day - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

Blessings,
Kelli

Halloween Highlights Part One

Jackson decided during the summer that he wanted to be the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland.  I asked if he and Kendall could "match" again this year.  He said, "Well, she can't be Alice because she doesn't have blonde hair.  She can be the Queen of Hearts."  I loved that idea!
 

Jackson the "Mad Hatter" and Kendall the "Queen of Hearts"

Thus begins the adventures of Halloween 2010...

Friday, Kendall had a Halloween party at her school.  They have a costume parade before the party, but little-miss stubborn REFUSED to wear her costume to school.  I didn't get to go to the party, but my sweet husband went and took pictures for me!


I was very proud of my simple contribution -
Halloween Turkey/Ham and Cheese sandwiches

 

Kendall and a few classmates enjoying the goodies.  The table decorations looked really cute!

 

Silly girl - even though she refused the costume, she looked pretty cute in her "BOO" pillowcase dress

 

Kendall and her friend Kiersten enjoying some snacks (okay, Kendall might be enjoying that cheeto a little too much!)

After school on Friday, we got Jackson decked out in his costume and went to pick up Kendall.  Luckily, she put her costume on right away because Jackson was wearing his!  We rushed to Daddy's work for the Annual Allstate Trick or Treat.  The kids had so much fun walking around the office getting candy!

By Daddy and Dusty's cubicles



You mean I can reach in and grab my own?

After Daddy's work, we all headed over to the Spooky Carnival at the Science Spectrum.  Our sweet friend Sarah couldn't go, so she gave us her tickets.  Thanks, Sarah!!!

Jackson and the NBC peacock



Guess he didn't like the name of my blog - so he decided to chase us! 
Just kidding, Kendall kept sneaking up to him and running away, he (or maybe she?) was really patient and kind.  Kendall never did warm up enough to him to get really close.

 

We played lots of fun games...

and enjoyed some old favorites as well!

  

Kendall inside the Spooky (not Scary) Haunted House -
she really LOVED this moving hand!

 

Daddy helped Kendall make a paper pumpkin

  

We were VERY excited to run into our friends Star Song and Super-John (a.k.a. Caroline and John)

 

Jackson was picked to be in the kid's costume contest!  Sorry for the dark picture, the lighting was really weird in the room.



Jackson on stage during the contest with a sci-fi character I was not familiar with and a Lego.



Jackson made it to the top three finalists with Avatar and a Halloween butterfly



Drum roll please...He won Second Place!!!  I'm not sure which prize he was happier with - the GINORMOUS Texas sucker or the Omni-Theater tickets.

To Be Continued... (I know, I know you're on the edge of your seat with anticipation!)

Verse of the Day - "Praise the LORD.  Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 106:1

Blessings,
Kelli

A Very Merry Half-Birthday

Kendall is exactly 2 and a half today.  In half a year, she will be three years old.  This doesn't seem possible to me.  Just yesterday, we were anxiously waiting and praying for her arrival.  Apparently, I blinked and 2 and half years have flown by!

Here she is all decked out for Bubba's practice today...


A crown and butterfly wings...



princess shoes...



sunglasses and a wand complete the outfit!

 

CHEESE!


She handed me her wand and I said "POOF, you're a princess!".  She took the wand from me and said "POOF!".  I asked her, "Am I a princess, now?".  She said, "No, you're my mommy!".  That's a million times better than being a princess!!!

Happy Half-Birthday, Kendall - you are truly a JOY!

Verse of the day - "Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings." Psalm 63:7

Blessings,
Kelli

Here come the Pumpkin People...

Every year, the 1st graders bring a pumpkin to school to turn them into "Pumpkin People".  The kids use straight pins to stick in different types of craft items to make these FUN creations.  This activity always brings a smile to my face.  The kids have so much fun and I am constantly amazed by their creativity!

Working Hard



Demonstrating some straight pin action (straight pins are also known as "needles" or "nails" to 1st graders)



We get by with a little help from our friends!

Here are the finished products.  Of course, we have to name them!

Ghost Rider, Kung Fu Panda, and Cinderella


 

Makayla, Hannah Montana and Michael Jackson

  

Lava Girl, Slimy and Shark

 

Lava Boy, Princess and Michael



Bella and Gabriella



Gokoo and Brittany



I think these two look like Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street!

Lined up in the hall for everyone to see



Some of Mrs. P's Pumpkin People



Some of Mrs. 7e's Pumpkin People

I was EXTRA excited for this activity this year because of my personal 1st grader!  I snuck over to his class a few times to snap some pics.


Mrs. 7e's sweet mom, Mrs. Cloud, came to help!  I believe she was taking special hair orders at this moment.



Pinning in some hair - it was hat day, by the way.



Jackson and "Mr. Pumpkinhead"



The genius behind the pumpkin people - Mrs. Sevigny!  She's the best!

We sent our orange friends home on Friday, so our families could enjoy them for Halloween!

Verse of the day - "and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts" Exodus 35:31

Blessings,
Kelli