How I've Miss You!!!

I realize that this post ends my 2 month hiatus. I've had a lot going on. We moved to a new house, received some disappointing news concerning Peanut, and been working on homework constantly!!

The Move: we moved across town so it wasn't too terribly bad however, right afterwards, the weather got bad. That figures right?! But we're in a better house (teensy bit smaller though), way better neighborhood, and we are now located 6 houses down from one of the best schools in town. Score!!!

Peanut: my son Peanut has been diagnosed with ONH (Optic Nerve Hypoplasia). This means that he is completely blind in his left eye. We knew something was wrong but I honestly thought his eye just wandered badly. I had no idea he was blind in it. So now he wears glasses to protect his right eye because lets face it, if anything happens to it, he'll be completely blind. He has toughed through a MRI and goes to a endocrinologist on Monday. They checked his pituitary gland for abnormalities to try to explain his small stature. (He's in 1st grade but still wears 4 toddler clothes.) His MRI showed that his pituitary gland is normal but he has septum pellciudum which is the absense of the midline of the brain. Crazy, right?! Prayers and positive vibes are greatly appreciated.

School: This section is super short...I begin student teaching in January and just applied for graduation last Friday! Woot!!!

Thanks for the hiatus. Peanut just celebrated his 7th birthday so pictures of his party will be posted soon.

Stay Awesome!!

First Day of School!!

Story Aprons

So it has been way too hot in Oklahoma to do a lot outside. It was 102 degrees today. Whoa! It's not even July yet and I'm toasted! So lately we've been doing activities inside and cleaning as well. (I somehow tricked my kids into making cleaning a game. Shhh! Don't tell them.)

Today we made story aprons. I love story aprons. I tell me kids early in the day that we're doing them so that they can pick the perfect book and get to reading. They read the books while I cut aprons out of poster boards.

When they finish the book, I give them a piece of paper and instruct them to draw 5-7 characters or important items that are in the story. Afterwards, I cut their drawings out and let them glue their items/characters on Popsicle sticks. While that is drying, I staple a piece of paper at the bottom of their apron for them to write the title of their story with the author. Above the paper, they are to draw a picture of the story's setting.

When they are all done, I place holes at the top and string some yarn to that they can wear it around their neck as an actual apron. Then daddy and I sit down and watch their production. They use their Popsicle stick characters and items to retell the story against their apron setting. The stapled piece of paper with the title written on it serves as a pocket for their Popsicle sticks to be stored.

And how adorable are my little storytellers?!

Day 2 - Paddle Boats & Ice Fun

Day 2 of the Summer 2011

Today has been a very good day. This afternoon we managed to purchase a paddle boat, 2 kayak boards, and a kiddie kayak for $200.00 at an auction! Yay for good deals! My kids had the best time looking over our loot and picking which one was their favorite.

I love the second pic. Bulldozer was in the middle of saying "Please" as in "Please take me to the lake". LOL! Too cute!

In addition to getting some awesome lake toys, we did a little ice excavating. I got the idea from a wonderful post found here. I had the kids put some of their little toys in some pie pans, filled them with water, and put them in the freezer over night. Today, it was 104 degrees outside so it was the perfect temp for an ice activity. I dumped the icy toys out onto the back porch, gave the kids tools to use, and let them rescue their toys.

Due to the intense heat, it didn't take long to rescue the toys but they had a great time doing it. Afterwards, they enjoyed their success with popsicles! YAY!!!

Carole

Teacher Appreciation Gifts

So I am officially finished with Finals and have completed this semester with straight A's!!! Woot! Tonight I finished putting together the teacher appreciation gifts for Sugar & Peanut to take to school tomorrow. I realize it's the end of Teacher Appreciation Week but at least I got them done during the same week. That's quite an accomplishment considering all the testing I've been doing.

In honor of Earth day (still...) I decided to make the gifts out of recycled products. I used the bottoms of Dr. Pepper bottles and cut "leaves" out of the side of the bottles. Then I sprayed them with red and green spray paint made especially for plastics.

After they dried, I hot glued the leaves on top of one of the bottle bottoms and added some green beads to the very top for asthetic purposes.

Then I added some red tissue paper and candy. I suggested Smarties to my kids to show how "smart" they have become thanks to their teachers.

And finally I put the bottle bottoms togethers and.....TA-DA!!!

I got this whole idea from a website I happened across one day but I can't for the life of me find it again to post a link. GRR!! But anyways, Happy Teacher Appreciation Day!!!

Carole