Gentry Safari

Recently I had the opportunity to take a day off work and join my youngest on a field trip to the Gentry Safari. He was excited that I got to come along.

First we did a drive through of the Safari. Caden rode the bus through, and I rode with my sister and her hubby.

After the drive through the students ate their lunch and walked around to see the caged animals up close like the pigs, snake, monkeys, turtles, kangaroos, zebra, and more.

Last, but not least...the petting zoo...

He has always enjoyed the goats.

He took over my camera for most of the day and my sun glasses!

One of his shots of the pigs....so cute!

My favorite is always the monkeys and chimps. This one was the show off!

The highlight of the day...

Mr. Show Off was making 'rasberry' sounds and had us clap for him. So funny!

He Did It!

August 18, 2009

June 3, 2010

Congratulations Caden! We are proud of you!

Celebrating Dr. Seuss

On March 2nd we celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday. I love Dr. Seuss, and my boys really like his books too. I started off the day with the table filled with his books and none other than green eggs and ham. The boys love it. After I put the green food coloring in the eggs a relative told me adding spinach to the eggs turns them green too. Wow, why didn't I think of that? I put spinach in my smoothies, so why not eggs. I will remember that from now on.

Later in the day I went to Caden's kindergarten class and read "Bartholomew and the Oobleck". The book takes about 20 minutes to read, so I was wondering if they would be able to sit still and listen that long. They did great! After the story I showed them the green oobleck I brought in for the kids to see and feel. They thought it was really cool! Caden also passed out the recipe for each to take home.


The Recipe:

To make your own Oobleck mix 2 cups of cornstarch and 1 cup water in a bowl. We added a few drops of green food coloring to make ours green like in the book. Make sure you add the coloring to the water before you add the cornstarch. It did take some effort to mix the water and cornstarch. If you can pour it off a spoon like liquid, and hit it with your fist and it's solid, it's working. It's both a solid and a liquid. Give it a try.

Ideas:

Let your finger sink to the bottom. Next, tap it on top. Try to make a ball, then open up your hand. What happens? Explore!

When the kids weren't playing with it I covered it up with a lid. It is so Cool! Really, you must give it a try!

The third grade teachers are putting on a Dr. Seuss themed night soon where we will be rotating rooms. I can't wait!

Simple Woman's Daybook

*~*Rhonda's Daybook*~*

For Today... February 8, 2010

Entry #3


Outside my window...I woke up to one of the most beautiful snows I have ever seen in NW Arkansas. The trees are covered with snow.

I am thinking...about how we are suppose to get even more snow this afternoon.

I am thankful...that my boys love each other and get along so good...most of the time.

I am wearing...my warm pajamas. It's a no school day, so I'm super comfy.

I am remembering...how I use to invite parents in on a Saturday and make an igloo in my classroom each year. The students brought in milk jugs, the parents and I put the igloo together, and the students loved to read in it.

I am creating...a random acts of kindness tree for the family.

I am going...to take lots of pictures today, clean, and organize the office.

I am reading...The Bible in 90 Days. It has been a wonderful experience so far.

I am hoping...Michael has a safe trip home this afternoon. He teaches about 45 minutes away from home. We are suppose to get 4-6 more inches of snow today and tonight.

On my mind...wondering if there will be any openings for a teacher position this year where my boys go to school. I know it is in God's hands.

From the learning rooms...Cameron will be working on his multiplication facts. He is on his 4's now. Caden will be learning to tie his shoes. He can read, but due to all the velcro shoes has never learned to tie them yet...oops!

Pondering these words...that I read here. "What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

How you treat your spouse.
How you take care of yourself.
How you speak to others.
What's important to you.
How you handle stress.
How you cope with hardship.
Who you spend time with.
What you spend your time on.
Your order of priorities.
How you speak of others.
What you value.
What you don't value.

From the kitchen...spaghetti, garlic bread, salad with Olive Garden's Italian dressing.

Around the house...I hear laughter and lots of noise aka BOYS! "Awesome, wooooooohoooooo!" They just saw it was snowing again. BIG flakes!

One of my favorite things...Warm fuzzy socks on cold days.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Subbing, making Valentines (still), playing in the snow, and Upward basketball.

From my picture journal...

Our igloo from my last year teaching at Saint Paul in 2001. I always had the best parents!

You can read more daybooks here!

Breaking News!

I interrupt this regularly scheduled post to let you know I will be taking a break. A break from blogging!

After eight years of being a SAHM, I am now back into the working world. I will be subbing this year and getting back into teaching which is a great passion of mine. I have to take the Praxis to renew my license Sept. 12th. Prayers please. ;o) I also will be taking over for a teacher going on a maternity leave in September for 10 weeks. Lots of changes I am trying to embrace.

I have met some of the warmest, creative, loyal, inspiring, and awesome blogging friends. You all are the best! I will be by on my down time to visit you. Till next time....

HAPPY BLOGGING!

S-C-H-O-O-L Time

Wow summer really flies when your having fun! I cannot believe yesterday was the official back to school day in our neck of the woods. In reality, it was the first time to go to school for my 'big' boy Caden. Caden was so excited about starting Kindergarten. An example of his excitement happened a few days before school started. Caden was getting a drink at the fridge while I was on the computer. He said, "Mom your gonna miss me in 3 days. Bye mom!" Then he has proceeded to tell me later that I will be lonely. Yesterday after I picked the boys up from school I told the boys I missed them. Caden pipes up and says, "see mom I told you that you would be lonely."

It sure was quiet coming home yesterday! Yes, a teared up on the way home. My baby is in school now! My oldest will start college Monday, and Cameron moved to a new building for 3rd grade! I decided though once I walked through the door, I would take advantage of my day and get a lot accomplished. Oh, and I would for sure enjoy the quiet!

Here is Mr. personality himself before school!

No turning back now! Nervous excitement building...

After our last hug, he just jumped right in and started building "things".

Stop growing up would ya?!

Cameron wouldn't admit he was nervous. My 3rd grader didn't even want mom to walk him in. I couldn't believe it! "It's the first day of school, that is what mom's do." Sigh....Finally after parking at the gym due to all the school traffic he decided he didn't want to get ran over and wanted me to walk him in. His backpack was so heavy I carried it for him. When he got to the door (out of sight of his classmates) he gave me my requested hug and marched right in. I called him to get his backpack, no response. He had tunnel vision and only one goal, to get to his desk. I finally caught up with him after his teacher tried to get his attention too. Hmmm, not nervous at all?

They both said they had a great day. However, it was not MY Caden who made a gun the first day of school out of those Lego type blocks and got a warning. Oh no, of course not!

My boys enjoying their after school snack!

Here's to a great school year!

Friday Funnies!

I am doing my resume and filling out my application this week to teach. I will be subbing this year if I do not get a position. After eight years of staying home with my boys...Caden going to Kindergarten this fall...it is time. Sniff, sniff! I thought this was very fitting for today! Enjoy!


The Funny Things Kids Say...

TEACHER: Maria, go to the map and find North America.
MARIA: Here it is.
TEACHER: Correct. Now class, who discovered America?
CLASS: Maria.
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TEACHER: John, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor?
JOHN: You told me to do it without using tables.
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TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell 'crocodile?'
GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L'
TEACHER: No, that's wrong.
GLENN: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it. ;o)
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TEACHER: Donald, what is the chemical formula for water?
DONALD: H I J K L M N O..
TEACHER: What are you talking about?
DONALD: Yesterday you said it's H to O. Ha!!
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TEACHER: Winnie, name one important thing we have today that we didn't have ten years ago.
WINNIE: Me!
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TEACHER: Glen, why do you always get so dirty?
GLEN: Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are.
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TEACHER: Millie, give me a sentence starting with ' I.. '
MILLIE: I is..
TEACHER: No, Millie..... Always say, 'I am.'
MILLIE: All right... 'I am the ninth letter of the alphabet.
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TEACHER: George Washington not only chopped down his father's cherry tree, but also admitted it.. Now, Louie,do you know why his father didn't punish him?
LOUIS: Because George still had the axe in his hand. (LOL!!)
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TEACHER: Now, Simon, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?
SIMON: No sir, I don't have to, my Mom is a good cook.
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TEACHER: Clyde , your composition on 'My Dog' is exactly the same as your brother's. Did you copy his?
CLYDE : No, sir. It's the same dog.
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TEACHER: Harold, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?
HAROLD: A teacher.
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I hope you all enjoyed the funnies! Have a fabulous weekend! ;o)

School is Out...Let The Summer Fun Begin!

This is a chalkboard project I am still working on. I will be painting the border, and clean up the frame.

Maybe not Summer...but Summer Break!
LET THE FUN BEGIN!

I wanted to make the last of school special. We started the last day of school with chocolate chip pancakes made by chef dad! (sigh...I had a green smoothie instead :o)

Cameron has told me for the last few years he was upset because his birthday was in the summer. "Everyone" gets something special at school on their birthday. I don't because my birthday is in the summer." Well, how we love to give our children good gifts. I remembered this year....SURPRISE!

A snack pack and balloon did the trick!
Cameron was thrilled!


That reminds me of this verse in Matthew:
"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (NIV Bible)

Mrs. Baker reading the Candy Gram!

The Candy Gram was a success! Mrs. Baker loved it as well as everyone in the office!

Tonight we are going to brainstorm some ideas to keep summer fun!

We are also going to Sonic at (8:00-close) for a FREE rootbeer float! You can too!

What a perfect ending to the day! Yummo!

Have a blessed weekend!

Last Day of School...Summer Awaits!

Tomorrow is the last day of school for my 2ND grader! I cannot believe how time flies! It seems it was just yesterday when I walked him to kindergarten on the first day. Cameron was so brave. Of course I had to cry when I got in the car to go home. My precious boy was growing up! Now he will be moving on to a brand new building...no more primary...but intermediate!

I plan on enjoying my boys every moment I can this summer!

Cameron has been blessed with awesome teachers every year! We love Mrs. Baker. The Lord has answered my prayers! Tonight we made her one last gift. We will also be giving her the pictures to go with it!

A CANDY GRAM

We made a candy gram. I saw this idea at Shauna-Na-Na's. Cameron had a lot of fun with this. Writing is not his favorite thing to do...but he was excited and did fantastic!

The candy gram says: Dear ----------, Being your student was 'mounds' of fun and 'snickers'. You have helped me be a 'smartie' 'now and later'. You are always an 'extra' 'whatchamacallit'...oh yes, an 'xtreme' teacher, like the time we did a sound wave x 'spearmint'. It was awesome! My wish for you on 'pay day' you will be able to go on a shopping 'spree' extravaganza to find 'good and plenty' bargains, or a trip to the 'milky way'! I hope that summer is not too much of a 'fast break'. I hope you get to 'take 5' minutes to yourself. Put your feet up, relax, and say 'mmm & mmm'. Love, Cameron

The possibilities are endless! If you decide to make one...have fun!

Summer Break Ahead.........

One Down...... Two To Go..... No Hurry Here!

Our Bubba graduated with high honors last night. We are so proud of Aaron!His future is bright. He will be attending the same school my DH and I earned our degrees...the U of A.












I can remember the first time I met Aaron at age 5. It was an instant connection. I remember flying him over head as we played airplane. I remember him helping me surprise dad by filling balloons with notes and then filling up his car with them. Aaron was our ring bearer for our wedding. So cute!





Aaron you have grown into such an outstanding young man. We are so proud of you!! Remember to keep God first in your life. We want you to have a bright sense of tomorrow. You should be equipped with the certainty that there is a God who is devoted to you and your needs for the rest of your life. Isn't it amazing how He has worked out your scholarship funds!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

CONGRATULATIONS!!

WE LOVE YOU!

Teacher Appreciation Week, Chalkboard Inspiration, and More!

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. I am amazed at some ideas I've seen recently. My friend Shawn really outdid herself. She did some amazing things. Check it out...if you missed this year keep these ideas in mind. Or, of course an end of the year gift would be appreciated too. As a former teacher it really touched me. I also found an incredible idea from Everything Pink. You have to check this out too. I am going to start doing this next year. I LOVE it! I even teared up!! Yep, that good! Teachers are often taken for granted. Show your appreciation to the teachers that spend most of the day with your child!!

I also had several friends who had a birthday this week. So, I decided this would be the perfect time to make Bakerella's adorable cake pops! I ended up giving both of my friends the cake pops. I also sent Cameron to school with some cake pops for his teacher. It pales to the comparison of the ladies I mentioned, but hey...I tried. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it. They were harder to make than I thought...but were a lot of fun! I'm also going to be sending a candy bar bouquet to his music, art, GT teachers. I am friends with all three on facebook. I was thrilled when his music teacher did the "5 favorite Candy"...now I know exactly what to send her!!

A tin can, spray paint, ribbon, and tag...there you have a cute, frugal holder for the cake pops!

Just a fun presentation.

Chalkboard Inspiration

Have you seen all the chalkboard inspiration that has been floating around for a while? Well, I decided to try my hand in making a chalkboard plate. I saw this at Shaun-Na-Na and thought it was such a cute idea. Here is a plate I made for a friend's birthday.

Oops I didn't erase very good.

I loved this plate. When I flipped it over it had this perfect square. Now if she gets tired of the green, she can flip it over for a new look. How cool is that?

I mentioned there was more! That's right I am so excited to receive this AWARD from my friend Tanielle! Thanks...your awesummmm!!

I am not sure why she thought of me as a Queen of ALL Things Awe-summ??? But, I am honored. I love it...Love the bling!

I am suppose to list 7 things that make me Awe-Summ and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers you love. Make sure to tag your recipients and let them know they have won! Also link back to the Queen that tagged you. Here I go...What makes me Awe-summ??? Well....

1. I have a relationship with Christ. Without Him...I am NOT Awe-Summm!
2. I love my husband and kids...they are everything to me!
3. I love to plan parties and make cakes.
4. I am good at organizing...no not everything is organized right now!
5. I have a great smile and laugh.
6. I like to use my God-given gifts and talents.
7. I have fabulous, cool friends in blogland!!!!

I choose...(If you are a MOM you deserve this award!!!)

• Mimi at He & Me +3
• Pam at Cocomama
• Tanya at Miller Racing Family
• Rebecca at Texas Darling
• Carrie's at Carrie's Little World
• Jen at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
• Mrs. Sandy at One Day at a Time

*Have a fabulous weekend!!*

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Today is one of my favorite author's birthday....Dr. Seuss. I started off the day making green eggs and ham. The boys loved it! I also volunteered to come read to Cameron's 2nd grade classroom this afternoon.



Before we left for school, Caden wanted to dress up like Cat and the Hat. Isn't he cute! Some teachers were oooohing and ahhhing over him at school. I ended up reading "Hooray for Diffendoofer Day". The class and Mrs. Baker seemed to enjoy it, and thought it was funny. I did enjoy being in a classroom again!