Hogwarts 101

Super Saturday classes at Western has become one of Karson's favorite fall activities. She's been attending since she was in first grade. Matt and I are fortunate having a "gifted" child that is quite talented academically. In first grade, I was asked to attend a meeting at Plano for gifted children. I was basically told at the meeting that there is no funding for children like Karson and anything they can do outside of class/school to enrich their learning would be highly beneficial. That statement makes me sad for many reasons. One of them is that I can't understand why our state wouldn't want to put extra funding behind these (meaning MY) child who has SO much potential and could expand her thinking by LEAPs and BOUNDs by being challenged. But, fortunately, Matt and I can and will make financial sacrifices for her to attend the gifted studies programs at WKU and place her in camps (all per her request) to help her achieve all the academic goals she wishes to reach. Our Isaac is equally as smart but has NO desire to do Super Saturdays. Part of me wants to push him, but the other part says don't sweat it, there's time. And, honestly, he's 6 and still has A LOT of growing up to do.

Karson was one of the fortunate FEW at Plano that was able to get into Hogwarts 101 with Ms. Neesa Richardson. All I can say is WOW, this woman brought her 'A' game to class every week. The first day of class, the children used the sorting hat to determine which Howarts House they would belong to.

Waiting for the results....

Karson was selected for Ravenclaw along with another girl-

-I have no idea who she is or where she goes to school.

Karson was really wanting something that identified her with her house. I scored a scarf on Amazon and since we're PRIME members, had it in 2 days =). She wore it to class the second week. She also brought a Quidditch trophy I altered to make it look like something they might receive at a match.

Her friend Becca was the only other Plano student in the class. Becca and Karson played volleyball together this season. It's nice knowing a buddy in class.

The class concocted some kind of green potion on this day also. Karson was tickled by it. Me, not so much. My kids don't do well with anything like that. It usually ends up stuck in their hair, on their clothes, carpet, anywhere that it doesn't belong. Glad she had fun with it in class because it went straight into the garbage when we got home. I know, no FUN mom, but truly, that stuff was messier than ten tubs of Moon Sand.

On the third week, the kids got to play Quidditch. This was Karson's favorite day.

The kids grabbing at the seeker.

I didn't take MOST of these pictures. Her teacher provided each child with a powerpoint of the Hogwarts experience on the last day, HOW COOL! Karson always came home with a newletter or some project they worked on like wand making, broomsticks, potion (ick), etc. The class experience was worth WAY more than the cost of attending. We can't wait to take our kids to Universal Studios SOON so they can have the Harry Potter Experience. Thanks NEESA for a wonderful class!

Life is Grand When You...

I love my Paint'n' Place plates with the kids handprints on them. Here's Isaac's turkey plate, gooble, gooble. We often move from Halloween straight into Christmas and simply forget all about Thanksgiving. I don't think there's anything wrong with looking forward to Christmas and the events that surround it--and THE FOOD. However, Christmas isn't even on my RADAR right now. Not only was October a BIG month for us this year with fall break, birthdays and Halloween, but November is too (and not really because of the holiday). My mom and Debbie both celebrate their 60th birthdays, and Matt celebrates his 35th. But before I get to the birthday part, I want to take a moment to cover some of last week's events ........
I finished my FIRST scrapbook. I decided to do a sports themed one since I have MANY loose team and individual sports photos of the kids. I am in NO WAY a pro-scrapbooker and really don't intend on taking this up as a hobby; although, I can see why so many people are drawn to it.

Karson made Plano Elementary school's Academic Team as a 3rd grader. She took the test a couple of weeks ago to see if she qualified. We got the news this week. She will be competing in the language arts portion. We're very proud of her but know it will be hard work. She has practice every Wednesday morning at 7:15. Eeek, that's early. Fortunately, her teacher has offered to help get her to school--Ms. T is a God-send, for sure!

Miles hasn't been feeling the best lately. I decided to take him to the doctor on Wednesday when he was complaining about his throat hurting. Fortunately the doctor didn't think he had anything but allergies and maybe a virus? He hasn't had a fever or anything, just feeling bad. 24 Zyrtec and Mucinex were flowing in the ol' household. The picture is of Karson helping Miles with some of the school work he missed on Wednesday. I'm thinking we may need to let her educate him--he responds better to her.

Karson had her first basketball practice last Monday but within minutes jammed her finger. She was kaput and had no interest in continuing. Good thing because her finger swole up and was pretty bruised around the knuckles. While I was at the doc with Miles, I asked him about Karson's hand and went ahead and got the "go-ahead" for an x-ray if we needed it. Her finger was better by the end of the week, but it was touch and go for days =).

Since we were off for Election, Karson's friend Emma invited her do some running around with her family. I knew if she did this, I would never hear the END OF IT with Isaac. My little chicken is always complaining about never getting to play with friends--especially when Karson has them (which is often). I then have to explain to him how he NEVER wants me to leave him with friends and that he's had lots of playdate offers--which he has declined. Tuesday, I decided to take matters into my own hands and invite his buddy Patrick over for a playdate to buffer the Emma-event. He and Patrick had the best time. Isaac told me afterwards that he would go to someone's house if they invited him. We SHALL see.

Yes, that's right, we've been drawing on the carpet. Why, you ask? Because the kids are getting NEW carpet tomorrow. Oh YEAH! I can hardly wait to have their nasty carpet ripped out and replaced with the beautiful carpet we have in our bedroom and living room. Here's hoping the stomach bug won't rear it's ugly head this year!!!!

Karson and Elizabeth's BFF girls on the carpet. Love it!

The boys bunkbed is the hardest to tear down. I kind of like having a "camp-out" on the floor. I miss snuggling with the boys. It's terribly hard to do in a bunkbed.

I got my first SMART phone. My contract was up for renewal back in July, but Matt really wanted (and needed) a Smart Phone for school. We combined accounts for a few months until his contract was up for renewal (last Friday). I've been brand loyal with Samsung for years, but the company is working on a new version of the Showcase and didn't have their new product at the cell company when we went in. I ended up with a Motorola Milestone. The idea of a smart phone simply doesn't appeal to me. I know it's wonderful to have information at your fingertips AT ALL TIMES, but seriously, I think I need a break from technology sometimes, ya know. I'm sure I'll jump on the Smart Phone band wagon, but for now, it's simply my telephone to talk and text on.

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BIRTHDAY #1 ~ November 13

I wasn't blogging when my mom turned 50, but I sure wish I had a post about it. It was pretty comical. We planned a surprise party for her at Mancino's (which is a local grinder/pizza joint). My mom DOES NOT like Mancino's! I'm starting to wonder why we had it there??? Anyway, a new restaurant opened close to her house with a big party room--oh, yeah that's why we had the party there. We planned a menu and secretly invited guests, unbeknown-st to mom. That night, she had a pot of chili going, was in her comfy clothes (aka NON-dressy) and ready to hunker down for the night when dad suggested they go to Mancino's to meet all of us (me, Matt, Shannon & Paul) for dinner. Grudgingly she agreed and left her delicious stew on the stove. The rest was history--SURPRISE--she couldn't believe everyone was there and "in on it". I don't remember much else. Like I said, years ago, and the only pics. I have are hard copies--maybe one day I'll get a scanner?

When this year rolled around, #60, Shannon and I talked about having a party for mom on her birthday which fell on a Sunday (yesterday). We settled on Mariah's for ease and convenience to our downtown church. When we mentioned it to dad, his response, "Let's make it a surprise." So, the wheels were back in motion to pull one over on Mom, AGAIN. I got the invitation together, Shannon mailed them, I booked Mariah's and got a count together. Family and friends RSVP-ed.

Our plan worked. Look at mom's face....

Party guests included family,

friends,

Mom's parents and brother were able to make it.

It was a perfect day to celebrate with Diane/Mom/Meme!

Blowing out six candles is much easier than 60! Mom's facebook status of the day "My mind screams thirty, but my body screams sixty." HAH!

Opening up her party gifts.

Happy birthday MOM! We love you!

Student of the Week

We've had Karson as "Surfer of the Week" earlier this year, Isaac as "Sailor of the Week" last week (both at Plano), and this week Miles is "Student of the Week" at E.E.P. I am a PRO at this by now =). Let's face it, these are Mommy projects, and RIGHT UP MY ALLEY. I based Miles poster on Isaac's from last week, listing a few of his favorite things:

We started with his name: Miles Collin Deaton--his middle name is unique to us because it's after both of his grandpas. Col = Colvin, lin = Lindle creating Collin.

I put both of his school pictures on there from E.E.P.

A few of his favorites~color: blue, food: PB&J, sport: golf, and pet: Green Jill (our turtle).

I put a picture of our family on there along with an "altered" picture of Miles as Choo Choo train driver. Our kids especially liked it. Then, Miles wrote his name at the bottom--we're working on those gross motor skills and getting there slooooowly.

Miles has thoroughly enjoyed this year at preschool and made some new buddies, Layne and David. Miles and Layne have had a few lunch dates, and Miles and David have a playdate tomorrow. Both children (and their moms) are precious!

These pictures were taken at the school's field trip to Jackson's Orchard earlier in the year. I meant to write a post about it but never got around to it.

The kids weren't supposed to pick the corn but the sign didn't say anything about the playing with the corn on the ground. Miles and Layne enjoyed locating all the trampled on stalks, peeling them, and then throwing them into the field as bombs. Good times =).

Class picture at the cornfield maze. Love how David is giving the camera a thumbs up.

Miles found his pumpkin in the patch pretty quickly. We were "speed" looking because the hayride guy told us if our class moved quickly, he'd wait for us before picking up another group.

Playing around! How lucky are we B.G. people to have a place like Jackson's Orchard! I can't imagine going a single year without a trip to the patch. And every year they add something new and exciting. Thanks Jackson's for all the memories made over the past 9+ years. Oh yeah, and thanks for those delicious fried apple pies. YUM!

We're awfully proud of our little student of the week!