Happy Valentine's Day!

Rachel's Valentine's Party:






Eve's Sugar Cookie Decorating:


Noah's Valentine's Box:


Eve's Field Trip to Washington Farms:

Hello Sir...

::::::::Another Noahism:::::::

We took Rachel to Fernbank Natural History Museum to do a memory study for Emory University's Bauer Research Center. Since we had a family pass we took the rest of the kids. I went up to the Member Service counter and presented my identification to the young man behind the counter to get our tickets. Noah came up to stand next to me and asked the the man, "Hello Sir, but could you tell me if your necklace is metamorphic, igneous or sedimentary rock?" The poor guy looked shocked and befuddled, then he said, "It's a citrine." So Noah asked, "So what is a citrine?" The guy responded, "I don't know. It's just a citrine."


Michael took Aaron, Noah and Eve around to the different exhibits, while I went with Rachel and the researcher around Fernbank. Rachel was given a digital camera to take different photographs of things in the facility. She was assigned some specific items to photograph and sometimes she was allowed to take some of her choice. She had to take 3 photos of each thing because they said the image would process in her memory better that way. She kept commenting on the dead bird exhibits and that she wouldn't photograph any animals private parts. She believes in "Privacy".
After the researcher was finished with Rachel we joined the others to play in the hands on exhibits. The kids really love to make giant bubbles.

Rachel went to the research lab on Tuesday and they put the cap on her head that would allow them to monitor her brain waves. They put her in a room and gave her a thing that was like a computer game controller because they figured that apparatus would be easiest for computer savvy kids to operate. She was having a little bit of a learning. So they took a little more time to explain how to use it to her. Michael said he explained that she didn't play computer games much, that she liked to read a lot. They asked what she was reading. She told them, Pride and Prejudice, also Johnny Tremain. The researchers then put her in a dark room and displayed photographs, some were hers and some not, to see how and where her brain responded. We love science!

:::::::::::::::Parent/Teacher Conferences Begin::::::::

Michael and I went tonight to conferences for Rachel and Noah. I don't think I've walked away so at ease for the progress of two of my kids. The best news is that Rachel's teacher is now cancer free!!! All the parents clapped and cried for her. We really are pleased at the rapport she has with the her class. She is such a fantastic teacher and she tries to keep the bar raised, so the kids really achieve and stretch. Rachel scored well on all of her tests, but could use some help with fractions.


I had to run up after 10 minutes to make my appointment with Noah's teacher. I was surprised that all she had to say was good stuff. She said he has matured and really works hard to turn in assignments on time. His reading tests for the accelerated reader program are showing he is reading at grade level. His other tests show he needs improvement in punctuation, capitalization and another grammar area. He was outstanding in every other area, so my little man with poor fine motor skills is really coming along.

:::::::::::This Morning::::::::


Another Noah story. Noah decided he didn't want to watch morning programs on PBS, or play on the computer. He wanted to create circuit that he had made with Michael before. He said it wouldn't take long because there were only 11 steps. He called me in after a few minutes because he said he couldn't find the right resistor. He had a code that listed the color he needed. We went through all of the resistors, but couldn't find the one he said he needed. I grabbed the phone and called Michael at work. After talking to Noah for a couple of minutes he realized that Noah confused the resistor for the integrated circuit he actually needed. We thanked Michael and got only a few steps into the circuit before he had to run off and get on the bus. Interesting morning for an 8 year-old.



I hope y'all have a happy Valentine's Day! I will be baking sugar cookies for Eve's Kindergarten class to decorate tomorrow. I will be using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, of course. (((HUGS))) to all!

Let Them Eat Cake...

because I need to get rid of my class project! :)


Credits: Font by Darcy Baldwin called DJB KIRA at The Digichick, Background paper by Jen Wilson from Nostalgia #4, Jenna Desai's Doodle Mask Frame, Cluster frame by Nancy Comelab.

:::::::::::::::::::Grab A Fleece Blanket and Some Popcorn:::::

My dear spouse speaks wife. To be more exact he speaks the dialect of wife called Victoria. It is a specific dialect and very hard to translate. He also reads my blog and knew I wanted to watch this version of "Pride and Prejudice". What is even cooler is that he wants to watch it with me. This is such a cool Valentine's Day gift. Good Stuff, I tell ya!

We went together to our local Mexican restaurant, Sangria's for Valentine's Day dinner. Rachel scarfed down 3 helpings of refried black beans. She assured us she was safe for closed in spaces, so we agreed to drive her home after the meal. I'm an enchilada supreme gal. Michael loves the fish tacos. Noah orders chicken strips and fries. What a nut! Aaron went for chicken and rice soup with two soft beef tacos...NO lettuce. Eve is a simple girl. She likes refried beans and Mexican rice. The restaurant gave me a red carnation for Valentine's and Eve proudly held it all the way home.

::::::::::::::::Another Layout in My SIL's Album:::::::

My niece, Teresa, on a trip to San Francisco sponsored by AFLAC Cancer Center. She "acquired" the tour guides beret and having fun hamming it up for the camera.


Credits:
Darcy Baldwin: DJB KIRA at The Digichick
Michelle Godin: Springtime in Paris kit (I think that is the name)
Catrine: Explore Solids and Laura Alpha
Christina Renee: Book Plate Alpha


::::::::::::::::::::I've Been Tagged:::::::::::::
Carol has tagged me to divulge 7 random facts about myself that would astound and amaze you! LOL Or just stuff you don't already know.

THE RULES:
1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Post THE RULES on your blog.
3. Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog.
4. Tag 7 people and link to them.
5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.

1.I'll start with a weird fact. I can't stand flies in a room with me. I turn it into a seek and destroy mission. I have perfected how to come up behind them and steady the book, or magazine and...THWAP!. Michael says I get an insane glint in my eye when I'm doing this.
2. One of my favorite things to do as a kid was sit near the window while the sun streamed in so I could catch the light just right in my eyes and look at the blood vessels, eye lashes and floatie things.
3. I love manual transmission cars, but I don't have one. I know, grab a violin to play for my pity party.
4. I prefer to go barefoot pretty much in any weather, but snow on the ground and I hate the feel of my barefoot on the car accelerator or brake. So, there are exceptions.
5. I love to dance with my husband, but I always want to lead. I have had some rudimentary dance lessons, but I can't seem to just let go and let someone else lead. Type A personality, did you say?
6. My favorite ride at an amusement park is the bumper cars. I could stay there all day smelling the ozone and crashing into folks. Pure glee, I tell you!
7. I can't sleep past about 7:30am even when I have no where to go. I also prefer to stay up late, then complain about not getting enough sleep. Self-fulfilling prophecies are marvelous, don't ya think?!

If you want to play...No PRESSURE...

Michael...cause I'm sure after 18 years there is still things I can learn.
My SIL, Melissa,
My neighbor, Kristen
My friend, Kim...she has the best reading lists for me to check out.
My stepdad, Jim...he's a riot!
My BIL, Marcus, an amazing photographer.
Mariquita...an amazing scrapbook artist

::::::::::::::::::::::Well, My head Says::::::::

go take a decongestant, so I will away now. I would like to quickly thank Eve for coughing in my face while I held her in my loving and protective arms. Please folks, remember to cough into the crook of your arm. This PUBLIC SERVICE announcement and pity party is over...FOR NOW! :)

Doodling Dakotta

Eve decided she wasn't ready to return to school due to her cough and runny nose, so today we played Myst 4 with Aaron and I played around with some doodles created by one of my nieces, Dakotta. Here is what I made with her pictures:



I'll try to do this blogging thing again tomorrow.

Happy Valentine's Day! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

_{Shadow Box by Lynnie Smith, Be Mine kit by Jen Wilson, Collaged Letter "L" from Luna's blog, Font: Bathing Cap/Artistamp Medium}

::::::::::::Calling Heaven...770-::::::::::
Rachel volunteered to do the family prayer before she and Noah left for school. She was in a Valentine's induced psychosis when she began the prayer, "770...Wait! I mean..." She stopped and looked at us and repeated our phone number and smiled, "Just Checking! That was a test!" I was rollin'!

:::::::Parent-Teacher Conference:::::::::
Today we meet with Rachel's teacher, so it should be interesting to see the teacher's perspective on her progress.

on the 12th we had a conference with Noah's teacher. She was pleased that we didn't think Noah was ready for Sainthood, which creates on realistic expectations. We joked with her about Noah's needing to have the last word and policing the other childrens' behavior. She said that Noah was delightful and very smart. His test scores were all in the Exceeds Expectation levels and he graduated from the Reading Recovery Program. His actual reading out loud is choppy as he sounds out most of the words. His teacher was pleased with his comprehension of the stories they read. She said she wouldn't be surprised if they test him for the Gifted Program they call FOCUS in our school system. She laughed and told us that we could retire and Noah would be able to take care of us in our old age. She said that he is working on social situations that include sharing and that he hates when people touch his desk, but he shows genuine concern and caring for others. What complex psyches in a small package!
That night I took him for a hair cut and then Michael took all the kids out for Mexican food at Sangrias. The other kids like Mexican food, but Noah settled for his favorite chicken tenders and fries.

:::::::::::::::Happy Valentine's Day, again!::::::::::