Zoo Atlanta hosted a contest for all schools in Georgia. The rules stated that each class needed to take the classic fable, The Tortoise and The Hare, and update and modernize it including at least one Georgia species of tortoise and an environmental message. The nice thing about fifth graders is that I gave them the rules, divided them into groups, and sat back at my desk and supervised! They wrote the script and the rap, make the background, and the puppets, and pulled the whole thing off! I'm not sure the video footage or editing is winning material, but I'm proud of their effort! (pause the playlist and turn up the volume!)
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Halloween Horror!
ok so we've been going round and round and round about Halloween costumes at the Garola house this year. I'm determined to not purchase 3 $40 costumes from Target because our dress up trunk looks like this...
yes, that is a plastic yard bench made to store a hose and gardening gear! It's the only thing large and sturdy enough to hold all of the girls' dress up clothes. We've got every Disney princess, about 90 indian costumes, a rock star or five, ballerinas, cheerleaders, cowgirls, witches, a bumblebee, an angel, fairies, you name it!
and here's the boy dress up clothes...
don't mind the sleeping boy in the bed (he sleeps on top of the comforter to avoid morning bed making :)
As you see, we could outfit all of Rhode Island with Halloween costumes.
But still, we can't agree.
I can't find any hand-me-downs that fit Clara exactly correctly. I'm positive we have a precious flower costume, but for some reason the pink head petals are missing. She may have to be a weed without them.
Cora is so flippin indecisive. She wanted to be a cheerleader or a rock star or a cowgirl until Aunt Lauren came over flapping her jaws about how we need to be more creative and maybe Cora could be an 80's workout girl. I could see Cora's little eyes light up and I knew the movie, Toy Story 3, was playing in her head and she had this image:
So as I went through the mental checklist I knew we had leg warmers and a pink belt, but I just wasn't sure even in that huge dress up chest that we could find a hot turquoise unitard, and I sure wasn't buying it, so I knew this was trouble. I nixed the workout girl idea and luckily thanks to the inspiration of Junie B. Jones in Boo and I Mean It, I think we've got Cora figured out!
Then there's Cade, Mr. Halloween himself. It's his self-proclaimed favorite holiday. He LOVES it! He loves anything he thinks is scary. He loves animal planet, because I sometimes allow him to watch scary things on it. He wouldn't bite at any of my costume ideas because, "they're not scary and on halloween you're supposed to be scary."He was over pirates, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and the other action heroes that have postponed this exact same argument for the past 3 years. No son of mine was going to be running around as a blood sucking vampire! Rob told me in very nice words to "lighten up and give in a bit." So I began searching for "not-so-scary, scary costumes." I was thinking a nice little mummy.
But Cade wasn't buying it. Evidently you cannot trick an almost 8 year old into thinking something is scary if it's not. So the saga went on and on and on. He decided that he just wanted a mask. "That's all I want mommy is one little mask. I'll just wear it with a black cape. I've wanted a mask my entire life. It's Halloween. I'll buy it with my own money. All my friends are wearing masks, blah, blah, blah." So I caved. We made a deal, he could pick a mask and purchase it himself, if and only if it had no guts or blood on it and I approved. Great deal until we got to the costume store...
Cora wouldn't even step foot into the store! For real, she sat outside with Rob. She's a HUGE chicken! So in Cade and I go and it was a d-i-s-a-s-t-e-r! He wanted everything that I didn't! We argued, and fought, and he even cried! I thought I'd drag him out of the store and cut two holes in a pillowcase, until he finally found the perfect scary solution! He'll be scary and I'm sorta OK with it. Clara and Cora may have to trick or treat two blocks ahead of him, but oh, well! Stay tuned to see the final costume choices that came to a grand total of $16.57! :)
and here's the boy dress up clothes...
As you see, we could outfit all of Rhode Island with Halloween costumes.
But still, we can't agree.
I can't find any hand-me-downs that fit Clara exactly correctly. I'm positive we have a precious flower costume, but for some reason the pink head petals are missing. She may have to be a weed without them.
Cora is so flippin indecisive. She wanted to be a cheerleader or a rock star or a cowgirl until Aunt Lauren came over flapping her jaws about how we need to be more creative and maybe Cora could be an 80's workout girl. I could see Cora's little eyes light up and I knew the movie, Toy Story 3, was playing in her head and she had this image:
Then there's Cade, Mr. Halloween himself. It's his self-proclaimed favorite holiday. He LOVES it! He loves anything he thinks is scary. He loves animal planet, because I sometimes allow him to watch scary things on it. He wouldn't bite at any of my costume ideas because, "they're not scary and on halloween you're supposed to be scary."He was over pirates, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and the other action heroes that have postponed this exact same argument for the past 3 years. No son of mine was going to be running around as a blood sucking vampire! Rob told me in very nice words to "lighten up and give in a bit." So I began searching for "not-so-scary, scary costumes." I was thinking a nice little mummy.
Cora wouldn't even step foot into the store! For real, she sat outside with Rob. She's a HUGE chicken! So in Cade and I go and it was a d-i-s-a-s-t-e-r! He wanted everything that I didn't! We argued, and fought, and he even cried! I thought I'd drag him out of the store and cut two holes in a pillowcase, until he finally found the perfect scary solution! He'll be scary and I'm sorta OK with it. Clara and Cora may have to trick or treat two blocks ahead of him, but oh, well! Stay tuned to see the final costume choices that came to a grand total of $16.57! :)
a day with daddy
Cora stayed home from school on Friday. She felt fine except for a sore throat and a random ENT visit on Thursday revealed that she had strep throat for the second time in a month. (yes, I'm stressing and worried and crazy) She goes to clinic on Wednesday, so we'll recheck things then. BUT, daddy stayed home with the girls on Friday. Cora felt fine, so it was more like playing hookie. But here's what the two of them looked like when I got home Friday afternoon.
if you look closely you can see the madonna eye shadow, fishnet tights waist band, and hot pink and white polka dot panties right through that fancy dance costume. And just in case you can't see Clara's face clearly...
a lovely mix of oranges, lollipop, and dried snot.
Dear Lord, PLEASE do not let anything happen to me, it's very evident that my girls NEED a mommy! :)
Dear Lord, PLEASE do not let anything happen to me, it's very evident that my girls NEED a mommy! :)
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Corny!
We loved the Ottawa farms corn maze! Check out the fun!
cow train
The corn crib! So fun! Cade and Cora's favorite! They had kernels in their ears and down their pants!
must. get. that. pony.
little sister abuse on the hayride!
CORN!
ready to start the maze!
cade leads the way!
clara stops for a break.
Happy fall, y'all!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Clara and Wy - Wy
While we were in Indiana on Thursday and Friday, Clara and I FINALLY got some long over due time to hang out with my family. We loved seeing everyone, but it was so much fun to get together with my first cousin, Cara and her son, Wyatt. Wyatt is just a couple of months younger than Clara. They're about the same distance apart as Cara and I are. They live in Salt Lake City and we don't get to see them nearly enough! Clara had fun with Wy-Wy, although she tried to get the point across that she WAS the boss. I'm quite sure he heard it loud and clear. This little guy is so happy and cute! Check them out!
We love you, Pa-Paw!
This is my grandfather, William Cherry. He was born on Jan.22, 1919 and he went to heaven on October 10, 2011. He was such a cool guy.
He jumped out of planes in World War 2.
He put up with my grandmother for 67 long years of marriage!
He loved hunting and fishing.
He loved his bird dogs.
He used to have a porch with green turf carpeting.
And he hated gumballs in his yard.
The last five years were rough on him.
He was confined to a wheelchair, although he fought right up until the end to be rid of it.
After a stroke he lost most of his speech and could not communicate.
He had to eat through a feeding tube.
But he never complained.
He wasn't grouchy about what was lost, but often seemed to be lost in memories. Probably memories of better health, younger days.
All my kids know of him, was the wheelchair version.
But the last few days I've recapped to them many fond stories and memories of him. When we were little he used to take us in the basement and let us crush old cans with his can crusher so that he could recycle them for a penny each.
He could make us laugh for hours by rolling up an old newspaper and playing "the swatting game" with us. He always had time to help someone out.
Minutes after I heard of his passing, Cade and Cora and I were chatting and I said, "What do you think he's doing in Heaven right now?" Cora said, "probably running! He's probably glad to be out of that wheelchair!" I know she's right. No more pain, no more slurred speech, no more dependence on others for a meal, a bath, or a change of clothes.
Because he was a World War 2 veteran, a line of soldiers waited for us at the cemetery. They lined the walk way, offered a 21 gun salute, gave their words of gratitude for their fallen comrade, and folded the flag from the top of the casket and presented it to my grandmother. It was so special, and so him. He would have loved it!
Clara and I were the only ones that flew to Indiana for the funeral last week. Cade and Cora made cards for both he and my grandmother. Cade said it best, "We love you great grandpa! You were a good man! Have a good time in Heaven!"
We'll see you soon!
He jumped out of planes in World War 2.
He put up with my grandmother for 67 long years of marriage!
He loved hunting and fishing.
He loved his bird dogs.
He used to have a porch with green turf carpeting.
And he hated gumballs in his yard.
He was confined to a wheelchair, although he fought right up until the end to be rid of it.
After a stroke he lost most of his speech and could not communicate.
He had to eat through a feeding tube.
But he never complained.
He wasn't grouchy about what was lost, but often seemed to be lost in memories. Probably memories of better health, younger days.
All my kids know of him, was the wheelchair version.
But the last few days I've recapped to them many fond stories and memories of him. When we were little he used to take us in the basement and let us crush old cans with his can crusher so that he could recycle them for a penny each.
He could make us laugh for hours by rolling up an old newspaper and playing "the swatting game" with us. He always had time to help someone out.
We'll see you soon!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Soccer Season
Isle of Hope soccer season has started!
Cade is the oldest in the league this year and is enjoying being a barracuda. He is more into soccer than he's ever been. He's working hard and averaging about two goals per game. It's fun to watch him.
And then there's Cora who decided she'd try soccer this year. Her team is called the Lizards. She looks cute in her uniform.
Mia Hamm should not feel threatened in the least. Cora's foot has touched the ball ONE time in her last two games. I can't wait to hear what she's going to tell me when she comes over between the quarters to get water. Some of her comments have included, "Do you have a towel? I got some sweat on me." and "This soccer game is babyish. I keep hearing people say, 'go lizards, kick the ball' that is not what they say to teenagers."
FYI, sista...you're not a teenager! You're 5! And how do you know what they say at teenage soccer games?
I think Clara got more ball time than Cora did! :)
Cade is the oldest in the league this year and is enjoying being a barracuda. He is more into soccer than he's ever been. He's working hard and averaging about two goals per game. It's fun to watch him.
And then there's Cora who decided she'd try soccer this year. Her team is called the Lizards. She looks cute in her uniform.
Mia Hamm should not feel threatened in the least. Cora's foot has touched the ball ONE time in her last two games. I can't wait to hear what she's going to tell me when she comes over between the quarters to get water. Some of her comments have included, "Do you have a towel? I got some sweat on me." and "This soccer game is babyish. I keep hearing people say, 'go lizards, kick the ball' that is not what they say to teenagers."
FYI, sista...you're not a teenager! You're 5! And how do you know what they say at teenage soccer games?
I think Clara got more ball time than Cora did! :)
Monday, October 3, 2011
She's about to pop!
As if our weekend wasn't eventful enough, we helped Gran throw a baby shower for our NEW BABY cousin, Sloan, who we expect to make her appearance at the end of November. This is very exciting for us, because my kids have NO COUSINS!!! My mom can craft up a pretty good baby shower! Check it out...
Our theme was...she's about to pop!
my mom's diaper wreath---love love love it!
Our theme was...she's about to pop!
gone, but hopefully not forgotten!
Well, last week I left my family for the first time ever! No, not on some romantic getaway with my husband. Nope, not on some fun girls shopping weekend with friends. I left my family to go spend 3 days with 90 10 and 11 year olds on a Science field trip!!! Yep, that's right, for work! I am sure my departure was long overdue. Cade practically pushed me out the door as I attempted to leave one more frantic list! But I spent 3 fun filled days at Jekyll Island chaperoning the SCPS 5th graders on a really fun field trip, AND my family survived. All in all, it was fine! My only beef is that I don't get paid extra! A special shout out to Gran and Pop for all of your help last week!!! Check out my week!
a trip through the muddy marsh!
my five little roommates- SLUMBER PARTY TIME!
French braids all around!
What's a sleepover without painted toe nails! My hat's off to anyone that permanently has five 10 year old girls! :0
Our seining and nets class produced some cool stuff!
erosion sure does look cool!
fish dissecting anyone?
we made some new friends!
and played a lot! :) fun trip!
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