3D Model of the Earth

Jacob had to make a 3D model of the earth. It had to show the different layers of the earth as well as the continents, oceans and a few other things. We helped Jacob formulate his plan, but we let him do it all. Of course, we helped, but it was his project. Aside from a few tears and a little fit because it was hard to draw the continents, he did great!

One lesson learned: When getting ready to spray paint, make sure the nozzle is turned towards the PROJECT and not YOU!

The earth

Jake pretty much looks like the uni-bomber with a knife in this picture.

He did a great job of cutting!

I had a mommy moment epic fail - I did not get a picture of the finished project before he took it to school. Hope to get one soon and get it posted!

ILL - INI

As most of you know, Brian and I are originally from Indiana and are Indiana University Alumni. Zach kind of followed along in our Hoosier allegiance. Jacob, however, is an Illini through and through. This weekend, Brian took Jake to his first Illini football game. Unfortunately, the Illini got beat, but Jacob had a good time! I foresee more Illini games in our future. ILL - INI!!!

Getting ready to head out to the football game.

Just a little bit cold at the game!

Family Homework

Lizzie had some first grade homework this week. We were to decorate a turkey and it was to be a FAMILY project. We could use anything we wanted to decorate the turkey and it could be as creative/colorful/etc. as she wanted.

As you will see, our family turkey is quite colorful and eclectic. We had fun working on it and Lizzie had a great time directing, read bossing, us in the decorating of the turkey!

As we were working on this, I look up and see Jacob with a bunch of squeeze cheese. It was used for an object lesson at church today and Jacob got to bring the extra home. When I looked up, I guess my eyes were huge because he looked at me, shrugged, and said, "Nobody told me to stop or that it was enough!" Love that kid!

More Fall Sports

Our fall season of sports continues on. Jacob is still playing flag football and loving it. Unfortunately, his team has a losing record, but Jacob is playing very well and learning a lot.

Jacob gets the flag to stop a touchdown!

And, he slides to get this one!

He is ready to rumble

Not sure what this is. Some kind of pre-game warm up dance.

Running and waiting for the ball

Zach still can't dress for basketball. The doctor said that he is out for 3 more weeks as of now. He is hoping to come back sooner. It is killing him not to play.

Even in dress clothes, Zach gets to be captain. The ref was teasing him about his groin strain! He said he probably got it while doing a 360 dunk!

Look real close and you will see Zach in the background directing traffic. If he can't play, then he will coach and cheer!

I am pretty sure he was upset with the defense, or lack there of, at this point!

A boy and his puppy

Ok, this dog can be a MAJOR pain in the rear. She is completely ADHD and perhaps a little neurotic. But, we love her! We are thankful that Sadie came to live with us! Thank you Mamaw and Papaw Burton!!

8th Grade Basketball

The MSJH 8th Grade Basketball Team!

Having grown up in southern Indiana, I love basketball. Imagine my excitement when I realized that Zach shared that excitement for the sport I love. I have fond memories of being at high school games - cheering the team on, playing in the pep band, keeping stats - all that good stuff.

Last year, he was on the 7th grade team and had a good year. I relived the good old days (minus the pep band) while cheering on the team (too loudly at times according to Zach) and keeping stats.

At the end of the season, however, he said he was NOT going to try out in 8th grade. You can only imagine what that did to the heart of a good ol' southern Indiana gal when she heard that news. I was relieved to find out that both Lizzie and Jake wanted to play rec league basketball. At least I had that to look forward to!

Eighth rolled around and lo and behold, he is trying out. And . . . he made the team. A week and a half into practice, he hurt his hip. It kept aggravating him to the point that he could barely walk and was in tears. Off to the doctor we went.

To keep a very long story, about many many doctors appointments short, I will just say that it appears that he has a severely pulled or torn groin muscle. He was on crutches for a week, and is now well enough to hobble around without them. The doctor today said four more weeks without PE or basketball and then we will re-evaluate. BUT, if he feels like he can go back sooner, we are to go in and have the doc evaluate him to see if it is actually wise for him to do so.

My heart is very heavy for him. Now, I realize that it is all about perspective. Compared to what some others in our lives are going through, this is tiny. But to him, this is a big thing. He knows it could be worse. He knows that others are going through terrible things, but it still doesn't take away his frustration and anger of not being able to play a sport he loves. Nor does it take away his physical pain.

So, what do we do? Keep on working on healing that leg all the while attending games and cheering on those 8th grade Bulldogs! Zach? He sits the bench in his street clothes, helps take stats, cheers on his teammates at practices and games and hopes he gets to go back to practicing soon.

All dressed for the day of the first game. I love that they have to wear shirt, tie, dress pants and shoes on game days. They look very sharp. Again, must be that ol' fashioned Southern Indiana girl in me coming out. The boys dressed up on game days when I was in school too.

Zach and coach were talking strategy.

8th Grade Bulldog Invite Champions! Zach cheered them on from beginning to end!

Trick or Treat

This year, I took Calvin and Hobbes and Fancy Nancy Trick or Treating. They had a good time and got WAY too much candy. I enjoyed watching the kids play and smile while spending time with good friends as well.

Calvin and Hobbes ready to get some candy.

Miss Fancy Nancy is ready to get a "bountiful supply" of "scrumptious" candy.

Noah is a prince!

Trick or Treat!

Pumpkin Painting and Carving 2011

This was the first time in many years that we actually carved pumpkins as well as painting them. The kids designed their own pumpkins. Zach's pumpkin has a basketball cut out on one side and his number, 10, on the other. Jacob's has a Colts logo. Lizzie's is a good old fashioned happy Jack-O-Lantern.

Zach didn't actually taste it, but he did contemplate it!

Yucky pumpkin guts

Lizzie painting her stem pink - of course!

The final products.

Playing with Photoshop

Brian bought Photoshop Elements for me a few years ago and I have slowly been learning all the things I can do with it. I think that I now know about 1/100th of what it does! Recently, I used a fall picture of Lizzie to see what I could do.

The original

My favorite!!

Not liking this one at all.

Girl Scout Fall Festival

Lizzie is now a Daisy Scout. She attended the Fall Festival last weekend. She earned her first badge for going and participating.

Hunting for "nature items" to make bookmarks with.

A yummy "campfire" snack.

Cheese!