{October News}

O-C-T-O-B-E-R...October!!!

Bear with me on this one because I just read that my last post was on September 29th!!!

Our month started off with a birthday celebration just for...ME!!! Maybe I should be feeling a little blue since I did turn another year older and all but I must say, my 30’s have been much better than my 20’s {so far}. Life is sweeter these days and things just seem to make much more sense!

My favorite bunch went ALL out for me this year. I had surprises waiting around every corner.

I received a special package ALL the way from Germany 

and

I even got a surprise treat from a very special 1st grade wing!!!

My pumpkin OBSESSION is a well known fact =)

The children NEVER slow down so let me quickly recap their month so far.

In the past few weeks, Bry has become quite the budding scientist. The subject that she absolutely detested has become one of her favorites. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING what one teacher can do to influence a student!!!

I had a lot of questions about her cake project so I thought I'd share some information about that.

A couple of weeks ago, Bry was learning all about cells (plants and animals to be more exact). Over the course of a week, she had to construct 3 different projects. The first step was to sketch the inside of a school. She had to label items that can be found in a school and explain how those items can represent the different parts of a cell. For example, the walls of the building represented the cell wall (protection and support). The principal represented the nucleus (makes important decisions and contains vital information). The gym represented mitochondria (energy). 

The second step of the project was to pick either an animal cell or a plant cell and complete a 3-D model by labeling all of the parts.

The last step was to bake a cake and add different types of candy to represent each part of the cell.

I have to admit, I was a little jealous. I've ALWAYS wanted to love science but it was just never my thing. Luckily, I have a super savvy 7th grader who is helping me teeter from dislike to like when it comes to all the scientific stuff and SERIOUSLY how can you not LOVE science when you get to bake a cake to showcase your knowledge!!!

Miss Kalyssa received some extra special news this month. Being in 3rd grade has its perks!!! Kalyssa has really stepped out of her comfort zone. When she sees something she wants, she goes after it with all of her heart. She loves being involved in school activities and her teacher this year has helped her find a new passion or two in life.

During the election process at school, Kalyssa decided that she wanted to run for student council representative. She had to prepare a speech that explained why she would make the BEST 3rd grade candidate. She was beyond SUPER excited when she was chosen by her fellow classmates!! She has weekly meetings that she has to attend and several projects to prepare for. Both Jason and I are very excited for her!!! This is going to be a wonderful learning experience for her especially with it being an election year. Be on the lookout for some special posters that she is in the process of putting together for the big Election Day in November! 

Election year is a pretty BIG deal and I love that as a parent I get to be involved in that learning process and this year for the first time EVER, I also get to be involved in the process with a class full of 1st graders!!!

Mr. Trav has been a busy buckaroo in the 2nd grade wing. Field trips, projects, and SO MUCH MORE!!! His wonderfully amazing teacher is keeping him on track. We have been working really hard on reading and reading comprehension! I think most of you know the struggles we've endured with reading. His speech has improved so much over the past year and that has helped tremendously! He was very excited when he finished his very first chapter book {all by himself}. This was a huge accomplishment for him. He learned that he likes to read the BIG books. Last weekend he organized his bookshelf by putting all the “cool looking” chapter books on the top shelf!

I wish I could say that I had some pictures to share of all the fun things he has been doing but sadly I don’t. This is the first year that I have missed out on taking pictures on his big field trip. My heart was very sad that I couldn't join him especially since this is really the last year that parents join field trip excursions. Since we couldn't join him this year, we decided to treat him to a boys and mommy only kind of day.

I still have a few more things to share!!

 I shall be back =)