Winter? Already?

Fall is my favorite season - cool in the morning and warm in the afternoon - perfect jeans and hoodie weather. Colorado has a wonderful fall season. One of the reasons I love living here is all the seasons we get. Where else can you have all 4 seasons in one week. The previous post showed nice fall colors on a beautiful and warm Friday afternoon.

They say in Colorado - if you don't like the weather, wait a little bit... it will change. Here are pics of Tuesday night (10/25) / Wednesday (10/26).

The first snow of Fall/Winter 2011 came in Tuesday night, after a very warm Monday. It started out as rain and turned to snow. The snow was very wet and heavy. Branches were snapping and breaking by 10pm Tuesday. You can see branches down and the weight of the snow on them from the pictures. Both of Steve's trucks had branches laying on them. The kids has a snow day due to all the branches and trees down.

We lost power somewhere between midnight at 2AM. We didn't get it back until after 6pm on Wednesday. We did have hot water because we have a gas water heater. The furnace is gas, but the blower and all that is electric. The gas fireplace doesn't have a pilot light - uses electric start. The pellet stove has an electric feeder, blower, and start. Amazing how much we rely on electricity. we did get the generator out and get the freezers and fridge hooked up. We managed fine and it wasn't a big deal to "rough it" for 16 or so hours. Believe it or not - there are still folks without power scattered through out the area.

Fall in Colorado (10/21/2011)

Friday (10/21/11), we took a little road trip over I-70 to Grand Lake and back to Fort Collins via Hwy 14. The kids were on Fall Break so we thought it was a great time to go look at the fall colors (and pick up a small dump trailer).


Grand Lake, CO


Rand, CO



HWY 14 - Poudre River

Easy Whiteboard Menu

I saw this on a blog and thought it would be a great activity for MaKenna and help with the chaos here at home. It was a great idea and MaKenna enjoyed making it. As for the chaos... hasn't helped much - but then again we modified the menu the 2nd day we had it. It's the thought that counts and I thought it would help.

It's just decorated paper in a cheap photo frame. The glass is the whiteboard.

Where to start...

I have so much to blog about and so little time. Do I start with MaKenna's Volleyball season, Colorado fall colors or the GAME.
OK, as you wish - here's a little about the game...

When the Ducks play, our house is ramped up and ready for the game. We have snacks, pizza, friends over, etc and watch the game. On occasion things can get intense around here. So imagine what the house would be like if we were home when the Ducks were in town (which emotion would win out??? Joy of an expected kill or pouting because we were missing our chance to see THE DUCKS). Steve,being the smart guy he is, understood this clearly, and did the only thing he could do - sent the kids and I to the game! Meanwhile he was able to enjoy a quiet Saturday to himself (cutting and delivering firewood).

The kids and I had a blast. It was a great little adventure. We parked, walked to the stadium, found our seats and enjoyed the Fall sunshine. We only had about 10 minutes before kickoff. We chatted casually the both the Duck fans and Buff fans sitting around us. The CU fans weren't nearly as bad as folks said. They were actually pretty funny and enjoyed placing bets on how many plays it would take the Ducks to score. They also kept yelling "Run the clock down! - Keep it under 100!" every time CU had the ball. I got the sense there was some history there... something about losing once 103 to 0! OUCH!!

Enough rambling - here are some pics

Double "O"'s - Kyler points out O's everywhere. We had to stop and take a pic as we strolled around the stadium.


Kyler tried to run up the ramp and hide inside... guess he's ready to make a trip to Oregon.

The kids got to meet "Duck" or "Puddles" and get his autograph.

Kyler, MaKenna, Jake

The Kids and I

Parent / Teacher Conferences

Well, here we are in the middle of October. The kids have their 1st quarter under their belt (almost). This week are parent/teacher conferences. They have Friday off and then the next week due to "Fall Break". Just when we're getting into the groove of school, we have a week off. O the struggles we're in for the Monday they go back!

Overall, conferences went great. They were similar to last years. Blah, Blah,Blah, MaKenna talks to much, blah, blah, blah, Jake gets distracted easily...

OK, seriously...

Kyler - is shy. He is doing well in all his areas and pays close attention to detail. He knows the answers when he is asked, but doesn't raise his hand much. He does enjoy show and tell - it doesn't seem to bother him to share and talk in front of his class. Kyler is right on track (average) in his testing areas; numbers, letters, counting, etc. Kyler loves the letter and coloring homework he gets on Friday's. (those are the same sheets MaKenna despised! She didn't like the idea of someone telling her what colors to use.) Being the mean mom that I am - I asked for additional homework for Kyler. He has free time and it would make my life easier if he was doing homework the same time the other kids were. If they are all doing homework, then there is no whining about the TV being on, about Kyler being too loud, anything else that could be distracting...

(Kyler Feeding Copper an apple)

MaKenna is doing very well. She is an awesome reader and her teacher would like to see her read 30 minutes each day and to challenge her with the books she picks. She is improving on her writing. She writes like she talks and how she thinks... it's all over the place. Hmm, wonder where she gets that... anyways - they are working on staying on topic. She is very strong in math, but rushes . Behavior - well, she like her Aunt Joleane (quick witted) and she talks to much. She apparently does a great job keeping her table focused and on task - does that mean she is bossy too? End result: I asked that she be challenged more - things come easy to her and I want her to have to work harder. She has extra enrichment math, and I want her moved to a harder spelling list.

(MaKenna feeding Moon an apple)

Jake - is wonderful to have in class, he helpful and so sweet. He does great when he stays on task... He gets distracted easily and also talks to much. He apparently thinks he needs to be friends with every boy in class. This wouldn't be a problem, but there are 16 of them! (only 6 girls) Jake is great at math and solving problems. His math facts aren't quick, but he gets them and thinks abstractly. Is that a good thing? He is also a great reader and is in the challenge group. (He just go finished reading book 7 and 8 of The Sister's Grimm series for his book report / presentation.) Jake is a good writer, but short and concise. He doesn't mess with all the extra details. He just writes what needs to be written and he's done. His mind goes blank and he figures that is a good place to stop. We're going to work on adding more details. I reminded his teachers (he has 2 part time teachers) that they shouldn't be sucked in by his big blue eyes and that they need to be firm with him. He knows more and can do more than he lets on.

(Jake with Copper)

Wow - long rambling post, but that is how the kids are doing so far.

Superstar

We get the Windsor Beacon every Saturday in the mail. I usually take it in the house and glance at it quickly as I throw it down on the table. This Saturday was no different except I was rather surprised at the front cover...


Yes, our little Miss MaKenna is a "Front Page Superstar"! The article is about Tozer Elementary School 50th Anniversary. The caption said "recently", but this is actually her 1st grade singing program.



Here's the full picture.

School Pictures

Yesterday after school:

MaKenna - "I have something you want mom"
Me - "O, you do huh"
MaKenna - "Yes, I know you've been waiting FOR-EVER for these and just dying to see them"
Me (somewhat curious about what I have been missing out on for so long) "What is it honey"
MaKenna - "ME" as she handed me her school pics.

Since I'm sure y'all have been waiting FOREVER as well - here they are.


Kyler - Kindergarten


MaKenna - 3rd Grade


Jake - 5th Grade