Happy Father’s Day! June 16, 2008

I hope you and your fathers had a great Father’s day…I know I did.  I went to church with my dad in the morning and then cooked steaks for his lunch.  Then we went to the pool to swim for a while. 

What have you guys been up to?  Last week I worked with the rising 6th graders in Summer Enrichment, went out to lunch with some friends, worked at my sister’s new salon and boutique, and lots more boring stuff…this coming Saturday we are going to Atlanta to see the Atlanta Braves play…I got my husband tickets for his birthday. 

Question?  What makes the holes in swiss cheese?  Anyone know or can find out for me?

June 9, 2008 June 9, 2008

What have you guys been up to?  I just got back from the beach yesterday and I started out first day of 5th grade Summer enrichment at school today.  We had a great beach trip.  Ms. Maxwell and her boyfriend came with us and we have a blast.  Did you know that we have known each other since about the 4th or 5th grade?!! 

OMG! I found The City of Ember movie trailer May 28, 2008

http://www.reelzchannel.com/video/34422/city-of-ember-trailer

It comes out October 8th.  I just can’t wait.

Really Great books you should check out this summer! May 28, 2008

THESE ARE INSTRUCTOR MAGAZINES’ BEST BOOK PICKS FOR THE SUMMER…CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT THE CITY OF EMBER IS ON THIS LIST! AWESOME!

The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman By Darcy Pattison

Tameka’s uncle sends Oliver, a man of wood, on a spectacular cross-country journey, from South Carolina to California.

Mia’s Story: A Sketchbook of Hopes and Dreams By Michael Foreman

Join Mia, who lives with her Papa in the Chilean Andes, as she searches for her lost puppy and discovers the beauty of her land.

Judy Moody: Around the World in 8½ Days By Megan McDonald

Judy, her new friend Amy Namey, and her third-grade classmates begin an assignment that will take them around the world in eight days.

Goin’ Someplace Special By Patricia C. McKissack

The segregation of 1950s Nashville is seen through the eyes of ‘Tricia Ann, whose favorite spot is the integrated public library.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane By Kate DiCamillo

During Edward’s long and difficult transatlantic journey, he is transformed from an arrogant, cold-hearted china rabbit to one who learns how to truly love.

Reading Levels Grades 3 to 5

Jack Plank Tells Tales By Natalie Babbitt

Jack, an unemployed pirate, regales the occupants of a Caribbean boarding house with tales of his unsuccessful attempts to find a job.

Cicada Summer By Andrea Beatty

Nancy Drew books, a sly new girl, and a real-life mystery make this Illinois summer memorable for Lily.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret By Brian Selznick

Orphaned Hugo takes readers on an adventure in a Paris train station.

Escape from the Carnivale By Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

In Neverland, Little Scallop disobeys her father, going to play with her friends. Disaster strikes when they leave the lagoon in search of pearls.

The Titan’s Curse By Rick Riordan

Percy and his friends travel between the real world and a mythological world as they cross the country in an attempt to rescue the goddess Artemis.

Reading Levels Grades 5 and up

Jackie’s Wild Seattle By Will Hobbs

Jackie and her brother Cody spend the summer with Uncle Ned and work at a wildlife center in Washington State where it seems that people are healed along with animals.

Honey Bea By Kim Siegelson

Heir to strange powers that run in her bloodline, Beatrice fights the confines of slavery on a Louisiana plantation.

The Lighthouse Land By Adrian McKinty

When Jamie and his mother inherit the ancestral home in Scotland, they are given an opportunity for a new life as well as a chance to travel outside of this universe.

Camel Rider By Prue Mason

Spitting sand and desperate for food and water, Adam and Walid try to elude their captors and survive in the Middle Eastern desert.

A Week in the Woods By Andrew Clements

When Mark moves from New York City to rural New Hampshire, he never expects to find himself lost in the woods during the fifth-grade class trip.

The Sight By David Clement-Davies

In Transylvania, Larka grows from a wolf pup to a young adult. In the process, she develops her unusual powers that help defeat evil.

Peak By Roland Smith

Peak reorders his priorities as he battles nature, his manipulative father, and Chinese authorities in an attempt to summit Mount Everest.

The City of Ember By Jeanne DuPrau

The City of Ember is dying, and Lina and Doon must follow nearly indecipherable directions in order to survive. THIS ONE COMES OUT IN THEATERS OCTOBER 8…THIS WAS ONE OF OUR LITERATURE CIRCLE BOOKS! 

Hattie Big Sky By Kirby Larson

Hattie displays amazing determination and courage when she takes over her late uncle’s Montana homestead.

You have almost graduated 6th grade!! May 27, 2008

You should be proud (well, most of you…just kidding!).  So what are your plans for the summer?  Any good books you are waiting to read?  I know there are several that I have set aside ready for a nice summer day at the pool.  I am currently reading The Water is Wide.  It is by Pay Conroy…he was a teacher in the 70’s on Yamacraw Island, off the coast of South Carolina.  He taught very low income students who knew next to nothing.  Many of the were in the 5th grade and could not add 2+2.  It is very interesting.  Next, I am reading The Choice by Nicholas Sparks.  It will be the last of his books that I have not read.  What an accomplishment for me!  What books are you planning to read?  Remember…it will make you a smarter 7th grader!

I am planning to take a trip to Texas this summer to visit some family.  I cannot wait!  I have never been before and there are a lot of interesting things to see there.  I hope to go to the Alamo and the San Antonio River Walk. http://www.visitsanantonio.com/index.aspx The rest of my summer will be full of relaxing and helping my sister open up her new salon and boutique in Greer.  Come visit sometime.  http://www.pinkmascarasalonandboutique.blogspot.com/

And the end is near… May 5, 2008

Think back about your year in 6th grade…What things will you miss the most?  What things will you miss the least?  What is one thing you wish you HAD done this year?  What is one thing you wish you HAD NOT done this year?  What made 6th grade so special?

Response from Dad April 24, 2008

Thanks for the comments and questions guys. I’ll try to answer and comment for you. I have been around the fire department since I was 11 years old. My Boy Scout troop was hosted by the North Spartanburg Fire Department. So that’s where my interest started. I joined the FD as a Jr. Firefighter when I was 15 and have been involved ever since.

As far as being scary, yes, it can be at times. However, our training prepares us for most of the things we do and we deal with them every day. The job of a firefighter is one about helping people who are sick, injured or some way in need. That’s the part of the job that I like best, helping people. There are few things more rewarding in life than being able to do that.

Alphy, it is hard work. And at times the work can be repetative, but the good times certainly make up for the bad.

Ally, no offense taken. I’m sure Ms. White is OK with that as well. I would prefer that you just say, Phill. or as the guys here; Chief. ( Don’t worry I slip up and call her by that name,too.)

Cole, I have been a firefighter for 37 years. 3 as a Jr.Firefighter, 10 as a volunteer firefighter the rest as a paid firefighter. I have been Chief here at Pelham for 18 years.

Hope this answers the questions guys.

P…A…C…T… April 22, 2008

How do you feel about the PACT test?

Oh my gosh… April 9, 2008

I have the hiccups again right now!  what is the deal??

Only 7 weeks left April 7, 2008

I am sure you are on the count down too.  I know you are all wondering what I did on my spring break…right?  Yeh, I know you are not really that interested but I am going to tell you anyway!  haha

Well I was very upset because it was cloudy and rainy ALL WEEK!  That was a big stinker. 

I was pretty lazy the first weekend.  Did not do much of anything.  I saw Grayland at the grocery store.  He tried to hide from me though.   I guess he thought I might want to talk to his dad!  I also lost 100 dollars that night.  I have no idea what happened to it.  I either lost it at the store or someone took it.  I am still very upset about that.  100 dollars is a lot of money!!   Tuesday I went to Charlotte with my sister.  She is opening a new salon and boutique in Greer.  I am really excited for her.  I will let you know when it is open and maybe you can visit.  Wednesday I went to workout at the gym.  (I did this the other two days as well.) Then my husband and I went to have lunch at Kan Pai.  He was off that day.  Kan Pai and Moe’s are my favorite restaurants.  Then I went to have my hair done.  Yes, I got it highlighted, not dyed.  That night I had a Mary Kay party at my house with some friends.  Yes, I have friends.  Thursday Ms. L. Cooper and I took a day trip to Atlanta, GA.  We ate at this great Mexican restaurant called Uncle Julio’s.  It was Yummy!.  That night I went to church for choir practice.  Friday I went to Greer to see my dad at work.  He took me to lunch and then we drove up to Tigerville to see the land that he and my mom purchased to build a house on.  It was really pretty.  You can see mountains all around.  I don’t really want them to move that far away because I like being able to go see them whenever I want, but they will only be 45 minutes away.  I will just have to take a few weekend trips and stay with them.  Friday night my Nana came over and we went to see my friend Kelli’s new baby, Crew.  He is so cute!  Then we ordered dinner from the Flounder.  Ever been there?  It is yummy too. I watched the movie “August Rush” that night.  It was a very sweet movie.  A friend recommended it to me.  Saturday was another lazy day.  I did go get a manicure and pedicure.  I had my parents over for dinner.  I cooked homemade chicken parmesan.   Yesterday I went to church and then came home to do some things that I had wanted to get done all week but the weather was never nice enough.  It was finally a nice day outside.  I sat out on my back porch and read a book for a while; The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks.  Then I washed my car, inside and out.  My husband did his too.  We washed off the porch, cleanded the chairs, and all that jazz.  not all that fun but it needed to be done.  Then went to my parents to cook steaks for dinner. 

All in all I guess it was a productive week.  There are still things on my to do list that did not get done but eventually they will.  How about you? Anything you wish you could have done last week but did not get to?