therapy

Here are a few pages from Halloween that I worked on the past few days. The first is Davin's Halloween costume. I used staples as a border to add an "edgy" feeling to the layout...

It is hard to read but I journaled upside down to give it that extra "Spidey" feeling...

Next, having fun with buttons and messy pink paint for this Eloise Halloween layout...

The lighting wasn't great, but you can get the idea. Since I am a "newbie" at this whole blogging thing, I realized my technical resources are limited and I am hoping to step it up in that department over the next year. A scanner would have made this post much more clear!

Mad scientists

This is a picture of the fun experimental volcanoe Hunter worked on yesterday with the help of Buppy, Davin, and Avery.

Everyone loved adding the vinegar, soap, and food coloring that made it errupt. Just look at these mad scientists!

For a good cause

These are my sixth graders getting ready to walk "Laps for Luekemia" to raise money for kids with blood cancer. They were so excited to get going on their big adventure.

This was the scene after just 40 minutes of walking- Can you believe it? They did awesome...We will see on Monday how much money we raised. What a fun day for all!

Even Mr. Ancich stopped by for the big event!

Hair grows back

This is the result of dad trying to save a dime by cutting Davin's hair himself. The clippers had a no. 1 guard on, Davin turned the wrong way and Dusan had no choice but to shave his whole head. He resembles the kid in class who got sent home for lice. But he is a boy and his hair will grow back and the good news is...he doesn't mind a bit!

Heart-stuffing fun

It was a birthday celebration for Tess today with the girls at Downtown Disney. I have never had the the Build-A-Bear urge before..but I was pleasantly surprised by the age appropriate fun it was for the three girls. Three adorable girls that is- in matching tutu's, cupcake shirts, and clips. They were quite the showstoppers, if I do say so myself! I think my favorite part of was the "heart-stuffing ceremony" where they rubbed the heart on different parts of their bodies making responsible promises to their new best-friends. The best had to be when they rubbed the heart on their "bums" and promised to never leave their bears behind! A great memory for all. Happy 4th birthday, Tess! We love you!

Look what we found!

We are constantly amazed at what pops up each season in our backyard. Last year's amazement was guava, before that it was the apple-sized persimmons. This weekend we found these potatoe-yam-like things!

The craziest part is that I dug them out of pots that I had planted only spring flowers in a few months ago?!?!

It was a fun discovery, but noone in our house is too anxious to eat them- do you blame us? The experience of finding them was much more exciting!

11 year old resolutions

On the first day back to school after Winter Break, I had my students do some self-reflection. They wrote three resolutions pertaining to school, personal achievement, and family.

The end result was adorable. They drew a self portrait and attached a party hat with the resolutions written on the top. Then I added party poppers out of each mouth. Fun!

Great News

I came home from school today to find Davin with his jacket zipped to the top. Dusan told me that Davin needed to tell me something about his day.

He simply unzipped the jacket to show this dad-made shirt. I dropped all of my bags and purse, scooped Davin up, and ran laps around the living room with him in my arms.

I am so proud of my December Student of the Month. I think he feels pretty good too...just look at that face...

Total Awesomeness

Lisa got mom and dad a slide scanner for Christmas so they can convert all of our historical slides (evidence) into pictures.

Here is the latest piece of blackmail...Matching fur coats with Grandma Galli...Just what every 7 and 9 year old girl needs. Especially upon steeping out of the luxurious VW bus appropriately titled the "GALLIVN" aka the Galli Van. Wouldn't want any of our friends missing up driving by in the orange beast with the blue and white striped curtains that mom sewed.

And wouldn't you know...already a woman of class and style...I am carrying my pencil case as a purse...what a scholar!

And Lisa with the consistently straight and bulky bangs...Look out Gwen Stefani...she was way ahead of her times!

Stay tuned for more fun blasts from the past.

in the mood

With is being the last day of Winter Break, I found myself "putzing" around. You can only clean so much. I would have loved to be working out in the yard, but with the rain...no thanks.

I worked up a sweat playing fooseball against Hunter. While in garage I thought, "Why not get out the Valentine box and start decorating?"

Its never too early for spreadin' some love...

Rainy Day Schedule

Here we are amidst the storm that is supposed to linger for 5 days! Argh!
So what do we do????

We bake, do laundry, play babies, do laundry, play laser tag, forget we are baking...oops! Sorry chocolate chip breakfast bars...better luck next time.

As I am yelling at the oven...I spot a little bit of sunshine in our backyard...
Avery in her best tutu and tiara with her paper parasol, of course!

Reality check: rain can be a really fun thing!

Here's to turning lemons into lemonade.

Family Tree

With a busy vacation, homework got pushed aside...like to the back of the refrigerator, so we almost forgot about it.

Thankfully Hunter reminded me of his ancestry report that isn't due until Jan. 10th.

My wheels were turning last night at 2am and again at 4am as to how to "cute up" this family tree.

After a trip to Michael's, alot of stenciled leaves, and alot of Google Image searching here is our finished product... Three hours later. Great job Hunter! I am so proud of you!