Crazy weather!

Wednesday was absolutely beautiful! In the 80's! Wow! When I saw the weather was suppose to be nice on Wednesday, I asked a few friends if they wanted to meet at the zoo. Of course, they did! Who would want to stay inside on such a glorious day?! We spent most of the day at the zoo, then off to rehearsals after dinner.

Thursday, the girls were able to attend taekwondo because rehearsal was canceled. I think they enjoyed seeing everyone. I know the students were happy to have them back. During sparring, I heard Alex (Mr.) scream "ow". Jesse had kicked him in the chin. She had asked him several times not to kick so hard; I told him she didn't need a concussion this close to the play. I suppose he didn't listen. She took matters into her own hands...well, foot. ;)

Master Mike gave me a compliment last night. These are rare. lol  But he came in toward the end of the first class and watched as we were teaching. He said I hit all ten criteria to make a good teacher. He listed a few things. He rarely says such things to I was happy with the compliment.

Today was art class. They studied Andy Warhol. I learned quite a few things I didn't know myself. Jesse was called out for going to slow. lol  She is was coloring in her Coke bottles and being very particular. Her usual. She was told to finish coloring at home. Both girls got a little creative making their Campbell's soup can. I can't wait for John to see them. I think he'll like them.

Tomorrow is the reception for "Kids In Print". I am excited for both of them. I know how had they worked on their pictures. John is getting off of work early to come too. Luckily, it is close to his work.

I am so tired!

Tonight we went to the children's theatre to see Bunnicula.  We all enjoyed it. We were lucky enough to see Paul and Jerry in the show together. While that meant we missed seeing a couple of people we adore in the show. It is a rare treat to see Jerry on stage, and Jerry and Paul together were hysterical!

Friday was another art class. One of my personal favorites: Norman Rockwell. I learned quite a few things about him I did not know. I think the girls enjoyed the project, making a magazine cover. And of course hanging out with their buddies is always best.

The Recreation center closed early Wednesday night so the other school could not have their graduation. Master Mike asked those students to come to our graduation Thursday night. We had a room full for graduation; it was one of the best we've had lately, even without any black belts mid-terming or graduating.

Because graduation was canceled Wednesday night, I was home in time to take Jesse to her photo shoot in Camden. It was the first time she was in her costume. She had fun being evil, but I couldn't find any of the pictures with her on-line. Another mom sent me pictures from her smart phone, but, honestly, I am not going to share them. They were really grainy and dark. We know now my Mom and three of my aunts (and their husbands) are coming to the show. I know one librarian is coming and our hair dresser wants to attend (not sure she'll make it). The girls are totally excited about having so many people come to see them in a show.

Our last week before crazy!

This last week was our last week before Wizard rehearsals begin.

Monday, we took Chloe to see Dr. J. about braces. He said her mouth looks great, so she is on there growth program. She'll go in every once in awhile just to make sure she is still going down a good path. She is excited to be a patient now; we think she'll be able to enter the monthly contests now.

The rest of our week was the usual: taekwondo, volunteering and school work. I spent a great deal of my time working on a high school schedule. I think we've mostly narrowed down everything for Jesse's freshman year. We still have to order books, but we are mostly there. I think.

Friday we had Meet the Masters. It was the first Meet the Masters we had since, well, I don't remember. That long ago! I enjoyed it because the tables and chairs were already set-up when I arrived. Usually we arrive ten minutes early and most everyone else is ten minutes late. Friday, we were the last ones there. We were two minutes early! And the tables were set-up!

Today, the girls went to a birthday party at HiWire. I don't think I will ever go back there on a Saturday again. They have a volleyball league so we had to park across a three-lane road at Academy. Unreal! But the party went well. Chloe, however, sprained her ankle. She is not a happy camper right now.

Another week of interesting moments

We tried to go to the State Fair on Columbus day; however, the traffic was so crazy we changed our plans in mid-stream. We wound up at Cromer's for corn dogs and did a bit of shopping at the "good" Target.

That Wednesday, we finally made it to the fair. We took a picture of Chloe with her displayed photograph. She really liked the photo that came in first place. Of course, our favorite thing is the food. We had mini-doughnuts, deep-fried red velvet Oreo cookies, and sausage dogs.

This past Wednesday, the girls and I went to Charlotte to help Dad with a few projects. The girls helped him with his tablet. I'm glad they could help, because I couldn't. lol  I mowed the leaves that had already fallen, but there will be more to mow later.

Friday we had another art class. The girls enjoy them so much. I don't think it is because of the art nearly as much as the horseplay afterward. They are meeting new people and just enjoying themselves.

Saturday we put summer away. Yes, it was time for the pool to come down. We emptied most of the water last weekend. This weekend we dried and folded it before putting it back in the garage. It is always a little sad when we have to put it away.

Today, was un-Thanksgiving in the Morgan household. We had turkey, sage dressing, cranberry sauce, and a pecan pie. We totally forgot the green beans, but we made up for at dinner by eating a Caesar salad.

A new direction

There are so many ways to homeschool these days. You can choose to stay home and do everything yourself (my personal favorite!). Or choose from several different homeschool schools (yes, there is such a thing) to take classes from science to sewing. You can even (gasp!) go through the public school system to take classes on-line. I know people who do all of the above. But this year. Well, this year we are trying a class outside the house.

We are gathering with about seven other families, twenty-four students participating, for "Meet the Masters" (an art class). We had our first class yesterday. I admit I am not an artsy person. Okay, I enjoy the occasional crochet project but that is about it. The girls have learned so much more than I ever knew thanks to YouTube. But while standing there listening to the instructions I was lost. Julia, who is running the class, laughed at me. She has known for awhile "I don't do art" but she is realizing I was not exaggerating. lol

I think the girls enjoyed it. They had to sit together to share the watercolor crayons because our other pack is on backorder. I thought it was rather funny. I think most of the moms thought the siblings would sit together to share their supplies. Instead, many of them were getting up and walking across the room to get a new crayon, then back to their sit.

I was wanting to take my camera for pictures of the first class; however, I forgot it. We had to take everything for art class, including lunch, to the library while Chloe volunteered. The camera slipped my mind while gathering school work, library books, snacks and lunch. I think you can see why it may have slipped my mind. I am hoping to be able to gather more things a day early for the next class. Fingers crossed!

Chloe's out of book experience

I'm sure everyone some people were wondering what Chloe was up to, while Jesse spent the day sewing. Well, here is her story:

Chloe has been wanting to carve a pumpkin for the last couple of years. Two years ago we carved real pumpkins. Such a mess!! She asked John last year if they could do another, but they never did. This year she started asking again a few weeks ago. Over the weekend, John relented. However, she had to agree to do a "craft" pumpkin, rather than a real one. She agreed.

We bought a pumpkin at Target, then John helped her get started. She spent most of a day working, ever-so-carefully, on her design. This is what she accomplished:



A kitten on a jack-o-lantern, carved into a pumpkin.



Chloe with her artwork.



Halloween Pictures!!!!



Our "cemetary"



Front porch (before spiders!)

Yes, she made it with duct tape! And, yes, those are mustaches.



Door reads "The witch is "in", or "out".



Scully!!



John and the girls made those wonderfully creepy spiders.



As promised!

AND on the day I promised them. LOL

Here is Jesse's drawing for the play for CCT STAR's Talent Show in April to benefit Oliver Gospel Mission.

Jesse has already been asked by several people if she traced the map. I thought I would include a picture of the globe she used to draw from, with the picture she drew. Obviously, no tracing was involved. She did, however, do this picture different than most of her artwork. This one she did in pencil first, then traced it with the pen. I think she did very well. And I have to say I'm glad she didn't make the US in the middle of her map. I think most would, but she tends to think outside the box. And since this is for a charity organization I feel it was more appropriate this way.

What a weekend!!

Yesterday, we had our second meeting of CCT STAR. The students chose their charity, Oliver Gospel Mission. And they chose the winning artwork for the cover of the playbill. Jesse's art! I cannot tell you how happy that made her. (I'll post a picture of it tomorrow.) Now, all I have to do is keep it safe until late April when it will need finishing touches and off to the printer it will go. No problem. Right?! {fingers crossed}

Today, we went to Kershaw Fine Arts Center to see my friend Candy's directorial debut. The show was fantastic and we all had a great time. They did Aladdin. John was worried it would be the same show our nephew, Lawson, was in last year, but it was a totally different script. No musical, just hysterical! We can't wait to see what her next show will be. :)

Pictures

I have had several friends ask when I was going to post pictures I've taken recently. So, this post is just that, pictures I've taken in the last week. I think I've probably taken about a thousand pictures! I do love my camera. And adore John for thinking of it.

This was taken at the zoo on Monday.

I took this picture in my Dad's backyard. While my Dad loathes squirrels, the squirrels love his feeders and despite Dad's efforts they still visit his yard. I love you can see the water droplets on the limbs. I've never been able to get that with my other cameras (I've tried).

This is from my Dad's yard too. Every afternoon the cardinals come in for lunch. He has four or five feeders and they are very happy there. I just caught this one resting and it is my favorite picture from that day. And I really love my camera does the border. My friend Carrie does this and I think it is beautiful.


Chloe found this on the nature walk. Yep, a hair. A canine hair. How did she see that on the ground???

Two of my friends, who are awesome photographers, were taking a picture of this tree, so I felt compelled to join in.

He did a fabulous job on this picture. I was impressed...so was his Mom. ;)

The wind was blowing!!

I love this picture!!

At the Children's Garden. I love the bears there.

Amazed!

I keep a small notepad in my pocketbook these days for Avon orders. A couple of days ago the girls asked to borrow it and this morning I had to ask them to return it. Chloe brought it to me and informed me Jesse was using it to draw, then showed me the picture Jesse drew. Oh, my!! Jesse drew Phineas from "Phineas and Ferb", a Disney show. It was amazing! She has John's talent there is no questioning that. It was practically perfect. This afternoon she drew Dr. Doofensmirtz (from the same show). Again, it was practically perfect. I really need to find her an art teacher!!!!