Field Trip 2009

Well, you know fall is here when the kids in my class carve their jack-0-lanterns! Yesterday was carving day. Mrs. Mullink can't stand the smell of pumpkins so naturally I had to let another student carve theirs today so we'd get a double dose of the smell!

Colorado 2009

I also travelled to Colorado a few days after returning from South Dakota. It was nuts but a lot of fun. I went white water rafting. The water was frigid! The scenery was beautiful. We rafted at about 9,500 feet up through a canyon. The rock formations were just unbelievable. I also saw the largest herd of buffalo in the state of Colorado. We went to Pike's Peak which was one of scariest drives of my life. We were lucky enough for a storm to have left so we could drive to the summit. But, another storm blew in while we were there. Within 15 minutes of us arriving, we were advised to leave ASAP. We walked out and saw nothing but clouds surrounding us! Needless to say, it was an uneasy drive down the first few thousand feet. We could see maybe 2 feet in front of us and that's not good on a road with sharp curves and no guard rails! I also drove through Independence Pass to Aspen. Aspen is gorgeous. I'd love to go back some day. We rode a gondola to a ski lodge at about 12,000 feet. Just our luck, a storm blew in so we were trapped up there for over an hour. We decided to eat at this beautiful lodge looking out onto the Elk Mountains. The altitude plays havoc with the weather. It was raining on top of the mountain while the sun was shining brightly below in Aspen!

Well, it was a fun filled summer for 2009! I headed out to South Dakota to the Black Hills and to see the Badlands. We went four wheeling in the Hills up to the top. The views were amazing. We spent an afternoon at Mount Rushmore. I don't understand how this piece of history was achieved in its time. I highly recommend for everyone to make the drive out if they can. We filled our 5 days stay with enough fun to last a lifetime! Spearfish Canyon was an awesome evening drive one evening. We saw 2 waterfalls. This time while in the creek, I actually stayed upright!

I went to Tennessee over the summer and traveled up to Asheville North Carolina.  I have always been intrigued by the Golden Age and love architecture.  My little sis, her son, and his girlyfriend and I went to the Biltmore House.  All I can say is WOW.  Everyone should travel there at least once in their lifetime to fully appreciate the ingenuity people of the past.  I cannot imagine living in the Biltmore or entertaining there.  Life was a different experience on the Biltmore Estate!

Science

Check it out...we are learning about how clown fish spawn.  Today we learned a bit about the frilled lizard.  Amphibians are pretty cool creatures!!   Clown Fish  

Starting the year off right?

Well, we are under way with the 2008-2009 school year.  Where did the summer go?  I think all of us have readjusted to being back.  I also believe the adjustment has gone great!  I cannot believe that we have had so few problems and are all enjoying our schedules as much as we are.  Keep up the great work kids!  Remember to continue to check your behavior cards to earn rewards such as ice cream treats at Sure Fire or an entire meal!