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January 2009 Journal
Happy New Year!
Kind of a quiet start around
here for 2009!
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Visit
from Grandparents Proper
January 2 -
4th, 2009 |
Since
Grandma & Papa weren't able to make it in for Christmas this
year, they surprised us with a visit this weekend. It was
nice to see them, since it had been since summer that I had seen
them last! We had a fun time. I got to show off all
of my new toys and the Wii! I made special characters for
them too...Grandma got a kick out of playing with me!
PaPa was excited to bring Dad all kinds of deer meat, so our
freezer is loaded up good! Since they were only able to
"bag" one deer between the two of them this year, Pa was lucky
to get one from the processor, one someone never came and picked
up! Geez, why would you shoot an innocent deer if you
weren't going to take the meat and use for food? That's
just wrong.
We had a nice low-key visit...I took them to karate and showed
off my moves. This class was much better than the one we
took everyone to over Christmas. Later that night our
friends the Hartley's came over and we hung out playing games
and eating!
Sunday morning everyone got on the road early, and I enjoyed my
last day of vacation...it's back to school tomorrow...and I am
pretty sure I heard Mom cheering!
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Night out with
Dad!
January 9 2009 |
So, Mom
actually had a night out with some of her friends planned...so
Dad and I went out too! Why should she have all the fun?
We went to the movies to see Bedtime Stories, it was pretty
good. Then we went out for ice cream sundaes at
Friendly's. We came home and played some Lego Batman on
the XBox. It was a fun perfect night...and I want to do it
again!
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Karate Class #94
January 10, 2009 |
Wow!
94 classes already? I am almost at 100 and I have learned
so much stuff. This month stripe testing is for the BLUE
stripe for POWER and our take home lessons are about nutrition.
You need to feed your body the right things to have power!
We've been doing a lot of physical exercises too, that will help
to strengthen our bodies and give them...yup, more power!
Funny how my karate instructors make their lessons connect like
that! I am getting better at my push-ups and less lazy
with them...I need to practice them, in order to earn my next
belt, I have to do 15 of them...Mom doesn't event think she can
do 15!
I now have 8 black & gold stars, 2 silver stars, and 2 red stars
on my Gi! It's looking pretty sharp! Oh, and now
that I wear my headband to class...I look pretty fierce!
I've gotten all kinds of compliments...I'm becoming known as
"headband kid"! HA!
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PA Farm Show
January 12, 2009 |
The PA Farm
show started this weekend, but we were supposed to have gotten a
huge snowstorm (didn't happen) and plus we didn't want to fight
the crowds, so we waited to go tonight. Mom and I took off
right after I got home from school and picked Dad up at his
work...we met the Hartley's there too. Grey was loving the
animals. I always say I don't want to go to the Farm Show
because it stinks there...but I always like to look at
everything and have a good time. Tonight was no
different...it was busy but not annoyingly so. I like the
room with the chickens, ducks, etc. We got to see quite a
few baby chicks and watched the baby ducklings go down the
waterslide! Then we checked out the rabbits, we saw the
craziest looking rabbit! We couldn't get a picture of him,
but he looked like a dog! No joke! It was some kind
of angora rabbit. He was awesome! Next, we
made our way to the Food Arena! That is exactly what it
is...a giant room filled with food booths! Now, this area
was crowded. Mom was recovering from a little incident
that happened with me before we got in here though....we were
walking towards the stairs/escalator area, it's very crowded
here. I wanted to take the stairs but we were right at the
top of the escalator and somehow, I let go of Mom's hand, just
as she stepped on the thing...going down....I just stepped back,
stopping everyone behind me...and was frozen. Mom decided
she better get up to me and started running up the
escalator...it was quite funny....she was laughing....every time
she thought she could jump off, another step would come out and
trip her! Finally, she made it off...and we took the
stairs. Next time, we came to that crossroad, Mom said
we'll take the stairs, it's better for us anyway!
We all gobbled up our food, Dad had a few different kind of
sandwiches, I had some fries, Mom had some mushrooms...it was
all good! Oh and the milkshakes to wash it all down!
Yum! Next, we hit the tractor room! Now, this is my
favorite, I got on everyone that we were allowed to!
Soon, it was time to head home, had to catch our shuttle bus
back to the car, as it was getting late. Oh, yes, I did
get my bag of cotton candy!
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Acknowledged for My Artwork
January 13, 2009 |
Today, my
teacher gave me a sealed envelope that I was supposed to give to
my parents when I got home. I did try to open it, but it
was sealed pretty good. I had no idea what it was for, and
I guess I was worried a little bit.
Dad and Mom opened it at dinner and it was a letter from my art
teacher, Mrs. Zell. It said that my artwork was selected
for display at the school district's office board room! It
will be displayed for the months of January, February, and March
to celebrate Youth Art Month. Youth Art month is an annual
even that strives to create an awareness of the arts in the
community through showcasing the talents of young artists.
How exciting!! I was quite proud of myself when Mom
and Dad read the letter. I guess we need to find out some
more information, like if we are allowed to go there and see it,
along with the others that were chosen. Hope to report
back soon on this!
The artwork that was chosen was my "African Lion" - I told mom
that I think mine was picked because I made the mane nice an
long.
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AFC Championship
Game ~ Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens!
January 18, 2009 |
Tonight is a
big game for our Pittsburgh Steelers! The Hartley's
invited us over to watch the game, and that was fun.
It was a nail biting game at some points, dragged painfully long
at others, and man, could any more people have gotten hurt
during that one?!
Thank goodness for Troy Polamalu - what a player he is and if it
wasn't for that interception and touchdown, this game could have
ended much differently!
A Steelers win in the end....23 - 14!
Unfortunately, our other PA team - the Philadelphia Eagles could
pull off a win against the Arizona Cardinals! Another
dream of an all PA Superbowl is shattered. That would have
been awesome, since I like both teams!
Woo-Hoo....Pittsburgh's Going to the SuperBowl!
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Movie Day
~ Hotel For Dogs and FINALLY some Sledding!
January 19, 2009 |
Today is
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and I had the day off of school!
Mom and me decided to go to the movies and I wanted to see Hotel
For Dogs. Boy, it was a good thing we went a little bit
early...by the time the movie started the theater was packed and
some people who came in (late) I had to leave, as there were no
seats for them to sit together!
I really liked the movie and it was fun. I liked how the
kid was an inventor and came up with all these contraptions to
help take care of all the dogs. Mom said she like the
movie but was annoyed by the woman sitting next to her. I
didn't hear anything...but I guess she talked the whole way thru
the movie! Some people...don't behave better than
children!
We had a fun time anyway...and laughed a lot. We were
going to go out for lunch after the movie but we walked out to a
huge blizzard-like snowstorm and decided it was best to head
home! It snowed pretty hard for about an hour but still
not that much accumulation but just enough to cover things up.
I helped to shovel the driveway (again without complaint - Mom
said she's gonna give me an extra buck for my allowance!).
I played with the neighbors outside for a bit and it was
starting to get dark and time for dinner....but Mom and I
thought we should try out the sled. It wasn't great, but I
was able to get a few slides down the hill! I had fun and
that is all that counts.
So, all in all...it was a fun day off of school. I have
off tomorrow too!
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Change Has Come!
We have a new President of the United States ~ Barrack Obama
January 20, 2009 |
Today is a
pretty exciting day for the United States and the World.
We have a new President. I was very much excited to have
Barrack Obama win! I told Mom that I thought it was great
that he is the first black President! I liked learning
about him in school...and my Aunt Susan (thanks) sent me all
kinds of souvenirs. So, today was the day he was sworn
in...and I was actually interested in watching. I put on
my Obama hat and watched him take the oath with Mom.
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Karate Class #100
January 24, 2009 |
Can you
believe that I have had 100 karate lessons already?! WOW!
Nothing too new and exciting to report about, we are still
practicing all kinds of skills and learning the importance of
good nutrition and exercise to help make our bodies more
powerful.
Today was a Saturday class, so we get to have it in the big room
out front, and it also includes the younger Tiny Tiger
class...so we kind of do more "fun" things. We did a few
relay races and self defense moves.
I will be testing for my blue stripe next week!
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"Kidnazium" Night
January 24, 2009 |
My school
had a PTO fund-raiser night at Paramount Sports Complex tonight.
It was a fun time, Dad took me, made sure I was fine and left.
I played on all the equipment from some classmates from my
school and even made a new friend. I came home a sweaty
mess! I hope the school makes a good profit from it and
they have one again.
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Report
Card Day! First Grade - Second Marking Period
January 27, 2009 |
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Wow, that
time of year again....can't believe that it is half way over!
Cole's report card was very good. A total of 43 areas
"graded" - 30 being *'s and 13 being >'s. A huge
improvement from last marking period. He also was
evaluated with a "grade" in his special classes. I'll
update his information in another color.
Okay – here’s the report:
* Consistent
> Developing
/ Beginning
X Adaptations
Social Development and Personal Work Habits:
Demonstrates Self-Control in Class
- > -
>
Demonstrates Self-Control out of Class -
> -
>
Respects Authority -
> -
*
Gets along with others -
> -
*
Accepts Responsibility -
> -
*
Organizes Belongings - >
-
>
Works Neatly -
> -
>
Completes class work on time -
* -
*
Completes homework on time -
* -
*
Works Cooperatively with others - >
-
>
Stays on Task - * -
*
Works well independently -
* -
*
Language Arts:
Listening/Speaking:
Listens attentively
-
> -
>
Follows oral directions -
> -
>
Participates in speaking activities -
* - *
Can orally express ideas -
* -
*
Reading:
Makes predictions about text - > -
>
Read for meaning -
> -
*
Decodes words using picture clues -
* -
*
Decodes words using rereading -
> -
*
Decodes words using phonics -
> - *
Can rhyme words orally -
> -
*
Recognizes word wall words -
* - *
NEW! Can retell
story in own words
- >
NEW! Reads
smoothly
-
>
Written Communication:
Forms letters
correctly - > -
>
Spaces words correctly - *
-
*
Writes words parts: single consonants -
* -
*
NEW! Writes
word parts: blends and digraphs -
*
Writes word wall words correctly - *
-
*
Can write a sentence - *
-
*
Uses capital letter appropriately in a sentence -
> -
>
Uses correct end punctuation -
> -
>
Mathematics:
Forms numerals correctly -
* -
*
Understands basic addition facts -
* -
*
NEW!
Understands basic subtraction facts -
*
Interprets charts and graphs - * (not re-evaluated)
NEW!
Problem solving skills -
*
Understands basic concepts -
* -
*
Accuracy -
> -
*
NEW!
Science: Organisms; Insects; Solids & Liquids;
Weather:
Understands basic concepts -
*
Participates in activities -
*
Social Studies: Family & Neighborhood:
Understands basic concepts - * -
*
Participates in activities -
* -
*
Reading Level
: AT Benchmark -
SAME
Cole's teacher
feels that he is doing quite well and growing academically.
While still testing at the "at benchmark" level, he still
needs to work on his predicting and re-telling during his
reading. I struggling getting Cole to do this at home,
so her comments come to know surprise. We are working
on it...I'm still not sure if there may be a problem but my
"mommy gut" tells me he isn't interested in doing it, the
take home books are quite boring to say the least, and
laziness...taking time away from doing something else.
His immediate response to me asking him what a book was
about is, "I don't remember" before he even takes a moment
to think. So, we will hopefully work on that.
Reading is something I do not want him to fall behind on.
I'll have to be careful, as Reading is also something I do
not want him to "hate". Cole also needs to continue
working on his self-control...well, I've been looking for
that magic button for a few years now....hopefully, time and
maturity will work that one out. It doesn't seem to be
getting worse, so that is a plus.
Cole also received "grades" in Music, Art, Library and Gym
for this marking period, he will again get evaluated
at the end of the year. This scale is just based on
the standard O for Outstanding, S for Satisfactory, and N
for Needs improvement. Cole got S in everything - with
2 S+ in Art (no surprise there!) and an O in dressing
appropriately for gym class...cracks me up that this is even
a grade!
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**SNOW DAY!**
January 28, 2009 |
Well, the
weathermen FINALLY got one right! I woke up to
4 inches of snow and NO SCHOOL! Had it not been for the
sleet and rain coming down, we probably would have only had a
delay. Mom was out early trying to shovel before things
froze...she managed the sidewalks and came in saying it was
pretty heavy stuff to move and that Dad could run the snow
blower on the driveway.
About an hour later, Dad and I (Mom again) bundled up to head
out to finish, well, the snow blower would not start, probably
because it has not been used in 2 years and Dad hasn't messed
with it either. So, we shoveled, I helped the best I could
but it was too heavy for me. So, Dad put some more air in
my tube and I did some sledding and playing around in the snow.
I was soaked, but didn't notice. The sleet on top of the 4
inches made a perfect sledding surface!
Later, the neighbors came over and we played Lego's for a little
while and then decided to go back outside and over to their
house to build a fort and play Army. We played outside for
about an hour and then back in to play some video games.
I came home in time for lunch, well...a late lunch. I
could have stayed at my friends house all day.
Mom was excited because the Wii Fit that Grandma & PaPa found
arrived. We all got a good work out on that! It's
fun but some of the things are a little tricky for me. It
did say that I was at a healthy weight and that my Wii Fit Age
was 27! HA!
Back to school tomorrow - BOO! |
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