Monday, November 29, 2010

Pumpkin Pie

I actually got to enjoy two Thanksgiving meals this year - one on Thursday and one on Saturday. I was asked to make and bring the pumpkin pie for the second one and I really got into that project. I had seen a picture in a magazine of a pie crust with "leaves" around the edges. I decided to try my hand at that technique and was pretty pleased with the results. As for the taste, I think I grow to like this kind of pie more and more with every passing year. Yum!

Thanksgiving Party

The 4th and 5th graders had a Thanksgiving party last week. We let the students help make the treats for the party in the school kitchen. One group made applesauce, while another group made Rice Krispy treats. We also baked Sara Lee pumpkin pies from the commissary so everyone could sample that classic Thanksgiving dessert.
We played some games and learned about the history of the first Thanksgiving and how it became an American holiday. We ended the party eating our treats and talking about things we're thankful for. God has certainly blessed us!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Christmas Cactus Social

The Christmas Cactus plant in my classroom loves it's new home. It bloomed the most beautiful blooms I've ever seen it bloom. The secret to getting a Christmas Cactus to bloom? Well...you had to come to the party to find out!
In honor of my beautiful plant, I threw a party - an after-school social - and invited all my coworkers to come admire the plant and share some treats together. I thought it would give us a chance to chat more than we do when we pass at the copy machine each day.
We had a great turnout for the party. The snacks were delicious - chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, apple crisp, fresh pineapple, peanuts, candy, chips, pretzels....no one left hungry.
And everyone got their picture taken with the cactus (sorry, not all photos could be included in this blog post)! People also suggested a name for this beautiful plant. The winning name was La Mariposa Rosa. The runner-up name, which is being used as the plant's nickname, is Sabra. Sabra means thorny cactus in Arabic. Thanks to all who attended and made this party so much fun!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

We LOVE Recess!

This year's class LOVES recess. They take their soccer and dodgeball very seriously and referee their own games according to strict guidelines and rules. But as much as they love their games, they also love being together. Here's a few pictures we took at recess recently.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Fall Festival 2010

Our school community enjoyed Fall Festival last weekend. Students, their families, and friends came for carnival-style games, a concert, and a pie-in-the-face contest. Here's some pictures of this fun night:
Students watch Mr. Mason do magic tricks.

These 5th grade girls get ready to blow their ping-pong balls to the finish line.

Whitney busted out her fall gear for the big event. A stunning sweater vest, wouldn't you say?

The 2nd-5th grade Elementary teachers. We work together really well and have a lot of fun along the way!

And here's a video of the elementary students singing "Music Is Always There".