Monday, August 28, 2006

Bring Back Pluto as a Planet!

Q. Why did Mickey Mouse go to Outer Space?

A. He was looking for Pluto.

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Pluto Demoted to Dwarf Planet, Seven Dwarves Complain

Coming on the heels of the demotion of Pluto to a dwarf planet, the Seven Dwarves issued a short press release: “Although we think it's DOPEY that Pluto has been downgraded to a dwarf planet, which has made some people GRUMPY and others just SLEEPY, we are not BASHFUL in saying we would be HAPPY if Disney's Pluto would join us as an 8th dwarf. We think this is just what the DOC ordered and is nothing to SNEEZE at.” As Mickey’s faithful companion, Pluto made his debut in 1930-the same year scientists discovered what they thought was the 9th planet. (from Magically Speaking, Augusut 28, 2006)

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If you want to join our coalition to Bring Back Pluto as a (not-dwarf) Planet, let us know by posting a Comment.

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

1st Project of the Year

Make a travel brochure for two states.

Do a diagram / picture of the state
Facts on state (capital, population, date of statehood, cities)
At least two interesting places to visit
Fun facts (state mascots, bird, tree, flower, etc.)

States picked: Kentucky and Virginia

Monday, August 14, 2006

1st day

Well, that was easy. Kids getting up by themselves, eating breakfast, getting dressed, ready to go on time. Snapped a couple of traditional pictures and we were out the door. We went through the car line and teased about the "boo hoo" parents dropping off their kindergarteners and all the cars parked on the side of the road and those circling the parking lot looking for a place to pull in while we just zipped right through the car line!

Saturday, August 12, 2006

I failed 5th grade school supply shopping!

Armed with the school supply list, I headed off for Target this morning to get the few things I didn't already have on hand, including a protractor. Imagine my surprise when I reached for the protractor on the shelf only to see that what I was thinking was a protractor was, in fact, a compass.

Friday, August 11, 2006

Orientation

Getting ready for orientation this year was different. Different than the previous years. In the past, I would be crossing off the days on the calendar, waiting for Friday afternoon when we'd finally get to see who would be teaching our children for the school year. Would we get who we wanted? Would our children like them? Would they like our kids? Would we like the teacher? Would the teacher like us? I'd be ready to go at 11 o'clock even though orientation doesn't start until 12:30. I'd double check that the kids had matching clothes and their faces were scrubbed so they could make a good first impression on their teachers (well, really, so that I would make a good first impression as their mom, bringing clean, well-groomed children to meet them rather than the boys that they are). I'd put on make-up and fret about what to wear and did my hair look ok. And watch the clock. And watch the clock. And watch the clock until it was 12:20 and then I'd rush everyone out the door so we could be there right when the class lists were posted. Kinda like waiting for the casting announcements to be posted for a play - waiting to see if you get the coveted lead.

But this year was different. I don't know if it's because we've done orientation so many times before, or because this is our 5th grader's last year in elementary school, or maybe just because I had a headache this morning so I took a late-morning nap and didn't wake up til just after 12. But even then, I didn't rush; I didn't even check to see what the kids were wearing. We left home about 12:45 and got to school to find that the classes were posted and there weren't big crowds in the classrooms.

I think this is going to be the best school year yet.