Yes. Our writing rubrics are color coded by "element" (for example, the story has a good beginning) and we are supposed to put a dot of that color in their story where we see "evidence of the element". Okay...I get it. Green dot for a beginning. Black dot for an ending. Purple dot if they write about the character's feelings. I do not understand WHY this took 2 hours.
I don't get it? Is this really an effective way to teach writing skills? I guess I shouldn't be surprised, based on your other stories.
We are actually studying the Battle of New Orleans and I came up with a few pre-field trip activities.
(going to the Battlefield for a picnic) cool, you'll be headed my way 
Logan requested to do more than required. That floored me, but that is his interest. He is comparing and contrasting the song to the historical event, Writing a page paper on Jordan Noble, the drummer boy and making a map that recreates the British Route from Jamaica to Chalmette on a cake... Fletcher decided to go the pirate route and study Jean Lafitte's role... no shock there.
They are also a lot more fun to be around when they have a direction to go, might have to do this next year too.
This sounds so cool. I am jealous I never had such great projects in school. Once in 5th grade I had to do a project on West Virgina. The heck do I care about West Virgina?
I was completely unmotivated. In 13 years, I think we discussed the Battle of New Orleans ONE TIME. And can you believe we never field tripped to the battlefield? So many missed opportunities.
Update on the possible WDW trip-still not 100%. A lot depends on what in the world we'll be doing at the time and a new budget with new incomes. We are not quite where we thought we'd be, and won't go if it is even iffy, but DH said don't cancel it till we have too-he has dreams of doing RRC a few times this year! My balance is due July 30th and ADR's have to be made next week!
Lori
I'm hoping you get to go. Seems like everything has been bittersweet news for you lately. Hoping something just plain old "SWEET" can happen!
We took the boys last weekend. It was great! Typical of Disney-Pixar stuff, they had me sniffling when I least expected it (yea, I'm a sap). I also got a kick out of the different crowd reactions. My boys & the younger kids were laughing at the slapstick stuff, while the older crowd was guffawing at some of the geriatric humor. Squirrel! Are y'all doing the 3D version?
Where can you see the 3D version?????
Drumming on the armrests, the back of the seats, pretty much anything! Just to think, just a few short years ago it was The Wiggles & Disney CD's....now it's Classic Rock. Any guesses how funny it is to hear an 8yo belt out Living on a Prayer, Eye of the Tiger, Aerosmith....all the stuff DH & I used to listen to?!? He's a shower-singer, too - quite the entertainer!
That's cracking me up just picturing it.
Though I have to say I MIGHT give him a run for his money with Aerosmith involved. I can do a WICKED Steven Tyler squeal.
I can even do Axl Rose as Steven Tyler.
Ok, so I am throwing this out there... I know we talked places to eat a while back, but I am going to go out on a limb and see if any of you jump on this! I am gonna put my dates out there, tell you I am going to only do 4 day PH's, and water parks and more(to do both water parks on 2 days). My length of stay is 6 nights starting September 13(Sunday to Saturday).... I have to book ADR's NEXT Saturday....I have no definite places I wanna go other than using only 1 credit TS meals. Ideas???? suggestions?? I normally enjoy the heck out of planning but maybe b/c no one in my family knows about this except DH and I cannot share the excitement except with you all and a couple friends going at the same time. PLUS, we have never eaten out THIS much on Disney property in 1 trip!!
Lori
I can tell you where we went and what we thought.
Yak and Yeti (1TS) pretty good when we stuck with the "traditional" chinese food, but Tony thought his ribs were dry and my mahimahi was dry
Coral Reef (1TS) absolutely THE best steak (NY strip) I had all week (and I had steak everyday). Atmosphere can't be beat. Lobster bisque is excellent and DO NOT pass up the chocolate wave and the chocolate mousse :::droool:::
Tutto Italia (1TS) pretty good, no complaints from me, Tony actually requested it again for this coming trip. Must try the signature dessert - Bugie
Sci-Fi Dine In (1TS) while the atmosphere is unique and cool, we probably won't go back. Food is only "decent", and it's way weird not being able to see what you're eating. On the plus side a milkshake can count as your dessert or your drink on the dining plan - but it's really just soft serve ice cream with a straw in it. But this was good to know b/c I like soft serve better than regular ice cream and had been disappointed and confused that we couldn't find any - until I realized Disney is calls soft serve by the name "milkshake". Go figure.
Chip and Dale's Garden Grill (1TS) in the Land in Epcot. We both left STUFFED. They bring the platter to your table and all of it is GOOD comfort food. Plus you get Chip, Dale, Mickey and Pluto. Mickey wanted my chocolate milk.
Tony's Town Square (1TS) super cute Lady and the Tramp theme and really good food. Tony RAVED over the ice cream bomb dessert.
This year we want to try Boma, Le Cellier (if we can get in), Crystal Palace, Kona, The Wave and Brown Derby. We'll repeat Coral Reef, Tutto, Tony's and Garden Grill.
I just wanted to share this with ya'll: Husband and I are booked at the Coronado Springs from 9/24-28 for our 20th wedding anniversary!!
I am very excited about it. We are going to be there for Food and Wine Fest, so if any of you have any helpful hints, I'd apprectiate it.
How cool! We'll be there 9/24 - 10/3, our 6 yr is the 25th. We WERE planning on a carriage ride through Port Orleans, but it looks like we might have to go do Fantasmic! that night (even better!).
I am not sure that the T-Rex is on the dining plan. I thought it was only on the Deluxe Dining Plan like Rainforest Cafe.
It's possible I'm misinformed, but I believe T-Rex and Rainforest Cafe are not participating in the Disney Dining Plan at all.
My parents were looking into genetically making a match. In the end, it was decided that they didn't want a fifth child. We were tested because the Doctor felt there wouldn't be enough time to look for donors should she have relapsed. None of us matched Kelly, however Amy and I are 100% matches so we now both have wills written up to give each other the right to any and all organs and tissues that might be needed at the time. How morbid is that? We do remind each other to take care of our "spares" all the time. That of course is not knowledge that most people have or ever need to know.
I actually find it kind of cool that you two know you match. I don't really think it's morbid at all. Sort of almost brings you closer? I love that you kid each other about taking care of your "spares."
I'm excited for you. Mark and I will make 20 years in October and I want to get away for a long weekend. Since just last week we were at Disney I'm not thinking we'll be back any time soon. Have a great trip. I'm sure the Food and Wine Fest will be great.
Not good news about my pictures. The card came back empty. They weren't able to retrieve any of my pictures. I just feel sick to my stomach over this.
This is rough. Very rough. 
We lost ALL our pictures in Katrina, so I've psychologically detached myself from pictures. It's just SO hard to lose them; it really is like losing a memory. 
Guess you'll HAVE to take a trip for your 20th now to replace them.
Lorie I'm sure Sienna will be fine once the four of you are back in your own home. You have to remember her routine is messed up right now and she's probably just missing you and Todd. Good luck to Erik. I hope the jaundice is getting better and he'll be coming home tomorrow.
I agree. Good luck with everything and try to get some rest. My little bro was born jaundice (and I came out with a sprained shoulder
) and he's turning 21 in 2 days.
As a healthcare worker, I have heard NOT to specify being a donor, but I soooo want to do it when my time comes. Lori
Can I ask why?
(is it dangerous to your personal health?) I marked donor and no living will (that means DNR, right?) on mine. I figure if I'm that far gone, my organs aren't going to be doing me any good anymore anyway. Is that too morbid? Is that too many "any"s in one sentence?
Ok the inevitable happened today at work. I had a melt down with my boss. We were discussing things and then we started talking about me and how I have been. She mentioned she's noticed a change in me and her concern over my continuous dr apptmts. Well I started bo-hooing uncontrollably. She consoled me and assured me i was not alone in my feelings of uncertainty over the move to Jackson especially after the prolonged delay. I mentioned I am having second thoughts about the move and would like to start looking for something else internal. We discussed the thought of me taking a brief leave from work to get myself back on track. I am so torn right now. I know i need to do what's best for me and my family however i do not want to be blackballed at work.
....i think i need to increase my medication dosage.
These are tough choices. And no clear "right" answer; you can only do what feels "best" for you and your family.
Facebook is fussin' at me.
It's saying I talk too much.
What does this even MEAN?!?
You should be packing instead?
Tedious as all get out. The only stuff I didn't really "go through" was the photos and stuff. That is going to be my July project. Blah. 
Not. 
Haven't been since Katrina though, but I really should make it out there; Tony's never seen it either (he's a Kenner boy).
I however, am very befuddled at the fact that I came home only two pounds lighter than I went in- I had an almost eight pound baby...how is that even possible??
I wasn't exactly pigging out on the hospital food either, and was on a liquid diet for part of my stay...very confusing...
She always wants to help with him too- it is very sweet. 
Love the pic of Erik in your sig!!!!!!
