Summer's Wrapping Up (School Supply Info below)

I don't know how much I'll be able to write here in the following weeks, as I'll be in Florida until right before school starts visiting my brother and sister-in-law. I want to share with you the real reason I am heading down to Florida--

my nephew!!

Isn't he sweet? He is planning on joining us sometime in September, but I can already tell from this picture that I am going to spoil him rotten. He's flashing the "peace sign" at you! They haven't come up with his name yet. Do you have any suggestions? Post them here, and I'll share your ideas with my brother!

Hopefully, I'll get one or two posts added before school starts, but just in case I don't, I wanted to tell you all to keep reading as much as you can and be ready for a few changes this year. It's all very exciting. We'll have a few new faces at Jones, including a new classmate! Do you think we can fit another desk into our room? It will be tight with 25, but I have no doubt that this will be the best year ever!! Have a wonderful July and I'll see you soon!

PS--I hope you all got your postcards from North Carolina a few weeks ago!

**Our school supply list is available on our school website or by clicking HERE. The pencil sharpener (WITH COVER), binder, dividers, and paper are the most important items. Students will need a pencil box, as well. Since most students will switch classes for reading, we need to have some consistency in those supplies. For our class, I would recommend holding off on the index cards and Ziploc bags. We are well stocked with those items. My personal "wish list" would include Kleenex, hand sanitizer, and possibly a pack or two of baby wipes. Please remember that all students are expected to wear the standard school attire when they head back to school. For more information on exactly what that entails, click HERE. Our students can wear the following colors: white, blue (all shades), red, pink, and yellow. Don't forget the tax-free shopping weekend August 3-5!

BEFORE and AFTER

You know how advertisements often have before and after pictures of their models? Usually in the "Before" photo, the model looks horrible. She (or he) has no make-up, their hair is awful, and they make the ugliest, most dull face they can. Then in the "After" photo the model is all dressed up, smiling, with not a care in the world. The following pictures of Oliver seem to fit those descriptions. I have to laugh when I look at the "Before" shot of him. He really needed a haircut, but the picture made him look so much worse. He looks so pitiful. Then look how happy he is with his 4th of July bandana and haircut!

BEFORE

AFTER

There you have it: Before and After--Oliver style!

And while I have you--how many of you have seen the new Harry Potter movie? It was definitely different from the book. And I know it won't surprise any of you to hear me say that the book is much, MUCH better, but it's true! I now have to content myself in knowing that two weeks from today, my copy of Deathly Hallows will arrive in Florida where I will be on vacation. I wonder how many days it will take to finish it. I am a little upset that this is the last one, as I really do like the series. It is well written, and it can reach both children and adults.

Well, we are down to our last 30 days of summer vacation. Enjoy them, but don't forget to keep reading and practicing your multiplication! Remember you have your Socks paper due the day we go back. Plus you'll have a timed test that day, too. We'll be ready to start the year off with a bang! Make sure you're ready!

Home For a Little Bit

I am so tired. Driving really wears me out, but it was a good trip. My brother and sister-in-law had a nice visit and are flying home tomorrow from St. Louis. My daddy and brother went to the Cardinals game yesterday and had a good time. I got the tickets for my daddy's birthday; unfortunately the Cards lost the game. Anyway, the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game are this week. That is always fun. Who do you cheer for?

It is good to hear from some new people! Please remember if you reply as anonymous, PLEASE put your name at the end of your post. Just like at school--you try to turn in your work with no name. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Anyhow keep reading and practicing your multiplication facts! School is just around the corner. And just between you and me, I keep hearing horrible things about your fourth grade teacher! Poor kids!!

Have a good week!

SOCKS Discussion 7 (and last)

"Socks and Charles William"

It's the last chapter of our book. I hope you have enjoyed it. Don't forget that you have a writing assignment to complete once you have finished. You are to write a short story about Socks living in your house. This whole book was written from the cat's point of view. We saw the Brickers, Old Taylor, Tiffy, and everything else the way Socks saw them. So you are going to write a page telling what Socks would think, feel and do in your house. You will turn this in on our first day of school in August.

And now, on to our last book discussion. When the chapter first starts, we see that Charles William is getting older, and Socks is not really sure how to feel about him. How do we know this? Then comes my favorite part of the book--NAP TIME! Everything seems to go wrong. The door gets shut and blocked and then the fun starts. How did you feel as you read this chapter? I don't imagine that Mrs. Bricker thought it was funny, but I did! Finally, the book ends with everyone safe and Socks happy. Why do you think happens after the book ends? Share your ideas!

Well, that's it. If you are getting into this discussion late (and I hope many of you will be joining in), remember you can comment on any of the chapters. Under each post is a label that says "Socks." If you click on that label, you will be able to see all of the Socks discussions, but they'll be in reverse order. Add your ideas to any or all of the discussions.

I am still in Illinois this week. We are having a baby shower for my sister-in-law, Erica, on Saturday and then I'll be heading back to Nashville for a week or so. Then I'm off to visit Brandon and Erica in Florida for a bit. I should be back in time for the start of school, so don't get excited--you're stuck with me!

Happy JULY 4! Have a good week!