Proud Mom

Last night we went down to the school for a meeting with Ms. Roach about the reading program Chelsey is in. She wanted to explain to the parents how this program works and how it helps our children. I am very impressed with how involved this teacher is and how she encourages the kids to do better. She does it in a way that doesn't put the child down but is more positive that they can strive for better success. They also gave out awards, every month the teacher prints out awards for the books that the kids have mastered in their program. Chelsey already received two and got one last night. Plus she had finished one that day so she will have another waiting. They read books that are on their Lexile score. A lexile score is what a word is given for how easy to hard it is. Then based on that the books are given an overall score based on that. Chelsey started this year with a low score. The teacher explained that she talks very well and can carry a conversation with big words. High vocabulary! But when it comes to books and reading she doesn't quite understand. She doesn't want to take the time when talking comes so easily to her. So with all that said her reading level is a 3rd grade level. But with this program it will work with her so that she is reading only what her score is equal too and eventually move up as it goes. Ms. Roach said at some point this year everything will click between her vocabulary and reading and it will be awesome to see everything come together. Well the best news of last night was..... Her Lexile score has improved by 184 points in one month. The teacher is very impressed with this and said that Chelsey is really understanding everything. Chelsey also has one of the highest improvements in the program so far. So we went from somewhere in the 300's to the 500's. I'm very proud of her and the work she has accomplished so far. This has been a struggle for Justin and I because reading came so easily to us. Even though one reads more than the other..ha ha. But we are working through it and I know that Chelsey will end her 5th grade year and Elementary time with success and more confidence in herself.

Pumpkin Carving Time

Last night we carved pumpkins. The girls had a blast. Justin and I carved the tops and then the girls cleaned out the pumpkins. We sorted the seeds from the guts so we could bake them again. The girls always say how slimmy cleaning the pumpkins is. Each girl told us exactly how they wanted their pumpkins carved out.



Issy pulling out the guts of her pumpkin and seperating the seeds.


Yuckers! Its Pumpkin Guts!

Kylee cleaning out her pumpkin

Nice and Clean...ready to carve the face

Ky's hands all messy as she sorts out pumpkin seeds so we can bake them

Justin carving out my hearts

Sorting seeds from guts so we can bake them.

Just my pile from Justin and my pumpkin

Chelsey and her Vampire Pumpkin. Chelsey drew this face on a paper and gave it to her dad to carve out.

Ky told me exactly what she wanted. She wanted triangle eys, a round nose and a mouth with teeth.

Is-a-boo wanted a scary vampire...She wanted to make sure it had vampire teeth

Justin always carves a pumpkin for Him and me. I told him I wanted hearts again....So he gave me hearts!

Our family pumpkins

One Month Down

I'm so excited to announce this, but since figuring out how to work with my Thyroid problem and what foods to eat I have lost 7lbs. Its been one month so far since I started to eat a high fiber diet and increase more fish into my diet as well. I've stayed with walking at least 3 times a week, and this week added in jogging every other street. I got to the point with my walking that it wasn't really pushing me anymore. So I figured if I jog every other street that would help. It certainly has, my legs are sure feeling it this morning. I love my time in the morning with the streets being quiet and its just me listening to music. I'm wondering how much more i can keep it up with winter approaching and it staying darker longer in the morning. We will see. I also want to say Thanks to everyone for being so supportive during those hard couple of days before figuring this all out. My mom, and my husband were there for me every step and listening to me when I could do nothing but cry because I was so discouraged with not losing anything before. My friends for telling me that they would always be there for me no matter what and how strong and beautiful of a person I am anyways. Thank you so much for being there!

Fairmount Park

So we discovered a park on the other side of Riverside. Its called Fairmount park and its pretty big. They have a small pond that you can fish and paddle boat in. There is a couple playgrounds, but the major one is all circus related. It is such a cute idea. I will deffinantly have to take more pics the next we take the girls to it. They had a Big top area that was a covered area to play. Then the outside uncovered area. Here is a few pics to get the idea..

CHeck out these swings..they had the normal swing and then 2 of these. The girls loved it. Everyone did, you deffinantly had to wait your turn to use them.

Look how cute my two girls are. Issy just loved this swing.

Cute, cute cute!

There is a Ferris Wheel that you can climb around on and sit. It doesn't move but kind of like a jungle gym in ferris wheel style.

A look at the outside park area. Ky on top of the Ferris Wheel as well.