Build-a-Bear

Last summer,

Ethan had a a continuous birthday.

Each time we'd see some cousins,

they'd spoil him

because it was his birthday

and we see everyone once a year.

While it was great,

the perpetual birthday

needed to be killed.

So this year,

I thought we'd get everyone together 

for a mini-party.

We went to Build-a-Bear.

I've never thought of a Build-a-Bear

party before,

had never been to one either 

so wasn't sure what to expect.

But we had fun.

The boys were excited to see

one another again.

They haven't all been together

since Canada Day. 

Before Bear making.

 It would appear,

that even though 

the boys had many choices,

they all wanted 

Alvin!

Lining up to get our Bears made.

Each bear was given

a heart,

some stuffing,

a good stiching

and a bath.

Add some sunglasses

and we're all set.

The boys and their Alvins.

Eijaz and his Cars bunny.

Faiza and her Jays bunny.

After we got our Bears,

we went out for lunch.

Thank you 

to my wonderful cousins

for making this a great day for Ethan.

And I.

Writer's Workshop - I Am

4.) Fill in the blanks of this template and create your own I Am poem. (ps this is a fun activity for bored kids as well. :)

I Am

I am funny and sacrastic
I wonder if I will get into Grad school
I hear the squirrels munching
I see over the rainbow
I want a new Coach bag
I am funny and sacrastic

I pretend I'm a great cook
I feel nervous inside
I touch the clouds
I worry about Ethan all the time
I cry at sappy movies
I am funny and sarcastic

I understand great moments
I say what I think
I dream greatness
I try to keep an open mind
I hope not to dissapoint others
I am funny and sarcastic 

 

Word Crafting - Cindy Marten

This past year,

our school looked at our language arts program.

We were discussing

spelling curriculums

when one of my colleagues mentioned this book.

She loved the ideas behind it,

none of them really new.

She's a teacher I totally admire,

and thought I should read this book too.

Word Crafting looks at the need for

developmental, differentiated and appropriate word study

in the classrooms. 

Marten discusses a spelling inventory 

to learn more about our students. 

The book discusses

teaching spelling

and not assigning spelling works.

In an era of the spell check,

do we really need to learn how to spell?

Marten shares a poem I loved:

An Ode to the Spelling Chequer

Prays the Lord for the spelling chequer

That came with our pea sea!

Mecca mistake and it puts you rite

Its so easy to ewes, you sea.

I never used to no, was it e before eye?

(Four sometimes its eye before e.)

But now I've discovered the quay to success

It's as simple as won, too, free!

Sew watt if you lose a letter or two,

The whirled won't come two an end!

Can't you sea? It's as plane as the knows on yore face

S. Chequer's my very best friend.

I've always had trubble with letters that double

"Is it one or to S's" I'd wine

But now, as I've tolled you this chequer is grate

And its hi thyme you got won, like mine.

         - Anonymous

While I'm at it,

Marten talks about a book

All Sorts of Sorts 

by Sheron Brown 

in her book. 

I picked that one up

and am giddy with excitement.

Writing Workshop - Ralph Fletcher, Joann Portalupi

I seemed to have struggled 

this past year,

in getting my students motivated to write.

I changed the way I did my Writer's Workshop

a few times over the year.

It was a blow to my confidence.

I'm a huge fan of Ralph Fletcher.

So when I heard about this book,

I knew I had to read it.

Writing Workshop introduces and explains

the Writer's Workshop. 

It reveals the tools needed

to get your students writing.

It's a quick book to read,

but provides tons of ideas.

The blow to my confidence

is on the mend,

and I'm feeling motivated

to start my new school year.

(After my vacation of course!)

Long Lost Cousins

I come from a very big family.

My dad has 7 siblings,

all with at least 2, 

if not 3,

children.

A bunch of us are married

with kids of our own.

Last week

I got to spend some time

with my cousin and her

over-achieving daughter.

We had a great time.

Although I think Ethan had the best time.

My Little Baby

Can someone please tell me whatever happened

to this little boy?

When did he become this boy?

Ethan celebrated his 6th birthday

on July 2nd.

We decided to have some

Mommy and Ethan time

in the morning.

Ethan loves dinosaurs

so we went to the ROM

where they had a special 

Ultimate Dinosaurs; Giants from Gondwana

exhibit. 

In the afternoon,

we joined my cousin, his wife and kids

for a fun time

at Chuck-e-Cheese.

And what would a birthday be

without cake?

We didn't have a 6 candle, so we're saying goodbye to 5!

Happy birthday my no-so-little

baby!!!

Canada Day

The thing with being on vacation

is while you're having a fabulous time

you don't get much opportunity to blog.

So I'm hoping to get all caught up today.

Meet my cousin Faiza.

With my other cousin's adorable son.

 Faiza is an amazing woman.

Last summer,

I mentioned wanting to take Ethan to a baseball game

for Canada Day.

Faiza was all over it.

She got us tickets

and provided Ethan with enough junk food to last him a lifetime.

So this year, 

when we planned a trip home,

you bet I turned to Faiza for another 

Canada Day ball game.

Well this year,

Faiza had other plans.

Bigger plans.

She got a few of my cousins together for the game.

The kids

She invited her mates

and some other cousins I haven't seen in

years!

Faiza arranged for some

Canada tattoos

at her own private

Canada-Day-Tattoo-Parlor.

We hit the street fair before the game.

My cousin Karim helps Ethan with his batting.

We had a great time at the game,

despite the fact that the Jays lost.

After the game,

Faiza invited us all back to her place

for a bbq.

We had a great time.

Thanks Faiza.

We can't wait to see what you've got planned for

next year!

Happy Canada Day!!!