1st Grade Bookstore...

Reece's school's main emphasis on learning is project based learning.  Each quarter Reece's grade has a huge project they focus on.  The first quarter they learned all about books.  They started their investigation of books on a field trip to a bookstore.  They learned everything from the contents of a book (such as the table of contents, the dedication page, and the copyright date), how the author comes up with the thoughts for a book, how to price a book so it will sale, how to market a book, how a book is edited, published and sold.  After learning all these things, the kids got to experience for themselves what they learned.  They became authors and started writing books, editing them, illustrating, publishing and selling them.  In art class they designed the jacket cover of their books, in music class they came up with jingles to sell/market their books, in drama they made puppets of characters in their books, in literature they wrote their books, in grammar they proofread their books and edited them, and in math class they learned the value of money so they could price their books and sell their books.  Many subjects were covered in this project from Math, Literature, Reading, Grammar, Economics, Marketing, Spelling, Art, and Business.  The kids had a blast and learned so much.  At the end of the quarter it was time to become best selling authors.  The parents were invited to the "Project Celebration" where the kids had turned their gym into a "First Grade Bookstore" and we were able to observe all they learned.  The gym was broken up into sections of a bookstore and all the first graders played a role in the bookstore (book locators, managers of the bookstore, authors that were doing book signings and book readings, book shelf stockers, cashiers, baggers, and UPS delivery people).  The Kindergarteners came to the bookstore and browsed and bought books with fake money.  The Kindergarteners actually got to keep the books they "bought."  After all the Kindergarteners were done buying books, the parents were able to buy books with "real" money which would go to the school's library.  Reece had written 4 books and I was hoping to buy some of them but only 1 was left.  Reece went and told her teacher that she was not able to buy many of her books because they were gone and Ms. Hill replied, "well you are just a best selling author!!!"  It made Reece feel so special instead of sad that she did not get many of her own books.  It was such a neat event and one I know that will last in Reece's memory forever.  On top of this being a great project, Reece's love for reading and books has escalated and she is really progressing with her reading now.  Since her last report card, she has advanced 2 reading levels in a very short period of time.  Great job Reece!! 

 "First Grade Bookstore"

 Reece's role was in the "Author's Corner" reading a book.

 This was one of the cutest bookstore managers (see boy in tie).  He played his role very well and took it very seriously.  Tony said he needs to hire this kid for his store. 

 Reece waiting in line to get an autograph.

Tony is browsing the books looking for Reece's book.  Check out the boy's face sneaking a peak at Tony's Chick-fil-A nametag.  Funny story, while Tony was browsing one of the "store managers" came up to him and said, "Excuse me, can you come with me?"  He took Tony all the way across the gym by the "check out counters" and told Tony, "We are not selling enough books, you need to go get the word out for people to buy more books."  Tony was in awe of these little kids who were "playing managers."  It is amazing he did not take all of them back to his store that day. 

Reece Horseback Riding...

One of Reece's classmates, Mina, invited Reece to her birthday party.  They had the party at a horse ranch and the kids got to go horseback riding. They got on big horses (by themselves) and was led on a 30 minute trail ride.  Reece was so excited to finally ride a horse all by herself.  She has riden a couple of times with others but this was her first time alone.  She had a great time and was very brave.  They put her on the biggest horse and she did not mind a bit.

Off she goes...



 Coming back from the ride...

Tony and I's Mountain Getaway...



As I mentioned in an earlier post, Tony surprised me with a weekend getaway to the mountains for our Anniversary.  On the weekend of October 12 - 14th, we headed to Asheville without the kiddos.  Uncle Joe and Aunt Abby were kind enough to take the kids for the entire weekend.  It was such a special treat.  We had a wonderful weekend hiking many treacherous trails, enjoying the gorgeous fall views, eating at some yummy restaurants and taking in the interesting scenes of downtown Asheville.  We had a weekend full of beautiful weather and it was a perfect getaway.  Thanks Tony for the wonderful surprise and for being such an awesome husband and thank you Joe and Abby for making it possible!  

On our way to Asheville we went by Linville Falls and did some hiking. This photo shows some of the rugged trails we had. 

 Linville Falls





Here is a view of the entire Linville Falls.  The water meanders through these rocks like a snake and we could view it from different vantage points.

 The beautiful fall colors...

 

On Saturday we spent a full day hiking.  We started our day off at Graveyard Fields along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  We spent several hours hiking at Graveyard fields and probably hiked about 2.5 miles.

 The stream that went along the Graveyard Fields hiking trail.

 Tony at Lower Falls of Graveyard Fields.

 This is Upper Falls at Graveyard Fields.  We were told by some hikers that we should go all the way to the top of these falls.  We got to this point and saw people up at the very top.  I told Tony, "I want to go up there, surely there is a way."  We then saw some moms coming down the "trail" with some rather young kids.  We asked them what the trail was like and they told us it was not really a trail and it was very muddy.  But, I thought if they can do it we can do it!  So, off we went.  Well.....we were definitely making our own trail and there was mud and briars everywhere.  It was a very steep incline and there was nothing to grab hold of but briars.  We forged our way up and finally made it to the top.  Funny thing is....we had to get back down!  I led the way back down the trail and fell on my behind into briars twice.  I was rather muddy and Tony had a good time laughing at me.  I was wearing my "Rugged Maniac" T-shirt and I told Tony I felt like I was doing the Rugged Maniac race all over again.  It made for some great laughs and some memories we will never forget.  However, Tony may not listen to me again when I say we should forge our own trail.

 We saw a snake while hiking on the Upper Falls trail. (Regan told me it was either an Eastern Ribbon Snake or Brown snake)  I almost stepped on it and for those who know me well, it is amazing I gathered my composure and actually took the time to get this photo for Regan.  It is even more amazing that I went on the "rugged trail" to the top of the falls after seeing this snake.  Usually, once I see a snake I am good as done, you might as well carry me or catch me (b/c I am sprinting back to the car).  But, I mustered up my courage, thought of Regan who is not afraid of snakes, and enjoyed the rest of my hike.

 Here is the view we forged our own trail for.  In this photo, I am sitting on a rock at the top of the falls looking down the waterfall.

 Enjoying a break and beautiful view atop Black Balsam Knob.

 After Graveyard Fields, we headed about 2 miles up the Blue Ridge Parkway to Black Balsam Knob.  We spent many hours walking along several mountain knobs and soaking up the beautiful sun and gorgeous views.  We probably did another 3-4 miles of hiking.

 We hiked all along these knobs and we could see for miles all around us.

 The colors were absolutely beautiful.

 

 The trails were rather hilly and treacherous.  Tony actually had to give me a hand getting up this ditch.

The trails we were hiking were mainly dried up stream beds along the side of the knobs.  We were thankful they did not have water in them.  However, we came to some parts of the trail where there was water and mud.  This made for some fun hiking.  In the above picture I am balancing on a log trying to get down this trail.  Tony had fun hiking behind me, laughing and taking pictures.

 

 After hiking at Black Balsam Knob for several hours we headed to Devil's Knob.  By this time, it was way past lunch (we ended up eating Granola Bars and Grapes for lunch while hiking) and we had already completed about 6-7 miles of hiking that day.  We were pretty beat.  But, we wanted to hike this short 0.5 mile trail up Devil's Knob.  There is a reason they call this Devil's Knob!!!  Well, my reason is because it goes straight up for 0.5 miles!  Nothing like a major hill work out after already hiking 6+ miles of mountains.  But, we made it and the views were pretty.  We were able to look out over the ridge we had just hiked at Black Balsam Knob.

 Tony and I on top of Devil's Knob.  The mountains in the background are Black Balsam Knob.

 Devil's Knob

We were told by locals that this weekend was peak weekend for the fall colors plus it was perfect weather.  I have never seen the Blue Ridge Parkway so busy, there were people and cars everywhere.

 Here is a view of Looking Glass Mountain.

 A beautiful shot along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

 Mt. Pisgah

 The beautiful colors along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

 

 On Sunday, before heading back home we spent a few hours at the NC Arboretum in Asheville. 

 They were having a Bonsai Exhibit that weekend and we learned all about Bonsai trees.  It is very interesting and quite an art!  This is a Bonsai scene representing Graveyard Fields where we were hiking.

 This is a Bonsai Scene of Mt. Mitchell.

 We hiked along these beautiful paths taking in all the fall colors.

 We enjoyed hiking this trail along Bent Creek.

On the way home we stopped at Krispy Kreme in Winston Salem to get the girls a surprise for being so good for Joe and Abby.