Leonardo Day in First Grade...

Riley's first grade class has been studying Leonardo DaVinci this month.  Riley has learned a lot of fascinating things about him but I think her favorite was that he wrote things backwards because he was left handed and did not want to smear the ink nor did he want people to know what he was writing.  Riley thought this was very funny and enjoyed writing her name as "Yelir" instead of "Riley."  Riley's class had a Leonardo Day and recited a cute poem about Leonardo, sang a song about water since Leonardo was fascinated with water and had a little musuem set up that parents could come and learn all about Leonardo.  Leonardo was an inventor, a sculptor, a painter, and an observer.  We also enjoyed Minestone Soup for lunch which the kids had made in honor of Leonardo being a vegetarian.  It was very good soup!!!  

The children reciting their poem about Leonardo DaVinci

Riley showing the parents some of Leonardo's flying inventions, a jet, a helicopter, a parachute, and a hang glider. 

The children had to draw what their own invention would be.... Riley would invent a clean up crew.  She knows we need that at our house! :)

 Riley showing her jet that she made in art class.

 Each child had to sculpt some kind of animal out of clay.  Riley made a prancing deer. 

The children re-created Leonardo's "Ideal City" out of blocks.  There was a lot of sickness going around so Leonardo created an ideal city where it would be clean (clean water, clean streets and sidewalks) so people would not get sick. 

 The children made their own self portraits.  Click on the photo to see it enlarged and read Riley's description of herself.

 The children had to say why they thought Mona Lisa was smiling in her portrait.  Riley said, "I think that Mona Lisa was smiling because she hadn't a picture painted of her before."  :)  Does that mean if she had one before she would not be smiling??  I think this is why Riley does not smile in her photos because she is tired of being photographed!!

Riley watercolored a picture of Mona Lisa.  She did a fabulous job. 

Reece's Halloween Parade...

Reece's preschool had their Halloween Parade on Friday, October 29.  Reece was a butterfly this year.  She was very cute and had a great time in the parade. 

 Reece showing off her wings.

 The back side of my butterfly.

 Here comes Reece's class...

 Reece waving to our friends, the Lundbergs.

Regan's Field Trip to a Gem Mine...

Regan's 4th Grade went to Hiddenite Gem Mine last week.  Regan LOVES rocks, in fact we have some rocks in a rock tumbler in our garage right now causing quite a racket.  So, this was a dream field trip for Regan.  Tony also enjoys rocks so he was eager to chaperone this field trip.  They had a great time despite the heavy rain.  They enjoyed wading in a creek looking for gems, had a chance do to some sluicing and then listened to an informative presentation on rocks and minerals.  Regan and Tony found some really neat rocks.     

 

Tony said Regan was very good at finding rocks in the creek.  She went down the creek away from all the other students and found a ton.  Everyone in her class was telling her she found the most.  Regan gets determined when she is looking for something she wants.

Getting ready to do some sluicing...

Regan found a rather large rock while sluicing.

Finding lots of pretty rocks...

Regan showing off all her rocks she found.

Short but Sweet....

Last weekend, Oct. 25 - Oct. 26, Mama Cook and Papa Doug came up to visit.  It had been 4 months since we had seen them so we were happy they could come up.  It was a very short weekend but we had a good time.  Saturday, we went hiking on one of our favorite trails and enjoyed climbing all over toppled trees and skipping rocks in the creek.  We also showed Papa Doug where our church is meeting and took him by the Occoneechee Speedway to show him the new renovations there.  Saturday night we grilled out and Tony made his yummy Brats.  Sunday, all the Fernandez men went up to Martinsville, Va for the Nascar Race.  They had beautiful weather and enjoyed their guys only day away.  They do this every year and we Fernandez women are wondering when we can start our tradition of a girls only getaway.  The Fernandez women enjoyed a day of church, picnic lunch at Ayr Mount, going to Abby's house to see all her awesome home decorations, and then enjoying our traditional Sunday meal of popcorn.  All the cousins had fun playing together while the women caught up on life. :)  As I mentioned before it was way too short but definitely sweet being together as a family! 

Tony with his dad at Occoneechee Speedway.  They are standing in front of the renovated concession stand.  Ironic thing is Tony is actually standing beside a Pepsi sign.  He despises Pepsi.

Josh, Riley and Papa Doug looking for smooth rocks to skip in the creek.

Poor Mama Cook wanted a picture with her granddaughters but they were being so silly.  Imagine that!!

And they got sillier.

Taking a break with Papa Doug

Regan is Daddy's Girl...

Daddy with two of his girls.

Hiking on a beautiful day.

Mama Cook and Regan discussing something, probably nature which they both enjoy very much.

Aunt Abby hiking with Riley and Lizzie.

Regan got ahead of everyone.

This was taken on Sunday at Ayr Mount.  We had a picnic lunch after church.  It was a gorgeous day.

The girls enjoyed fishing for slime (algae) or whatever it was.

Mama Cook was trying to get a photo with each of the girls but they were not cooperating.  Do you see a theme occurring??  I actually love this photo.

Mama Cook and I trying to get a nice photo together but Reece decided to be silly behind us.

We enjoyed some time with the guys once they got home from the race on Sunday.

Reece and Mama Cook reading together.

Riley getting a goodnight hug from Papa Doug.

Regan getting a backrub from Mama Cook before bed.  A true Fernandez...

We Have a New Uncle....

We are very excited for our Aunt Ann-Marie who got married to a wonderful man, Dick, on October 16th.  Aunt Ann-Marie is Tony's Dad's youngest sister and we love her dearly.  We have been praying that Aunt Ann-Marie would meet a wonderful, Godly man someday and indeed she has!  Dick, we are so thankful God has brought you and Ann-Marie together and we are happy you are part of our family now.  Aunt Ann-Marie and Uncle Dick honeymooned in Williamsburg, Va and then traveled down to see us.  It was so sweet of them to take time out of their vacation to come down and visit us.  We were thrilled,especially since Tony and I had not met Dick yet, and we had a wonderful time.  Our girls took right to their new Great Uncle (Dick, you are a good sport!!!) and were more than happy to see their special Great Aunt again.  We love you both and could not be happier for the two of you!!!  We hope to see y'all in the spring or summer.  We will let you know when we decide to head up to NY.  Dick, can't wait to try your buffalo wings!!!! :)

These are photos Cook took at the wedding. 

Doug, Aunt Ann-Marie, and Aunt Diane

The happy parents of the bride.  Grandpa and Grandma y'all look great!!!

Aunt Ann-Marie and Uncle Dick opening their wedding gift from all of us.

Uncle Dick asking the girls about their signatures on the card.

We got Uncle Dick and Aunt Ann-Marie an Alphabet Photography picture that says, "Home" and the quote underneath it says, "It takes hands to build a house but hearts to build a home."  Uncle Dick and Aunt Ann-Marie plan to build their own home so we thought this would be good in their new home.

Lots of laughs with Aunt Ann-Marie.

Reece tickling Aunt Ann-Marie

Uncle Dick was teasing Reece by saying she had six toes.  Reece is counting to make sure she only has 5. 

Josh was having a great time tackling Regan.  She enjoyed it too until he started pulling her hair and biting.

Lizzie had fun playing ball with her daddy and Uncle Tony.

Aunt Ann-Marie read several books to Lizzie and Reece.

Regan with her Great Uncle and Great Aunt.

Uncle Dick and Aunt Ann-Marie with all the kiddos.

The big kids...

Reece loves her Great Aunt Ann-Marie!

Regan does too!  And Riley does too but we did not get a picture for some reason.