Day 313

Dixie and Chris, Before the Game

Kona and Me, Before the Game

Let's Go CAL

Get Them

Sun Devil Stadium

Oh, Sparky!

To start off the day, we took the dogs to Tempe to walk around since we wanted to buy the ASU vs. Cal tickets.  The dogs sure wanted to go into the stadium but "no doggies allowed". 

That night, we met a friend and got some appetizers with drinks, on Mill.  Then Chris and I made our way to the game.  There is no feeling like stepping into enemy territory, covered in Cal gear.  

The game was sloppy but, hey, Cal won!  I think the highlight was taking this picture with Sparky...priceless!

Day 312

The Trail

At the Peak

Chris Made it to the Peak First

Woo, hoo!  We did it!

Didn't Think I Would Make It!

Phoenix's Downtown, View From the Top of Camelback

City Views From the Top

And, Another View

The "Trail" to the Top

Camelback Mountain (On a Clear Day) - Elevation 2706 Feet

It was Thanksgiving Day and we decided this would be a perfect opportunity to hike Camelback.  We got some directions from the locals and headed out with our camelbacks and a backpack with lunch (which Chris carried...most of the way).

There are two hiking trails which ascend 1,280 feet to the peak of Camelback Mountain. The Echo Canyon Trail is 1.2 miles and the Cholla Trail is 1.4 mi.  We chose the Cholla Trail because we were told it was the easier of the two...I don't know what that other trail must be like!

The hike was challenging at first but completely manageable.  We hiked at a good pace (so we thought) until RUNNERS kept passing us by...they were crazy!  The trail was rocky with some areas that required some big steps. 

We made it to the "top", for some people, and decided to push on.  The trail was only marked by blue dots spray painted because you had to literally climb up some areas.  I trudged along, definitely complaining at this point.  The peak was so close but it was difficult to get there, I had lost my energy and had to stop.

Chris pushed on to the peak while I increased by blood sugar by eating some long overdue lunch.  I was feeling better but frustrated seeing the peak so close by.  I decided to ascend to the top!  But...I had to do it alone and I had to carry the backpack that Chris left behind, as he ascended.

I was feeling energized, until I couldn't figure out where to go next.  I was feeling very stressed especially since I couldn't see the peak.  Then, I figured out the next move, calmed down and saw Chris descending to come and lead me to the top (he is so wonderful).

We climbed to the top, together.  The view was wonderful and I felt accomplished.  Then, it started to rain!  This stressed us out because once in rains in Arizona, it pours.  Pouring down rain on that trail would have been brutal.  So, we didn't spend too much time on top and decided to head down.  

Climbing up Camelback Mountain was a wonderful addition to our Thanksgiving day.

Smoked Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Green Beans with Bacon, Cranberry Sauce

YUM!

The Happy Family

In addition to our hike, we made our first ever Thanksgiving meal.  We had so much fun and it was EXCELLENT!

Day 311

The Atrium's Garden...With Some New Additions

Dixie and Kona Made a Mark

To add to the atrium in Chris' parents' house in Arizona, the doggies decided to get a few new cactus plants and to make a sign.  Kona wrote it...she has trouble with writing an "e".  :)

Day 310

Largest Shooting Range West of the Mississippi

Chris is Loving this Day!

A Tough Shot

Poor Cactus

Chris had found this shooting range in a nearby area of Scottsdale and just had to try it.  It is like the course he has done in Morgan Hill but has this desert setting.  The craziest station was the one that set off the clay targets from up high.

I, of course, enjoyed being the one to "pull" the shots (press the button) and I loved the walk and scenery.  Thank goodness it was a beautiful warm day because a typical, hot, Arizona day out there would have been rough.

Day 309

Toby Keith's, I Love This Bar

Sunset Walk

Thank Goodness for a Leash!

The Prestige Bone

Getting Comfortable

Our Monday started out with a trip to the gym.  Unfortunately, on the way back I had a traffic camera go off as a went through a yellow light (crossing our fingers that nothing comes in the mail).

After Chris recovered from the possible faultiness of the traffic cameras, we headed out to Mesa to Toby Keith's, I Love This Bar and then to Bass Pro Shop.  The bar and grill was great with the guitar shaped bar and they were setting up for a Dierks Bentley concert the following night...how fun to go to a concert in such a small setting, we did consider it.  At Bass Pro Shop, Chris was excited to see that shotgun ammo was considerably cheaper and he stocked up for his shooting adventure for the next day.  I, on the other hand, enjoyed clothes shopping.  I found some great tops for jogging.  

That night we took the dogs out for a walk around the nearby park, with a pond, ducks and all.  Dixie absolutely loved the ducks and geese...she would have been in the water had it not been for the leash!  Kona, liked the geese and duck poop more and only wanted to sniff, sniff, and sniff some more.

We finished off the day with a barbecued tri-tip and a movie (Change-Up).  The girls got very comfortable hence Dixie on the couch, happy as can be.  Kona "helped" with the barbecue (see the ash mark on her head). 

Day 308

A Walker Favorite

Metal, Metal, Metal...Head, Head, Head!

During the day we worked out, ran errands, got settled...nothing too exciting. 

We had to gear up for our night on the town.  First stop was at Zipp's Bar and Grill.  This has become a Walker favorite (maybe an obsession for Dave).  But I do have to say they have the BEST turkey burgers, ever!  Chris and I sat by the fire pit, outside, and enjoyed wings, big cold beers, and our turkey burgers.  I was most entertained by the native people there...they are wimps.  The people from Arizona were dressed in wool coats, sweaters, beanies, and scarves.  We, on the other hand, were dressed in light weight shirts and jeans.

After dinner, we walked over to Martini Ranch.  This is a Chris and Kristin favorite.  Metalhead is an 80s hairband that plays each and every Sunday.  We learned about them years ago and try to see them each time we visit Scottsdale.  They are honestly worth seeing.  The band puts on a show with songs from Def Leppard, AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Metallica, and much more.  Our only disappointment was the ridiculous amount of time between sets.  For these old folks here, midnight is pushing it!

Day 307

Road Trip

On the Road Again (And Again)

Goodbye California

We made it out at 6:15 a.m. on a cold Saturday morning.  The car was packed and the doggies were cozy in the back (Dixie had to be strapped in unless we wanted her in our laps).  

The trip wasn't too bad but it did take us 12 hours to arrive in Scottsdale, AZ.  Dixie and Kona were pretty well behaved.  They mostly slept and we forgot that they were even in the car at times.  The only issue was when we would stop and Kona wanted to LEAP out of the car!

Chris and I listened to music, napped (when not driving, duh), and listened to college football.  We sure loved crossing over into Arizona with the beautiful sunset and the MUCH cheaper gas.  

Our arrival in the Phoenix area brought about fireworks (from the U of A vs. ASU game).  We were so happy to arrive.  And, we were especially happy since it was warm and we were able to watch the end to the college football day (Cal almost got Stanford).

Day 306

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

For the day before our week long Thanksgiving break, I showed the class "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving".  I absolutely LOVE the Peanuts crew.  While these kids have all these high tech toys and enhanced cartoons, they also LOVE these simple movies.  

Each year I am entertained when the kids all seem to chime in about the cool car that the crew gets into at the end of the show.  I am mostly entertained because that was the type of station wagon that I grew up with.  You know, the ones with the pop up seats in the back?!

Day 305

The Pulley System in the Attic

Tonight, Chris and I went over to help my parents take down all of their Christmas decorations.  My dad, who shouldn't ever be on a ladder, up in the attic, or lifting heavy boxes had developed this pulley system which he used to put all these heavy boxes up in the first place.  For goodness sake, what is a son-in-law for if not to get heavy boxes out from the attic?! ;)

We got out all the boxes and invited ourselves over for dinner :) 

Day 304

"Help, Mommy!" Yelps Dixie

Dixie had ANOTHER eye vet visit.  I feel so bad for her getting poked and probed.  

She took one look at the vet technician and tried to make a run for it, out the door.  But, she was dragged in.  Dixie had her eye pressure taken (which requires a numbing of her eyes and an instrument poking her eye multiple times).  The first check was super high because...someone was vacuuming next door!  Dixie HATES the vacuum, no kidding her pressure was high.

So, we waited for the vet and we waited.  Dixie tried everything to get me to take her home:  climbing in my lap, clawing at the door, and standing on my foot looking into my eyes with those puppy dog eyes.

But, no luck...we waited.  The vet was great and she re-checked the pressures since the vacuuming had stopped.  The pressure was lower but still not great.  

No eye removal is needed...YET! 

Day 303

Ugh, Report Cards

Kids, don't you worry...teaches dislike report cards too!  Report cards consume too many hours of my time.  

I miss the days of giving an A,B,C,D or F for each subject area.  Now, it is all standards based.  This is definitely valuable when it comes to pinpointing the exact area a child excels or struggles in but they are complicated to complete.  See below for all of the standards on the fifth grade report card:

LANGUAGE ARTS 

Word Analysis, Fluency, Systematic Vocabulary Development

• Reads grade level material fluently and accurately
• Uses knowledge of word origins and word relationships to determine the meaning of vocabulary

Reading Comprehension/Literary Response/Fluency

• Identifies and understands the main idea and significant details presented in text
• Draws own conclusions and inferences about a text and supports with evidence from text
• Distinguishes facts, inferences and opinions in text
• Understands and analyzes narrative text (conflict/resolution, character traits / motives, literary devices, themes)
• Analyzes informational text using text features
• Independently applies reading strategies

Writing Strategies, Applications, Conventions

• Writes fluent, focused and clear texts
• Narratives
• Responses to Literature
• Persuasive Essays
• Research Reports

• Revises and edits selected drafts to improve writing
• Uses correct sentence structure including grammar, punctuation and capitalization
• Spells grade level words correctly in written work

Listening and Speaking

• Listens and responds critically to oral communication, asking relevant questions to support understanding
• Uses effective techniques of oral language in discussions and presentations

MATHEMATICS

Number Sense 

• Understands and manipulates decimals and very large numbers
• Understands concept of fraction, decimal and percent equivalents
• Understands prime factorization of numbers to 50
• Estimates, calculates and solves problems
• Whole numbers
• Integers
• Decimal
• Fractions

Algebra and Functions

• Understands algebraic expressions and equations
• Solves
• Evaluates

• Solves linear functions, writes the equations and graphs the ordered pairs

Measurement and Geometry

• Understands/determines areas and volumes of simple objects
• Uses appropriate tools to measure / identify / construct angles, lines and 2-dimensional objects
• Identifies, describes and classifies the properties of plane and solid geometric figures

Statistics/Data Analysis/Probability

• Collects, displays, analyzes, compares and interprets different data sets

Mathematical Reasoning

• Understands / uses / explains different problem solving strategies

HISTORY / SOCIAL SCIENCE

• Geography
• Research/gathers and applies relevant,accurate information
• U.S History – shows understanding of development of the nation

SCIENCE Classroom /Lab

• Demonstrates understanding of concepts
• Participates in activities and discussions

Participates in music
Participates in fine arts
 

Physical Education

• Demonstrates good sportsmanship
• Actively participates in activities

Social Growth / Life Skills

• Exhibits a positive attitude
• Respects people and property
• Cooperates with others
• Follows school rules
• Follows directions
• Demonstrates listening skills
• Takes personal responsibility for behavior

Work / Study Skills

• Contributes to classroom activities
• Exhibits organizational skills
• Completes class assignments
• Completes and returns homework
• Exhibits neat and legible work
• Works independently
• Demonstrates effort
• Accepts responsibility for individual learning

Grading Standards:
4 Advanced Consistently grasps, applies and extends Standards Introduced to Date
3.5 Proficient Consistently grasps and applies Standards Introduced to Date
3 Proficient Grasps and applies Standards Introduced to Date
2.5 Approaching Moving towards proficiency level Standards Introduced to Date
2 Approaching Beginning to grasp and apply Standards Introduced to Date
1 Not Yet Not grasping Standards Introduced to Date

Day 302

Class Novel

Teacher Read Aloud

For our class novel, we just completed In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson.  It is a story set in the 40s and tells about a young Chinese girl who moved to Brooklyn.  She falls in love with the game of baseball.  The book makes some great comparisons with this young girl and Jackie Robinson whom both overcome challenges.

A Week in the Woods was a novel that I read to the class each day after lunch recess.  It is a great way to have them wind down after playing and being loud.  This book was great to read after our week away at Walker Creek Ranch since it tells the story of a fifth grade going away to an overnight camp for a week. 

I do love that this particular class really enjoys reading.  They really look forward to reading time and especially for "Teacher Read" each day.

Day 301

Bonkers for Beggin Strips

In addition to Dixie's eye issues, she had a hurt leg all week long.  You may ask, "How did she get hurt?"  Oh, by LEAPING off the couch, three feet in the air to get a Beggin Strip!  That girl can sure get around while limping though. 

You see the Jerky Strips in the picture, too.  The dogs like those treats but just a jostle of the Beggin Strips bag makes them RUN for a treat.  This is sure helpful since Dixie does not go where we need her to without some sort of bribe!

Day 300

The Quilt Display

Fabrics for Border and Binding

Had to Get it...Totally Harley!

Another Kitty Fabric

My mom and I went fabric shopping to find the border and binding for my t-shirt quilt...what a difficult decision!!!  But, in the end, I went for bright and cheery.  I think it will be a fun quilt.  Now to decide what to put on the back.

While my mom will do the sewing for my quilt (thank goodness), I will learn how to sew by making a kitty cat quilt.  I found these two fabrics today.  The motorcycle one cracks me up especially since Harley was given his name by his foster parents because they thought he looked like he could be roaring through town on a Harley! 

Day 299

11-11-11

Yes, it is a very cool date today but more importantly it is Veteran's Day.  I am so thankful for all the men and women who have served and currently serve in the United States' armed services.  So thankful!

Day 298

Planning the Fabrics

Plan #1- With T-Shirts

Plan #2- With T-Shirts

My mom and I have been working on my t-shirt quilt.  The other day, we started to plan it out but I got frustrated and had to think about it.  

So, I have been thinking and thinking while trying to grade and grade some more.  But now that it is an early start to the weekend, I am able to plan again.  

I had to draw a model and then I put it together.  Of course the actual quilt will be bigger but I had a smaller sheet to work with so that I can roll it up to look at later when we are ready to sew.