Day 243 - August 31

This tree in our backyard appears to be on the "school year calendar" schedule, rather than "rotation of the earth calendar" schedule.  There is no need for yellow leaves to be falling to the ground on August 31st when it is 95 degrees outside!

Day 242 - August 30

This is our "on hold" list.  I have the kids write their requests down and then I add them to the computer because they don't carry around library cards.  We picked up right where we left off - with the majority of the kids desperately seeking a copy of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" or "Guinness World Records" with a few "Chesters" and "Scaredy Squirrels" thrown in.

Day 241 - August 29

Mike got this exercise ball thing at Target on sale this weekend.  The pump that came with it blew it up pretty quickly, but made an odd squeaking noise with each pump.  This terrified the animal.  However, instead of running for cover like he usually does when he's scared of a noise, he stalked the ball from across the room.  (That slow, stalker walk and stare down that you see wild cats do on Animal Planet, etc.) He still can't get over this weird object that has come to inhabit his space.  I rolled it around the dining room, chasing him with it to see what he would do - and he refused to turn his back.  He just ran backwards to keep eye contact on the ball at all times.  Weird!!

Day 240 - August 28

As seen at Barnes & Noble tonight .... HA!

Day 239 - August 27

Both Mike & I prefer Sour Patch Kids to regular fruit snacks.  Last year, we were excited because we found 100 Calorie packs at the grocery store and BJ's!  We stopped buying them though because they were way more expensive than they should be.  We lucked out on this BJ's trip though because they had the Halloween candy out.  You see, to make 100 Calorie packs, they make the food tiny.  Mini Doritos, Mini Ritz snacks, and indeed, Mini Sour Patch Kids.  I guess because they're different and small, they can charge you double. These Halloween bags were 1/2 the price per ounce as the 100 Calorie packs!!  The only downside is that they're regular sized pieces, so there are about 5 in each pack. 

All week, I reached in and grabbed a bag of Sweedish Fish. (It's a variety pack.) I don't particularly love them, but I figured I'd eventually get to a SPK.  That is - until I realized that Mike always throws the fish back if that's what he pulls out.  No wonder I never get the good stuff!

Day 238 - August 26

I only had 4 classes yesterday ... and already, this is what the drawing books section looks like!! No matter how many times and ways I teach the neat shelf lesson, excitement over getting their hands on something wins.  Someday I'll figure it out...

Day 237 - August 25

You can tell it's the first day of school when everything is still this perfectly organized. :) Each basket has a crisp ziploc bag with the nice flat cards for the game we're playing, 4 juicy dry erase markers, and 5 pencils with points and erasers.

I give 'em 45 minutes... :)