Horst Happenings....

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mother's Day 2009

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Feliz Cumpleaños Quiana Gonzales - Lamento llegar tarde.

Meredith es mi sobrina. Ella vive en el área de Houston. De ella hija, había Quiana su cumpleaños hace varias semanas. No pude asistir, por lo que ella ha enviado varias fotos de la fiesta. Quería compartir con ustedes algunas de las imágenes el día de hoy. Desde que no estaba allí, no sabía los nombres de todas las personas allí, pero voy a hacer lo mejor.

También quiero pedir disculpas ahora si mi español no es muy acertado. Nunca tomó oficialmente español, así que yo probablemente no será muy buena. Meredith enseña guardería bilingüe en el área de Houston. Tal vez a ella puedan ayudar.

Meredith is my niece that lives in the Houston area. Her daughter, Quiana had her birthday several weeks ago and I was unable to attend. Meredith recently sent me several pictures from the party and I wanted to share a few with all of you. Since I was not there I didn't know the names of all of the people there, but I will do my best.

I also want to apologize right now if my Spanish isn't quite right. I never took Spanish formally, so it is kind of hit and miss here. Perhaps Meredith will help out. Meredith teaches Bilingual Kindergarten in the Houston area.

Quiana está lista para que el partido comenzó. Meredith leer un cuento a Quiana.

Quiana is ready to get the party started. Meredith takes a break and reads to Quiana and one of the party goers.

Quiana recibe ayuda de su prima. Usted puede decirle que ella estaba emocionada. Mírala grande, hermosa sonrisa.

Above it looks like Quiana is getting a little help from her cousin with something. You can tell she was excited. Look at her beautiful smile.

Quiana está listo para su tarta. El tema fue parte My Little Pony. Había muchos de maravillosos regalos para Quiana. Quiana recibido muchas bastante vestidos, muñecas, play-Doh y My Little Pony.

It looks like it is cake time and Quiana is ready for her fair share. My Little Pony was the theme of the party. There were lots of wonderful presents for Quiana. A few of the gifts she received were some pretty dresses, dolls, Play-Doh, and My Little Pony.

Lo mejor de todo cateres Ninfa's de la fiesta. Yo entiendo que estos dos señores preparado un magnífico comida para los invitados. Ellos prepararon fajitas.

Best of all though, the party was catered by Ninfa's. I understand that these two gentlemen prepared a terrific fajita meal for Quiana and the other party guests.

Se trata de Kira y Janna. Ellos son Meredith y Quiana del sobrinas. Se trata de Tomas. Él es Kira's papá. Kari es la madre de Kira. Kari no asistió a la fiesta.

This is a picture of Janna, one of nieces from Houston She is holding Kira. Kira is Janna's sister's daughter. Kira's mom is Kari. I guess Kari could not go since I didn't see a picture of her. But her husband, Thomas was there to help keep up with Kira.

Esta es una foto de Víctor y Meredith. Víctor es el marido de Meredith. Y él es el papá de Quiana. Ambos parecen muy cansado después de la fiesta. Se veía como una gran fiesta. Lamento que no hemos podido ir.

The picture above is Victor and Meredith. Victor is Meredith's husband and Quiana's dad. They both look very tired after the party. I can tell that it was a great party and am truly sorry that we were not able to go. While Mom and Dad look tired and relieved to have the happy event over, Quiana and her guest look like they could go on forever.

Si desea ver una presentación de diapositivas de las fotos haga clic en el enlace a mi página de Windows Live.

If you would like to see a complete slide show of the pictures click on the link to my Windows Live page.

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Moths Go To School

Yesterday afternoon a few 5th graders came to my classroom to see if the could help work with a few of my kids. I said sure and passed out their assignments. I had one of them helping the little ones with the computers and the other two were helping with Sight Words and coloring. I had a small group and we were also working on Sight Words. After a while, Mr. Clayton came in with a moth. Here it is just below. he is holding it in his hand.

As you can tell, I snapped a picture and then the 5th graders suggested that he take it upstairs to Ms. Steele. Later I got to thinking and I remembered that one of my students had found a Giant Leopard Moth on the playground last week. Unfortunately for the moth,the little ones really enjoyed looking at it. I hope he survived long enough to do whatever it is that moths do.

After I came home and looked at the picture I remembered one that I found here at the house a few years ago. For some unknown reason at the time I decided to take a picture of it. Now I know why I did. I needed the picture of it to include with this post today. I think it is a Polyphemus moth but am not quite sure.

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Meet The Cats

After posting about Angel Cat I was thinking about the other neglected cats at our house.

HMMMM!!! I thought to myself, "Have I ever posted pictures of all the cats at one time on the blog?"

I then answered myself (Which is very Bad!), "I don't think so!"

So, here we go.

Tabby, also known as "The cat with glowing eyes."

Rory, a cat with attitude. And it's not real good. Just ask the others.

Puss. He's my baby. He's laid back like me. Can't ya tell?

Callie. Another cat with attitude. You can see it in her eyes.

Bristow. Handy to have around in case you need something to sit on top of the router.

Boo. He was working on his Mesmerizing routine when I took this picture.

Peanut. There is no picture of Peanut. She would not cooperate. She's that way.

Cat On A Warm Asphalt Composition Shingle Roof

I got home from work today and saw something different on the roof. It was Angel Cat. Fortunately for her it was not a roof of the "Hot Tin" type.

How she got on the roof I'm not sure. I left her there because I figured she could get down in her own time. I also left her because I couldn't reach her. Good reason huh?

Pine Cove - Will It Never End?

Yes it will.

In fact it did.

We all had strict instructions for cleaning the cabins and packing up BEFORE breakfast. We had to have all of our earthly possessions, at least those we had at that point in time, at the camp office ready to go on the bus before breakfast. So that is what we did, down to a man....errr...camper. After completing that little requirement we waited for breakfast.

And waited.....and waited.....and waited. We all made good use of this wait time. Some of us played tether ball. Some of us kept the picnic tables from floating far off into intergalactic space. Others talked and visited with fellow campers. After all, it had been some time since we had all seen each other.

Finally, the wait was over.

Was it worth it?

I should say so. Breakfast on the last day was scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits, butter, gravy, juice, and oatmeal.

After breakfast it was time for "Airborne" and the falcon and hawk. The falcon is in the picture above. And just below here is the hawk.

The camp counselors showed the kids the birds and explained many things about them. In fact they explained so much and I was so involved with the pictures that I don't remember all of the facts. I suppose that I will need to get with my 5th graders and let them explain it all to me again.

The camp counselor/bird trainer selected a couple of students to let the hawk fly to and land on their arm. You can see that this one lucky participant was a little overly excited when the hawk flew to her.

Above the kids were able to pet the falcon on the back. You can see the radio locater on the falcon's back. That is just in case the bird decides to take a leisurely trip around the countryside instead of returning back to the trainers arm.

Alas, as they say, all good things must come to an end. And so did our trip to Pine Cove. We all lined up on the bridge for a farewell snap. Then we all headed to the buses.

See!! I told you we headed to the buses. We loaded up and began our trip back to Waco. Wait just one little minute here! Now I know why breakfast was so good. The camp was getting rid of us just before lunch time and we were heading straight to Waco....No stops scheduled, no lunch. BUMMER!!! As luck...or fate...or something would have it, the return trip would take us through Corsicana; home to the Collin Street Bakery and a Russell Stover Candy Outlet. Now if only we could stop off at the candy outlet! On second thought, can you imagine what it would be like to turn loose 40+ 5th graders in a candy outlet after a 3 day camping trip "sans" candy? I guess not!

Maybe the bakery perhaps???

Close! We pulled into the HEB across the street from the bakery and bought a few snacks for the little tykes to enjoy on their way home.

After arriving at school it was time to call parents. It was soon learned that when all the students were picked up the teachers could go. So.....being the resourceful teacher that I am...."Does anyone need to use my cell phone to call their parents?"

PS,

Remember me mentioning in Pine Cove Trip: Installment #2 about the less than stellar trip for the "other" bus. Well, that was our bus on the way back; no DVD player, just the radio for the ride back.

PSS,

During this entire time I never mentioned the other 5th grade teacher, who is also a great teacher in her own right. Mrs. Mayberry, whom I understand is beloved by her students just as much as Ms. Steele, if not more, was the other able and intrepid 5th grade teacher. It was through her kind heart and limitless bank account that her bus was treated to honey buns for the trip up. And as an act of generosity she discreetly misplaced the receipt for the honey buns so as not to appear that she cared more for the large dent made in her finances than her students welfare.

Way to go Mrs. Mayberry. That was a true act of selflessness and I commend you for it.

3rd Post Script:

Also in attendance were the indispensable Mr. Clayton, Ms. Love, and Coach Renfro. Mr. Clayton is our campus PCL. Mr. Clayton can always be depended upon to help out on a field trip or whenever needed. Our Assistant Principal, Ms. Love, helped out with the girls. She also shot some mean basketball during the free time. I personally saw her sink one 3 pointer from mid-court. And finally, Coach Renfro from University High helped with the final group of boys. Without all of these people the trip would not have been possible.