Early Halloween for the Girls

They met up with Eli at the downtown trick or treating. They rode the hay ride together. Sydney was dressed as Gabriella from high school musical ( Syd got to spray her hair black (Nasty) Gabby went as the dark cheerleading Bratz girls

Disc Golf

Well, I picked Syd up from school today since Gab and me are off. We went over to Lenora Park and played 11 holes of disc golf. 11 to them is like 22 to most people. They did great but after 120 throws for Gabby and 96 for Sydney they decided to call it a day. But it was a lot of fun. Anyone who wants to come with us next time is welcome to.

I start back to class tomorrow. I just found out one of my classes was cancelled which puts a damper on my plans of being done by April unless I can get into another class this semester. We shall see.

Gabby is starting to read on her own which is great. Sydney wants to learn sign language so I printed her some study cards. This may be because I use a few words of sign language with her and she wants to learn it.

The girls and I have been busy we have been putting books on Half.com to sell for extra money for the kids to do all their activities. We finally got all of them on. We have sold about 15 so far. We have another 107 books on the site. It is unbelievable how many books ones accumulates

Presenting

Not that I have free time with school and everything. But it looks like Linda and I are presenting at the 21st Annual At-Risk Youth National Forum in South Carolina in Febuary. Linda is the 9th grade graduation coach at the high school. She and I have worked together to put an after school program in place that works on students organizational skills, test taking skills, and homework assistance/missing work.
The program has been in effect for four weeks and approx. 6 students who were slated to go to academic intercession no longer have to go since they are passing their classes. It is very successful and growing in popularity with the students. I call it the get the monkey off your back program/web site.
http://www.wcpsteacher.org/education/components/whatsnew/default.php?sectiondetailid=34568&&PHPSESSID=3d783e1506cd0f215a04312a484a8188

Here is the issue. I have to present in front of a very large audience......I am used to students and faculty at my school, but an audience of peers from across the country..... Can we say Oh my...... Maybe I will be ill and not go.

Loganville Festival

Today, I took the girls to the Loganville Street Festival
They had a blast, they got to jump on the inflatables, ate pizza, dropped pizza on the ground and ate more pizza. Gabby and I got our hair cut free at a new place that was at the festival. They did a great job and all it cost was a tip... Both girls got their hair done (if that is what you call it by the Trinity Church in Loganville booth. They got to hear some live music, dance, and see lots of people. Gabby got a heart painted on her face and Sydney had Myra put a AU sign. Myra is a student at my school who I coached last year. Great kid.

Sydney Wins Reflections at School

Today in 2008 and April 11, 2006 the day the girls met each other

Sydney entered the Reflections contest at her school and took 1st place in Literature. She now moves on to the county competition. The topic was WOW and she wrote about getting her sister I have copied the paper she wrote to this email:

The Day We Adopted Gabriella Floridalma Suzanne Reid


On February 20, 2003 Gabriella was born in Guatemala.
Her mother couldn’t take care of her so she had to send her to live in foster care. They put her on an adoption web site so she might be able to find a new family. We looked at other children, but we picked her. Her name was really Floridalma so we changed it to Gabriella because people might call her ‘Floor’.
My mom flew by a plane to get her but I didn’t get to go. Gabriella flew back here on April 11, 2006. I met my new sister at the airport. She looked just like Dora.
Wow, I have a sister now! I love her so much and I want her to live here with her new family forever.

Gabby Is Now an Orange-Stripe Belt in Karate

Gabby tested for her Orange-stripe belt today and did great. This is the most concentration I have seen her have. Her sister came to watch and was so excited for Gab when she got promoted. Sydney was not ready to be promoted to Green belt but she has only been an orange for 5 weeks. So next time.

Good side kick

What a front kick. She did great

Gabby preparing for her Karate test. Check it out she was actually very serious about it.