Cole's solar system project

Cole's final homework project of the year was a solar system project. His 2nd grade teacher is tough, tough, tough and expected to be impressed. Paco came up with the idea of taking a large sheet of metal, spray painting it black, and coloring and cutting out stars and planets out of magnetic vent covers. Then Cole and I looked up two facts about each planet for him to talk about. This turned out great!! Cole loves to be in front of a crowd and present, so we knew he had this in the bag. Here is a video of him doing a practice presentation at home, complete in his mis-matched pajamas. (Sorry the quality isn't great, I had the camera on the wrong setting but didn't realize it until he had already taken it to school!)

INTERVIEW WITH COLE

Cole and I sat down this afternoon to chat a bit....interview like. Here are his deepest thoughts about lots of things.

Me: how was your day today?
Cole: good, how was yours?
Me: a little rough, but I'm glad to be home with you! Did anything exciting happen at school today?
Cole: yes! My table got the most points for winning games, and we got to choose from the treasure chest.
Me: yay! What did you pick?
Cole: a skull ring.
Me: oh, lovely! So what is your favorite thing about Spring?
Cole: no school next week because of Spring break! I also like playing outside with my friends.
Me: what is your favorite thing about our family?
Cole: when we get family time and do things like play the wii.
Me: what's your favorite wii game?
Cole: star wars: force unleashed.
Me: Hmmm...haven't tried that one yet.  What's your favorite thing about your sister?
Cole: nothing. just kidding. I like to build tents outside with her.
Me:  what's your favorite thing about Daddy?
Cole: doing cub scouts with him. He's a den leader. We are in pack 464.
Me: what's your favorite thing about Mom?
Cole: everything
Me: good answer! So what are your thoughts
 about God?
Cole: everything is great with God!
Me: I agree! What is important to you?
Cole: having a family and being born. Oh and playing with legos.
Me: what kinds of things would you change about the world?
Cole: people should pick up litter. And the only toys in the world would be halloween toys.
Me: if you could change anything about me, what would it be?
Cole: sometimes you're too grumpy with me.
Me: I'll work on that.
Me: if you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Cole: Glacier national park.
Me: Why?
Cole: it was fun camping there last time
Me: what are your favorite and least favorite foods?
Cole: my favorite is pizza. My least favorite is spaghetti.
Me: yum. I love both of those! So do you have any big plans for the weekend?
Cole: nope. just playin'. So can I ask you a question?
Me: sure, go ahead.
Cole: What is your favorite healthy food?
Me: peanut butter and banana smoothies!

This concludes our interview. For a kid that usually never stops talking, it was harder than I thought it would be to get him to answer me!

COLE

Spreading holiday cheer. Crooked antlers and all.

COLE'S REPORT

Last week, Cole and Dad were hard at work putting together Cole's report on a nocturnal animal of his choosing. He chose the Black Panther. He had to do his own research, and complete all the work himself. Together, he and Dad did a great job, and Cole's presentation went great! He LOVES to present in front of people, and knowing him, he was as "loud and proud" (that is Mr. Porter's phrase for Cole) as ever. Here's a photo of him with his visual part of his report...Great job Cole! We're so proud!

COLE'S 8TH BIRTHDAY...CONTINUED

Cole's birthday is on October 30, the day before Halloween. It was a busy day! As is tradition at our house, the kids had cupcakes with their breakfast. They always look forward to this! Later, Dad brought his class cupcakes after lunch, and his class also had their "Nocturnal party" (a.k.a halloween party). That evening, we stayed home and kept things pretty low-key.

We had pumpkin pizza...

Spider and eyeball cupcakes...and of course, opened presents, sang happy birthday and ate!

COLE'S 8th BIRTHDAY

We have literally been celebrating Cole's birthday for 2 weeks now! First, it was the party at Savageland with all his buddies...Cole and Joseph...

Cole's "oldest" friend! Christopher...
Joseph, Cole and Sean....

Gracie and our neighbor Carollynn...The whole gang!!

It was a busy 2 hours...but went very smoothly and everyone had a great time!Happy Birthday Buddy!

BIRTHDAY BOY

Happy Birthday Cole! 8 years ago you changed my world forever, and I'm so glad you did. There aren't enough words to express a mother's love for her child.

I love you to the moon....and back.

COLE