Harry, Hermione, and a banana!

No school - - - go to the zoo

The kids did not have school today. Shauna was stuck at school conducting conferences. I decided to use this opportunity to take the kids to the Kansas City Zoo. In years past we have been Friends of the Zoo and used our membership to visit the zoo several times a month. Last year we let our membership expire and have regretted it all summer/fall. So plans have already been made to re-start our membership in 2011 so that we can enjoy going to see the animals as much as possible. Today we spent the majority of our time at the zoo viewing the brand new Polar Bear exhibit. Marshall was amazed at the size of polar bear and Sydney loved watching him swim in his tank. What a fabulous addition to the zoo! We look forward to returning next spring as a family and making more memories.






Sterling

Pumpkin Contest Winners

Marshall and Sydney entered the pumpkin decorating contest at school. They both entered their pumpkins in the "Funny" category. Each grade level had a winner for Funny, Scary, and Classic. They both were recognized during the PTA meeting. Marshall won the Funny category for 4th grade. Sydney won the Funny category for 1st grade. The ride home from the meeting was spent discussing ideas for next year and how to repeat as winners.

KU Football

On a perfect fall evening our family took in a KU Football Game.





Sterling

Sour Cream Cookies and more...

Our family loves to take day trips. Today we got up early and all piled in the car to head to Jamesport, Missouri. When Shauna was pregnant with Moriah she fell in love with the Amish made cinnamon rolls from Countryside Bakery. It turned into a major craving, and one she rarley had filled due to the 90 minute drive it would take to get them. This trip we not only got Shauna's cinnamon rolls but the kids got to munch on some delicious Sour Cream Cookies ,a definite family favorite. We went to the various Amish stores purchasing treats, groceries, and treasures. For lunch we headed to Gallatin to the Corner Cafe for another family favorite, big Tenderloin Sandwhiches. With our bellies and car trunk full we headed west...


Sterling

Golden Girl

Shawnee Mission West High School held a "Dance Clinic" that Sydney participated in. Friday she got to show off her new dance skills during half-time of the football game. They danced to OMG by Usher. This was Sydney's second year to dance at a football and loves to "shake her booty" (her words)! She will definitely be doing it again next fall. Special thanks to Mrs. Abraham (Sydney's teacher) for accepting Sydney's invitation and coming to watch her dance.

KC Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

I love being a DAD! So glad that I had the opportunity to go.


Sterling

Mathletics

On Wednesday, Marshall attended his first Mathletics competition. He was chosen to represent his school for the competition and competed with two other students. He loved the opportunity and learned so much from the experience. He already has strategies planned for next time. Sterling and I enjoyed watching Marshall celebrate with his team when the answers were announced. The whole family can't wait for the next Mathletics event( even Sydney and Moriah had a great time)!

What is Mathletics?
Mathletics is a 15 problem competition that focuses on problem solving. Students work in groups of three to solve problems within a specific amount of time. Points are earned for each problem solved; sometimes one answer is needed for the next problem. The team with the most points is the winner.

There are four regular contests during the school year. Competitions end with a regional contest.

Really?

Let me preface this by saying that I am NOT a Turner Gill fan, and did not agree with his hiring. I chalk his getting the coaching job at KU as just another mistake by Lew Perkins. What a MESS!

The KC Star has reported that Turner Gill has implemented new "policies" for his players...

1. Players are not allowed to be seen or be with a female after 10pm. DAILY!

2. Players must turn their cell phones in the day before the game and do not get them back until after the game.

Are you freaking kidding me? He wants his players to be "focused" on the game. Well...so far this year you have lost to a 1-AA school, and suffered a 55-7 BEATDOWN at the hands of Baylor. So......how is that working out for ya, COACH??????

Real life is juggling phones, females, and many other obstacles in your day-to-day life. In real life you must learn to multi-task and stll focus/perform at your "job". So you are not only not preparing them for football games but now not preparing them for LIFE either. Wonderful...

So good luck coach!

Good luck recruiting!

Good luck keeping your players "focused"!

So far you have done a superb job......

Sterling

Talking to the baby....

Research has shown that if a baby hears 30,000 or more words a day they are more likely to talk at an earlier age than those who hear less than 30,000 a day. So our family has been narrating everything we see, do, and experience to Moriah in order to put this research to the test. Moriah loves when people talk to her. She smiles and makes "talking" noises back. Nothing gets more of a response then when someone says "Hellooooo". I started this in a funny voice the day we brought her home from the hospital. I was just being silly and it quickly caught on with Marshall and Sydney. It has now become a daily thing and the way we all say hello to Moriah. She loves it and smiles everytime! Many of you know that I am a huge Seinfeld fan and believe that there is a Seinfeld episode for almost every situation that you could encounter in your daily life. So here it is.......

Sterling