Yellow cake mix Fudge!

I have to try this! I'll post an update once I do.

LEGO Lapbook!!

We finished another lapbook, finally!! Zach was reluctant at first, he feels like he knows all there is to know about Legos and there was no reason to do actual, gasp--ASSIGNMENTS! Once I got him to really look at the ideas for this fantastic lapbook from Walking by the Way and we spoke a little more about the great thinkers who are quoted in this project, we got to creating! Most elements are from Walking by the Way, I will notate the things that we got on our own. We found the awesome Lego stickers at Joann's, and ovbiously we used our own pictures of Zachary's personal creations throughout. :)

The cover. Zachary created the collage on the computer!

Inside the first side, and the "map" opened.

Side flap open (the flap with the map), mini books open
There were 4 words but we lost one!
The picture all the way to the right is one of many firehouses he created.

The blue "Mission and Vision" flip flap book (important to Zach to have this in his Lapbook)

Top left & right: middle flap flipped over and Lego Fun facts fanned open
Bottom left: Famous Thinkers Quotes (cover) and Minifig Timeline minibook
Bottom right: blue flap flipped open and mini-fig timeline open, that was Zach's idea,
we used readwritethink.org to build a custom time-line!
The photos here are 2 different HUGE Lego ships Zach built.

Famous Thinkers Quotes Copywork

Under the Famous Thinkers Quotes "book", and the Lego Math minibooks

                                       

Picture of Z's Ectomobile, above the Lego Graph

                                 

Lego Math Minibooks open

Back Cover Lego Timeline from http://www.lego.com/

Our Very Own Idol

Zach typed this on his own and in his own words. (it was originally in a word document and I copied/pasted his words into the photo) Reading his words and then holding back the flood of emotions that washed over me was tough; my heart filled with both pride in his amazingly positive attitude and outlook, and longing to make sure he gets everything his heart desires.(okay, I want that for all my kids) These words say so much more than wanting to reach the master builders. Zach has his eyes on the future and will work hard to get there. He is beginning to understand that tasks in life are harder for him and that certainly breaks my heart at times, yet even as he realizes his obstacles he is willing to work to overcome them. As far as I am concerned, that is the making of a true role model and idol. I will forever be grateful to The Lego Group not only for their wonderful products that remain "toys" that have stayed true to the original mission of getting kids to PLAY and IMAGINE, but also for how they reached out to Zach several months ago when there was a mishap with an order. (the poster in the background is part of what they did for him--personally signed by several master builders) I am in the process of trying to find Laura that not only corrected the problem but went on to send him things that changed his life! (not to mention deeply touching his brother, sisters, and his eternally grateful Mama).

If you would like to, please leave comments for Zach! (positive only please, they are moderated for that reason). He'd be so happy and amazed to have "fan mail"!

Hope for Ella: H.O.P.E. for Ella

HopeforElla had a new blog post with a short video to share and help raise awareness of Neurofibromatosis!
Hope for Ella: H.O.P.E. for Ella

Birthday and candles, and NF1.

Love

I love my children. Yes, you already know that. I am just having a moment where my heart is so full of love and pride for them, I want to gather them in.to my arms and huddle together. But everyones asleep. Every second of every day is a new moment of wonder and love.