Project 365

A picture a day for 365 days...a year's worth of fun!

Sunday ~ 317/365
Sunday November 13, 2011

Sunday night one of Ryan's old student's came over for dinner. The boys love Diana and were so excited that she came over for tacos! She graduated last year and is attending ASU this year.

Monday~318/365
Monday November 14, 2011

Monday night Ryan & I headed to The Men's Wearhouse to order a tux for a formal dinner we are attending in December...Oh La La!! We are flying to NYC for a quick overnighter to see his dad inducted into the college football hall of fame. We are SO very excited as we have never been there before.

Tuesday~319/365

Tuesday November 15, 2011 I took this pic Tuesday morn before heading to school...I loved the silhouette of Brendan sitting in front of the tree playing.

After dinner I dusted off my running shoes and took a power walk with a fellow teacher. I am sad to report that I haven't worked out in like forever, so tonight was a great night to start up again. Andrea & I power walked around our sub...we were amazed that we could talk as fast as we could walk!

Wednesday~320/365
Wednesday November 16, 2011

If I haven't said it before...I'm gonna say it now...I LOVE LOVE LOVE the new school that the boys and I transferred to this past August. The teachers, admin, students and families are ALL amazing. We actually do educationally fun things...I know, imagine that! I had worked at my other school for 4 years (in the same district) and we were never allowed to take field trips...not the case at my new school!

Today was the annual Kinder Field Trip to the FARM!!! So much fun! 5 classes went with at least 10 chaperones from each class went to enjoy a fun filled day learning about corn, vegetables, animals and so much more! We also got to go in the corn maze, feed the animals, pick fresh veggies, play on the playground and take a train/tractor ride. I had as much fun as the students did!

Above it a class picture right after we came out of the corn maze (so much fun!) and below is my class in the HUGE vegetable garden. We got to pick beets, squash, cucumbers and cilantro.

(I took close to 300 photos for my class facebook page!!)

Thursday~321/365
Thursday November 17, 2011

I needed a picture for today so right before I headed off to bed I snapped one of my Christmas tree from the bottom looking up. It finally has been fully decorated, but this is the only part of my house to be in the festive mood so far! I was unsure about putting it up so early, but now that it is up, I am loving it...what's a few more weeks to enjoy the season!

Friday~322/365
Friday November 18, 2011

One Friday a month we dub it DONUT DAY...today was that day! At our local supermarket they have a promo going that when you buy a dozen donuts you get half a dozen more for free...18 donuts for the price of 12...can't beat that! And the teachers and their kids are loving it too, as we share (otherwise I would EAT THEM ALL!!)


Our school held a toilet paper drive to help a local homeless shelter this week. Apparently this is a yearly drive and they compete against a few other schools to see who can collect the most rolls of TP to donate. Our school has one the TP Trophy (oh yes there's a trophy!) 4 out of the last 5 years! Last I heard we were in the lead this year as well! The class with the most collected rolls gets to mummify our Principal too!

Well...my class didn't collect the most in the school, BUT we did collect 158 rolls...I think they did a GREAT job! And for a great cause!

Saturday~323/365

Saturday November 19, 2011

This morning I registered the boys for winter basketball season which will start at the beginning of January and run for about 9 weeks or so. Thankfully this year they will be able to be on the same team. Every other year we get to waive Colin up to the big boys team since he only misses the cut off date by a month. Makes our Saturdays so much easier. They will be playing for the same coach they played for last year...he is a great guy (who is also their baseball coach)!

It was also Mom/Colin Boy day to make his Christmas wish list. I went with Brendan last weekend. We started out at Wal-Mart before heading to Target, Culver's for lunch, then to Hobby Lobby and finally Toys R Us.

So now both boys have their Christmas Wish List complete!


Join in with Sara...It's not to late to join the fun!

Project 365

A picture a day for 365 days...a year's worth of fun!

Sunday ~ 305/365
Sunday November 6, 2011

Sunday was a super lazy day at the McCraken house...it started off with some french toast {YUM} with left over Italian bread and then led into laundry and cleaning and lesson planning and anything else I could do in my jammies! It was also clean the football equipment day! The boys' season ended yesterday with a HUGE win over another pee wee team in their association, and with that we are done with football, so that means it's time to clean the equipment and get it ready for hand-in which takes place on Tuesday night. Ryan's season is done too and his team's equipment hand in is Wednesday...and the only thing left is party time!

Ryan being silly wearing one of the boys' helmets!

Monday~306/365
Monday November 7, 2011

Last week I posted a picture of Brendan and his friend Jack, the 2 spelling bee representatives for their 6th grade class; well this morning was the school wide spelling bee. There were 2 class representatives from each class from grades 4th-8th. I was not able to attend {insert sad face here} since it was during school hours, but thankfully grandma came to the rescue and was able to cheer him on (and take some pics for me! lol) He didn't fare too well and was out in the first round, but nonetheless I am very proud of him for getting up there and doing his best!

After school and my meetings, I came home to hurry up and wrap up a birthday present and get it in the mail for Model's birthday; you may know here as Mimi's middle child! I am TERRIBLE when it comes to getting boxes to my BFFs on time back in MI so I was determined to get it to her before her big day! (and I did it!)

Tuesday~307/365

Tuesday November 8, 2011

Football equipment hand in day...they were sad to see it go, I am happy to have less mess and grass in my house!

Today was the day that my kindergarteners turned in their Tom Turkeys in their Thanksgiving day disguises to hide from the farmer. I think they did great and I got some really creative disguises, with my favorite being the bush! Others included a football player, a football field, a pig, a dog, an hot air balloon, a peacock, a star wars clone trooper, Elmo, a rainbows as well as the cereal, pasta and rice decoed ones!

Brendan posing with our principal Mrs. T. She is sporting a Wildcat spirit shirt because of a little wager she lost this football season. You see...her hubby coaches football for one of Ryan's in-district rivals so at the beginning of the season we made a friendly little wager...loser had to wear winner's spirit shirt. Well here she is...sporting one of mine since WCHS Wildcats TRAMPLED over the stallions of SRHS a few weeks ago! I think she wears it well...don't you?!

Wednesday~308/365
Wednesday November 9, 2011

Tonight I met Crystal for our monthly happy hour meeting...I am loving this happy hour thing btw! And she brought me this....OH MY YUMMINESS!! This is my most favoritest kind of candy and you can only find it at Christmas time! Thanks Crystal...you are amazing!

Thursday~309/365
Thursday November 10, 2011

Since tomorrow is Veteran's Day, today was the last school day of our week! Can I get a WOO HOO! The end to a very short, but busy week...so it was decided that mom didn't have to cook tonight {thankyouverymuch}; so Jack in the Box was brought home to feast on picnic style while watching football (shocking, I know!). I {heart} curly fries and definitely do not indulge in them as much as I should!

Friday~310/365
Friday November 11, 2011

Today is Veteran's Day {thanks to all those who have served or are serving to keep me & my family safe, especially my papa and dad...YOU ROCK!} and since we have no school we, my mom, sister, me and the kids, decided to go shopping. We headed to the mall...OH.MY.CRAZINESS...it was like it was the week before Christmas.

And while we were walking around looking at the Christmas decor and listening to the Christmas music (already)...guess who we saw...that's right...

SANTA CLAUS

...are you kiddin' me?! The elf said he has been there since November 4th. I was shocked!

Saturday~311/365

Saturday November 12, 2011

Busy Saturday in store for the McCraken family...it started out on the football field...wait deja vu...our season has ended, so why am I on the football field this Saturday??! Well good friend Bric plays in a different league on a different team and had a game so the boys, of course, wanted to go...cuz what's a Saturday without being on the football field?! Apparently I will never know!

Then after lunch it was that time again for our annual mom/son Christmas list trip! This is when I go with each son to stores of their choice so that they can write our their Christmas wish list. It also includes either a fun snack or lunch date as well! Since Brendan is the oldest, he was up first. We headed to Toy R Us, Wal-Mart, GameStop, Hobby Lobby, Micheal's and he picked Starbucks for his treat. It was a fun time with my eldest...next weekend...Colin Boy's turn!

When Bren & I got home I found Colin and Ryan pulling out the Christmas tree...WHAT?! He {Ryan} has been bugging to put up the tree for almost a week now...so the sneakily little thing that he is pulled it out while I wasn't home! So, yes, it's November 13th and the McCraken's have their Christmas tree up and decorated...sigh...

...it does like very festive though...I do have to admit!



I also tried my hand at making cake pops. I love to bake and have been wanting to try these for forever. The cake is lemon cake with butter cream frosting dipped in mild chocolate and while chocolate. For my first time I think they turned out great and they taste amazing! I will make them again definitely; Brendan is asking for chocolate as he is not a lemon fan!

Join in with Sara...It's not to late to join the fun!

Project 365

A picture a day for 365 days...a year's worth of fun!

Sunday ~ 298/365
Sunday October 30, 2011

Sunday night the boys drew, cleaned and carved their own pumpkins into jack o'lanterns. This is a first for the carving. They did pretty good considering! (lol) Colin's is the one of the left and Brendan's is the one on the right.

Monday~299/365
Monday October 31, 2011

Monday night daddy made it home from football practice just in time to see us off trick or treating...in our house it is ALL about the candy!! Grandma & Grandpa came over too...daddy and grandpa handed out candy while grandma and I walked around with Frankenstein and the football player!
got candy?!

Tuesday~300/365

Tuesday November 1, 2011

Tuesday during practice Colin took a helmet to the knee. He was down for about 10 minutes (a scary 10 minutes!) but was able to walk off the field on his own. He spent the rest of practice watching from the sidelines with ice. We had him checked out the next day with WCHS's athletic trainer who diagnosed him with a badly bruised knee.

Wednesday~301/365
Wednesday November 2, 2011

Wednesday morning was our school's 1st quarter honor roll assembly. Brendan made Principal's List (all As) and Colin made Honor Roll (all As & Bs). So proud of my boys!!

Today we also got back their picture retakes....SOSOSO much better than the originals...dontchya think?!

Thursday~302/365
Thursday November 3, 2011

Brendan & his friend and classmate Jack....these 2 are the 6th grade representatives from their class who won the spelling bee...they have been practicing together before and after school each day preparing for the school wide spelling bee which will be held on Monday Nov. 7th.

Friday~303/365
Friday November 4, 2011

Friday night led us to WCHS's first play-off game in 2 years. We played a team that we had lost too earlier this season, but the coaches and players had a great week of practices and were really pumped up. The captains at mid field for the coin toss.

See #12...yea, that's our kicker...a sophomore...oh yea, she's a girl!

(and she's AWESOME!)

Ryan's defense was on fire tonight...allowing only 28 points by the coyotes...they only gave up 140 total yards averaging 2.8 yards per carry...too bad the offense wasn't as on as the defense was...

Putting the quarter back on his back...again!

We ended up losing, but Ryan was pumped with the way his boys played! The Wildcats ended their season 7-4.

WCHS Wildcats 0 - CHS Coyotes 30

Great Season Wildcats!!

Saturday~304/365

Saturday November 5, 2011

Saturday it actually felt like fall here in AZ...temps in the 60s...I wore a sweatshirt and it was football weather! Too bad it was the last game of the season! lol

The Cats were up against the Lions; the other pee wee team in their league. The team and both boys had an amazing game...they both started on both sides of the ball; and since we were up by so much at half time, they were putting all of the players in at all positions! Both of them were able to play running back for a carry and Colin tried kicker for a kick off!!

CATS 38 - LIONS 0

And just like that our football season has come to an end. All equipment will be handed in on Tuesday and banquets will be the first weekend in December.

What will I ever do with all of my free time?! lol That is until basketball season starts!

Join in with Sara...It's not to late to join the fun!

Project 365 ~ 2 Weeks Worth

A picture a day for 365 days...a year's worth of fun!

Sunday ~ 284/365
Sunday October 16, 2011

Sunday afternoon found us at our friends' house for wings and nachos...can you say YUM?! I can...Rog makes the absolute BEST wings anywhere...they are so very yummy! After all the food I found this kid sporting these...I ♥ this kid!

Monday~285/365
Monday October 17, 2011

Monday we got back the boys' school pictures...can you say...ARE YA KIDDIN' ME??! Colin's wasn't too bad, that was until you looked at the 8x10 and saw the HUGE line of sweat that ran across his entire forehead, complete with little droplets running down his face. Seriously photographer...you didn't see that? You couldn't tell him to wipe his brow?? just wonderin'...

And then there was Brendan...not too much to say about that one...hhhmmmm

...needless to say that they will both be having picture retakes on Wednesday, thankyouverymuch!

Tuesday~286/365

Tuesday October 18, 2011Tuesday I introduced my kindergartners to their new writing journals! They were so excited, and it's a great way to see their writing skills improve! I get goose bumps just thinking of all the progress they will make by the end of the school year!

Wednesday~287/365
Wednesday October 19, 2011

Well today was picture re-take day...the both decided not to gel up their hair this time and that they wanted to wear their football jersies...whatever...all I can say is that at least I get a discount since I am a teacher! lol

Thursday~288/365
Thursday October 20, 2011

Anther Thursday night...another football practice. Since they massacred the last team they played, we are still having football practice...next game...Saturday against a team that barely beat us the last time we faced off. One game elimination...Let's do this CATS!

Friday~289/365
Friday October 21, 2011

Friday night was our last home game vs. another in-district rival..the Stallions from SRHS. It was also Sr. Night. There was A LOT of cheering going on in the stands as we trampled the Stallions 41-28!! This was my fav pic of the night...my 3 boys at the after game party celebration!

Saturday~290/365

Saturday October 22, 2011

Saturday took us back to Buckeye, about an hour away, to play a team that barely beat us about 4 weeks ago. The CATS were hungry for some Wolverines and were looking for a WIN but sadly we could not pull it off and lost in the 2nd round of the play-offs. Colin was one of the captians this game.

CATS 12 - Wolverines 20

Great job boys!

Our season is done with the exception of one last bowl game in November!

After the game we headed to the Little Scholars & Cheer Jamboree. This is a celebration for all of the cheerleaders as well as all of the Scholar Athletes in the Pop Warner organization. Brendan was nationally recognized since he was in the top 4% of the players nationwide with his grades. (that is the reason is ribbon is orange).

Colin received 3 medals...one for their play-off game and 2 academic medals for being on the honor roll (all As & Bs).

Brendan also received 3 medals...one for their play-off game and 2 academic medals for being on the Principal's honor roll (all As).

Sunday ~ 291/365
Sunday October 23, 2011

Unbeknowest to Ryan, I was making Monkey Bread and unbeknowest to me, Ryan stopped at McDonald's on his way home from football on Sunday morning...so this is what we feasted on!

Monday~292/365
Monday October 24, 2011 This week was Red Ribbon week at school...Say NO to Drugs! We also had spirit week that went along with different Say NO to Drugs slogans; today's slogan... "Don't get mixed up with drugs"...hence...mix and match day! I played the part well, dontchya think?!

Tuesday~293/365

Tuesday October 25, 2011

Throughout the year we teach Character Counts using the 6 pillars of character; trustworthiness, honesty, caring, responsibility, citizenship, & loyalty. We also have to do 30 minutes a week on anti-bully lessons. This week I chose to read a book titled "Words Are Not For Hurting." I stared with a big, smooth red heart. We read part of the book and then talked about ways people use hurtful words; each time someone said a hurtful word it crushed/crinkled our heart. Then we talked about helpful words and how it makes someone feel better when we use nice words instead of hurtful words. The heart showed that even when we say we are sorry our heart will also be a little crinkled because of the hurtful words. This lesson was powerful and taught my students to think before speaking.

Wednesday~294/365
Wednesday October 26, 2011

Wednesday was 'Use Your Head' in our Say NO to drugs campaign...hence...Crazy Hair Day! Lots of fun for sure! The boys chose sparkly purple spikey hair today!

Tonight was also our PTA's family spirit night at Red Robin...YUM! It was lots of fun to enjoy a yummy meal with friends from school!

Thursday~295/365
Thursday October 27, 2011

Thursday was my Pumpkin Fun Day at school! The afternoon consisted of a variety of pumpkin/fall related activities. One of the stations was the Pumpkin Exploration Station...2 big pumpkins in the sensory table they could explore!

Friday~296/365
Friday October 28, 2011

Friday was a very busy but very fun day! Today I was able to chaperone Brendan and his grade on a field trip. The 6th grade went to JA BizTown...a 'real' town set up to be run by students. They have been preparing for this for the past 4 weeks. They were the employers, employees, citizens, shoppers, everything! They even had to interview for jobs. Brendan was the flight instructor for US Airways! He did a great job and had so much fun! They learned how to open a checking & savings account, learned how to budget and manage their checkbook/debit card, and how to manage their time. I facilitated the bank and was so very proud of the boys and girls who worked there as it was the busiest business in town!

Brendan & I after I bought a flight lesson! This was the mock airplane he used!

After that fun day, we headed to Ryan's last regular football game of the season. It was an away game where both teams were 6-3 and vying for a spot in the play-offs...you win, you go; you lose, you don't.

WCHS's defense came out strong and it was an AWESOME game!

WILDCATS 49 - TIGERS 23

And the Wildcats go 7-4 and make the play-offs!!!

After the WIN...

...me, Dawn & Robin (other coach's wives!)

Ryan & Tyler (one of my fav players!)

The boys & Willow the Wildcat

me and my coach!

Saturday~297/365

Saturday October 29, 2011

Saturday was the Fall Festival at the school where I teach and the boys attend. It was so much fun and a gorgeous day! Colin enjoying so yummy cotton candy!

Brendan on the rock climbing wall

The boys taking a ride on the giant trikes!The day was so much fun, in addition to a bunch of carnival style games, they had face painting, a haunted house, hippity hops, a costume contest, giant hamster ball races (SO much fun!)...the boys were having such a great time that we ended up staying the entire day!

Join in with Sara...It's not to late to join the fun!