25th Anniversary of Challenger Disaster

You know how there are some HUGE events that affect the entire nation and you can remember where you were either when the events occurred or when you first heard about them?  Obviously, most recently most USA citizens can remember where they were when September 11th, 2001 occurred.  My mom's generation remembers where they were when they heard about JFK's assassination.

For me, as a child, I remember where I was then the Challenger space shuttle exploded.

I was in second grade.  Several other classrooms squeezed into my classroom to watch the LIVE transmission of  the launch of the Challenger.  We were so young and so excited.  Then... we were so very confused!!!  What just happened?  We saw lots of smoke and fire and there didn't appear to be a shuttle anymore.  The television was quickly shut off and we were left bewildered and forced to move on to our next math lesson -- much to our dismay!

Seriously, what just happened?

Sharon Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher to fly in space. Selected from among more than 11,000 applicants from the education profession for entrance into the astronaut ranks!  Or Ronald McNair, only the second African American to ever participate in a NASA mission...

Seven brave men and women tragically died on that gorgeous, sunny morning on January 28, 1986.

Shiny, Sharp Objects

This year we carved pumpkins in the house because it was so chilly outside. The weather has been so rainy and awful this autumn! While carving the pumpkins, Kelli & Company stopped by Carol's house and we promptly invited them over to carve away with us. Yahoo! We made a glorious mess and great fun was had by all.

For the record, Auntie Molly insisted upon carving pumpkins in rubber gloves because she doesn't like the gooey insides. I had to laugh at her here. Seriously?! Who carves pumpkins in RUBBER GLOVES?! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

D was all about the sharp, shiny objects. He was scary with the kid-safe pumpkin knife -- very gung-ho! He just wanted to keep cutting chunks out of the top of the pumpkin where Auntie Molly had already off the top of the pumpkin so we could clean it.

G kept staring inside her pumpkin as if she wasn't sure it was safe to stick her hand in it. I kept giggling at her and she kept frowning at me and asking, "Waz so funny?!"

Cookies

Before Christmas we baked Christmas cookies with the children. It was a disastrous mess and tons of fun. The cookies turned out okay for the most part and no one was sent to the hospital with third degree burns - so basically it was a successful event!

Daniel likes to keep things interesting by stealing the girls aprons and randomly wearing ONLY the apron as he streaks through the kitchen. It's all in the name of fun!
G likes to mix it up a bit and keep her energy high as she steals sips of Nanny's coffee. Yes, the runt of the litter (G) has been turned on to coffee by Nanny. Now, my worries have been confirmed. I am sure G will end up as a "little person" if she doesn't stop her stealth coffee sipping.