Beauty is....

The boys participated in the Reflections contest through the PTA this year. Reflections is a fine arts "contest" that is sponsored by the National PTA. The participants can choose to write an essay, take a photo, draw a picture or perform their interpretation of the topic. The topic this year was "Beauty is". The boys all decided to write an "essay". My contribution to this whole project was to buy loose leaf paper...this was all them and I think they did a really nice job.

Beauty is Fireworks

.

The fireworks are cool because they change colors. I like the fireworks because they pop up in the sky. It looks awesome at night. The coolest thing of all is the grand ending. Sometimes they look like things you seen like dogs, people face, stars and other cool stuff. Fireworks are kind of like stars but more colorful. Fireworks are beautiful to me.

by: Ben, 7 years old

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Beauty is the Chicago Cubs.

One time on September 15, 2008, Carlos Zambrano pitched a no-hitter. Two times the Cubs were losing and they scored 8 runs in an inning.

The Cubs are the second most famous team in baseball. The reason I like the Cubs is because they are so good. There is another reason I like the Cubs I was born in Illinois. I love the Cubs so much that I like to write about them. I'll name three for you. Derrek Lee, Alfonso Soriano and Amaris Ramirez. I love the Cubs!!The most beautiful thing that can happen to the Cubs is if they won the World Series!!

by: Jack, 7 years old

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Beauty is....

What is beauty?

Smiles

Beauty is smiles, really a star!

You can smile in a car!

Similings one of the best

Smile while your taking a test.

Smiles aren't always with you.

Don't put that 1st, you!

Flowers

Beauty is flowers, always outside

Sometimes they might be right by your slide!

But who lives there are some bees.

So that's not the perfect place for me.

My Friends

Beauty is my friend, big and small.

These things are some of the best after all.

But your friends live a little far.

So that is not the number 1 star!

Fireworks

Beauty is fireworks, bright in the sky.

I'd like to say, "Fireworks fly!"

But listen, that first word "fire".

So for 1st place this one is retired.

Are you ready....

to see...

the grand prize winner....

or 1st placer is.....

My Family

Beauty is my family, always loves me.

All different people hes and shes.

Really, familys, not that bad.

This is the best, doesn't make me sad!

The End

by: Drew, 7 years old

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Our school advances the top 5 in each category for grades K-2. The District then advances the top 5 in each category to the regional district, which encompasses 1/2 of DuPage County.

All 3 of the boys advanced to our district and Ben and Drew advanced to the "big district" where they each received an "Honorable Mention". Personally, I think that one of them should have been the National Champion, but I am their mom. :)

Makes My Monday...

I haven't played a "blog game" in a while, but I saw this one on Cheryl's Twinfatuation blog and thought the timing was perfect.

Here are my "Makes My Monday" pictures.

This picture was from swimming lessons today.

Last fall, I signed Ben, Jack and Drew up for swimming lessons. The lessons are run through the high school and are taught by the high school swimmers on pretty much a one-on-one basis. I thought the program was great so, I signed them up again for another session. I also told my friend Mishelle about it and she decided to sign her 4 boys up for the same session. We went the first day and it was only our 7 boys signed up...cool.

After that class, the wheels in my head started spinning...since it was only our kids signed up for the class, maybe they would make an exception for the "kindergarten and up" age requirement and let Charlie join the class....which they did!!

So, that is my "Makes My Monday" story. I really should have included a picture of Mishelle and I chatting, relaxing and enjoying the peace that can only be the result of having all 8 of our boys being taught, entertained and worn out by pretty high school girls that apparently adore them.

Our Swimmers

(Charlie, Ben, Drew, Jack, Lawson, Logan, Lake and Landon)

I probably shouldn't have included this next picture because it really would have made a much better "Not Me! Monday" post. I mean really, what kind of crazy mother would send her kids outside on the first day of February in their bathing suits in Chicago!

BTW, the boots were *totally* not my idea!! Seriously, I told them that they looked silly.

Happy Monday!!