First official week of school is over. GeekBoy needs to work on his comprehension. He’s got the mechanics of math down, he can read really really big words, but has no clue what it all means. We’re working on it, and I think the light is dawning. He is doing book reports this year, and since he wants a grade, doing quizzes and such too. He did well this first week. thePinkDiva did great too. She aced her math quiz, and proved that she can read more then she lets on. I’m trying some new strategies to get her to cooperate. Big Boy is just having a blast. They all love the history program – Story of the World is great. We talked about nomads, did cave paintings, and sewed “game bags.” Game as in hunting game, not game as in scrabble, although you could probably carry a game in one of these bags.
The biggest change around here is the rule – no Wii/computer/video until school work is done. It’s been the only motivating factor to get them to work. My biggest challenge is to stay firm on that and not bend the rule, esp when DH is gone and I have to do something like mow the lawn. But you know, they actually played outside while I mowed the lawn? Wow! My kids are like me, a Melman (Ahh! Nature! Get it off me!), and usually prefer the indoors. This has been great for us.
GeekBoy decided he wants to play soccer. So, after much discussion, and making it clear that he would follow this through to the end no matter what, there will be no changing of the mind in 3 weeks, we went ahead and contacted the local homeschool sports co-op. He’s still jazzed about it. We got him registered and got him a ball, and shin guards. He’s so excited. Practice doesn’t start until Aug 30. He’s on the Junior team – 5-7 yr olds. Practice is once a week. Games will be every Saturday. I’m excited because this it the first time any of my spawn have shown an interest in organized sports! I loved Volleyball and Basketball (the only sports available to me in my small school), so I’m thrilled to see my son finally take an interest in sports.
BigBoy got a bike on Friday, and yes, he’s already figured out how to ride. He obviously needs practice, but more importantly, he’s already figured out the brake! We spent about an hour out front on the street riding up and down. He caught on really quickly. Personally, I think riding a bike must seem like a mental cake walk compared to some of the video games he plays. His biggest challenge seems to be that his body can’t seem to keep up with his brain. Oh yea, he’s going to play soccer too. The Sports Co-op has a “tots” team for the little ones ages 2-4. No practices, nothing serious, just pretty much the kids get to kick a ball around while big brother (or sister) is playing. He’s excited.
Gramma, Nani, and AnnoyingPenguin came over this weekend. The kids camped out in GeekBoy’s room. The tent and everything. With the Geek’s ceiling full of glow stars, it was like sleeping under the stars, only better because they had air conditioning and no bugs. Since our history lesson this week was all about nomads, we talked about how the nomads slept in tents everyday. Diva mentioned that she was very glad for her cotton/polyester sleeping bag, because if she had to sleep on an animal skin, she wouldn’t want to sleep there. All week she has tripped out over nomads using animal skins for everything.
