Moonraker

 

Last night we introduced the kids to Bond, James Bond.  Ian is tired of watching the same family-friendly movies over and over, so Mark decided a good ole 007 flick was just the ticket.  Here are some of my favorite moments:

Shane: What's so great about beautiful women anyway?
Ian: You'll understand when you're older.
Shane: Are YOU old enough?
Ian: Almost.
Dad: Be quiet! This is why we don't watch grown up movies! You talk too much!

Fiona: Is she naked? Dad, is she naked? Dad, why is she NAKED!?
Dad: Be quiet! It's just a shape! No one is actually naked!
Fiona: Is she doing gymnastics? Naked?
Dad: Who cares? Everyone is naked under their clothes!
Shane and Evie (imitating Sam, the Bald Eagle on the Muppet Show): Under their clothes, they're completely naked!
Dad: QUIET!

Dr. Goodhead: What the hell are you doing here, Bond?
Evie (gasps): She said a bad word!
Dad: Be quiet!

Daniel: Is that a bad guy or a good guy? Is that one a bad guy? Is THAT one a bad guy? Why does that guy have shiny teeth? Is he going to bite her? Are those dogs going to kill her? Are they shooting the good guy or the bad guy?
Mom: I'm going to cover your eyes. Don't peek.
Daniel (yelling): I want to watch! I want to watch!
Dad: QUIET!

Evie: Ew, are they kissing?
Ian (laughing): Yeah, don't they know that's how germs are spread?
Dad: Shhh!

Shane: This is the best movie ever! Can we have popcorn?
Dad: In fifteen minutes. Now be quiet!

Fiona: Why are they naked?
Dad: They aren't.  They're wearing a sheet.
Fiona: Why did they take their clothes off then? Why are they only wearing a sheet?
Dad: Remember how hot the space shuttle got when it was entering Earth's atmosphere? They were just too hot to wear clothes.
Fiona: But why...
Mom: Time for bed! Go brush your teeth!

The most annoying thing about watching movies with kids is they ask a lot of questions.  I remember watching Planet of the Apes with Ami when she was little and she asked like 14 questions in 5 minutes!  I've always thought their attempt to follow the plot was a sign of intelligence (instead of passively and quietly following the story). 

Toddler Time

Getting into the dog food time (I was wondering why she was fussing!)

Getting into the school supplies (and on the table) time

Pulling the peanut butter off the counter time

Invading the doggie bed time

Chewing Glue time

Getting stuck in strange places time (I was wondering why she was fussing!)

Yep, its Toddler Time alright.

Jaws 3 1/2: The Preschooler

The back story is that Shane wanted to know why people hum a certain, "duh-dum!" tune while pretending they are a shark.  Thanks to the internet, I could play the theme music from Jaws uninterrupted by screams and blood.  Or images of legs sinking to the sea floor that will burn themselves to my children's memories forever.  Like what happened to me.  Some of my most vivid memories of being next door at the neighbor's house was the sinking leg, a tree that swallows children (Poltergeist), a rabid dog breaking down a kitchen door (Cujo), and Madonna's title song from the album released in 1984.   And some other memories, but this is a family blog so I won't mention them...I'll just leave you with the funny video...and the warning that you can't always trust your neighbors, even if they do drive a BMW...

Follow the trail of destruction left by that polluting, habitat-destroying preschooler to the final moment....

Again, ignore the videos suggested by you tube-I don't choose them or know who they are.

Monday Funnies

Monday doesn't have to be the worst day of the week!  Just come to my house!  Here are a few moments from my selective memory...

Daniel, while learning about shapes~
Me: And what shape is the basket ball?
Daniel: A Circle.
Me: And a football?
Daniel: An oval.
Me: What about your bellybutton?
Daniel (giggling): A circle!
Me: And your ear?
Daniel (getting a wicked gleam in his eye): An oval!  (flips over and sticks his bum in the air)  What about my bum? What shape is that, Mama?
Me: Two circles! (tickle, tickle)

Finding a new funny video "Facebook, Facebook, gotta check my Facebook!"  Ian and Evie also like this song...and I have a feeling they will be singing it to me for a long time.  I'm not addicted to Facebook, just bored and waiting for my slow students to finish their work! 

While lecturing the boys during my "break" time, I told them they needed to leave me alone and pretend that I was in my own little bubble...but I could still hear and see everything they did.  Their reaction was amazing; it was like they shared a brain.  They both ran straight at me, poked my bubble, and shouted "POP!" I laughed like crazy and gave Shane a big kiss, so they ran away and left me alone.

Fiona knocked down Mark's punching bag.  After she cried in her room for 45 minutes, she came out to talk punishments.  She decided that she would have to go without TV for a whole week!  I asked her if she planned on sitting on her bed anytime we wanted to watch something.  She said, "No....We [our family] just aren't going to watch TV at ALL this week."  Hmmm, sounds like the whole family is being punished for climbing up the punching bag.

Ian doing a science experiment~ He was supposed to measure the speed of light by melting a chocolate bar in the microwave.  It didn't work.  Instead, he filled the house with smoke and set off the smoke alarm.  "Didn't you watch to see when the two spots started melting?"  He said, "I couldn't see because of the smoke!"  I've decided to not redo the experiment; instead, Ian can write up the results he got, just like a real scientists would.

When Fairies Nap

Google School

Google School is my new twist on National Geographic School (NGschool).  It's very simple.  I get up in the morning, make a cup of coffee, sit in front of the computer, and see that Google has a new doodle up.  This morning, I saw:

I had no idea what it was, so I clicked and found out today, September 18th, is the birthday of some scientist guy from a long time ago.  Like, who cares?  Well, why not find out why anyone would care?  Now I know that picture shows the Foucault Pendulum (pronounced fu-CO) and that this invention measured the rotation of the earth.  Cool, right?

The first external influence

So that brought me to our school day.  I said to Ian and Shane, "Do what I say and behave yourselves and I won't make you do math.  Fool around and its Saxon for you!" It was so easy to find some info on pendulums, Galileo's experiments, clock history, and some experiments that lead students to discover answers on their own.  We made some pendulums out of washers and yarn (instead of thread and paper clips) and taped them to the kitchen counter.  We learned the scientific terms for the parts of a pendulum and explored why my first pendulum (a ruler swinging on a chopstick) had design flaws.

The second external influence

We learned that the longer the rod (string), the slower the swing cycle.  The heavier the weight (bob) on similar rod lengths, the fast the swing cycle (oscillation).  Using what they learned, they had to adjust their pendulums so that they swung in one-second cycles.  We used an online metronome to help us.  When Lula and Jack got in the way, I sent the older kids outside to design an experiment.

Evie acted as the bob and Ian timed the swing cycles (aligned to the boot).  Shane was assigned the job of scribe (ooh, history term!)  They found that their results mimicked what they learned with the washers on the string:

The shorter the rod (or string or rope), the faster the swing cycle.   I want to follow up with some videos on pendulums, but right now they are so busy playing nicely so I will just wait.  It should only take a few more minutes...

The Baby IS the Lesson: Part 2

Read Part 1 HERE.

Ian: harassed by babies during math since 1st grade

I really needed that little reminder this morning (although my kids have nearly doubled since then).  I was up for HOURS last night with the baby pictured above (Lula, not Ian) after a very spirited discussion about the state of the house and our needed for better management around here with my dear husband.  Plain and simple: sometimes homeschooling stinks.  I live in a world where other women comment on the size of my family and wonder how I do it all.  All of you who know me know that I don't do it all and sometimes? I don't even try.  Like during a third trimester.  Or when I have a needy toddler.  Or a teething baby.  Or all three at once... and then that yellow school bus seems like a gift from above.  Imagine: four kids leaving every morning and getting fed breakfast AND lunch.  Another smaller bus coming and getting the 3yo for free preschool. All five coming home in the afternoon to a mom that cleaned house all morning, napped with her babies all afternoon, and knew exactly what was for dinner before sending dear husband and children off to evening activities.  No sibling squabbles during the day, no toys being played with (except on weekends), no unfinished projects of any kind anywhere, no moving couches around looking for overdue library books.  Massive space opened up in the house because homeschool materials are no longer needed.  Someone else taking responsibility for their academic futures and standardized test scores-and getting paid for it!  Sounds lovely.

Or does it?

This morning, I kept track of the little things that make the homeschooling worth the work (I tried to ignore the irritating things).  Shane playing giant squid with Daniel before breakfast and then taking him outside to play after math.  Lula snuggling up to Evie while she fills out her math sheet.  Ian writing simple words for Fiona to read and then teaching her simple addition.

Our current homeschool doesn't usually look the way I imagined it way back when we first started.  There are so many things that I wish were different.  But if my imaginary school were real, my kids would not have a single drop of personality and have no mind of their own.  They would be like little robots with no souls.  That doesn't sound like fun at all.

Or does it? *wink*

Mellow Yellow

 Last week was so busy!

Sorting foam beads by color in a relish tray

I had multiple errand-running days and the trip to the farm, so we really only had one full day of school.  On top of the errands, we had 90 degree humid heat and Lula came down with roseola-and started cutting molars!  She has been very cranky and clingy.  Daniel's special preschool theme was yellow and rectangle.  We didn't have a chance to stick to a schedule or a routine, but every day was filled with learning opportunities!

Cutting a yellow squash into rectangles

We start every school day with math.  Daniel insists on doing "math" (his word for all things school related) before we are even finished with breakfast!  Thank goodness I have a bunch of preschool activity bags ready to go.  I made them for Shane or Evie from this book that I borrowed from a friend many years ago.

Sorting clothespins by color

Most of the activities are sorting by color or shape.  Daniel knows his colors and shapes, so he doesn't need too much help.  His biggest problem was what to do with the light blue beads.  Did they get their own section or should he put them with the dark blue beads?  He feels like such a big boy doing math at the table with his older brothers, so he works hard and finishes each activity.  My girls tended to wander off and play house.

Shucking yellow corn

My nephew turned three a few weeks ago and started preschool, so I made him his very own box of activity bags.  His bags were new activities that I found just by searching the internet, so I made doubles for Daniel. 

Sorting by size-harder than sorting by color!

Daniel really needs this kind of activity to mellow him out for the day.  If he is left to play, he gets crazy and out of control and loses all respect for other people's personal space.  A nice balance of "school" and a story or two and outdoor play is the only hope for a boy like this.  He is such a great kid when I remember he is not a girl!

Corn

Just like last year, we were blessed to visit SilverBow Farm to pick corn for our freezer.  This year, I quickly ran out of energy, especially since I had to chase Lula around or assign someone to do it for me.  Lula is cutting her first year molars, so she is especially touchy right now.  All she wanted to do was walk around and play in the dog's water.  But we have lots of corn in our freezer, plus some squash, a giant zucchini, an onion, and several peppers!  Someday....someday I will be able to have an awesome garden and preserve the bounty too!

Still Batty

His name is Batty, his logic is erratic, potato in a jacket, toys in the attic... (Anyone else remember Fern Gully?)

Hanging the Bat House

Yesterday we saw a bat crawling up one of the tarps we use to keep the heat out of the house (hey, I'm in the third trimester.  I hate the sun).  It was neat, but we really don't want a bat falling down on someone, forcing them to get rabies shots (it happened to my friend in Whatcom county and the shots made her whole family sick-there is nothing they can do for pregnant women who come in contact with rabid bats).

See the bat on the window ledge?

Mark installed the bat house that we had on the north side of the house right next to the tarp.  Apparently, the bats prefer the south side.  More flying insects perhaps?  Warmer in the evenings?  Anyway, today the bat crawled down between the tarp and the window, giving us a rare opportunity to observe a bat face to face.

You just can't get this close without glass separating you!

Shane was able to point out the unique characteristics of the bat: curved claws for crawling, a webbed tail that not only aids in flying, but also catches insects so they can scoop them into their mouths!  Can you say homeschool biology?

We were also able to see that the bat uses its tail to climb!  The breeze was causing the tarp to sway gently, so the bat seemed a little disoriented...even more so when seven human faces were inches away from his!

A little fly flew past the bats face and he turned and crawled after it...and also out of the hot sun (I don't blame it).  I'm hoping the bat moves into the bat house and not into our attic!

Haley Cove

Ian and Mark spent the weekend on a Boy Scout canoe trip!  A few from the troop kayaked/canoed ten miles (round trip) and stayed overnight at an undeveloped state park right here on the KP.

Mark and Ian were the gear haulers in the canoe.

 The weather started out grey and overcast, but it wasn't long before the sun came out.

Mark, Ian, and two other boys went swimming.  Mark is quickly becoming the leader of the Polar Bear Club.  Anyone else not surprised?

This was a great experience for Ian to get to know some of the older boys in the troop and see how awesome Boy Scout trips are compared to Cub Scout trips.  I love looking at these pictures and NOT seeing crazy siblings running with sticks and massive numbers of family members standing around waiting for free food.

Mark also really enjoyed getting to know some of the leaders that he didn't know from Cub Scouts.  They all have older boys that will age out in a year or two.  The current scoutmaster actually scouted with Mark when they were younger!

Mark coined a new term: Tenderfoot Trap.  A Tenderfoot Trap is something that is unsafe that only a Tenderfoot would think is a great idea.  Like scrambling up onto a platform that was lashed wrong.  First class and above would notice the improper lashing and know to stay down.

 See the moon in the picture above?

Ian was able to get out on the water and kayak too.  He also worked on safe swim skills and demonstrated life saving skills.  Tonight he is going to get as many "blue cards" as he can and start working on merit badges.  And did I mention he is his patrol's assistant leader?  Well, he was.  Until the patrol leader quit.  So now he is the patrol leader!  This is a great opportunity for Ian to pay attention, be organized, and work on his leadership skills.

Oh, the Power

After the power flickered on and off for a few hours yesterday, it went completely off for a few hours during the electrical storms Western Washington experienced.  We had little rain during the outage and absolutely no wind, so there was nothing to watch outside.  When it got dark, the fun really started!

We rounded up our flashlights, replaced dead batteries, and made plans to have a family slumber party downstairs.  I made a mental note to stock up on bottled water, fuel for the camp tove, and more batteries.

Daniel learned what works and what doesn't work during a power outage.  The same kid who won't run down the hall without the light turned on showed no fear when the entire house was dark! Even Lula had fun stumbling around and crashing into things!

The older kids got costumes on and played flashlight hide-n-seek.  They were having so much fun that when the power came back on...

...I quickly turned off the TV and the downstairs light (the only two things that were on when the power went out) before the kids noticed.  They continued to play for another half hour.  It was the best trick ever!  The rain started in earnest then and continued through the night.  I was awake a lot, mostly worrying about the poor turkeys who have just a small turkey house.  Our carport flooded, but there was no damage.  Boy, was I glad the kids got all the firewood stacked and covered the other day!  We are working hard to teach them to be ants and not grasshoppers.

Daniel's School

In a homeschool where the oldest student is preschool-aged, you find lots and lots of story books and enrichment worksheets and handwriting papers and yes, even science experiments.  I know when Ian was a preschooler, he had his very own desk and workbooks and part of our playroom was dedicated to school.  I certainly didn't want any of my non-homeschooling mom friends to think Ian was neglected in any way by not attending the $150 per month preschool!

Ian's reading lesson at age 4

In a homeschool where there are a mix of ages, things are a little...different.  Mama is a bit more relaxed about worksheets and structured desk time, but sometimes she doesn't get around to story time either...I know I have neglected story time for Fiona and Daniel for the last year or so.  Now that I don't have to worry about meeting time and goal requirements for the school district, I can relax a bit and feel like I can carve a chunk out of the morning just for preschool fun.  I'm on a few email lists for different homeschool companies, but one day I received one that changed the homeschool landscape for my most difficult child.

Intense

Paige, from Elemental Science, has created a plan to keep her 3 year old son involved with the homeschool, but with activities that are not too strenuous.  She has invited other homeschoolers to join her in her efforts to teach her son colors, shapes, and ABCs.  I offered to blog along, just for fun *grin*  I do, after all, have a three year old son that asks to do "school," although I wouldn't actually call it asking...demanding is more his style!  Daniel already knows his shapes and colors, but having some special activities just for him can't do him any harm, now can it?

Coloring Circles

The first section has been dedicated to the color red and the shape circle.  I read The Little Red Hen, Minerva Louise and the Big Red Truck (I love this series), and Big Red Barn.  These books were received favorably, especially The Little Red Hen, but I cannot say the same for Red Knit Cap Girl.  "That's stupid AND dumb," says Daniel.  The science activity was to describe a red apple, cut it in half, and see that it was circle-shaped.  We have already eaten all the "rosy red" apples off our trees, so when Daniel was in a snugly mood, I asked him what shape an apple would be if we cut it in half.  "Circle!" he said in his most bored voice.  Oh, he is going to be fun to homeschool!  Next up...yellow!

Standing With Stones

As I was browsing the DVDs at the library, I found Standing With Stones, a documentary detailing many of the megaliths in Great Britain and Ireland.  I checked it out, figuring it might be good filler for our history.  We are learning about the middle ages, but since most of what we learn takes place in Europe, I figured it wouldn't hurt to travel back to ancient times in this area of the world.

Shane immediately started taking notes and learning the names of the different stone structures: stone circles, henges, cairns, cists, etc.  He was busy writing down the locations of the different megalith sites, but the movie moved so fast we couldn't keep up!  I didn't know how long the movie was, so we kept watching and watching and watching....pretty soon my living room looked like a public school classroom when the teacher puts a movie on: half the students were sound asleep and the other half were fooling around quietly.  A phone call woke me up, and I had errands to run, so we packed up and left...

On our way to town, my kids had a great time pointing out large rocks that have been used for different purposes.  The Longbranch Improvement Club uses large rocks to outline their parking lot; this became the Longbranch Stone Row.  The cemetery was filled with dolmen.  The guy who lives at that one spot that gets icy at the top of the hill, he decorates the end of his driveway with cairns.  He happened to be building a new one, which was a major bonus for us sight-seers!

When we got home, one of my educated children demonstrated learning with her very own stone circle.  Whether or not it was made from pagans who danced on Sunday remains to be seen.  For anyone who was worried that we were only doing math and language arts this year, stop worrying!  There are so many awesome amazing things that just don't fit into normal textbooks and aren't on the radar of the normal lesson planner.  I love finding a random documentary and using it for "schoolwork."  I can't imagine sitting down with my lesson plans and thinking, "Hmm. Next spring, I definitely want to cover eschatology, so I better go and find our supplies..."  Nope. It's more like, "Next year is American History. I better go find my Jean Fritz books."

Lula Pics

We celebrated Labor Day by working on things...we killed five old layers and got them in the stew pot, finished up some firewood, did some Cub Scout projects...Okay, Mark did those things.  I just killed two layers, plucked one, and gutted them all.  I'm pretty fast now.  I deserved that nap I took... Lula is busy cutting two teeth, but she is still pretty cute!