Speed Stacks
Last year, at this time, Alex and Caleb got quite excited about doing Speed Stacks at school. We just *had* to get a set. Alex then needed his own set, so we were up to two sets. They played with them for a couple weeks, and they sat untouched, for a year. Until now. Speed Stack unit again! We've listened to a lot of clunking around the house.
Two kids from each grade got to race this morning, during Friday Celebration. Alex and Caleb were each representing their grade. It was fun, watching 10 kids all race at once. I am good.. but, I think some of those kids were faster than me.
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Spanish
Not wanting to be left out, Jonas is now reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid as well. He's halfway through the book, in one day.
He did bring the book to me, at one point, and told me.. "I can't read the Spanish part." I took the book, and saw what he was referring too... cursive writing.
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Delivery
We got a wonderful package, containing two totally unrelated items, but both exciting in their own way.
First. The newest Diary of a Wimpy Kid. We gave the first two to Caleb for Christmas. He read them in a day. Alex then borrowed them, read them in a day. Then, I noticed kids around school reading them. So, I read them. I like to read what the kids are reading. They're very cute! (Although, it's about a middle school boy.. who, would not like to be called cute.) I got permission from Caleb, to lend out his books. Two students I work with wanted to read them.. Caleb was a-okay with that. Today, I got both of those books back, walked back into my classroom, to put them away, to give them back to Caleb (and Alex, who's been wanting to reread them for the 100th time), when yet another student spotted them, and asked to borrow one. How can I say no? Anyway, the third book came today. I get to read it first. (Although, as I type this, Alex is next to me reading it.) Alex is second in line, Caleb is third. I told at least one kid at school, as soon as we're done with it, I'll bring it in. I highly recommend it, if you have a kid that doesn't really enjoy reading. Although, hey my kids enjoy reading, and they love it too! It's a quick read, yet is over 200 pages. Kids at our school have to read X number of pages to attend special parties.. more kids will get into these parties than ever before, thanks to these books.
Ok, the second part of the package was a Gary Fong Puffer. A tiny piece of plastic, over the pop up flash on my camera. The next step I want to take my photography is using flashes, for indoor photographs, beautifully lit. However, that's $100-1000's of dollars. Really, it's endless. So, this is a fun, cheap little gadget.. that will hopefully tide me over, since we're not spending exorbitant amounts of money currently. The above photo was taken with my puffer, wonderfully defused lighting, eh?
A good package indeed.
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Frugal
Here is the score, from Alex's last basketball game. His team were the guests.
I've been working on using coupons. I understand the principal in how to shop savvy, but sometimes it is a bit time consuming. So, I spent a couple hours today, online, researching, printing coupons, and making a list of what I was going to buy. We were off, the boys and I, to Dillons. I ended up buying $99 worth of groceries, and I spent $41. Not bad. We have enough granola bars to last us awhile, and I will feel very good, as I eat my 9 cent bag of goldfish.
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My Democrat
Caleb reminded his teacher, at five till eleven on Tuesday, that the inauguration would be starting soon. He's one excited twelve year old. He takes his regional test for the Geo Bee tomorrow. He checked out an atlas, and is cramming information in his head this evening.
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The Nutcracker Ballet
Tonight, we got to watch Caleb and Alex in the school's performance of The Nutcracker.
For your enjoyment, here is Alex's interpretation of the entire ballet, condensed down into 3 1/2 minutes. It is even more enjoyable, if you happened to watch the school's performance, because so much of it is spot on.
The One Man Nutcracker from Heather on Vimeo.
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Time Flies
I spent a couple hours today scanning in old snapshots that I came across, while cleaning. Man, where did the years go? It seems like just yesterday, I had three boys, under the age of five.
See all of today's scanned photos here.
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A break
So, it is not the end, but a break. The kids' sensei finished school at K-state, and is moving to Kansas City. She was there sensei for the past four years, and the one they've gotten to know the best. It was a bit of an emotional night, as she said good bye. We got to know a lot of nice people through this program, here in Manhattan. The program we use, did not find a replacement for her. They are canceling the program as of now.
I think I would be more angry about the lack of replacement, if we weren't moving. Some of the kids there have put in seven years of work, to have it just cut off (mine included). It is quite unfortunate.
However, on the positive note for us. We will be able to join this same program, after moving. So, the kids will take a one semester break, then get right back to it next fall. It is a bit of familiarity that will be good for them.
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Smartshopper
They make this cool gadget, that magnetically hooks to your refrigerator, that you say your grocery list into, and it prints it out for you. Jared mocks me, stating that perhaps I have enjoy gadgets, and pencil and paper aren't really that difficult. But here it's being given away for free, assuming I win. Man, grocery shopping would never be easier!
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Ready
Jonas is going to spend a couple nights with his grandparents. It's his first time, by himself. He's been ready for a couple hours. His bags are packed, his shoes are on, his coat is on, and his suitcase is packed. He's ready. We're not leaving quickly enough for him. He's been pulling the suitcase around for an hour.
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