Green Car - Literal Edition

Near our bus is a car that does not have its stock finish.  It might be painted underneath, but we can't tell because this car is covered in green carpet.

I wonder if this was the effect of a drunken night or, perish the thought, a sober one.

First words

The kids have been asking what their first words were.  I looked back at my blogs and realized I hadn't dedicated a blog to it.  So through detective work, I think Max's first word was "Ba."  I don't have  documentation but I'm pretty sure hers was "Ma."

Subject Refusal

I needed to teach Simone that every sentence has a predicate (verb) and a subject.  I didn't think Max was too young to learn it.  He could at least be introduced to the idea.

Well, he was not interested.  He wanted to spell and write so I let him and would return to Grammar later. 

When he was done writing, he shared his thoughts.

As Michael said, "I should have known something was afoot when he asked, 'How do you spell fuck?'"

Simone the Lyricist

Simone comes up with the funniest lyric changes:

"Yankee Doodle had a poodle. He stuck it in his nose.  When he pulled it out, he had a booger with some toes."

Half Hippie

The kids were asking what "hippies" are.  We talked about hippie ideals and what they usually look (and smell) like.  I told them that I never set out to be a hippie, but I care about the same things they do so I'm a bit of an accidental one. Simone then commented,

"I think Daddy is a partial hippie because his armpits stink."

Amazing Launderers!

The most amazing thing has happened.  Last night I told Michael and the kids that laundry needs to be done soon.
This morning, Simone started sorting the laundry herself!  Then she recruited Max and then (!) ... the two of them headed to the laundry room by themselves!!!!

All I had to do was say something needed to be done soon and they did it!  Hallelujah and Hazzah!

Note: Simone looks angry because she had to take time to pose for a photo and she wanted to get on with the laundry.  No really, that's what she told me!

When Daddies Are In Charge

Michael has been taking care of the household while I recuperate and he has been putting the kids to work!!

Time o'clock

Max always adds his flair to time. 

Great caretakers

We took a walk yesterday and it was coooold!!!!!

The kids fought over being the one to push me on the wheelchair. 

Simone ran me over some holes and almost into the side of the road.  Max kept cutting off Michael's path. 

It was get to get out of the bus.  The kids might take me out for a walk again this afternoon if it stops raining.

Bunion Banished ...

... Breakfast Bestowed!

The family has been very great at taking care of me.  I woke up this morning and 5 minutes later, Simone handed me the waffles she had prepared. 

And just now she handed me a cup of Coffee!

Simone is so awesome! 

Phantom Menace

I had decided to show the kids the Star Wars movies in the order that I had scene it.   They enjoyed episodes 4, 5, and 6 and I felt that maybe we could just move forward and ignore the first three that I had seen by jumping to Episode 7.

They enjoyed 7, but I made the mistake of talking about Luke and Leia's mom.   That ignited a curiosity and now ... we're watching Episode 1.

I hated it when I saw it opening night because there had been so much hype and joyful anticipation.   I was disappointed.   Maybe it was because of the expectations.   Maybe it was just real ready bad.  

Now I get to see it again but through the eyes of many young kids.   The things that excited me (Luke Amidala's costumes bore them).  The biggest shock is that the character whose presence onscreen and awkward voice annoyed me so much on opening night is Max's favorite character.  

Perspective is so interesting!

The Cow

Simone and Max finally started playing Minecraft.  They've been aware of its presence but had not actually played it until last week.

Simone has been making several worlds.  This morning she made a new one and told me about it. 

"Mommy, I made a new town!  I called it 'The Cow.'  Don't worry, it's not named after you."

Good to know. 😐

Super powers

Simone thought that it was unspectacular that superheroes just shove villains aside to beat them.  She wishes they were more creative and did things like puke bombs.

Max chimed in his thoughts. "I know what the Incredible Hulk's superpower is.  Ripping off pants."

Pizza Rolls

I told Max that we were having Pizza Rolls for dinner and he asked for clarification, "Are those the pillows of meat?"

Why, yes.  Yes they are!

Campground Halloween

The campers celebrated Halloween one night early since it's known that the kids go to nearby houses on Halloween night.  Michael got into the spirit of things and passed out candy while he rocked in his rocking chair on our bus porch.

Denial

Max still likes to pretend he's a baby

Get Well Card

Max was sick and Simone made him a card. 

"Get well soon

P.S. I mean it"

Michael's Biggest Fan

Simone asked if I have the best husband in the world.  I told her, "I do!" 

Then she said, "Then when I grow up, I'll have the second best husband."

Simone and Lisa

When Simone was 15 months old, my friend Alicia and her daughter Sophie took us to Disneyland.  Little 6-year old Sophie used her money to buy Simone a little white cat (the kitten from The Aristocats movie). 8+ years later, Simone still plays with "Lisa" and is comforted by her at dentist visits. 

Thank you Sophie and Alicia!

Cool Max

Yeah, Max is cool in his glasses and xray coat, but what I see is a growing boy in need of longer pants!

Face Paint

Max practiced his face painting skills on me.

I forgot I had it on 3 hours later.

Walking to the car to return some bags, I saw a neighbor whom I haven't met before. I said hi enthusiastically and she responded the same but without the enthusiasm.

RV people are weirdos!

Toothbrush Procrastination

Tonight, I thought Max was going through a growth spurt because he kept asking for more things to eat.  I was so impressed and told him so. 

In an effort to manage my expectations, he clarified,

"I just really don't want to brush my teeth."

Spongebob Buddy

Max loves the stuffed Spongebob that his Kuya Brandon gave him 2+ years ago.  He goes on long trips and short, grocery runs, too. Lately, Spongebob was looking a little disheveled so Max decided to include him in the wash cycle.

Suffix -er

I asked Simone, "What does the suffix 'er' mean, as in 'painter' or 'runner'?"

She said, "It means you're constipated."

Karaoke

Simone loves to sing in the car but it bothers Max. I took her to a karaoke room and found her new addiction!

The problem was that this place was too pricey to not have all the songs we like.  We're going to try to recreate  the experience at home.  Stay tuned!

Still with the Boxes

Even at 9-years-old & 56" tall, Simone loves to tuck herself into any box that heads our way. 

Stowaway!

About a year ago, Max mischievously put a box of cereal in the shopping cart.  I didn't notice it until at the cashier.

Fast forward to this past Sunday and I'm at the self-checkout aisle.  As I scan the cheese, veggies, and fish, I pull out a can of whipped cream!!

No wonder those two were getting along and giggling when we left the dairy section!!

Lesson Plan

I'm going all out this homeschooling year.  Not only have I compiled the list of concepts the kids have to learn by the end of the school year, but I'm also constructing a schedule for when to teach the concepts.

My first year of homeschooling with Simone was tough in that she and I butted heads so much and I almost killed the love of learning in her.  Out of fear of shoving all this information into her, my anxiety passed on to her and learning was not fun.  I also didn't accept that she would not excel in Math.  Because of her lack of enthusiasm for the topic, I unfairly imagined catastrophic futures for her.  But she made it and passed her testing.  As predicted she scored so high in reading comprehension and language arts, but barely passed the mathematics section.

I did not want to squash Simone's love of learning so I took on an unschooling approach, didn't research the standards, and just went through some curriculum at her pace.  But panic again set in when it came close to testing and I realized that this child-led learning had its faults.  Luckily, with some cramming miracles, Simone again passed her test with the same results as last year.  This time however, she was tested in new subjects of social studies and science and she excelled in those too!

This past year was also Max's first year in homeschooling.  His drive to learn math mirrored my love of it, but his aversion to learning to read was foreign to all of us.  I still don't know exactly why he hates reading, but it could have been the content.  Just recently he has been reading new words on his own thanks to his desire to decipher the names of his Grossery Gang (a set of small, rubber figurines that resemble stale, decomposing food).  He also passed his test and predictably excelled in Math and was average in Reading.


As we approach the next year of homeschooling, I am determined to combine the successes and to avoid the failures of both years.  I'm adding structure to the learning, but leaving a lot of room for review of the concepts with which either child needs help.  I have always admired public school teachers who can wrangle 30 kids and teach them reading and math.  But these teachers also have it easy in that they teach the same topics every year.  I now have admiration for all homeschooling moms who have to construct a new lesson plan each year for their kid(s).  I'm finding it quite a challenge, but one that is worth it.

Craft Time with Grammy!

Ma had lots of craft projects for the kids!  They do not want to leave MN.

High Heels

Simone has been dying to wear heels since she saw other girls her age wearing them.

I didn't know Max wanted to try them too!

Hair Did

We just got back from the hair salon and the kids are now addicted to getting their hair shampooed by someone else. 

Flashback to Farm Life 2012

The kids and I have not been back to the farm in Minnesota in 4 years!  Michael went back once, but by himself.

While looking through bus conversion videos, I found some footage I took of the kids experiencing farm life.  It will be a hoot to see the reaction of the relatives when they see how much Simone and Max have grown from these little tykes in the following video:

Scavenger Hunt

Today we explored Old Town Alexandria, VA, with a simplified map I created.  Michael had an idea that we could teach the kids about reading maps and orientation. 

It was a success!  Both kids found their envelope and got a dollar each.

Afterwards we are at an Irish tavern! I can't wait to come back to this adorable town, with or without a mission .

Little Helper!

Not only does Max like to cook, but he also likes to wash dishes! 

Outside Dining

We took advantage of the great weather and late sunset.  Eating outside with family is marvelous!

Marinas

Our new favorite family activity these days is to find restaurants next to the water.  The view can be spectacular!

Foosball Fiend

Max loves Foosball and he's pretty good at it at 6-years-old.  Yesterday, we were all in the recreation room.  While Simone was watching TV and I was looking at sightseeing brochures, I heard a boy say, "DAAAANNNGGG!  You're good!"  I turned around and Max was playing Foosball with a 12-year-old.  Max was shyly smiling and proceeded to make 4 more goals.

Simone later joined in.  She's getting good at it too but I think she more enjoys hitting the ball.

Two Front Teeth

Max's two front teeth are gone!

It's My Turn

Max is practicing his penmanship.  He was very frustrated with capital "H" yesterday so we worked on capital "I" today. 

I did an example for him and then he took the pen from me.

"OK, it's my turn to be fabulous!"

The Waffle with Feet

A shopkin in real life!  Walking Waffle.  Max insisted he be the one who gobbled him up - he was the one who noticed the feet first!

Experimenting

Max has been on a kick of experimenting with anything he can find that will fit in this cup.  He even included Lego figures!  I was always fearful that his cauldron of spices, food coloring, moisturizers, and leaves, would spill in the bus.  Yesterday, his food coloring splattered a little but on my white dress. 

After 3 days of  experimentation, I told him, "No more experiments!" Science would have to take a big break!  But then Max protested ...

"But Mommy!  Experimenting is playing!"

Ugh, he's right.  I may have a future scientist in my hands and I'm worried about my white dress that I can always bleach.  Science will only take a teeny, tiny break.

To vs. Too

Our lesson in homophones quickly deteriorated to scatological depths.

What I Put Up With

Max was confiding in me this morning about (I forget about what).  Simone overheard our inaudible whispering and demanded we tell her.  Keeping Max's confidence, I told her I couldn't.  True to Simone's tenacity, she insisted.  Max then turned to me and, in a low voice, said,

"Do you see what I have to put up with everyday?"

Kid problems.

Pool Kids

These kids have it made!  They get to swim everyday and sometimes get lunch but the pool!

I hope they remember this when they're mad at me for not buying them a toy at the checkout line.

Forks and Oven Mitts

Max asked me about our ancestors.  At first I thought he was talking about folks in the Middle Ages.


Max: "Back in the day, when our ancestors didn't have forks and spoons, did they have to use their hands to drink their soup?"

Me: "I guess so."

Max: "Did they have oven mitts?"

Me: "Oven mitts? ... Wait.  Are you talking about ancestors like those in the Middle Ages or something?"

Max: "No, I'm talking about the ones before - our hairy ancestors."

Me: "..."



Max wanted to know if the primates from which homo sapiens evolved had invented oven mitts to combat the temperature of hot bowls of soup.

Max Lost Another Tooth!

This time it's one of his top teeth!

A Boy and His Bacon

For Father's Day, we went to the Army Navy Club!  When we got up to start the buffet, I headed to the soup area, grabbed some tortilla soup and placed my bowl at our table.  I then realized something felt awry. 

I'm usually not feeling carefree to get whatever I want for my first round of the buffet.  I remembered I usually help Max decide what to get.  As I looked around to locate my son, I found him safe and sound at the bacon tray helping himself all by himself! 

It's such a relief he's becoming more independent.  I just need to talk to him about portion control.

Fancy Milk

Simone has a fascination recently with wine glasses.  She wants to drink milk out of one. 

Well-check

This is going to sound terrible but I didn't take the kids to their well-check doctors visit last year.

The good news is that they're healthy and were already up to date with their vaccinations.  We did find out that Max is allergic to penicillin when he took amoxicillin two weeks ago for his strep throat.  Otherwise, they're growing like weeds!

Happy Father's Day

One thing my dad taught me was that it's sometimes worth it to wake up early to catch the sunrise.  I remember when I was 9 and we went on a road trip to the Grand Canyon, among other Southwest destinations.  My dad woke us up at around 5am and all I wanted to do was get back to sleep, dreaming about Ricky Schroeder. 

When the sun finally peaked above the  horizon, even I marveled at the beauty this world has to offer ... and that my father was right in waking us up so early.

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Another Nut

Simone is also a nut!  Especially in front if the camera.

Family Photos

When I was young, I loved to make funny faces during family photos.  Back then, my mischief could not be discovered until the film had been processed, picked up, and viewed. 

My parents would tell me I ruined the photos, but I think I made them more interesting. 

Photo Bombing Predecessor

I know where Max got his tendencies to photo bomb pictures ...

ME!