Car Days - Introduction

Michael had started to hear a clunk when he drove our white car and decided to bring it into a mechanic to see what might be wrong.  He warned me that the problem might be the transmission and that replacing it might cost $5,000, which is half the amount we paid for the car! Luckily the mechanic did not mention the transmission having a problem.  Unluckily there was a giant list of things we had to do to get our car in good working condition.

To see the beginning of Car Days, jump to the first post here.

Do It Yourself Worktables

A few weeks ago, the family and I were at a Lowe's store browsing their sale section.  Michael eyed a discounted rolling worktable / toolbox.  The price was slashed by 20%, but it was still an expensive purchase of $200 for something that I didn't think we had room for in our garage.

While Michael respects my decision to save money, he also resorts to his resourcefulness when he covets a new tool or piece of "furniture."  He spent about $6 for a 10' long 2x4, found scrap plywood, and gave in some sweat and muscle to get what he wanted and to satisfy my concerns about money and lack of space.

Crying and Laughing = Craughing!

Some days are tough in the Meyer household.  Sometimes I think that both kids might be PMSing themselves.  Here's a video that expresses the insanity of frustration - the feeling you get when things are not going your way, you're too tired to resolve your problem, and you're mad that you can't stop being mad about ....   what was I mad about again?

This was taken while we were waiting to meet up with Michael for dinner.  The kids had just finished their Happy Meal and were playing with their toys in the front of the car.  Max's particular "Spy Gear" special message decoder was not working to his satisfaction.  Really, he just lost one of the special messages that come with it.  We later found out it was under his leg.

Tiny Dancer

I always wanted to take ballet when I was little - what little girl didn't(!) -  but didn't get the chance to do it until I was already in college!  Funny coincidence was I took it at a YWCA in Berkeley.  22 years later, Simone is taking a preschool version of the class that includes some introduction to jazz.  Here is a video of her dance recital in March of 2013.  She enjoyed the sessions but got "danced-out" and is taking a break for now.

Despite her lovely performance and her enjoying the classes, she got "danced-out" and is taking a break for now.

Spider Man's Amazing Friend

Simone accidentally called Iceman, "Assman."

He very well could be that too.  

First Adventure in Homeschooling

We decided that I would start Simone's 1st grade homeschool during the summer after her Kindergarten.  In fact, we started the Monday after her last day of school.  My belief is that learning, formal or not, happens all the time.  The only reason why there is a vacation in compulsory education is that, historically, children needed to help their farming parents between the months of June and August to reap the harvest.

I have been preparing for about 3 years for the moment I would start homeschool.  I had chosen The Well-Trained Mind as a structure for teaching Simone, but I can already see that we might veer from its organization.  In fact, I go through a re-evaluation of teaching methods every day!!!  Issues include number of breaks, when is the best time to teach Simone, where is the best place to teach her, how to present information, and how to mix up the subjects from day to day.

One thing I have learned with how I present information is  I need to be more interesting!

Simone straight up told me that I am boring.  Wha- what WHAT?!?!?    Me? Boring?  Well that was a shocker, but a very constructive criticism.  AND an instigation to give more props to teachers who teach more than one child!

The funny thing is that our first day was one of our most creative.

I had bought a lot of e-books from Teacher Express, a sub-company of Scholastic, Inc.  For the first day, I turned to one of their activities.  I chose the brain hats because Max had recently asked about our brains and where it is.  Simone really liked coloring hers.   Max got frustrated that he couldn't color and cut as well as his sister.

After a few more days of our doing worksheets, Simone kept telling me that learning is borning.  So for one of our writing prompts, I asked, "Why do you think learning so boring?"  Here is her answer.

"Because you do it difrnt"

On the left is a picture of Simone with her teacher Mrs. Dye.  Simone is happy and standing tall.

On the right is a picture of Simone with me.  She is cowering in a corner.  She told me, "Here, I am crying."

My ultimate goal is not to copy what teachers do, but I do want to get her more excited about learning.  Simone did comfort me by telling me that she likes how I teach her Spelling. 

I think Simone might be more of a kinetic learner than I originally thought.  Well ... here's to learning more about learning.  

Hooky at the Beach

A few weeks ago, we played hooky and went to the beach.  

It was so wonderful!  The weather was hot and the water was warm again.  Little did we know this was going to be one of the last sunny days we would see without rain!  

Now everyday, we get rain in the afternoon.  I remember during our first few days in Tampa it always rained at around 3 or 4 pm - just about the time we wanted to jump into the hotel pool.   That had been the middle of July.  I'd say this whole afternoon rain thing started in mid-June.  

One of the great advantages is that I don't have to worry about watering the plants!!!  The basil in the salsa box is thriving!