Postcards and Word Problems

Yesterday the kids wrote postcards to their great-grandmother. They didn't even know what a postcard was, is that sad? Also after dinner, Joey had us listen to a How to Speak Mandarin Chinese podcast. Sylvia is the best at the pronunciation. This morning we went swimming with some friends. We then spent the afternoon at Darby Gwin's house. She is a woman in our church that had an anurism (sound it out) and needs someone there at all times to help her if she needs to get up for anything, bathroom, etc. We brought along math, worksheets and reading and then the rest of the time the kids played and watched a cartoon upstairs.

Luke is great at math but it is difficult for him to stay focused. I am sure (hope) this is a problem for a lot of parents with their children. He complains that it takes too long but spends time drawing hair or faces on his numbers and staring at the wall. While holding his hand (figuratively) through math today I realized that he is much better at word problems than he is at just the written down number problems. Very curious.

Super Luke and a New Helmet for Safety Nerd

Yesterday they worked a lot in their workbooks. One of the workbooks I bought for Isabel is a cursive workbook which is nice because I don't think I remember cursive enough for me to be able to teach her. Luke finally finished his Dinosaur bones. It was this great kit that my brother's fiance gave to Luke where he had to mix the cement in water then pour it into molds of dinosaur bones. Once they were dry he popped them out, painted them and glued them onto posterboard. This morning Isabel was riding her bike outside. I can tell that Isabel is on cloud nine whenever she accomplishes or learns something that makes her more independent. We can't get her to stop riding her bike now, whereas Luke hasn't ridden since he learned how. I am not disappointed or worried about him not being interested in riding his bike, I mean, there are activities that Luke loves to do that Isabel isn't into. I guess I just want him to ride his bike more because I am sure that if he gets comfortable with it, then he will love it, but what do I know? We did buy them new helmets which I thought might be an incentive for Safety Nerd, but he wears it when he rides his scooter (or when he isn't riding anything.)

Also today, Sylvia was playing with Playdough, and Luke and I made a Super Luke tab on the blog! Super Luke Stories are from his comics that he writes and draws in paper books that I staple together for him. We've only got one story typed in so far (Attack of the Robo-Chicken (one)) but don't you worry, Luke has a whole stack for me to type in. We tried to type it in as more of a play format, but it may be difficult to know what is going on in these stories without seeing the pictures (although sometimes the pictures don't help very much either.) hahaha.

Sick Day (sort of)

I have a cold so we didn't do much of anything.  Although at Costco yesterday I found great workbooks that they enjoyed working in for a while today.  Actually, I've barely even looked at them so I don't really know how great they are, just that my kids think that it is fun to do worksheets (like real school.)  On days where they have nothing to do, I notice that they are a lot more whiny.  I remember being a bored kid and asking my parents "what is there to do?"  As a mom now, I can't stand it when they ask me that, so, sorry mom and dad.  I always suggest to my kids that they can go clean something. Tonight Isabel learned how to ride her bike.  She probably would have learned sooner, but Joey vowed Safety Nerd was going to ride his bike before Joey started teaching Isabel.

After each of my useless pee in a cup appointments, my doctor always ends with saying, "Make sure you watch your weight there."  AND today Luke said to me, "I know how you can lose weight after the baby is born!  You can eat less calories and exercise."  Luke then suggested that I could exercise now, while I am pregnant.  Have you ever heard of such a crazy ridiculous notion in your life?  Can people just leave me and my fat butt alone!?