The Dentist

We all had to go to "The Dentist" today for our check-ups. We were totally overdue for cleanings. Our primary lesson today was how not to treat your teeth. I showed the kids my x-rays and what will happen if you do not brush at least 2x a day and floss daily. They were properly repulsed by my mouth full of silver. Yes, I said silver. My fillings are that old. I know, silver fillings are bad and full of mercury but they are in fine shape and I am not going to break what isn't broken. I will replace them as the need arises.

Back to the children. B. has a cavity. We are going back on Friday to have it filled. Gone are the days when they would find a cavity and fill it right then and there. Have to get that second office visit for the insurance payment. I sound jaded, don't I? Fortunately, it is in a baby tooth but since that tooth is not going to fall out for a couple of years yet it is recommended that it be filled to prevent damage to the permanent tooth. The Dentist also recommended putting a sealant on his 6 year molars. I am not sure if I want to do that. I have lots of research to do between now and Friday.

The children also learned about the tools that are used to clean the teeth and that our dentist thinks it is fun to be a dentist.

Phys Ed kind of day

Our day started off slow today. I woke up a few minutes after eight this morning to the sound of absolute silence. No one was awake. An unheard of occurrence in our home. I took advantage of this silence to start my day, alone. All alone. No one asking when, where, what, how or why. Just me. Yippee!

The silence did not last long. Once everyone was up we started our day. Long division and upside down multiplication for B. Triple digit subtraction, review of money and analog clock reading for M. For language arts M is working on library and dictionary skills. How to read a Table of Contents, The Index, and the Glossary. Where they are located and what they do. For B, we are working on how-to articles, proper and common pronouns.

We then headed to the library to pick up some books on Ancient Egypt and the Sumerians. Nothing says fun like mummies.

Once our trip to the library was complete we headed off to the Y for swimming lessons. They are doing wonderful. Today we added a Gym class right after the lessons. We observed the class last week and they loved it and wanted to participate. After being assured they would not be too tired after 45 minutes in the pool I signed them up. They had a blast. Some running exercises to get the heart rate going. Then an interesting game involving soccer balls and trying to knock a ball off and get back to your team. I was confused but all the kids were having fun. The final game involved those little scooter things (http://www.gymsupply.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2734). First they had to sit on them and kick the ball with their feet. Then they had to lay on their stomachs and use their hands. The kids were definitely feeling it by this time and were starting to look tired. When class was over they wanted me to get the car and pick them up at the front door. We were parked all of 10ft from the front door. I made them walk to the car.

I am hopeful that they will sleep well tonight.

Native American Instruments

Today we went to the Montclair Art Museum (http://www.montclairartmuseum.org/) for a class on Native American Instruments. We got to see the museums collection of Native American Instruments. We learned how they are made from items found in their environment: Reeds, wood, beans, etc. We also learned how they adapted the fiddle from European settlers.

After the class the kids got to make an instrument. They were able to choose between a drum, a dancing stick, and a rattle. B chose to make a drum and M chose a dancing stick.

Here they are showing off their instruments.

Newark Museum

Today we did a science program at the Newark Museum (http://www.newarkmuseum.org/). They learned about different animal habitats and animal traits.

Lined up waiting to go into the mini zoo.

Observing Puffer Fish

Touching different kinds of animal skins, sea turtle shell, and coral.

Dwarf Mongoose. We all thought he was adorable.


After the mini zoo (so named because the animals in it are mini.) they did a lab portion. They observed meal worms. Did you know they were really insects? They conducted an experiment to see if the meal worms preferred hot or cold or indifferent to temperature change. After the lovely meal worms-which were most interested in eating the oatmeal- they did an experiment with Siamese fighting fish from Thailand. First they observed the fish. Then they drew a picture-including all the fins, where the mouth is, etc. Then they put two fish bowls together to observe what happens. They noted color change, gills expanding, and if one fish was more determined than the other. After that came a discussion on how you would not pick a fight with a fish larger than you so they held up mirrors to the fish bowls to see what would happen. These are not the brightest fish. They all started picking a fight with their reflections.

A good time was had by all.

Exercise in Frustration

Today we had a lesson in waiting around to have new tires put on the mini-van. A short lesson for the kids as their dad was with them at home for most of the wait. I was able to have engaging conversations with the other people waiting about the election and vaccines. The garage had Fox News on and they were showing Palin speaking in Ohio. Why anyone thinks this woman is qualified is beyond me. Then dad dropped them off with me about 10 minutes before the van was ready. That 10 minutes was an exercise in frustration. I'm thirsty. I'm hungry. When will it be time to leave. Then it was time to leave and they did not want to leave because there were 5 more minutes to the cartoon they were watching.

Settling in to do our school work for the day was challenging. They were not in the mood after a morning of play This is why I normally start the day with lessons. Everything was like pulling teeth. There was a major meltdown over having to think up conclusions as to how cells are alike, different, and similar. At least math was done without too much complaining.

We will be off to swimming lessons soon. I know that will put them in a better frame of mind. We are also going to see if we can observe the homeschool gym class after swimming so we can decide to sign up.

Surviving Halloween

Halloween was a whirlwind of activity. Some Halloween school activities in the morning. A party in the afternoon. Trick or Treating when we got home. The sugar crash that evening.

I love and hate Halloween. I love the costumes. The kids have a ball dressing up. I love carving the pumpkins (I just wish the squirrels would leave them alone until after Halloween). I hate the candy. We limit sugar in the house and Halloween just opens the floodgates wide. They go sugar crazy. Obsessed with candy. Counting their candy. Sorting their candy. It shows in their behavior. They are most unpleasant to everyone. This next week will be a challenge as they detox and get back to normal.

Carving the Pumpkins

Today everyone is feeling better. I still don't have much of a voice but I am feeling okay. Since it is a couple of days before Halloween the kids were ready to carve their pumpkins. Everyone had a great time. I never realized what serious business this can be.

Cutting off the top.

Success

The right face is very important.

The Finished Pumpkin!