Newbie is now 25lbs.

Looks like fun! Can definitely tell you're not a Northerner, though. People here would think you're insane, and not for the unicorn sled or not wearing a hat, but for the lack of appropriate footwear! Ask me how I know. I've had many adventures/life lessons in becoming a true Northerner since moving here. 😂

No worries. There have been many times when I've thought, "Why on earth didn't my teachers teach me like this? I would've actually understood it!" My Oldest recently picked up on a pattern while finding equivalent fractions that I was never taught. My jaw dropped when we tested his theory and it worked EVERY SINGLE TIME. I then had to think of a much larger numerator and denominator to get him to apply the lesson correctly rather than just skip count top and bottom. 🤣

I second Maze Runner and Divergent Series. Also, maybe The Giver and Eragon books. Oh, and what about Lorien Legacies Series?

He's 10!? Please come schooleth Oldest.

Rod and Staff is great at teaching mastery and as long as you use the teaching manual daily, it will give good review as well. It does implement writing which my son detests, but I find that this helps him retain the info and builds up his stamina in physical writing across all subjects. His handwriting also improved greatly. I do not make my son do every math problem. We do many on the white board together, but he does have to do a certain amount of my choosing on paper daily. Hope this helps. Note: Rod and Staff focuses on straight arithmetic, not the other stuff that a lot of other programs teach. The other stuff comes much later to make sure the basics are mastered. A set of base 10 blocks helped my son tremendously with carrying and borrowing. Not the kind that connect, but loose. Having to trade in 10 cubes for a rod of 10 made everything click. Pennies, dimes and dollar coins might work too if you happen to have a lot of change on hand. Oh, and I just noticed your son's age. I learned the hard way not to accelerate just because he understands higher concepts. My son began to hate math because of the workload. If you stick to the grade his age dictates, the expected amount of physical writing is usually realistic.

Thank you!

Break? What's this break you speak of? 😂 Seriously, we may take day off school on Oldest's birthday next week and maybe Christmas Eve and New Years Eve in addition to the actual holidays, but that's all. However, school will be more relaxed and interest/activities based like arts & crafts, playing cards and board games to keep those math skills working, baking, gift wrapping, ect.

Morning! Coffee first, then all the things.

If you like those, try mealie bread. You'll love it. Oldest found the recipe in our cookbook that went with Trailguide to world geography last year and we've been making it ever since. I use the Aldi brand knockoff of Bisquick and double the recipe for a 9x13 casserole pan. I also grease the pan with butter first even though the recipe doesn't say to.

Ok, all caught up now. I would not pay $45,000 for a monolith. I wouldn't pay $45 either. That's a lot of diapers.

I went to pick up Christmas cards and they brought them out to me curbside ♥️

Yes! We borrowed it from a friend and I think I'm going to have to buy this one.

Oldest: Don't you get it, Mom? Your anus. YOUR ANUS! Hahahaha! Me: Yes, I get it. I got it 30 years ago, too. DH: Face it, Honey. All boys find gas and anything related to it hilarious. Middle: Aaanus? Anus. ANUS! Hahaha! Me: 🤦

Or a 4th grade boy!

Checking in quickly to let you all know I am alive. Gotta run, though, so "Hi!" and "Bye!"

Yep. We've had enough to cover everything outdoors a couple times already. None that's lasted more than a couple days though.

Dr just confirmed Newbie is not only super big, but super strong for his age.

Sorry to drop in so sporadically. Busy busy around here. Thought you'd all get a kick out of Newbie wearing 2t PJs to bed tonight. Ran out of PJs and didn't have time to dry them before bedtime. They aren't even that big on him. Just a little long in the arms and legs. They're the stretchy long johns type. Goodnight all!

I'll stick to good old fashioned water skiing at the lake, thank you. I like knowing the variables... boat, driver, me, water, skis, rope. Replacing any one of those variables with a kite is a big fat NO.

☕

Of course you do.

Sorry. No idea why that double posted.

I had no idea people went SEA kayaking. Rivers, lakes, ect... The SEA?!

I had no idea people went SEA kayaking. Rivers, lakes, ect... The SEA?!