Letter to Author

I think it is so cute that Tatiana wants to name our next dog after the dog in the book we are listening to now.  So I sent this to the author,

"Most important, our 8-year-old daughter has declared that her first puppy will be named "Bowser". 

I normally don't like Mysteries.  I'll read them anyway because I read a lot of books and sometimes they are at-hand.  My daughter seems to like mysteries.  I'd desperately wanted her to like audiobooks, and the first one I tried out on her was the first Boxcar book.   She loved it.  So, we kept listening to them.  There are way too many of them and after about 50 I had to insist that we move onto something else.  We've done many books since then including the Wizard of OZ, Narnia and Harry Potter series.  When 'Sara, Plain and Tall' was a flop, I needed another audiobook quickly and I noticed Woof was a kid's mystery, I snagged it. 

At first I inwardly rolled my eyes at the dog perspective.  I quickly realized it was an excellent device for a mystery book.   You, the author, don't have to assume the reader knows something that the main people in the book don't know, and you don't have to be cutesie hiding facts in the book used at the end.  Instead the dog sees, hears and smells things that Birdie doesn't.  Brilliant!  Since the facts are out there for the child-reader, the child can enjoy the mystery."

He responded by email with this,
"Many thanks! I'm sure your Bowser will be a lucky puppy.
Peter (spence)"

The reason for the two names is that these books are written under the Spencer Quinn name. 

When I told Scotland she wants to name a puppy Bowser, his response was "She hasn't even read Battlestar Galatica yet".   He doesn't listen to the bedtime audiobooks with us. 

Thursday

She had another ordinary day.   She woke up and did schoolwork.   Then they went to the Princeton Library with some other homeschoolers.   Sophia little brother was getting tired and acting up.  So, Scotland took Sophia and Tatiana back to our house to play.  When I got home Sophia was gone, but there were empty boxes scattered around.   They had built a fort and maybe a track. 
Then it was soccer practice.  She did good.  Several of the other kids just could not follow instructions. 
We got home and she was hungry.   She had leftover pizza from lunch and then she made herself a frozen dinner.  Then she had to clean.  It was adorable watching her put the empty boxes onto the wardrobe.  She had to clean and then at bedtime she was super tired.   So, she actually went to bed a little early.  She is very daddy focused right now, so she wanted extra daddy time. 

Wednesday

Wednesday was an ordinary day for Tatiana.  She got up and did most of her schoolwork.   Then they went to piano.  They moved piano to Monday afternoons so that they at least have one day a week with nothing scheduled.  Then they did a lot of errands in the afternoon.  They were going to be home late, so I stayed working late and got home just after them.  Tatiana was finishing her math when I got home.  When she finished and I'd checked it we played one game of Monopoly card game.  I was impressed with one problem that she'd gotten right.  It was skip counting patterns.  The problem was "99, 198, " and then a whole bunch of blank lines.  She got it entirely right.  I won Monopoly but it was a close game.  Then she wanted to play with the Lego house she was building that was entirely her idea. 

Tuesday

Tatiana had an ordinary day at home.   She did schoolwork.   She was watching this kid's video on youTube where they gave hints on the secret word.   They gave the letters one at a time, and then it was an anagram.  She was dressed for dance and ready.   She had marked off what she had completed on her schedule.  That pleased me.   She often does the stuff but doesn't mark it off. 

I took her to dance.  I still sometimes get confused about how long it takes to get somewhere and we got there early.  Tatiana played with the toys in the lobby.   There was a mom playing with her maybe 3-year-old boy where he was putting letter blocks on matching letter words.  Tatiana gave him that smile that says, "What a cute little boy".  She did good at dance.  She clearly prefers the Jazz class. 

Second AHG Meeting

Monday was the second AHG Meeting.  We had decided to do a different type of chart for Tatiana.   We had been doing a chart that had her chores and schoolwork on it.   So it would have "Feed Yogi" and "Do Math" and she was supposed to check each thing off every day.  But, we decided to get more specific.   So, instead of "Do Math" it said "Math up to page 62."  Also, she is so busy that her schedule gets confusing.   So if there is some activity for that day, like AHG, I make a note of it on the chart.   That is for Scotland also. 

When I got home she hadn't checked anything off.   So, I told her she couldn't stay after at the AHG meeting to play with Kristen since she hadn't done all her stuff.  But, we went through the list and she'd done everything on it.  Well, she was missing one page of math, but she had done three pages.  She'd still been behind from last week.  When we got home from AHG we sat on the couch and did the problems/puzzles together.  Scotland enjoys listening to us doing math together.  Scotland had looked at the Scope and Sequence on the local public schools website.  That is where they say what they are teach at each grade.  Except for fractions, she is doing 5th grade math, and the book she is on is marked as late Second Grade. 

The badge they were working on was cake decorating.   She is becoming an expert.  She had fun.  She is really enjoying playing with Taylor's kids.  They needed to shut down the church at the end of the meeting, and it was icky outside so Kristen and Tatiana didn't play afterward much at all. 

Weekend at Home

Friday Tatiana went to co-op.   She really seemed to enjoy playing with the magnets from the magnet lab.  I asked if she'd enjoyed the class.   Apparently all the kids were grumpy because Scotland made them do the lab instead of just playing with the magnets.  So, Tatiana was really happy to be able to play with the magnets.  She didn't realize it, but she was learning stuff about magnetism while playing.

When I got home all three Stallman boys were over.  They were playing the Lego board game when I got home.   Scotland was feeling poorly so he laid down for an hour.   It had been storming all day.  When it stopped raining for 10 seconds, they ran outside to the trampoline.  Scotland took the boys home. 

Later the electric went out.  Tatiana always gets irrationally scared when it storms and doubly scared if the electric went out. We had been playing Monopoly Card Game as a family.   Tatiana was trouncing us when the electric went out.  It was near bedtime.  So we listened to Woof in the big bed.  Then she moved to her bed and took Woof with her.   She has decided that she will name her first dog "Bowser" after the dog in the book. 

Saturday we stayed inside all day.   Tatiana stayed in her Friday night nightgown until around noon Sunday.  She did a certain amount of schoolwork, when we'd play a game, (repeat).

Sunday was the same.   She'd had a bit of a sore throat.  So, when they were both sleeping when we should start to get ready for church, I let them sleep.   Scotland went to visit Godfather Ty and take him something.  She was VERY disappointed she couldn't go.  When Scotland got home he laid down to recover from the drive and told Taitana that they'd play lego if she cleaned off the kitchen table.  She did, so they played for about a half hour.

This morning, Monday, shortly before I got out of bed, Tatiana came in saying that she'd had a 'bad dream' and asked to sleep in our bed.   Scotland and I were sleeping back-to-back.  I heard Tatiana say "Hmmm"  and then a little later "Hmmm" again.   I asked if she wanted to sleep between us, and she said "Yes" happily.   She'd been confused because there was nowhere for her to sleep.

At the Stallmans

This is Tatiana reading to Willa.  They look so much alike from the back with the hair.   Tatiana is the one on the left.   She is reading, "Don't let the Pigeon Stay Up Late". 

I asked how Tatiana was doing.   I sometimes have to chide Tatiana to speak clearly.   Liz said that, "Oh she did great.  Willa flips the pages faster than most people can read and she was very patient with her". 

I responded that I notice that Tatiana is holding the page down,   Liz said, "You have to" then added the smiley that is laughing so hard it is crying.

When they got home, Scotland said that she helped to milk a goat.  The goat just hoped on the milking stand and waited to be milked.

Ice Skating - 2nd time

Tatiana is at her second ice skating.   I guess she finished her schoolwork and felt better :) 

I picked Tatiana up from dance.  Tamara said that "She was much better at Jazz"   Which makes me wonder how she had been earlier.   Although she might have been tired from skating. 

She wanted to play Monopoly, but I combed her hair instead.  She does amazing with that Building Thinking Skills software.  We haven't told her but the level she is working on is for 4th-6th grade.  There was this one section though that I didn't think was setup right.   There were fish that swam past, and each fish was a word.   She was supposed to drag the fish into one of four buckets.  Each bucket had a different word on it.  The fish-word was supposed to have a close meeting to the bucket-word.  Some were fine.   Like the bucket for "Yielding" had "Mushy", "Spongy" and "Squashy".   But there were several words that didn't seem to have a good match.   We sat around and discussed it as a family and still didn't get them all right.   Also, she couldn't go on until she got at least 85% of the problems right.  Which she did.   But, if one of the 12 fish was in the wrong bucket then the whole problem was wrong. 

She was super-awake at bedtime because she'd gone to sleep at 11pm and awoke at 11am. 

Tuesday - first 4H general meeting

Yesterday they didn't do much schoolwork at all.   They had to go to the Plano house.   The city was complaining about low hanging branches over the sidewalk.   Then the renter said that some plumbing work was needed, so he had to do that too.   The first general 4H meeting started at 7 pm last night.  Scotland mentioned the Ice Skating tomorrow afternoon and that she had to be caught up on her schoolwork before they left for Ice Skating otherwise she couldn't go.   So, sweet girl decided to do some math. 

The 4H was pretty boring since the main purpose was have a ceremony for the new officers.   Tatiana thought it was super neat that kids were running the show.   Kristen was there was helped a great deal.  They were able to play together.  Patty and I talked outside while they played.   When they started to throw rocks at the ground, Patty and I decided that it was time to go home. 

Bedtime was normal until it was my turn and she was groaning about her tummy.   Then she threw up.  She didn't want to even sit up in bed.   She spent some time with her daddy, and listening to the Woof book. 

Saturday

I forgot to write down a cute story from last week.  When I was leaving to get Tatiana from dance class, JJ and his daddy were coming over to ask if Tatiana could play.  I told them that I was picking her up at dance class but I was sure she would want to play.  JJ's face fell when he learned that Tatiana wasn't there, until I said she'd want to play. While driving there I was worried I'd spoke too soon and that she might be too tired from dance class to want to play.  I shouldn't have worried.  She ran to the car when I told her and then urged me to drive quickly.   When we got home JJ was hanging out in his front yard waiting her her.  I made Tatiana change out of her dance outfit.   After she'd changed when she was running to meet JJ, Scotland called out to her "Do you have panties on?"   She said "Yes" all embarrassed.   But, sometimes we discover at bedtime that she forgot. 

Saturday was an ordinary day at home.  Went to the soccer game.  Tatiana couldn't play because of her ankle.  We came home.  She did some schoolwork and we watched a movie.   She had asked for "Greatest Showman" but I got "Greatest Show on Earth" instead.   The one I got was an old movie.  The one she asked for was one they had planned on showing at the church camp she went to this summer, but there was a problem.  Mostly it was a day of rest.  We played Monopoly in the evening.  Tatiana and I played and I won both.  Then Scotland joined us and he won one and she won one. 

Busy Thursday

Tatiana had a busy day yesterday.  She did schoolwork all morning.   Then she went to Sophia's house.  Apparently that is a regular very unofficial co-op.   They accidentally left too early to go to the doctors because Scotland saw the time wrong.  He was bummed about that.  They did some Dad shopping to kill time.  At the doctor she got a super painful shot.   Her height is 16th percentile and Height vs. Weight is 50th percentile.  I think that they drew some blood.  Then they came home and did more schoolwork.  At 6pm was her soccer practice.   She was adorable, as usual.
 
Then we came home and she changed straight into her nightie.   She cleaned her room.  She wanted to play Monopoly.   We finished the last Narnia book a couple of days ago.  Wednesday night we listened to Sarah Plain and Tall.   We both hated it.  But, it was only an hour long.  Last night we started a book told from the dog's perspective, Woof. 

Wednesday

We had a wonderful evening yesterday.   When I got home Tatiana and Scotland were watching Adventure Time.  Tatiana read that poem to me again.  She is working on changing her voice like to express emotion.  I got a video.   She did the dishes (I had to tell her to do it).  I told her that when she did that we could play games as long as she finished before toothbrush time.   It was 6pm and toothbrush time is at 8:30pm.   Scotland had to dig another fence post hole, so just Tatiana and I played the Monopoly Card Game.   It was her pick.  When Scotland was done, we had played two games and Tatiana had won both.  Then we played as a family.  I won once, Scotland won twice, and I think Tatiana won twice more. 

I heard that Tatiana drew a face at drawing class, but I haven't seen it yet.  She'd been pretty happy when I got home. 

I forgot to mention something cute from Monday.  I wanted eggs for dinner, Scotland ruins them and I'd only have about 10 minutes at home to cook before we had to leave for the AHG meeting.  So, I'd messaged Scotland to have Tatiana dressed and fed.  For my dinner, I microwaved ONE piece of bacon.   Normally I cook extra to share, but everyone else would have already eaten.   Tatiana wanted my bacon.  I asked and she wasn't hungry but she still wanted my bacon.   I said No.   When we got back from the AHG meeting, the house still smelled a bit of bacon.  I heard Tatiana ask Scotland for bacon.  I didn't hear his response, but then I heard. "Bacon can be dessert"

Ordinary Tuesday

Yesterday I was reminded of something from last week.  She was told she had to finish up schoolwork before they went to the Stallmans.  She hadn't finished when they left the house for Drawing and Piano classes.   But, after piano she sat there in the same room and finished her work in 15 minutes.  She was motivated! 

Tuesday was an ordinary day.  She did really good at one of her English assignments.  We have one of those fabric bags that had a hole in it.   Scotland asked her to sew it since the hole was at the seam.  She sewed in a completely other location.  LOL 

Tuesday is dance class day.   I watched the last part and she was adorable.   Jazz is the last half hour.   I heard Tamara say "We are going to do Wizard of Oz grapevines next because Tatiana requested them."  I heard her name, so I started to pay attention.    Tatiana did those across the room.  One of the other kids asked, "How come Tatiana knows how to do those?"  Tamara said, "Because she takes Jazz class every summer with me."  To be far, Tamara did correct Tatiana's because she was taking an extra step. 

First official AHG meeting for the year.

Last night was the first AHG meeting night for the fall.   Both Tatiana and Kristen are upset that they are in different groups now.  Tatiana is in Tenderhearts which is 1st-3rd and Kristen is in 4th grade. 
They were working on their sign language badge.   They were making a sheet which helped them to spell out their name.  

Much joy was had later.   I think it was when they learned they would get a cookie to decorate. 

This is Tatiana's decorated cookie.   It was pretty simple.   But, Tatiana already has her Cake Decorating badge. 

After the meeting, the kids played in the playground. 

We got home 14 minutes after toothbrush time should have started.  Tatiana voluntarily took a shower.   She has voluntarily taken a bath before and there have been times when there wasn't time for a bath so we had to insist on a shower. 

Sunday Evening Church Group

Sunday evening we joined one of the home-church groups.    The best part was that a 9-year-old boy lives in the house where it is at.  After an initial period of mutual shyness, they got along great.   That is both kids in the tree.  The dad is worried that the boy would fall out of the tree, and was fussing at him.   I worry about this generation of kids.  Look at that tree! 

Also, when the kids first met they were both being shy.   One of the adults said, "Why don't you kids go outside?   Conner, I bet you have lots of toys out there."   He said in complete seriousness, "Yeah, dirt".    The adults thought that was hysterical. 

AHG Movie Night at the Gym

These are photos from AHG Movie Night at the Gym.   They showed the Apple Dumpling Gang.  The intention was to invite people that might be interested in AHG and allow them to signup while there. 

This was from when it first started.  They showed a video from an old campout.   They also served hot dogs and chips. 

This is after they had settled in to watch the movie.   The Stallman boys had been playing at our house that afternoon, so I took Tatiana and the two boys to the church. 

This is Willa carrying Tatiana's Elsa pillow.   Tatiana was acting motherly.   She is getting so big.   Speaking of a big girl, Tatiana was annoyed that she can't fit under her bed anymore.   She had to go find a long stick in order to clean under her bed.

Thursday with Sophia

Yesterday Tatiana and Scotland went to the house of one of the homeschooling families.  It was some homeschooling activity.  I'm not entirely clear on what the activity was, but she is going to memorize this poem and present it in front of people.   I don't know when.   She read it for me.  I wish I'd gotten it on video. 

Everyone grumbled. The sky was grey.
We had nothing to do and nothing to say.
We were nearing the end of a dismal day,
And there seemed to be nothing beyond,
THEN
Daddy fell into the pond!

And everyone's face grew merry and bright,
And Timothy danced for sheer delight.
'Give me the camera, quick, oh quick!
He's crawling out of the duckweed.'
Click!

Then the gardener suddenly slapped his knee,
And doubled up, shaking silently,
And the ducks all quacked as if they were daft
And is sounded as if the old drake laughed.

O, there wasn't a thing that didn't respond
WHEN
Daddy fell into the pond!

Sophia and her sister (I forget her name) were ecstatic when Tatiana showed up.   Instead of a birthday party, Sophia had picked a toy and it was a ball pit type thing.   I wasn't entirely sure what it was.  They watched a movie.   I need to upload the photos Scotland took.