They Have All the Answers

I scanned the form, moved it into Powerpoint and then projected it up to the Smart Tv.

The kids are working on a 'Steps of Reasoning' unit and this week we were to try a chart.

But first, we needed a problem to consider. So I asked them, "What is a problem we have here at the house that we can try to reason out together?"

This was their idea: Kids Don't Pay Attention

Hm, strange that they chose that!

It was very instructive working through the questions. The kids came up with the all the different points and solutions. We are going to try and follow the suggestions and see how it goes.

Climb the Walls

The kids have been helpful while I've been sick but they were starting to climb the walls in the apartment after being cooped up since Sunday.

So even though I wasn't feeling 100% we went to the Science Centre yesterday afternoon.

You know ... that way they could .... climb the walls or something.

 

The great thing about this museum is that every time we go they find something new to do.

And every time we leave they are asking when we can go back so they can try something else they saw but haven't tried yet. This membership was totally worth it!

 

And then...

This guy turned 65(!) and recently retired.

Now he's got time on his hands we were able to get a little pre-Christmas visit in.

We haven't seen Grandma in quite some time so the boys had lots to catch up on. They have been working with her on their coin collections and they went over what they were still looking for.

Grandma got reacquainted with the birds. And she and A had some iPad time.

It's getting difficult to catch E in any silly photos ... with age he is getting ever so cool.

But A still loves the occasional 'ha-ha' picture.

 

Our unit study until Christmas is on reasoning/problem solving. We talked the other day about how what our senses tell us is important in making decisions BUT that we can't rely solely on that.

To demonstrate I put out several random items and gave them one minute to look.

Then they were to write down what they remembered seeing. They were surprised to find that individually they could recall only half of what was there.

More familiar things were easier to remember .... and more eyes meant a longer list.

 

Then just when we thought we had maxed out out December fun .... we had more fun.

We took K on her first subway ride.

Spent a few hours shopping (while the boys were at a friend's house) and then rode back uptown.

Welcome to the big city K.

 

He Shoots......

Grandma and Grandpa took the kids to the Hockey Hall of Fame on  Monday.

They played in goal.

Played the hockey table and the hockey electronics.

 

Hockey hockey and more hockey!!

Notice there was no 'me' in these pictures. That's because I took the opportunity to plan some school work, clean the bird cage and do some other general chores.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa.

Kendama?

Can you figure out what is making this shadow??

See bottom of post to find out.

 

Kendama? Do you know what that is? Until last week I didn't.

That's when we were asked over to a friend's house to learn about this Japanese toy.

 

The kids got to learn from someone who could do quite a few impressive tricks ...

and he had some great ideas for how to help them learn and practice without getting frustrated.

 

'A' has informed me that he would like to find one of these in his Christmas stocking.

 

 

                                                         



                                                             Were you right?
                          Did you guess one boy and two birds?

School and Such

This is our third year using the Story of the World. 

After the fourth year we'll start back at the first volume and go through them again.

This first pass through (E aged 8-11yrs, A aged 6-9 yrs) is very broad stroke. Hopefully giving them some idea of great expanses of time, of repeating mistakes in history, of the commonality of people around the world, of feeling like the 'centre' of the world whereever you are.

The second time through, (E aged 12-15yrs, A aged 10-13) will be more detailed oriented.

 

Anyway, today we were talking about when the London fire of 1666.

It was suggested that they take some time to work on a 'project'.

They used Minecraft to create a London with crowded buildings that would easily spread fire and included a building with combustibles in the basement to increase the speed of the fire.



  

Well done boys.

  

This afternoon we had friends over to make gingerbread houses.

Another great holiday tradition.

E's Tuesday Meal

Using a new recipe E created a delicious dinner for us.

Tuna Flippers ... kind of like crab cakes but with mashed carrots, tuna, and lemon juice.

While he was cooking he asked me what I thought they would taste like with cheese and I told him there's only one way to find out. Add cheese!!

So he did ... and we loved them.

Little Bit of Christmas

All the requisite items were prepared for our Family Decorating Night.

We had chips, and cookies, and a homecooked meal first of course.

  

We have just a little bit of space this year but we are packing in as much Christmas spirit as we can.

 

We purchased one of those skinny trees so it would fit in the corner.

I looked when we were last in OTown but I couldn't find the tree topper. Sorry A.

 

I was able to find the Nutcrackers and the Advent Calendar.

 

Wherever we are for Christmas it feels just right after we've decorated.