Cheese!

Cheese!

Homework Heaven

I've created homework heaven.  (And for those of you in tune to my previous statement regarding homework time, homework heaven is a much better place to be than homework you-know-where.)    Let me explain:

We have two very different levels of homework going on.  First-grader Daniel needs me to actually read along with what he is reading to make sure he's not winging it for the fun of it.  Dylan has a significantly increased workload than last year so he needs some guidance and help, too.  And then there's Haley just talk, talk, talking away.  Oh, and Caroline is always crawling around trying to sneak some dog food or chew on someone's flip-flops.  Gross.  Dinner is usually being made, and for awhile my thirteen year old niece was staying here and tossed in the occasional eigth-grader questions about geometric theories or the scientific method.  The homework hour was anything but heavenly.  Seriously.

So tonight we hit a point where something had to change.  Everyone was at the kitchen table trying to study and do homework while I was finishing up dinner on the stove.  Caroline got spaghetti on Dylan's homework and Daniel's word lists were getting shoved around by Haley's toys as I was trying to set a table and feed the masses.  Not a pretty sight.  So I changed it up a little.

Earlier this week, I had cleared an area in the mudroom and set up a neat table and chair that Tom brought home from one of his friends.  The kids had been using it as a project table already, but tonight a lightbulb went off in my head.  I just stuck a desk lamp and a few sharpened pencils on it.  Every supply a kid could possibly need is within close range, thanks to the shelving unit Tom built for me over the summer.  Most importantly, the work station has some much-needed elbow room for the student working on homework.  And just between us, I love it as much as they do.

First Family Pyramid

First Family Pyramid!

Caroline's Breathing Treatments

Caroline has learned to enjoy her breathing treatments because I have learned to let her hold the darn thing. 

Now everyone can be happy.   

Sheesh...

Daniel and the Missing Tooth

Daniel's first tooth popped out on Monday.  At breakfast that morning, he was worried about it because it did bleed a little when he was eating.  Well... he'd fix that crazy problem.  He flat-out told me he just wasn't going to eat anything for the rest of the day. 

Seriously, Mama.
No food.
All day.
End of discussion.

I figured he'd change his mind, or at least his appetite would change it for him, so I packed him a lunch and headed up to the school.  I brought him some chicken noodle soup, yogurt and some canned pears.  He ate all the food I brought for him plus some of what I brought for Haley.  Cancel the hunger strike.

After school he was chewing on some gum.  Now, that's probably not a great idea when you're so worried about a loose tooth, right?  Within about a minute of smacking the gum around, out came the tooth.  Daniel was totally freaked out.  His eyes were about to pop out of his head.  As you can see, I mean that literally:

He calmed down fairly quickly and proceeded to spread the news through the family grapevine.  Texting, phone calls, etc.  He wrote a note and stuck the tooth and note under his pillow.

"I want you to give me $20$"

When Daniel was on the phone with Dzaidzi retelling the whole story of Daniel and the Missing Tooth, I overheard that he was expecting twenty bucks!  Later that day, Tom told me, "Sure, the Tooth Fairy should give him twenty bucks.  If he gives her twenty teeth."

Tuesday morning, after Daniel had found only "$1$" under his pillow,  I told him what Tom had told me.  He just sort of grinned and looked away as if to say, "Yeah, you got me there..."

Nice try, though, Daniel.  It was worth a shot.

Go Giants

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Haley's Pie

Haley's new fave? Coming up with "pail-pies" made of sand, sticks, water, crab apples, and whatever else she can find all mixed together then served up in a handy little pail.

I'm sure you'll agree that what follows is a particularly enticing concoction.

I give you,

"Peanut butter and apple juice and peaches and butter Pail-Pie."

Who could possibly resist???