Cathode Ray Tube

My children watch way too much TV. They turn it on when they wake up, and it stays on until I realize how late it is and tell them to turn it off. Now how can I expect the younger ones to teach themselves to read, and how will the rising first-grader teach himself fractions, if the TV is on all the time? So today is Day 2 of a TV crackdown ("Uh oh," was Steve's response when I first proposed it). But I didn't present it as a crackdown. I suggested to Pretlow (he's usually the one who turns it on) that the TV is not really helping our brains and we'd probably learn more if we didn't have it on so much. So they can watch three half-hour shows per day (which I'm sure is still above the Department of Education's recommended daily allowance for young children). So far, no one seems to mind. Imagine that.

He did it!

Pretlow finished the origami ball all by himself. He wanted me to help him, but I knew he'd be so happy if he completed it on his own. Fifteen steps in all, and steps 8 through 12 had to be repeated. I did give him a few pointers on following instructions (dotted lines mean to fold) and technique (make each fold one at a time), but he did it. And sure enough, he jumped for joy when he was done. Yay!



Zoe wanted a picture, too. (Click on them for a close-up.)

A Perfect Summer

Pretlow has been out of school for one week. In the 70 days until he returns (that's all?!), I want us to do ... everything. I want Pretlow, Zoe, and Victoria to make crafts, see shows, feed animals, read books, learn languages, all before the summer ends. Oh yeah, and playing will be important, too.

I think Thursday will be the designated field trip day. I already have one planned for July 3. We're going to a llama farm! Wolf Trap's Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods has all kinds of performances this summer, including a puppet show, South African dancers, and the Maryland Youth Ballet. I'd like to attend at least one of these. The week of July 21, we all have swimming lessons. (I wanted a June session, but I didn't sign up in time.) It's the same week as our church's Vacation Bible School, so I guess I'll have to find another one.

And at the end of the summer I will have three perfect, brilliant, intelligent, beautiful children, right? Oh wait, I already do!

Origami ... Sort Of

I don't think this exactly qualifies as origami (as there was cutting and gluing involved), but we've had fun with these kaleidoscopes from "Folding for Fun: Origami for Ages 4 and Up." To make them, you cut a 1-1/2-inch strip of paper, fold it into 10 triangles, and you eventually end up with three surfaces for drawing three unique designs. Through the "magic" of folding, three additional patterns emerge.

Oooohhh! Aaahhh!

We All Scream ...

I've finally signed up for the summer reading program. I think Pretlow will enjoy entering his book titles on the library website; it's very cool.

Last night we went to a place that serves Italian ice AND ice cream. Perfect for our family! I think everyone was pleased.

Let the Games Begin!

We're back from the library, having cleared our delinquent accounts. :-) The sign-up line for the summer reading program was quite long, but I can do that online later. At the end of the summer, the kids can each get a certificate for reading or being read to. Among other titles, I checked out Great Big Book of Children's Games. It has over 450 indoor and outgoor games--that should keep us busy! One of them is called "Blow Soccer," "a lively free-for-all" in which "players propel a 'soccer ball' by blowing through drinking draws." We'll see about that one. Something else called "Spider Web" looks like a lot of fun. I haven't read through all of it, but the book warns that it "must be set up well in advance by an adult." But right now I'm about to play "Shouldn't You be Taking a Nap?" with Victoria. :-)

Summer's Here

Last day of school! Time for summer learning and summer fun! Time to head to the library (who reminded me this week via an automated message that we have four overdue items--ACK!) My goal for the summer is to make the most of it with fun and educational activities. Of course, Pretlow and Zoe are watching TV right now while I work ... so we'll start the summer learning tomorrow!

(Later)
I went to the library website to see what books are overdue:
Alpha oops! : the day Z went first by Kontis, Alethea
The Berenstain bears' trouble with money by Berenstain, Stan
Curious George gets a medal by Rey, H. A.
Curious George in the snow by Rey, Margret

I think I know where they are ...