Random Tid Bits

1. The kids have Spring Break next week. It seems crazy because it's not spring yet. 


2. I told the kids that this weekend we're going to work on a lesson plan form for the week they are off. It will include: A theme every day for them to write a story, draw a picture or 2, a cleaning task, flashcards, a building activity and once they are all done with that stuff they get to watch a movie, or have Kindle time. 


3. We went to see Kung Fu Panda last week. Did you know that if you hit up theaters on a Sunday morning it's $5 to get into a flick? I'm not going to be a spoiler with the movie just in case you haven't seen it. I will say that we liked it a lot. I don't agree that it's better than the other 2. We laughed the most on the first one. The second one was more serious, and dark, but important. This one is great to. They're all fun in my opinion. 





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4. I made dinner a few nights this week. We're talking gigantic meals, where we'd have lunches carry into the next day. That's not unusual for me, but I often time get help. One night I was majorly off. I was making Stir Fry, I had the sauce prepared, and dropped it. The glass measuring cup broke all over, and the sauce was everywhere. It was not fun cleaning that up! This is the 2nd time I've dropped, and broke my 1 cup measuring cup. Do you have times where you drop things a lot?





5. My Dad has a Stress Test next week on his heart. I hope they find something out for his sake.

Mica's 4th Grade Conferences

We had some time to spare between the boy's conferences. Isaak's teacher said, "We didn't plan that very well." I said, "We purposely did that because last year we thought we spaced them out, and they overlapped. The boys played Minecraft in the hallway on their Kindles.

There was a Scholastic Book Fair going on, but I didn't want Mica and I touching books to possibly get others infected with Strep Throat. I let them get a quick look, and wrote down names of books they liked to check out at our library. We have so many books, we really don't need any more.

Dr Seuss My Many Colored Days at School

They wanted to wear as many colors as they could. Mica said, "YES I can finally dress how I want!" Picking out clothes isn't his strong suit.

Mica's conferences were second.

He's doing well in everything. I guess a lot of kids are struggling with math in his class. That's Mica's hardest subject, but he still does well with it. 

One thing I like about Mica's teacher is that she lays it all out there. I do to. 

I said, "Ok so you and I know Mica's doing well in school. The things that I want him to work on (he needs to do this) is asking more questions for help, pushing himself to move above and beyond with extra things like school clubs." 

His teacher agrees. I told her I knew nothing about:

• Trying out for a string instrument
• A reading competition for challenged students
• A robotics club
• The spelling bee

He thought as soon as he got into Student Council that, that's the only extra thing he needed to do. The lemur science thing that he did was a perk in his mind. 

It highly annoys Mica's teacher that he is too proud to ask for help. I mentioned that he's a bit cocky. She doesn't think so. She thinks that Mica doesn't want to ask for help because there are a lot of other kids in the classroom that need a lot more help than he does. She thinks he sees it as steeling from the kids that need assistance. Which that's a better way to look at than my way. 

She does ask him to help others when he's done with his work. She said, "If that's a problem than I'll lay off." I said, "Absolutely not. He needs to help others. Please do use him." 

Really a lot of what I talked to Mica's teacher about is on him. He has to ask questions, and apply for extras outside the typical classroom! I just want him to push himself. He tends to be comfortable where he's at. I told Mica school is a lot like Spider-Man: With great power comes great responsibility!

He did sign up for the Chess Club yesterday. - Yay

We did visit the girl that works with the boys in regards to challenging them. They got put into that program when they were fairly young, and we try to visit that teacher every conference. Since Mica was right there I laid it all on the table. Everything I discussed with his teacher was brought up to this girl. Mica looked embarrassed. I said, "Mica I'm not disappointed in your grades. You are getting all A's. I just want you to push yourself to do other things." His gifted teacher agreed with me. She said, "The books for the reading competition have been in the library all year." Mica said, "I couldn't find them." I said, "It comes back to the fact that you don't ask for help. The librarian would have helped you. I would have checked them out for you, had you provided me with a list." Now all of Mica's teachers know that yes school comes easy to Mica, but that he needs to push himself up a notch. 

As soon as elementary hit I hoped Mica wouldn't get bored in school. He seems to like it. He has an August birthday, and we sent him to school when he was 6. The right thing to do. BUT he does well with just about everything, and doesn't push himself out of his comfort zone. For once I'd like him to try something that's hard, and possibly fail. It's ok to fail if you try really hard at something. The fact that one can try again to get better and better is a great feeling when you've worked so hard at it. 

Isaak's 2nd Grade Conferences

Last week when Travis was away in Chicago it was my turn to get Strep Throat. I was so lucky that my doctor prescribed me with antibiotics without going in, and on Wednesday when I got it my student had a job shadow, so my class was away - yay! 

I took Thursday off. A rare thing for me. While I would have loved to lay around, watch movies, and fall asleep I couldn't. I had both boys bouncing all energetic like around me. Yep - they were off school. Isaak was starting to feel better from his Strep Throat. Mica never got it. Timing wise I think Mica and Travis got to skip having Strep Throat this time. 

I had conferences for both boys Thursday night. The thought occurred to me to call to skip them. Both boys have all A's. But...I had things I wanted to talk to the teachers about. It was just me, so I couldn't send Travis to them. I had been taking antibiotics long enough that I was past the contagious stage. 

Cat in the "Hat" Day at School

They could wear any hat. The boys picked the sombreros. Isaak would not hold still, so he's a little blurry. Mica just looks like a freak with those crazy eyes. That kind of adds to the craziness of the photo though.

Isaak's conferences were first.

He's doing well in everything. The only area that he struggles with is reading comprehension. We're supposed to have him read books, and ask questions afterwards. The crazy thing is that his vocabulary, and his reading level are both high. 

Isaak still doesn't love to read. He rarely picks up a book on his own accord. He did recently finish a 328 page book. That was because he was A. Sick and B. Influenced by his teacher. His teacher told the whole class that if they could read a big book, they could put marbles in their classroom jar. Isaak's always done well with positive reinforcement, so he was all about that marble jar. When their marble jar is full they get some kind of classroom party. 

I talked to Isaak's teacher about how Isaak will get a spelling word right, then 2 weeks later ask how to spell that same word. She says they all do that. The spelling words are repeated throughout the year. 

She likes to write and tell stories. He uses big words when he writes. It's fun having Isaak read his stories because all those words that were spelled wrong make perfect sense. 

Isaak has good handwriting for a 2nd grader boy. 

His teacher did say that Isaak is never super excited about things. I said, "That's because he thinks of school like it's his job. That's coming from him, not me." I'm kind of glad he took on that way of thinking when it comes to school. It is his job. He likes school, so that's what matters. 

We did visit the girl that works with the boys in regards to challenging them. They got put into that program when they were fairly young, and we try to visit that teacher every conference. I mainly talked about Mica, who I have more problems with (that will be the next post). Isaak sat there and said, "Can we talk about me now?" We all had a chuckle. Where Isaak's at in school he's doing great! He's a messy, collage artist that likes to put things together, and enjoys pop-up things, and loves to write stories.

WW: Blocking it Out {Linky}

This is Mica when he watches Ghostbusters. The scene where the books fly off the walls.

This is Isaak during the Goosebumps movie. He was like this off and on throughout the whole thing. Then he was scared to go to bed for a few nights. He's even read some of the books. 

What movie(s) scared you when you were little? For me it was the 1978 movie - Foul Play. It had Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase, and Dudley Moore to name a few in it. Those weren't the people I was afraid of though. I was afraid of this guy:

My mom was so mad that my Dad let me watch this when I was 4. She was a night nurse, so she wasn't around when we watched it. "The White Man" terrified me for nights. It's pretty funny that Goldie Hawn was in a library scene with him. Mica was afraid of the library scene in Ghostbusters, and I'm thinking there were book scenes in Goosebumps - had I paid attention I'd know for sure.

Anyhow my Dad took it as far as getting under my bed, and he jumped out at me laughing. He's a character! My kids should be so happy they have drawers under their beds because I'm a lot like my Dad. I find humor in scaring people. 

 

Leader Accessories 19-29 lbs Compound Bow 14

The Easter Bunny has a little something special he's bringing Mica this year. He's been wanting a bow and arrow set for quite some time. Mica is getting a Leader Accessories 19-29 lbs Compound Bow 14! He's going to be so excited. 

Travis tested the bow and arrows out. He had so much fun with it.

It comes with: 

• 2 Fiberglass Arrows
• Arrows Quiver
• Armguard
• Finger Tab

The only other thing we wished it came with is a case for the bow after it's all put together.

We weren't expecting to put some of the bow together. Most of it already is put together, but they leave a little bit to put into place. It was a windy day. We recommend installing everything in doors.

The screws that are already in place are aluminum, but the screws we put in to finish the bow off are plastic.

Travis loves how the bow is adjustable!

I like that the arrows are firm, and now flimsy.

We have hay bails in our backyard to shoot. Our backyard is huge, so Mica can shoot back there with supervision. He goes to a summer camp were they practice archery. We can go to his summer camp location any day to practice. It's a park, where they have archery boards set up to use.

Product Description:

• The Cost: $99.99, but on sale for $54.99
• Draw Weight: 19 - 29 pounts
• Draw Length: 2" - 26"
• Max Speed: 129 FPS
• Let Off: 65%
• Axle to Axle: 32"
• Aluminum Riser
• Color: Black

Overall we really like this set! I'm so thankful that we have it. It's certainly a step up from a little kid toy. Mica's turning into a little man. It will be great for him to practice his archery skills!

Leader Accessories has a lot of other Sporting Goods Equipment products. All of it looks fun! Check them out on Amazon!

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free in exchange for a review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Klikko Vehicles - Educational Building Set With Activities to Learn Math Review

Klikko Vehicles is an Educational Building Toy (137 pieces) with Activities to Learn Math / STEM Concepts.

 

It comes the tray and bag (pictured above) to keep the pieces off the floor, although Mica had the pieces everywhere. He puts his building toys all over. That's no fault of the toy.

The boys were off school on Thursday, and I was off work from Strep Throat. We relaxed a lot. Mica (the well one) said, "I'm bored!" I got our Kilkko Vehicles, and put him in charge of building some vehicles. I told him I just needed a few built, but he was all about it. He built 3, and said afterwards, "Wow that bulldozer looks fun to build to."

The ship was his first construction. He had a little trouble with the tips. The pieces are more wobbly than Legos, snap together, and are harder to come apart. I took them apart. I thought at first I'd possibly break them. No chance of that happening. The pieces are sturdy enough to not break!

He built the rocket second. That one was my favorite!

Mica said, "Look Mom with this one it will help Isaak and I with fractions."

The last one he put together was the subway. I thought it was a submarine. I guess it would be played with either way.

Mica said the little yellow piece in the tip was hard to put in. This was Mica's favorite to build. 

With the Subway it helps the child learn multiplication.

This set would make a great gift. Isaak's getting it for his birthday. Mica (age 10) thinks Isaak (age 7) will need a little assistant with an adult or his brother. 

I love that it helps with early engineering/math + promotes patial and fine motor skills. There are 137 colorful geometric pieces that snap together, and pivot

Colors:

• Red
• Yellow
• Blue
• Green 
• Black

Things that can be learned: 

• Multiplication
• Fractions
• Tangram Logic Puzzles
• Area
• Following Instructions

Things that can be built:

• Jeep
• Car
• Rocket
• Ship 
• Bulldozer
• Subway

 I really like this set. It's something a little different. I love that there is learning involved.

What kind of vehicle would you like see added to this set? I think I'd pick a jet. 

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free in exchange for a review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Random Tid Bits

1. This weekend I get to play single mom. Travis is going to Chicago for a dental conference. 


2. I got Isaak's strep throat. I stayed home on Thursday. The kids do not have school Thursday or Friday. Isaak decided to cuddle with me. I figured why not? he already had strep throat. It's not like he's going to get it from me. He would not stop wiggling around. I got no extra rest. It's a good thing I didn't expect to get extra rest. Somehow I knew that staying home with the boys would be worse for my health. Ha!


3. My Grandpa was feeling well enough to go home from the hospital earlier this week. His stats were A ok. Now he's been having fevers later this week, and actually had wet accidents. This is not like him. I guess he just had a horrible cold, but my mom is thinking he does in fact have a UTI. He's a pretty with it guy. I'm hoping he's not going downhill fast. He's in his 80s, and he's not getting any younger. So many people on that side of the family live into their 90s. 


4. They said a warm up was on the way last week. It lasted a day or two. Now we're back gloom and doom, cold weather, and it snowed just enough to look like confetti on the grass. 


5. Last night I woke up at 3 AM. I heard cats. We have wild cats that roam around. We've even taken baby cats to the Humane Society. I bumped Travis awake and said, "Do you hear that? Is that cats outside, or Mica playing Minecraft?" Right after I said that the noise stopped. The cats sounded like they were coming from a computer game. When we woke up, we asked Mica what he was doing at 3 in the morning? When we told him what we heard he had a smirk on his face. It was either a you caught me smirk, or a you guys are ridiculous smirk. Our boys haven't lied to us for a very long time that we know of. They know that they get in worse trouble when they lie. I wouldn't put it past any kid to lie at times though. No one is perfect. We didn't catch him, so he's innocent until proven guilty.
   
   Does anyone else think Minecraft has the worst effects? I like that kids can build things, but I hate the boxy feel.

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Achoo! Why Pollen Counts - A Book Review

I love children's books! Once upon a time I got in trouble when I was in third or fourth grade because I was trying to check out children's books instead of chapter books. The librarian scolded me. I liked the pictures. Chapter books were limited with illustrations. Still to this day I go to the children's book section first when I enter a bookstore, or library.

I adore the children's book I got called Achoo! Why Pollen Counts By Sheenen Bersani to review. 

An added perk was getting a special card from the author Shennen Bersani!

Plus the author signed it to my nephew Edison. He is going to get this book very soon.

What Achoo! Why Pollen Counts is about:

A baby bear is allergic to pollen. The grass is covered with it. The pollen makes baby bear sneeze, itch, and his eyes get watery.

The story covers what pollen is, how we need it, and what animals eat it to help them survive.

What I like about Achoo! Why Pollen Counts:

I've always been an allergy/asthma sufferer. This book relates to me. I know my nephew Edison is getting the book, but I also know his family is filled with allergy sufferers as well. It takes a complex topic, and makes it understandable to anyone.

I like the writing, and the cute illustrations. One thing that is different about this book compared to others is that it has 4 pages of learning activities in the back for creative minds:

• Ah-Achoo! Understanding Alleriges
• Flower Parts
• The Pollination Process
• Pollinator Matching
• Bees: The Great Pollinators

You can look for more activities online at www.ArbordalePublishing.com

Best for ages 4-7. Isaak who is almost 8 enjoyed it. I think the illustrations are great for younger. Kids love to be read to. They may not be able to do the activities in the back when they are younger than 4, but they still will enjoy this story!

Keywords: adaptations, basic needs, pollen, allergies, plant parts, plant life cycle, pollinators, pollination, bees 

Animals in the book: black bear, bear, honeybee, ladybug, snow owl, spider, vole, zebra butterfly 

Special Thanks:  Dr. Alan Graham, Curator of Paleobotany & Palynology at Missouri Botanical Garden's Center for Conservation and Sustainable Development, for reviewing the accuracy of the information in this book.

Buy Achoo! Why Pollen Counts! It comes in:

• Hardcover: $17.95
• Paperback: $9.95
• Spanish Paperback: $9.95
• EBook $6.95
• Spanish EBook: $6.95

Check out more books from Arbordale Publishing

Get Achoo! Why Pollen Counts on Amazon

Like Achoo! Why Pollen Counts on facebook

Visit Sheenen Bersani - the author's website

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free in exchange for a review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Bad Dreams

Isaak told me when he woke up on Friday that his throat hurt. He sometimes does that, then will go on throughout the day like nothing is wrong. I ask myself: Is it allergies? Is it a cold? Is it something more? Once he gets up and moving he's usually just fine.

Towards the end of the day on Friday Isaak didn't look very good. When I got home he was extra grumpy. Travis said, "Isaak stop milking it. Why do you have to act this way when Mom gets home?" He was acting that way because he was starting to spike a fever.

On Saturday he lost his fever, but slept much of the day. I thought about taking him in Saturday morning, but his fever was gone.

On Sunday he woke up his chipper self.

On Monday he woke up saying, "I'm totally normal. I don't feel sick at all." We sent him to school. Then I got a call saying, "Isaak's in the nurses office. He has a fever of 101.3." I went to pick him up, and put a call into the doctor. It took them an hour to get back to me. That's when I know they are busy. We couldn't get in until 4:50. Their office was buzzing with sickness.

Isaak's favorites when he's sick:

• Drinking JELL-O juice - JELL-O not set up to drink
• I usually add a vitamin C packet to his JELL-O Juice and additional water. 
• Watching movies
• Laying on the couch
• He didn't mind reading

An amazing thing happened when he was sick. Isaak got through his first long book, The 39 Story Treehouse. He's read a lot of books about the thickness of Flat Stanley. This book was 344 pages.

Isaak tested positive at the doctor's office for strep throat. There have been a lot of sicknesses around my work to.

I love the boy's doctor. As soon as he walked in he checked out Mica just to be sure. Then he said, "If Mica shows any signs just call us, and I'll write a script in. There's no need to come all the out here again."

The scary thing was when Isaak would wake up from bad dreams when he had a fever.

Scary Dream 1:

"Oh shit! Oh Shit! Oh shit!" Over and over again. "Mom stop making me climb the walls! I don't want to go on the ceiling!" All while his boiling hot body was trying to slither out of my hands.

I wasn't about to have the, "You shouldn't cuss like that Isaak." conversation.

Scary Dream 2: 

"Oh my God! Oh my God" Over and over again. "They are trying to bite me! Stop the alligators!" I held him, while Travis got his Motrin. Isaak, "Mom can't you see them. The alligators are on the ceiling!"

Are there any bad sicknesses floating around where you live?

WW: The Omaha Children's Museum

On Sunday the boys participated in a commercial for Parent Savvy. It was to showcase a new superhero display at The Omaha Children's Museum. I only wish I knew that our youngest Isaak had Strep Throat. Had I known, I won't have let him participate.

When we were waiting on the sidelines for the commercial takes.

Superman is one of my favorite superheroes. Who is your favorite?

Mica being Mica. Isaak was running around, not holding still.

Some superheroes behind glass.

Mica looking tougher than he is.