Austin is in 4th grade. In math they are going over their multiplication facts. To make this mundane chore more fun, his teacher is having them "build" a sundae. For each fact family that they have memorized 100% they get that assigned topping. Fun, right?
Well, Austin had another way of thinking about it. He came home and said, "I already know this one, that one and that one. But, I don't need to learn this one or that one, because I don't like those toppings."
My mind flashed forward to when he is 20 something. Austin sitting somewhere and trying to do a math problem and not being able to do it---because he did not like that sundae topping.
I looked at him and said, "You WILL learn all the fact families, whether you like the topping or not. You can just say "no, thank you" when it comes to topping your sundae. But, you will know every single one of those facts."
Oh, to think like a 10 year old boy!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Weather Changes
Earlier this week, the weather was cool in the morning but got nice by afternoon. I remember at least one day I told the boys they could wear a short sleeve shirt and long pants to school.
How the weather changes! This morning we woke up to a couple of inches of snow on the ground.
The boys were up and ready to play in the snow before it was light outside! Once they got outside they were out for about 2 hours. They tried the hills in our new neighborhood, met a neighborhood boy that lives (somewhere) nearby.
Adam insisted on wearing this hat that covers his nose as well. However, it shifted and I think it was crooked on his face the entire time he was out.
The boys enjoyed their time outside, but I enjoyed the quiet of the house, seeing the boys play and...
...the beauty of the snow.
***The leaves have not fallen off all the trees yet. We have had one large branch break off of a tree in our back yard, due to the fact that leaves hold more snow and make it heavier on the branches. This is really weather I would expect in January or February--definitely not October. I'm going to make a pot of soup and enjoy the warm indoors.
How the weather changes! This morning we woke up to a couple of inches of snow on the ground.
The boys were up and ready to play in the snow before it was light outside! Once they got outside they were out for about 2 hours. They tried the hills in our new neighborhood, met a neighborhood boy that lives (somewhere) nearby.
Adam insisted on wearing this hat that covers his nose as well. However, it shifted and I think it was crooked on his face the entire time he was out.The boys enjoyed their time outside, but I enjoyed the quiet of the house, seeing the boys play and...
...the beauty of the snow.***The leaves have not fallen off all the trees yet. We have had one large branch break off of a tree in our back yard, due to the fact that leaves hold more snow and make it heavier on the branches. This is really weather I would expect in January or February--definitely not October. I'm going to make a pot of soup and enjoy the warm indoors.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
When Adam cooks...
...it is not a simple matter of putting ingredients in a bowl, mixing, pouring in a pan and baking. That would be WAY to easy!
I have a sourdough bread that I make. I feed the starter one day, that night make the dough, let it rise over night, put into loaves the next morning, then bake around supper time. This recipe is really hard to mess up (I have done it though, but it was my fault. I forgot the salt...)
Friday while we were at work and school, I fed the starter. Friday evening Adam help me make the dough. Saturday morning I showed him how the dough had risen and needed to be punched down. Then he asked, "Why? Why do you have to punch it down and let it rise again?" Well, to be honest about it, I didn't know. I just knew that is what you did when you baked bread and never questioned the theory behind it. I told him I would find out.
After he punched it down, I told him to flour his hands because the dough might be a little sticky. "What does the flour do?" I explained that the flour makes it so the dough won't stick to your hands. "How?" "Really, I do not know. I will have to find out for you." We got the dough in the pans then I was on my mission to find out this information.
I called my sister and her husband and they answered my questions. I knew that he had been interested in one chef who explained the chemistry behind baking, plus they have a good all around knowledge. :)
Last night we went to a harvest party and I was retelling my bread baking experience with Adam. She told me, "And that is why he is going to be getting paid a lot someday." If nothing else, I am learning the chemistry behind baking.
I do have to admit, his bread looks beautiful. I can't wait to try it!
I have a sourdough bread that I make. I feed the starter one day, that night make the dough, let it rise over night, put into loaves the next morning, then bake around supper time. This recipe is really hard to mess up (I have done it though, but it was my fault. I forgot the salt...)
Friday while we were at work and school, I fed the starter. Friday evening Adam help me make the dough. Saturday morning I showed him how the dough had risen and needed to be punched down. Then he asked, "Why? Why do you have to punch it down and let it rise again?" Well, to be honest about it, I didn't know. I just knew that is what you did when you baked bread and never questioned the theory behind it. I told him I would find out.
After he punched it down, I told him to flour his hands because the dough might be a little sticky. "What does the flour do?" I explained that the flour makes it so the dough won't stick to your hands. "How?" "Really, I do not know. I will have to find out for you." We got the dough in the pans then I was on my mission to find out this information.
I called my sister and her husband and they answered my questions. I knew that he had been interested in one chef who explained the chemistry behind baking, plus they have a good all around knowledge. :)
Last night we went to a harvest party and I was retelling my bread baking experience with Adam. She told me, "And that is why he is going to be getting paid a lot someday." If nothing else, I am learning the chemistry behind baking.
I do have to admit, his bread looks beautiful. I can't wait to try it!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Fall Flowers
Having a new house, I am getting to see what flowers and other plants are planted around this house. We have this beautiful flower garden, that is shared with our neighbor.
It has some lovely mums in bloom right now.
I
I just want to make sure that Diane (our neighbor lady) knows that, in the past I have favored flowers that thrive on neglect. I will try to do my part to try with this flower bed, but really...
...It's best if they want neglect.
It has some lovely mums in bloom right now.I
I just want to make sure that Diane (our neighbor lady) knows that, in the past I have favored flowers that thrive on neglect. I will try to do my part to try with this flower bed, but really...
...It's best if they want neglect.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
How Austin Feels
Austin has always been a child who wants to express himself through notes. When he was little (even before Kindergarten) he would tell me what he needed to tell Mike and we would write notes and put them in his mailbox at work. Sometimes the notes were lovely (I love Daddy because...) other times they were (I am so mad at Adam...) I'm sure Mike loved getting the first example, not so sure about the second!
As I was unpacking a box this morning, I found something that Austin made for Mike.
The bottom says, "What a Awsome great Dad I have." I'm not sure how he did the "#1 Dad" but it is engraved in the wood.
The other Sunday Austin wanted to know when Father's day was. I told him it is always in June, in fact sometimes it is the same day as his birthday. (in those cases Austin's birthday often overrides Father's Day. That is what happens when you become a parent.) Austin wanted to make a card for Mike. I thought is was really cute, so for memory sake, I'm going to type it in.
**Side note**Mike is the ONLY father that Austin has ever had (just to be clear!). Secondly, I had to chuckle about the "begging" really it is just that he asks to check out new places (stores, etc.) begging makes it sound so much worse than it really it! Lastly, I love how he wrote in parenthesis "and I thank you".
I love how Austin expresses himself on paper (or wood). We do save some of these things and like to look back and see how he has grown and changed.
As I was unpacking a box this morning, I found something that Austin made for Mike.
The bottom says, "What a Awsome great Dad I have." I'm not sure how he did the "#1 Dad" but it is engraved in the wood. The other Sunday Austin wanted to know when Father's day was. I told him it is always in June, in fact sometimes it is the same day as his birthday. (in those cases Austin's birthday often overrides Father's Day. That is what happens when you become a parent.) Austin wanted to make a card for Mike. I thought is was really cute, so for memory sake, I'm going to type it in.
Dear Dad, (This is a late father's day card)
Your the best dad I ever had.
You let me go places I'm begging for (and I thank you.)
you let me go out to Klines ice cream.
And other fun stuff.
I gave you a gift.
You might not like it but just try it out and see if you like it.
Your the best dad I ever had.
You let me go places I'm begging for (and I thank you.)
you let me go out to Klines ice cream.
And other fun stuff.
I gave you a gift.
You might not like it but just try it out and see if you like it.
**Side note**Mike is the ONLY father that Austin has ever had (just to be clear!). Secondly, I had to chuckle about the "begging" really it is just that he asks to check out new places (stores, etc.) begging makes it sound so much worse than it really it! Lastly, I love how he wrote in parenthesis "and I thank you".
I love how Austin expresses himself on paper (or wood). We do save some of these things and like to look back and see how he has grown and changed.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Hello
Several days ago I did a post saying goodbye to the house we just moved from. I decided that to follow that up, I should say, "Hello" to our new home.
We are looking forward to many good years here. We look forward to the memories that we will have here, and the boys milestones that will happen. We feel very blessed to have this home.
We are looking forward to many good years here. We look forward to the memories that we will have here, and the boys milestones that will happen. We feel very blessed to have this home.
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