Reading

Last school year (when Adam was in 3rd grade), the library at his school had started a reading program at Christmas time.  The children were to read 100 books between Christmas break and the end of May.  The children who did this were rewarded with an ice cream party before school ended for the year.

I knew this seemed unrealistic for us, but I encouraged Adam to try to circle all 100 numbers on his form.  I told him, if he got all the numbers circled, I would take him to Sweet Frog (a frozen yogurt place, that has a topping bar--add as much as you want!)  He really liked that idea!  Shortly before Christmas this past year, Adam circled his 100th book!!

I told him we would make it to Sweet Frog, but I was not too motivated to go right away with snow on the ground and cold temperatures-Frozen Yogurt did not seem like a treat. 

This week Adam and I are on Spring Break.  Monday we were out running some errands and we were going to be near Sweet Frog, so I decided --TODAY IS THE DAY!!!  :)

Adam was so pleased when he heard that we were going to make it to Sweet Frog!!  He really had quite the dish of frozen yogurt, but I'd say he deserved it!

After talking about it, he decided he wants to do it again!  We are now counting the next 100 books!

Waldo

The other day I went into Austin's room to talk to him about something and I found him at his desk looking like this...

I had a chuckle just a little.  When he asked why, I just told him that he reminded me of "Where's Waldo?"

or at least they could be brothers or cousins.

Austin has a way of making me laugh, sometimes without even know.

Art Club

In the beginning of this school year a form was sent home asking if the children at Adam's school were interested in Art club.  Adam, of course, was!  

They had several sections.  Adam was place in the 4th section (since that did not interfere with his drama practice and other after school activities).  His section ended last week.  

I was not really sure what they were doing in art club until the very end.  I found that they repainted part of the rock climbing wall in the gym.

 This a picture of the section that Adam's art club section did.

 They were to write their name on the art somewhere, but disguise it so it was not terribly noticeable, yet it was still there.  Adam's name looks like dashes above the triangle.

 Adam painted the bird and the vine under the tree limb.

 He also did the blue flower.

Adam painted the colorful bees, and the blue and white cotton candy clouds  ;)

He really enjoyed doing this and it makes me really happy that he was able to do something "permanent" for the school.  Granted in a few years they will probably paint over it again, but until then we can enjoy the artwork that Adam participated in.

Science Fair

The other week Austin came home from The other week Austin came home from school and said he was working on a science project.  The project had to be one where you tested it on a group of people.  My first thought was, "Oh brother, what on earth is he going to do???"  He actually came up with a fun idea!


He decided take the game Simon (seen below)

 

(from my childhood-Thank goodness mom and dad held on to the game we had!) and test to see if boys or girls have better memory.  Pretty clever idea!

So, they had a designated evening at school where everyone set up their stations and did their testing for their project.    There were a lot of different ideas there that night.  Some included "Can you tell if it is a box cake or a home made cake?"  "Can you tell organic fruit from non organic fruit?"  (Honestly, a lot of them had to do with food and tasting.)

Austin had a line at his station most of the evening!  I think all the adults enjoyed seeing a game from their childhood, and all the kids were just having fun with an old game. 

Austin found.....

boys have a better memory!  (I think this only applies to games,  I still wonder if he would test in other areas if girls would win  ;) 

He had a great time doing this, and I am excited to see what he might come up with next year.

I Knew It Would Happen One Day....

...but never thought it would happen so soon.

Adam was off to walk the grounds of a University campus.  Actually, he will be doing it twice a week until May.  :)

A few weeks ago, Adam was asked to go see the music teacher after lunch.  He and 8 other children were chosen from our school to join Orff.  They sing, play recorders, play xylophones, and metallophones.  He was really excited to be chosen for this group.

Saturday was their first lesson.  He said it was fun--Looked that way to me! 

I didn't get any pictures yet, but I'm sure by the time it is all over I will have some.