Updates on everything

Our friend Doug came over yesterday afternoon. Duncan pounced on him and forced him to watch Treasure Planet. After that Sayer pounced on him and forced him to help her with science activities from a new book she received from a friend for Halloween. They folded a paper airplane that was designed for distance, then made another type with loops of paper and drinking straws. :) Sayer also pulled out her MTH book (number 8 in the series) and read him a chapter, then he read her one, then she read him one ... They stopped for dinner in the middle of chapter 8. We finished the book last night as bedtime reading.

Today was 'testing' day for the current swim session. Sayer is *right* on the cusp of passing to the next level. Her instructor says that when Sayer is holding on to a ball as she swims across the pool, she does exactly what she's supposed to do. Without the ball, though, she's 50/50 on doing everything just right. She said she'll make her decision on Wednesday, which is Ribbon Day. I told her it was fine either way. Staying in her current level means more practice. And honestly, it probably means that two classes in to the next session she'd be done with this level and they'd start teaching at the next one, even if they don't give her the ribbon for it until the end of the session. Whatever :)

Duncan won't be passing to the next level yet. He's not fully comfortable floating on his back, has not mastered flipping from back to front to back to front, and doesn't try to use his arms at all when he's asked to push off from the stairs and swim to the instructor. He does push off and kicks hard and gets to the teacher, but his arms stay glued back by his sides. Add to that that he's having so darn much fun just being in the water that he does not listen ... When the instructor is trying to talk to him and the little girl in his class, the little girl is sitting on the steps listening (at least 80% of the time - she is only 3, too :). Duncan is bouncing up and down and going under water and crawl/swimming along the stairs and simply paying no attention. Ugh! The instructor seemed to be looking for words to tell me that Duncan was not going to pass. No, really, I watch the class. I see that he's not mature enough to listen and follow instructions, so even if he had the skills I'd be fine with having him stay in his current level. He'll grow up eventually. Right? :)

We've still been working on our workbook pages for math and phonics and grammar and logic puzzles. Somehow we cut those down to 2 pages from each book. Tomorrow Sayer has been told that we're moving back to 3 pages each. Her response is a heavy sigh and a 'yes, Mom.' :)

Sayer is still enjoying piano and karate and dance. Duncan loves his sports skills/gym class (known in our house is the 'jump on Mr. Ernie class' - Duncan loves that his teacher is a 'grown up boy').

... that's all for tonight. Feel all caught up now? :)