Weekly update for the week of 3/8/2011

Once again it has been 2 weeks since I updated my blog.  Hard to believe we are heading into the homestretch of the year.  Overall this has been a very good year.  I am continuing to learn how to draw the best out of N. as well as how S. prefers to learn. 

The highlight for N. last week was his history project of making different types of catapults.  He worked so long on this I finally had to make him stop so he could finish the rest of his school.  When school was done he went back to designing catapults. (Please overlook the mismatched pj's.  He usually doesn't get dressed until after lunch, that just works best for him).

Last week he and S. worked on painting a night sky.  I didn't get any pictures of him painting, but here is S. working on hers.

We have started a new storytime book called "Travelling the Way" and N. just loves it. The first day we read it he had do to a detailed oral narration.  I was amazed how many details he included.  I was really able to see how this skill is improving.  He is also getting better at making it more like a story verses just summarizing it.
His written narrations the past two weeks have also shown improvement.  He still isn't one to use lots of flowery words during his written narration, but he does blend some of his words and some of the authors.  You also can see the things he thought were important in what he narrates.

The highlight of this week was the Roman feast.  N. was so excited to do this.  He worked hard on making his Roman custard. 

He then used his special safety guard from Pampered Chef that allows even a kid with tremoring hands to cut up vegetables safely and proudly displayed his handiwork.  He didn't have a robe to wear so he wrapped a blanket around his shoulders.

Then he served the meal and washed his sister's hands in between courses.  She would have preferred he use warm water.

I really enjoy seeing my 2 dc having fun together.  This year has been a good one for improving their relationship and letting them see each other in all situations.  This week was a pretty stressful week since our sweet dog Bailey was nearing the end of his battle with bone cancer.  N. handled it by taking good care of him and S. handled it by coming down one day after lunch dressed as "Super Sarah".  N.  laughed all afternoon.  It was good for all of us.