Ultra Man

by Amy

Until about a year ago, I had never seen "Ultra Man." I have know idea if this is just an Asian thing or if Ultra Man has invaded the US too. And, until a week ago, these guys were "the Strong Man" around our house. I didn't even know their name. I don't know if there's a movie or TV cartoon about them or not. (So, if they're really bad, I don't know it!) What I do know, is that my boys really like them.

So, a couple of weeks ago, a friend and I went to a local market to find some "Sticker-Prizes" to give my boys for reaching a sticker on their reading bookmark. For about 15 local dollars ($2USD) I bought 2 Ultra Man (aka Strong Man) super sun visors -- the kind that can flip down and cover your face. They were a HUGE hit! My kids have practically worn them 24/7 for the last four days! And, on the day that they earned their prizes, I think Alex thanked me about eight times for his new hat.

Here are some pics for your viewing enjoyment! We found Ultra Man posters at a mall, so we had to stop and take some pics....

Even Savannah wanted to get in on the fun....

Let the Reading Begin!

By Amy

Last Monday I started teaching Peter and Alex how to read. They are younger than Savannah was when I started teaching her to read, but as I look ahead at our year, this is definitely the best time to begin, with the least interruptions. (We don't have any 2-3 week vacations/ meetings planned or any visits with family planned until the fall.) So, here we go!

Once again I'm using How to Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. Overall, I was pleased with this curriculum when I used it with Savannah. (Even though I feel like there were a few holes in this curriculum, her BJU Kindergarten curriculum filled them all in nicely.) I made two book marks with the numbers 1-100 on each. Peter's is yellow and Alex's is blue. Then, I chose 6 numbers between 1 and 99 and covered them with a sticker. Each time they complete a lesson they get to check off that number. When they successfully complete a lesson number that has a sticker on it, they get a prize! I'm hoping that a total of 7 rewards (including the big prize for completing the whole thing) will be enough motivation!

My boys are really different from each other, so I've decided to school them separately right now. Obviously, when they start kindergarten, I won't do that, but I feel like for where they are right now and in order to use this curriculum most effectively, separate is best. It's been interesting to watch them learn and be challenged. At this point (9 lessons into it) they both are really motivated to reach lesson 18 and get their first prize. Alex has a hard time sitting still and staying focused for a long lesson or 2 lessons in a row. But, he's motivated to try hard and continue working on sounds that are difficult. And, he gets really excited when he masters a skill/sound. Peter on the other hand, would sit still and work through 4 lessons at a time if I let him. But, when he gets to something that he can't do correctly the first time, he gets frustrated and is quick to say, "I can't do it!" So, this curriculum is giving me a good opportunity to develop some life-long-learning skills in them both.

Tennis Anyone?

by Amy


Our apartment complex has a tennis court. Occasionally, early in the mornings，you'll see people actually playing tennis on it , but it's typically used as a bike track, skating rink, and baseball diamond if my boys are out. The problem is that the tennis courts are SOOOO dirty! Every quarter when Brad goes to pay our maintenance fee, he asks them to wash the courts. One day, after our kids had been playing out there, Brad took them to the office and told the ladies, "This is why we'd like for you to clean the tennis courts!" Our kids were black all over!

Well, not too long ago, Brad and I were home. I was in the middle of cleaning something that had spilled on the floor, cooking dinner, and straightening up for guest that were about to arrive. So, my dear husband ran down to go pick the kids up from their kindergarten. As my hands are a mess and something on the stove is boiling over, my cell phone rings - and rings.... finally after the seventh ring, I pick up. It's Brad calling -- from downstairs -- "I know you're in the middle of a ton of stuff right now, but...." he says, " you have to look out the window - right now!" So, I rush to Savannah's room and this is what I see....

Say it ain't so!! They're actually cleaning tennis courts! I don't know if you can tell from the picture above or not, but they have one of those floor buffing machines down there. I'm not exactly sure how that worked, but it did!

The only problem we have now is that the gate is locked. They won't let anyone in to play on it while it's clean! That's OK, though. It makes me smile every time I walk by it!