Addition Breakthrough

We've been playing dice war with the double dice lately (we each roll a double die and see who gets the highest total). Yesterday, I decided to change things up a bit by rolling one double die, writing the two numerals in equation form, and having Gerrick add the total and write the answer. My main objective was to get him to practice writing numerals in a way that he might enjoy. He did, but we also had a surprise breakthrough in mathematical thinking! He has always counted his dice (say 2 & 5, for example) like this: "1,2,3,4,5,6,7." Yesterday, he started doing it like this: "5,6,7." I was very pleasantly surprised. :)

Our Pre-K (Jan-June 2009)

• Plenty of free time for creative, independent play

• Outdoor play and exploration, nature walks, and simple nature journal

• Tons of read-alouds

• Full access to a wide variety of quality art materials

• Unit Studies:
  The Story of Ferdinand lapbook
  Ancient Egypt
  Another Celebrated Dancing Bear/Russia lapbook
  Make Way for Ducklings lapbook

• Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K (We completed about 2/3 of this kit; you can read about our experience here.)

• Starfall alphabet and phonemic awareness

• Mead Capital Letter Stories (I didn't make him copy the full pages, just enough 'til he felt comfortable enough to write the letter in his lapbook.)

• Explode the Code, books A & B (He hated these; in retrospect, I shouldn't have pushed them.)

• math games--Connect Four, Trouble, Go Fish, War, dice, dominoes...

• Daily story from The Kingfisher Children's Bible

• Peep and the Big Wide World online videos & games

My Shred Workout Log

I'm not overweight, but I am heavier than I want to be. I know when I workout regularly I feel SO much better and have much more energy. When we started building our house, I got out of my elliptical trainer routine. Well, we've lived in our new house 9 months now & I still haven't gotten back to exercising regularly! I'm determined to make it through the 30 Day Shred, lose some weight, tone, and jump start a new workout habit. I'm not planning to change my diet which is already fairly healthy; however, I have developed a nasty habit of a Pepsi with lunch daily. That's stopping right now! I'll update this post daily and keep a link to it in my sidebar if you care to check up on me. Please comment and cheer me on. :)

Starting numbers:
BMI--24.1
weight--154
chest--39.5"
waist--32.5"
hips--42.25"
arm--11.5"
thigh--24.5"

Level 1
Day 1--This is hard! I can already tell I'm going to be sore!
Day 2--My arms and shoulders were very sore this morning. Yesterday I used 3lb weights; today I dropped down to 2lb. I was afraid I wasn't going to make it through the first circuit; I literally yelled myself through the (modified) push-ups! But once I got into circuit 2, I knew I would make it,though it certainly wasn't easy. Right now I'm feeling pretty good, but I'm expecting serious pain by tomorrow. Must find our ibuprofen!
Day 3--When I woke up this morning I was less sore than I was yesterday morning. Getting through the workout was easier,too. I feel great, and I'm so glad I decided to do this. I no longer feel like a bag of jello; I'm feeling stronger. I highly recommend steady doses of ibuprofen, though. :)
Day 4--I feel my endurance steadily increasing, though I'm still doing modified versions and sticking with my 2lb weights. Circuit 1 is still really tough for me with the push-ups & shoulder presses.
Day 5--Only used modified form for push-ups. Felt pretty good during the workout. Afterward, I sat down and drank some water and suddenly felt light-headed. I ate a piece of turkey bacon because I thought maybe I needed some food (had had only a fiber one bar with coffee 2 hrs earlier)and felt worse--like I was going to puke, then faint. I lay in the floor for about 10 minutes and started feeling a little better, ate a Fruit Chillers sorbet tube and felt much better. Maybe I overdid the cardio? Felt fine the rest of the day with very little soreness and no ibuprofen.
Day 6--I really didn't want to do this today, but I'm really glad I made myself. I moved back up to 3lb weights for circuits 2 & 3. Circuit 1 is still tough, though, so I'm sticking with 2lb for it.
Day 7--I didn't get around to the workout until 8pm. I'm definitely going to continue doing it in the a.m. whenever possible, my lack of energy tonight made it seem to last longer than usual.
Day 8--Even though this is still a good, tough workout I'm getting bored with doing it every day. I'm ready to move on to level 2 just to change things up a bit, but I'm going to give myself 2 more days.
Day 9--Just one more day of level 1 to go! :)
Day 10--Good bye, Level 1!!!!! I'll be taking my measurements in the morning.

BMI--23.8 (-.3)
weight--152 (-2lb)
chest--37" (-2.5")
waist--31" (-1.5")
hips--42" (-.5")
arm--11.5" (0)
thigh--24" (-.5")
If I were measuring weight alone, I would have been discouraged! Ten years ago in my mid 20's I'm sure I would have dropped at least 5 or 6 pounds. So I'm also assuming the older I get the harder it will be to lose. It's so important that I lose the excess fat and gain as much muscle as I can right now. Then as I age I can focus on maintaining, which will be tough, but won't seem impossible. :)

Level 2
Day 11--TOUGH!...serious sweat!
Day 12--I was in fear of dehydration yesterday, but today was a bit better.
Day 13--This is so hard! Do not even attempt this if you are not seriously motivated and determined to get in better shape.
Day 14--This is pure torture!! But I'm pressing on...
Day 15--Half-way over! Woohoo! Wait...ONLY half-way? :(
Day 16--I'm really tired of doing this day after day! But...tonight I managed to use 3lb weights throughout the whole workout. Prior to tonight I've had to use 2lb during the shoulder presses in circuit 3. I know I'm getting stronger--but it sure isn't any fun.

[skipping a day, PMS headache]

[skipping another day, cramps & fitness apathy]

[skipping a 3rd day! :( determined to start back tomorrow]

Day 17--Back on track! :D
Day 18--I may have overextended myself yesterday; I hobbled through tonight with pain in my left knee. I have ice on it as I'm typing this.

[skipping another day.:( My knee still hurts, and I'm developing cold symptoms.]

[skipping yet another day. This cold has sucked my energy, & I should probably let my knee rest more anyway. At this rate it's going to take me 60 days to finish this thing!]

[another day lost]

Day 19--Feels great to be back. I took it easy and did modified lunges and planks to protect my knee which still feels a little weak.

[This is getting ridiculous, I know. I was out of town all day and my DH worked 'til 9pm, I just didn't have the energy tonight.]

[sick again!:(]

[been through too many tissues to count]

Day 20--FINALLY, done with Level 2!

BMI--23.3 (-.8)
weight--149 (-5lb)
chest--36.5 (-3")
waist--30.5 (-2")
hips--42 (-.5")
arm--11.5 (0)
thigh--23.5 (-1")

[skipped 2 days--no excuses.]

Level 3
Day 21--Whew! Tough, but not any tougher than the first two levels were to me on the first days. I stuck with Anita for the most part and used 2lb weights again. There's no way I could have done this level first, or even second though. I've gotten so much stronger. Call me crazy, but I think I actually like this level best. ;)

[skipped a day--my inner thighs are really sore, but skipped b/c workouts so easily drop down the priority list until it's too late or I'm just too tired]

Day 22--check
Day 23--check

[no way, today I spent my energy here]

[no again, today I went here]

[nope, went here]

[ya know, I think since I can comfortably fit into my favorite jeans again, it just isn't a priority anymore...but, I know if I don't keep shredding (or something) they'll be too tight again before I know it!]

Day 24--
Day 25--
Day 26--
Day 27--
Day 28--
Day 29--
Day 30--

BMI--
weight--
chest--
waist--
hips--
arm--
thigh--

Technical Difficulties

Recently I installed JS-Kit Comments and Comment Luv on this blog. I had high hopes for these programs, but apparently loading them was a big mistake. I have since heard that several people have not been able to access my blog properly or leave comments. So I have removed both programs and am keeping my fingers crossed that everything will work properly for everyone again. PLEASE COMMENT NOW SO THAT I WILL KNOW YOU ARE ABLE TO DO SO. Thanks.

Snapshot Sunday

Yeah, that's a man hand; I'm so lucky! :)

The turtle enjoyed basking in the morning sun.

...found on the playroom floor.

Gerrick claimed the yard sale shelves for his buddies.

The fish are dying for a clean aquarium.Guess I better go work on that now.

(See Sarah at The Napping House to play.
Five photos of your life...no people, no arranging, no cleaning.)

Tiny Turtle

Meet our new (temporary) pet.Isn't he the most adorable turtle you've ever seen?

30 Day Shred

I'm starting The Shred on Monday. Anybody want to join me? Or have any words of wisdom for pushing through the pain? ;)

Come on. Go get the dvd and some light weights and let's do this together!

No Running? Seriously?

This sign is located at our neighborhood playground--on my very street--and it really bugs me!

Beach at the Lake

This little man-made beach at the lake is only about 6 or 7 miles from our house. Can you believe today was the first time we ever went there?! We arrived around 10:30 am, and it was very peaceful. After lunch a lot more people showed up, and Gerrick enjoyed playing with some of the kids he met. The fee is only $4 per car, so we'll certainly be going back.

A Crawfish

After leaving the farm today, we decided to have a picnic at the creek in our own neighborhood and spend some time exploring and splashing. While there, we found a dead crawfish in the water. He made it as far as our back porch before I had to intervene and explain why he wasn't going any further. ;)

Back to Madison Creek Farms

The three of us went to the farm today, and though it was HOT, we really enjoyed ourselves. We drank lemonade while listening to live music, browsing the market, and watching a cooking demonstration. We walked around the farm, looking at the flowers, crops, chickens, and the goat, then Gerrick headed to the creek to cool off and play with some other boys while Rick and I sat in a shady spot.

Happy Father's Day Weekend!

Gerrick is super excited to give Rick his Father's Day gifts. We made a silhouette as demonstrated at 4 Crazy Kings and reused a frame and mat that we already had. Also, Rick has mentioned several times that he would like a cactus for his desk, so Gerrick found the perfect one and re-potted it in a nice manly planter. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Musical Petting Zoo

Gerrick played several instruments today at a free musical petting zoo hosted by the Country Music Hall of Fame in the library courtyard. I've included photos of the fiddle and mandolin--his favorites. We started with demonstrations from Renae from Cowboy Crush, then got down to business.






He was really getting into it. :)I caught the last few seconds on video...I think this kid needs a 1/4 size!

Mud, Sticks, Water, and Rocks...

What more could a boy want?

Did You Know?

Here's a great video to ponder. What does it mean? To me, it means that knowing HOW to learn is extremely important, because what we'll need to know tomorrow doesn't even exist today! What do you think?

Impromptu Play House

Yesterday, Gerrick informed me that his pool was "full of hundreds of mosquito larvae!" Yuck...he was right! It was definitely time to clean it. Once we emptied it though, he found another use for it--a play house. I like that it gives him a shady spot to play in the mornings in our tree-less backyard, and he's been having a blast.

A Fun-filled Day

Today we went to the Discovery Center and met new friends! Before we even got in the door we just happened to run into more new friends (whom we met at Madison Creek Farms last month)! We spent the morning playing at the center, had a picnic lunch, then headed over to the library for storytelling.

Here the boys are enjoying being together while waiting for the storytelling to begin...



Afterward, Gerrick and I went back to the Discovery Center, walked around the Wetlands Trail, and played the afternoon away...

Getting Myself Organized--Part 1

I haven't really been juggling everything very well lately. I haven't been working out at all. My household chores have been slipping. I mean to do something and before I know it three more days have disappeared! Yes, I spend A LOT of time with Gerrick and that is very important, most of his learning occurs through unplanned, spontaneous life. But I've got to find a better balance. Having lists all over the place hasn't been working, so in addition to a giant wall calendar which hangs in my new secret lair (I may share it with you later), I have decided to make my own planner notebook. I decided to use a 9x12 sketch pad. I like that it's spiral bound. I like that it has a tough plastic cover. I like that the pages are big and thick. I can get all the information I need for a week on a 2-page spread (workboxes, outings, chores, workouts, dinner, notes, to-do list, follow-up list). I don't think I'll mind having to redraw the chart every week. It could be a good thing because I'll be free to adjust it as needed week by week. These pictures aren't great--the pencil is hard to read. But if you're interested in what I'm doing, just click on the pictures to enlarge. I really hope that this helps me stay on track and pull everything together better. What are some of your planning techniques or organizing tips?

The Incredible Hulk

While I prepared lunch yesterday, he turned into the hulk. He thought it was totally awesome until he was reminded that he could only sit at the table or his desk or go out in the backyard. No lounging on the sofa or carpet allowed when wearing full-body paint! Yes people, we do have some RULES in this house and no transfer of face-paint crayon onto fabric furniture is one of 'em!



So, he ate his lunch...



He worked at his desk awhile...



Then he was ready for a bath because it was way past snuggle-on-the-couch-and-listen-to-books time. He thought the green water was cool. He loved the dark green tub ring that formed, until he realized how hard it was to scrub off. Yes, that's another rule we have around here: We work together to clean our messes!

After all was said and done, I "think" he concluded painting his whole body just isn't worth the trouble. We'll see. :)

Exploring the Creek

We walked over to the creek today, and Gerrick collected snails.





We found a crawfish exoskeleton.


Gerrick kept the claws.


What a surprise!Once we were back home, snails began crawling out of the tube!
He has always found empty shells there in the past,and he hadn't realized these were living.

So, after consulting this book, we trekked back to the creek for creek water and plants.



After getting our snails settled, we noticed a few wiggly things and tiny bugs in the water, which of course, we had to observe more closely. We believe that the wiggly things may have been young mosquito larvae.