Homework help

Tonight at dinner we asked the boys what their homework situation looked like.  Theo thought for a moment and then said, "Hmmm, I think I just need to make a hovercraft."  Good luck with that, child. Unfortunately he does have some sort of a plan.  It includes a leaf blower and some plywood.  Help.

Sunday Night Ultimate

My boys' ultimate season is wrapped up.  I love that sport and wish there had been more opportunities to watch them.  But, one thing that has come out of this season is that a couple other parents have found out what a great sport it is and have agreed to meet us on Sunday's in the late afternoon to play some pick up ultimate.  Right now, when we play parents v. kids it's an even match, but I think our trajectories are moving in opposite directions and soon we will have to mix up the teams to make them a bit more fair!

School Conferences Take #22

Another round of school conferences have come and gone.  At OWL, like Expo, the kids are in charge of walking us through how things are going.  They do an excellent job- summing up both their greatest accomplishments, as well as touching on areas where they could improve.  It's lovely.  Adults hardly say a word.

This year, Theo, who a few years back went through a bout of serious school-based anxiety, summed up his conference by saying, "I feel like I've really found my home here."  Ahhh.  What more could the parent of a middle schooler ask for?  Well, I guess the fact that he is well-loved by his whole multi-aged crew, from fellow 6th graders to graduating seniors.  The kids care for each other.  Just last Friday, Theo was a bit sad as he headed out the door for the bus.  I asked what was up.  He said, "It's Derek's last day.  He is so nice.  It's just not going to be the same without him."  To think that before Theo started at OWL I was worried about the 'influence' the seniors and other older students might have on him.  They've been nothing but fabulous role models, and better yet, good friends.

What happens in the GaGa pit, stays in the GaGa pit

So unfortunately I can't tell you the rest of this story.

But, I will tell you that as we approached the DuNord GaGa pit during a brief break in the Memorial Day work weekend, we encountered a group of young boys already engaged.  They didn't look like they wanted us to jump in, and I'm sure we didn't look like we wanted to share.  Luckily my friend Amy bridged the gap in true Amy fashion.  She invited us in to the ring, which they grudginly accepted.  She then got everyone's attention, and introduced me as the 'Beserker' and then announced that everyone else would be getting a GaGa pit name before the first round was done.  And name them we did.  Every kid got a new name.  It created instant comeraderie at the same time that we tried to kill each other with the playground ball.  There was Zeroni, Double Whammy, The Screamer, Dr. Hoot, Slenderman, and The Hammer, to name a few.  It was delightful to watch the kids smile as a name was bestowed, and then to call each other by their "pit names".  As we saw each other around camp we called out to each other by our new names.  None of the boys we had been playing with had parents at the GaGa Pit, so as we passed by at dinner, gave their kid a high five and yelled out, "Nice playing Sock Man!" I'm sure they wondered.  As they should have.

What I can't reveal is why I am the Beserker.  It was well-earned, I assure you.

The rest of the work-weekend passed in a gnatty-fog.  But the sun was out, it was in the 80s, we were hanging with good friends, and there was a 230 degree Finnish Sauna available to wash off the grime from both setting up cabin tents and the detrimus from the gaga pit.  And a 40 degree lake.  Wowee.

Oversharing

The other night my mom called me to ask me and tell me a million things.  One particular comment stuck in my mind:  "After I hang up, we are going to go downstairs and manscape your dad."  Turns out Jean had just learned the word manscape earlier in the day and apparently was trying to use it in a sentence.  Unfortunately, it was not just a vocabulary exercise- they went downstairs with the trimmer and manscaped my dad.  Ay yay yay.

The History Day Team Then and Now

Eli and his two History Day teammates have known each other since 1st grade.  I knew we were up for a wild ride with this crew of boys when we started a first grade boy book club and the kids were asking each other questions like, "Did you find any text to society connections?  What about text to self?"  Help!  Where to next?

Repeat Champion!

My kid defended his state championship in History Day this year.  He went in to it as an experienced documentary maker this time, but still, to end the day in first place is quite an accomplishment.  In Minnesota 30,000 kids start out at History Day.  Only 1300 make it to the State Competition.  Both my boys were in that number- unfortunately in the same category- so going head to head.  Luckily, they were never judged in the same room.  And Theo and his crew of 6th grade boys had a wild ride at State- not only moving on to the finals, but coming home with an Honorable Mention ribbon.  For 4 6th grade boys to end up as one of the top 16 middle school documentaries in the whole state was quite an accomplishment and they were thrilled when announced and ran on to stage with arms held high (Theo dressed in his brand new Ravenclaw sweater and scarf, by the way).  Then to find out that Eli and his two partners had not only defended their state championship, but were headed back to nationals once again- it was a great way to end that long day!

I am a true believer in History Day.  It is project-based, it encourages depth over breadth, it puts a premium on accessing primary sources, and gives real-world, real-time feedback that the kids listen to.  What is not to like?  Eli and his team have a deep understanding, not only on the role of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade's role in the Spanish Civil War, but on the political arena in Spain and Europe in the run up to World War II, as well as the push and pull on President Roosevelt to remain neutral in foreign entanglements.  They were able to apply what they learned about our country pre-world war II to what is going on today in terms of isolationism and neutrality versus engagement.  They interviewed experts both locally and nationally.  And they compiled a 34 page annotated bibiliography.  I say this all as both a proud mom and a wowed educator.  Give the kids a little reason to get competitive, plus the time and space to really dig in, and look what they can do!

The only drawback is that the trip to DC is right when Eli is supposed to be in Yellowstone with us, celebrating my parents' 50th wedding anniversary.  That breaks my heart, but he's pumped to represent his sweet little school at Nationals, and I can't get in the way of that!

How to be an Asset

Earlier this spring, Theo was preparing to go on a week-long trip with his classmates.  As we were helping him pack up, I had a little chat with him about ways to ensure he is viewed as an 'asset' rather than  an 'ass'.  He seemed to get it.  We talked about listening, about offering to help, about using discretion and stepping back when other's behavior made him wonder.  He was on board, and I wasn't worried.  Until he decided to pack his singing Justin Beiber toothbrush.  Oh poor chaperone.  We owe you.

Of Papers, PowerPoints, and Pig Roasters

I work at a project-based school.  We give our kids long lists of possible 'deliverables' in order to move them away from what we call the 'Three Ps': Papers, Powerpoints, and Posterboards.  One of my seniors outdid himself this by making a home-made pig roaster.  It was amazing.  His presentation made a great case for Project Based Learning.  He was thoroughly engaged in solving real-world, multi-disciplinary problems.  He had to deal with high level math and physics, often scribbling his equations right on the metal he was trying to configure into a roaster.  He worked most of the icy winter in his garage.  We'd call his mom to find out if he was coming in or if he was working from home.  One time she said, "I'm not sure what he is doing out there, but he did just come in to ask for the spare fire extinquisher, just in case".  Nice.

In the end he not only created a working roaster, but he made a trailer to be able to bring his roaster to the party, wherever that may be.  And he made some community connections so that he has several pigs offered to him for a test run.  The goods will be available to try at his graduation party.  Never in my career have I been more convinced that a graduate has the skills and habits needed to succeed in the larger world.

A true Ravenclaw

I think I've mentioned before how Theo is addicted to the Harry Potter books.  I honestly think he has read the whole series about 5 times- this year alone.  He never reads them in order- just picks up whichever one he is currently thinking about (and he's always thinking about one of them) and digs in.  Yesterday alone he read half of book five.  That is not a small book.

He is also fascinated by other Potter-lore.  He spends time on PotterMore, on fanfiction sites, taking various quizzes.  He is firm in his belief that the sorting hat would place him in Ravenclaw.  He's as firmly convinced that his mom is just a poor old Hufflepuff.  I dare say he's right.  All of this Pottermania came to a head around his birthday when he asked his grandparents for some Ravenclaw gear for his birthday.  He directed them to Ollivanders- the official online Potter shop.  They were unsure about how much he would really like a sweater and a scarf for a May birthday, but they followed through and presented him with his new Ravenclaw sweater, scarf, and banner.  He was thrilled.  Put them on right then.  Luckily for Theo it was a cool May as he wore the outfit for at least a week straight.  The banner he pinned to his back pack on his actual birthday in order to make it even more clear that he was a legit Ravenclaw.

I've been developing my own look

That's what Theo told his peditrician back when he was about 7.  She had commented on how much he looked like his brother and asked if his teachers ever called him by the wrong name.  He sighed (oh so world weary) and said that yes, it had been a problem, but alas, he was "working on developing" his own look.  The doctor peered at me over Theo's head and we shared a smile.

But the kid was right- he's been figuring out his 'look' for quite a while.  Right now I think it centers around the hair and some seriously flashy socks.  Add to that the occasional bow tie, suspenders, and skinny jeans, plus a fancy hat, and it is quite a look indeed!

You've got to love feedback

Every year at Avalon we give students, parents, and staff, opportunities to give us feedback.  It is always interesting.  This year, one of the students in the adivsory I share with a co-worker, evaluated both of us on the same form.  They wrote in response to the question, "What do you like best about your advisor?" that "They are funny/smart."  The student apparently then thought more about the manner and decided to revise her statement.  She drew an arrow from smart to Carrie's name, and from funny to mine.  I think we should both be a little wounded by that delineation, but I do think I got the shorter end of that particular stick!

April blues

Back on April 3, when St. Paul was deluged with yet a new form of frozen crap falling from the sky, I tried not to think of it not as some evil little weird derivitive of snow, or even as some sort of late spring micro-hail, but as confetti.  It didn't work.

Spring Break tripping!

For Spring Break 2014, we really went all out.  The boys and I joined Tim Leone-Getten and 11 other History Day scholars from Open and caravaned down to Carleton College.  We spent the windy, wintry day in the cozy library, with one quick outing to St. Olaf for a book there, as well as a stop for donuts.  It was a treat to spend the day with such a bright, inquisitive, group of kids- all willing to get up early and spend a precious spring break day studying.  Loved it.

He's faster. Shoot.

In late March we ventured back up to Dunord for another winter weekend.  Sure, the weekend was billed as 'Spring Fling', but with 3 plus feet of snow still on the ground, we took advantage of the one last time to get out on skies. With unfortunate results.  No, no one got injured as we glided down the ridge from the BWCA back into Dunord proper.  No, we did not suffer from frost bite or get stuck (for too long) in snow mounds that were over our heads.  What happened is that I skied with Eli and had to face up to the fact that he is faster than me.  The first time we went out and he left me in the dust I chalked it up to the fact that I was carrying a heavy backpack and he was unencumbered.  The second time I blamed it on a bad wax job (not eyebrows, but skis). But when it happened on the third ski, and we were waxed the same, I had no backpack, and he still dusted me, well, then I had to own up to the fact that the kid has gone and done it. Dang.  My only condolence is that several other people saw him out on the trails and remarked on his smooth, quick, stride.  Which was nice to hear, as I couldn't see it- he was too far ahead of me.

Real world homework

I love St. Paul Open School for a variety of reasons, but one of them is the homework.  It has not caused us many battles this year as there is very little doing of stuff for the sake of doing it- like the spelling homework we battled through in years past. Well, except the three-dimensional shapes Eli came to tears over.  It should have been fun, but something went haywire.

Anyway- one day this spring I had Eli making Spanish tapas- he chose a nice fried potato with a spicy tomato sauce, and Theo practicing a TED talk. Theo's class was given the assignment to create a new idea for a children's museum exhibit.  Then pitch it in the form of a TED talk.  Then actually walk down to the Children's Museum, meet with staff, and pitch your idea.  My goodness, the kid took it seriously. As he should have.

Later that same evening, Eli, inspired by his coding class, claimed that trying to hack into our computer and take control of the mouse while I was trying to do some work, could actually be considered homework, and therefore I should quit discouraging him from doing it.  Hmm.  Not sure how I feel about that.

11 year old vocabularly building

While we were eating dinner on St. Patrick's day, Jon was commenting about how he ran into some people coming from the St. Pat's day parade.  He mentioned that although the calendar said mid-March, the weather was more like January, and people were definitely not dressed for our current temperatures.  He went so far as to suggest some of them might even have been dressed in a 'lewd' manner.  Theo asked what lewd meant, but before we could answer (and how would we have answered?) he said, "Wait, does it mean ludicrously nude?"  Yes, Theo, it does.  And I'm sure in his mind, lewd is spelled lude, which makes his definition even better.

Winter induced stupidity

One freezing cold morning  I ran out to my car after working out at the Y.  I was already on the cusp of being late for my 7:45 meeting.  I unlocked the car, jumped in, started it as it was about 20 below zero, then jumped back out to scrape the windows, as ice and snow had accumulated during my brief time at the Y.  I scraped and then went to get back into the RUNNING car.  But my door was locked!  What?  How did that happen?  All my stuff was in locked car.  That was running.  My phone, my house keys...so even if I could catch a bus quickly to run home and get another car key, I had no money to pay for the bus, nor a key to open my house door.  And it was -20.  I think the cold froze my brain, causing me to bolt into action before really thinking the whole situation through.

So I ran into the Y, frantically, knowing that I had about a 3 minute window that if I was extremely lucky, I might catch Jon before he jumped into the pool at the Y closer to his work.  I used the Y phone to call his cell, once, twice, fourteen times.  No answer!  I then thought to call the front desk of the Skyway Y before Jon checked in there.  I asked the Midway Y desk person for the number of the Y down the street.  He had NO idea.  What?  So I demanded he give me a unused Y membership card as I knew the numbers for all the local Ys were on the back.  Not sure why he didn't know that.  I called the Skyway Y and breathlessly asked them to look for a tall, not-blonde, guy in his 40s who answers to Jonathan.  He should be passing by the desk in the next few minutes...and if he did, stop him!  Ask him to call the Midway Y (Wait- here's their number as you may not know it!!) and ask for Gretchen!  Don't let him get in the swimming pool as I need him!

I then started to worry about my car out there running on the street, unattended.  So I quickly tried to explain my situation to the sleepy desk guy.  I think he got it. If someone called the front desk and asked for Gretchen, it was me!  Then I ran back outside to check my car.  I was sweating by this point.  Shower wasted.  Car was still there.  Still locked. Still running.  Ran back inside.  No calls for Gretchen.  Back outside. Still there.  It was at this point that I had the brilliant thought to check all of the car doors.

Sure enough.  It was only the driver door that was locked. All other doors unlocked.  So I sheepishly got in the back, crawled over the front seat, grabbed my purse, turned off the car, got out, ran back in, explained to the desk guy that if someone called for Gretchen to tell the person that the emergency was over.  Then I used my cell phone to call the other Y, cancel the APB on Jonathan, and then try Jon's cell.  He answered. He had been home in bed the whole time, having skipped his workout.  He woke up to find 14 calls from an unknown number (the Y!) and was getting worried.  I told him to go back to bed.  Crisis averted.