HOMESCHOOL (5 YRS OLD)

Today was the first formal day of home school. Momma went over the scientific method and tried to highlight the parts that was pertainent: (1) Pose a question, (2) Do an experiment, (3) Analyze the data and (4) Make a conclusion.

Today's experiment was based on the stomach (based on the theme of the human body that the Alpha's are studying). Applying the scientific method, the question was "How does the stomach and intestine work?" Momma took a pink balloon and S coated it with vegetable oil (stomach lining and enzyme) and filled it up with broken pieces of bread. After the last piece of bread, S poured in white vinegar (stomach acid). Momma blew up the balloon until it was the size of a fist (slightly bigger) and momma and S took turns shaking up the content and then poured a little bit out. S observed the that bread was broken up.

Then momma dumped the vinegar out, and S and momma took turns squeezing the balloon (now it was an intestine). Then momma poured it out and S observed that the food was broken down even smaller. Then, momma just let S squeeze everything out of the balloon. S pretended it was poop. Momma thinks that this was probably her favorite part of the experiement.

Momma asked what S concluded and S said that the job of the stomach and intestine was to break down the food. Momma really enjoyed doing such a simple experiment because it got the idea across so well and thinks S did too. Momma followed up the experiment with the chapter on Digestive Systems from the book Organs by Nancy Winslow Parker. Afterwards, momma and S did some simple craft with foam cubes.

Of course, it's still not perfect. Stripey and piano practice got neglected... but overall, Momma really enjoyed the first home school day.

YELLOW BELT (5 YRS OLD)

S tested for her karate yellow belt yesterday and passed. She did a great job showing off her abilities. Momma was worried how self-conscious she might be but she was very confident standing up with her testing peers.

When she was awarded the certificate and belt, she immediately ran to daddy and gave him a hug. They have been working on this together for several months now. She will start talking two classes of karate a week and hopefully will be able to master enough stripes to get to her orange belt.

WHEN I GROW UP (5 YRS OLD)

Maybe, it's because S is an only child, but one of the things she tells momma often is "when I grow up, I'm going to have lots of children." In the car yesterday, she said she was going to have four children and also adopt, because some children don't have mommies or daddies.

Momma's response to it all is that you have to be married and have a job to support your children.

ALPHA TRANSITION WEEK (5 YRS OLD)

S started "kindergarten" this week, a.k.a 1st year Alpha, at Austin Home Base (AHB). Momma was more hesitant than S was about school beginning. S was counting down the day; each day she asked how many more day till school starts.

School finally started this week unofficially, kicking off transition week for Penta-Alphas and Alphas. The goal is to get the new kids use to the routine of school and where everything is. The week's theme was invention. On the first day, the class took apart a phone; on the second day, they made boats and tested them out and today, they "tinkered," i.e. they took things apart. Tomorrow is the last day of transition week. Next week, it will be the first "normal week" and interestingly enough, the theme will be the human body.

Yesterday, S said on the way home from school, "I like school" and today, she added, "I like recess." Maybe, momma shouldn't be so worried after all.

TOO BUSY (5 YRS OLD)

Since S has been out of preschool at the end of July, she has been busy with vacation trips, play dates, and camp (rock-climbing and cheer) on top of her usual routine of gymnastic class, karate, and swimming and piano lesson.

Momma realized she just overbooked August. She was worried that there wouldn't be enough to keep S busy. In hind site, momma realizes what S needs most is some downtime hanging out at home. Momma forgot what a homebody S is and what a homebody momma is, too.

CIRCUS (5 YRS OLD)

Daddy, momma and S went to the circus tonight -- due to the fact that momma's circus vouchers were only good for Wednesday (yesterday) or Thursday (tonight)-- a surprise to momma.

Despite an unexpected circus trip, everyone had a good time. Barnum & Bailey celebrated their 200th birthday in a huge sensory overload spectacular. She got a big bag of cotton candy, circus hat, and clown nose. She laughed and giggled non-stop and at one point said, "I'm smiling so much; I can't stop."

For $15 per ticket, momma thinks this is one of the cheapest investment that momma has ever made.

BUSY MOMMA (5 YRS OLD)

Momma has been busy lately, more than usual. She's been busy trying to finish her "application" as she calls it. When S ask what is an "application," momma says that the application is for a job. S appears quiet and hesitant about what to say and then blurts out that she doesn't want momma to work. Then she pauses and says, "let's make a deal. You don't work until I'm in school (implying kindergarten)." Momma agrees.

To be honest, momma is sad about working because she's going to miss the quality time with S and wonders if this is "right time" to start working with S. Who knows?!

STRIPEY (5 YR OLD)

S continues to care for Stripey and momma is surprised how loving she is to it. She has picked up Stripey twice by herself this week. Momma was pleased that Stripey behaved well and didn't nip her. In fact, Stripey has been a great ice-breaker for S whenever friends are over visiting.

On that note momma has two quotes concern Stripey and S:
Quote 1:
A day after finding out that Stripey 1 died, S was playing with her Stripey and said, "Now he is Stripey 1."

Quote 2:
S: When Stripey gets old, I don't want to hunt down Stripey and eat him.
M: Let's make a deal. We will never hunt down Stripey and eat him.
S: So, when he is old, he will just die.
M: Yes, when he is old, he will die.

CHAMPAGNE (5 YRS OLD)

Daddy celebrated his birthday this weekend. S wanted to do something special on Saturday morning. She woke up and told momma she was going to go do something special for daddy and momma and it was a surprise. Momma didn't think anything of it and went back to sleep.

After few minutes, S went to get daddy because she needed some help with her surprise. S was having difficulty opening up the bottle of champagne for daddy and momma. She had taken of the foil but couldn't get the cork out.

Daddy thought it was the sweetest act from S, but a bit misguided. The bottle of champagne would have exploded and given her a big (scary) surprise.