WRITING (5 1/2 YRS OLD)

Expressing her frustration about writing, S said, "it takes too much of my time!" Yep, it does, agreed momma, but that's how you learn to write.

SHRINKY DINK (5 1/2 YRS OLD)

S got a small shrinky dink kit as one of the prizes for her Christmas countdown hunt. It had three teddy bears for coloring and she and momma put it in the toast oven to shrink. She was so thrilled to see it shrink before her own eyes.

Then, momma got her a Christmas shrinky dink kit -- with a miniture paper tree, tinsel garland, and 20 or so shrinky dinks to color and make. She worked diligently all morning to color them in and then baked them herself in the toaster oven.

What great fun S had! Momma too!

MY LITTLE ENTREPRENEUR (5 1/2 YRS OLD)

Auntie Tien, Uncle San Lucas, and cousins Sarai and Abby gave Sarah a book called "Easy Origami" and some origami paper for Christmas. Sarah made a simple origami cat, dog, rabbit, horse, fish and penguin. She was proud of her creations. Today after making her penguin, she said. I want to sell them. So around dinner time, S went door to door and sold her six origami animals for 10 cents each, making a profit of 60 cents.

S was pleased with herself and momma was proud of S. She went to the doors herself and told each neighbor clearly that she was selling origami animals for ten cents each. There was still an occasional confused look -- just because no really expects a five year old to be a door to door sales person. Daddy joked and asked if we were out to alienate the neighbors.

WINTER FAIR CRAFT SALE (5 1/2 YRS)

This past week S's school had their winter fair. Each participating child had to make a craft or bake good to sell. (The younger kids could get assistance from their parents). The money raised would go towards the school funds to improve their school. Last year's profit bought the awning that is now on the playground. This year the winter fair took in another $500 profit.

S wanted to participate and momma and S had been making reindeer necklaces, with felt, pipe cleaners and bells. The 30+ necklaces took over three weeks to make. Momma did most of the cutting out and S did most of the gluing, except for a couple of times where she was tired. All in all, daddy said it looked pretty good. At the last moment, some milk carton wallets were also made. Over all, S made $22.50 in profit, selling the necklaces and wallets for 50 cents each. She has the fourth highest profit and probably the most prolific in number of items sold.

Momma was very proud of S. She was very serious about selling the necklaces. She manned her booth continuously. At first she was a little slow at handling customers, taking money and making change, but by the end of the first day, she was a pro-. She asked momma if next year, she could man the booth by herself. On Friday, S told momma that she might grow up and seller and sell things for living. Maybe, said mom, but you will have to get better at doing math and talking to people.

PORTFOLIO ON PARADE (5 1/2 YRS OLD)

Today was S's class "Portfolio on Parade" day. Each student in the Alpha class picks the work that best represents them. This includes their journals -- their take home one, their math one, their project one and their writing journals. Momma helped picked out two pieces of work that most represent S: pictures of her karate class and her certificate for best kicks in her testing and piece of her art and crafts - her weaving and some drawings.

After looking at the other Alpha students work, momma and daddy were really impressed by their work, both at school and at home. Looking at S's own work, what shined through the most was how much she loves art and being creative. She puts much effort into her drawing, artwork and crafts, but put less effort into her writing. It was hard to decide if S was on par with other children in her class because momma and daddy because so many Alphas were at different spectrum in their development.

Daddy described it best as -- the stuff S likes, she puts much effort in and the stuff she doesn't like she doesn't put any effort in. The issue is -- to get better at the other stuff you have to practice.

FUNNY STUFF (5 1/2 YRS OLD)

When momma asked how it was spending the night with Mimi (over Thanksgiving), S said good. Then she added, "Mimi's mask is scary." Momma couldn't help but laugh. Mimi just recently stated wearing a mask to help with her sleep apnea.

S started asking about different religion. She asked, "what religion is your mom?" Momma answered, "she's Buddhist." S asked, "what religion is Mimi?" Momma answered, "she's Christian." She even asked, "What religion is Aunt Fiona." Momma said, "She's an atheist; she doesn't believe in a god." S responded with -- "I wish everyone just had the same religion, like me. It would be easier." Momma was laughing inside, but said, "Everyone's different."

READING (5 1/2 YRS)

S has been increasing her reading skills by leap and bounds. She has read most of Mo Willem's Elephant and Piggie book. She amazed momma and daddy this week by reading the book "I Have to Go" by Robert Munsch. The print was three or four (more) complex sentences a page and she was actually reading it, than perhaps reciting it from memory. Daddy noticed that she would correct herself, if she got a word wrong. Recently S started reading Fly Guy books by Ted Arnold, simple chapter books.

Her great memory skills have really helped her, so she has many sight words down pact. Often, she will guess at a word versus sounding it out, but as she gets better at reading she is more willing to sound it out. Like Ms. Eliza says, "break it down into simpler words or sounds."

Momma credits her reading to having a great school environment. Many children were already reading in her Alpha class which encourages her to try too. Before school, even though she knew the sounds to the various letters, she use to ask why she needed to learn to read because she would cite that her friends didn't know. Unfortunately, S is really susceptible to peer pressure and fitting in with her friends. Momma hopes that S will always find a good group of friends and peer who help her to excel.

SPACEY (5 1/2 YRS)

S has a hard time paying attention. Daddy notice it alot at karate class. Momma notices it during the afternoons and on homeschool days. Mo