Grammar Lessons

Neither the Artist nor the Engineer are particularly enamored with Grammar. It is not at the bottom of the list for them either. It is merely a school subject in the middle of the pack, slightly annoying to both of them.

Interestingly, both my children prefer grammar this year, compared to past years. The difference is the curriculum. We abandoned A Beka in favor of Shurley Grammar. The Artist tells me she is learning more and the explanations are more clear. The Engineer loves his jingles and the concreteness of the work involved with classifying sentences. The colorful pages with cute little animals on them did not endear A Beka to him. Black and white pages with charts and paragraphs of text with a jingle CD do the trick.

Today it happened that both kids were assigned expository paragraphs. Here they are suffering through the chore (he he he).I am amused that the Engineer felt a need to tell me that writing paragraphs is his second least favorite part of grammar class. His least favorite parts, he continued, "are writing in the journal and taking tests." Then with much enthusiasm he added, "But I don't complain about it!"

Thames & Kosmos Kudos

The Artist began this week's science experiments today using her Thames and Kosmos C1000 chemistry kit. She was off to a good start, but soon the instructions became ambiguous. Specifically, they said, "Add a shot of soda water." Oookaaaay. The instruction book lists the items from home that I will need to provide, and neither a shot glass or a jigger is listed. So just what do they mean by a shot?

A shot as in "...add a shot of Tobasco sauce to the roux..."? Or as in, "Add a shot of Bailey's Irish Creme to the hot cocoa"? The accompanying cartoon-like illustration shows liquid pouring directly from a bottle. That's no help.

On the off chance that I might reach a real person rather than a machine, I called the company. That is how I learned the somewhat off-putting price of the chemistry set was worth it. I received great customer service.

First, a automatic directory gave me clear choices. Then my call was quickly answered by a live person. I briefly explained my question and he got his copy of the manual to see exactly what I was reading.

The representative did not have a definite answer to my question. Instead he suggested I try the measured shot from a shot glass and see if that amount would work as expected. Furthermore, he instructed that I should call back if it did not work so he could replace, at no charge to me, the chemicals used in the failed attempt.

That is top-notch customer service, I could not ask for better. I did call back, though, to let the representative know the measured shot from a jigger was the correct amount. Perhaps the change will be more clearly noted in the next edition of the instruction manual.

Thank you Thames & Kosmos! I am a happy cutomer.

Pumpkin Prep

Here's one of our autumn pumpkins just heading into the oven to be baked. This one is destined to become breads and soups.

After baking at low temperatures for a few hours the skin will easily peel or be pulled from the flesh. Then I can puree it and it will be ready for use. Maybe tomorrow we will have pumpkin soup for dinner.

Chores

Setting, Mom setting the table for supper. Child, anxious for dinner, wants to sit at the table 15 minutes before the food is ready.

Mom: Go make your bed, you left it unmade all day.

Child: Oooohhhhhhh (whiney).

Mom: You know that is something you are supposed to finish before school in the morning. Don't whine.

Child goes into bedroom. Mom sets table and calls family to supper.

After dinner, Mom sees this:I know it is harder for him to make his bed when it is against the wall, but even taking that into account, this is not going to pass inspection! Poor kid will not be happy with me.

Artist & Crafts

The neighbors are enjoying a craft time with the Artist this afternoon. She led them through making paper plate lions first. You can see them on the table. Now they are beginning some Thanksgiving turkeys.This seems to be her forte. I have little patience to lead crafts like this myself.

Chores

Twice a year we have a dreaded chore -- changing the batteries in the smoke detectors. It is dreaded because the noise is bothersome, especially to the Engineer. And also because one of our alarms seems to come down easily for battery replacement, but remounting it is quite a trick. I'd like to pass this chore along to the kids, but it will be a long while before they can do it. Rick is just tall enough to manage the first floor detector. This week I plan to change up the weekly chores that the kids do. The Engineer is able to handle more work now than he could a year ago. And the Artist can have a little of her work changed around too. More dishes for the kids and less for me--Hooray!

Autumn Joy