The preschool math lesson that was never taught/completed .....

... because Catherine was too logical and smarter than the teacher (who shall remain nameless).

Today we were working on the concepts alike and different. On the first page she had to circle the objects that were alike. Each row had 4 objects (like 4 kites) and she had to circle the 2 that were identical.

EASY.

The next page she had to cross out the one item that was different from the other 3 objects in that row (3 penguins with ties while 1 penguin wore a scarf).

EASY.

The next page she had to match the items that were alike or went together (pen with paper, fork with plate, paintbrush with paint, etc.).

EASY

Slowly the exercises are building up to this one and this is were I was stumped. Ready? Remember, I went to graduate school and couldn't explain this to Catherine (who just turned 5 two days ago). Ready?

Which one of these does not belong?




Attempt #1: Catherine, which one of these doesn't belong? She couldn't tell. So I thought I would prompt her with easy questions.

Catherine, what do you do with a hat? She doesn't know.
Catherine, do you wear a hat? No, she says she isn't wearing one.
But you do wear a hat, right? No, she says she puts them on her head but doesn't wear them on her body.
But your head is on your body, right? Yes, it is.
So you DO wear a hat. No, hers is lost.
But people wear hats, right? What people?

*sigh*

Attempt #2: How about a tie? What do yo do with a tie? Do you wear ties? No, she doesn't.
But people wear ties? Yes, they do.
So people wear ties AND hats?! No, she's never seen people wear cowboy hats with ties.
Well, no, they don't have to wear them together but ... Oh! So ties and hats don't go together! Do I cross them out?
NO! Don't cross them out!

Attempt #3: Catherine, which of these things do you wear? Socks. I don't have any ties and I lost my hat.
Okay, but what do people wear? Which people? She wants me to be more specific?
Daddy's (I wince as I say this hoping she gets it)?? Daddy wears socks and ties. He only has baseball hats and not a cowboy hat.
Okay, but let's pretend he has a cowboy hat. Would he wear it? No! And starts laughing at the idea.

I was getting ready for attempt #4 when Anna came up and asked me if I was ready to go. Perfect timing! Lesson to be continued ......

*EDITED* Just came back to add more. I read this to Craig tonight. I was afraid it would be boring and that I would be the only one to find humor in my story. When I got to the part of "which one does not belong?" I paused to allow Craig to answer.

Craig: The tie.
Me: WHAT? Are you serious?
Craig: Yeah, the tie.

At this point I'm thinking he's just trying to give me a hard time.

Me: Why the tie?
Craig: Because the other 3 hold volume and the tie doesn't.
Me: What? You think a preschool math book expects a child to see that one can not hold volume? What about 3 can be worn and one (the vase) can't.
Craig: That works, too. So what's the answer?
Me: What's the answer? Are you serious?
Craig: Yeah, what's the answer?

Me: The book doesn't come with answers. Its preschool! The answers should be obvious.
Craig: Well, I thought it was the tie.

And he walked away.

**Maybe this latter part isn't funny either but its cracking me up. Maybe tomorrow I should ask Catherine, "Sweetie, which one of these is different?" To which she'll reply, "The tie, mommy." ROFLOL! Because up until 5 minutes ago I would have shaken my head and said try again. Maybe she actually does get it and is just an out-of-the-box thinker like her daddy and not square like me!! **

LOL!!!

Friday's Random Thoughts

I've been at the pool everyday these past 2 weeks. Summer swim season is now in full gear. And I'm a sight ... a sweating Shamu watching on the sidelines! Still, better to be pregnant where baby can have a controlled environment rather than left behind at home and unable to watch the kids swim.

This year Catherine (age 4) is taking lessons and hoping to make the swim team. We'll see.

Co-op is finally done. YEAH!! I have my Thursdays back.

Many changes going on here in our household .......

Isabelle is growing up before my very eyes! She's "developing" into a young lady. She loves talking on the phone with her girlfriends, having as many sleep overs as she can manipulate, and sharing books. She's latched onto the Percy Jackson series. She's on book 4 and hopes to get her books signed by the author (who lives here in San Antonio) in a week. I've become a chauffeur!

Anna also has a best friend that she loves to write letters to ..... even though she sees her everyday!

Sophia made her First Communion 2 weeks ago! She's still glowing. We went to mass every day for a week after her special day. This week we've managed to make it twice.

The kids have made such strong friendships and are thriving. Life is busy! A good busy! A tired busy!

Veronica has become a handful. She specializes in climbing, tearing book pages and writing on herself with markers. Also, she is being eaten alive with mosquitos. Poor baby is scratching and has a swollen eye from a bite in the vicinity. She doesn't look very photogenic right now. ;-)

I have yet to bring down baby boy clothes. Don't know why. I haven't bought anything either.

Well, gotta go. My dear friend and her large brood are visiting from "the woods" this weekend. Gotta go roll some enchiladas!!!

Here we go ...... again!

Deja-vu! We've been here so many times! Isabelle even knew to bring the camera along with Veronica!

I think prefer baby powder to diaper cream. But its still better than vaseline!

Ramblings of a lonely wife

Craig left for China Thursday morning. He's due back exactly a week later.

We were able to keep ourselves busy Thursday-Saturday. But today was hard! Sundays are just not the same without Craig.

I'm lucky in that I've been able to speak to him at least twice a day. He's struggling with the food and finally broke down and visited KFC!!

Whenever he's gone I try to keep busy by having a major task to focus on as my goal. This week's goal is the laundry room. Let's just say that my laundry room has wall to wall carpeting thanks to clothing (dirty/clean/who knows??). I'm making headway but still need the next 4 days to finish!!

Tomorrow we're going roller skating with a homeschooling group. That will cheer up our Monday. Tuesday we have piano lessons and the older 4 are singing for tenebrae (evening divine office). Wednesday we'll just stay home and get ready for Craig's arrival.

He's bought us lots of goodies. And has bought himself quite a few watches that we could never afford (actually we could BUT the kids would break them). I can't wait for him to come home. I'm planning a scrumptious American dinner (don't know what, yet, but it won't be Chinese!!).

And I'm looking forward to Holy Week, the Triduum, and Easter! I've ordered some books and videos for Sophia, Kolbe, Catherine & Veronica. I'm still not sure what I'm getting for Isabelle and Anna. They're getting so big and outgrowing the picture books I normally get.

As always, there will be new underwear in their baskets. Its a tradition I started years and years ago. It's a basket filler that also serves a practical need. Maybe I should get the older girls Christian cd's?? Or more chapter books? Still thinking. Any ideas?

I'm also busy crocheting the most adorable baby blue blanket. I hope to finish in a week and start making bibs.

And so that's what I've been up to. That and evening movies. Last night I watched Catch Me If You Can. The night before I saw We Are Marshall. The night before I rented The Blindside. I hope I find something good tonight.

Tomorrow morning I'll be calling Craig first thing and then get ready for mass.

*sigh*

When He's not here I have too much going on in my head. LOL!!

Back to laundry and movies. First I need to read books to little ones, say prayers with kids and get them in bed.

'Night, 'night.

Focusing

My computer is working. YEAH!! However, I've gotten used to life without Internet, kinda like cable. And I'm juggling lots of plates, remember!! We started school last week and had a wonderful week. 6th, 4th, 2nd, 1st and preschool. School goes more smoothly when I'm not here. :-(

We're still adjusting (I'm still adjusting) to our new school year.

We have co-op and swimming starting in a few weeks so I'm trying to get ahead (or at least stay on track!!! LOL!!)

I'll return when I have a better handle on things.

Off to read to my 1st and 2nd grader.

Prayer Intention: Craig left this morning and will be gone for a week. He'll be home for a couple of days before leaving for another week. Could you keep me in your thoughts and prayers? Maybe drop by for a chat and bring me some tea and cookies?? Internet is usually my escape when he's gone but I'm trying REALLY HARD to be present to the kids.

*sigh*

Today was a wonderful day so why am I feeling like I need to start my day over?

Some days I wish I could just move back to be near my dear friends and join my old groups. I hate this business of trying to "get into" the "right" groups. I feel like I see people everyday but I'm somehow missing or walking past my best friend. Where are you? I've been here two years already? I need you to find me quick. I can't join anymore groups in search of you. I need you to love my family with mostly girls. I need you to be happy and laid back and fun. But most importantly, I need you now!!!

Too bad there isn't an Ave Maria for Mommies to find their best friend (well, second to my dh). I get the feeling that wherever she is, she's just as busy as I am and hasn't run into me yet.

I'm so tired. I just miss my friends that I can call at a moments notice. I miss those soft shoulders to cry on. I miss the late night chats and the laughing. I just miss my friends.

I feel like I'm in grade school again.

Anyways, off to another "meeting" in search of a kindred spirit.

*sigh*