ants as liquid and solid

The boys don't always listen to me, but they often listen to me, and they'll watch (for a little while) things I put in front of them. Here is a video I want them to see:

Playing Ball

William's School Photo

Andres' school picture

Young Adult Fiction

William lent me The Lightning Thief, film edition and I'm really enjoying it. It's lead to all sorts of interesting discussions as I quiz him on his understanding of the book.

I'm reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4) to the boys at night.

William says he wants to read Artemis Fowl Box Set (Artemis Fowl / The Arctic Incident / The Eternity's Code / The Opal Deception / The Lost Colony).

Andres likes what his brother likes, but his reading level has him reading Flat Stanley: His Original Adventure! and Magic Tree House #1: Dinosaurs Before Dark (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)).

After that all that I want to read The Hunger Games Trilogy.

I think we're living in a golden age of young adult literature. These are some really good books.

Math word problem

William had 437 wooden planks that he wanted to share with his brother, in Minecraft. But they came is packets of 64. Here is the math he did.

Pumpkins

Picking our own produce

Now spending $40 on gas and tolls, playing insanely inflated prices for produce, and paying extra to pick it yourself is kind of absurd, but actually it's not when seen as education--connection the food from the soil, getting to know and picking vegetables is an education. And education is very important. Here are some photos.

Andres turns 8

My excellent son turns 8 today (yesterday). We’ve been celebrating his birthday for a few weeks now with a visit from Grandma and Grandpa. The celebrations will continue for a few more weeks. Many presents have been given and he will get many more. Today is the actual day. He’s taking cupcakes to school.

I like Andres’ energy, his desire to connect with people, his enthusiasm, the way he advocates for himself. He’s handsome, cool, intelligent, social and athletic. I’m so proud of his efforts in school and in martial arts. I know he loves his brother very much, and likes to bother him too. I know he loves his mother who has worked very hard with his homework and education. I remember teary nights of homework and he’s really matured and growing up.

I love him so much.

The other day Andres said to me, “you know shooting stars are asteroids?” I thought that was so awesome.

Yellow belt

When I look at the boys yellow belt I get wet in the eyes. Their persistence, their efforts to improve, learning discipline and a skill. It is very meaningful. I read some of a book on crying and I realized there are many reasons to cry and one is feeling that something is full of meaning. It is important. It is important to me that my sons work through challenges, and develop a skill. I feel that the martial arts studio is a very positive space. Friendships develop. A new vocabulary is learned. A language is put to the attitude of self defense. It's a very empowering thing, that combines mind body and spirit. Shihan is wise, intelligent, focused and strong, and he shares his knowledge with the students. I am grateful he set up the studio and for what my children learn.

Sometimes they get roughed up, but they also learn to be gentle in a way. They toughen up. 

Sometimes one of my sons is asked to sit out because he is not listening and making it harder for the teacher to teach. My son then learns there are limits and he must learn greater internal discipline.

One time a son made a negative self comment, and Shihan explained how that wasn't the right attitude. Shihan talks about how students need to eat well, don't play video games all the time, and other good stuff, like being independent and not expecting others to do things for you.

Young men

Drawings by W

awesome sauce

Sensi Steve said, "it's like day and night with these boys," meaning they are really doing well, behaving well. I was so proud of my boys.

Last night I asked them to write letters to their grandparents, and they did.

William

winners and losers

"The difference between winners and losers is how they handle losing." That's from a blog about resilience, on a Harvard business law blog.

Andres said, "the difference between a winner, is that they win, and a loser, loses."

Sprinkler

when they get older, I want them to see

when the boys turn (Common Sense Media)

9 Paranorman

10 Farscape

11 Hobbit, West Side Story

12 Lord of the Rings

13 Big Bang Theory, Friday Night Lights, Firefly

14 Battlestar Gallactica, How I Met Your Mother, Breaking Dawn pt.1, Breaking Dawn Pt.2, Terminator, Total Recall (2012), The Matrix, Minority Report

15 Blade Runner, District 9

16 Shameless, Fight Club

Ranking the summer movies so far

Andres summer movies favorites so far:
Iron man 3
Star Trek: into darkness
Despicable Me 2
Monsters University
Epic
After Earth
Man of steel

William:
Iron Man 3
Star Trek: Into Darkness
Despicable Me 2
Man of Steel
After Earth
Monsters University
Epic

strengths at Jujitsu today

William and Andres,

You got water and did the bathroom before class, on time for class, prepared and ready.

You worked on hard skills, did very technical stuff, learned complicated skills, new and foreign terms. You might not always completely understand or have the skill down perfect, but I always saw you trying and learning, watching closely and observing, trying to improve.

You exercised vigorously, good effort, serious effort, never gave up or took it easy, full effort for the whole time. Made me proud. Saw sweat. You made the most of the class. Didn't let the heat get to you, and you pushed through fatigue. I saw you rise up to the intensity of the moment.

You followed directions closely, took instruction seriously, moved quickly when asked, crisp precise movements, did very complicated things. On task and focused. You didn't get discouraged if you didn't get something right away. Responded to sensei when asked for a response. You moved to see demonstrations, eager to learn. Asked questions when you needed to.

You demonstrated toughness, yet not too rough with others, let go when tapped, worked well with others, flexible in using new partners, had a good esprit de corps but assertive for your needs. Patient when odd man out, did not talk or cause trouble. I didn't see the sensei rebuke you for misbehavior. You didn't get discouraged when the teacher raised his voice to others.

I feel proud, respected, honored by your efforts. I see improvements, your efforts to make the most of the moment. So proud you have stuck to it, you're not fickle or flighty, you didn't quit when things got tough.

You demonstrated kinesthetic intelligence, strength, dexterity, and self respect, plus the ability to work with others and learned difficult skills.




Looking for in future:

1. encouraging others and appreciation of excellence in others.

2. Greater mastery of skills.

3. Deeper knee bends.

Last day 2/3 grades