Here we are, approaching the midpoint of Summer 2012, which can only mean one thing (at least
for those of us indoctrinated into an academic-type calendar and lifestyle…yes,
once a Nerd, always a Nerd…): it must be time for an Interim Report! (Because really, nothing says “fun in the sun” like having your vacation performance graded, right? Who’s with me?) So this
is how we’re doing so far, based on the evaluation of an unbiased,
highly-trained observer…okay, ME:
Pool
Attendance: B+
We’ve put in regular time, but there’s always room for improvement in the…frequency
and duration of our quality Swim Visits.
(On a related note) Sunblock
Application: A-
My pale family remains admirably unbronzed by the solar rays, due to diligent rubbing-on of the
(all-natural) protective goop. While
there have been occasional pink spots from missed re-application, no burning whatsoever
has occurred. (This is good training for our upcoming trip to Mexico, aka our
own personal Olympics of Sunburn
Prevention!)
Harmonious
Togetherness: B
The brotherly
bickering has remained at a manageable level to date, with few incidents
requiring Minor Motherly Intervention
(generally in the form of a “knock it off” warning) or the more serious Enforced Separation (Get. Away. From
Each. Other. RIGHT. NOW! through
clenched teeth…) It also seems that the boys are getting old enough to
recognize for themselves when they’re reaching my last nerve, and they have the sense (and self-preservation
instinct) to scuttle off somewhere and give me a reprieve when this happens. At
these moments--when the house falls so
very quiet as to become eerily still--
I become a bit worried, and go looking for them to find out if they’ve knocked each other out or run away from home or something. Instead,
I usually find them curled up in Derek’s room, each reading a book, coexisting
in absolute, perfect peace. Then I
think to myself “Heck, maybe I should yell
more often!”
Homework
Packet Progress: Math
A; Reading C
While both of them have been plugging away at their arithmetic
problems, no one has yet touched
their Reading assignments. This has the potential to change as early as
tomorrow, however, as they assure me
they plan to tackle that first page in the morning. We’ll see…(‘cuz you know they don’t want me to get all crazy
put them on a schedule…)
Field
Trip Accomplishment: D
This is one area we have some serious catching up to do…as in “we’ve gone nowhere special, and done
nothing out of the ordinary…yet”. In my defense, the boys did take their annual South Carolina sojourn…and they attended a
session of camp last week…and besides,
it’s been hooooootttt. Derek,
particularly, wilts when the temperatures climb too far into the 90s. He
doesn’t want to play outside, he complains about feeling more tired than usual,
and in extreme cases, he lacks the energy to even trudge upstairs and get socks,
for crying out loud. (Yes, that actually happened this morning.) Fortunately,
we have a Family Mini-Getaway coming
up next weekend, so that will improve our Travel-and-Explore
Rating.
And finally: Creative
Time Usage: A
There has been a ton
of reading (just not of the “Required
List” sort). Ping-pong tournaments in the basement. Band practice and
songwriting sessions. Card games. Nerf battles. And my personal favorite—the
design and construction of Toad’s Bakery.
The inside features an oven, sink, office, computer, cash register, and chair
for Toad to sit in and serve customers. And on the outside, note the separate
windows for placing orders and picking up your food…and the security camera attached
to the building (opposite Riley, the primary architect). It’s just too bad my children don’t exercise their
imaginations more, right?
Well, this has been an informative little self-assessment
session. I can now clearly see the areas we need to focus on in the second half
of the Summer, and fortunately, they can be summed up succinctly: Seek More Adventures. Challenge
accepted! Now let’s just go find some sunscreen…and Derek’s socks!
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