Points South and North

FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS: Our double duty science day started down south. During the first half of our Highline district class, we reviewed past homework (about a landfill and a recycling plant) and read a story having to do with the kids' new homework - about trash collectors' jobs.

Then, we changed direction. The teacher brought out compasses for everyone and we talked (in very general terms) about what a compass is, how it works, and how it's used. Then we went on a (very short) field trip to the parking lot. The kids spent some time walking in different directions, making attempts at figuring out which direction was which. I don't think they mastered navigation by compass today, but they did have fun.

JUST BEAT IT: The kids have probably spent an hour a day playing "Kirby's Epic Yarn" since Annabelle got it on Monday, her birthday.

At 4:04 p.m. today, they beat the game. I was working at my computer, looked up and saw them standing in front of the TV, watching the game credits roll and them basking in the glory of it all.

I'm happy for them but, um, I don't think my 6 and 7 year old should be able to beat a Nintendo Wii game in three hours time. The game cost $50 damn dollars. For that much, I expect HOURS of challenge and entertainment, not three stinkin' hours.

PAPER PUSHERS: In our Shoreline science (northern) class this afternoon, we learned about all sorts of paper (cardstock, corrugated cardboard, chipboard, newsprint, corrugated paper, wax paper, paper towel, facial tissue, etc.) and their various properties.

The lab table time was spent using a pencil, crayon and marker to write on each of the different kinds of paper, and the kids had to rate each paper/implement combination as either Good, OK, or Bad. That went down without incident.

Overall, I would rate CJ's attention to cues during that class as just barely "OK" today. Not his worst, but certainly not his best. Annabelle, on the other hand, seemed to have a comment for EVERYTHING. That's mostly fine when we're at home learning about things, but when it's in a room with 12 other students, it needs to be reigned in a bit.

STORY PROBLEM BANDIT: This afternoon CJ an Annabelle were enjoying the unseasonably mild temps and sunshine playing outside. Not sure how it started but CJ was a bank robber/cowboy and Annabelle was an elephant-riding cowboy.

At one point I heard CJ say to Annabelle, "There are six banks. If I rob two banks, how many banks to do I have left to rob?"

"Four!" Bee quickly replied.

Too funny.

CJ APPLESEED: When outside this afternoon, I pointed out CJ's apple seed-turned-tiny-tree to him. He was pretty impressed with how much larger than a seed it is now, but wondered how long it will take it to become a fully blown tree. "Years and years" was as specific as I got with him.

BILL BIO: Our "reading while trapped in the car" book of the day was "Bill Gates Computer Legend" by Sara Barton-Wood.

We read about Bill's early life (his elementary, middle and high school). Right off the bat, the biographer said "mildly autistic" because Gates was a big rocker when he was young (in his crib and on a rocking horse) and he reportedly still rocks to this day (sometimes violently) in his desk chair. Interesting.

It's longer than your average picture book, so it's going to take us more than a few moments of car time to finish it.

SEINFELD: We also read a much shorter book today, a title I picked up on impulse during my last library visit. Called "Halloween," it's by and about Jerry Seinfeld. He recounts how the "only really clear thought I had as a kid was 'get candy' " and how even the concept of Halloween is mind-blowing ("Everyone we know is just giving out candy?")

The young Seinfeld had delusions of grandeur that a store bought Superman costume would transform his scrawny frame into a Man of Steel. Not only did that not happen, he suffered further indignity when his mother made him wear a big, cheap corduroy coat over the costume. (CJ thought that was HYSTERICAL.) Seinfeld's description of the horrible cheap costume masks kids wear with their crappy elastic strings was spot-on and so, so funny.

As soon as we finished, CJ said, "Can we re-read this? It's really funny, right?"

He laughed all the way through the second reading, and I have a feeling there will be a third, fourth and a fifth reading, too.

Happily, I also found a great YouTube clip of Seinfeld reading or reciting "Halloween". It's worth a couple minutes of your time if you're in the mood for a chuckle or two and fond memories of Halloweens past.

HIT THE ROAD: What with all the birthday debauchery (cake, cookies, company, cake, cookies company - and more cake) we haven't run in DAYS. We finally got back out there today. We headed for the east edge of Discovery Park, with the zipline in mind.

On the way home, we swung by to gawk at the biggest pumpkins in Magnolia - in the yard of local Realtor Greg Shaw. It's quite a sight to see, and you can see it for yourself during daylight hours thanks to PumpkinCamera.com NEW MOVIE: Today I learned about a new documentary, "Race to Nowhere." According to its Web site, it's about "pressures faced by American schoolchildren and their teachers in a system and culture obsessed with the illusion of achievement, competition and the pressure to perform."

The trailer for Race to Nowhere is intriguing. I'd like to see the whole film.