Ruby Flippers

FEET: First thing this morning, I asked Annabelle to get her slippers on. Instead, she slipped some flippers on.

She wore them until about 1 p.m.

RUBY REDUX: After finishing a math exercise, we continued our effort to learn more about Ruby Bridges and school segregation and integration. To that end, we read a book Bridges authored, "Through My Eyes."

Though it's classified as a non fiction picture book for juveniles, it's a lengthy, meaty volume suitable for all ages. It's full of photographs from the front line - the gauntlet Ruby had to walk each morning. To be honest, some of the pictures terrified the kids - especially CJ. He was completely freaked out by a photo of a woman holding a small cardboard casket with a black baby doll in it. And he was really upset about a photo of a shouting woman holding a scarf. She was threatening to strangle a parent for bringing his white child to a school where a "negro" child was being taught.

We only read about half the book today, as it has a lot of words and concepts to digest.

Afterward, I showed the kids the first 25 minutes or so of a made for TV movie about Ruby Bridges. Though it's a dramatization, the movie followed what we'd read in the book practically to the letter, which was good to see. The kids were definitely engaged, which was great to see.

Tomorrow, we'll read the rest of the book and finish the movie.

PERFECT STRANGERS: I figured we were waaaaay overdue for a social skills lesson, so this afternoon we played a game I thought up called "Strangers on the bus."

I told CJ he was going to be a bus passenger and it was his job to engage whoever sat next to him on the bus in conversation. We talked about things he might talk to a stranger about. He knew where this was going and he said, "I know that not everyone is interested in video games."

Bingo! :)

So, we talked about other things he might talk about. He said, "I could ask their age." While that's true, I pointed out to him that a lot of people who aren't kids aren't very interested in sharing their age, especially with strangers.

And so, I proposed to him that he be a "Social Detective." Check out the passenger and from that, assess what he or she might be interested in.

I took Annabelle into the bedroom and outfitted her with a Mariners hat and sent her to "the bus." When she got on CJ instigated small talk like a pro. "So, um, I see you like fairies," he said, noticing her shirt. He then launched into something about the tooth fairy, which was appropriate. They had a nice conversation about fairies, which was good. I thought it interesting he never noticed her Mariners hat. ;)

We played a few rounds of the game, changing passengers and props. It was time well spent.

TOOTH OR CONSEQUENCES: CJ had a date with the dentist this afternoon. Unfortunately, one of his two fillings had gone bad and the tooth needed to come out. :(

While CJ was back being a patient, Annabelle got to enjoy the well appointed play area, where she created this ... Before too terribly long, CJ emerged. He was a little spacey, but not remotely "David after Dentist."
We asked him if he'd rather go home and relax or go to Full Tilt for some ice cream and arcade action. No surprise, he chose Full Tilt.

There, they were both able to get their Kong on. :)

As it turns out, apparently CJ + nitrous oxide = new heights. ; ) Not only did he gain the high score on Pac-Man, he was thrilled to beat a level of Street Fighter II that he'd never mastered before.

They both enjoyed some excellent ice cream, and Annabelle and Christian even got in a spirited game of chess.

HERE WE GO AGAIN: Once we finally got home this evening, I summoned the kids to the big screen to take a look at what was on NASA TV. A shuttle roll out!

Endeavor was making its way s-l-o-w-l-y from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral. It was moving so slowly, you could barely perceive movement at times. I told the kids it was one time in their life they could say they move faster than a space shuttle. At that, Annabelle began zooming 'round the house.