Homework

The school year has just begun, but so far the kids are pretty gung-ho about doing their homework. Last night, I pointed out to Ethan that he needs to read 40 books this year. He said "Hold on one minute Mommy, I'll be right back!". He returned with a pile of books, pretty much every substantial book that he had ever read on his own. He seemed a little deflated when we explained that he needs to read 40 books starting now. But he does read every night and enjoys it, so it shouldn't be a problem.

Valerie was excited to do her homework on the computer. Really the first time (for both of them) that teachers have used the computer as a tool for homework in earnest. Her teacher has also given her some creative extra things to do- like go outside after the sun sets and just see what it's like out there. The night she did this, it was overcast, so no stars were out. She said "all I saw out there was lightning", sounding somewhat disappointed.

Julia wants to do homework too! She is supposed to work on writing her name. She has INCREDIBLY neat penmanship. Last night, she sat down to work on this and wrote "Julia" once very neatly. Then I asked her to write her middle and last name using my example. She sat down and wrote some random letters and was clearly done.

Olivia doesn't have homework, but we all read at night. Ethan and Valerie will read to Julia and Olivia as well as to us. Julia will pretend to read to Olivia. When it's bedtime and I try to put Olivia into her fire engine bed, she commands "Rock!". So we rock in the glider. And when I put her in bed she says "Sit down!". You don't dare not do what she says! Putting Julia and Olivia to bed is a challenge every night. Neither wants to go to bed. Julia tries her best to keep saying something the moment Olivia has drifted off. We usually have b/w 2-3 night visits (1st Julia, then Olivia and sometimes Ethan; Valerie has always been a real sound sleeper).

This morning, Olivia was trying to tell me several things on the way to her daycare after dropping off E, V, & J. "I want Oh Oh". (?) "I want Cho Chet". (Chocolate???). She kept repeating these things over and over and was getting so upset at me for not giving her whatever it was she was asking for. Hopefully we'll have better communication tonight- and hopefully I'll have what she wants!