Fall Week(s) Continued!

As we continue into the fall we have studied trees to some extent (the letter T, talking about how some trees change throughout the year and some don’t, Jonas can now recognize evergreens…) and we had loads of fun with Halloween. My big plans for studying other fall Holidays (Samhain/Dia de los Muertos) will have to wait for another year I think. Halloween was enough in and of itself for one week! I am beginning to realize that I can’t always do everything I plan. However, I also need to plan more reasonable goals and stick to them.

So, this week we studied Halloween. The letter for the week was ‘H’ and all week we recited our favorite ‘H’ words. While we were in the car on our way somewhere I would ask the boys to yell them out; “Happy, Hat, Hair, Head, Horse, House…” Still Jonas is unsure about the letters he’s learned. He knows them, but he’s a little self-conscious about being asked a question that could have a wrong answer. So when asked about certain letters we’ve studied before he will wait until I hint at the answer to give it to me. I think, perhaps, it’s time for some letter flashcards.

We printed more Halloween math sheets this week too. Jonas learned how to write an addition equation. He also is working on recognizing numbers correctly without his number guide (numbers written all in a row so he can count to the correct one).

Jonas tied back into a previous week for Trick-or-Treating as he decided to use the costume Uncle Dan had given him for his birthday. He was a knight: King Arthur to be precise. He rode his noble steed up and down the streets stopping at every house to ask for treats or tricks (but really only asking for treats because who really gives you/shows you tricks anymore). Ronan was persuaded (but very reluctant) to be a dragon for our Trick-or-Treating adventure. After he discovered how much everyone loved his costume though he was very excited and began acting the part. He even named his dragon-self on the way home after many treats were obtained. He was called Oct-pu-tiddle-dee. Who knows how he came up with that! Also joining us in Trick-or-Treating was Hailey who, being from South Korea, enjoyed her very first Halloween with us, and Kimberly who showed us around downtown Snohomish.

Mid-week the boys helped me take down our Halloween decorations and sweep the driveway free from leaves once more. We also attempted to learn the Zumba dance mama knows to their favorite new song: Hella Decale by DJ Mam’s but morphed it into dance like you want to instead. Dancing mama is happy as long as they’re dancing too!

This coming week we are preparing for a road trip! We’re off to go see Abuelita/Abuelito and Francis, and all of Pocho’s family. On the way down we’ll also say hi to Papa and Grandma’s going to make the return trip with us stopping on the way home to visit longer together with Papa! This week we will focus on travel preparation which is as good a subject for study as anything! Time to organize and pack, count our clothing, make lists of important items to remember, learn some new songs/games for the car…