SAT Question of the Day

Although Alex won't be taking the SAT or the ACT for at least two more years, we have begun to practice. It is important for him to become accustomed to the test format. Most of the Math questions cover topics which he hasn't seen yet. We usually just skip these. But, We use language questions as vocabulary builders and to review grammar. You can sign-up to have these questions sent to you via email at the following website:

http://www.collegeboard.com/

They provide many other valuable services for the college bound and their parents as well.

What's on the Nightstand?

Alex was beginning to read less so we put Free Reading back into our daily schedule. Right now he has chosen to read books from the American Library Association's list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books.


He just finished A Day No Pigs Would Die and he has begun Fallen Angels.


He likes reading these books and I enjoy discussing them with him.

You can find the list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books at the following link: http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/bannedbooksweek/bbwlinks/100mostfrequently.cfm

A Little Help From My Friends

Yesterday, Alex was doing an experiment on erosion for his general science class.

Julie decided that he needed her help.

She is an expert at digging holes in the yard, but I don't think that she was really helpful this time.

Praise for the Makers of Wii

Alex has entered some kind of growth spurt. He has a voracious appetite. Unfortunately, he is growing out more than he is growing up. We both were chastised at his last visit to the pediatrician. At 72 kilos (158 lbs) he is now officially obese. We made a plan and we are working on reducing his weight through diet (no more soda or junk food as well as portion control) and exercise. One of the things that he loves is his Wii Fit. Not only are the games fun, but he really likes how it keeps track of everything. I am just surprised at how much a computer game can make him sweat.

A Day at the Beach

We were invited to a wedding in Acapulco this weekend and we decided to take advantage of the trip and take the boys along for a little family excursion.


This is the first time that Josh's body has seen the light of day in some time. I was glad to see him get some color and now I won't have to worry about him developing rickets.

Alex has a blast whenever we go to the beach. He spends the entire day in the ocean.

Josh even decided to get a massage. He has such a rough life!

Of course it wouldn't be a trip to the beach without burying Alex in the sand.

Even Alejandro enjoyed himself.

I think we wore the boys out.

Shaving for the 1st Time

I have noticed that all of my children have been growing up lately as they tend to do. I miss the simplicity of the younger years. I was complaining one morning to Alex and asked him if he would please stay young for me for one more year. He said that he would and went to take his shower. When he gets out of the shower he tells me that he has shaved so that he will look younger for me. He saw my disappointment and told me, "Don't worry Mom. I didn't want to cut myself so I didn't press very hard. I really just cut the hairs in half. " I asked for it. This weekend, his Dad showed him how to shave properly.


The half hairs are gone . . .

. . . and he looks great, older, but great!

Halloween

A big perk of being in the U.S. in October is Halloween. We have a pseudo Halloween where we live in Mexico, but it is just not the same. So this year, we did it up right. We carved pumpkins.


We put on costumes.

We went to parties to see old friends.

We rang a lot of doorbells and got a lot of candy.

We had a great time.

Fall Festival

Alex and I went to Tennessee this Fall. We were fortunate enough to arrive in time for the Fall Festival. We love to go, but after seeing the sign below I wasn't sure how much fun we were going to have.


Alex started with the climbing wall sponsored by the U. S. Army.


He liked it, but I think that he like the freebies more, dog tags, pens and book covers. We have been receiving recruiter information ever since. He is too young guys; you can't have him yet.

We moved on to a dog training exhibition. It was truly impressive. I can't even get my dog to stop relieving himself all over the house.

Alex decided to try bull riding next.

It is not as easy as it looks.

Alex's cousin, Demi, wasn't interested in the bull riding. She decided to have her face painted. I think that she looks fantastic.

Hot or Cold?

Alex did an experiment on how temperature affects the speed at which molecules move. First, he filled one glass with cold water and one glass with boiling water. Then, he added food coloring to see in which glass the food coloring blended most quickly.

I think that he had a little too much fun.

Back to School

We are starting our third year of homeschooling! I began our homeschooling journey by doing school at home the first year. The second year I relaxed a bit and I used more of an eclectic method. This year, I am using The Well Trained Mind approach with Alex. His curriculum is listed to the right.

Alex is enjoying having me to himself this year, but he is really excited about his Chinese class. We are so lucky to have Chinese restaurant here that is owned and operated by an actual Chinese family. One of their children has agreed to give Alex private lessons and he loves it.

Tiffany is living with her grandparents this year and has begun a dual enrollment program. She is taking classes at a local community college and simultaneously receiving credit for her last year of high school and her first year of college. I think this is a great way for her to transition to living in the United States again as well as transitioning back to a "regular" classroom as she prepares to enter University.

Guitar Recital

Alex performed in his first guitar recital. Even though he was nervous about playing in public, he did a wonderful job.


He even got a diploma.

Congratulations Alex!

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Alex and I went on a hike today for his Zoology class. We had a great time and ran across several items from the Nature Scavenger Hunt list. Below are a few highlights.

We found a honey bee,

a grasshopper,

an ant colony,

and bird tracks on the ground.

Free Reading

Alex has a daily half hour of "Free Reading" time built into his school day and he really enjoys it. He began this year by finishing the Ralph S. Mouse series.

He has now begun The Chronicles of Narnia series.

I am so happy that this new world has opened up for him.

Back to School

Alex has wanted to learn to play the guitar since last year. Unfortunately, it was very difficult to find a teacher in our little town. Finally, we found one and he is on his way.

Voracious Reader

Alex has become a voracious reader. Tiffany introduced him to Harry Potter this summer and he read the entire seven book series during our six week break.

Congratulations, Alex!!!!!!