We've been slowly experimenting with leaving Wiley with free reign of the house when we leave. Since puppy times, Wiley has gone to his crate in the basement, but, we thought it would be 'nice' to let him stay out and there wasn't a lot of downside and we weren't going to be gone for too long.
And then we noticed he was at the door when we left....and at the door when we pulled back into the driveway. Had to wonder...did he ever leave the door?
Answer in video below. Video is notable for the first use of titles/text and audio-backing-track in any of my 'productions.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Seven!
Christopher is seven...he's very happy!
No school today due to winter storms. Christopher not so happy about this, as his birthday celebration at school is delayed.
An ode to the number seven....
No school today due to winter storms. Christopher not so happy about this, as his birthday celebration at school is delayed.
An ode to the number seven....
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Kevin's Guitar Hero Clip
Holds it high, like his viola. Beaten Easy, Beaten Medium, and is 2/3 of the way through Hard.
Monday, January 28, 2008
....got stars in his eyes....
Banging green, red, and yellow notes on a TV near you as he begins his 2008 world tour!
(completed the 'easy' level...still working on that 4th 'blue' note)
The Essay
Here's the assignment for Kevin's essay last Saturday.
Prompt 1
Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.
It is better to try to be original than to merely imitate others. People should always try to say, write, think, or create something new. There is little value in merely repeating what has been done before. People who merely copy or use the ideas and inventions of others, no matter how successful they may be, have never achieved anything significant.
Assignment:
Is it always better to be original than to imitate or use the ideas of others? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.
While Kevin and I spent some time each night dicussing the math, reading, and grammer sections, we saved a general discussion of the essay until the night before the test. Told Kevin to do his best, write an intro, support his points, try to make quality sentences (Kevin has an tendency to use 'it' in sentences of using the noun he is referring to...). Then we went over some sample questions for the essays, and ran into one where Kevin couldn't even discern what they were asking....."Describe how generousity might suffer in a capitalist society". Kevin didn't know what 'capitalist' meant, so, that would make that question even more difficult. So, we really hoped that he would at least be able to develop an essay once he saw the question.
Turns out that Kevin did pretty well....he reports that he used Thomas Edison and Eli Whitney to support his point and was able to finish the essay in the time allotted. So, we'll see...
Prompt 1
Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.
It is better to try to be original than to merely imitate others. People should always try to say, write, think, or create something new. There is little value in merely repeating what has been done before. People who merely copy or use the ideas and inventions of others, no matter how successful they may be, have never achieved anything significant.
Assignment:
Is it always better to be original than to imitate or use the ideas of others? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.
While Kevin and I spent some time each night dicussing the math, reading, and grammer sections, we saved a general discussion of the essay until the night before the test. Told Kevin to do his best, write an intro, support his points, try to make quality sentences (Kevin has an tendency to use 'it' in sentences of using the noun he is referring to...). Then we went over some sample questions for the essays, and ran into one where Kevin couldn't even discern what they were asking....."Describe how generousity might suffer in a capitalist society". Kevin didn't know what 'capitalist' meant, so, that would make that question even more difficult. So, we really hoped that he would at least be able to develop an essay once he saw the question.
Turns out that Kevin did pretty well....he reports that he used Thomas Edison and Eli Whitney to support his point and was able to finish the essay in the time allotted. So, we'll see...
Sunday, January 27, 2008
European Visitors
Really, these spurts of visitors confuse me. I'm wondering if it has to do with when I post I get more notice on blogger's network. Anyway, here's the latest batch
Belgium Waarschoot, Oost-Vlaanderen
Spain
Sweden Sandarne, Gavleborgs Lan
Netherlands Groningen
Portugal Maia, Porto
United States Tempe, Arizona
United States Farmington, Michigan
United States Omaha, Nebraska
16 Kevin R. d. Kevin H. 7-5; 6-0
R1 Ross L. d. Kevin H. 6-0; 6-0
Long long weekend
We'll go in reverse order for the events.
Sunday...from evening to morning
Sunday...from evening to morning
- Dad finally finished the medium level of "Guitar Hero 3". Dad really has no hope of getting much further (into the 'hard' level...where Kevin now is about 2/3 of the way through). Hitting four notes was tough, moving onto 5 seems impossible.
- Matthew finished the easy level of GH3. He's doing really well. Christopher plays, but Dad has to 'strum' for him......
- Kevin had a indoor soccer game. The team won, Kevin's coach said it was the best he's played since he joined the team (this is game #4). More on the Fighting Figs (yes, that's the team name) in another post.
- Christopher's birthday party. 2 hours of managing 12 kids.....sheer exhaustion. Photos located here.
- Kevin had an indoor soccer game. Figs lost this time.
- Christopher had an indoor soccer game. The Cheetahs lost by a *lot*.
- Matthew had an indoor soccer game. The Chargers won. I don't really know the score when I'm coaching (the clock runs, but, the refs don't post the scores on it like they do at the older ages), but, the other team's coach was keeping track and kept yelling at this players that they were "up by a goal" or "needed to get one". I was just doing my normal rotation of players when Matthew hit the field with 90 seconds left in the last quarter...turns out we were down 6-5 at that point, and, well, 90 seconds later (and two Matthew goals later) we won 7-6. Felt bad for the other team's kids, who were really sad , and think that it's pretty lame the coach put such a focus on the score.....but, there's a part of me that really enjoyed watching Matthew score those two goals! (it's funny, Matthew's 'move' is to cross the goal-mouth from left to right and shoot back towards the left....every time Suzanne or I see this move we know what's about to happen)
- Matthew and Christopher had a basketball 'clinic'. It's really well run and the boys are having a great time doing it.
- Kevin (and I) got up early to get him to the SAT for the Midwest Academic Talent Search. Kevin reports he did about as well as he did on the practice tests we did at home...was able to answer about 1/2 of the math questions, did ok on the reading comprehension and enjoyed doing the grammar sections. We had some major concerns about the essay part, but, he apparently did ok there, and, that will be a subject of another post (I've noticed that the College Board posts the essay questions after the test, so, when they do I'll grab it and talk more about the whole essay process).
- Friday....the results of the Knowledge Master Open that Kevin participated in were posted. Third in the state isn't bad at all! That Niceville school did pretty well also....apparently the KMO competition is pretty big in NW Florida.
Friday, January 25, 2008
An All-Christopher Post
First, here is Christopher's latest spelling test from last week.
For this test, in particular, Suzanne practiced his words with him Thursday night and he wasn't doing so well. Friday morning I practiced them with him, and he still wasn't doing so well. But, here's the result.
This week wasn't a full week, so he didn't have a test, but, for the next one, I think we're going to try something different and have him type in the answers when we ask.....I wonder if he just can't spell them out when asked but is more than able to do it when he has to write them out. We'll see....
Christopher has been a busy 'artiste' recently....he'll go and draw a picture and bring it to Suzanne and I with a note on the back "From: Chris....To: Mom (or Dad)"
For this test, in particular, Suzanne practiced his words with him Thursday night and he wasn't doing so well. Friday morning I practiced them with him, and he still wasn't doing so well. But, here's the result.
This week wasn't a full week, so he didn't have a test, but, for the next one, I think we're going to try something different and have him type in the answers when we ask.....I wonder if he just can't spell them out when asked but is more than able to do it when he has to write them out. We'll see....
Christopher has been a busy 'artiste' recently....he'll go and draw a picture and bring it to Suzanne and I with a note on the back "From: Chris....To: Mom (or Dad)"
Monday, January 21, 2008
Matthew Soccer
I've been busy importing (and then re-importing) home videos of relatives, but, I was able to pull together some clips of Matthew's recent endeavors.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Geography Bee Round 2
Last Wednesday Kevin took the test that will determine if he qualifies for the competition for the Michigan state championship. He says it was 'pretty easy', that he finished in plenty of time and was able to check his answers. A total of 70 multiple choice questions were on the test....here's a sampling of questions Kevin remembered he was unsure of (and how he did on his guesses).
The Tropic of Cancer is at what latitude? (he thought, but wasn't sure, that it was 33 degrees north and was correct.
The currency of El Salavador is the same as it's largest export partner, what is it? He guessed peso for Mexico and was wrong. It's the dollar.
What langauge is spoken in Brazil? Guessed Portugese and was correct.
The Capital of Pakistan is? Answered Islamabad, and was correct.
More information as it develops......
The Tropic of Cancer is at what latitude? (he thought, but wasn't sure, that it was 33 degrees north and was correct.
The currency of El Salavador is the same as it's largest export partner, what is it? He guessed peso for Mexico and was wrong. It's the dollar.
What langauge is spoken in Brazil? Guessed Portugese and was correct.
The Capital of Pakistan is? Answered Islamabad, and was correct.
More information as it develops......
Kevin's Tennis Adventure
Results from the MAC (Michigan Athletic Club) Boys' Open. Some improvement from Kevin; after the "Disaster at Minges" anything would have been an improvement, but, he held his own in the first set (more from the other Kevin's misadventures than Kevin's excellence) but a real lack of power in his serves and groundstrokes doomed him and is the big thing he needs to work on.
Boys' 12 Singles
Boys' 12 Singles
Glad they didn't have this when I was 12!
It's a nice feature, being able to go online and track Kevin's grades, but I think for him it probably has a few downsides. Forget to turn in that homework assignment? Mom and Dad ask about it.
| Assignments contributing to current grade for SOC ST 6 |
| Assignment | Type | Score | Due | Remark |
| Investigations #1 - Exposition | 2nd Trimester | 10.0/10.0 | 12/7/2007 | - |
| Assignment Sheet Week #1 | 2nd Trimester | 5.0/5.0 | 12/10/2007 | - |
| Thematic Map Choice Invest. Bk I | 2nd Trimester | 6.0/6.0 | 12/7/2007 | - |
| Investigations Book #2 Geo Terms | 2nd Trimester | 12.0/12.0 | 12/10/2007 | - |
| Geo Terms Box Sheet | 2nd Trimester | 6.0/6.0 | 12/10/2007 | - |
| Investigations Book #3 Region/Se | 2nd Trimester | 10.0/10.0 | 12/11/2007 | - |
| Assignment Sheet Week #2 | 2nd Trimester | 5.0/5.0 | 12/7/2007 | - |
| Investigation #4 Culture | 2nd Trimester | 9.5/10.0 | 12/14/2007 | - |
| Investigation #5 Highlighter | 2nd Trimester | 7.5/8.0 | 12/17/2007 | - |
| Investigation #6 Research | 2nd Trimester | 10.0/10.0 | 12/19/2007 | - |
| Ch. 3 PA: Regions of Canada | 2nd Trimester | 29.0/30.0 | 12/14/2007 | - |
Friday, January 18, 2008
Internet Traffic
Usually this blog attracts only a few visitors from some very recognizable domains; rr.com; comcast.net; cox.net, and so on so forth. Every once in a while some stranger trapses in because of that "next blog" link above and very promptly leaves again.
Tonight, something strange happened. Not sure why (perhaps it's that please stand by image that I grabbed off of some other page), but, it's like the super-highway opened up and this blog was the 7-11 on the corner.
And, man, the vistors were from everwhere!
prod-infinitum.com.mx Tampico, Mexico.
rima-tde.net Manzanares, Spain
bigpond.net.au Sydney, Australia
verizon.net Terre Haute, Indiana
ok, so maybe Terre Haute isn't very exciting. But Australia, hey, that's the record for furthest visitor away to date!
Tonight, something strange happened. Not sure why (perhaps it's that please stand by image that I grabbed off of some other page), but, it's like the super-highway opened up and this blog was the 7-11 on the corner.
And, man, the vistors were from everwhere!
prod-infinitum.com.mx Tampico, Mexico.
rima-tde.net Manzanares, Spain
bigpond.net.au Sydney, Australia
verizon.net Terre Haute, Indiana
ok, so maybe Terre Haute isn't very exciting. But Australia, hey, that's the record for furthest visitor away to date!
Stupid Technology
So first I convert all of my video files to a .mp4 format, and, once I get my new totally awesome software, I realize I have to convert them all back to .mpg files. This extra step causes me much consternation, but, eventually I get most of the video converted and create two dvd's.
So then I start using this wonder device
to upload old VHS tapes and create DVDs. At first, I have a crummy VCR, and the uploads skip all over (but the sound is always there). So, I get a new VCR, upload all the video again, create DVDs and I'm done. Begin uploading old video tape of Kevin that we have, am showing it to Suzanne and noticed that the sound cut out during one particularly cute scene of Kevin singing "Alouette" at the beach. Very strange, I thought.
Then I find out the real problem. No sound on the DVDs. Back to the drawing board...try my computer again, again, no sound on the uplaods. Resolve to try Suzanne's laptop (newer, but cursed with Vista as an OS). Suprisingly, because everything else hasn't worked on Vista, this has. Basketball game uploaded, sound all the way through. Trip down Transmountain uploaded...sound and commentary intact.
Grrrr...
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Christmas Video
Finally getting caught up with the video we've taken over the last 3 weeks. Here are my two favorites from Christmas Eve
Geography Bee
Kevin answered these 3 questions in the finals to become the school representative for the National Geography Bee. Answers in small font below.
1. Name the country whose border is entirely within the city of Rome?
2. Name one of the two countries bordering India that are landlocked.
3. Which US Territority is the first to see the sun rise every day?
1. Vatican City 2. Nepal and Bhutan 3. Guam
1. Name the country whose border is entirely within the city of Rome?
2. Name one of the two countries bordering India that are landlocked.
3. Which US Territority is the first to see the sun rise every day?
1. Vatican City 2. Nepal and Bhutan 3. Guam
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Thursday, January 3, 2008
First post of the New Year
Has been a while since I've been out here, so, a rundown of recent events follows:
1) travelled to Florida for Christmas. Stopped just north of Birmingham on the way down...had difficulties with the hotel in getting the rollaway bed we requested (had a lot of trouble with rollaway beds this trip!) and shared the continental breakfast with many U. of Cinci and Southern Miss fans in town for the bowl game that afternoon.
2) Arrived at hotel/timeshare in Florida. Very nice...am always happy when we open the door and we're pleasantly surprised with how large/nice the room is. Large heated pool (boys were swimming when the outdoor temp was below 50, so, that's a good thing!). The one downside was the long drive back and forth to Grandma's....we thought it would be 45 minutes each way, turns out it was more like 70-75 minutes.....
3) Christmas was good. Christopher and Matthew would open a present and run around saying thank you and giving hugs and kisses and that was fun to watch. Santa did bring new video-authoring software, and after a few difficulties, I made my first DVD yesterday (Pirates of Penzance 2007). New software (and the technical issues created by some of my format decisions) has slowed down the import of new video but hope to get some Christmas video up soon.
4) Had fun in Florida the rest of the week. Lots (lots!) of swimming...played miniature golf in Panama City Beach...we did what was billed as one of the largest mazes in the US (beat Kevin out after giving him a head start...he wasn't happy). Ate at two of the local restaurants, meals (at least for me) were really good....
5) Began driving back on New Year's eve....will save that story for another post.....
1) travelled to Florida for Christmas. Stopped just north of Birmingham on the way down...had difficulties with the hotel in getting the rollaway bed we requested (had a lot of trouble with rollaway beds this trip!) and shared the continental breakfast with many U. of Cinci and Southern Miss fans in town for the bowl game that afternoon.
2) Arrived at hotel/timeshare in Florida. Very nice...am always happy when we open the door and we're pleasantly surprised with how large/nice the room is. Large heated pool (boys were swimming when the outdoor temp was below 50, so, that's a good thing!). The one downside was the long drive back and forth to Grandma's....we thought it would be 45 minutes each way, turns out it was more like 70-75 minutes.....
3) Christmas was good. Christopher and Matthew would open a present and run around saying thank you and giving hugs and kisses and that was fun to watch. Santa did bring new video-authoring software, and after a few difficulties, I made my first DVD yesterday (Pirates of Penzance 2007). New software (and the technical issues created by some of my format decisions) has slowed down the import of new video but hope to get some Christmas video up soon.
4) Had fun in Florida the rest of the week. Lots (lots!) of swimming...played miniature golf in Panama City Beach...we did what was billed as one of the largest mazes in the US (beat Kevin out after giving him a head start...he wasn't happy). Ate at two of the local restaurants, meals (at least for me) were really good....
5) Began driving back on New Year's eve....will save that story for another post.....
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