Summer school

The schools here have a summer program called Camp Edventure. In the past I have always signed the boys up for it. This year I decided not to. The thing is, they need a break from school. That's the whole point of summer vacation. And there were so many things we wanted to do last summer that we couldn't because they were already committed to Camp Edventure. We've gotten a couple of notices from the school reminding us to sign them up before the deadline. These reminders also make sure to mention that the program is beneficial because continued learning through the summer has shown to improve fall test scores. First of all, my kids are eight and six. Unless Harvard will be looking at these scores, I'm not concerned. Second of all, my kids really need a break. I don't want my kids hating school by the time they get to middle school because they have never had a break from it. Third, my kids learn throughout the summer without school. When Torii's teacher was amazed at his fall math scores, I didn't attribute that to Camp Edventure. Torii's math scores went up from endless games of Monopoly and math workbooks he did during car trips. I think my boys will be just fine without Camp Edventure. Not that it's not a bad program. It's nice for the boys to see some of their friends everyday and they do have fun. They just need a true summer vacation without any school. Recently, Torii brought home one of the sign up reminders and he asked if I was going to sign it. I thought Torii wanted to go to Camp Edventure so I gently told him that I wasn't going to sign them up this summer. "Good," he said, "I didn't want to go this summer." Phew. I was relieved until he added, "I need more time to play video games."

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Big brother Rion

When Cordelia was born Rion pretty much denied her existence. Today he can't help but be aware of her existence as the two of them constantly bicker and fight. If Rion doesn't start an argument, Cordelia does. They know how to push each other's buttons and they do it often. I keep telling myself that deep down they really do love each other even if they never acknowledge it.

On Sunday as we were getting ready to leave church, Cordelia decided to have a monster tantrum. It started at church and continued all the way home. Nothing short of giving in and giving her what she wanted would end the tantrum so I ignored her and just rode it out. Rion, however, wasn't going to ignore her. Instead, he gave her a hug and in the sweetest voice told her that he had something to show her. He took her hand and brought her over to the computer to show her a game he was playing. Cordelia wasn't much interested in the game so she again sought me out to continue with her tantrum. Again, Rion came over to her, hugged her and talked to her in the sweetest voice I have heard come from his mouth. This boy that is regularly getting yelled out for his potty mouth and for his behavior towards his sister had taken a 180 turn and was now the sweetest boy on the planet.

After the tantrum subsided, I gave Rion a big hug. I told him he was a great big brother. I see this kind of sweetness from Torii on a regular basis and I know he'll always take care of his little sister, but seeing it from Rion is rare. Now I know that even if they get on each other's nerves, Rion will be there looking out for his sister and taking care of her. I couldn't help but watch as Rion tended to his little sister and feel extremely proud.