"Mommy, that word says out"...

sam said this afternoon as we were driving out of the carpark. Not only did he say it once but every time he saw the "out" sign. I am so proud of him. It isn't a big word but if he is starting to apply what he is learning from headsprout and our reading then he must be starting to crack the reading code. I don't think he will be doing war and peace any day soon but at least we are on the right track. I bought him some of the Dick and Jane stories and he loves them. He is able to read them without too much help and he thinks that sally and the animals are the best. He can't wait to see what mischief they get up to. I think the stories were originally published in the 30s, though it looks as if the illustrations were updated in the 50s. He likes the olden days clothes as he calls them and thinks it is neat that he is learning to read from the same books that he mom and his grandparents did.

All in all it was a nice day. We spent the morning doing headsprout and other language work then moved on to math and science. We got the pattern blocks out and sam used his cars to arrange them by color and shape. It was taking ages ( a hot wheels car can only hold one shape!) until I suggested that he used is dino expedition vehicle. That worked well until the vehicle decided it was more fun to crash the piles than to arrange them. Our balancing scales should be here tomorrow and we are both looking forward to playing with them.

Our science experiments both worked today, which is a miracle considering I was in charge. We did two to show how air contracts and expands as it changes temperature. I will post a photo later of the hot air one-we used balloons, soda bottles and warm water.

Finished off the day by watching Bedknobs and Broomsticks, which I wasn't at all sure he would like or even sit through. I was amazed, he was captivated-especially by the animation sequence. He wasn't at all frighted by the battle at the end, in fact he was laughing in places. They are doing the story on Little Toe Radio this week so it should tie in nicely.

We had a lovely time last week in Dublin, it is such a friendly vibrant city. We went with M's parents for the ceremony in which he became a fellow of the College of Anaesthtists( I know this is mispelled but my brain has given up), Royal College of Surgeons Ireland. We are so proud of him, he has worked so hard for so long for this. We spent a couple of days sightseeing prior to the event. We managed to use every form of public transport on offer, which delighted sam. He was especially excited to ride on the new LUAS electric trams. The men enjoyed the guiness factory-I still think it tastes like swamp water! The view from the top was amazing though. We also went out to Malahide Castle which boasts the largest model railway exhibit in the country. Sam was in his element and didn't want to leave! he also enjoyed the fantastic playgrounds on offer. It was nice going away as a family; we really enjoyed spending time with M's parents and I know that sam did too. We would love to go back to explore a bit more of the countryside-we may even be brave enough to camp!

Spent most of the weekend doing chores around the house and garden. The boys planted tons of stuff-must remember to bring in the more delicate ones as they predict a frost tonight. don't you just love english weather.

I have just finished reading The Rule of Four by Caldwell & Thomason, it was good but not in the way I expected. It is billed as the next Da Vinci code, when in fact they have very little in common. This book is not a fast paced thriller but a careful consideration about how the past can grab hold of you. You can tell that the authors are boths still in the 20s-they write about being in college with such freshness-not like a dim memory. I hope Princeton has paid them for advertising-the book paints such a rosy, dream like picture of the place it makes me want to go to college all over again. My next book is one for my book group, Small Island by Andrea Levy-looks like and interesting read.

A fairly quiet rest of the week-just hope the weather improves as sam is itching to get out on his bike.