Dondan's FIRST research paper

Dondan's class was given a choice on a research topic and he chose the blue whale.
The teacher ONLY guided them through the process, they did all the work on their own.
They looked up the information and pictures online, then used what they found to create a research paper. They typed it all out and even learned to use spell/ grammar check.
Some of the words are wrong, because of what spell check replaced it with, but it's okay cause they learned a new skill!
He was very proud of himself and his accomplishment, as are we.
He made sure we knew, "I did it ALL by MYSELF!!"
So we are sharing it with the rest of our family.

Bird is the word...

Since arriving on this beautiful island, I have observed several different species of birds.
I am, by no means nor have ever been, a birder, but I've always liked birds.
Growing up Pa Sunee (my aunt) had an Blue-fronted Amazon named Hornet. We aren't sure how old Hornet is, but she's still kickin' it today. My responsibilities included cleaning her cage, feeding, clipping wings and claws, bathing and giving her loads of hugs and kisses. She likes Country music and hot peppers, favorite words to say, "I love you". Years later my Uncle had a stroke and I moved in to help out. Hornet learned a new word and still yells it everyday, just as I did years ago, "MICHAEL!!!!"
Anyways, back to the birds, I have seen so many varieties of Ducks, Eagles, Osprey, Heron, Egret, Gulls, Pigeons, swifts and swallows. There is a particular bird that I have seen often and am intrigued to find out what it is. So now I'm on this bird hunt, researching several Field journals/ guides and a check list of Japanese Birds by The Ornithological Society of Japan.
I still haven't found what type of bird it is yet. I will have to keep a camera on me at all times.
Besides the birds there is a wide variety of interesting vegetation to explore. I love to go walking and see all the different things around. I really like it here.

good stuff and not so good stuff

GOOD STUFF...
Mike is doing so awesome in school. mad props to him. all A's and two B's which he is adamantly working up to A's. He is right on track, working independently and I seldom have to get on him about school/ homework. He loves art and science mostly and is wanting to joining Art club.
He's very good at PowerPoint and uses it for almost all his presentations. I delight in his excitement about a new project, putting it all together and relishing over the end product.
GOOD STUFF...
Dondan becoming more independent. we have been working on him walking to and from school on his own. everyday he walks further and further on his own. I enjoy walking with him, but if for any reason i need him to walk home alone, I want him to do so with out having a panic attack.

Not SO good STUFF...
um. i hear a knock on my back door. it's Dondan. um. it's 11:00 am.
Wha?!?!?
Me: "What's going on? What happened? Why are you not in school?"
Dondan: "Mom, you told me to walk home by myself!"
Me: "um, yeah, after school."
Dondan: "It's half day, Mom."
Me: "Oh."

Honestly, the only notification I received was a class calendar that did show on this day, "early release" no time or reason.
I over looked it.
Every event at that school is usually plastered all over the place, on the website, constant emails, etc. but for some reason, i didn't get the memo.
Well, at least i know he has NO problems walking home alone!

on a side note:
Dondan has developed a new "tic", he has been twitching his nose (like a rabbit). it started yesterday. i know i shouldn't make fun of it, it's not funny for him to tic, but it's funny to watch. i know. i'm bad... maybe it's an Easter tic. okay! enough! the jokes last longer than the tics. They usually don't hang around longer than a month or two, depending on the severity of his anxiety.

It all started...

with Nona scrapping (we think) her leg, we cleaned it and put bacitracine on it.
The area gets worse instead of better.
it then turns red, puffs up and swells. we think it's a spider bite, so we take her to the ER.
they determine it's cellulitus and prescribe amoxicillan (10 days) and more bacitracine.
Day 7 she develops a little rash in the evening.
she wakes up the next morning and her face is swollen and covered from head to toe in hives, yes, everywhere. yes, there too.
I smothered her with calamine and called the doctor. they suggest bendryl.
i think it's a reaction to the antibiotic, the doctor agrees, it can take a week for a reaction to set in.
now, we wait and see what happens.
she seems normal enough, no fever or change in behavior. i took pictures, but don't think i'll post them though.

Kids grow up...

eventually, it's inevitable i suppose.

but do they have to do it so fast?! REALLY!

Dondan is becoming even more particular of himself... didn't think it was possible, but yes.

he is expanding his likes and dislikes and taking less consideration to my opinions about things.

His hair, for instance... he wants to grow it long. "long like Jamie's", he says.

He sees these shoes the other day...

of course they only had men's sizes, so we had to look online. They don't have the same ones, but he finds a pair he likes even better. He now discovers a whole new world of fashion and clothing. Which he wants. all. the. clothes. including an Ecko watch that's about $200.

umm. NO.

we can do the shoes for now. perhaps some clothing items at Christmas time.

the shoes he picked....

I find it interesting all the different persons growing up under one roof. All the personalities and attitudes meshing together, colliding, learning, coping, growing....

Mike's shoe style is similar to mine and what i've ALWAYS bought for the kids...

Nona has her own style as well... she prefers shoes that are more of an equestrian nature....

up your nose with a rubber hose...

um. or better yet. a raisin.
Nona stuck a raisin in her nose. way up her nose.
i was a little freaked at first, but we managed to extract it with my super duper orifice tool.
a definite MUST in our home.
yeah, that winds down our spring break, bringing it to a close.
*sigh*

the strangest thing happened...

Nona put on pants.

hmm.

Gives new meaning to cup cake!

I got this from a friend and tried it (with chocolate chips). It's good!
The PIX below came with the original e-mail i received.
YOU DEFINITELY NEED A LARGE MUG! You'll see what i mean when you start mixing.

The most dangerous cake recipe:
3 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

1 LARGE COFFE MUG (microwavable)

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa

1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
a small splash of vanilla extract
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.
Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
Add the vanilla extract and chocolate chips(if using) and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts(high).
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now we are all only 3 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

*i am working on a smaller, well, regular size coffee mug recipe*

ALSO A NEAT IDEA:

at Christmas people sometimes give out the "cookies in a jar", where they put in all the dry ingredients and you just add the wet ingredients. I think it would be neat to do a variation with the mug cake! call it "coffee cup cake" or something. mix all dry ingredients in a Ziploc baggie or the like, with ingredients list (in case they want to repeat it) and directions. I know you can get Christmas mugs from the dollar store during that time of the season. fun, inexpensive, handmade and thoughtful!

Hair did

Mike decided to go Black with his hair, i thought blue-black was cooler, so that's what we did.



Nona did the funniest thing with her bike and horses. i tried getting a picture real quick and the camera was on VDO. when i got the picture it was too late. She was mad that i was taking a picture and started throwing her horses around.
She somehow rigged a horse in the front, one in the back and two underneath. She was originally outside with ONLY a shirt on. i insisted on the panties while riding the bike, LOL.
also, her bike was stuck on a horse.

BIG GIRL

okay so... Nona has been potty trained for a while now. Though i'd love to take credit for this amazing accomplishment, it was by no means on my account, but her efforts alone.
Normally when we are out and about i ALWAYS ask her, "Do you have to go potty?" then i take her to the bathroom and run the routine. i mainly hound her when we are away from home, cause she is wearing panties, she loathes pull-ups. loathes them. at home she does her own thing, i never have to worry about it. she's on her own turf. that and she's naked all the time, so nothing to take off.
Today we were out for a while, walking to the parks, playing and goofing off for almost 3 hours. We made a pit stop to the shoppette for some treats and Dondan had to go to the bathroom. I had Mike ask the people where it was so he could take him. I guess Nona caught on to the haps cause she starts saying, "Potty, potty, go pee-pee mommy!"
I didn't get what she was saying at first, i wasn't paying attention. when i realized what she was saying i took her and Dondan at the same time.
I was so happy! it's those little moments, ya know, but a huge milestone.