School the third time around ....

Yippeeee the kids have a long 4 day weekend to observe Presidents Day.

I don't know about anyone else but to me this ALWAYS means some in depth project that they will be assigned by their teachers.

With one child being in 6th grade and one in 10th I just couldn't wait for the fun of it all !

The 6th grader gets not one .. not 2 .. but 3 "projects" to complete over the long weekend.

1. Make a 2 or 3 dimensional model of a plant or animal cell.
2. Choose a book that you want to read for an upcoming book report. Said book must be at least 100 pages long. It could be fiction, non fiction whatever just so you have it by Tuesday to be approved.
3. List 10 facts about President William McKinley.

The 10th grader has to complete a project which entails ripping apart a Emily Dickinson poem to discover it's meaning.
Ohhh and he must also make a poster to depict it.

Soo I take the 6th grade work on first.
Now keep in mind this is the child who has Autism sooooo none of these assignments exactly excite him, nor for the most part does he understand exactly what it is he is supposed to do.

I decided it's only fair that the DH gets to enjoy this as much as I do since he will be home on the weekend to help out, and I just KNOW he wouldn't want to miss out.
So Hubby and I head off to find the materials for the "Cell Project" first.
I always laugh when the teachers say "Use materials you have at home to complete your project". Yes I will check my pantry for excess Styrofoam poster display boards.
$16.99 later we figure we have everything we need and head over to Barnes and Noble to attack finding the book for the book report.
Amazingly hubby zero's right in on a book that is 104 pages long and seems to be something our son may be able to grasp once we have broken it down for him.
This of course means I must read the book first as well so that I know what the heck its about too.
I love to read so thats not a big deal for me, afterall I have totally dumped Math on my husband.

Yes we do have an understanding where that is concerned.

Me = Reading, Science, Social Studies, English and other various subjects like Health and Band as they pop up on occasion.
Hubby = Math

Seems fair right ?? 0_0

After those relatively quick shopping adventures I suggest that while I have him out and shopping my husband should purchase some clothes for work that he has been saying he needs.
He walks into Eddie Bauer and bam within 15 minutes has 2 pairs of work pants a pair of jeans and some long sleeve t's for around the house.

HOW DO THEY DO THAT ????

He is still in a pretty even keeled "lets git her done" mode when I sneak in that I really need some things at Wal-Mart.
I didn't dare look at him because I KNOW he HATES to go to Wal-Mart but he drove on and we arrived within 5 minutes of the Eddie Bauer store.

The shopping at Wal-Mart went quickly too .. the checking out of Wal-Mart was a complete nightmare.
No lie when I tell you it took 45 minutes to check out of the store.
It was MADNESS.
I started to go off when after 20 of these minutes the girl shuts her light off, points back to me and my husband and says the line is closed now.

I looked up at her and said:
OHH I think not, I am not moving and you will check us out.
Hubby gets the 0_0 look and she then says .. Well after you the line is closed so tell anyone after you that it is closed.
WHATT ??????
Hubby took on the role of doing that because I refused too. I don't work for Wal-Mart, let a manager stand here and tick people off.
I thought by now he would just walk away from the cart and say forget it we don't need the stuff that badly but yet instead he remained calm this time while I ranted.
Thats the ying and the yang of marriage :)

When we finally got out of the store I said ....
May you never ask me "What took you so long at the store", he replied .. "Nope I never will".

Ok so 2 down 1 to go.
I have now been googling "10 facts about William McKinley" and have been trying to engage my son on what an interesting man he is, while all he is really concerned about is if McDonalds is open for chicken nuggets yet. So yes still working on that one although overall it's the easy one.

Last night the 10th grader hits me with his poem project.
He is not finding the symbolism in a Emily Dickinson poem that he has to have done by Tuesday as well.
I am not a fan of poetry. I really don't get into figuring out what someone is trying to say with lines full of what looks to me to be gibberish.
Just SAY it already in plain ole spoken North American English !

So what does one do when they are in poetry hell .. they channel their Mormon friend to bail them out.

Thanks MamaMormon, may your heart soon let your mind forget my badgering ;)

So while this is my 3rd time around in 6th grade and my 2nd time around in 10th I am finding myself doing much better in both grades.
I think I have made the honor roll !
Wheres my prize ???