Showing posts with label math. Show all posts
Showing posts with label math. Show all posts

12 September 2021

William visits the newest Orthodontist

This is the latest post in the series of William, grace and Juliet's journey with hypophosphatasia.

William met with a doctor who was outgoing, and so this was our first meeting with the new, incoming, dental class doctor. 

After reviewing all of the documentation that they had taken from William on his previous trip, they decided that for now, we are just going to wait.  She indicated that he will, at some point in the future, have to have braces, but that time is not now.  She wants to see what happens when all four of his front upper and lower teeth come in. 

Some good news, he might be a candidate for Invisalign!  I truly hope that he can, because driving to the dentist over an hour away, for a popped off bracket would be upsetting for all involved.  It will take some serious discipline on our part, but I think we can do it!

But, for right now, his next appointment with the orthodontist isn't for 6 more months.

After his appointment, we found a cozy corner in which to eat lunch and for William to knock out his math, so that he didn't have to do it upon our return.  


We saw some new parts of campus, thanks to a faulty parking booth arm, and all for the better.  Seeing the buildings nestled among the trees reminded me of the pictures I'd seen of some of the east coast universities.

All in all, it was a good trip, a little long for what we actually learned, but I'll take any good news I can get about William's teeth!

what happened next>

08 November 2020

Hello November!

239th Day of Quarantine.

Today the high was 72F.

I woke up after a solid 11 hours of sleep!  This week was the busiest we've had in forever.  The cases of covid are increasing, and yet, we managed to go more places than we've been in forever. = /  Not the best combination.  

Billy and I enjoyed a full breakfast, thanks to our shopping trip Friday evening. We readied to go quickly, and ran to Sam's to pick up a surprise for William. (He saw a toy he wanted on our Wednesday trip, and I didn't get it, telling myself that I'd buy it online.  When I went out to order it, they carry it in store only!) = (  So, we made a special trip just for this birthday surprise. = )

After that, we went by Wendy's to pick up the lunch we ordered online.  It wasn't quite ready, so we waited for a while.  While we were in line the monthly siren test went off. In consideration of the announcement of Biden winning the presidential election, and our proximity to the capitol building, I'll admit, it freaked me out just a bit.  

It sounded exactly like the air raid sirens in the old war films, and my psyche is less stable than I've enjoyed for the majority of my life.  January 21st is a long way away.  Do I sound paranoid? I feel paranoid.  

This year has been a tough one.  

Between covid and presidential elections and governor kidnapping schemes and homeschool and cancelled everything and a weird Halloween I feel isolated.  Hopefully January will help restore some normalcy, or be long enough in this rut that it will start to feel normal.

For dinner we had a charcuterie board of all the things Billy and I failed to finish, as well as some of the bonus items we didn't even open Friday night.  

We finished the Hunger Games series, and watched Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.

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238th Day of Quarantine.

The high today reached a lovely 74F!

I took advantage of the warmer temperatures to burn all of yesterday's tree trimmings, and then did some more raking!  There are so many leaves, I gave it an entire hour, and there are still leaves everywhere.

The vacuum truck came through before I could get the big girls back out for pictures, so we went out today after my leaf clean up.  Emily was a willing model, Alice not so much.



My mom came by after our dinner of cheesy chicken noodles, and surprised the kids.  She's been her in quarantine for 2 weeks, and I managed to not tell them!

She took them for a night at Aunt Rocky's for my birthday. Billy and I went on a "date" to Horrocks to get some tasty treats for a night in.

We watched the third hunger games movie, but were both so tired, we went to bed at our usual bed time, despite being kid free!  

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237th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was a lovely 65F.

It was our final day of Term 1 exams, and the big girls continued to plug away at their math.  Emily finished her third grade review*! And my amazing Alice worked through 3 units in 3 days!  

We took a break, with the unseasonably warm weather, to trim some of the low hanging tree and bush branches.  Also, I spent time raking up some leaves to the curb, and had a few helpers come help me. = )




For dinner we had teriyaki chicken with rice.

*A poor understanding of the software, led to much more than a review of her old material, and pretty much the big girls are completing an entire year of material in mere months. = 0 But, as we come close to the end of the year, we desperately need to get started on their current grade, so the rush is on.  

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236th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was a pleasant 72F!

After exams for school today, William and I headed out to his appointment with the orthopedic doctor.  The traffic wasn't bad (and there were no road blocks) so we arrived my 15 comfortable minutes early.

We waited for a while in the waiting room, and then even longer in the exam room.  It was an hour past his appointment time by the time we finally saw the doctor.  Thankfully, it was good news. He said William's ankles have improved, even more than the last time that he saw him!  This means that he is now released from this doctor (unless of course we have issues.)  So yay!

From there we went to QD to try and turn in a registration for my card, but they no longer accept them in person, so I am going to have to call.

Our final stop was Sam's to return a box of exploded cocoa (on and in a few other items.)  It was simple enough.  I also tried to swap out a package of dented chicken in a can, but the order wasn't finished in their system (or something) and they didn't have any in stock to trade out.  So, we bought our few items, thankfully the scan and go app was working, and then drove around to pick up our order.  Then, we found out that their system was also not working for the pick up and ended up in the customer service line a third time in one night.

By the time we finally got our groceries it was dark and I was tired and hungry. Billy fed the girls the sloppy joes I had planned, and William and I filled up on the Doritos he had picked out at Sam's.  I do not enjoy unloading groceries at the end of a busy, frustrating day.

But, we made it happen!  Now it's time for shots (of course) and then a quick bedtime for all! 

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235th day in quarantine. 

The high today was a pleasant and unseasonal 64F today.



For dinner we had Salisbury steak and potatoes.

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234th Day in Quarantine.

The expected high today was 47F, but it seriously felt colder than that, and I could hear each and every time the heater kicked on, since we were doing exams, which are a little quieter at the table one-on-one.

We finished around the time we usually do, but the big girls are knocking out some extra math (30 minutes worth) each day, so that they can get started on their current grade math.  I had them review, last summer, and thought that they would quickly move through the material, but it was so.much. And we weren't familiar enough for them to use the 'shortcuts.' So, now they are both in some end of year material that they weren't taught last year, and so the end is going slow, and we are playing catch up.  I'm hoping that they will progress quickly this week, since they are allowed to work on math when they are not testing.

I went to pick up my car this afternoon. Grace came with me, since she left her glasses on the floor yesterday with disappointing consequences. So, our next stop was the glasses shop.  We picked up my car first, then her broken glasses were given a temporary fix, and new frames ordered.  We were halfway home when the light came on in my car that we just paid $2500 to repair.... So, we turned around and dropped it back off, picking up Billy's car that we had left in the lot to retrieve once he got off of work.

I was angry and sad and annoyed. So, I tried messaging and calling Billy, but since his phone is not working, it made me feel even worse.  I ended up emailing his work account, so that he could contact me so that I could at least retrieve dinner while we were out.

For dinner we had Taco Bell.

I also read today that coronavirus cases are ticking up, again.  Many European nations are reinstating their lockdowns.  Here, in America, we are not. With the election coming up tomorrow, and coronavirus on the loose, I have an unusually high stress level.

Here's hoping for a happier birthday.

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233rd day in Quarantine.

I could hear the rain blowing in as it cooled way down overnight, leaving us with just a 37F high for today. = (

After church, Billy went to pick up the groceries and then went to the cell phone shop to see if they could help fix his connectivity issues.  The problem: his phone is too old. = /

We got some non-sticking snow today, first snow of the season.  I am still not ready.

We listed some of his 3D printed numbers in my Etsy shop today, maybe people will like them as much as we do!

For lunch I made a quiche, and for dinner we had chicken fajitas. 

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later days

17 October 2020

2nd Week of October

218th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was 54F.

Sarah came over and mulched up the leaves in the yard.  

I finished up the math exams for the kids.  I might add some problems if one of them makes some serious progress in the next couple of weeks.

For dinner we had egg fried rice.

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217th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was a frozen morning dew, at 53F.

It was super productive.  I almost completed my to do list!  Billy and I voted (and I delivered the ballots to the box in person.) 


Then I took the supplies that I've collected for 8 months up to the school!  



I raked some leaves (both before and) after the vacuum came through.  I worked on creating exams for Term I, and made the files to send to the tablet for Term II.



Billy spent his afternoon at the office, trying to track down parts for an upcoming trip to a manufacturing plant. 

For dinner, Grace helped me make spaghetti!

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216th day of Quarantine.

The high today was a cold, windy, 'freezing' 50F.

Today was our "Friday." As our final subject we went to find a "special tree" to draw for nature study. Then, we rubbed the bark with a crayon and paper.



From there, we went up to drop off the recycling and pick up some bags from Aunt Rocky's.

For dinner we had ham steaks with potatoes (Juliet's request) and mixed vegetables.

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215th day of Quarantine.

The high today was a windy, chilly 64F.

The kids spent extra time outside piling the leaves.  Here Grace and Juliet are burying Emily.



For dinner, we had a William request: BBQ sandwiches!

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214th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was 68F.

Attempted to teach William to whistle with a blade of grass.

I scored a heater at the thrift shop.

For dinner we had meatloaf!

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213th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was 69F.

The big girls made a ornithopter in science, and we all enjoyed taking turns trying to get it to glide.





I got caught up on the latest episode of Supernatural tonight.  It's just not real to me that it is coming to an end.

The three little ones had a virtual ophthalmology appointment today, right on the heels of our school day.

For dinner we had teriyaki chicken.

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212th Day of Quarantine.

The expected high today was 68F.  It was cool enough for a jacket when I went to get groceries. 

Sarah came over and blew all the leaves to the curb, since pick up starts on Monday.

I made it back to the estate sale, didn't get but a single book, but found a few other fun things for people in my life. = )

For dinner we had ziti.

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later days

27 September 2020

Almost the End of September

197th Day of Quarantine.

High today was 79F.

Kids spent night with aunt rocky.  Very excited to go.

Billy and I had a cheese and meat pack for dinner. While we watched Enola Holmes and The Boys.

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196th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was 82F.

For our nature study, we decided to go to the "pumpkin patch."  In years past we've gone to uncle john's cider mill and enjoyed live music, rides, and a huge selection.  Today, we just purchased from our "neighbor" who sells produce on his front lawn. = )









Billy bought cider and donuts at the QD that we were able to enjoy on our walk back and at home.  The kids also made some fall 'masks' from an email that Aunt Wanda sent me.


For dinner we had a crockpot stew that made the house smell wonderful all day long!

Sarah took me to pick my car up from the dealership, who wanted to charge $5K for the repairs I need, and bring it into our favorite mechanic, who tends to shy away from my car after the month long saga a few years back.  He's supposed to call me next week with a quote.

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195th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was 77F.  There was a cool breeze reminding us all that it is truly autumn.

We have almost finished week six of our curriculum, so our routine is settled and we are all pretty comfortable with our day.

For dinner we are having tortellini with alfredo sauce.

I finished my book and now I don't know what to do with myself.  The first mops meeting of the year is tonight at 7, but I don't think I'm going to go in person.

It was great to see so many smiling familiar faces.  Not the same as being there in person, but at this point in 2020, it was still a welcome change!

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194th Day of Quarantine.

The expected high was a respectable 80F.

I got up early, and Sarah met me at the dealership at 7:30 to drop off my car.  The ABS light is finally on full time, it has a little oil drip, and worst of all, my heated seat stopped heating. = (

Sarah beat me there, but I still waited outside the door for 5 minutes until they opened.  On the way home she took me by the QD so that I could get donuts for my crew.

Most were awake when I arrived home, and we were able to start our school day on time!

Juliet dressed all Ariel today.


In science the big girls made a hygrometer.  It's currently on the porch, we'll see if it works in a few days. = )



After a pleasant poetry & tea time, the kids played a live action version of "among us" [called "imposter" in roblox.] It's collectively their new favorite online game. 

One is the "imposter" and kills a victim, as they all mill about the house. Once a "dead body" is found, they have a meeting and vote who they think the imposter is. That person admits their role, and if they've chosen incorrectly, they have to move about again, and a new person "dies." It's fun to listen to their observations and politics.  And this is absolutely one of the best reasons to have 5 kids. = )


For dinner we had hamburger helper.  

My book was so engaging it was all I could do not to ignore my responsibilities.

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193rd Day of Quarantine.

The expected high was 75F.

William finished his 1st grade math review today and received his alien stuffie!


After school, I went to the thrift store with a load and then to FEDEX to drop off the recycling box from the kids' medicine.

For dinner we had cheesy chicken noodles.

I'm still reading through my Cormoran Strike book, and have been making the poor decision to stay up late to read it. = 0  

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Today is the 192nd Day of Quarantine.

The expected high was 73F.

In science we attempted to make a "camera obscura" but I'm pretty sure that the tennis ball cannister that I procured lacked the opacity that we needed to make it work.

I ran to carl's to take a tub of cans.  The shed is still chock full of them, but at least now I am slowly removing boxes versus slowly adding them.  While I was there I got root beer and a snack for tomorrow.  I also got some bacon to attempt a "quick" recipe I saw online.

For dinner we are having Stouffer's lasagna and salad. 

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Today is the 191st Day of Quarantine.

The expected high today was 67F.  We turned on the heater for the first time.

After church, I went to drop off recycling at Sarah's. She bought me sugar cubes!  I've been looking for weeks at the stores I actually go to, without success.  So, I'm very excited.

The grocery store was busy, as was the gas station.  When I went to the ATM that offers different denominations, I saw a sign that they are about to close it down mid next month. = (  I stopped at a garage sale, but didn't find anything today.

For dinner we had chicken fajitas.

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later days

05 September 2020

First week of September

176th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was 77F.

I slept in this morning and it was lovely.

For lunch, Billy picked up Arby's.  

Billy and I started burning the basement door, but even at 3 hours of fire and heat, we just got it started before the rain moved in.


For dinner we had teriyaki chicken with rice.

Enisi took Alice to pick up a 'birthday' cake so that she could celebrate with her too.



She picked a peanut butter ice cream cake. = )

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175th Day of Quarantine.

73F was the exceptionally cool high for the day.

This morning before we started school Emily, Grace and Juliet all matched up their outfits.  I had them get dressed today since I knew that the Crockers were on their way.


They actually arrived just as we finished our morning routine.  Since it was Friday, we had a lot of one on one activities (dictation and narration.)  So, Brenda got to spend some time with those who were not 'testing.'

As soon as we finished our day, Brenda took the kids for ice cream, and I went out to run some errands.  My first stop was dollar tree, then I failed an attempt at buying some ten dollar roblox gift cards at game stop, then we went to 5 below, my next stop was Target, I collected lots of goodies for the kids' Halloween morning.  My final shopping stop was Menards to get a second hinge for the basement door, but sadly they were out of the one we needed.  On my way home I found 2 garage sales and picked up a few treasures. = )

We had pizza for dinner, because we need a pizza box for science next week.

Enisi, Grace and Juliet snuggled up and watches some videos, since they wore Enisi out pretty quickly after her long, straight trip up here.


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174th Day of Quarantine.

The expected high today was 85F.

We started the day on time, and enjoyed a typical start to the day.  As soon as they finished handwriting practice, it was time to rush.

William and I loaded up and were on the road by 9:15.  We didn't hit any traffic slow downs, except for the 5 or 6 vehicles that were pulled over by the state police along our route.  I guess extra patrols are out with the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend.

We arrived with a scant 10 minutes to spare, and I had William chow down on a lunchable since he wouldn't be eating anything solid for several hours.

I remembered to bring William's reading practice with us while we waited for him to be called back, but totally forgot my book.  Thankfully they do have guest wifi in the building, since I get little to no reception and there are no magazines or books to be found.

He was more emotionally prepared this go round, and went back bravely and came out one tooth fewer and another tooth covered.

William watched An American Tail on our trip home, so I've had "There are no cats in America" stuck in my head for the afternoon.  Billy placed a pick up order for us at Wendy's since I promised William a milkshake, but he couldn't use a straw.

We were home just after one.  Once everyone had eaten, we completed our scant afternoon list.  We finished our afternoon reading of Alice in Wonderland 10 minutes before the 4pm electronic ban lifts!  I was so excited, considering we spent a 4 hour chunk of our day on the dentist expidenture!


For dinner, Alice made us tortellini alfredo.  And cleaned the kitchen.  5th grade and up my children plan one meal and cook it once a month.  I am very excited to have 5 fewer meals to create. = )

After dinner, Billy placed and started to install our new basement door!  It looks so much better than it did and I am so impressed that he made it from scratch.

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173rd Day of Quarantine.

The expected high today is 81F.  The day started out rainy, but it turned into a pretty afternoon.

For Form I geography today, the little ones made a Lego model of our "classroom."  They did a great job.  The big girls were a little jealous, because the still had to do their map drills.


The rain ended just early enough that they were able to have outdoor recess.  I told them I wanted a picture of all 5, since I hadn't gotten one at all this school year. = )


In our lessons today, we ended up doubling up on Ancient History and Science.  Thankfully, we had a cool experiment, that the big girls enjoyed, and it kind of made up for missing out on the Legos.  Here is Alice showing off her marshmallow and toothpick rhombicuboctahedron.


And, three weeks in, we finally had our first Poetry Tea Time.  We had apple cider tea with a variety of biscuits and some nice poems.




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172nd Day of Quarantine.

The high today was 80F.  A thunderstorm blew in late in the afternoon, and cooled everything down. = (

I punched holes on the other side of the paper for my poor little leftie.  So she turns her pages "backwards," but doesn't have the binder rings in the way! ; )



Today, Grace finished her Kindergarten review, so she earned her stuffie!


Adding in the extra subject (in order to make Thursday a shorter day) hasn't been nearly as bad as I thought.  The kids haven't complained, and today we even finished earlier than 'normal!'

I spent an hour or so of my afternoon tying down the Littlest Pet Shop toys that I scored at a rummage sale to a carboard display.  They'll be going to Elizabeth for her birthday in October, but I rarely regret taking care of thing early. = )

They fit perfectly in the box that I had set aside, but I worried about part of them breaking during shipping, so I moved them to a bigger box that I could pad a little bit.  Now the twist ties are facing up, so it doesn't look nearly as good.  Luckily, I've got a few months to think on it and come up with something to make it a little fancier. = )




We are still reading Alice in Wonderland, but only have a few chapters left.  Next Friday I hope we can watch the animated film!

For dinner we had chicken fettucine alfredo.

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171st Day of Quarantine

The expected high today was 81F.

Today in school the kids did their first picture study: The Last Supper.  I was so impressed at how well the did on their memory drawings!






We squeezed in an extra subject, at the beginning of our "feast" block and it was not too bad.  Hopefully our Thursday will feel nice and light since William and I are making a third trip down to Ann Arbor.

In between morning work and science I ran to Carl's to grab the cream (and a few other things.)

I started cooking the meatloaf at 3pm, since it always takes so much longer to cook than the recipes recommend.  Hopefully it will be ready by 5:30!

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170th Day of Quarantine

The expected high today is 65F.

After online church I swung by Sarah's to add recycling to her bin.  She had a few ripe tomatoes on her vine that she let me pick to bring home.  After that, I drove down to pick up my grocery order.

Once the groceries were put away, I changed into my 'painting' clothes and burned all the assorted wood pieces that had accumulated in the fire pit.

Billy came out and finished fashioning the door for the basement, then I got to work painting it.  While I had the paint out, I also repainted the ramp and step to the shed.  Sadly, I was out of paint and couldn't paint the side door deck.

We had Chinese for dinner (sweet and sour chicken and chicken low mien) that Billy ordered while I bathed all the babes.

After baths were finished, I made meatloaf to cook for tomorrow, and fried up the rest of the hamburger meet to store in the freezer.

As I was setting up for the week, I found that we did not have the cream (a critical component) for our science project on Monday.  I checked the hours of our local grocery store, but they close at 6pm on Sundays.

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later days