Friday bits and pieces

1) Now that I am blogging so much and reading so many blogs (NanoBloMo means if you don’t read blogs in your sleep that you wake up to 21 in your feed eight hours later), I’m also trying to leave more comments. I don’t comment on every single blog, mostly because sometimes the commenting fails (I hate you, Discus) but I know that I love comments so I’m trying to be better about commenting on others.

Also, I relaxed the commenting on this blog it its max relaxation. It’s all, “it’s cool, man”. I even allow anonymous comments for ease, but it would be awesome that if that’s the way you have to go that you “sign” your comment like your grandparents sign comments on your Facebook. Anything that looks like trolling or spam is likely to be deleted.

2) The parent-teacher conference last night was great. Spencer is basically working through a first grade level in all subjects except listening comprehension (listening, no kidding). We talked about ways to challenge him and she’s going to give him paper with more lines on it (who knew they change the lines on paper for kids depending on how much they want them to write?) And also there’s a girl that is about the same level as he is, so they are in their own little reading group. They are already reading the hardest books kindergarten has to offer, so I’m assuming that once they get through those they will get some books from the higher grades for them.

There is a gifted program, but apparently the IQ parameters for kindergarten are wonky in the public school system and it’s very difficult to get in for K, much easier in first grade. I don’t care as long as he’s being properly challenged in his class, so we’ll keep an eye on that. I really like his teacher, and I do think it’s all about the teacher.

3) After the conference we picked up the kids and went back to the school for the book fair. Spencer ended up choosing a book about volcanoes and one about sharks, and I made the executive decision to get a Phineas and Ferb long book to read to them as well (MOM THERE ARE NO PICTURES IN THIS!). S really is interested in non-fiction – this morning he came to me with a book about the human body and was telling me (in his made up way) how pee is made before in leaves the body.

4) I’m super excited about this weekend. We’ve decided to go out for breakfast tomorrow to one of the best local places. Best. I think after that we are going to do some yard work, and then my company is having a “picnic” at a farm not too far from us. Fun for all ages! And THEN. Sunday I’m meeting an internet friend at Universal Studios to see the Harry Potter stuff for the first time. It’s been there for what, six years? Yeah, haven’t been there in at least eight. And I get to see Tara! My family is going to Magic Kingdom, because we still don’t want to spend the money for all of us to go to Universal when there are so many things they can’t ride yet.

5) I’m thinking about getting Spencer a Kindle Fire for Christmas. I want him to have more opportunity to read, but also to have a tablet for apps that is on a supported platform that won’t be obsolete in six months. I also like that since it’s mainstream, it is easier to find accessories like cases, which is impossible for C’s tablet. We usually get Henry something comparable so they don’t fight, but I don’t want to buy two Kindle Fires. Any ideas? I had thought C would want a new tablet and we could hand down his, but now he’s decided he doesn’t want to do that.