Boo-tiful fall

The coming holiday is approaching with such excitement for some that it is hard for them to concentrate, but somehow we have managed to focus a bit.  We had our usual Thursday of drama class (they are starting to memorize their lines), followed by an active game of floor hockey in sports class.  After that we tried to do some math work at a local coffeeshop before aikido.  Friends were also there doing schoolwork, and it became full, so soon we were just too distracted.  The library quiet room saved us, and we whipped through a series of 2 and 3 digit multiplication problems with incredible ease.  Homeschool is rarely just at home, and on these days that we have classes on the far north end of town, we learn where most comfortable.  Aikido was also a huge hit, an hour and a half of athletic fun, I think we made it to 3 classes last week, my boy being quite focused on a goal of a green belt soon.

This week we finally started French lessons with an outside teacher over at a friend's house with 2 young friends.  Conor just loved the songs, games and new words.  Not only is he excited to go back, he is actually worried about being able to remember the words until next week.  We also kicked off a new learning module for 4 weeks around the first peoples, starting with the peoples of the rain and mist, aka our own neck of the woods.  We drew some lovely longhouses, Conor being far more attentive to detail than I.

And now for your literary pleasure, a holiday tale from Conor:

The Phantom of Darkness  

It was dark and our house was next to a deep dark wood. Many had entered and none had ever returned.  Last night we heard a long, low moan that surrounded our house like a fog.  When I went to bed I heard it again. I thought to seek it to slaughter it.  I got dressed and got my sword and brought my faithful dog, Pasco, with me.  Suddenly a thing jumped out of the trees and Pasco did a super bark.  The monster fell back stunned.  One of the shapes of darkness was coming out of the trees.  Then Pasco took the leash and did zoom-zoom!  The monsters fell down cut in half.  Hooray for Pasco!  "Oy! Be careful with that thing, it's sharp!", said a voice near the ground.  I looked down in surprise and saw an old gnome near the ground, Pasco's paws near him.  "Stop!", I said.  Pasco halted immediately and waited my next command.  "Stop swinging that sword around, you'll cut someone's head off!  We were just coming to meet our new neighbors", said the gnome.  It was a crazy night!  Pasco waited obediently for his treat that would come at any moment.  I gave him a wild salmon treat, his favorite, and walked the gnomes to the house.  I showed the gnomes around, we had tea, and we all were friends from that moment on.  All thanks to Pasco!

Boy and his dog from "Dogoween" costume contest.