03/01/12

1.  This afternoon our art group went on a field trip to a musical instrument shop (where they sell, trade, rent, and repair all kinds of musical instruments).  It was the final event for our Classical Music unit.  It was a funny little place in a sort of odd part of town, but ended up being great for the kids.  The owner showed the kids lots of different instruments-- mostly woodwind and brass-- and played several of them for the kids to see/hear close up.  Another guy that worked there showed the kids how a snare drum works and they got to watch a saxophone getting repaired.  This unit has been one of my favorites so far.  The only bad part was heading back home during rush hour.  It didn't help that I made *one* wrong turn, ended up backtracking quite a bit before I found myself on Lamar, a street you *don't* ever want to be on during rush hour.  It took us 45 minutes to get home.  :-(

2.  Mosey McGrumbles was back today.  Not sure why.  He wasn't happy about going on the field trip, but soon cheered up when we picked up Natasha.  I think I'm going to have to invite her over whenever Mosey's feeling grumpy.  :-)  Mosey ended up having a great time, and he and Natasha had a *really* great time on the way home, playing with the kazoos the store owner gave all the kids on the way out. 

3.  Joseph is on a serious Scouting roll!  I think seeing Adam get his Webelos badge and a couple of other awards on Tuesday night really lit a fire under Joseph.  He has spent several hours between yesterday and today getting a whole bunch of things signed off.  I think he's pretty much finished with his Webelos badge as well.  He was almost done-- if we had known he was allowed to sign off requirements at home, he definitely would have had it done by the Blue and Gold Banquet.  It's pretty awesome seeing him so motivated!