Learning Life Through Unschooling

Nov. 14, 2006

Early readers

Sometimes there are downsides to having an early reader. This morning, Matthew read the wrapper to his oatmeal breakfast bar and it said, "It's great warm too! Remove From Wrapper. Microwave on HIGH for approx. 10 seconds." So as Hubby is leaving for work, he informs me that Matthew told him that we need to discuss Matthew's use of the microwave. Apparently Matthew warmed up his bar this morning all by himself before we woke up. Thank goodness he followed the directions to the letter!

On the other hand, sometimes we get very silly things out of him because he can read complex words and usually can tell me their meaning but the pronunciation is way off. Especially words that sound nothing like they 'should', phonetically speaking. But yesterday we got a very good laugh. So we were running to grab a load of mulch so Hubby can winterize the garden. And Rose is in the back of the van quietly singing a song by doing the "duh duh duuuuhhhh duh duuuhhh duh.." version. She's so quiet that we can't hear her. Matthew says, "Daddy, can you sing the Cocker Spaniel song so Rose will stop doing the duh duuuuhhh's?" Hubby and I look at each other. "Cocker Spaniel song??? I don't know any cocker spaniel song. Do you mean a song from Lady and the Tramp?" Matthew says, "No...YOU know!" "We're really not sure. Can you sing a little bit of it?" He starts humming the tune to the Star Spangled Banner.

The background: Rose is a little song hound. Every night, she requests song after song when being put to bed. And every night, Hubby obliges. Her favorite all-time song is The Star Spangled Banner. So almost every night, he sings that one to her. Through her closed door, Matthew is on the other side of the wall in his room, waiting for Hubby to tuck him in and listening to the songs. He's not much of a singer himself so he only occasionally will request something like the Spiderman or Larryboy theme songs. So Hubby and I start full in on "Oh say does that Cocker Spaniel baaaaaaaaaay...." It does fit pretty well. ;)

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Comments

Nov. 14, 2006 - Cute!

Posted by eclecticeducation

What cute stories. Little kids are so funny.

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Nov. 14, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Mrs. S

Clearly I'm missing something, and I'm not sure if it's due to the fact that I'm Canadian, or due to the fact that Zoe WOULD NOT SLEEP anywhere but on me, and then only for 20 minutes at a time, all evening/night (in other words, sleep dep). Maybe I'll come back and read it again once I've had a nap or three and see if it makes more sense.

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Nov. 14, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by amalapert

ROFL Mrs. S - I'll paint you a picture...Matthew thought that when Hubby was singing, "Star Spangled Banner" that he was really saying, "Cocker Spaniel" - say them out loud a couple times - they kinda rhyme.
And Matthew, as a newborn, refused to sleep anywhere but on me. That's why we became co-sleepers, because I was adamantly opposed to it with DH's sleep apnea. But somehow our bodies just knew there was a baby in bed and we barely moved (if at all) all night. I DO feel for you. ;)

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