that's not an earworm; you're a musical prodigy

My friend Jed is always getting bits of songs stuck in his head, otherwise known as earworms, but Rose has a great way to see these in a new light. She turned to me today and said, "I'll probably be a singer or play a musical instrument. I get these songs in my head like (she starts humming the William Tell overture), and I just have to keep tapping out the beat." I said, "We'll start piano lessons next year."

what do Darth Vader and Cupid have in common?

You guessed it, the two halves of David's Halloween costume next year. David knows Darth Vader is a powerful bad guy, and he knows Cupid shoots arrows though he doesn't quite understand what it means to fall in love or why Cupid goes around in his underpants. He is currently enamored of them both. I know red and black look great together, but I'm not quite getting the vision for this costume.

oh he just ate too much

David threw up Tuesday night. He didn't have a fever, or at least not to the touch because neither John nor I bothered to take his temp. He seemed fine except for the vomit. We thought ate too much, food poisoning, could some gluten have snuck into his system? David went right to sleep, and I went out dancing. It wasn't until mid-morning the next day that I figured out when David stuck his finger down his throat and said this hurt, he might be referring to a sore throat. A little Tylenol, a lot of rest, he's just fine.

what Rose is learning in school

Antonyms. They were doing a lesson on antonyms. One child said "up/down," another said, "hot/cold." Rose was having a lot of trouble thinking of something. Then she said, "deciduous/evergreen."

Virtues. I think I've mentioned how learning virtues is a schoolwide activity. For heaven's sake they sing about them every Monday morning meeting "Cooperation, responsibility, respect for others. . ." They read common books about the virtue of the week, make posters illustrating it, and have classroom conversations about them. I'm particularly fond of "empathy." The theme this week was about people with social differences and how you can keep trying with them even if they have trouble communicating. It all went a bit over Rose's head, but she lives it every day. They have an excellent inclusion program at the school. Jordan, who has autism, is in Rose's class and often has screaming fits. Rose likes Jordan and takes her difference in stride. Her teacher has also taught them how to put on their game faces and not stare so as not to give the fit more energy.

Exercise intensity
Ariana: I'm at a two right now.
Miriam (watching David race around the playground): he's at a five.
Rose: If I were sitting in the stroller, I'd be at a one.

not so crazy, knock on wood

David has been hard work the last few months. But after the big writing his name on the sofa disaster, I think we've turned a corner. We also finished my working and all the holidays. Whatever. He listens more of the time. He is easier to be with.