Near the end of the month, Kamy got a chance to participate in the Junior Olympics for gymnastics. It is a chance for parents to come watch the gymnasts on four different skills. For Kamy, that meant floor, beam, uneven bars, and trampoline. She had a lot of fun and really enjoyed getting to show what she could do.
In the past, Kamy expressed an interest in learning how to play the piano. I’ve been reluctant to set up lessons because I did not think she was really interested enough to actually “learn.” I’d love to BE able to play the piano, but I don’t want to enough to do the work and learn. Daddy said he’d be interested in learning as well, so they are starting to work on the piano together. We bought a basic keyboard, stand, and books. Kamy has found it harder than she was expecting — she needs practice working with a tempo and metronome, and I think she is getting bored with the introductory song. It doesn’t help to push the keys when you can’t stay on a consistent beat! We’ll see how long it holds her attention.
Kamy has been a bit complain-y this month. Most of the time it’s over nothing — nitpicking at Caden mostly. She claims things were her idea and thus she is the only one who can do it. Or she’ll basically tell Caden he’s doing it wrong … even if all they are doing is playing. I’m getting tired of it!
The last Sunday of the month kicked off Lemonade Stand Season! The kids have been counting down the days until camp starts down the road. Kamy bought all the ingredients and supplies and we set up for our first day. Business was a little slow, but those who did stop were generous with tips, so both kids made $13 for two hours of waving at cars. That’ll work!
One day, Kamy decided that a “Royal lunch” was in order. Her plans included designated attire, fancy plates, and candles. Kamy loves any excuse to get all dressed up and she is a girly-girl at heart. And who doesn’t like getting out the nice dishes every once in a while?
Kamy has been learning to play Pandemic! She really likes the strategy and figuring out what to do next. She definitely understands the mechanics and has picked up some some less intuitive strategy choices. She especially likes to play the Dispatcher role and move everyone around on the board. It has also been a great introduction to some of the international cities around the world and she is learning their relative locations quickly!
Kamy finished reading entire Magic Tree House series, all 56 books since February! She would routinely read a full book every day. No wonder she burned through them! I am consistently on the hunt for new books — especially series. Right now she wants mystery, magic, and princesses. Kamy did lose her Kindle privileges for two nights because she kept forgetting to turn off her light and go to bed on time. Oops!
Kamy bought and read the Kingdom of Wrenly series. It was recommended as a good series and she loves it! It took her exactly one day to read the first four books, and she promptly finished the 11 books in the series as soon as they came in the mail. She purchased more Nancy Clancy books and a set of 15 Rainbow Fairies books too. Kamy is building quite a collection of chapter books, so I am on the hunt for a low bookcase to set in her room so she can keep them organized and take care of them.
Daddy and Kamy finished reading A Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom at night. They both really liked the book and the twist it added to the “traditional” fairy tale stories. Kamy still doesn’t like to read out loud (for fear of correction), but she has to read the title of each chapter before Daddy will proceed. Their newest book is Buckle and Squash: The Perilous Princess Plot. It has a lot of humor in it, which Kamy really enjoys. And princesses, of course.
For a couple of weeks, Kamy has wanted to get a lamp for her room. I’ve been watching on the local sales groups for a “fancy” lamp that she would like. At the very end of the month she found one! She also bought a gold wicker chair that looks like a throne for her room. Now she is all set!
We spent one morning at Six Flags in Arlington. It was a little busy because a lot of high school groups were there, but we were still able to ride a lot of what we were hoping to ride. The kids rode several new rides, especially in the Loony Tunes area. The Runaway Mine Train is probably the favorite though — especially if they can ride in the front!
Kamy has a new nickname — Kiwi! Caden has called Kamy “Kee” for a long time, so when Daddy called her “Kee-me” one night she thought he said “kiwi.” Now that’s Daddy’s new nickname for her. I think it’s pretty cute!
For school, the kids have been learning about Rome and Ceasar (both of them) in history. I deviated from the BYL suggested chapter book, Charlotte’s Web, because we read it last summer, and instead we read Rabbit Hill, a book on the MENSA Excellence in Reading List. I am also reading Little House on the Prairie to the kids during dinner. There is a LOT of reading going on in our house right now!
We’re still chugging through third grade math. Order of operations was a new concept that she picked up very quickly. I also bought a new math curriculum that we are working through sporadically. It is called Beast Academy and it focuses on upper level comprehension of math concepts. It is taught in a comic book style with puzzles and games, and Kamy seems to really like it. It does require more “thinking” than the regular curriculum, so we haven’t switched over fully yet. I think we will dive into more Beast Academy when we finish the third grade Math Mammoth program.
