The new homework way.

I'm really proud of my 9 yr old. This is how he does his homework.

All I can say is..

WOW.

Typing in grade 4! I'm still thrilled when Cody comes home from school and gets started on his tasks via laptop.

He use to have to hand write so many assignments and we were going through white-out like we drink water.

The first time he told me he could use a computer for his homework assignments, I wasn't quite sure if it was for real, so I confirmed things with the teacher. They actually have a choice. By hand or computer, as long as the use of the program itself doesn't take away from the assignments. And if by computer, all fingers are to go on the right keys. This isn't two finger typing. This is the real deal.

I didn't take typing until high school. I'm a pretty fast typist, that wouldn't have happened if I hadn't build up the skills from years ago. Back then, it was sort of a girl's subject although some boys took the classes. I'd bet all those other boys are now wishing they sat with all those girls and clicked until their fingers were sore like the rest of us. Noisy subject, and hard work, but to me, enjoyable all the same.

These days with laptops, typing is pretty effortless and quiet.

We kids in my family grew up with a typewriter where you had to push the keys down pretty hard. SNAP. SNAP. SNAP. Remember trying to go fast only to have all the keys knocking against each other like a fight breaking out in a hockey game? I have some school reports stored away with the funky type. Complete with plenty of white-out corrections.

Then I hit the jackpot. I got a typewriter that actually plugged into a wall! Built in correction tape even! And it had a lovely ghosted plastic cover which made it look like quite the item hiding underneath. My mom would have called it 'high society.' (her favorite term when you're using the latest something or other)

And today, the kids can use computers.

The computer usage has actually made homework time much more enjoyable. It sort of feels like playing. Things are easy to correct, the output looks soooo professional and it's actually (just about) enjoyable!

And thanks to our lovely new island, homework can be done right beside mom cooking away.

Life is good! Homework time is (almost) fun! The kitchen island rocks! It's all good.

Except for the fact that the laptop is currently a little sick. It currently has a bad doodad fan in the thingamajigger and at times you have to cover your ears to minimize the BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Not so useful when you have to type.

One miracle at a time, right?

Valentine's Day kindness

Valentine's Day is fast approaching. So once again, the little cards are written up for Cody's school class, and we bring out the baking sheets to create our annual cookies.

See all those little cards up above? There's 30 of them. And they are of the utmost importance. And we just got them today. Because we just got the list of kids from Cody's school to remind me today. Oy..

So we flew out of the schoolyard and head for the Yellow Barn, the only store I know of in our hometown that sells kiddie Valentine's Day cards. Know how I know that? Because yesterday I drove by their sign and they had stuck a big red heart on it. Talk about impeccable timing for everything here.

There was one box of cards for what Cody would want to give out left! WHEW!!!! That saved us hours of hand cutting our own at home let me tell ya.

And guess what. I left my wallet at home.

Soooooo typical of me. I'm holding these cards, exasperated, and flat out frustrated with myself and my fading memory bank. The store clerk heard some of my mumblings and she piped up with, "Hey, this is THE YELLOW BARN. Bring me the money tomorrow."

Bless Colleen's heart! With no time to waste, I profusely thanked her (and she's getting a handful of cookies along with her money) and flew home so Cody could start writing them up.

You know, it's those little things that make a whole big difference in someone's day. I most certainly could have wasted another $5 in gas to return home to pay for $2 cards, but this gal made it so I didn't have to do that. She saved me valuable steps and time to boot. Because of her kindness. Seems suitable for the object I brought home, doesn't it?

For Valentine's Day, Cody says he wants to do puzzles. Good idea! And maybe munch on a pretty cookie or 3 while we're at it. And it's my guess that Colleen will be munching on the same thing.

Happy Valentine's Day folks!