Like a Time Capsule . . .

Nothing has made a 15 year leap quite like technology.  It's really mind boggling sometimes.  I rarely have a chance to think about where we were technically 15 years ago unless I find an old magazine or visit a museum.  Radio Shack in Lynden has a couple shelves dedicated to the last 20 years of the computer.  It's like a mini museum and I laugh looking at the big monitors and funny looking cell phones.  It's a job these days just keeping up with new technology.  

Recently, my mom gifted us with a home weather station.  She found it on the shelves of the home she moved into last year.  It's new in the box and the software was still sealed.  The Professor was really excited and we were happy to accept.  It's easy to imagine the learning possibilities.  

Our first challenge is to get the hardware onto the roof.  Then we need to string the wire into the house and connect the console.  We could be done there but it came with software which really expands the learning with visuals and data gathering.

I tried to tackle this on my own and then realized there was no possible way to get the software from that 3 inch disk onto my computer.  This system was manufactured in 1999.  A whole year before the Professor was even born. 

A little internet search and a phone call to the company and I soon had an email with a free download of software we could use.  We are not up and running yet though.  A trip to Radio Shack is still needed in order to find an adapter cable that will go from the console to our computer.  Josh is confident we can find one.   This weekend we'll get closer to having our own home weather station.  I'll soon be able to let you know.........hmmm, I'm not sure, but I sure appreciate the learning tool Mom! Thank you!

This is the funniest thing we found in our trip down technology lane.  Just in case we couldn't use the 3 inch disk, a coupon to get free 5 1/4 inch diskettes.  (Plural)

Cavity Confessions . . .

We are seven weeks into the school year.  

Our reality is... we school on the go three days a week and school at home the other two.  Most mornings the younger two boys can get in their piano practice and math work before we leave the house.  But the mornings are getting darker and colder and it's harder to get up.  I'm allergic to mornings in general so I struggle regardless of season.  Anyone have a cure for this?

Last week, our free time in town was spent at the dentist office.  Everyone checked out pretty well.  The 10 year old, with his large mouth that he inherited from my side, doesn't have any cavities.  The youngest still has his one from a year ago.  (Yep, we've let our youngest hang out for a year with a cavity.)  We did try once to get it fixed and he freaked out with the drill.  I refuse to go the route of major drugging because we have gone that route a few years ago.  Not only is it expensive but I just don't want my son's body filled with unnecessary drugs or the cost of an extra doctor to administer them.  I knew he would mature on his own and be able to make the decision that getting the cavity fixed was a good idea for his body.

And that is where we are.  After seeing a picture of his cavity he decided he needed to get it fixed.  The tooth will be with him for another 4 to 5 years and he knew it was time.

After he made that decision and his appointment was over his brother was ready to get a cleaning.  

 The Scientist got to watch and see what it looked like to get a sealant on a tooth and he was even given the opportunity to help.  

Let's hope he's ready to be a good patient just like he was as a helper.

The dentist office knows we homeschool and was very thoughtful to let the Scientist have this learning opportunity.

Free Eye Check Ups . . . .

The Whatcom Homeschool Association newsletter last month had a posting for free eye checks for homeschoolers.  Dr. Green from Bellingham was offering the appointments.  My boys have had regular eye exams in the past but it hasn't been the best experience. 

 I wanted to try something new and "free" was a great incentive.

The eye check was similar to what we had in school when I was young but beefed up with technology.

It still doesn't qualify as a full eye exam but it did let me know which child, if any, needed something more.
The Professor's eye's have changed a little and he's the only one that could benefit from a full exam and new prescription.  

And here's a fun bonus.  The Goody bag!