Blind Memphis Patrick

He got a harmonica for Christmas. And so begins the career of another blues legend.

A Post for Your Stocking

Here's Walt reading to Patrick.  They are this good about 1/3,567th of the time.

 

Last week, as one of the KK02 room parents, I got to help out with the class Christmas party.  Thanks in part to the entertainment of my fellow room parent, Chris Lareau, a good time was had by all.

Here are the kids playing "freeze dance".  The way they all cut loose at the end cracks me up every time.

 

The party also featured a chocolate fondue fountain.  Yes, you read that right.  Their teacher, Ms. Malland, has things so completely under control that she can turn eighteen 5- and 6-year olds loose with liquid chocolate and marshmallows.  Needless to say, she is incredible.

At Peabody, all the kids learn Russian from day one.  Kindergartners through 5th graders have 30 minutes a day of Russian.  I knew Walt was starting to pick up the language just from what he came home saying, but until I got to sit through one of their lessons (which, because of a scheduling conflict, landed mid-way through the Christmas party), I had no idea just how much they were learning.  In the entire 30 minutes, I think the teacher said about ten words of English, and yet all the kids followed right along and answered all of her questions -- in Russian.  This video isn't great (the lights were out for the overhead projector), but just listen and prepare to be amazed.  Remember, these are kindergartners.

I can't wait to take a family trip to Russia in a few years and use our kids as interpreters.  "Excuse me, kind sir, can you tell my parents where they can get some tasty borscht?"

And, finally, the 2010 Spickler Family Christmas Video.  I know many have seen it already, but we gotta post here on the virtual baby book for posterity.

 

Merry Christmas to all!

Helping Out

Patrick was a big help earlier this week when we were installing new hooks in the lockers in Walt's classroom. (Not really.)

 

Overheard 12/6/10

Walt was having less than good behavior at dinner tonight.  Typical Christmas insanity.  Bouncy and loud. 

Ginger: "Walt, Ms. Malland says you're quiet at school.  Do you have good behavior at school?"

Walt: "Yes." 

G: "Why don't you have good behavior at home but you do at school?" 

W: "Because Ms. Malland has a conduct chart, and she's serious."

He probably shouldn't have said that.