Octopus Overlords

Gotta brag on my kidlings a bit... even though my ex and I are divorced, we're a hockey family. Both of the kids (girl, 12, and boy, 9) play travel hockey. Now that the season is winding down, we're looking at spring hockey, aka setting yourself up for next season.

The boy has skated in tryouts for 5 different travel teams in the last two years - every one has offered him a spot after the first skate each time (very big deal!).

We called to find out info on tryout times for a very big girls organization (state champs) for the girl a week ago. "Where does she play?" <location> "What is her number?" <7> "Oh, we definitely want her to come out to the tryouts? Is she trying out anywhere else this year? Are you sure you can make it this day?"

Nice to see they are scouting my girl...

Very gratifying!

The Eldest (5) was tapped at school to be part of a small group hand-picked by a guidance counselor to help bring a really shy and introverted 1st grader out of his shell. They needed kids that were positive, non-judgmental, and outgoing.

Quite proud of my boy for being an awesome person, and I let him know it.

Not bragging on my kids but I have found that the very best motivator for the kids I teach (right now I'm working with at risk 6th graders) is an unexpected call home to tell their folks how well they are doing with their in class behavior. The kids take to those calls like a crack addict to a free high. They come back looking to do everything in their power to get more of them. Solved multiple behavior problems so far by making calls home to praise them on their good days.

I swear I'm not making this up. This is from just now at the dinner table.
(My boys are currently 6, 8, and 10. John is the oldest)

Me: Would you like to hear a really long word?
Boys: Sure.
Me: Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanokoniosis.
John: We already know that one.
Me: ?
Me again: Do you know what it means?
John: It means a disease caused by inhaling volcanic dust.

We found Smoove's alt.



And there is no 'k'.

Isgrimnur wrote:We found Smoove's alt.



And there is no 'k'.

There is a "k" in the OED, at least according to Ammon Shea's book.

http://www.amazon.com/Reading-OED-One-Y ... 399535055/

I learned something important from my kids today. Dragons have to hold in their farts so they have enough methane to breathe fire.

paulbaxter wrote:I learned something important from my kids today. Dragons have to hold in their farts so they have enough methane to breathe fire.

I mean, that's like science 101.

So, my oldest, at 13,​ didn't feel much desire to take the standard 'Intro to Agriculture' they give all 8th graders in Indiana, so the junior high principal, knowing how intelligent Ian is, managed to get him into a high school world history course that is designed as a 'study at your own pace' class. Most students finish it just before the end of the semester.

He finished it today. It has been two weeks.

So he learned all of world history in two weeks?

El Guapo wrote:So he learned all of world history in two weeks?

It's a geologically short story. Ends with a whimper.

El Guapo wrote:So he learned all of world history in two weeks?

All that the semester course had to teach, yes.

Seriously though, that's awesome. Well done!

Thanks. The principal called for a special meeting next week in order to figure out what to do with him.

I haven't done more than a passing glance, but k12.com might be worth researching.

El Guapo wrote:

paulbaxter wrote:I learned something important from my kids today. Dragons have to hold in their farts so they have enough methane to breathe fire.

I mean, that's like science 101.

Such an under rated movie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v6J6TrzgFI

Blackhawk wrote:Thanks. The principal called for a special meeting next week in order to figure out what to do with him.

When this happened to me in 8th grade English class (they let a group of us go at our own pace and we ripped through the curriculum in a few weeks), the teacher took it upon herself to find something meaningful and challenging for us to do. Not only did this earn her my esteem as best teacher in the school, but she had also made an impression on Jim Peterik (Ides of March, .38 Special, Survivor), who came to visit and perform for her class one day.

Isgrimnur wrote:I haven't done more than a passing glance, but k12.com might be worth researching.

Looks like it's an online charter school setup, which would take him out of regular classes, putting more requirements on parental involvement.

Isgrimnur wrote:

Isgrimnur wrote:I haven't done more than a passing glance, but k12.com might be worth researching.

Looks like it's an online charter school setup, which would take him out of regular classes, putting more requirements on parental involvement.

Yeah, which might be academically beneficial, but it would be harmful overall. He's still a functioning autistic (PDD/NOS), and needs to be around other kids. His intellectual development may be off the charts, but his social development is still a major weak spot.

Maybe Ian is being recruited for Battle School.

My son couldn't beat King Koopa without my help. Now he is starting a kickstarter for his own video game.

Bringing home the hardware! 2015 Motown Cup champions, and they got to play at Joe Louis arena, where they smoked a team from Toronto 7-0. This was less than 24 hours after the Wings smacked the Leafs 4-0 on the same ice.

DD* wrote:

Bringing home the hardware! 2015 Motown Cup champions, and they got to play at Joe Louis arena, where they smoked a team from Toronto 7-0. This was less than 24 hours after the Wings smacked the Leafs 4-0 on the same ice.

Congrats to them, that's excellent! And way to rep DET.

My daughter's hockey team is hosting a charity game benefiting disabled vets, and her coach was on local TV today to talk about it.

Overheard my 6 year old granddaughter in her bedroom singing the Beatles Help with accurate lyrics.

My youngest turned 15 today. He loves to cook, and one of his birthday requests was to get to prepare high-quality rib eye steak for the family.

We handed him two+ pounds (about $45!) of beautiful high-quality beef and he took it from there, marinating and then pan-searing it to perfection. It was crisp and tight on the outside but buttery and rare inside. Every bite was perfect.

This was the first time he'd ever made steak, and it was one of the best family meals we've had in years.

Don’t think I mentioned it, but my youngest earned his Eagle rank in Scouts BSA last December. Very challenging to finish off in the heart of the Covid lockdown. We finally get to have his Court of Honor in a couple weeks.

Getting into your non-neighborhood Chicago Public Junior/High School is like competing for college. It’s even harder with medical needs and when you’ve decided to live in an affordable part of town with an underperforming neighborhood school. Both my 12 and 14 year old daughters made it into the middle and high school programs at Lane Tech, an excellent and diverse (but massive) school. It’s going to make life so much easier.

hentzau wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 10:01 pm Don’t think I mentioned it, but my youngest earned his Eagle rank in Scouts BSA last December. Very challenging to finish off in the heart of the Covid lockdown. We finally get to have his Court of Honor in a couple weeks.

I'm not a fan of BSA these days, but still, that's a hell of an accomplishment. Congrats to him!

Yeah, Eagle is a LOT of work and dedication. Congrats!

Holman wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 4:52 pm Yeah, Eagle is a LOT of work and dedication. Congrats!

That's where I failed. I reached Star by 8th grade, but BSA was so decidedly uncool when I started high school that I couldn't even pretend to maintain interest. A new social life had to be developed out of whole cloth, and none of my peers were still involved.

Out of all my friends that followed, only my brother pushed his kids into boy scouts and was a leader himself, just like our dad was (hopefully without the alcohol-induced seizures that put my dad and financial-backer in the hospital while away at week-long summer camp).

My early-1980s troop was mainly about playing flag football and AD&D. I never rose above Second Class before my family moved to a new city and I didn't continue.

My five year old grandson has conquered the Rubik's Cube. He is running around asking people to mess it up for him.

Zarathud wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 10:42 pm Getting into your non-neighborhood Chicago Public Junior/High School is like competing for college. It’s even harder with medical needs and when you’ve decided to live in an affordable part of town with an underperforming neighborhood school. Both my 12 and 14 year old daughters made it into the middle and high school programs at Lane Tech, an excellent and diverse (but massive) school. It’s going to make life so much easier.

Congrats! My dad went to Lane. We're considering it for the kiddo but it's a few years out still.

My dad (and my wife's dad) also went to Lane Tech.

Wait, is there anyone posting here who's dad didn't go to Lane Tech?

My dad went to CalTech sorry

In other news, my kid's new show launched a couple of weeks ago on YouTube



He's the host, Todd Cameron.

What's funny is that his actual name is Todd Cameron Schlickbernd, I'm Jennifer Schlickbernd btw. So when he was born, we wanted to give him a way to get rid of the ridiculous last name but still keep his name. Cameron is a last name in the US, so it was really funny to both me and his Dad when he did exactly what we had thought he might want to do.

Can I still brag on a 25 year old "kid"?

My daughter landed a great job at a startup earlier this year. Now the startup has been acquired by a bigger fish and the job looks even better. She worked hard on both making herself employable and hustling to find the job. I'm glad to see things work out well for her.

Lorini wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 12:31 pm My dad went to CalTech sorry

In other news, my kid's new show launched a couple of weeks ago on YouTube



He's the host, Todd Cameron.

What's funny is that his actual name is Todd Cameron Schlickbernd, I'm Jennifer Schlickbernd btw. So when he was born, we wanted to give him a way to get rid of the ridiculous last name but still keep his name. Cameron is a last name in the US, so it was really funny to both me and his Dad when he did exactly what we had thought he might want to do.

Your son is very well spoken. Hope this leads to big things for him.

My 10 year old beat me at chess last night.

That is all.

and and

Bragging that you're not smarter than a 5th grader?

Conversation with my 4 year old daughter the other day.

Her: "Daddy, why don't we have to wear masks?"
Me: "Mommy and daddy are vaccinated and it is not required anymore."
Her: "What about kids daddy? When will we get vaccinated?"

There was hope in her voice that the answer would be soon, but also disappointment, as if nobody is thinking about the kids.