Wednesday was No Swearing Day here at the Hafford house. Since we're going to my parents' house next week, I thought it was important to see if the kids could watch their mouths for an entire day. I'm perfectly okay with how my kids talk, but I know most people wouldn't be . . . especially my mom. I felt practice was in order.

At first, Aengus balked. "No fucking way," were his exact words, as I recall. But he can accomplish just about anything if you turn it into a competition, so I struck a deal: If anyone swears, they have to give one dollar to each person. Taking the Lord's name in vain counted double. He did pretty well, only owing Noah and I three dollars each. I owed them each the same, but since Noah was asleep for it, we called it a wash.

Shhh . . . Don't tell Noah! (Though I'm pretty damn sure his mouth was back in the toilet once we were all in bed.)

Aengus worked on his thank-you notes {handwriting, socialization}and we spent a lot of time outside playing basketball and having foot races with one of the daycare kids. {P.E.} He also continued his business plans and put his Nintendo DS up for sale on Craigs List. {I.T., economics} On Wednesday night, we sat outside for a while trying to catch the tail end of the meteor shower. I saw one before Aengus or Noah got bundled up and came out, but they both missed it. We did, at least, have a good talk about astronomy.

Jason finally had his surgery Thursday morning: after a year and a half of lifting sixty-pound boxes for twelve-hour shifts with a hernia, he finally got everything put back where it belongs. The boys stayed home while I took him in for the procedure, and they say they got along okay while we were gone. They took turns with the XBox . . . and that was pretty much it. Jason and I were home just after lunch.

He slept for a while, then Aengus and he watched some TV together and had Chinese take-out while Noah and I ran back into town to do some shopping. We hit the guitar shop, of course (it is not possible to go into town with Noah and not stop by the guitar shop) and Walmart.

I hate Walmart. Hate them. I told Noah why I continue to shop there despite their censorship and bullying of suppliers and mistreatment of employees . . . but it sounded lame, even as I explained it. Does what I save really add up to enough to justify the terrible effects of Walmart's business practices? I think not. I'm renewing my vow to avoid them.



When we returned, the whole family watched Wednesday's episode of Mythbusters (thank you, DVR). What fun! We were all cracking up, as usual.





This week's episode featured further investigation of exploding water heaters, liquid nitrogen, and splitting a car in half.{all kinds of science}After Adam, Jaime, and the gang gave us lots to think about, we turned on some Jeff Dunham. Always a good way to end the day!

Noah spent most of Sunday on the computer with friends and in his room, fiddling with Audacity. (I.T., music) I desperately wish I could afford to give him the equipment he needs to really record his music, but hey -- many a musician has made due with less, right? I mean, at least he's not growing up in the projects. And if he's truly motivated, he'll find creative solutions.

So I keep telling myself.

Anyway, he also mowed the lawn this weekend, which he absolutely hates, but I find it to be a good character-building endeavor. (life skills) Besides, he gets paid to do it. But I don't think I'd hire him next year: his attention to detail sucks. Aengus won't be old enough to use the riding mower yet, though, so I might have to {gasp!} do it myself for a season or two. Blech.

Aengus and I played a lot of different games yesterday, something we haven't done as much since the XBox entered our lives. We played outside for a while, including a variation of baseball; threw the ball to the dogs; and played Tickle Monster. (P.E.) He was going to help make funnel cake, but mysteriously disappeared when it was time to do so. He showed up in time to eat it, of course.

(Noah's assessment of the funnel cake: "Meh. Not as good as at the carnival." My assessment of Noah's assessment: "Fuck you. Cover anything in powdered sugar ftw!")

Aengus also worked on his reading, which has seen marked improvement. I've found another difference in the way unschoolers learn: while Aengus remembers every sound each of the letters makes, including the exceptions to rules, he still can't remember what some of the letters are. For example, I have to sometimes tell him, "That's an 'H'," but then he remembers just fine the sound it makes. Completely the opposite of how Noah learned. I also remember when I was learning to read that it was difficult for me to make that transition from individual sounds to understanding what the whole word is. Aengus has no problems with that.

Me (when I was five, people!): "Huh. Aaaa. Tuh. Huhaaa. Tuh. Huhaaatuh. What's a huhaaatuh?"

Aengus: "What's that letter again? Oh, okay. Huh. Aaaa. Tuh. Hat."

I must take a minute here to admit something: I did a bad, bad thing. Please don't tell SandramotherfuckingDodd, lest I be kicked out of the Unschoolers Club, but I ... bribed Aengus.

In addition to the video games (about $200 worth for Aengus), recording equipment (about $500 worth for Noah) and the drumset ($300), they now both want netbooks for Xmas. They're like, $300 each! The boys know we can't afford that, but they both reallyreallyreally want one.

With that knowledge in the back of my brain, I may have -- accidentally -- promised to buy Aengus a netbook when he learns to read.

That Bad Mother of the Year trophy WILL be mine!!!

He has not forgotten this promise and has been diligent in his reading practice ever since. I feel like a shit for resorting to bribery, and with the way he's working at it, I might have to get a second job here soon to pay up.

Silver lining: it's working!

Theme for last night: Fluid Dynamics!

First, on Mythbusters, a little aerodynamic study: from dirt's effect on the fuel efficiency of a car to the "golf ball effect."





Then, which will give you a worse hangover: beer or liquor?




Family viewing of the best kind: learning science while laughing our asses off!

After Mythbusters (and continuing our liquid dynamics theme for the evening) came an all-new episode of Time Warp.




Check out this video, too (sorry I couldn't find a code to embed it here). What a great night for physics. I love TV!