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2023-24 School Year–Week Thirty

This week Ladybug was introduced to limits in pre-calculus (the last topic in the book!). She finished health. In religion, she read about Gregory the Great (Pope Gregory I). She started a unit on early 17th Century and Puritan literature, reading “Eve’s Apology in Defense of Women” by Aemilia Lanyer. In physics, she started learning about electric circuits. She read about The Black Prince in world history.

Chickadee graphed ordered pairs in math, and started dividing with negative numbers. She began working on her final composition in writing, which is going to be about elephants and their habitats. In science, she read about Gregor Mendel and dominant and recessive traits. We skipped the Holy Week readings in religion (since they are still fresh in our minds), and moved straight to the Ascension and Pentecost. In history, she read about John Cabot and Jacques Cartier.

We also took the train to St. Louis this week and walked the Arch grounds and visited some of our favorite downtown spots, including the Old Cathedral, Kiener Plaza, Citygarden, and Ballpark Village:

Two more weeks to go!

Hey It’s Me Goku

Ladybug drew this picture of Goku from Dragon Ball in chalk on our driveway, and even though I don’t watch the show, I can tell how good it is! She’s really talented with blending the few colors of sidewalk chalk we have to work with to get the shades she wants!

60 Years of “It’s a Small World”

Did you know that on this date in 1964, “It’s a Small World,” designed and color-styled by the inimitable Mary Blair at the request of Walt Disney himself, opened at the 1964 New York World’s Fair? The Disney Store currently has ears and a dress just in time for the happiest celebration on earth!

Following its 18-month run at the fair, where the ride raised money for UNICEF, it was dismantled at rebuilt at Disneyland. Due to its popularity, similar rides have been installed at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Park in Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland. In addition to the holiday overlay that is featured annually at Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland will be debuting a special “It’s a Small World with Groot” overlay in 2025, celebrating characters from the Marvel universe. The iconic song, which was written by the legendary Sherman brothers, charmed Walt Disney and resulted in the name of the attraction being changed from “Children of the World” to the famous title we know today. It truly is “The Happiest Cruise that Ever Sailed!”

Mani Monday

Last week, I featured a mani with the cool shades from the Holo Taco pastel rainbow collection; this week, I went with the warm shades of “Pink Fizz,” “Coral Chaser,” “Peach Tea,” and “Lemon Spritzer.”

Scholarship, Service, Leadership, Character

This week really marks the start of the final push to the end of Moose’s high school career, and what a start it was…he was inducted into the National Honor Society!

Last year, based on his grades, he received an invitation to NHS. Before he could become a full member, though, he had to complete 30 hours of community service (in addition to maintaining his GPA). There were times when I wondered if he would be able to squeeze enough volunteer hours into his busy schedule, but he got it done, and the ceremony was this afternoon.

It was quite short, but he had his moment, where he received cords to wear at graduation and lit his candle from the National Honor Society candelabra, which, in addition to the center candle for the class of 2024, has candles for the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

This was a Big Moment…the beginning of a month’s worth of Big Moments, including playing in the pit orchestra for the spring musical, induction into English Honor Society, the final band concert of his high school career, and finally, graduation. Which is my way of saying that I’m planning on crying for about the next month…pride is not the word I’m looking for, but it’s a start, because I am so proud of my son!

Park Plaza Courts

Time for another vintage road sign…one that has been restored, and is now located outside the Holiday Inn on Watson Rd. in St. Louis! Eventually, I hope to drive by at night, too, so I can see it with the neon lit!