After School

I snapped this picture a couple of months ago.  

What you see is our after school, after dinner routine.  James is playing off-camera, Charlie was probably napping (but wouldn't be these days), and Joel is helping Everett with Math.  Everett doesn't actually need help with Math--he completes his homework in 30 seconds or less, despite my desire for him to take the time to write neatly.  Joel loves math and just can't keep himself away, even from second grade math.  I know people complain about common core, but the way Everett's teacher goes over the material and the curriculum she uses really works for him.  He loves doing math in his head, the way he is supposed to after having gone through the curriculum.

It works for Ashley too, but since she doesn't have much homework from her first grade class, she is working on an art project in this picture.  Our neighbor majored in art in college and has been giving Ashley lessons.  I thought Ashley would love the opportunity because she loves drawing and creating, but mostly she is frustrated by the lessons because she only wants to draw what she thinks of.  She doesn't want to take the time to work on someone else's ideas and techniques.  However, technique is good for her because it will allow her more freedom of expression in the long run, so for now, we are fighting the good fight.

William discovered drawing and coloring in a major way and is doing some of that here.  His preschool teachers say that he is a perfectionist.  He never likes to leave a project until it is completed in the way that he wants it to be.  This is really funny to Joel and me because up until the week before preschool started, William would have rather stared at a wall than had to color or cut and paste.  Suddenly a few days before preschool, William lit up with interest about all things coloring and has never stopped.  He especially loves to cut out his creations.