Friday, October 03, 2008

Perhaps it's time to consider getting a life.

Last night was one of our favorite nights of the school year. Math night.

2007-2008 was our first year having children in public school at all, let alone this particular school so last year, not knowing what to expect, I took them at their request. I was nervous, I'll admit. Math was never my strong point and I doubted it could ever be considered fun despite my dad and husband both reading math books or working problems for entertainment (I think they could probably get treatment for that). But the evening ended up being loads of fun. This year I looked forward to it and was excited to see the flyer come home in my little one's backpack.

Many of the teachers prepare math-based games. There are tables set up in the cafeteria and hallway. We go, we play, we have a great time. Last night we enjoyed Fraction Tic-Tac-Toe and a shape puzzle game in which you try to fit your geometric piece on a grid hopeful that when the time comes that no more pieces will fit, your opponent will be the one left holding the out of place shape (this one was Tessa's favorite, probably because she almost always won - stinker). We also played a dice game where you try to get totals as close as you can to 1,000 without going over. And a crowd favorite: measuring treats like pretzels, marshmallows, raisins, m&m's and fruit loops into a baggie to make your own trail mix.

Anyway, so math night; lots of fun. But last night was Thursday and in order to go I had to miss the new episode of the office. No matter how fuzzy my antenna reception, I still felt a little of a tug at not being able to watch. Lame, huh? I figured I could watch it online this morning - in peace, even. So, I got the girls off to school, almost giddy with anticipation. I came home fixed my tea and a plate of gorilla cookies (can't they be breakfast? they contain oats, peanut butter, milk, they are good for me!). I sat here at my computer and loaded hulu, my preferred online tv source. No new episode (insert sad face). Ok. Breathe. I can handle this! Really! I headed over to nbc to check there. Nothing. Now what should I do?

This is probably some kind of sign. It's time to get a life.


***a wee bit of an update: I betcha Woolwinder is right - it wasn't on because of the debate, not positive, but it makes sense. I store politics and entertainment in separate places of my head, so obviously I hadn't put the conflicting times together.***

5 comments:

Momma B said...

You know, math and I are not good buddies either, but it seems like when I go to a school function like that, I feel a little smarter, because I am only expected to do kiddie math and I am still capable of doing that!

Tracy Batchelder said...

I like the idea of making math fun. You learn without realizing it.

I don't watch the Office, so I can't help you with that one. Do you think maybe it was postponed for the vice presidential debate?

Jen said...

The debate was so boring! We read books instead.

Math scares me. But I'm glad you had a good time!

Hey...send me an email...I can't find your current addy. But I only figured that out AFTER I wrote a big one and tried to send it. LOL!

Anonymous said...

That sounds like great fun! How do you play fraction tic-tac-toe?

Ally Jay said...

I'm sure there's a word for a fear of math. stil those games sound like they were lots of fun. Pity about your show though.