Day 37

I don't know how I did it, but I managed to successfully and creatively help Max with a book report situation, (there was some grounding involved for procrastination AND forgetting the book he was *supposed* to report on at school), tidy up the house, put up all the Christmas decorations,  make hot cocoa, and watch a couple holiday movies on only 2 hours of sleep.

Book Report:  Max had all month to read a book and then fill a bag with 5 things that represented things from said book. 

Total number of pages he read from his book:  0
Book Location:  In his cubby at school
Book Report Due Date: Less than 24 hours
Type of Book Needed for Report:  Historical Fiction
Outlook:  Grim
Course of Action:  
1.) Express disappointment, explain the importance of getting schoolwork done...on time, enstate grounding from video and computer games for 3 full days.
2.) Look for comparable books for report; required a Google search for "Historical Fiction for Children"  Discover that Robin Hood, Treasure Island, and Anne of Green Gables are historical fiction pieces.  Discover a treasury in the basement that contains all of these stories.  Bingo.
3.) Let Max choose which of the three he wanted to read; Robin Hood it is; quietly read for an hour while mom keeps watch on the couch
4.) Ask questions about the story to prove Max actually read it.  He did.
5.) Scavenge the house for 5 things to put in the bag: 
     1.) Found an old Sheriff's badge in a box in the basement = Sheriff of Nottingham;
     2.) A piece of fake pine branch fell off the new Christmas tree = Sherwood Forest;
     3.) Fashion a miniature sword and shield out of cardboard and tin foil = Medieval Times;
     4.) Fashion an arrow out of Cardboard and foil = Robin wins the archery contest and the golden arrow;
     5.) A bunch of my old golden mardi gras beads  = Gold that Robin stole from the rich and gave to the poor;
   6.) Max insisted on sticking in an old Bob the Builder figurine to represent Little John.

And voila...book report completed.

Christmas Decorations: Here they are:

And, of course, while we decorated, we played Christmas music.  Most of the time, Max and I made up our own lyrics...his personal favorite of mine?  During a break in "Frosty the Snowman" I chimed in with "Frosty's gonna die!"  Max found this to be hilarious. 

Aye...that's what happens on 2 hours of sleep.