In like a lion, out like a lamb

After visiting Lake Lure for the weekend, it's only fitting we move into the letter L.  We talked about how March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb and the weather has not disappointed us one bit!!  We went to the Biltmore House yesterday to see Papa's friend, "Uncle" Brad run a marathon.  Unfortunately, we were horrible spectators and supporters because the wind and snow was crazy and everyone was shivering and crying and miserable.  After a cinnamon roll and some hot chocolate, though, things looked up.  We caught a 2 second glimpse of Brad running near the finish line and then we went to tour the Biltmore House.
This morning Allen and I both were in kind of a funk readjusting back to Life in Lexington (more Ls!!).  He has parent conferences at school today so he didn't have to go in to work until later.  I was given the most wonderful gift of being allowed to sleep in for an extra 45 minutes or so!!!  Seriously, the nicest thing anyone can do for me at this point!!  Rachel and I did some math and then went grocery shopping and then after unpacking the groceries, Allen was off to work and we all loaded up to head to Wal-Mart to get a new hair dryer (weather that comes in like a lion is not good for having wet hari and a broken hair dryer!).  When we finally returned home, we got back to work.
Rachel completely understands the concept of adding zero to something until we get the word problems and then she freezes up.  I guess this is how most kids are and that's why the word problems are so hard to answer on the EOG.  I'm just glad to go ahead now and start talking to her about how to take the words and turn them into a math problem.  One of the problems today was about reading four stories in the morning and then not reading any after lunch, so how many stories did you read?  I showed her where to put the 4 and the zero and make it a problem.  She then thought that 4 + 0 = 0.  She couldn't get past the "not reading any after lunch" so she thought there were no stories.  Finally she understood that it was asking how many stories did you read ALL DAY.
We all sat down at the table together and talked about the letter L and made a great list of things that start with L:  Luke, Lake Lure, Lizzie, Laura, Lily, Legos,  leprechaun, lime, lemon, lion, lamb, lips, Luci, Lisa....
I think tomorrow we'll try to make some lions and maybe some lambs if we get a chance.  I think story time at the library is supposed to be about lions, so we may wait and see what they come up with there.
This afternoon we have music class and then we're going to go play down the street with Vanessa and her family since Allen will be at school so late.  Maybe we'll sing a song about lions.....