AB Pattern

There is nothing as great as having a kindergartener in the house!

They begin to read and do math and the whole world around them seems to open up for them.  How fun it is to watch them incorporate what they are learning into their world.

Look what I discovered.  Someone was practicing their lettering on my antique molasses crock.  He did a nice job.  I should be furious. Writing on stuff is a serious "no-no."  But I can't bring myself to erase it.  It adds to the charm, don't you think?

This was my Christmas present from Caleb.  This is my 5th gilded macaroni frame with a picture with Santa.  I have one from each of my boys from their kindergarten days.  He was so excited for me to open it, and as soon as I tore the tissue paper off (with his help,of course) he exclaimed, "See!  It's an A B pattern!"  He was so proud - not of his darling picture with Santa, or of the beautiful gold frame, but of the A B pattern.  It took me a second to get it because it has been a few years since my kindergarten math.  He proudly pointed out how he had carefully arranged the holiday-themed macaroni in an A,B,A,B pattern. Santa, snowflake, Santa, snowflake, Santa - across the top, and sled, present, sled, present, sled - across the bottom.  Oh, of course - A B pattern!  He couldn't wait to show off his mathematical genius. 

Then the other day, Luke and Caleb wanted to help me make muffins.  It was a little chaotic with a 2 year old and a five year old in the kitchen.  But Caleb, and his aforementioned mathematical genius, announced a plan.  "I know.  AB pattern!" He arranged it so that he was A, Lukie was B.  He would break and egg, Luke would break an egg.  He would measure a half cup water, Luke would measure a half cup water.  Caleb would stir, Luke would stir.  It was very efficient.  Then he labled the rows of the muffin pan - A row, B row, A row B row.  Caleb put all the paper liners in the A rows, and Luke the B rows.  Luke, never having been to kindergarten, didn't quite grasp this higher-order math skill, which bugged Caleb to no end.  But the A B pattern muffins did get made in a somewhat orderly fashion, and they were delicious!

Now if I could get my kids to use an "A B C D E F G pattern" in such things as sharing the Nintendo DS, or choosing who sits in the best seat in the car.  I could put Caleb in charge of that.