Y - X - Discoveries from September's Challenge

Although this alphabet-inspired monthly challenge for September isn't easy, I am realizing that I do like researching new things and using my brain to come up with an object, activity, song, concept or craft about each alphabet letter.  I usually enjoy the quest just as much as I do the end result. 

Plus I'm finding some rather fun tools that I can use with Vivian and that may help other parents (or teachers).  The internet is such a great avenue for education.  Like this website I found that has coloring sheets you can print out for each letter of the alphabet - http://www.my-coloring-pages.com/alphabet-coloring-pages/.  There are TONS of resources like this out there if people would only look for them. 

Maybe that should be a job for me -- Research Professional.  Do jobs like that exisit?  Hmmm, maybe I'll look into that when I get to the letter "R." 

Anyway, these were the discoveries for letters Y and X.  They are not quite as extensive or creative as the letter Z findings.  Yet I give myself credit for keeping up the challenge, especially during a Labor Day, long holiday weekend when most other folks are relaxing or vacationing. 


Y-Things That Vivian and I Did Together:
-We ate Yogurt, blueberry flavored. 
- Viv and I pointed out a few Yellow-colored items around the house.
- We sang the song, "Yakety Yak (don't talk back!)"
- We colored a picture of Yarn and a Yak.
- Viv and I looked at images of a Yaht.

Y-Things I Was Curious About and Looked Up For Myself:

- What the heck is a Yin and Yang anyway?
- I also researched a little bit about Yoko Ono especially since I saw her quoted recently in the Associate Press.




A Recent, Little Known Y-Fact About Me:

For the past few weeks, I've been getting into YA (Young adult) novels and literature.  Since my niece Kristen came to visit us and I took her to the library to browse books, I find myself skimming the youth book shelves when I take Vivian once or twice a month.  Of course it doesn't hurt that the teenager/tween section is right next to the children's section.  I find YA appealing because right now I don't have a lot of time to read lengthy, complex novels geared toward my age.  The YA books are shorter, faster and still relative to me as I will oneday have a young adult to deal with anyway. 

Over the weekend, I read a young adult book that is so unlike what I would normally read but I actually enjoyed it.  The book is called "Finding Your Faith" by Stephanie Perry Moore.  I didn't realize it when I borrowed it but the book is actually part of a series.  Each story is focused on a thirteen year old black girl trying to make sense of her older brother's death while dealing with the teenage angst of school, friendships, sibling rivalry and more.  The young girl is named Yasmin Peace (ironically, just in time on my Y-day too!) and I like how she thinks and talks.  It may seem crazy that I'm reading about a girl half my age and who has completely different skin color.  Yet something about the book drew me in and I'm glad I chose to read it.  I think it's wonderful to read about a person, place or story that is totally different from your own upbringing and community.  I would recommend the story to others and may look for her other books as well.


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X-Things That Vivian and I Did Together:

-We watched a video demonstrating how X-ray paper works.  It's actually a very short, cool film: http://www.funmansion.com/videos/xray_video.html
- We colored a picture of a Xylophone. 
- We played treasure hunt and found an "X" that marked the spot. 
- We watched a video and listened to the song "Xanadu" by Olivia Newton-John

I could not think of any interesting x-facts about myself or Vivian to share.  X is not an easy alphabet letter to get x-tremely detailed over! 

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I had written down several other ideas for Y and X but just didn't get to them this weekend (such as the x and y chromosomes, famous people named Xavier, Xerox machines, yams and yodeling).  So I will save them in my notebook in case I should ever revisit this project/challenge again at a later time with Vivian.

So, that's all we did for X and Y.  Vivian and I were slacking a bit since we did have friends over visiting and stayed busy with some family fun.  W and V are looking to be more promising and entertaining anyway.

I hope everyone is enjoying the long, Labor Day holiday weekend!