I tutored today. One problem I've been having, which I may have mentioned before, is that the kids don't read the directions on their worksheets. I've been trying to pound it into their heads. This is important. I remember when I was raising my own daughter that I read a Dr. Spock book that said if your child has a behavior that worries you, think if that child will still be doing it at age 20 or so. If, like sucking a thumb, it's likely to go away on its own, don't worry about it. But I've known adults who don't read directions, too, so this has to be corrected. I don't know what to do except to keep being visibly annoyed when they get it wrong, not because they don't know, but because they didn't read the instructions properly or didn't check the answer sheet. I often give them homework that I think might be a bit challenging for them, but I provide an answer sheet. They are supposed to answer the questions, then check their work against the answer sheet. You'd think what I'd have to deal with is them just looking at the answer sheet and filling in the answers from it, but no! They dutifully try to do the worksheet and then never check their answers!
Meanwhile, I've assigned them a writing project. They have to write a whole lined notebook page of some story or nonfiction, a subject of their choice. This is due Sunday. At that time, I'll have each child read the writing aloud, standing up in the middle of the room. Their diction has to be so that we all can understand what they say. Especially with the boy, I've been working on reading aloud with expression and proper diction. They tend to read aloud with the sloppy pronunciation and lack of comprehension that disappoints me.
Meanwhile, the little guy, who is 4, is learning English pretty quickly. I've just been speaking to him in English and he has caught on to a lot of what I say. I used hand signals for a while, but I'm stepping them back now, and still, he understands. Like, I'd say, "Go call your sister," (naming her), and I'd point upstairs. Now I can just say it. He also likes a game I devised called "What's This?" I go around pointing to things in the room and ask, "What's this?" He either names the object or I tell him what it is. Today, at the end of the lesson, he asked for that game. He is very lively and enthusiastic, though I haven't pressed him a lot for hard work yet.
The older boy continues to have questions that turn into reading. Recently, we read about a car's airbags, which he didn't know existed, and this time, about how cars are made, usually not one-by-one by hand but in a factory production line. Other recent topics were the history of photography ("You mean they didn't have phones to take pictures?") and mirages.
Since my future daughter in law is still of work due to the torn ligament in her shoulder, she is able to direct where to put the dirt. I foresee more mud on my floors. Better not be. Someone will have to deal with the wrath of a ticked off wood nymph! 
