Best part of the first day of school

The absolutely best part of the first day of school - homemade chocolate chip cookies! A family tradition for 7 years now.

Middle School GIRLS

Our older DS is off to middle school today. Ay yi yi! I'm sure it will be a great year by the time we're done, but did you see those girls???? Those fresh-faced girls I saw at 5th grade graduation have turned into GIRLS with fancy hair-dos and make-up and jewelry and clothes. The elementary school's dress code says that make-up is not developmentally appropriate for elementary school-aged girls, so maybe they just weren't allowed to wear it so I was thinking all those 5th grade girls were still the same as they were when we first met them as kindergarteners. But oh my........ if I were a 6th grade boy, I'd be scared!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe I've just been locked in a time-warp????

Loads of paper and plenty of $$

Orientation was today for both 4thGrader and 6thGrader. We got the paperwork for 4thGrader so I can get that done over the weekend. And I wrote several checks payable to both the elementary and middle schools for various fees and PTA's and such. Plus t-shirts for both kids.

Never mind the school supplies I still need to buy. I felt like I should've just given the school district my bank account information and let them empty my coffer.

And more paperwork coming home with 6thGrader next week.

European kids get Euros...

Cool dude

Oh to be 11 again! This photo was taken in Sorrento, Italy, when we stopped for lunch with our tour group.

Another Lost Tooth

We were beginning to load the car for our vacation when our 11 y.o. asked for a rubberband. You see, his tooth fell out while eating breakfast and he had put it in a tissue and needed a rubberband to wrap around it. That makes his 10th tooth gone, and he has another one that will likely come out before vacation is over.

Now where oh where did the Tooth Fairy pack those Disney Dollars????

30 Minutes with Mom

The kids made it home from camp safe and sound and no worse for wear. And with their return comes the return of juggling family and work without child care. I really don't mind, though, because I've been granted permission to work from home a few hours each day so that I don't have to be away from home as much. Although being in the house and being at home are really two different things, but that's for a whole other post on a different blog!

Anyway, one of the things I want to be sure to do is get that one-on-one quality time with each of the boys, yet we have a lot to do around the house and only a limited amount of time to do it. So I've implemented "30 minutes with Mom" each morning. During this time, we will do chores or activities together that are not only necessary things but are also designed to teach skills that they need to develop. And having them NOT do it together eliminates the "he didn't do his share" arguments we've been hearing of late.

Here is what happened on Monday:

3rdGrader had the first session. We emptied the dishwasher, reloaded it, and then tackled the refrigerator. I had him sort through the food to see what was expired, what was nearing expiration, and what was still good, and then wipe down the shelves. We had a spill underneath one of the crisper drawers that had been there for ages, so I cleaned that and washed the drawer out. Then we took the berries that were past their prime and tossed them in the yard for the birds. I had him sort through his school papers to see what he wanted to keep or toss (yes, school has been out for nearly 6 weeks). Next we folded a basket of towels and got those put away as well and our 30 minutes was nearly over. He had an email to respond to, so with that, he finished his 1/2 hour.

5thGrader started with making orange juice popsicles and then moved on to clipping coupons. I participate in a Coupon Train so I needed to get them clipped and ready to mail before the week gets away from me, so 5thGrader learned about coupons and practiced his big-scissor skills. Then we moved to the living room where the Lego's had exploded a few weeks ago and got them containered (did I just make up a word?) as well as found the rest of the plastic eggs from Easter that we've been meaning to toss. We followed up with putting pillows away and folding a throw blanket. And suddenly our time was up!

They were each a little less enthusiastic today, but we still got a lot of things done. 3rdGrader drew first round again today. We spent most of it in his room sorting out video games and untangling cords, but in the process we found a game he had been looking for. We also learned the art of folding fitted sheets and that if you put your dirty clothes in the hamper when you take them off, you don't have to go through the house picking them up.

5thGrader told me last night that he needed his patriotic shirt washed to wear on Wednesday, so I told him the first part of his 30 Minutes with Mom would be starting his laundry today. Then we had to finish the coupons and get them ready to mail. Our pumpkin seedlings were ready to transplant, so we did that as well. He had also told me yesterday that his t-shirt drawer was too full, so we spent the remainder of our time going through his shirts to see which ones he had outgrown, which ones he wanted to pass on, and which ones he wanted to take on our cruise.

Tomorrow is a holiday, so 30 Minutes with Mom will be just-for-fun stuff.

Camp

The boys have been at camp all week and tomorrow morning, we'll go pick them up. I'm ready to see them to hear about their week. This is the first time they've gone to sleep-away camp, and while 3rdGrader was looking forward to it, 5thGrader went with some trepidation.

Our plan for tomorrow is to get them home and soak them in the bathtub. And double- or triple-wash their laundry. And air out the sleeping bags and suitcases. And give them as many hugs and kisses as they want and will allow.

Why School Kids are Helpful

This morning I was doing some work from home and had a PowerPoint presentation to review. I don't use PowerPoint regularly, so I was trying to figure out how to make the presentation be a "slide show" for viewing. 5thGrader came in about that time and asked me what I was doing, and as he looked over my shoulder, he said "Mom, you should look at that as a slide-show; just click right there." And voila' - my screen filled and all was well. 5thGrader learned to use PowerPoint while in 4th grade. I was telling my co-worker about it, and she said it was good that I had my own tech support at home!

Then later today I was figuring out how much our breakfast cost. There is a thread on DISBoards that is a Feed Your Family on $10 a Day challenge, and while I'm not officially participating, it's been interesting to read and to figure out how much we spend in a typical day. We made pancakes for breakfast and drank milk. I wanted to calculate how much the 2 cups of milk cost, so to do that, I needed to know how many cups are in a gallon. Because I don't keep that information in my head where it is easily accessible, I keep a magnet on the side of the refrigerator with the comparisons on it. As I was walking to the kitchen, I asked the boys how many cups are in a gallon, and 3rdGrader said "16." Sure enough, there are 16 cups in a gallon. I asked him how he knew that, and he said it's just something he learned and maybe I should go back to 3rd grade!

REPORT

DATE: MAY 24, 2007
TIME: 12:25 P.M.

BELL RINGS.

ALL A'S, E'S, AND 3'S ON REPORT CARDS.

5thGrader SCORED 5.0 ON WUR. HIS HIGHEST ACHIEVEMENT.

3rdGrader SCORED 5.5 ON WUR.

PROMOTIONS TO 4TH AND 6TH GRADES.

SUMMER VACATION BEGINS.

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL???

All year I've been making plans around the last day of school being May 25th. We even arranged for the summer trek to visit the relatives to begin as soon as school gets out on that Friday.

Last week, 5thGrader's planner had LAST DAY OF SCHOOL written on the 24th. I figured he copied it down wrong off the board. He insisted that he didn't. Then this morning, I found 3rdGrader's weekly newsletter and HIS teacher also has May 24th as the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL.

Surely two teachers aren't wrong, but surely I haven't just made up that the last day of school is the 25th. So as soon as I could, I checked online to see the school calendar and sure enough, May 24th is the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL. Guess the kids will get an extra afternoon at home before beginning the summer trek!

Middle School doesn't seem so scary after all

In the fall, I have to change the title of this blog because while we'll be continuing our adventures as grade school parents, we'll be embarking on a new role - parents of a middle schooler! Yep, folks, that's right - we're off to middle school in August.

Tonight was the parent orientation. We toured the 6th grade hall where they assured us that they don't assign top lockers to the short kids, encouraged us to teach our children how to use a combination lock, and understand that 4 minutes to get from one end of the hall to the other while stopping at your locker is really doable!

We got to meet the principal and both assistant principals, discuss the dress code (boys, your pants have to be up, we don't want to see your underwear, and shirts with sleeves are safe options), and see the cafeteria and media center. We met the teachers for the core areas (math, science, world-geography, language arts, computer/creative writing) and the electives (P.E., art, band, chorus, dance (or was it drama?), and research).

I thought I'd be anxious about the beginning of middle school, but after going over today and seeing things first-hand and talking with the teachers and administration, I am actually excited about it. I think it will be a wonderful experience and know that our soon-to-be-middle-schooler will have a world of opportunity ahead of him... and I can't wait to experience it with him!

Summer Reading List

Rising 6th graders are required to read two of the following books over the summer.

1. A Wrinkle in Time by Madelene L'Engle
2. Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
3. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
4. Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos
5. Skellig by David Almond
6. Sounder by William Armstrong
7. Tangerine by Edward Bloor
8. Wanderer by Sharon Creech
9. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Over-achiever that I am, I've requested all of them from the library now so we can preview which ones to have for summer reading. We already have Island of the Blue Dolphins and maybe Sounder.

Last Writes Upon Request for the school year

Today is the last Writes Upon Request for the school year. It used to be a big deal - making sure to go to bed a little early the night before, have something special for breakfast the morning of. Now it's just another school day.

Two years ago, when 5thgrader was a 3rd grader, he completely shut down when asked to write about anything. Writes Upon Requests were horrible, miserable, anxiety-ridden days. But we're so proud of him because he has worked hard to overcome his anxiety - or at least learned to function within its constraints - and has consistently scored 4.5's (out of possible 6's) this whole year. He has reached deep within himself and lived to tell about it!

Today's assignment is expository. I never even knew what that meant until they started doing WURs. (It means explaining.)

Here's what Writes Upon Request means (I found this on one of the county school pages):
WUR-“Writes Upon Request” Assessment. In an effort to prepare students for the FCAT Writing Assessment, and to provide opportunities for students to improve their writing skills, **** County Schools conducts the “Writes Upon Request” Assessment Program. This program assesses student writing in first through tenth grades at set times during the school year. Students throughout the district are given grade-appropriate prompts (topics) and time limits in which to respond. Trained classroom teachers utilize the same scoring method as the *CAT Writing Assessment to score student papers. Scores are reported to parents.

The end of winter break

Why is it that winter break always goes so fast? When I was a kid, it seemed like it never lasted long enough, and now as a parent, I really feel like it doesn't last long enough. That holiday song that says "and mom and dad can hardly wait for school to start again..." -- well, that doesn't apply here.

Of course we fill our break with lots of traveling and a little bit of down time, and we ignore the school work that has to be done (really... do teachers think the kids will do it throughout the holidays? Nope - many of them will wait til the last day -- at least mine did).

Our Favorite Things

5th Grader's...

Favorite TV Show: Suite Life of Zack and Cody
Favorite Video Game: Mario Party 7
Favorite Food: Pizza, pepperoni from Pizza Hut
Favorite Holiday Song: Holly Jolly Christmas
Favorite Drink: Sprite


Mom's Favorites:
Hannah Montana
High School Musical
Animal Crossing

Rules to live by...

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

If my children don't learn anything else, learning these four principles will help them navigate through life. I hope I'm able to show them how to live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly.

The end...

We ended up with about 75 trick-or-treaters and a basket full of candy leftover to take to the office. It should last til at least Thanksgiving.

Kids are tired; I'm tired and have a headache, and the Haunted Mansion theme song is stuck stuck stuck in my head.

Grocery Store treats

The grocery store we shop at had activities for kids this afternoon - pumpkin painting and treats from around the store. A handful of popcorn from the deli (literally a deli-glove filled with popcorn), an apple from produce and a cookie and cupcake from the bakery.

The boys just came home to dump their first load and then they're heading back out.

For me, I've only had one miniature snickers bar. For now.

continuing the count

6:56 p.m.

Over 50 trick or treaters so far. It's really a great night for it - the weather is clear and it's turned off a bit cool for a change. It's 73 degrees and not a bit humid.

Two supermans (supermen?), several "this is my costume" t-shirts (worn by adolescent girls carrying pillowcases), a fairy and a scary dude.

Three kids and one parent that we know so far.

continued

6:30 p.m. ~ we've had our first trick or treaters ~ a group of 4 girls, three who looked to be about 13 and one who was about 9. The boys saw them coming from the neighbor's yard so they hid behind the edge of the driveway so they could scare them. As the girls were walking up, the younger one said "there are some kids who are going to jump out" and about that time the boys did and one of the older girls screamed! That made the boys' night!

Three cheerleaders, an angel, a princess and a pumpkin. That's what we've had so far.

And one Sheriff's Deputy drive-by.

Halloween Live!

I'm sitting in our driveway watching two pirates having a sword fight. One looks quite a bit like Captain Hook with Harry Potter eyeglasses and a fake nose. The other looks a bit like Jack Sparrow. Only they're 4 1/2 ft tall.

Our pumpkin is lit and our CD player is set to "repeat" for the theme song to the Haunted Mansion at Disney World. The basket is filled with miniature candy bars and tootsie rolls. Now we're just waiting for the trick-or-treaters.

Oops - the dog across the street is starting to bark - hope my music isn't bothering him... it's not too loud.

If you happen to read live, don't forget to "refresh" to catch later postings.

Educationally Valuable Experiences

We took our children out of school for two days last week to go to Denver, Colorado. I checked with the school to see what we needed to do to have their absences Excused and was told that a new policy is going into effect regarding Educationally Valuable Experiences (EVEs).

In order to have such an absence excused, parents have to identify four benchmarks that their children will be addressing while participating in EVEs. And these benchmarks must come from Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. If the EVE doesn't address a benchmark in each one, then the absence will not be excused.

After identifying the benchmarks, the student must prepare a written report and an oral presentation upon return to school before they will even consider excusing the absence. And then there is no guarantee that if you go to the extra effort that it will be excused.

We decided to just let the children have Unexcused Absences. We know they learned so much on our trip that is of value to them. They toured the US Mint, the Colorado History Museum, the Colorado State Capitol, the Denver Art Museum, the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and the City of Denver. They can tell you facts and information about everything they saw and did. They can also tell you that what some people consider to be art is, in the words of our 3rd grader, "Just wrong. Just Plain Wrong!"

Siblings without Rivalry

When you have a 9 year old who is charming, funny, smart, witty, a good conversationalist, well-liked by his peers and adults, and you also have a 10 year old who thinks he is none of these things (even though he is), there's bound to be rivalry. I picked up a copy of Siblings without Rivalry to see if I can learn some things to help these two get along better - or at least not have so many hurt feelings. I think I should've gotten this book when I was first expecting little one.

The boys are so much alike in so many ways, but so different. They aren't competitive about physical things; it's more about perceptions of fairness (what is fair anyway?). Who got more time on the computer? Who has to go first to take a bath (I went first yesterday, no you didn't...) ~ well, you get the idea.

Ay-yi-yi! I suspect the teen years ahead will be rough enough... hopefully we can all learn some skills to take the sharp edges off.

I just finished reading How to Talk So Kids will Listen & Listen so Kids will Talk and WOW! I've heard about this book off and on through my years as a parent, but I never had a chance to pick it up until recently when it was recommended to help me develop my own "script" for addressing the needs of one of my grade schoolers. I've already used some of the techniques not only when listening and talking to my children, but also with co-workers, friends, and other people I encounter every week.

School Picture Day

Today was picture day at school. In the past, I've picked out what I wanted the boys to wear for their school pictures, but this year I let them dress themselves with just one rule -- it had to be clean. One picked a grey shirt with blue and red thin stripes. The other picked his Disney Cruise Line shirt.

You know what? For the first year, both boys will look like they always look. Hopefully they didn't have weird smiles.

3rd Grade Math Super Stars

Every year the school sends home "Sunshine Math" (a.k.a. Math Super Stars) for every child.

Here are some examples from the first one for 3rd grade:

1. Ann was asked to find the number of marbles that were added to the other marble groups to get the total. Can you find the number?

3 marbles + ____ marbles + 2 marbles = 13 marbles


2. Joe has 3 quarters, 1 dime and 2 nickels in his piggy bank. How much money does he have to spend in the candy store?


3. Tom is helping his sick neighbor by taking her dog for a walk every day, bringing her the mail, and doing other odd jobs. Mrs. Burns pays him $7.50 a week for his help. How much will he earn in 4 weeks?

4. Find the pattern in these numbers and then continue the pattern by writing the next three numbers: 1 6 3 8 5 10 7 ____ ____ ____


5. Robin gave her friend a puzzle like the one below. Solve the number puzzle yourself:
Find * + 11 if you know that 8 + * = 12.

6. There was a line waiting for movie tickets. Sue realized that there were 6 people in front of her and 6 people behind her in the line. How many people were waiting in line for movie tickets?

7. A turtle crawls up a 12 foot hill after a heavy rainstorm. The turtle crawls 4 feet, but when it stops to rest, it slides back 1 1/2 feet. How many tries does the turtle make before it makes it up the hill?


8. Four classmates are to stand in order from tallest to shortest. Tom is taller than Sally. Sally is taller than Bob. Maria is taller than Bob but shorter than Sally. Using the clues, place the four friends in order from tallest to shortest.

Post your answers in the comments. No fair asking your 3rd grader for help.

Bring Back Pluto as a Planet!

Q. Why did Mickey Mouse go to Outer Space?

A. He was looking for Pluto.

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Pluto Demoted to Dwarf Planet, Seven Dwarves Complain

Coming on the heels of the demotion of Pluto to a dwarf planet, the Seven Dwarves issued a short press release: “Although we think it's DOPEY that Pluto has been downgraded to a dwarf planet, which has made some people GRUMPY and others just SLEEPY, we are not BASHFUL in saying we would be HAPPY if Disney's Pluto would join us as an 8th dwarf. We think this is just what the DOC ordered and is nothing to SNEEZE at.” As Mickey’s faithful companion, Pluto made his debut in 1930-the same year scientists discovered what they thought was the 9th planet. (from Magically Speaking, Augusut 28, 2006)

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If you want to join our coalition to Bring Back Pluto as a (not-dwarf) Planet, let us know by posting a Comment.

1st Project of the Year

Make a travel brochure for two states.

Do a diagram / picture of the state
Facts on state (capital, population, date of statehood, cities)
At least two interesting places to visit
Fun facts (state mascots, bird, tree, flower, etc.)

States picked: Kentucky and Virginia

1st day

Well, that was easy. Kids getting up by themselves, eating breakfast, getting dressed, ready to go on time. Snapped a couple of traditional pictures and we were out the door. We went through the car line and teased about the "boo hoo" parents dropping off their kindergarteners and all the cars parked on the side of the road and those circling the parking lot looking for a place to pull in while we just zipped right through the car line!