Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Fail?

So I find myself frequently questioning my ability to be a parent. I encourage Peanut to try new things and always do her best. We have recently embarked on the gymnastics journey. The place we go is awesome! The coaches are super great and the other kiddos are pretty ok (there is always one tattletale or temper tantrum - never peanut!) and well to be honest I could take or leave the parents. Here's the thing, first of all Peanut is TALL for her age. We know that we are not raising the next gold medalist and that is ok! This is just for fun! It has really helped Peanut with her coordination which if you know us you know that we are NOT graceful people.  But I digress. You are probably wondering why I question my abilities. Two words - other parents. A class of 4 1/2 - 6 year olds was just called to the floor and I heard a mom say "if you have any negative energy, any at all, you need to take that and you need to use it to kill it in class!" WHAT? Seriously? I mean really? Your child is at the oldest in 1st grade! Do you think you have the next Team USA member? So my conclusion to this is, I am an awesome parent. I actually smile a little when Peanut struggles with something. Now before you go all judgmental  on me let me explain. Every milestone and activity Peanut has done she has met early and excelled with. This is good. But there is nothing wrong with learning that things do not always come easy and you have to work for things. So was this a fail for me or the nutty negative energy bar sitting behind me?

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Did you ever have that day/week/month/year?

Well it has been quite a while since I have last posted on here (I'm sure you can give me an exact count dad!), but things have been CRAZY!!!  I feel like I have so much to say but I am not sure people want to read on for hours about it.  So what I thought was I would give a quick list of major highlighted events that have prevented me from posting and then some funny stories to share.  Here goes.  Since my last posting:
- I finished my writing class and am now taking an assessment class.  This class is an elective for me and is kicking my tail!
- Right before Christmas our boiler gave up on us - awesome.  Good news that was before we had Polar Vortex 1, 2, 3 and 4!
- When we were to return from winter break we ended up with an extra week off because of the snow and cold.  In fact in January I only taught 9 days! - Seriously 9 days!!!
- Ugh! Assessment class
- After all of this time off my firsties had to take their midyear assessment to which I am proud to say we made an average gain of 128 points in math and 201 points in reading - even with all the breaks!!!!!
- We had a full week in February off!!  Wahoo!!!!!  Peanut and I visited Great Wolf Lodge with both grandmas!  Peanut loved her girl's weekend!!!
- My washing machine bit the dust.  I know right?!?!?!? We can't catch a break with this house lately.  But I guess it was time, the washed came with the house and I believe it was actually older than me!!!
- Still plugging through the assessment class - 4 more weeks!
- Suzie Q and I have planned and are currently implementing one of the BEST reading months our school has seen in a long time!  Once it is over I will share pictures and ideas!
- I went on a scrapbooking trip with the girls and worked on my OWN stuff!  I NEVER get to do that!!!!
-Oh and if I forgot to mention it, my class is almost over and I am literally counting down the days!!!!

I will leave you now with the following conversation between me and Peanut:
Setting - the car on the way home from school
Peanut: Mom, you still haven't put a note in my lunchbox.
Me: What do you mean a note?
Peanut: I told you, I wanted a note from you in my lunchbox.
Me: Why?
Peanut: Everyone else gets a note in their lunchbox from their mommy.
Me: Really?  Everyone?
Peanut: Well not S____ she gets hot lunch.
Me: Oh so she gets a free pass.  I will try to remember. (In my head I am thinking, you can't read yet so your teacher probably loves me because you are the one student that she doesn't have to read a note to. )
Peanut: I am going to warn you tomorrow.
Me: Warn or remind?
Peanut: Remind.
Apparently this has become a trend to send notes in the lunch.  I missed the memo on this. I have explored the option of printable ones I have found on Pinterest as well as premade sets that can be bought.  Don't laugh, I looked into it.  DH told me that is all fine and dandy until 3 of the kiddos show up with the same note on the same day!  LOL!!!  Ok.  Enough of my adventures.  I will try my best not to let too much time go by before writing again!!!!