Parent/Teacher Conferences

Now we're at the end of another one of those times in life that parents either look forward to with joy or loath it completely; the end of P/T Conferences. Like Tiffani said, you never know what you're going to get. You hope for the best, but don't want to look too confident (giving the impression that you really don't know your kid).

Mykie's conference was great. Her teacher loves her and thinks that she is great to have in class. She said that if Mykie had to go to 6th grade at the middle school today, she'd be ready. She's got the social, organizational, and learning skills she needs to be there. I am so proud of her and her abilities to push herself. Math has been tough, but she keeps working at it - on her own, by herself. Amazing. I told Mykie's teacher that I tell Mykie that I wish that everybody had a Mykie. Life would be so great for them. Mykie's teacher is pregnant and she said, "I hope I have a Mykie" while pointing to her belly. That comment thrilled Mykie. Mykie was proud to get letter grades for the first time in her educational career. She earned 3 A's and 1 B. She really puts a lot of effort into her schooling. I am proud of her.

Jeremy's conference was different than that of McLoughlins. Here, you make an appointment with his teachers and they all come to the same classroom for the student lead conference. He'd written down goals and what he had done positively through the quarter. I was impressed with his writing and his personal insight on himself. He also got some great grades (6 A's 1 B) and his teachers were so complimentary it made me want to cry. Even the science teacher that everyone hates. He said that he really loves having Jeremy in class. That not very many kids earn 100%, but Jeremy did. Jeremy even graded himself on his behavior in the classroom - he gave himself a 2 out of 3. His science teacher said that a 2 was too low. He never saw anything less than a 3 behavior-wise out of Jeremy. Wow, I knew that he was going to be a rough teacher (from parental comments I had heard), but Jeremy looked past that and really enjoyed learning from this teacher. Jeremy really has grown so much since we've moved over here. He is so much more in control of his actions and of his feelings. He really is so fun to be with.

Tyler has finally gotten a 4.0 at Pasco High School. Mike and I are so proud. He got an A in weight training. Um, yeah, that was the only class he took at PHS this quarter. We are so proud of that 4.0 and told him so. He hasn't gotten grades from CBC yet, but I am sure that they will be fine. He is a pretty good student and understands the importance of his college grades even if he is in high school.

School is their job right now. It's about their only job and the kids are doing a great job at it. I am impressed with what all kids have to learn now. I don't think that we were expected to know that much about so many things when we were in school. Maybe I just need to play that game, "Are you smarter than a the grader?" I might have forgotten what I was supposed to have learned! Do you think that kids are expected to learn so much more now?

Brigam's Parent/Teacher Conference

As many of you know, Brigam has had a tough time in 1st grade. His little personality has been SQUASHED and MUTED by those that think he should be different than he is. It started with mid-term reports of "Brigam doesn't try hard enough and isn't good enough when he tries". After I wrote a note to the teacher explaining that in our house we focus on the positive and encourage the children to do better, she wanted to meet to "see if we can get Brigam on grade level." Grade level? You've had him for 7 weeks and you've already gotten him off grade level? What the????? I met with the teacher. It was then that realized that Brigam just might have a terrible 1st grade experience this year and was really considering moving him to a different teacher or, if need be, a different school. Some suggested home schooling, but I think the lack of social involvement for Brigam would just about kill him.

After my teacher meeting, I met with the school counselor who, by the way, is a fantastic attribute of Lincoln Elementary. She listened to me and agreed that all children learn in different ways and are at different levels. She agreed with me about Brigam's small shortcomings being a preemie and that the teacher should understand this as well. She suggested that the principal or herself should be at our parent/teacher conference. I really didn't think that would help me in this situation. I mean, really, how do you act when your boss is sitting right next to you? So I never made the appointment, I just planned on meeting with me, Mike and the teacher.

On Tuesday last week, when Brigam got home from school, he ran right in and said, "Mom, my teacher says my handwriting is getting really good!" From that point on Brigam started soaking up learning like a sponge. For example, each week our first graders are given 10 sight words that they have to pass off in rapid fire fashion. We are on week 10, Brigam hadn't passed off week 3. But the next day when he went to school, he passed it off easily. He came home on Wednesday so excited to work on week 4's to pass off the next time. He had finally gotten an "atta-boy" and wanted it again. This is exactly what I was telling the teacher that would motivate Brigam to success. I was excited for the change in Brigam, but was wondering what prompted it. Had his handwriting mysteriously changed overnight?

By Friday, when we got to parent teacher conference, lo and behold, there was the principal sitting right next to Brigam's teacher. Sitting down with her, all she could do was compliment Brigam on his effort, attitude, etc. She was thrilled to have him in class. He was a joy! On and on she went. The couple of comments Mike and I made reiterated the fact that Brigam is propelled by positive feedback. I let her know that Tuesday was the first time Brigam had ever come home sharing a positive comment about school and that his success that week was immense after that.

It hit me after I left that she must have been told on Tuesday that the principal would be joining the conference and she really prepared for the meeting by getting to know Brigam. It was a WAY different meeting than that initial one was. She was really prepared and knew Brigam. Brigam is liking his teacher now and hasn't asked me once in the morning if it is Saturday on a school day. I know that the counselor was the one that made the appointment with the principal. I'm glad that she knew what she was doing. It sure has made a world of difference to Brigam. I really didn't think it would make any difference - hat's off to Ms. Debin!

Brigam and the Tooth Fairy

Brigam (finally) lost his first tooth. He's been saying that it's been loose for sometime now, but no one has really tried to help him pull it out. You'd think this job would defer to the mom because I am his main source of parental sunshine throughout most of his day (Mike leaves early and gets home late), but I can NOT stand to look at loose teeth! The thought of it gives me the shivers! I used to have nightmares of my teeth falling out and watching someone wiggle that loose tooth makes me want to hurl! Jeremy loves this little personality trait of mine and has always enjoyed chasing me around the house saying, "Look at my tooth, mom. It's sooooo loose!" I usually end up locking myself in the bathroom until he gives up and goes in to play video games or (depending on my mood) I threaten him with bodily harm if he continues his teasing. I do not like nightmares. I need my beauty sleep.

Anyway, Mike in all his sun shininess was home the other day when Brigam, being bugged by his loose tooth, asked Mike to help him take it out. After two little pulls and absolutely NO tears - the tooth was out. Brigam was very proud that he had his tooth and was a little confused about it's shape (because he can't see below the gum line.) The tears and anxiety didn't come until after the tooth was out and he saw BLOOD! I wonder if our children's deepest, darkest worries about blood is that they will instantly die if they loose 1/8th of a teaspoon of it? I had to console him repeatedly and let him know all the wonders of blood clotting. I wasn't very convincing. He wasn't really going to believe me until it stopped bleeding. It did.
The next morning was even more fun for Brigam when he found a $2.00 bill under his pillow (I guess the tooth fairy realized this was MY last "first tooth" loss and decided to overpay in the excitement of it all. At this rate, I think it will cost the tooth fairy about $56.00 over the course of Brigam loosing his teeth. It doesn't get too difficult until he starts in on the 12 year old molars and looses 1 a week for a while. I wonder where she keeps all those two dollar bills?)
His question to me that morning was, "Mom, can the tooth fairy come two days in a row?" He was so excited about the money that he couldn't wait to get started on his next tooth and telling me that it was loose! Of course I don't know if it is or not, remember - I don't look. Either way, the tooth fairy had better stock up on $2.00 bills!

"Oh, they're soooo cute - especially when they sleep!"

Those words are the saving grace for a few of my "most prized possessions" the past few days. Being a parent - at least trying to be a GOOD parent - with those that have their own ideas on how the world works is sometimes trying. That's the thing about everything in this life. Something that may be good can also be bad at another time. I have always loved watching my children grow and come into their own ideas about things. Even if they are stupid ideas, at least I had raised them to think for themselves. But that "thinking your own thoughts" thing can backfire as well. Not that Tyler is going off any deep end or anything, but he does have his own ideas about stuff. Teenagers have the same problem today that we had when we were teenagers (only 10 years ago for some of us). They think they are invincible.

Tyler has been on just this side of the obnoxious line - OK, he's actually stepped across that line this week. He is obnoxious. I guess I find some consolation that at least he feels unconditionally loved here at home enough that he can be a turkey around me and to me. It's really not much consolation.

It also could be that I am experiencing that precious time that comes around every 28 days or so that makes no one in this life understandable or me patient, but I DOUBT THAT LADIES. I am sure that it is all his fault. I really don't think that there is much he can do to remedy the problem short of 1 dozen red roses, an apology ad in the school newspaper and a heartfelt "Mom, you are the smartest, wisest, most knowledgeable, most wonderful person in the whole wide world" comment in front of all his friends followed up by a two handed/armed hug (not just the jock wave). Yup, the more I think about it, I think that would fix it. Do you think I ask for too much?

As I have told you all many times I always, always, always have 1 perfect child. Who that perfect child is might change by the minute, but at any one time one of my 4 children are treating me perfectly. I am a selfish person though, an sometimes 1 is not enough. Today, I've had enough. I need chocolate, a girls night out and some good ol' belly laughter!

GIVE ME WHAT I NEED GIRLS!

Brigam's "Sick" haircut

I don't know if any of you noticed Brigam's new "do" today, but he had one and yes, it was on purpose! Tyler's "friend that is a girl" (we can't say girlfriend because that causes stress on teenagers) - her name is Jackie - gave Tyler a haircut. She really did a great job! Brigam was next and I was happy to let her. You know what they say about a bad haircut - it's only bad for 2 weeks. Anyway, she asked Brigam if he wanted a design cut out in the back of his head/hair. Of course he did! He wanted things that were next to impossible to create so clever Jackie came up with this "artsy" design and a mock Mohawk.

Brigam was thrilled and so was I. He was so excited about it, but thought it might disappear. He asked me when he woke up on Saturday if it was still there. I had to take a picture so that he'd know that it didn't disappear. I guess the science of hair growing is lost on Brigam.

I think he also had a little "crush" on his stylist.

Because when I asked him if he liked Jackie, this was the expression I got! Then he shook his head and said, "Man, I've got sooooo many girlfriends!" I didn't have the heart to tell him that when he gets only 1 is definitely all he'll be able to handle!

Snowboarding Season is Almost Upon Us

Saturday was a special day, it was the day we get ready for snowboarding! Mike, Jeremy and Tyler spent a good part of the morning at the annual Ski/Snowboard Swap at the fairgrounds. We had a few items to sell, but we also had a few items we were in need of.

Jeremy got some sweet snowboarding pants with butt and knee padding (not that he'll need it, he is a crazy man on the slopes - bombing it down the mountain stoping only for the lodge) for only $10.00. They are a great buy! He and Mykie also got new "Clicker" bindings so that they don't have to mess with straping their boots in anymore. They just step on them and head off down the mountain.

Mykie loves snowboarding. She is a natural at it.

Her gymnastics talents with balance really make

snowboarding come easy for Mykie. She is really looking forward to trips with dad and the boys this year. They will plan their annual one for Utah in April when they will take in a little boarding and General Conference with Mike's siblings.

Brigam is also looking forward to snowboarding season this year, although he has never snowboarded before. He has always been a little frightened at the thought of putting something attached to his feet on a mountain covered in slippery stuff, but for right now - he's pumped.

I do think that this is how most of his first snowboarding experience pictures will turn out, just that the surroundings will be white and wet. Hopefully, he'll just jump right back on and try it again.

As for myself, I haven't been snowboarding for years. I haven't even gone since we've been up here. I went a couple of times in Utah and really liked it, but the mountain was just 20 minutes away and I could leave anytime I wanted to. Here you have to drive at least 2 hours and stay ALL DAY because Mike is going to get his money's worth. We'll have to wait and see if I can try it this year. But knowing that I will be in the same position as Brigam for most of the day - that thought is kind of a downer! I wonder if the lodge has some place I can lie down, hummmmm...

Tyler - He Works Hard With A Little Help From His Friends

Tyler's new job at the new house is to rake the leaves. Mike has asked Tyler to do this for quite a while now, so when Saturday came, Mike was done with being Mr. Nice Guy. Tyler had to complete the job or no fun for Ty Saturday night. Apparently, Tyler needed a bit more prodding, so he brought along some friends to make sure the job was done right.

This is Jared and Dirk, they are really the "muscle"

behind the work getting completed:

This would be Tyler hard at work.

He really hasn't been working too hard - his jacket is still on! So Dirk had to pull the big guns out:

Dirk may look like all he does is work, work, work; but he and Jared have plenty of time to play as well. They all took a swing on the big ol' tree swing. I do think that they were actually making more work for Tyler to do by stressing the tree and making it drop it's leaves, but that means less work for Tyler next week!

Actually, these guys are super guys and we're just glad whenever they come around! Martin and Jackie were here too, but I guess they missed the photo opps that could have been theirs. By the way, Tyler's mission was successful, now he's on to the dishes!