Okay, so here is something I probably shouldn't admit to, but what the hell...I love to judge people!
I spend 90-95% of my week inside my home, so there really isn't anyone to judge except for people I see on tv...and really? Who doesn't judge celebrities? Another way I can judge people (or at least people I know) is by looking at their facebook pages. Passing a judgement isn't necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes I look at a picture and think, "OMG! They seriously have the CUTEST kids in the world." Or, "oh, her hair looks so good like that", or "I love that shirt...skinny bitch! I wonder where she got it?" Other times it could be, "seriously, if I have to look at one more picture of ______ showing off her nasty ass, 40 year old, droopy cleavage, I am totally going to block her." No lie, these are some of my thoughts. At halloween, things always seem to take a turn to the "OMG! Seriously?" I still dont understand the appeal for people to dress up like sluts. ESPECIALLY people that are my age (29) and older. Even more so when these people have kids. All I can think is that if my mom ever decided to be a sexy nurse when I was growing up, I think I would have run away. Living on the streets would be far less humiliating than having my friends seeing my mom's ass cheeks hang out! Ughh...seriously, things like this upset me greatly.
Saying all that, there is one department I try not to judge, which is going to completely contradict what I just said. Parenting! Parenting is something I try really hard not to judge others by, but sometimes...well, I do! For instance, when said parents have a halloween party and dress like sluts - I just wonder what they are thinking and I am mortified for their children. Does this make them a bad parent??? No. But it makes me question their ability to relate to their kids. I mean hey, if you want to dress like a slut - cool...but do your kids need to be there? And do they need to see it on facebook? I just think about Logan when he's 15, and the thought of him seeing me dressed up as a "sexy witch" with my boobs half out and my ass grinning. Then I think about the fact that I will probably want to be "facebook friends" with some of his friends (because I will want to monitor what's going on and the character of his friends..I mean, really. Am I going to let him hang out with 'Jim Bob' if his facebook photos show a collage of him smoking weed and there is a beer in his hand in every picture??? I think not.) and they will see my boobs and butt, and I can only imagine those conversations they would have with Logan. Naaa - I'd rather not!
There are a few people I know, that I actually like judging their parenting (which I am totally sure they judge mine as well) because they are just do some incredibly bad things and I can just look and say, hey! at least I am not THAT bad!
First, I want to say that I in no way, shape, or form think these people are bad parents. They just do some incredibly STUPID (in my opinion) things. I mean - I know this lady - We'll call her Saggy boobs, she has 2 young boys...we'll say they are 13 and 15...she CONSTANTLY posts pics of her boobs on FB...not full on boobs, but usually just her wearing a plunging neckline with her saggy boobs on display...a lot of the times, her face isn't even in the pic...just the boobs! While I disapprove of this thoroughly, it doesn't impact her parenting. Those two boys are EXTREMELY well behaved, well mannered kids. They are great, and since she's a single mom - SHE is obviously doing something very right...I just hate that all their friends get to see her boobage all the time...hell - I hate seeing her boobage all the time. And like I said, those boys are great kids...but I wonder what message they get from that? Next, I will not name any names, so if you are reading this and it sounds familiar - it might be you, it might not be. I will neither confirm nor deny. But please, before you get butt hurt and convinced that I am talking about you...just remember that a LOT of people make the same mistakes, so before you start sending me hate mail take a breath - it might not be you, and if you are so offended by the possibility that I am talking about you...maybe, just maybe - it's because in the back of your mind you agree with me. Also, remember that this is MY OPINION - I am not the President of Parenting...hell you could probably write a book of all the crap I do wrong - so TRUST me, I guarantee you that you could compile your own list of things you would not choose to do by just observing other parents you know. Just because I am choosing to blog about it doesn't make me right and you wrong...it just means I was thinking about it and blah...out it came. So other than the halloween scenario, here are a few things I have heard lately that just make me laugh and CRINGE because of the ridiculousness of it.
1. Posting your dildo on your facebook. (Goes along with posting 1200 pics of your cleavage, but just takes it to a whole new level.
2. Paying your kids for going to school or to play sports. CRAZY! If you have to pay them to play a sport, they probably dont want to play to begin with. Just wait a couple of years, I'm sure they will want to play in the future. Just because they don't want to play at 7 doesn't mean they will never want to play in the future. Also, paying your kid to GO to school is setting a terrible example. Think about when they get to high school. Will they demand to be paid? Seriously...think of some long term consequences for these things.
3. Taking your child out of school because their is a bug going around. Getting sick is not going to kill your child, in fact it will probably build up their immune system. I totally understand if you do this as a precautionary measure because your child has a weakened immune system, obviously - this is the right choice. But if your doing it because you have plans this weekend and you dont want to risk your kid getting sick and ruining those plans??? Ummm PRIORITIES people. You basically just taught your kid that having fun on the weekend is far more important than going to school and getting an education! Ha! wait until they get to college! Which circles back to #2...Do you have to pay the college tuition AND continue to pay your kid to go to class? Do they have to maintain some sort of GPA? Hmmm...maybe they could use all the money you've been paying them for the last 13 years to pay their own tuition. Just a thought!
4. Parents, your child is NOT perfect. No matter how well behaved you think they are, they still screw up. I promise! One of my biggest pet peeves is listening to a parent talk about what an angel their child is. Or that said child would NEVER do this or that. Bet you a hundred bucks your kid has or will do whatever "that" is.
Oh my little Johnny is just so wonderful. He is so kind, and such a great big brother. He just looks after his sister. He is so smart, the teacher's say he's a genius! Oh and we have been approached by modelling companies because of how handsome he is! Oh, my little darling!
TRANSLATION: Johnny just fell asleep and isn't being hell on wheels, therefore, he's wonderful. Little Johnny played nicely with his sister for a while without bashing her over the head with a toy. His teacher said he was doing great in class. Oh, and while out to dinner the other night the waitress talked about how cute little Johnny was...she may have mentioned we should put him in some sort of modelling.
Maybe I'm a cynic...but here's my deal. I have two kids of my own. I love my babies more than life itself, but sometimes - they drive me bat shit crazy. I think my kids are great, but that doesn't mean everyone else does...although, if you ever say anything negative about my children I will rip your face off..just fair warning.
Look, I am NOT a perfect parent, I make mistakes on a daily basis, and for those of you that know me, I am sure you have looked at something I have done or will do and thought, "WOW! I would never do that with my child." In a way, that's great...I just taught you what not to do. You're Welcome. The thing is, every kid is different and what may work for one may not work for another. That's why I like seeing other parents make what I call "mistakes". It's like they just taught me a lesson on "what not to do." So, Thanks! See, it all comes full circle, I'm teaching you, you're teaching me! YAY!
Happy Halloween Everyone
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
oh my blog!
If you haven't already seen it on my facebook, I would like to take the time to open your eyes to the awesomeness that is Thebloggess.com Check out this woman's blog, I have laughed and laughed and laughed. I can't stop reading it, and I am on pins and needles wondering what the hell she will post next!
Friday, October 26, 2012
My little angels!
I finally took the kids to the pumpkin patch. It wasn't a spectacular farm or anything like that, basically they just bring in pumpkins and cover the courtyard of one of the local churches. So, while it wasn't the big pumpkin patch, it was enough...the kids picked out a few pumpkins and I got some pics of them.
This is my favorite picture of them....they were so cute together. It was one of those moments where they get along so well, and I treasured it. I was so happy I was able to capture it. Sometimes these two can be so loving towards each other and it just makes my heart smile.
All I have left of Landry's costume is to make her bracelet. I should finish it today, but I have been pretty lazy lately. Really it will only take me 10-15 minutes to make it, which is probably why I keep putting it off! LOL
I don't know what it is, but lately I have been looking at my daughter and thinking she is the most beautiful thing in the world. I know, I'm the mom so of course I find my child beautiful, but I just can't stop thinking how pretty she is. I know...I'm wierd! LOL
This is my favorite picture of them....they were so cute together. It was one of those moments where they get along so well, and I treasured it. I was so happy I was able to capture it. Sometimes these two can be so loving towards each other and it just makes my heart smile.
All I have left of Landry's costume is to make her bracelet. I should finish it today, but I have been pretty lazy lately. Really it will only take me 10-15 minutes to make it, which is probably why I keep putting it off! LOL
I don't know what it is, but lately I have been looking at my daughter and thinking she is the most beautiful thing in the world. I know, I'm the mom so of course I find my child beautiful, but I just can't stop thinking how pretty she is. I know...I'm wierd! LOL
Friday, October 19, 2012
Party with the Family
Planning a get together is difficult with my family. My mom works 11am -11pm Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday each week. Wednesday nights are usually my dad's night with his coaches and Margarita night for my mom and her friends. My dad works every day...but he works Thursday nights and of course Friday nights and all day Saturday. The only day to really get together is Saturday evening, but I didn't want to wait for Saturday to celebrate Landry's birthday with them because we were already making plans for Saturday and last Saturday both my parents were busy. So, my parents decided to forego their usual Wednesday night get togethers and meet us in San Antonio at Chuck E Cheese's.
My mom was funny because when I told her we were going to Chuck E Cheese's, she cringed. She really doesn't like those types of places, but I told her it's where the Princess wanted to go, and she would just have to bear it for a couple of hours! LOL She ended up having a great time watching the kids! We decided to go to the San Antonio location so that Vanessa could join us too. She and Kyle just moved into a new house so finances are a little tight for them, so it was nice that she was able to come. Logan is pretty much in love with her. They are so funny together. Landry is in the stage where she doesn't really want hugs and kisses - unless they are from mom and dad. She is constantly on the go and doesn't like to stop to "hangout"!
We had such a great time! We ended up buying 130 tokens and each game only requires ONE token, soooo - yeah, the kids played their hearts out. The adults played a little too! LOL Mom and I pretty much just chased everyone with out cameras! Ha My mom had text me earlier in the day to ask for suggestions for a gift. I told her to get some 4T clothes so Landry could grow into them...HA! I put an outfit on her this morning...yeah, the pants are a little long and the sweater shirt is a little long, but I'm guessing after a wash or two they will fit perfectly. All her 3T shirts are sooo small, and her 3T pants are small...except her jeans that I just bought - those are 3T and fit pretty well. I did one of those height calculators for both the kids yesterday - if they are correct Logan will be anywhere from 6'3" to 6'6" and Landry will be anywhere from 5'10" to 6'1". Geez! It doesn't surprise me at all - but WOW! Anyway, they also got her a little baby doll that sings, I suggested a girly toy since Landry likes to play with trucks and power rangers and mario characters! She also loves art, so I suggested coloring books. My mom ended up texting me a picture of a jewelry set. IT HAD 7,500 BEADS. I responded with, "I don't know if you are being serious, so I am feeling incredibly guilty saying this, but please dont get that..it's great in theory, but in reality - there will be beads all over the house. Maybe when she get's older." The evil witch responded with - "GOTCHA!!! ROLTFLMAO" Thank goodness it was a joke! Ha
We had such a great time, and the kids were out like a light on the way home! I felt bad because it was a school night, and they are usually in bed by 8:30 - we didn't even leave until 8:30 and it was a 40 minute drive. Luckily, they slept the whole way and I carried them inside...they never woke up! LOL
I finished Landry's costume. She is going to be Audrey Hepburn for Halloween. I still have to find some sunglasses and finish her bracelet. I am still contemplating the elbow length gloves....I just dont think she will wear them, I was also going to do a little black purse...but again, don't think she will carry it around since she will have her trick or treat bucket to hold...so I am thinking of lining the whole bucket in black satin...maybe - don't know yet. Anyway, it's done.
JR and I watched the Aggies kick some butt last weekend and I commented that it would be awesome to go to the game against LSU. It's the Maroon Out game and if you have ever experienced a game at Kyle Field, I think you can understand the awesomeness of it. I have only been to one game since college. While I was in school I went to every home game! I have missed it. Anyway - I looked up the tickets, you can ALWAYS find some on stubhub...the problem was they were $200 for one ticket....yeah, wasn't paying $400 so Jr and I could go to a football game. On a whim, I called my dad and asked if he could get us tickets. My dad is good friends with Jackie Sherrill. If you don't know who that is, you should look him up, but basically he was the Aggie football coach in the '80's. He is the founder of the 12th man, a tradition we aggies hold dear. Anyway, we got the news yesterday that Coach Sherrill was able to get us tickets...so instead of taking the kids to Howl - o - Scream at Sea World tomorrow, JR an I will be driving to College Station. We are so freaking excited. Win or Lose, just to be there is amazing! I am already pumped! The kids are going to go home with my mom tonight after the football game. JR and I want to get on the road by 5:30 in the morning, so the kids will stay the night with my parents, and we will pick them up tomorrow evening when we get back! SERIOUSLY so EXCITED!!!!
My mom was funny because when I told her we were going to Chuck E Cheese's, she cringed. She really doesn't like those types of places, but I told her it's where the Princess wanted to go, and she would just have to bear it for a couple of hours! LOL She ended up having a great time watching the kids! We decided to go to the San Antonio location so that Vanessa could join us too. She and Kyle just moved into a new house so finances are a little tight for them, so it was nice that she was able to come. Logan is pretty much in love with her. They are so funny together. Landry is in the stage where she doesn't really want hugs and kisses - unless they are from mom and dad. She is constantly on the go and doesn't like to stop to "hangout"!
We had such a great time! We ended up buying 130 tokens and each game only requires ONE token, soooo - yeah, the kids played their hearts out. The adults played a little too! LOL Mom and I pretty much just chased everyone with out cameras! Ha My mom had text me earlier in the day to ask for suggestions for a gift. I told her to get some 4T clothes so Landry could grow into them...HA! I put an outfit on her this morning...yeah, the pants are a little long and the sweater shirt is a little long, but I'm guessing after a wash or two they will fit perfectly. All her 3T shirts are sooo small, and her 3T pants are small...except her jeans that I just bought - those are 3T and fit pretty well. I did one of those height calculators for both the kids yesterday - if they are correct Logan will be anywhere from 6'3" to 6'6" and Landry will be anywhere from 5'10" to 6'1". Geez! It doesn't surprise me at all - but WOW! Anyway, they also got her a little baby doll that sings, I suggested a girly toy since Landry likes to play with trucks and power rangers and mario characters! She also loves art, so I suggested coloring books. My mom ended up texting me a picture of a jewelry set. IT HAD 7,500 BEADS. I responded with, "I don't know if you are being serious, so I am feeling incredibly guilty saying this, but please dont get that..it's great in theory, but in reality - there will be beads all over the house. Maybe when she get's older." The evil witch responded with - "GOTCHA!!! ROLTFLMAO" Thank goodness it was a joke! Ha
We had such a great time, and the kids were out like a light on the way home! I felt bad because it was a school night, and they are usually in bed by 8:30 - we didn't even leave until 8:30 and it was a 40 minute drive. Luckily, they slept the whole way and I carried them inside...they never woke up! LOL
I finished Landry's costume. She is going to be Audrey Hepburn for Halloween. I still have to find some sunglasses and finish her bracelet. I am still contemplating the elbow length gloves....I just dont think she will wear them, I was also going to do a little black purse...but again, don't think she will carry it around since she will have her trick or treat bucket to hold...so I am thinking of lining the whole bucket in black satin...maybe - don't know yet. Anyway, it's done.
JR and I watched the Aggies kick some butt last weekend and I commented that it would be awesome to go to the game against LSU. It's the Maroon Out game and if you have ever experienced a game at Kyle Field, I think you can understand the awesomeness of it. I have only been to one game since college. While I was in school I went to every home game! I have missed it. Anyway - I looked up the tickets, you can ALWAYS find some on stubhub...the problem was they were $200 for one ticket....yeah, wasn't paying $400 so Jr and I could go to a football game. On a whim, I called my dad and asked if he could get us tickets. My dad is good friends with Jackie Sherrill. If you don't know who that is, you should look him up, but basically he was the Aggie football coach in the '80's. He is the founder of the 12th man, a tradition we aggies hold dear. Anyway, we got the news yesterday that Coach Sherrill was able to get us tickets...so instead of taking the kids to Howl - o - Scream at Sea World tomorrow, JR an I will be driving to College Station. We are so freaking excited. Win or Lose, just to be there is amazing! I am already pumped! The kids are going to go home with my mom tonight after the football game. JR and I want to get on the road by 5:30 in the morning, so the kids will stay the night with my parents, and we will pick them up tomorrow evening when we get back! SERIOUSLY so EXCITED!!!!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Time capsule
Every once in a while I like to go back through the past few years and compile some comparison pics. This usually happens on major holidays or birthdays....Since Landry turned 3 yesterday I did this again..so this is a blog of photos.
I haven't done anything over the last week except shop for costume stuff, and work on making Landry's costume.
Pumpkin Patch 2009 - Landry was 9 days old
Pumpkin Patch 2010
Pumpkin Patch 2011...I don't have a picture of the whole family :( I'll have to be sure to get one this year!
9 day old Landry with her Daddy...they have both changed soooo much - 3009
Me with my pretty girl...I know I just had her, but geez I was LARGE! My one boob was larger than her head! - 2009
At the pumpkin patch in Austin - still loving her daddy! - 2010
One year old Landry enjoying the pumpkins. - 2010
So much difference a year can make. Pumpkin patch in Kyle. -2011
I seriously can NOT believe this was only last year. -2011
Logey Bear with Daddy. -2009
Playing in the hay. -2009
Evergreen Farms pumpkin patch. -2010
Finding pumpkins in the Christmas Trees.. -2010
Kyle Pumpkin patch. -2011
My babies! -2011
Halloween 2010...I can't find pics of Logan from 2009 and I have no memory of what he dressed as! OOps! So we will just have to start in 2010..Landry, 1 year, Elephant. Logan 3 years, Spiderman. -2010
Logan, 4 years, Super Mario! - 2011
Landry, 2 years, Minnie Mouse! She was also a pink butterfly but most of those pictures are of her back! LOL -2011
Stay tuned for some pumpkin patch 2012 pictures and well as the Halloween pics! I may just come back and edit this post, so I will let you know!
I haven't done anything over the last week except shop for costume stuff, and work on making Landry's costume.
Stay tuned for some pumpkin patch 2012 pictures and well as the Halloween pics! I may just come back and edit this post, so I will let you know!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Parent/Teacher conference
Yesterday was our parent teacher conference. I told myself not to be disappointed if the teacher didn't immediately tell me what a GENIUS my child was. I know my kid, and I had a pretty good idea of what we would be hearing and I was pretty much correct. I have said before, Logan is very strong in Math (or numbers). Letters have been a little bit of a struggle for him, although he has come sooooo far. Just a little background. Logan has been counting to 20 since he was 2, counting to 100 since he was 4 and has been working on writing his numbers since this summer. He recently used the sidewalk chalk to write his numbers 0-100 on our driveway. Basically, he has his numbers down, so I was not at all shocked to find out that this is a strength for him. When she showed me his "testing" score of 9 out of 11, I simply stated, "Let me guess, he got his 6 and 9 mixed up." YUP...again not a shocker.
Moving on to his letters...this was SHOCKING 13/26 he could identify....this is crazy to me, because he knows all his letters although he does get his "u" and "v" confused here and there. Next shocker sounding out his letters 4/26. The only reason this was shocking is that he is constantly sounding out letters. When we read, he will say the letters and each sound the letter makes. I won't say he knows what each letter sound is, because that would be lying. He has an extremely hard time with vowel...such as, he knows the short a such as alligator or apple but when it comes to ape (the long a) he gets confused. Yesterday, we had a discussion over the word "cake" and "queen". Why isn't "Cake" spelled "CaCe" or KaKe and why does Queen start with a Q when it very clearly make the "ca" sound. I am not equipped to handle the questions, because I don't know the answer..it's just how it is! UGhhh...ask your teacher! Anyway, while I know he struggles with it, I know for a fact that he knows more than 4 letter sounds AND I know for a fact that he knows all 26 letters. I don't want to be "that" parent, but I told his teacher I was a little shocked by these results. She smiles and says, well - that's good, because these were the results from the test he took in the first week of school. AHHHHH! They used these results to place the kids into levels. The kids that score in the green mean that they are on the "normal" spectrum. Logan was in the green for math. Then their is the yellow, which they call the "tier 1" and then the red zone called "tier 2". Logan was in the red for letters and reading skills. So he leaves with a 2 other students for specialized help for 30 minutes a day with the other kids in the "red zone." ***I'll state my issues with this in a minute*** I asked if he had recently been tested, and she whips out another paper...
Letter recognition: 26/26
letter sound recognition:18/26
number recognition: 11/11
These results were taken from last week.
She explains that Logan is an extrememly fast learner...I'm thinking, OR ***maybe he already knew some of this stuff and was a little overwhelmed with the whole...starting school, being surrounded by kids. I don't want to baby him, but seriously, for a kid that has stayed at home his whole life and then went to a MDO (Mother's Day Out) program for 2 days a week, then went back home for 3 months is probably going to be a little bit more overwhelmed by the institution of school than kids who have been in day care and preschool their whole lives. But hey, what do I know. Also, I feel like I should have been told immediately that my kid was in a "red zone" or was "at risk". I feel like that is pretty important information that a parent should know. While I do read to him every night, I feel like I could have done much more to help him.
Moving on to behavior. On a scale of 1-5 one being the best. She said she went back and forth on 1 and 2. She gave him a 2. She said he is very respectful, that he listens and follows directions very well, but she gave him a 2 just to show that he could always improve. She said he does need a few reminders as far as talking. For the most part he does great but every once in a while she will have to remind him not to talk. As far as following directions he does really great as long as she only gives him 2 or 3 steps to follow. For example, "Okay, it's time to clean up our stations. Put away your supplies. Put your work in your back pack and get out your math folder." He does great (that would be three steps...1- put up supplies. 2-put your work in your back pack. 3- get out your math folder.) But if she asks for 4 or 5 steps he has a little trouble. Example, "Okay, it's time to clean up our stations. Put away your supplies. Put your work in your back pack and get out your math folder. Turn to page 8 and get out a pencil." She said one of his greatest strengths is that he really WANTS to do well, on the opposite side of that his biggest weakness is asking for help. She said it's like he is scared to ask for help or to let her know that he doesn't know something. When he doesn't know the answer to something he gets really upset. She said he is one of the sweetest kids and that if another student gets in trouble he gets sad...awww my kid has empathy!
Social skills...She said the first 3 weeks of school, she could tell he was really overwhelmed. He kind of stayed to himself, he barely talked to anyone (hmmmm....could this have had any impact on his early testing???) But he has really come out of his shell. His two favorite playmates are Peter and Nolan, but he engages easily with all the kids. Great!
She said, again...he picks things up very quickly. Once he figures something out, he soars. I asked about the "tier 2" placement and where we go from there. She said that they don't want to move him out too quickly, so he will stay there until November then move him to "tier 1". Tier 1 he will stay in the classroom and get extra help in a group of four with her during the review time of their day. This is where the "tier 2" kids leave the class room and no new material is learned...that way no one gets any further behind. She said they will notify us when they move him to tier 1 and again when he moves to the "green" level. I asked, "according to this latest test, where would he score?" She said he was already in the green level. hmmm...Look, I worked as a teaching assistant for 3 years, I know that some kids need extra help and I think its great to test the kids to make sure that they are retaining the information and that they dont fall behind, but I'm having a hard time with the fact that my kid (who is testing in the "green" level, is being held at a "red" level status because of how he tested during his first week of school. I don't really see why he needs to stay in the red zone for another month. I totally get moving him up slowly...going to first the yellow and then the green. But why can't he move to the yellow now and if he is doing "green" level work a month from now, then you can move him up. I feel like if you leave him...or any kid...too long where he isn't being pushed, he is just going to get bored.
Finally, let me just say that at the end, she talked to us about working with him on his fine motor skills. He has had some trouble holding his pencil. I frown at this, because I haven't noticed this AT ALL at home. I know I hold my pens and pencils a little differently so I ask her to show me the technique she uses so I can work on it at home...sure enough she rests the pencil on her middle finger - I rest mine on my ring finger. I mention this to her and she says...oh that's no problem, but he holds his in a fist. Hmmm...I'm stumped again. Then the kicker, "Is Logan by any chance left handed?" UMMMMM, Yeah! "Yes. Yes he is." She says, "Oh. Mystery solved." I smile, all the while thinking...ummm, he's about to start the 7th week of school and you're just now figuring out he's left handed. No wonder he's holding his pencil wrong...you keep putting it in the wrong damn hand! Maybe YOU should be in the red zone! Geez! Last night, Logan and I worked on math and letters. We worked on writing and understanding sounds. Seriously, he can construct his own sentences. He knows how to recognize and spell these words...I, like, am, to, see, cat. I told him to write a sentence and he chose "I like to sleep." He knew the, "I like to..." so when he got to sleep, he started sounding it out, he figured out S - L - E - P....pretty good. I told him that it was awesome, but that sleep has two e's....this is how the whole short vowel, long vowel discussion started. He said, "oh, it's kind of like see...it has an s and two e's."
"That's right, just like see."
Anyway, that's about it for the conference. I am a little disheartened by it, but there isn't really anything I can do except keep working with him at home. I told JR he needs to get more involved as well. It's not enough to just come home and say Hey, how was school? He needs to read to Logan too, it can't be just me that does it. But I learned something important too. It isn't enough to just read to him...I have to let him try to read, practice makes perfect, so he needs to try to sound out the words and put it together. I am going to schedule another conference with her in another 6 weeks to see what his progress is like at that time! I guess, the only thing I can do is wait and see!
Moving on to his letters...this was SHOCKING 13/26 he could identify....this is crazy to me, because he knows all his letters although he does get his "u" and "v" confused here and there. Next shocker sounding out his letters 4/26. The only reason this was shocking is that he is constantly sounding out letters. When we read, he will say the letters and each sound the letter makes. I won't say he knows what each letter sound is, because that would be lying. He has an extremely hard time with vowel...such as, he knows the short a such as alligator or apple but when it comes to ape (the long a) he gets confused. Yesterday, we had a discussion over the word "cake" and "queen". Why isn't "Cake" spelled "CaCe" or KaKe and why does Queen start with a Q when it very clearly make the "ca" sound. I am not equipped to handle the questions, because I don't know the answer..it's just how it is! UGhhh...ask your teacher! Anyway, while I know he struggles with it, I know for a fact that he knows more than 4 letter sounds AND I know for a fact that he knows all 26 letters. I don't want to be "that" parent, but I told his teacher I was a little shocked by these results. She smiles and says, well - that's good, because these were the results from the test he took in the first week of school. AHHHHH! They used these results to place the kids into levels. The kids that score in the green mean that they are on the "normal" spectrum. Logan was in the green for math. Then their is the yellow, which they call the "tier 1" and then the red zone called "tier 2". Logan was in the red for letters and reading skills. So he leaves with a 2 other students for specialized help for 30 minutes a day with the other kids in the "red zone." ***I'll state my issues with this in a minute*** I asked if he had recently been tested, and she whips out another paper...
Letter recognition: 26/26
letter sound recognition:18/26
number recognition: 11/11
These results were taken from last week.
She explains that Logan is an extrememly fast learner...I'm thinking, OR ***maybe he already knew some of this stuff and was a little overwhelmed with the whole...starting school, being surrounded by kids. I don't want to baby him, but seriously, for a kid that has stayed at home his whole life and then went to a MDO (Mother's Day Out) program for 2 days a week, then went back home for 3 months is probably going to be a little bit more overwhelmed by the institution of school than kids who have been in day care and preschool their whole lives. But hey, what do I know. Also, I feel like I should have been told immediately that my kid was in a "red zone" or was "at risk". I feel like that is pretty important information that a parent should know. While I do read to him every night, I feel like I could have done much more to help him.
Moving on to behavior. On a scale of 1-5 one being the best. She said she went back and forth on 1 and 2. She gave him a 2. She said he is very respectful, that he listens and follows directions very well, but she gave him a 2 just to show that he could always improve. She said he does need a few reminders as far as talking. For the most part he does great but every once in a while she will have to remind him not to talk. As far as following directions he does really great as long as she only gives him 2 or 3 steps to follow. For example, "Okay, it's time to clean up our stations. Put away your supplies. Put your work in your back pack and get out your math folder." He does great (that would be three steps...1- put up supplies. 2-put your work in your back pack. 3- get out your math folder.) But if she asks for 4 or 5 steps he has a little trouble. Example, "Okay, it's time to clean up our stations. Put away your supplies. Put your work in your back pack and get out your math folder. Turn to page 8 and get out a pencil." She said one of his greatest strengths is that he really WANTS to do well, on the opposite side of that his biggest weakness is asking for help. She said it's like he is scared to ask for help or to let her know that he doesn't know something. When he doesn't know the answer to something he gets really upset. She said he is one of the sweetest kids and that if another student gets in trouble he gets sad...awww my kid has empathy!
Social skills...She said the first 3 weeks of school, she could tell he was really overwhelmed. He kind of stayed to himself, he barely talked to anyone (hmmmm....could this have had any impact on his early testing???) But he has really come out of his shell. His two favorite playmates are Peter and Nolan, but he engages easily with all the kids. Great!
She said, again...he picks things up very quickly. Once he figures something out, he soars. I asked about the "tier 2" placement and where we go from there. She said that they don't want to move him out too quickly, so he will stay there until November then move him to "tier 1". Tier 1 he will stay in the classroom and get extra help in a group of four with her during the review time of their day. This is where the "tier 2" kids leave the class room and no new material is learned...that way no one gets any further behind. She said they will notify us when they move him to tier 1 and again when he moves to the "green" level. I asked, "according to this latest test, where would he score?" She said he was already in the green level. hmmm...Look, I worked as a teaching assistant for 3 years, I know that some kids need extra help and I think its great to test the kids to make sure that they are retaining the information and that they dont fall behind, but I'm having a hard time with the fact that my kid (who is testing in the "green" level, is being held at a "red" level status because of how he tested during his first week of school. I don't really see why he needs to stay in the red zone for another month. I totally get moving him up slowly...going to first the yellow and then the green. But why can't he move to the yellow now and if he is doing "green" level work a month from now, then you can move him up. I feel like if you leave him...or any kid...too long where he isn't being pushed, he is just going to get bored.
Finally, let me just say that at the end, she talked to us about working with him on his fine motor skills. He has had some trouble holding his pencil. I frown at this, because I haven't noticed this AT ALL at home. I know I hold my pens and pencils a little differently so I ask her to show me the technique she uses so I can work on it at home...sure enough she rests the pencil on her middle finger - I rest mine on my ring finger. I mention this to her and she says...oh that's no problem, but he holds his in a fist. Hmmm...I'm stumped again. Then the kicker, "Is Logan by any chance left handed?" UMMMMM, Yeah! "Yes. Yes he is." She says, "Oh. Mystery solved." I smile, all the while thinking...ummm, he's about to start the 7th week of school and you're just now figuring out he's left handed. No wonder he's holding his pencil wrong...you keep putting it in the wrong damn hand! Maybe YOU should be in the red zone! Geez! Last night, Logan and I worked on math and letters. We worked on writing and understanding sounds. Seriously, he can construct his own sentences. He knows how to recognize and spell these words...I, like, am, to, see, cat. I told him to write a sentence and he chose "I like to sleep." He knew the, "I like to..." so when he got to sleep, he started sounding it out, he figured out S - L - E - P....pretty good. I told him that it was awesome, but that sleep has two e's....this is how the whole short vowel, long vowel discussion started. He said, "oh, it's kind of like see...it has an s and two e's."
"That's right, just like see."
Anyway, that's about it for the conference. I am a little disheartened by it, but there isn't really anything I can do except keep working with him at home. I told JR he needs to get more involved as well. It's not enough to just come home and say Hey, how was school? He needs to read to Logan too, it can't be just me that does it. But I learned something important too. It isn't enough to just read to him...I have to let him try to read, practice makes perfect, so he needs to try to sound out the words and put it together. I am going to schedule another conference with her in another 6 weeks to see what his progress is like at that time! I guess, the only thing I can do is wait and see!
Sunday, October 7, 2012
migraine headaches...
So, here's the deal. I have suffered from migraines since I was about 5. I don't remember a lot, but I do remember being sick A LOT. I remember missing school and spending countless days in the nurses office. I remember having to go to the doctor all the time. I remember getting a CT scan more than once...trust me, being 5,6,7 years old and going through that dang machine was really scary. I also remember my sisters being pretty good about leaving me alone during a migraine. I would crawl under my bed and sleep on the wood floor because it was the darkest place I could find and my mom would keep my sisters out of the room. I had to get shots quite frequently, at one point I was getting them once a week...I think I was 8 or 9. I couldn't eat or drink anything and I threw up if I moved, I threw up if I tried to eat, or drink. It was terrible...and worse was that my parents would usually yell at me if I didn't make it to the bathroom in time. Sometimes I would have the migraines 2-3 times a week. As I got older they became less frequent. By the time I was in 7th grade I got them about once a month. By my freshman year I learned some preventative steps to fight it off a little. Now, I get them about once a year.
Now that you know the back story, I think Logan may be getting migraines. Yesterday, he woke up at 7:30 vomiting. He said his tummy hurt and his head hurt. I didn't really think much about his head, but as the day progressed, I started noticing some things. Anytime someone would talk, he would flinch. I asked him if the noise was bothering him and he said yes, that it hurt his head. He also kept his head under a blanket for almost the entire day. He said the light hurt his eyes. He had a low grade temp. of about 100 the entire day. I gave him pain reliever every 4 hours, but to no avail. He threw up throughout the day. He wouldn't eat, he wouldn't drink and I was concerned about him being dehydrated so I asked JR to pick up some pedialyte. I was able to get him to drink a little but not much. He was miserable. I asked him several times if his belly hurt and he would say no, just his head. It was only when he would throw up that he said his belly hurt, so I assume that was the nausea. I talked to a couple of people and they all sort of discounted my migraine theory...they all said they had never heard of a 5 year old getting migraines...but I was 5 and I got them, so I talked to my mom. She asked if he had been suffering from allergies lately. I said yes, the last week he has had them pretty bad. I have been giving him benedryl for it, but didn't give him any on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. She said I should probably look into giving him either claritin or allegra, and that the migraine could have been a result of the allergies. Makes sense. So, I am going to be keeping an eye on it. I really hope I am wrong and it was just a random thing. He woke up today feeling fine. Migraines are terrible and I am pretty sure that is what he had yesterday, but its hard to judge when you aren't the one in the pain, I just know the signs. The sensitivity to light and sound. Nausea brought on by the slightest movement. The terrible headache. When I asked him where it hurt he said all over. I remember when I was a kid, I could never pinpoint exactly where it hurt, but as I got older I always knew where the pain came from. For example, sometimes it was behind my eyes, it felt like someone driving a spike through my eye to the back of my head. Or the pain centered at my temple and the pain spread around my head. Anyway, like I said, I will have to watch it and document it. Then I will have a better idea of what I am looking at before I take him to the doctor! Poor kid. I know it was terrible for him, but geez, I felt so helpless watching him suffer.
Now that you know the back story, I think Logan may be getting migraines. Yesterday, he woke up at 7:30 vomiting. He said his tummy hurt and his head hurt. I didn't really think much about his head, but as the day progressed, I started noticing some things. Anytime someone would talk, he would flinch. I asked him if the noise was bothering him and he said yes, that it hurt his head. He also kept his head under a blanket for almost the entire day. He said the light hurt his eyes. He had a low grade temp. of about 100 the entire day. I gave him pain reliever every 4 hours, but to no avail. He threw up throughout the day. He wouldn't eat, he wouldn't drink and I was concerned about him being dehydrated so I asked JR to pick up some pedialyte. I was able to get him to drink a little but not much. He was miserable. I asked him several times if his belly hurt and he would say no, just his head. It was only when he would throw up that he said his belly hurt, so I assume that was the nausea. I talked to a couple of people and they all sort of discounted my migraine theory...they all said they had never heard of a 5 year old getting migraines...but I was 5 and I got them, so I talked to my mom. She asked if he had been suffering from allergies lately. I said yes, the last week he has had them pretty bad. I have been giving him benedryl for it, but didn't give him any on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. She said I should probably look into giving him either claritin or allegra, and that the migraine could have been a result of the allergies. Makes sense. So, I am going to be keeping an eye on it. I really hope I am wrong and it was just a random thing. He woke up today feeling fine. Migraines are terrible and I am pretty sure that is what he had yesterday, but its hard to judge when you aren't the one in the pain, I just know the signs. The sensitivity to light and sound. Nausea brought on by the slightest movement. The terrible headache. When I asked him where it hurt he said all over. I remember when I was a kid, I could never pinpoint exactly where it hurt, but as I got older I always knew where the pain came from. For example, sometimes it was behind my eyes, it felt like someone driving a spike through my eye to the back of my head. Or the pain centered at my temple and the pain spread around my head. Anyway, like I said, I will have to watch it and document it. Then I will have a better idea of what I am looking at before I take him to the doctor! Poor kid. I know it was terrible for him, but geez, I felt so helpless watching him suffer.
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