Math Whiz and Report Cards

Colin has always been good at math. It just kinda comes easy to him.  He doesn't really have to put too much effort into it, he just picks up the concepts really easily.

Evan also has always been ahead in math.  So, I was so happy in Indiana when the school tested both boys in Kindergarten/1st grade and had them in a math class that could work a grade ahead.  I loved that they were being challenged in a subject that was strong for them.

When we moved to VA, I thought for sure Loudoun County that is supposed to be a good school system would also have this option.  So, you can imagine that we were beyond frustrated to find out that they don't.  Colin and Evan, who have been ahead working ahead in Math since Kindergarten are now repeating 4th and 2nd grade math, because they don't do advanced math here.  The teachers tell me they are required to teach that grades math.  I think this is because of SOL's and wanting to be sure they know the concepts on that.  I have been very stressed about this since the start of the school year.  I have tried discussing this with the principal, the gifted teacher and their teachers and didn't get anywhere.  They just can't do it.

I have always been very comfortable with the amount of money we have, but for the first time in my life, I have to say that I wish we were wealthier.  The reason being is that I wish I could afford to send my kids to private school here.  There are some pretty impressive ones around and so far I am just not impressed with Loudoun schools.  I really hope my opinion changes, as we have many, many more years to go in this school system.

Evan has been writing up difficult problems and trying to solve them, for fun.  He has spent hours doing this.  He now even knows how to do square roots and is teaching himself multiplying decimals (he isn't even supposed to know multiplication yet).  His class meanwhile is adding double digits!  He, for fun, is adding numbers in the millions.  His teacher told him to pick smaller numbers because she has to mark him down as not knowing the skill if he gets it wrong.  She pretty much told me she doesn't know what to do with him because he already knows everything.  A few days ago he was in tears not wanting to go to school because he wasn't going to learn anything new!  I am so glad that he is finding ways to challenge himself since he isn't getting it at school, but I am just hoping his interest in school and math stays strong and he doesn't start loosing it because of boredom.

I worry the same for Colin, but he isn't as vocal about it as Evan.  I think he is more than happy to just sit back and have it be easy…

I am praying hard that things start to get better or that I hit the lottery and can send them to Virginia Academy or one of the other private schools:-)

Also…We got their 1st quarter report cards.  Colin was so excited to get on the honor roll since it was the first time he is getting letter grades.  Evan also did fantastic (though he doesn't get A's and B's yet).  So proud of both my boys!!!

Teaher Conferences.

Today I had all 3 boys teacher conferences.  Dennis worked from home today so that I could go to all the conferences.  So, I was in and out of the house all day (I also had a dentist appointment).  I have to say I was nervous about the teacher meetings.  Not that  I thought any of them would get bad reports, but something about talking to the teacher still makes me anxious even after 30 years…

Colin's was first and he got great reviews.  His teacher didn't speak too much on Colin personally but was more talkative about his general way of doing things.  He talks very fast, so I wasn't able to get much words in, but from what I got out of it, Colin is doing well.

Evan was next.  Evan's teacher started by saying, "I have to say, I just LOVE your child".  She said he is smart, answers questions, is social and is funny.  Pretty much she had nothing bad to say.  She kept going on and on about how wonderful he is.  I asked Evan if the teacher was going to say anything negative and he said, "Well, I have been a little too chatty lately".  Sure enough she did say that the class and Evan included has been a little too chatty, but that was the only negative thing.

Logan's teacher conference was up next.  His teacher said, "he is pretty much my dream parent conference".  She said she had no concerns, he was where he should be.  She said he is kind and social and does what ever she asks him to and is funny.  Now, I thought it was hilarious that both Evan and Logan's teacher thought they were funny.  I am glad that they have a lot of personality, but I know there is a fine line between silly and funny, so I hope it is always said as a compliment and they don't cross that line.  Logan's teacher said he is just a "Normal boy".  She meant that in a great way as in there are just no concerns.

So, I was pretty excited about the conferences this year.  I know not every conference will be this way so I definitely took some moments to just enjoy the day.

This past weekend was busy with me having a PT course.  So, Dennis was with the kids most of the weekend.  It was so hard to sit all weekend in a class, since I so rarely sit these days.

Halloween 2014

I really enjoyed this Halloween.  For the first time ever, Dennis and I were able to go trick or treating together.  Dennis' Mom offered to come over and hand out candy for us so that we could both trick or treat with the kids.  Meghan and Miranda also came over and joined us.  The kids had tons of fun and got a ridiculous amount of candy that I am sure will last us another year and most will end up getting tossed in the trash and never eaten.

This was Leah's first time trick or treating and she did great going up to the houses and saying "trick or treat" and saying "thank you".  She was not shy at all.  We only had her do maybe 5 or 6 houses, spread out, because she really slowed us down.  Most of the time she was content to just sit in the wagon and eat her candy.  She is a sucker for lollipops, literally!

We hit one house that everyone was scared to go up to.  Colin was the only one who would go up and then Evan went up with Dennis.  The rest were too scared.  I was impressed with how into Halloween some of the houses around us were.  It was a great night.

All About Logan

Sometimes I feel like maybe I don't talk about Logan enough.  Being the third child I can certainly relate to Logan.  Logan is sandwiched between the two older kids who are currently in sports and school, so there is a lot to talk about with them and with Leah who is the only girl and the baby, so again, lots to talk about.  So, today, I am talking about Mr. Logan.

Logan is easy going for the most part.  He entertains himself pretty well.  He is kind of in between wanting to play with the big boys and enjoying the toys that Leah has.  He keeps Leah honest.  Meaning, he doesn't overly cater to her needs.  He isn't as nurturing with her as the older boys, though he certainly is at times.  He likes to also pester her, liking taking her lovey and seeing her reaction.  They are good buddies a lot of the time but also fight at times too.

Logan is starting to enjoy learning a bit more.  He has never been super interested in reading or wanting to sit down and do letters or numbers, but recently he is starting to show more of an interest in these things.  We have his teacher conference next week so I will know more about how he is doing in school then, but I can say that he really enjoys going.

Today, I took him and Leah to a new story time at an education store.  The lady asked at one point if the kids knew what animal was coming up next in the book and showed them a picture of some eggs and a small part of the animal.  Logan said, "Chicken!"  She asked him how did he know it was a chicken and his response without a second hesitation was, "because I know everything".

I should also point out Logan is not as shy as my older two were and are. I think Leah and him both will be more outgoing.

Another funny Logan story… driving in the car he told me "I hope God gives me 25 babies, then I will dress them all up in Olaf costumes".  I said, "Wow, you must really love babies".  His response…"No, I really love Olaf"!  (Olaf is a character from the movie Frozen if you are wondering).

Today Logan had his costume parade at school.  Since it was raining, they had to do it indoors.  He changed his mind at least 10 times on if he was going to wear this years costume, Jake the pirate, or wear last years costume, a dragon.  In the end he chose Jake.  Though, I have a feeling he may change to the dragon on Halloween since it will be much colder that night.

Frozen on Ice and Pumpkin Carving

This past weekend…

Friday night the kids school had a Monster Mash dance/party.  They had fun eating dinner there, dressing up and "dancing".  They didn't really dance, just ran around.  They also got glitter tattoos and played a couple games.

Friday night my parents spent the night so they could go to a wedding nearby.  Then Saturday morning my Mom and I went to Evan's last baseball game.  He played well and ended the season strong.

If you look close you can see Evan's expression in this one…typical Evan!

Saturday night I took Logan to see Frozen on Ice, we had a blast!!!

Dennis went to Colin's football game where they won again.  He has one more regular season game next weekend, which I will miss because I am doing a Physical Therapy course all weekend, and then he will have playoffs the following week.

Sunday, the kids spent the day carving pumpkins with Dennis, that is something he looks forward to every year!

Pumpkins and Ice Cream

Today was one of those days that I am not exactly sure how we are going to make it in say 5 years when all the kids are in activities.  I have said it a million times, but I could easily have 10 babies, but 4 kids may kill me.  Don't get me wrong it is a lot of fun, but when lunch is a quick smoothie at 3:30pm, because you realize you haven't eaten yet, you know you have been busy.

After a trip to Wegman's to get the weeks groceries, Logan, Leah and I went to Logan's class field trip. It was at a great farm in Chantilly.  We got to ride on hayride, that went through a swamp, pick pumpkins, ride big slides, roast marshmallows, see animals and do lots of running around and playing.  It was a great time!

Temper tantrum because I went on the slide with her.

That was followed by rushing home to get there before the school bus.  I got stuck at every red light and pulled up to the house just as Evan was walking up the driveway.  We did some homework then got back in the car to pick up Colin from the school.  He is starting a math club called Math Olympiad, where he will compete against other schools and learn different strategies to solve problems.  He seemed to enjoy his first day.

Then it was home for more homework, I got dinner together and put Leah down for a short nap, since she hadn't had one yet.  Then we woke her up to drop Colin off at Football practice, then came home and finished making dinner.  Dennis got home just in time to finish feeding the kids and I went to Colin's practice to take him with his team to Dairy Queen.  The coaches promised a couple weeks ago to take them, their treat, because of how hard they have been working.  The kids were so excited to get ice cream and we completely took over the Dairy Queen tonight.  Colin even tried to convince me to give him the $10 I owe him so he could get seconds.  Of course I said no, which he wasn't too happy about.

The CEO

I always wondered what a daughter who has 3 older brothers would be like.  Would she be a dancer like me? Would she love all things girly…makeup and jewelry and dresses.  Or would she take after her brothers and be tough and enjoy sports?  I am still not sure about what sport she will like, but Leah loves jewelry.  Anything that resembles necklaces goes around the neck.  She loves to climb up on my bathroom counter and sit in my sink and play with my make up while I am in the shower.  And she loves to say, "So pretty" when she wears a dress or fancy shoes.  Oh and she loves to sing too!  She closes her eyes and is very dramatic when she does it. I have to admit, I LOVE this!

Well, in case you think she is all girl.  Leah is my first child to be a climber.  She gets up on the kitchen table constantly, it doesn't matter how many times I say no.   She gets into things too.  She is also tough.  She is not afraid to say "No".  A lot.  She stands up for herself.  She is stubborn.  She knows what she wants and she makes sure you know it too.  She is sassy and sweet and spunky and stubborn and many other things.

She is independent, which seems to be a theme with many of my kids.  Every time I take the boys to Religious Education class Leah wants to walk, not be carried, and she runs in ahead me with her cute little strut like she owns the place.  In fact, a dad there has now started calling her, "The CEO", because she is so independent.  He will see her taking off and say, "there is the future CEO again".

Temper tantrums all the time!

Leah likes things done on her terms.  I think she will say "No" only because you want her to say "Yes".  For example, at night when Dennis wants to put her to bed she will say, "No, Mommy".  Meaning she wants me to do it, not Dennis.  Then when he wants to give her a kiss she says "No, Mommy"again.  But, as soon as we close her bedroom door she starts crying for a kiss from Daddy.  We discovered if Dennis says, "No kiss" then she will cry for a kiss from him.  She wants the opposite of what we say!  I have a feeling this will be a ongoing theme in her childhood.

There are worst things then being independent and I am extremely proud of how tough and independent she is.  Even though it makes for some battles of wills at times, it is a good trait.  I was painfully shy as a child, so I admire how social and confident she is.  I hope she never looses that fire and spunk, but keeps her sweetness as well, and if she ends up a CEO one day, I certainly wouldn't complain!

By the way, the picture above is her eating from my plate.  She will eat anything as long as it is on someone else's plate…Kale, Red Onion, avocado, etc…  Just another example of her being her own little person!