I've spawned an evil genius

Parent-Teacher conference. First thing is first. She hands me a lego star wars little person and tells me she had to take it from him that day. Wait.. that's not his. OK.. I remember him telling me when we got home earlier that his friend left it at Daycare so he took it to school to give it to him. He neglected to inform me that this kid is in like 4th grade and there was no way in hell he'd see him to give it to him at school. He was taking it out of his tote alot and didn't listen the 3 times she asked him to stop. Strike 1.

Then we start on the report card. I was worried with all the WP's but from what she said all those are because they just started learning that stuff and that is what they expect to see. Great. So he's not a slacker. She also says that there are a bunch of things that Aedan has PR's (Proficient) for that puts him ahead of everyone else. They expect the kids to have all PR's at the end of the year. She said "Aedan is extremely intelligent and when he is working he is very accurate and attentive". Also "he has some much potential beyond what he is doing now". So where's the catch you ask ?

His behavior. He is obsessed with fighting and blood and swords and ninjas. Now.. this is news to me because he does not discuss this or draw anything like this at home. Her opinion is that he is intent on getting attention from the other kids and he doesn't care if it's negative. Some of the kids don't play with him because he scares them. She flat out said he is not physically violent or intimidating. He thinks big kids are super cool and wants to be a big kid so bad he tries acting like one to be cool in the eyes of the kids his age. Unfortunately that has brought lying into the equation. He told his friends that he got an Xbox 360 and the game Halo. We couldn't figure out where he heard about Halo. (I'll get back to that) I informed her that we do not in fact have an Xbox or allow him to play such games or watch rated R movies. She figured that was the case but was concerned anyway.

He has most of his issues in circle time. WHen he has work to do at his seat he is fine and concentrates. Once Circle time hits and they are on the floor he starts goofing off.. So I'm considering a stress ball for him to hold while they are in circle time to keep his mind occupied on that and her.. so he doesn't stray. We'll see how that goes.

We have decided to go another route to try and curb this behavior. She will be sending notes home to me every day telling me if it was a good day or a bad day. He will help her decide what the note says before he leaves.

Oh and I found out the next day that a kid (also a Kindergartener) has a Lego Halo fighter jet thingy in his cubby.. Nice. Now I know where the Halo obsession came from. I informed Aedan that only people that are 18 and older can have Halo stuff. Because it is not for kids at all.

lordie.. what's next ??

It's Report Card time.. I'm nauseous

It's not even my report card. I just printed Aedan's 1st ever Report Card. Kindergarten. It's really good considering it's only the 1st 1/2 of the 1st year of schooling. He's got alot to learn. My expectations are way too high I'm sure because I expected it to be perfect. I'm delusional. Multiple sets of rose colored glasses in the nightstand.

Of course he's going to have issues. Being my son alone qualifies him for Psychotherapy in a few years. The readin', writin' and 'rithmetic grades are what I expected.. pretty darn good. It's the "Quality of Learning" section that worries me. The subcategory of "Respectful Citizen" to be exact. One comment that made me cringe was "distracts others". I don't care if he's being a goof (to a certain degree, I pretty much expect it) but if he's doing it and causing the other kids to miss out on learning then there is a problem. You either get an S for Satisfactory or an N for Needs Improvement .. he's more on the N side than the S side when it comes to respecting others and their things, self control and being courteous and considerate. Super. I fast forward to the H.S. years in my mind and see him playing craps in the halls and bullying lunch money out of the other kids. Oh wait.. that was the hubby. Even better.. it's in his genes. Can I get a re-do ?

So tonight we will go over this report card and see where we can improve things. Now I'm nervous about the Parent-Teacher conference on Monday. I suppose it's simply because I don't want to hear bad stuff about my kid. Not sure anyone wants that.

Equal Opportunity Activities

Last weekend I took Chloe to a friend's birthday party at The Little Gym. Don't get me started on the timing. 4pm on a Sunday night approx. 45 minutes from our house. But if you know me at all you know how I feel about that and I don't need to get into it.

So we go and she jumps right in and has a blast. I mean she was beaming the whole time. So I think "Wow. This would be something great for her to do on a regular basis. Aedan has his sports so why can't she have something." So I start researching. Gymnastics and or dance classes close to my house. The Little Gym does not have any franchises near us, so that's out. I look into the 3 dance places and the YMCA locally to see about evening and/or Saturday classes. Now mind you the Saturday stuff would have to be after 12 because Baseball is in the morning every f-ing Saturday April thru June.. Another post that I won't go into now. I found one evening class that starts at 5:15 on a Tuesday. Oh great.. 'cept I don't even hit Limerick til 5:15 most nights if not later. Every other class is during the day. Awesome if you don't work every day. Not so awesome if you do. So now I'm pissed because for chrissake. why can't they have a gosh darn evening class for my poor kid that already has to deal with a working Mom and now can't even farking dance and tumble because of it. Every woman does not stay at home. You'd get a hell of alot more class participants if you extended your hours a bit a couple nights a week people. You suck.

So I bitch and complain about on FB and low and behold my neighbor pops up with a local gym that has classes. I look it up. Some decent hours. But the hours all depend on the child's age. S I call to see what the rates are and what's available for a 4 year old and if we can stop in to check the place out. Answering machine.
WTF!?!? I can't win.

So I will probably drag all 3 kids with me on Saturday to check it out and hopefully sign her up.. If not.. I will be back here next week bitching about it. Stay tuned.

What the heck

OK... In an effort to take off a few pounds I gained, as a result of kicking the nicotine habit last year, I am eating alot more fruit and salads etc. Just improving my diet in general.

So I'm eating these clementines. They are good. But what the hell is up with all that white stuff left on the orange after you peel it. I spend more time just trying to get all that stuff off than I do actually eating the thing.

And that's another thing. Why are they so tough to eat? I mean I attempted to swallow but realized I would have choked on it since it really doesn't break down that much and it was still in my mouth and in my throat at the same time.. Geez.. they should make eating healthier a little safer. I could have died.

Echo..o..o...o...

Yeah things have been pretty quiet here on the Blog-front. Not much to rant or complain about. Well at least nothing NEW. We've been trudging away through these winter months barely staying healthy and attempting to keep warm. Daily life has taken over and it's hard to even come up for air. It's amazing how a family that is not involved in activities outside the home can be so damn busy. We haven't even started Soccer or base ball yet. Which reminds me that's another post altogether. I'll get to that one next.

Anyway. We've been just running and running. Playing with all the loot Santa left and just enjoying the inside time before it gets warm enough to be outside.

The Dog is doing well. When he wants to be doing well. He's got an attitude just like the kids. I'm dealing with that.

I've set up a behavior chart to track the big kids behavior and chores etc. Things I expect from them. For each chore on each day they get a star if they've behaved. If not, no star. They both need to achieve 200 stars to get their prize of choice. If they were perfect they could get it in 2.5 weeks. We are 2 weeks in and they are about 1/2 way there. See what I'm dealing with ?

So there's my update for now. I'm sure I'll be back posting my lunatic rants real soon..

really?? you don't say ...

How can someone possibly know that one product is totally better and worth spending your hard earned money on over another product when said person doesn't own and has never owned either ????

beats me. Just wondering. :)

Warmer days.. not longer days

It has been so darn cold recently that I am actually looking forward the high of 40 they are calling for tomorrow. The kids have been asking about the pool and the zoo and the shore. And all I can say is "You have about 6 months to go". Sucks. I know.

We really love the nicer weather because we are an "outside" family. We go out and hang outside for hours on end until it's too dark to even see your own kids running through the streets.

So every night at dinner my computer screen is up and we get to see all the pics I have uploaded flash by as the screen saver. Pictures of all the fun things we did outside make us yearn for the spring even more.

But for me it is bittersweet. Yeah, the kids are outside rather than trashing my inside. But I tend to hang out also and when I come in I realize all the things I was supposed to be doing inside and then regret the fun in the sun. Thus the enjoyment of the warmth and not so much the longer days.