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August 31, 2010
first grade anxiety
First Born children go through a lot of stress invoked by their parents. We realize this time and time again. The latest example was made clear during Quinn's conference this afternoon:
Vocabulary Tests:
Our version: Half the kids take spelling tests and half take vocabulary tests. Quinn takes the vocabulary tests which have actually been fairly challenging words (in our opinion for a first grader). Regardless, we somehow came up with the assumption he was in the "lower" group and wasn't ready for the spelling tests - despite Quinn trying to tell us otherwise.
The reality: Quinn is in the advanced half of the group. His teacher thought the spelling words would be too easy and obvious for his group so they focus on vocabulary with three bonus spelling words.
Test scores:
Our version: 103 is typically the highest score. 100 for answering all of the vocabulary definitions correctly then 1 bonus point for spelling each of 3 bonus words correctly (ex: gentle). Every week the tests are hung on the wall outside the classroom. Last week Quinn's score was the lowest - an 82. So we thought he had gotten the lowest score out of the "lower" group.
The reality: She only hangs the good papers in the hall - 80% and above.
Today during our conference his teacher asked me if Quinn has any older brothers or sisters. At my reply, she said "I didn't think so". And I thought I was pretty low key :)
Posted by terri at 08:42 PM | Comments (0)
Yo Gabba Gabba Live
Allison was nuts about Yo Gabba Gabba for the longest time. She still seems to enjoy them so I jumped on the opportunity to take her to see a live show. The tickets weren't cheap and the venue is over an hour away. The response I got when I shared the good news with her: "NO!!! SCARY!". It appears she may still be traumatized from Disney World.
Posted by terri at 08:38 PM | Comments (0)
August 30, 2010
Allison hates the Gap
Yesterday Allison insisted on running out to the mall with me. I had a 30% off coupon for GAP and Old Navy and of course I HAD to use it. She was all excited to get to the mall and extra happy that our first stop was to get a treat. After bouncing back and forth between and cookie or pretzel (she chose pretzel but somehow ended up with both) we headed over to the Gap. Well turns out she doesn't like the Gap. Well actually like is not strong enough, she seems to HATE the Gap. She started fussing as soon as I started to turn into the store but since she was sitting in the stroller and I was going fast there wasn't a whole lot she could do about it. No sooner then I turn to look at something before I catch her out of the corner of my eye - she was pushing the stroller out of the store. I was right in front at the little girls section and she went and positioned herself on the other side of the window and stared at me with one of her sassy glares. I went and fetched her and she just kept saying "Allison GO! Allison GO!" She did however have a lot of fun at old navy. She was throwing things in the cart left and right. And of course she had to try them all on in the dressing room. I'm sure interested to see how this manifests though the years...
Posted by terri at 10:41 PM | Comments (0)
Dull (quick what comes to mind?)
So one of Quinn's vocabulary words is "dull". Good thing they provided the expected definition as I would have gone in the direction of "not sharp" for a 1st grader. However in this case it was "causing boredom, uninteresting".
I think I've only heard the word dull used in that context by a 60+ year old co-worker (and too frequently if I might add). Well actually I think his usage was in another direction entirely "somewhat stupid". Anyway, I've spent way too much pondering about him for how much he annoyed me.
So the next time Quinn's vocabulary gives you a laugh, it's not entirely my fault.
Posted by terri at 10:33 PM | Comments (0)
August 28, 2010
whoops, so it wasn't Mars?
On the way home from the mall last night (it was late) we saw an AWESOME looking full moon. It was really cool and Quinn and Allison were mesmerized by it. Well last night when I got home, someone had posted on facebook that Mars was going to look like a double moon yesterday... so without any research I thought that must have been what we saw since it was so spectacular, so I ran up and told Quinn what we thought was the moon was really Mars. I even told him that it was a once in a lifetime thing - that it would never be this close to us again. He was so super psyched. In fact it was after midnight before he could fall asleep (I think the m&m sundae at dinner was also partly to blame). So tonight I thought I'd dig in and check it out and it seems it's a big farce.
http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/will-mars-appear-as-large-as-a-full-moon-in-august-2010
So do I fess up?
Posted by terri at 11:07 PM | Comments (0)
August 26, 2010
The meatball hierarchy
On the way home from school today:
Me: "How was your day today Quinn?"
Q: "AWESOME. I love first grade."
Me: "That's good! What happened today?"
Q: "I stayed on green and guess what... I got FIVE meatballs."
Me: "Wow, five meatballs?"
Q: "Yea! I can't wait to get in 5th grade, then you get TEN!"
Me: "What makes you think that?"
Q: "In kindergarten I only got 4 meatballs. Every grade they give you one more. Everyone in my class got 5 today and Kyle told me his brother who's in 3rd grade got 7!"
Posted by terri at 09:55 PM | Comments (0)
August 21, 2010
Baby, why are you BLUE?
Baths were over, I was hanging up laundry, Jason was on the computer, and the kids were quietly playing. That should have been our first hint that trouble was around the corner. Suddenly I hear Jason scream "WHY IS ALLISON BLUE? What did you DO?". I stroll over fully expecting her to have blue marker all over her arms and legs - which would be annoying, especially given the already completed bath, but not atypical. I stop dead in my tracks "WHOA.... What did you do to yourself baby?!? What is all over you?!?" Allison was dressed in pj shorts and every part of her exposed body was solid blue (aside from her face and hair, thankfully!). Think Mystique from Xmen. It was amazing how thoroughly she covered herself. Arms, legs, hands - front AND BACK. The substance was slightly tacky and smelled pretty good. Think you got it figured out? Toothpaste. A brand new tube of Kids Crest Blue Sparkle toothpaste.
After the triage was over - another bath for allison and a quick scrubbing of the carpets - Jason asks "did you get a picture? this is a good one. you've got to post it on facebook". Well sorry folks, I didn't have my wits about me enough to pause and snap a shot. I know, I know, that's totally not like me but let me tell you, she was BLUE!
Posted by terri at 09:42 PM | Comments (0)
August 20, 2010
surprise from Papoo
So tonight the kids got a package from my dad (Papoo). The box was a medium size flat rate USPS box, about the size of a DVR or 12" x 3.5" x 14" if you want to be exact. It was so heavy I actually had to weigh it ... it's 17 lbs! My dad is infamous for taking advantage of every last bit of space in his packaging so I was pretty interested to see what was in there....
I don't even think I had the box fully opened before the squeals of excitement. There were a ton of rocks (polished gem stones) in there that Quinn collects. That's actually a funny statement since I'm not sure what Quinn DOESN'T collect these days. Either way, per Quinn "this is the best stuff ever!". [Sorry Theo-Billy, you've been trumped for today]. Amongst the rocks were a couple of fossils and a tiny bottle of water and (per the label) 24 karat gold flakes. "It's REAL GOLD MOM!". There was also a very large hardback pirate book that Quinn also quickly snatched up. He handed Jason a large hardback football book that was obviously for him and pretty much left the rest for Allison to pilfer through while he unbagged and relished in his large (did I say large?) assortment of rocks.
Allison's first excitement is over a large bouncy ball, a disney princess book with sounds and a couple of decks of Cars cards. That is, until she notices a wallet. I can't remember what was on it, but it was a little bit "loved" from it's previous owner. The next thing I know, Jason is telling Allison to be careful with the money she pulled out of the wallet. Quinn and I turn to look and as Quinn's eye's round with greed (and regret) we both realize she's holding a $50 bill. Looks like the little sister who easily accepted the "leftovers" won this one. :-)
Posted by terri at 12:55 AM | Comments (0)
August 11, 2010
Ice Cream
Allison loves ice cream more then *almost* anything...
me: "Which do you like more: Ice cream or pizza?"
Baby: "Ice cream!"
me: "Ice cream or watermelon?"
Baby: "Ice cream!"
me: "Ice cream or nah-nee?" [nah-nee (sp?) = bedtime]
Baby: [with a chuckle] "Ice cream!"
me: "Ice cream or swimming?"
Baby: "Ice cream!"
me: "Ice cream or Mommy?"
Baby: [pause, then with a huge smile] "MOMMY!"
This one sure knows how to work it... I LOVE IT!
Posted by terri at 01:30 AM | Comments (0)