Just Stuff

Rick, Tyler and Jessica are on their way to Universal and Islands of Adventure. Neither of the kids' colleges have classes on Fridays. We were supposed to go a couple of weekends ago, but it poured, so we went to Wonder Works instead. I'd already bought Ty's ticket though so he needs to use it. The others have seasonal passes that are about the run out.

I can't promise pictures, because I just found the camera still here plugged into the charger! They have the video camera though.

This week was report card week for the four younger children. The twins got A's and B's with the exception of Kayla's C in science, but the conduct grades were far from acceptable, so that's what I'm urging them to work on. They (hopefully) understand that with better behavior, they'll have more privileges, but if I can't trust them to behave appropriately, they won't go nearly as many places or be in as many activities. But I'm happy they've caught on so quickly to the school work. We did read, work on dolch words and write in journals during the summer though, and that helped. Kayla's teacher said she's impressed that Kayla is at grade level for story writing with her limited background in English.

Adam had all A's and B's for the first time in a long time. He's starting to think about college, so that's important. He takes the SAT in January.

Jasmine started out the year failing math and science. I pointed out that she'd had an IEP in her previous school and that I'd attached a copy to her enrollment papers. We had a meeting about three weeks later, so already more than half way through the first grading period, to discuss her needs. By that time her math and science grades were rock bottom.

The school doesn't have an aid to sit with Jasmine in those classes, but they have a resource room, so for the first time she's going to a special placement for math and science. It's really a good thing for her because it's a smaller group and she can work at whatever level she's able. The math in the classroom was moving so fast and she didn't understand any of it. She's now working on 4th grade math instead of 5th and learning some strategies and some skills she missed the first time around.

Despite the rough start, she was able to pull those grades up to a B and C on her report card. Her reading and spelling grades have fallen lately though, so we need to see what we can do about that. I'm thinking she doesn't understand what the reading test questions are actually asking. She only brings home the answer sheet with short essay answers, so I don't know what the questions are.

Still, a nice report card. And this grading period she won't be starting out with all the F's so I'm looking forward to seeing what she can do. She's also started counselor every other week to talk about stress and how to deal with it.

This is a new picture of the boy I send to school in Haiti through Real Hope for Haiti. It's my second year sponsoring him. There are a few other children I sponsor through other programs that I'll write about later.

Remember this picture that was making its way around the web a few weeks ago? Well, that one is true for my cats. But Shy, pictured below. just has to sit on something too.

Like here. When I went to get my camera, he was asleep on the hat even though the rest of the bed was empty. When I came in with the camera, he sat up to pose--on the hat! If you set something on the floor--like I often have a Bible or commentary sitting beside me on the floor by my desk--he sits or sleeps on it. Same for jackets, notebooks or lunch boxes dropped on the floor.

Lots of people seem to be dropping by my blog, but few comment. So please leave a note occasionally. It's kind of discouraging when no one says anything. Let me know your pets quirky habits. I'm sure I don't have the only cat who has to sit on something.