Madi finished her project on her Indian tribe. A diagram in a shoe box of how her tribe lived. Ended up looking quite cool - took some pics so I'll put them up here when I get a chance.
Tomorrow she has Grandparents' Day at school. Her entire grade will perform three songs - one in two part harmony and the other in a three part round. Should be great! And then they'll have a Thanksgiving Day feast and go to the book fair and take their families around. My mom is planning to come to it. My dad is going to Riley's on Friday.
Her grades this six weeks were really great! In fact her math grade was one of the highest at 97%!! I have no doubt that her time on IXL and Fasttmath are really improving her confidence in it as well as her ability. Her English grade was a 93% - compared to a 99% last time. Just a matter or taking her time and writing neater. Though we were getting on to her about one of the sloppiest papers I have ever seen in her folder. Couldn't believe she would have been so sloppy. Turns out - it was another student's and it was in her folder by accident! I was like "why does your paper say Andrew?" :)
Every grade was above a 90% so another all A six-week grading period! Go Madi!!!!
I went to the book fair at school today and got Madi three new books that looked really great for her. Got Riley two new books and we've already read them this afternoon. Madi started on one of her new ones today as well.
Yesterday was choir. Kids are super chatty this week - all ready to be out for the week next week I think. We have the whole week off - woo hoo!!! My brother is bringing his fiancee down to Dallas. Can't wait to meet her.
Girls all got showered/bathed tonight and are either sleeping (Jules) or reading (Madi) or writing (Riley). Madi is trying to reach you since Marcus said he'd be there today. If she doesn't get ahold of you, let me know if there's another night this week that would be good for you guys to chat!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Fireworks!!
We got a fun surprise when the girls were going to bed. Madi was reading and I was reading to Riley and Jeremy was with Jules. We kept hearing loud banging sounds. We both remembered that they were doing a special Veteran's Day celebration at the Five Star Complex which is directly in front of our house - near Hawaiian Falls. I took Riley to the balcony to watch and then got Madi. Jeremy took Jules to her window and they stayed in her room watching them. Jules kept saying "Pi-ty (pretty) and Wow!!"
Madi was talking with Marcus so she was able to show him the fireworks show. The girls and I went outside and watched them. Some of the best I've seen in a long, long time. Was so loud and Riley was singing her Fireworks song the entire time - not the Katy Perry version. She just made up her own words like "Fireworks you look like spider's legs, but you don't crawl on me. You are so cu-u-u-te." She literally sang for a good 20 minutes at the top of her lungs. Bet the neighbor's loved that :)
Girls loved getting to see them. Madi then talked with Marcus for a while and started to get tired and told him she had to go to bed. We didn't want to end their conversation because we knew he was only there for a day. She'll call him again on Tuesday night (our night, your morning) around 7pm.
Madi was talking with Marcus so she was able to show him the fireworks show. The girls and I went outside and watched them. Some of the best I've seen in a long, long time. Was so loud and Riley was singing her Fireworks song the entire time - not the Katy Perry version. She just made up her own words like "Fireworks you look like spider's legs, but you don't crawl on me. You are so cu-u-u-te." She literally sang for a good 20 minutes at the top of her lungs. Bet the neighbor's loved that :)
Girls loved getting to see them. Madi then talked with Marcus for a while and started to get tired and told him she had to go to bed. We didn't want to end their conversation because we knew he was only there for a day. She'll call him again on Tuesday night (our night, your morning) around 7pm.
Day Out with My Parents
This week went great. Madi really did an awesome job this week in each area. Still needed reminders, but that's completely expected and it wasn't a big deal. She had no laps at school this week! So goooooooo Madi!
She enjoyed talking with you today a lot. The news that you will be over there a few months longer made her sad, but she understood. She handled it well. She shared the news with my parents and told them that she missed you, but that it wouldn't be that much longer.
Today she had an entire day with my parents. They took Riley for a day out last Saturday - just play time and hanging out. So this Saturday they took Madi for the day. My mom picked her up around 10am or so. They went to the mall and walked around. Madi got new earrings at Claire's, some cute anti-bacterial soap from Bath and Body works - hangs on her backpack and tons of kids at school have them (she now has three and asks her friends if they want alcohol because that's what she calls them), and she also got some cool scented nail polish as well as a nail polish cover called crackle that is applied over a solid color and create a neat crackled look.
They had lunch at my parents' house and then she and my dad watched Harry Potter movie #2 upstairs. She played on the computer a little bit and had her iPod and books with her as well as her knitting that she started.
I learned how to knit from our art teacher at school and taught Madi the knit stitch and the drop stitch. She's taken to it easier than crochet which I find interesting because the kids in the art club found it easier as well. I was expecting that crochet would have been easier for them, but glad to see she likes it so much.
She has a project about Indians due next Tuesday as well as a writing sample for Language Arts. She passed all of the addition on FasttMath and is the second student in her class to complete it. Huge accomplishment and she's doing really great on her multiplication. We're hoping that her confidence in math is growing and she's seeming to enjoy it more because it's easier. Not sure if it's because of what they're learning or because she's more comfortable with it since she's doing it more. Shorter bursts, but more frequent.
We had dinner at our house tonight and Madi just finished painting Riley's fingernails purple. She's very excited to talk to Marcus tonight!!! She misses both of you and it's great that she can talk to you both more now.
She enjoyed talking with you today a lot. The news that you will be over there a few months longer made her sad, but she understood. She handled it well. She shared the news with my parents and told them that she missed you, but that it wouldn't be that much longer.
Today she had an entire day with my parents. They took Riley for a day out last Saturday - just play time and hanging out. So this Saturday they took Madi for the day. My mom picked her up around 10am or so. They went to the mall and walked around. Madi got new earrings at Claire's, some cute anti-bacterial soap from Bath and Body works - hangs on her backpack and tons of kids at school have them (she now has three and asks her friends if they want alcohol because that's what she calls them), and she also got some cool scented nail polish as well as a nail polish cover called crackle that is applied over a solid color and create a neat crackled look.
They had lunch at my parents' house and then she and my dad watched Harry Potter movie #2 upstairs. She played on the computer a little bit and had her iPod and books with her as well as her knitting that she started.
I learned how to knit from our art teacher at school and taught Madi the knit stitch and the drop stitch. She's taken to it easier than crochet which I find interesting because the kids in the art club found it easier as well. I was expecting that crochet would have been easier for them, but glad to see she likes it so much.
She has a project about Indians due next Tuesday as well as a writing sample for Language Arts. She passed all of the addition on FasttMath and is the second student in her class to complete it. Huge accomplishment and she's doing really great on her multiplication. We're hoping that her confidence in math is growing and she's seeming to enjoy it more because it's easier. Not sure if it's because of what they're learning or because she's more comfortable with it since she's doing it more. Shorter bursts, but more frequent.
We had dinner at our house tonight and Madi just finished painting Riley's fingernails purple. She's very excited to talk to Marcus tonight!!! She misses both of you and it's great that she can talk to you both more now.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Mondays are blah
Madi has decided she really doesn't like Mondays. She would really like it just to be Fridays and Saturdays. Jeremy just wants every day to be Saturday. So we're putting in our orders for them.
Was a good weekend. Madi got a lot of computer time and iPod time. She didn't have any homework so there wasn't anything like that to have her do. Ever since we added IXL time to her consequences for laps, she hasn't had any laps. Two days in a row! This is a fantastic thing!!
Not quite sure what was said in your conversations with her, but you must have made her think because she has done a nice job of putting things up in her closet and has been much more respectful. There are going to be times where she's moody and I realize that. It's just so much nicer when it's pleasant and calm.
Today was definitely a pleasant and calm day. She finished her homework and had her planner ready to sign. She didn't have much homework, but just one page for reading which she finished easily and answered correctly. She had choir after school and I let three of the girls hang out with Madi for an extra 20 minutes or so. They talked and played games with a yarn ball and it was great. I especially enjoyed hearing them because the three girls are in fifth grade, are great examples and very, very good kids. They all walk home each day together and wanted to hang out for a little while. I figured it was a good time for Madi to spend some time with them and have some good influence.
Annaliese was absent today so Madi played with Riley a little bit, but she said she mostly did her own thing at recess. No laps today. She had a sub because Mrs. Campbell participated in the three day Susan Komen walk.
It was a fairly low key day. Girls were all awesome when they got home. Riley and Julia went into Riley's room and colored and played while Madi read a book and spent some time playing Warriors games on the computer.
This weekend we had a very (and I mean very) small earthquake. More like a tremor as a reaction to the one that was in Norman, OK. I had put my Sonic care toothbrush on the counter and was watching it shake back and forth like crazy. Was so odd. I called Jeremy in to see it and we just stood there watching it. Though I didn't actually feel the shaking in my body. All the girls slept through it.
Riley spent some time with my parents on Saturday afternoon. Next Saturday Madi gets a day with them. They're going to go to the mall and then she'll watch a Harry Potter video with my dad with some popcorn or brownies or something. They are very excited about it and asked if they could have her over to get to know her better. Should be fun for her!
Was a good weekend. Madi got a lot of computer time and iPod time. She didn't have any homework so there wasn't anything like that to have her do. Ever since we added IXL time to her consequences for laps, she hasn't had any laps. Two days in a row! This is a fantastic thing!!
Not quite sure what was said in your conversations with her, but you must have made her think because she has done a nice job of putting things up in her closet and has been much more respectful. There are going to be times where she's moody and I realize that. It's just so much nicer when it's pleasant and calm.
Today was definitely a pleasant and calm day. She finished her homework and had her planner ready to sign. She didn't have much homework, but just one page for reading which she finished easily and answered correctly. She had choir after school and I let three of the girls hang out with Madi for an extra 20 minutes or so. They talked and played games with a yarn ball and it was great. I especially enjoyed hearing them because the three girls are in fifth grade, are great examples and very, very good kids. They all walk home each day together and wanted to hang out for a little while. I figured it was a good time for Madi to spend some time with them and have some good influence.
Annaliese was absent today so Madi played with Riley a little bit, but she said she mostly did her own thing at recess. No laps today. She had a sub because Mrs. Campbell participated in the three day Susan Komen walk.
It was a fairly low key day. Girls were all awesome when they got home. Riley and Julia went into Riley's room and colored and played while Madi read a book and spent some time playing Warriors games on the computer.
This weekend we had a very (and I mean very) small earthquake. More like a tremor as a reaction to the one that was in Norman, OK. I had put my Sonic care toothbrush on the counter and was watching it shake back and forth like crazy. Was so odd. I called Jeremy in to see it and we just stood there watching it. Though I didn't actually feel the shaking in my body. All the girls slept through it.
Riley spent some time with my parents on Saturday afternoon. Next Saturday Madi gets a day with them. They're going to go to the mall and then she'll watch a Harry Potter video with my dad with some popcorn or brownies or something. They are very excited about it and asked if they could have her over to get to know her better. Should be fun for her!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Fun Run!!!
Today has been amazing. So fun!!!!! Hopefully Madi thinks so as well. I am on my planning time for today and thought I'd try to blog a little bit before the day got away. It was 37 degrees this morning and quite chilly. We had Madi bundle up and she was able to shed some layers and leave them with me during the run. The kids all met in the cafeteria for about 15-20 minutes for a pep assembly before the entire school walked down to the lake to start the race. They were led by The Colony Firefighters in their firetruck and The Colony Police. Was totally awesome to watch!!
I was already at the park helping set up so I got to watch their entrance. Was very cool. 3,4,5 grades had a track marked out for them and K,1,2 had their track marked out. The tracks were each a quarter of a mile around. Every student in the school has a free tshirt for the run that was given to them. On the back is 16 boxes and each time they did a lap, one of the policemen and firefighters would check a box. The kids were able to go at their own speed and walk or run or jog. For 45 minutes, the entire school of kids moved. All of us were on the sidelines cheering them all on! Was a blast!!!
Madi spent the entire time walking with Annaliese and looked like she was enjoying herself! She jogged for a little while a few laps in. She did several laps - though I'm not sure how many total. I'll have to check her shirt later. But I do know that she had a lot of fun.
The kids all met with their classes at the end and got to eat oranges and have water. There were water stations set up on the course so they were able to get drinks as they went.
It was the most perfect weather for a run!! Not very windy, started chilly, but warmed up beautifully. And to be on the lake was just awesome.
Now the kids are having a barbecue lunch outside under the trees, having recess and watching a movie. I'm thinking Madi will probably be quite tired tonight. Proud of her! And hoping she loved it!
I was already at the park helping set up so I got to watch their entrance. Was very cool. 3,4,5 grades had a track marked out for them and K,1,2 had their track marked out. The tracks were each a quarter of a mile around. Every student in the school has a free tshirt for the run that was given to them. On the back is 16 boxes and each time they did a lap, one of the policemen and firefighters would check a box. The kids were able to go at their own speed and walk or run or jog. For 45 minutes, the entire school of kids moved. All of us were on the sidelines cheering them all on! Was a blast!!!
Madi spent the entire time walking with Annaliese and looked like she was enjoying herself! She jogged for a little while a few laps in. She did several laps - though I'm not sure how many total. I'll have to check her shirt later. But I do know that she had a lot of fun.
The kids all met with their classes at the end and got to eat oranges and have water. There were water stations set up on the course so they were able to get drinks as they went.
It was the most perfect weather for a run!! Not very windy, started chilly, but warmed up beautifully. And to be on the lake was just awesome.
Now the kids are having a barbecue lunch outside under the trees, having recess and watching a movie. I'm thinking Madi will probably be quite tired tonight. Proud of her! And hoping she loved it!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Here's to Positive Thinking
Has been an interesting week. Let's just say it's a great week for learning, growth, change, and character development. Much for Madi to think on this week as there have been some tough lessons along the way. So I'm really working on thinking positive about what is going on and asking for prayer for her (and us!). I really don't mean for the blog to be a dumping ground for what is happening negative. Trying to just use it to let you know what is going on and how it's being handled and as a way for us all to look back and see what happened throughout this year. The last few days in particular have just been very difficult.
I'll go back starting yesterday since the last blog was on Nov 1. I don't always write about every single event going on because some of it is small stuff that is easy to deal with, some of it is really great, some of it I totally forget before the day is done anyway and some of it just doesn't need to be said. :) Great thoughts huh?!
Yesterday was a tough day. All the way around. You name an area that is of difficulty right now and we're in the midst of it all. This will be fairly lengthy and I'm not trying to dump. But you do need to be made aware of what she is doing and how we're handling it and how others are handling it. I'll start with school.
Madi has been having trouble rushing through her work at school and as a result, her grades are not what they could be. Please don't confuse that as meaning that she's not doing well. Her grades are low A's and a high B. High B is in math and low A's in everything (most are 92's or 93's or 90's) except spelling which is 100% and that is based off of turning in spelling homework and a short quiz at the end of each week. The issue is that she's producing sloppy work that is done in hyper speed and while correct for the most part, is not her best work and therefore she is not getting even better grades. So Mrs. Campbell is having to get on to her about being on task, slowing down and not talking. And while the talking seems like it's not that big a deal, when it keeps others from getting their work done and they are not "A" students, that is an issue. And when it keeps Madi from being on task and achieving what she should be achieving, that is also an issue. So she's having a hard time with producing great work.
At lunch, the kids are given ten minutes to eat in silence at the end as most chatter away that they don't finish their food unless they are sitting in silence for a short period. Lunch is only 30 minutes. This has happened numerous times and yesterday she chose to goof around and laugh very loudly. She was given laps at recess as a result. But she was mad that she was given the laps because she didn't want to do them. She didn't see an issue with not following directions and being loud. Not just loud. Extremely loud, obsessive and obnoxious (as was described by a very kind and calm teacher who got on to her - not me or Mrs. Campbell).
Yesterday was also an eventful day when it came to friends. As we've shared before, Madi has moved from being in the crowd you'd want her to be in to now being in the crowd you would not want her to be in. She has bossed, sassed, and ordered enough kids around that they choose not to play with her and now she is with two girls who will play with her and one of them is fine; the other one is not at all. Mrs. Campbell came to my room after school yesterday and asked me where Madi was. I told her she was in Zumba and she told me that she needed to have a frank conversation with her and wanted me there so that I could learn exactly what had happened to hear it from both sides. So I asked if it was good or bad. She simply said "you'll see."
The three of us met in the hallway away from other students. Come to find out that both of her friends got into a very loud argument at recess. Madi was in the middle and didn't want to have to choose sides because she wants to be friends with both of them. (And yes, some of this is just girl drama that happens. And the girls were chatting away today. We're more concerned with how Madi handled it.) One of the girls stands up and starts screaming at the other one and accusing her, name calling, and putting the other girl down. The other girl starts to cry. Then the one who was screaming starts crying. Madi chooses to console the one that screamed and the other girl is left alone. When asked why she consoled the one who was screaming, she said it was because she was crying. Mrs. Campbell asked if the other girl was crying. Madi said "yes, but I went to my friend." She asked if the other girl was her friend. Madi said "yes." And she asked why she would console the one who was saying the hurtful, horrible things. Madi said it was because she was crying. So Mrs. Campbell asked her what needed to happen next. And we talked it through and she went to Zumba, I went to my meeting.
I had a talk with her again about friendships. And shared more insight into the mean girl. Told her that it is her choice to have friends like that (we've had her over for a sleepover already just to see them interact - not good), but that friends influence who you become, how you behave and where you life goes. I told her that we don't approve of their friendship, she will not be allowed over her house and the other girl will not be allowed over our house. Madi was quite sad because she likes the girl and says "well, she's nice to me" when asked how she treats others. I told her that she's not even nice to her - it's just that Madi puts up with her rudeness. Encouraged her to try to play with other kids and to seek out other girls that she had started to make friends with this summer.
Today at recess both of her friends were at study hall inside and she didn't have many people to play with. She said some girls were flying kites. I asked if she could have played with them and she said "Oh yea. I could have done that. I just didn't." Instead she spent the recess chasing two boys. And they chased her. The issue with this is that they are two boys that are in the group you wouldn't want her in. Found it interesting that she'd go to them instead of taking the opportunity to hang out with the good girls.
Now to home...
Last night several things came up and Jeremy spent 40 minutes talking with her about her behavior, attitude, choices, etc... I spent about 20 minutes talking about friends. We're really on overload because there are so many areas that she needs direction and help on that it's just hard to start small because every area affects another area. And I'm sure she's on overload as well.
She's having consequences for her actions and behaviors at school because we feel that if she's accountable at home, then maybe her misbehaviors at school will stop. For every lap she earns at school, she has to complete a section of IXL. The reason being that she is getting laps for the same thing every day and having to do more math will not only increase her math abilities, but is making her think twice about talking out in class and goofing around. Today was the first day in a while that she had no laps. However, she pouted and threw a fit about her two sections yesterday and sat in front of the computer putting on fake tears for a little while yesterday and wasted time she could have been getting it done. She got to a point last night where she walked into the living room and said she couldn't do it. We said "Madi, you're doing great! You're at 90% and don't have far to go. Keep going! You've got this!" To which she glared (she's got some evil stares, I tell you!) and said "I don't want to." And immediately turned off the tears. Jeremy and I looked at each other and said "So sorry. Get back in there and get it done." To which she pouted more. We simply gave her a time limit, told her she'd finish tomorrow and then let her know that there would be other consequences if the attitude continued as we don't deserve it and she is the only one who can change her situation.
We've had many things we're dealing with on the home front. Several attempts at lying and being called out on it. Telling us her laundry is put away only to find she's shoved her Halloween costume and her freshly washed and folded clothes all over the back of her closet among shoes and other items - right next to her dirty clothes - while there are tons of empty hangers. Telling us she had more laundry to bring down and me asking her (after just loading her hamper in the wash) "where were they?" and her lying to my face telling me she thought they were behind the hamper and me saying "tell me where they really were" and her mumbling the truth. Needing to be told to put trash in the trash can instead of in the middle of the counter. Leaving shoes,bags,clothes,etc... in the hallway after being asked to move them at least several times by both of us. Not flushing the toilet and letting it sit there for hours each day unless Jeremy and I double check on each time she goes to the bathroom to remind her and then docking her allowance if it's not done. These are literally small things that are becoming very challenging to handle because we've talked with her about them and she either shrugs it off, lies about them or simply just doesn't do them and doesn't care. We've docked allowance, we've taken shoes/nail polish/alarm clock radio/items that are left in the middle of the floor and stored them in our room until further notice. We're trying positive things and negative things. She gets extra time if things are done. She gets computer time.
We've praised her for anything that has been done positively. This morning I gave her a "you go girl!" when she flushed the toilet and said "thank you for doing that!" Don't think I've ever been so happy to see a toilet flushed in my life.
She was asked by a teacher as to which country she prefers (here or the philippines) and she told me that she said that she likes both places, but missed the Philippines because she could be sneaky and get away with things and do whatever she wanted. And I said "not as much freedom here, huh?" She said "No. not at all." So we're doing the best we can do and we're being fought every step of the way. It is taking much time and much patience and much endurance. She'll be all the better for it and I can only hope we'll become better people and parents as a result too. Just a tough period to push through.
I'll go back starting yesterday since the last blog was on Nov 1. I don't always write about every single event going on because some of it is small stuff that is easy to deal with, some of it is really great, some of it I totally forget before the day is done anyway and some of it just doesn't need to be said. :) Great thoughts huh?!
Yesterday was a tough day. All the way around. You name an area that is of difficulty right now and we're in the midst of it all. This will be fairly lengthy and I'm not trying to dump. But you do need to be made aware of what she is doing and how we're handling it and how others are handling it. I'll start with school.
Madi has been having trouble rushing through her work at school and as a result, her grades are not what they could be. Please don't confuse that as meaning that she's not doing well. Her grades are low A's and a high B. High B is in math and low A's in everything (most are 92's or 93's or 90's) except spelling which is 100% and that is based off of turning in spelling homework and a short quiz at the end of each week. The issue is that she's producing sloppy work that is done in hyper speed and while correct for the most part, is not her best work and therefore she is not getting even better grades. So Mrs. Campbell is having to get on to her about being on task, slowing down and not talking. And while the talking seems like it's not that big a deal, when it keeps others from getting their work done and they are not "A" students, that is an issue. And when it keeps Madi from being on task and achieving what she should be achieving, that is also an issue. So she's having a hard time with producing great work.
At lunch, the kids are given ten minutes to eat in silence at the end as most chatter away that they don't finish their food unless they are sitting in silence for a short period. Lunch is only 30 minutes. This has happened numerous times and yesterday she chose to goof around and laugh very loudly. She was given laps at recess as a result. But she was mad that she was given the laps because she didn't want to do them. She didn't see an issue with not following directions and being loud. Not just loud. Extremely loud, obsessive and obnoxious (as was described by a very kind and calm teacher who got on to her - not me or Mrs. Campbell).
Yesterday was also an eventful day when it came to friends. As we've shared before, Madi has moved from being in the crowd you'd want her to be in to now being in the crowd you would not want her to be in. She has bossed, sassed, and ordered enough kids around that they choose not to play with her and now she is with two girls who will play with her and one of them is fine; the other one is not at all. Mrs. Campbell came to my room after school yesterday and asked me where Madi was. I told her she was in Zumba and she told me that she needed to have a frank conversation with her and wanted me there so that I could learn exactly what had happened to hear it from both sides. So I asked if it was good or bad. She simply said "you'll see."
The three of us met in the hallway away from other students. Come to find out that both of her friends got into a very loud argument at recess. Madi was in the middle and didn't want to have to choose sides because she wants to be friends with both of them. (And yes, some of this is just girl drama that happens. And the girls were chatting away today. We're more concerned with how Madi handled it.) One of the girls stands up and starts screaming at the other one and accusing her, name calling, and putting the other girl down. The other girl starts to cry. Then the one who was screaming starts crying. Madi chooses to console the one that screamed and the other girl is left alone. When asked why she consoled the one who was screaming, she said it was because she was crying. Mrs. Campbell asked if the other girl was crying. Madi said "yes, but I went to my friend." She asked if the other girl was her friend. Madi said "yes." And she asked why she would console the one who was saying the hurtful, horrible things. Madi said it was because she was crying. So Mrs. Campbell asked her what needed to happen next. And we talked it through and she went to Zumba, I went to my meeting.
I had a talk with her again about friendships. And shared more insight into the mean girl. Told her that it is her choice to have friends like that (we've had her over for a sleepover already just to see them interact - not good), but that friends influence who you become, how you behave and where you life goes. I told her that we don't approve of their friendship, she will not be allowed over her house and the other girl will not be allowed over our house. Madi was quite sad because she likes the girl and says "well, she's nice to me" when asked how she treats others. I told her that she's not even nice to her - it's just that Madi puts up with her rudeness. Encouraged her to try to play with other kids and to seek out other girls that she had started to make friends with this summer.
Today at recess both of her friends were at study hall inside and she didn't have many people to play with. She said some girls were flying kites. I asked if she could have played with them and she said "Oh yea. I could have done that. I just didn't." Instead she spent the recess chasing two boys. And they chased her. The issue with this is that they are two boys that are in the group you wouldn't want her in. Found it interesting that she'd go to them instead of taking the opportunity to hang out with the good girls.
Now to home...
Last night several things came up and Jeremy spent 40 minutes talking with her about her behavior, attitude, choices, etc... I spent about 20 minutes talking about friends. We're really on overload because there are so many areas that she needs direction and help on that it's just hard to start small because every area affects another area. And I'm sure she's on overload as well.
She's having consequences for her actions and behaviors at school because we feel that if she's accountable at home, then maybe her misbehaviors at school will stop. For every lap she earns at school, she has to complete a section of IXL. The reason being that she is getting laps for the same thing every day and having to do more math will not only increase her math abilities, but is making her think twice about talking out in class and goofing around. Today was the first day in a while that she had no laps. However, she pouted and threw a fit about her two sections yesterday and sat in front of the computer putting on fake tears for a little while yesterday and wasted time she could have been getting it done. She got to a point last night where she walked into the living room and said she couldn't do it. We said "Madi, you're doing great! You're at 90% and don't have far to go. Keep going! You've got this!" To which she glared (she's got some evil stares, I tell you!) and said "I don't want to." And immediately turned off the tears. Jeremy and I looked at each other and said "So sorry. Get back in there and get it done." To which she pouted more. We simply gave her a time limit, told her she'd finish tomorrow and then let her know that there would be other consequences if the attitude continued as we don't deserve it and she is the only one who can change her situation.
We've had many things we're dealing with on the home front. Several attempts at lying and being called out on it. Telling us her laundry is put away only to find she's shoved her Halloween costume and her freshly washed and folded clothes all over the back of her closet among shoes and other items - right next to her dirty clothes - while there are tons of empty hangers. Telling us she had more laundry to bring down and me asking her (after just loading her hamper in the wash) "where were they?" and her lying to my face telling me she thought they were behind the hamper and me saying "tell me where they really were" and her mumbling the truth. Needing to be told to put trash in the trash can instead of in the middle of the counter. Leaving shoes,bags,clothes,etc... in the hallway after being asked to move them at least several times by both of us. Not flushing the toilet and letting it sit there for hours each day unless Jeremy and I double check on each time she goes to the bathroom to remind her and then docking her allowance if it's not done. These are literally small things that are becoming very challenging to handle because we've talked with her about them and she either shrugs it off, lies about them or simply just doesn't do them and doesn't care. We've docked allowance, we've taken shoes/nail polish/alarm clock radio/items that are left in the middle of the floor and stored them in our room until further notice. We're trying positive things and negative things. She gets extra time if things are done. She gets computer time.
We've praised her for anything that has been done positively. This morning I gave her a "you go girl!" when she flushed the toilet and said "thank you for doing that!" Don't think I've ever been so happy to see a toilet flushed in my life.
She was asked by a teacher as to which country she prefers (here or the philippines) and she told me that she said that she likes both places, but missed the Philippines because she could be sneaky and get away with things and do whatever she wanted. And I said "not as much freedom here, huh?" She said "No. not at all." So we're doing the best we can do and we're being fought every step of the way. It is taking much time and much patience and much endurance. She'll be all the better for it and I can only hope we'll become better people and parents as a result too. Just a tough period to push through.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
November is Here!
Good start to the week. Girls had some of their Halloween candy tonight. They went through the neighborhood with my dad and Jeremy to many houses. Got tons of sweets! My mom and I passed out candy after I put Jules down to sleep. Though Julia did get to go to a few houses. One of the houses had candy in a bowl with a singing/talking skeleton head. Someone pointed it out to Jules and Julia goes "Doggie!!!"
Today I was out again - grrr... these nasty stomach virus things. So ready for them to get gone and stay gone. Spent most of the day in bed or in the bathroom.
Yesterday Madi went to the nurse and I was called down. I wasn't feeling well yesterday either, but tried to plow through. I went down to check on her when they let me know she was there and she looked simply green. Very pale in the cheeks. She said that her stomach hurt and she thought she might throw up so they had her lie down. She fell asleep and woke up about 30 minutes or so later. She looked a little better and then ate all of her lunch. After lunch she felt better and asked to go to recess so they let her. And she was completely fine. She had choir after school and that went well.
Yesterday was also Book Character Day. Madi got to wear her Cleopatra costume and looked beautiful. Very stunning on her. Then she came home and played on the computer since she had no homework and then got ready to go out trick or treating.
The girls stayed up late until after 9pm and were a little tired today.
Tomorrow is Zumba. Madi has done awesome on her Fasttmath. She has completed the entire addition section - and it's quite large. Just has to change a few practice facts into focus facts. She told us today that she never thought that she'd ever finish it because there were so many today and that she was so happy to see that she did it. We briefly said that sometimes it's a matter of just starting where you are and doing a little each day that makes the difference.
She and I read John 5 tonight and then talked for a little while. She started a weaving with Rita after school today and finished a small section of it tonight. Loved doing it. She's very artistic.
Today I was out again - grrr... these nasty stomach virus things. So ready for them to get gone and stay gone. Spent most of the day in bed or in the bathroom.
Yesterday Madi went to the nurse and I was called down. I wasn't feeling well yesterday either, but tried to plow through. I went down to check on her when they let me know she was there and she looked simply green. Very pale in the cheeks. She said that her stomach hurt and she thought she might throw up so they had her lie down. She fell asleep and woke up about 30 minutes or so later. She looked a little better and then ate all of her lunch. After lunch she felt better and asked to go to recess so they let her. And she was completely fine. She had choir after school and that went well.
Yesterday was also Book Character Day. Madi got to wear her Cleopatra costume and looked beautiful. Very stunning on her. Then she came home and played on the computer since she had no homework and then got ready to go out trick or treating.
The girls stayed up late until after 9pm and were a little tired today.
Tomorrow is Zumba. Madi has done awesome on her Fasttmath. She has completed the entire addition section - and it's quite large. Just has to change a few practice facts into focus facts. She told us today that she never thought that she'd ever finish it because there were so many today and that she was so happy to see that she did it. We briefly said that sometimes it's a matter of just starting where you are and doing a little each day that makes the difference.
She and I read John 5 tonight and then talked for a little while. She started a weaving with Rita after school today and finished a small section of it tonight. Loved doing it. She's very artistic.
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