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| Ready to go! |
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| Yee Haw! |
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| Hayride |
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Calling all the Monsters
I've had this song in my head for two days now! It's called "Calling all the Monsters" and was one of the dances that Madi did.
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| "Calling all the Monsters" |
Time is ticking away, tick tick ticking away...
Another week gone and past. Madi had choir on Monday. They're doing so good! We're getting ready for their Grandparents' Day performances which will be in three weeks during the school day. They sing four songs, have a feast and then go to the book fair. She had Zumba on Wednesday and prepared for her performance that was yesterday. She was nervous about it and practiced on Friday. She did a great job!
This weekend was a really great one for all of us. Poppi and Grammy came up late on Friday night. On Saturday, we all went to the Ethridge Fall Carnival. Grammy, Kathryn, and I were a vendor at the fair. Madi performed with her Zumba class. Was really great! Jeremy and Gaylan have the performances on their iPads so we'll get them downloaded onto facebook or here for you to see. She really did great! They had a booth at the vendor part where Madi was able to get a feather in her hair. She's been wanting one for a long time, but being that they charge $25 for haircut and feather, we haven't done it. Poppi and Grammy got her one for $5 - long turquoise one. Then Madi and Tripp went with Poppi and visited with Mamaw. Madi said she was quite quiet the whole time and cried when they left. I'm sure she loved seeing them.
After the Ethridge Fall Festival, we went home and the girls put on their costumes. Madi is Cleopatra, Riley is a cowgirl, and Julia is Alice in Wonderland. The girls look sooo cute!! We drove to my parent's house and picked them up and then went to their subdivision Halloween party. They had a few bounce houses, food, hay rides, face painting, an animal petting farm, and pony rides. The girls were so excited. And it was free!
I don't think there was anything the girls didn't do! Madi especially loved the face painting and was going to get her face painted as a cat, but changed her mind and got a vampire face instead. Riley loved the pony rides and rode twice. Jules and Madi also rode the ponies one time. The girls all did the bounce house and we all rode the hay ride and got popcorn. Julia loved the petting zoo especially the bunnies and picking up the baby chicks (poor chicks!). She leaned her head to the side and talked to the bunnies. Was so cute.
This weekend was a really great one for all of us. Poppi and Grammy came up late on Friday night. On Saturday, we all went to the Ethridge Fall Carnival. Grammy, Kathryn, and I were a vendor at the fair. Madi performed with her Zumba class. Was really great! Jeremy and Gaylan have the performances on their iPads so we'll get them downloaded onto facebook or here for you to see. She really did great! They had a booth at the vendor part where Madi was able to get a feather in her hair. She's been wanting one for a long time, but being that they charge $25 for haircut and feather, we haven't done it. Poppi and Grammy got her one for $5 - long turquoise one. Then Madi and Tripp went with Poppi and visited with Mamaw. Madi said she was quite quiet the whole time and cried when they left. I'm sure she loved seeing them.
After the Ethridge Fall Festival, we went home and the girls put on their costumes. Madi is Cleopatra, Riley is a cowgirl, and Julia is Alice in Wonderland. The girls look sooo cute!! We drove to my parent's house and picked them up and then went to their subdivision Halloween party. They had a few bounce houses, food, hay rides, face painting, an animal petting farm, and pony rides. The girls were so excited. And it was free!
I don't think there was anything the girls didn't do! Madi especially loved the face painting and was going to get her face painted as a cat, but changed her mind and got a vampire face instead. Riley loved the pony rides and rode twice. Jules and Madi also rode the ponies one time. The girls all did the bounce house and we all rode the hay ride and got popcorn. Julia loved the petting zoo especially the bunnies and picking up the baby chicks (poor chicks!). She leaned her head to the side and talked to the bunnies. Was so cute.
Overall she's doing well. We had a few talks with her this week about behavior and school work. No long lectures, but just small talks. She's doing really well in her classes overall, but is starting to speed through her work and making mistakes that wouldn't be made if she was taking her time. As Mrs. Campbell said, she's a 100% student who is just trying to coast and because she is so smart, she's still getting A's, but just not giving her best work. She had silent lunch on Friday because of not following directions during lunch time and laughing uncontrollably (in the teacher's words). And we had a talk about behavior during school assemblies after she screamed so loud I could hear her over the entire school. Now, the entire school was cheering and loud and excited. The high school kids were there (Hometown Heroes as we call them) and the teachers were pitching whiffle balls filled with shaving cream. Was awesome and fun!!!!!!! I heard an incredibly loud scream and knew exactly who it was. Looked on the other side of the room to see a teacher correcting her. Madi said she was just cheering for her hero, but we talked about there is appropriate cheering and cheering that involves screaming as loud as you can because you just want to be loud. I had told her at the beginning of the year that there is not anything that I don't find out about at school. Either by way of just being told, hearing, seeing, whatever. Not always easy being a teacher's kid. Though it does keep her held accountable and that can be a good thing.
Today the girls woke up incredibly early and we'll be going to church and then possibly relaxing (is there time for that?) and then maybe going to the fall festival at church. Not sure about that one yet.
Tomorrow is book character day where we all dress up. Madi will wear her Cleopatra outfit and I'll wear my goddess outfit since our team at school is from the Percy Jackson series. The girls will go out trick or treating tomorrow night while my mom and I pass out candy and keep people from ringing the doorbell while Jules sleeps. Friday is the Fun Run at school and should be fun.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Catching Up
Well, where has the time gone??!! Seriously.
Rest of the week was good. Had an upper respiratory infection and stayed home Thursday. Jeremy was also not feeling well - claims it was a cold, but he's still coughing. Guess it's a bad cold then :)
Friday we had her conference with Mrs. Campbell. She said a lot of things that we have talked with her about. Choices, friends, responsibility. She was very positive and said she loves teaching Madi. Talked about how bright she is and friendly. Said that Madi needs to be pushed and challenged. Suggested that we go back to IXL for Math, but not doing as much as she was doing in the summer. Working on slowing down and not just zooming through work to get it done. She said she is a kid who should be getting 100% on every assignment because she is capable of it, but that she's rushing. Still getting awesome grades, but could do better just by taking more time. Suggested more book series that Madi would probably enjoy so we'll check into them and let her decide.
Saturday morning all of the girls (my mom, riley, jules, madi, me) went to the Dallas Arboretum for the Fall Festival. Madi enjoyed seeing everything and really wanted to get her face painted, but they didn't have it the day or time we went. So we just enjoyed walking around. Jules loved the water fountains and cracked up at the frogs. Riley loved running around and wanted to pick flowers so badly. But instead just enjoyed running. It was gorgeous weather for it. Starting to feel "fall" - or at least a Texas fall.
Came home for some lunch and then headed out to Willow Bend Mall to walk around. Each girl used their allowance money to purchase something. Madi got another feather hair clip. Riley used her money for a tiny beanie baby dog.
Came home and enjoyed a quiet night. Jeremy and my dad were golfing all day and late into the evening so I did the night duties. Madi and I stayed up and watched an episode of Glee that she'd already seen before. Jer got home and Madi fell asleep on the couch while we watched the Ranger game. Go Rangers!!
Sunday we went to church in the morning. Then hung out at home and Madi played on the computer. My parents came over late afternoon (about 4) and hung out with the girls while Jer and I went out. The girls used their fashion stencils and had a great time with them. My dad watched a little bit of Harry Potter with her, as he's never seen it before, and was asking her all sorts of questions about it.
Speaking of Harry Potter, Madi took the AR test on book 1, passed it and now has 43 AR points as a result. Not including the other AR books she's read this six weeks. I thinks he has 46 or 47 total?! Not completely sure.
Today she turned in her project for Diversity - one week early. Allows us to not have to remember it next week with halloween, fun run, birthday, and piano students. So now it's done and turned in. Check!
Madi had choir after school today. The kids are doing a great job. Tomorrow is picture day so she's picked out her outfit - her favorite silky blue-green shirt. Will be stunning. We ordered a picture package and since I'm a teacher, we get 50% off which is great! Will have plenty of wallets to give to family, a 5 x 7 and some 3 x 5.
Madi has been doing really, really great. After talking with her a week or so ago (sorry - my memory is pitiful these days), we've laid off again and let her take over the responsibilities and she's really doing great. Has remembered to do things without needing reminders and as a result, she's getting them done quicker and sooner in the night and having more time to just play or whatever. Her homework was nothing tonight so the girls enjoyed a Wii game that we got called "Horse Life" or something like that. Was $15 at Walmart. They can create their horses, jockeys, run races, train, take care of the stable and horse. Perfect for them. A little tough for Riley to do yet, but she really loved seeing it.
The talk of Christmas has come up several times. She made a short list of 25 things she wants for Christmas. She's very much trying to figure out if she believes in Santa or not. She said she half believes, but that she is starting to think that the adults buy the presents. Things she wants range from gift cards to stuffed animal cats to more Warriors books and a conair chi from Justice. The biggest item she wants is a laptop. So we've shared with her that she can hope for whatever she wants to hope for, but that it doesn't mean that she'll get everything.
Not too much else to say. Madi is in great spirits and really doing great! Had an incredible last few days. Very calm and relaxed.
Rest of the week was good. Had an upper respiratory infection and stayed home Thursday. Jeremy was also not feeling well - claims it was a cold, but he's still coughing. Guess it's a bad cold then :)
Friday we had her conference with Mrs. Campbell. She said a lot of things that we have talked with her about. Choices, friends, responsibility. She was very positive and said she loves teaching Madi. Talked about how bright she is and friendly. Said that Madi needs to be pushed and challenged. Suggested that we go back to IXL for Math, but not doing as much as she was doing in the summer. Working on slowing down and not just zooming through work to get it done. She said she is a kid who should be getting 100% on every assignment because she is capable of it, but that she's rushing. Still getting awesome grades, but could do better just by taking more time. Suggested more book series that Madi would probably enjoy so we'll check into them and let her decide.
Saturday morning all of the girls (my mom, riley, jules, madi, me) went to the Dallas Arboretum for the Fall Festival. Madi enjoyed seeing everything and really wanted to get her face painted, but they didn't have it the day or time we went. So we just enjoyed walking around. Jules loved the water fountains and cracked up at the frogs. Riley loved running around and wanted to pick flowers so badly. But instead just enjoyed running. It was gorgeous weather for it. Starting to feel "fall" - or at least a Texas fall.
Came home for some lunch and then headed out to Willow Bend Mall to walk around. Each girl used their allowance money to purchase something. Madi got another feather hair clip. Riley used her money for a tiny beanie baby dog.
Came home and enjoyed a quiet night. Jeremy and my dad were golfing all day and late into the evening so I did the night duties. Madi and I stayed up and watched an episode of Glee that she'd already seen before. Jer got home and Madi fell asleep on the couch while we watched the Ranger game. Go Rangers!!
Sunday we went to church in the morning. Then hung out at home and Madi played on the computer. My parents came over late afternoon (about 4) and hung out with the girls while Jer and I went out. The girls used their fashion stencils and had a great time with them. My dad watched a little bit of Harry Potter with her, as he's never seen it before, and was asking her all sorts of questions about it.
Speaking of Harry Potter, Madi took the AR test on book 1, passed it and now has 43 AR points as a result. Not including the other AR books she's read this six weeks. I thinks he has 46 or 47 total?! Not completely sure.
Today she turned in her project for Diversity - one week early. Allows us to not have to remember it next week with halloween, fun run, birthday, and piano students. So now it's done and turned in. Check!
Madi had choir after school today. The kids are doing a great job. Tomorrow is picture day so she's picked out her outfit - her favorite silky blue-green shirt. Will be stunning. We ordered a picture package and since I'm a teacher, we get 50% off which is great! Will have plenty of wallets to give to family, a 5 x 7 and some 3 x 5.
Madi has been doing really, really great. After talking with her a week or so ago (sorry - my memory is pitiful these days), we've laid off again and let her take over the responsibilities and she's really doing great. Has remembered to do things without needing reminders and as a result, she's getting them done quicker and sooner in the night and having more time to just play or whatever. Her homework was nothing tonight so the girls enjoyed a Wii game that we got called "Horse Life" or something like that. Was $15 at Walmart. They can create their horses, jockeys, run races, train, take care of the stable and horse. Perfect for them. A little tough for Riley to do yet, but she really loved seeing it.
The talk of Christmas has come up several times. She made a short list of 25 things she wants for Christmas. She's very much trying to figure out if she believes in Santa or not. She said she half believes, but that she is starting to think that the adults buy the presents. Things she wants range from gift cards to stuffed animal cats to more Warriors books and a conair chi from Justice. The biggest item she wants is a laptop. So we've shared with her that she can hope for whatever she wants to hope for, but that it doesn't mean that she'll get everything.
Not too much else to say. Madi is in great spirits and really doing great! Had an incredible last few days. Very calm and relaxed.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Brrrrrr....
Swimming was great today! Though all the kids said it's completely freezing!! Madi was able to do the backstroke today and said it was fun. She had a great time at Zumba.
We got home late as my meeting at school ran very late. Jeremy went home sick this morning, Jules fell on the corner of a toy bin and has a black eye and Riley was pushed by a kid on the playground into a metal pole and has a bump on her forehead. My throat hurts, but I'm hoping it just goes away after some rest. And Madi is healthy as can be. Loving her immune system and wishing she'd pass some of it our way :)
Madi had a really, really great day today. No laps in school. Did homework with no problem despite doing it so late. Was very on top of things and relaxed tonight. Was a very, very good day!!
She and I read Luke 18. Then sat on her bed and talked for over 30 minutes. Just let her talk about whatever. She shared stories about you and Marcus and stories about things she did over there and her friends.
We got home late as my meeting at school ran very late. Jeremy went home sick this morning, Jules fell on the corner of a toy bin and has a black eye and Riley was pushed by a kid on the playground into a metal pole and has a bump on her forehead. My throat hurts, but I'm hoping it just goes away after some rest. And Madi is healthy as can be. Loving her immune system and wishing she'd pass some of it our way :)
Madi had a really, really great day today. No laps in school. Did homework with no problem despite doing it so late. Was very on top of things and relaxed tonight. Was a very, very good day!!
She and I read Luke 18. Then sat on her bed and talked for over 30 minutes. Just let her talk about whatever. She shared stories about you and Marcus and stories about things she did over there and her friends.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Late Start
Second day in a row Madi turned off her alarm and woke up late. We've given her a few warnings about it as it's happened randomly, but has been happening more and after two days in a row, we gave her back the old alarm clock that has no radio and has a more annoying buzzer. She'll have no problem waking up to that!
So we briefly talked with her. Let her know that she has more control over when she gets it back than she thinks. Then she set out a plan to help herself get up on time and we just said "Sounds great! Go for it!"
So the day started off to a bumpy start, but turned out very, very well. She had swimming today. Said it was pretty boring. But go figure - she's such a good swimmer, she already knows the basics. Though they did get to work on how to dive and do lane swimming which she enjoyed. Said the water was cold.
It really was a chilly day outside. Loved it!
After school, Madi wanted to just do part of her homework, but I told her that we'd leave school once she had her Fasttmath and Spelling work finished. She tried to work her way out of all of it, but I held firm and told her that we'd leave when she was finished. Depending on how much free time she wanted before dinner, she could move as fast or slow as she wanted. She worked diligently and well and got done in about 30 minutes.
Got home, dinner, some computer time before dinner, and then bed.
Tomorrow is swimming and Zumba!
So we briefly talked with her. Let her know that she has more control over when she gets it back than she thinks. Then she set out a plan to help herself get up on time and we just said "Sounds great! Go for it!"
So the day started off to a bumpy start, but turned out very, very well. She had swimming today. Said it was pretty boring. But go figure - she's such a good swimmer, she already knows the basics. Though they did get to work on how to dive and do lane swimming which she enjoyed. Said the water was cold.
It really was a chilly day outside. Loved it!
After school, Madi wanted to just do part of her homework, but I told her that we'd leave school once she had her Fasttmath and Spelling work finished. She tried to work her way out of all of it, but I held firm and told her that we'd leave when she was finished. Depending on how much free time she wanted before dinner, she could move as fast or slow as she wanted. She worked diligently and well and got done in about 30 minutes.
Got home, dinner, some computer time before dinner, and then bed.
Tomorrow is swimming and Zumba!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Cool Front Coming!!
The girls are all sooo excited to wear a coat tomorrow. We'll see how cold it actually gets here. Madi's been asking "When will it snow? And how cold does 60 degrees feel?" I'm really hoping we get some snow this winter so she can enjoy it. A few snow days would be great too!!
Normal day of school. Tomorrow starts swimming. It's shorter than I thought - only one hour each day. Should still be fun though! She's got everything packed and ready.
Had another talk about friendships very briefly tonight. She shared that a friend cupped her hands around her ear and yelled into it. We shared that she should really think through how it makes her feel and decide if this is really the kind of friend she wants. And then we shared a few things that true great friends do. And just let her think on it. No lecture. Just thoughts.
Read Warriors and Luke 16. Now going to eat dinner at 8:00pm. So hungry!!!
Normal day of school. Tomorrow starts swimming. It's shorter than I thought - only one hour each day. Should still be fun though! She's got everything packed and ready.
Had another talk about friendships very briefly tonight. She shared that a friend cupped her hands around her ear and yelled into it. We shared that she should really think through how it makes her feel and decide if this is really the kind of friend she wants. And then we shared a few things that true great friends do. And just let her think on it. No lecture. Just thoughts.
Read Warriors and Luke 16. Now going to eat dinner at 8:00pm. So hungry!!!
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