New Year, New School

First let me start by saying, where did the summer go?!? It went by so fast and we only did a few of the things we wanted to do. Guess we will have to push some of those plans into September/October timeframe. I don’t know who said there aren’t any bad goals only unrealistic timelines. So I guess I tried to pack a little too much into my goals for this summer, so I’ll just move the timeline to this fall. :)

As I mentioned in a previous post we have moved my daughter to one of our local charter schools, and much to my amazement the summer has nearly ended. Tonight we are going to an ice cream social at the school where we get to meet the teacher and put away her school supplies. I can only imagine the anxiety she is experiencing. This change has come with some reluctance on her part and I really can’t blame her. She had been at the same school for two years and had made lots of nice friends, and leaving those friends is a big deal. Not only is she leaving her friends, but the new school has a dress code that requires uniform type clothing. My daughter is very much about clothes and enjoys wearing all sorts on colorful tops. She is especially fond of pink and purple of which neither is an option for the new school. As we were shopping I found her several times picking up clothes only to say, “But I can’t wear it next year.” I felt a bit bad and that added to my own anxiety about this new school year.

Yes that is right, my anxiety. I wonder what the other parents will be like. I worry that she hasn’t learned enough to be successful in this new program (even though she had to pass a test before she would be placed in the school). I fear that I have made the wrong decision and that down the road in therapy somewhere she will be telling them that part of her current problems is the fact that her parents moved her to a charter school starting in 2nd grade. (It may sound irrational, but I often worry about the psychological effect I am having on my children.)
But as all this races through my head, I try to remember that I can only do what I think is best at the time with information that is available and to this moment, I still believe this is the best move for my daughter.

So here we go! Down the path of uniforms, new friends, new teachers, and new experiences. I am excited for my daughter and worried for her all at the same time. It will be what it will be and we will just roll with the punches as they go!

I hope you all had a great summer and are ready for another school year!

Changing Schools

My daughter was finally selected in the lottery for one of our local charter schools. We placed her on both lists before she entered kindergarten and had hoped to be pulled then, but it was not to be. Upon receiving the email my husband and were quite excited. We really like the way things are taught at the charter school and the depth at which they are taught. So we decide to go ahead and begin the process.

The first step was our daughter had to take an assessment test. I must admit I was nervous as to whether or not my daughter would meet their "standards" for second grade. Don't get me wrong, my daughter is bright, but as a parent you often wonder, it is just because I am her mom that I think she is so smart? Anyway, I think I was more stressed out about the test than she was. I did the usual mom thing and said just do the best you can do and that is all you can do. It was quite interesting to hear the other moms talk while we waited for the students to come back from testing. One mom was a little upset that the kids went back without the parents. Other moms were trying to figure out who knew what the test was like and how long it should take the students. It was almost comical. All these moms worried, worried that their child would not make the cut. I have to admit I was right with them, but I'm a silent worrier.

As the kids came out one by one the questioning began. So how did it go? Do you think you did well? Always follow up by "As long as you did your best that is all that matters." One of the staff members walked each child to their parents and informed them they would be notified in a few days of the test results. When my daughter came out I of course proceeded with the same line of questioning followed up by the all you can do is your best statement and we headed home. I was worried about it until I finally got an email from the school inviting us back to a meeting. I was a little confused by this email as it said this was a group setting where we would discuss test scores and we would receive and enrollment package. When I read the email to my husband he said, "Well, she's in." But I wasn't convinced. It didn't say that anywhere in the email and I was trying to figure out how they would discuss test results in a group. So I went to the meeting still wondering what the end result would be and my husband went to the meeting ready to fill out enrollment papers.

When we got to the meeting they gave a folder. I immediately "freaked out" because all the other kids folders I could see were like 3x's the size of ours. Does that mean we aren't in? Of course I jumped to all of these conclusions before even opening the folder. However, upon opening the folder I discovered that she was reading at nearly a grade level higher than the grade she is going into and she had passed the math assessment. SO we were in! As the meeting went along we learned about the schools philosophy, the dress code, and the next steps in the process, which were as my husband expected to fill out and complete enrollment papers. He was right, I must admit.

My daughter was excited while we were at the school, but when we got in the car she realized she would have to leave her friends and then all heck broke loose. First let me tell you my daughter is the most social being I have ever met. She makes friends in a heartbeat. We go to the gym for an hour and she has 3 new friends that we need phone numbers for. After some reassurance, she was ready for the change.

After our experience earlier this year with our daughter’s first teacher, I am very ready to move her to a school that is more focused on education. I realize this does not mean that we may not get another bad teacher, but I feel that the likelihood is less. We shall see. As parents we only do what we think is best and in the end hope we were at least close to being right.

The Olympics

I just had to post how excited I am about the opening ceremonies tonight and the start of the winter Olympics. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Olympics. I know that my TV viewing is going up 10 fold until they are over. I am excited to share this with my children, especially my 6 year old. It is so interesting to see the world come together to compete in all sorts of athletic events!

Blessings

Hello again...Sorry I've been gone so long. The holidays consumed all my time. We were blessed to have my sister and brother-in-law join us for the holidays. It was GREAT!

This week my son turns 2. TWO! I can hardly believe that it has been 2 years already. It seems like just yesterday I was pregnant and walking into the hospital for my C-section. He is such a joy and a real chatter box these days. He is the happiest kid and with a very independent mind. He was in the bedroom yesterday and he looked at me and said "Bath, now!" I had to chuckle at his insistence for a bath.

At the end of the month my daughter turns 7. SEVEN!!! This is even more difficult to believe. She is quickly completing the 1st grade and she is a smart wonderful little girl! She is also very independent minded, but she has an exceptionally kind heart. After hearing about another family member exchanging presents for donations to a charity, she thought that sounded like a good idea and has decided for her 7th birthday that she would rather have donations to Stand Up for Kids.

I am so blessed to have two wonderful children and a wonderful husband! What a great blessing...more than any amount of money can even buy!

Twelve Years Ago Today...

Today is my husband and mine 12 year anniversary. It seems so hard to believe that it has been 12 years since I walked down the aisle and married my WONDERFUL husband. To celebrate we went to dinner at the Rodizio Brazilian Grill in downtown Fort Collins. It was fun to have dinner without kids for a change. We just got to sit and eat, enjoy the food and the atmosphere. I am rather fond of meat, so this was a great choice. They bring skews after skews of meat to your table for you to try. They had glazed ham and bacon wrapped chicken and tenderloin. It was VERY TASTY!! I bit expensive, but we had saved and knew that going in. They also have a salad bar that had one of the best crab salads I've tasted. After dinner we went to Barnes and Noble (our favorite store) and wandered around (again without kids). We were able to actually look at books rather than just run in and out, as the kids get a little bored just looking a books, unless it to books for them of course ;).

The general manager came over to our table and asked how our meal was and told us happy anniversary, since we had mentioned it and they had given us a dessert of our choice at 1/2 price. He asked what the secret was to a good marriage and I really didn't have an answer for him. I thought about it after we left and I guess I would say patience and understanding, because you need this to get through all the ups and downs of life and to work through the differences you may have.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and are enjoying some downtime after all the hustle and bustle of the season.

A Day of Remembrance

This past week my brother-in-law's mother Donna Francis left this earth for a better place. Today was her funeral and unfortunately since it was in Florida my family and I were unable to attend. It brings to mind just how fragile life really is. Donna was diagnosed with cancer in July and battled bravely for many months. She was only 57 and we will miss her terribly.

My sister and brother-in-law have only been married for about 2 years so I was just getting to know Donna, but I could see that she was a devoted mother and wife. I'm sure she would have been a FABULOUS grandma and although she is not physically here I know she will be a wonderful guide to her future grandchildren, as she continues to be a guide to those she loved.

As I think about the time we spent together my mind is drawn to two specific instances. The first was a shopping spree with my mother, sister and Donna. My sister and mother are "power shoppers" and were busy shopping ‘til they dropped. At the time I was 9 1/2 months pregnant with my son. Shopping is not my favorite anyway, but I was especially not enthused about tons of shopping. I remember sitting in a particular shop as my sister tried on outfit after outfit. Donna sat with me and commented on the none stop shopping power both my mother and sister possessed. Then as we sat there I started to notice different items around the store. Pretty soon my mom and Donna were running around the store providing my sister with things I picked out from my seat in the middle of the store. It was a great memory I will cherish always.

The second memory would be at my house not long after my son was born. I took a moment to call Donna on my cell phone to thank her for the things she had sent for Blaine. We ended up for talking nearly 2 hours about kids and life in general. This is another memory I will always cherish.

As I said I hardly got to know Donna, but she was a gentle wonderful person who graciously welcomed my sister into their family. She loved everyone and had a gentle spirit. We will miss you Donna. God bless and keep you! May those who you loved, know that you are with them always even though they cannot see you.

God bless all of you this holiday season. May you enjoy the time with your family this holiday season.

...And the Stocking Were Hung.....FINALLY!

Hello all! I am SO happy because all of my Christmas decorations are FINALLY up! The tree is decorated, the little village is up and all the associated little figurines, my nativity, and the outdoor lights (this one is all thanks to my dad). I am so happy I decided to take last Wednesday off while my parents were here. They helped me get it all up and it took no time at all!! The stockings and cookies are awaiting Santa's arrival!

I just LOVE Christmas, but I must admit that I have a little trouble getting in the mood until all of my decorations are up, and since that consists of about 20 medium size Tupperware containers, and five Christmas trees (three are small and require no decorations (not sure if they count)), this is no small task. But with help I was able to get it all done and we are no longer the Bah Humbug house on the block! Yippee!!

Well I must run, I have to finish up some last minute shopping. Hope all of you are enjoying the season!