Today was the final of our parent/teacher conferences. We weren't much surprised with what the 2 teachers had to say about our kidlets. However, there was one part that irks me sooo much, and I can't let it go.
Aubrey is brilliant. There, I said it. If you don't believe me, just ask her. She has so much (often false) confidence in her own ability that she is almost unteachable. However, math is her strong subject. She (usually) loves it. This is why it's been such a concern that she comes home every day telling us that math is boring. This is where I just don't get public school.
The teacher tells me today that the new math book that the entire district is using is kinda lame (paraphrasing the teacher). They start at the very basic of an idea (stuff these kids learned in 2nd grade sometimes) and then go forward. Aubrey hates wasting a couple of days on stuff she already knows, and then gets so frustrated when there are kids that are asking questions ... when they should have learned the material in 2nd and 3rd grade. (yeah, she's really patient too). I ask the teacher if there is something we can do for GATE kids that are losing interest. She says "no, this is the book we have". So, my kid is literally being turned off to math because "this is the book we have". Seriously?! There's no extra work that can be given to her? No other way of teaching "outside of the box" when you see a kid is walking away? If she was a low scoring kid would that be same response?
We're at the point where we are just going to do extra math lessons outside of school. Fun stuff that challenges her and keeps her motivated. If any of you have any suggestions, please feel free to comment. While I really do like her teacher, seeing a kid turn off and allowing it to happen is intolerable. Am I wrong here?
Friday, November 20, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
New-ish Calling
We've been in our new ward for 3 Sundays now. I was called into the Bishop's office last weekend and given my new-ish calling. Guess what it is??? C'mon, I'll give you a hint.
You got it! Young Women's!!! I'm the Mia Maids Advisor. In all my adult years of marriage, I've been called to serve with the Mia Maids in 3 different wards. I love the YW's program. I love the opportunity to help these girls grow their testimonies, and seeing my own grow.
On the other side of the coin, I feel like I'm clearly not learning something that I should have 2 wards ago. So, is it wrong to have a heart to heart with Heavenly Father and just lay it out on the table. I wanna tell him, "Um, here I am ... again. Seriously, I don't think I'm getting it. It's just not going to happen. Whatever lesson I'm supposed to learn from this calling is going to have to be MUCH less subtle. This is a thick skull you're working with."
Whatever the reason for me being here, I'm going to relish the fun and the adventures. This ward seems to go a little more hyper on themes and matching napkins. I'll have to step it up for this. I'm so looking forward to getting to know the girls. My attitude right now is: BRING IT!
They called the entire family into the Bishop's office this last Sunday, but only to ask Brian and I to speak. I love that we get to speak on the same Sunday. Brian is a little restless without a calling. He's so used to being busy at church. He'll get his soon enough, I'm sure.
You got it! Young Women's!!! I'm the Mia Maids Advisor. In all my adult years of marriage, I've been called to serve with the Mia Maids in 3 different wards. I love the YW's program. I love the opportunity to help these girls grow their testimonies, and seeing my own grow.On the other side of the coin, I feel like I'm clearly not learning something that I should have 2 wards ago. So, is it wrong to have a heart to heart with Heavenly Father and just lay it out on the table. I wanna tell him, "Um, here I am ... again. Seriously, I don't think I'm getting it. It's just not going to happen. Whatever lesson I'm supposed to learn from this calling is going to have to be MUCH less subtle. This is a thick skull you're working with."
Whatever the reason for me being here, I'm going to relish the fun and the adventures. This ward seems to go a little more hyper on themes and matching napkins. I'll have to step it up for this. I'm so looking forward to getting to know the girls. My attitude right now is: BRING IT!
They called the entire family into the Bishop's office this last Sunday, but only to ask Brian and I to speak. I love that we get to speak on the same Sunday. Brian is a little restless without a calling. He's so used to being busy at church. He'll get his soon enough, I'm sure.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Halloween Creep Fest
It really happened ... and I was there! (dim the lights and move in close for story time)
A few weeks ago, Aubrey was having her soccer practice at a local soccer park. At the back of the park there is a little stream and a path that is rather hidden from the park. Jon likes to go explore, but can only go with a buddy. This particular day, I was his only option, so we went exploring together.
The stream is very small and the mosquitoes were buzzing around and bugging us (pun intended). There was a very strong stench coming from the tiny bit of water. I don't mean to brag, but I have what some might call a "super smeller". If you've seen Psych, you know what I'm talking about. I have a pretty good sense of what I'm smelling, and I could almost swear I was smelling a dead animal decomposing. Jon and I had our fill of exploring and we quickly returned to the fresh air by the practice field.
Fast forward about 3 weeks later. (start reading here with a spooky voice) It's Halloween morning ... around 8 am. It just so happens that Brandon is assigned to play his soccer game at the same local park. As the parents are sitting on the sidelines cheering, we are talking about all the noise that the tractor is making over by the little stream. It appears that it is clearing out the brush in the area. All of the sudden, the tractor stops and shortly there after blaring sirens of an ambulance and firetruck are getting nearer. They come right into the parking lot, along with 3 police cars. (insert suspenseful music here)
It turns out that a body was found by the tractor worker. It was a suicide that appears to have taken place a few weeks ago. The body was very badly decomposed. Could it be that the awful stench of dead animal that I smelled was in fact a poor man's body hanging in the trees not far from where we were exploring???
It is a very creepy thought and I am still a little queasy over the possibility. It makes for a great ghost story, huh?! I just wish it was something I read and not something I was that close to. ICK!
A few weeks ago, Aubrey was having her soccer practice at a local soccer park. At the back of the park there is a little stream and a path that is rather hidden from the park. Jon likes to go explore, but can only go with a buddy. This particular day, I was his only option, so we went exploring together.
The stream is very small and the mosquitoes were buzzing around and bugging us (pun intended). There was a very strong stench coming from the tiny bit of water. I don't mean to brag, but I have what some might call a "super smeller". If you've seen Psych, you know what I'm talking about. I have a pretty good sense of what I'm smelling, and I could almost swear I was smelling a dead animal decomposing. Jon and I had our fill of exploring and we quickly returned to the fresh air by the practice field.
Fast forward about 3 weeks later. (start reading here with a spooky voice) It's Halloween morning ... around 8 am. It just so happens that Brandon is assigned to play his soccer game at the same local park. As the parents are sitting on the sidelines cheering, we are talking about all the noise that the tractor is making over by the little stream. It appears that it is clearing out the brush in the area. All of the sudden, the tractor stops and shortly there after blaring sirens of an ambulance and firetruck are getting nearer. They come right into the parking lot, along with 3 police cars. (insert suspenseful music here)
It turns out that a body was found by the tractor worker. It was a suicide that appears to have taken place a few weeks ago. The body was very badly decomposed. Could it be that the awful stench of dead animal that I smelled was in fact a poor man's body hanging in the trees not far from where we were exploring???
It is a very creepy thought and I am still a little queasy over the possibility. It makes for a great ghost story, huh?! I just wish it was something I read and not something I was that close to. ICK!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)