Everything

So I haven't posted all week. I know... what is going on? I used to post daily. I've just been busy and can't seem to find the time to grab a seat and babble on the computer. Although I have had a second to post on FB, reading my friends blogs has taken a back seat. And I missed it. Funny how connected I feel to my friends when I catch up on their blog!

Ok, so what has the family been up to? Well, Adam and I sang the cantata. It was fun. It was long though and I kinda felt silly in the beginning parts when the overture played but we weren't singing yet and we (the choir)was just sitting and the congregation was just sitting and everyone was just staring. Kinda like a stare off. It was weird. Also, I learned a couple things singing in this thing. First, I LOVE singing with my husband. He is super super talented and I think I forget that sometimes when he just plays the drums. His voice is smooth like butter. He really is that good. Love it. Second, I learned that my friend Holly should sing a lot more. Like all the time. She was a special guest with the choir, joined us just for the cantata, but she should really join the choir. She is that awesome. Love that too! And finally , I learned I fidget. I mean really fidget. Really bad. I just can't seem to sit still for very long. That was a problem when I was dead center of the sanctuary with folks staring at me. Well, to be honest, as I mentioned earlier, they were staring at everyone but I was definitely causing attention to myself with all the shifting and tapping and itching I was doing. I know, I am weird.

So, this week also brought frustration from Sydney's school. Specifically, her lessons. I know her teacher is doing the best she can. But I seriously am being Sydney's teacher again every afternoon these days. I am not being sarcastic. The teacher is only getting a bit of time to review things with kids these days. I am not sure if she has fallen behind in the things she needs to teach for the year or if she is speeding up due to the testing that is on the horizon but I am seriously teaching Sydney NEW CONCEPTS at home everyday. And Sydney is very bright. (I know I am biased but I am being serious, she gets it when you teach it. But if the teacher just mentions it, then moves on to disciplining other kids or doesn't take time to answer questions, Sydney gets left behind.) Its just that the info isn't being taught. And its the same for Sydney's classmates, at least when I chat with the other mothers or have Syd's classmates over and all the kids are struggling with the same thing. Last week I had a mini conference with Sydney's teacher and she admitted there just isn't enough time. So I am having Syd bring most of her books home everyday and we are going over the lessons here. I am creating lesson plans and teaching her everything from Ecosystems to Obtuse Angles. We are also working on parts of speech again as well as fractions and decimals on a number line. And with the extra help, she is getting it. Biomes, ecosystems and her project on the Coral Reef are making sense. And the geometry is sticking. She can discuss intelligently with me what a right angle is, or the difference between a radius and a diameter and a chord. And I know this is because we are reviewing at home. She was a big blank on these subjects when I first asked her on Monday. WHEW.

So bottom line, I don't know. The public school system is sinking. Sinking because of funding, huge classrooms, and gobs of testing. What do we do? Is it time to move her? Adam and I talking about what our concerns are more and more. We are praying. And we are thanking God that I am home to work with her every afternoon. I literally clear the calendar from 3-6 everyday. Just to reteach concepts. Crazy huh?

Did you know my mom and I joined the gym. We joined the Y. Its good to go with my mom. I enjoy seeing her each week and I enjoy watching all the faces she makes when we do our excerise class. Its funny. The class is hard. At least for this chubby gal. But it feels good to move. And it feels good to make a good choice. Jack is still getting used to the playroom and to be honest so am I . But its getting better. I haven't gone with Adam and Sydney yet, but I hoping to this weekend. Yay for exercise. Now if Adam would stop offering me ice cream I might loose a bit of me!

And finally, Jack is chatting a bunch more. He is such a doll. Love that little guy. He has decided to call Grandpa : Ah-pa. Its funny. And all day long he says "Lemmesee" If I ask him a question about something, he says, "ummmm lemmesee" its just too cute. And "Where's Sissy? Where's Di-Di (daddy)? Where's Nana?" Oh! And he totally totally understands everything. I tell him, please take your sippy and put it in the sink, and off he goes and does just that. Its adorable. I love toddlers.

Ok, I gotta get off this computer. I need to take some meds. Did I mention I caught a cold? Yup, thanks mom for sharing your germs! Yay to spring sniffles. UGH!