Parent Teacher Conferences

Our first parent teacher conference of the first grade this past week.  Again, the report was pretty much as expected.  Everything "Satisfactory", with the exception of penmanship, which was "Needs Improvement".  We're working really hard on fine motor at home.  It's been an ongoing issue.  I personally was surprised that  Conduct was given a "Satisfactory" grade, given the frequency with which I hear through the boys that they have moved their clip at school.  I asked the teacher about this.  Colby, apparently, doesn't care if he moves his clip to Yellow, because that's just a warning.  He rarely moves his clip all the way to Red.  Quinn, whenever he moves his clip, falls apart in tears and blames the world for whatever misconduct.  It's NEVER his fault.  But the teacher pointed out that they seemed no different than the majority of little boys in her room.  Just more messy and disorganized.  MORE little boy than most little boys.  But still NORMAL.  We insisted on hearing those words from her mouth.  Rob asked specifically.  So the "Satisfactory" in Conduct was more of a gift, I think.... and more of a "meeting class average for little boys."  And not that it is REALLY satisfactory.  We'll take it, regardless.

I asked her if she thought the boys were working up to their potential.  This is what she said.....
"They're at the top of the class for reading, and above-average for math.  But NO.  I don't think they're working up to their potential, because I think they could be even higher than that if they were more organized and more careful with their work."  On standardized testing, they scored just about where they need to to PASS the first grade - and it's only the first quarter.  I was pleased with that.  Apparently LISTENING (suprirse suprirse) and following through to completion (suprirse surprise) are not their strong suit.  They rush through their work so that they can have free time to read books in the reading corner. SIGH.  It could be alot worse.  At least they're not struggling academically, and I was glad to hear that.  I suggested to the teacher to have them run laps in the gym if needed before it's time to sit.  She kind of laughed about that, and I said "NO.  I'm SERIOUS.  They'll do much better for you."

Contagion

Got the call from the doctor today confirming Reagan's diaper rash isn't REALLY a diaper rash, but a bona-fide, cultured, strep infection.  NICE.  She started antibiotics this evening.  Suddenly tonight, we noticed that whatever was on Reagan's butt is now on Colby's face.  AND in his throat.  Which meant a trip to Express Care and $25 to tell us what we already knew... HE has strep, too.  We just want the script for the $4 antibiotic, please.  When the Nurse Practioner confirmed Colby's strep, I asked her if we could get a script for Quinn, too, because, in our house.... there's no such thing as "two out of three".  If the other two have Strep, I guarantee Quinn will come down with it, too, if he hasn't already.  But NOOOOOOO.  He needs a separate appointment, another $25 copay for a 30 second visit.  I refuse.  I see his stuffy nose, and I KNOW it's coming.  I can make two antibiotic prescriptions stretch for three kids if I have to.  I know, I know... not good.  But it bugs me to no end when we have to make separate doctor's appointments and pay through the nose when we already know what's wrong, and we just NEED THE PRESCRIPTION. I don't need to shell out $75 to get $12 worth of prescriptions, when I know what's wrong, and I know what they need.   Man, I wish I had a doctor on the payroll somewhere. 

Tidbits from the Car Ride Home From Cub Scouts

Colby: "Mom, tomorrow is Veteran's Day."
Mom: "Yup.  Do you know what that's all about?"
Colby: "George Washington."
Mom: "Well, we celebrate soldiers, and George Washington was a soldier.  Do you know any other soldiers?"
Quinn: "Aunt Kelli."
Mom: "Nope.  Aunt Elle.  Uncle Larry. And Grandpa Jim used to be a soldier, too."
Colby: "So were they the Red Coats?"
Mom: "Uhhhh.  No."  A history of the revolutionary war ensues.

Quinn: "Mom, so who won that war?"
Mom: "Well, do we belong to England right now?"
Quinn: "Yes!"
Colby: "No!"
Mom: "I guess we won."

(Later)
Quinn: "Boy, that George Lincoln was a really tall guy."
Colby: "It was his hat that made him look so tall."

(Later)
Quinn: "Mom, why do they make soldiers presidents?"
Mom: "You mean like George Washington?"
Quinn: "Yeah.  Did George Washington kill anyone?"
Mom: "I don't know.  But he led a war, so...."
Quinn: "Killing is BAD."
Mom: "Yup".

(Later)
Quinn: "Mom, when will George Washington come back to life?"
Mom: "Well, I don't know.  Whenever Jesus comes back."
Quinn: "Well, when will THAT be?  We've been waiting for MONTHS and He hasn't shown up yet!!!"

(Later)
Quinn: "Mom, how many days have we lived in this house?"
Mom: "Seven years times 365 days a year... more than 2100."
Quinn: "It's about time we moved.  We've been here too long.  The house is getting old."

(Later)
Quinn: "Mom, when is the house's birthday?"
Mom: "I don't know."
Quinn: "We really need to have a birthday party for it."
Mom: "Hmmmmmm."

All these random little thoughts.  I have a hard time keeping up.

Angels Among Us

Colby, on the way to church yesterday:  "Mom, I know why babies wave their arms and reach up all the time."

Mom: "Why?"

Colby: "They're playing with the angels!"

I think you just might be right, there, little boy!

Odds and Ends

Colby, crawling into bed with Rob and I at 9 pm last night:  "Mom, I had a nightmare!"
Mom: "No you didn't.  You haven't even fallen asleep yet.  I saw you just 15 minutes ago."
Colby:  "But a nightmare was COMING.  I heard beeping in my ears, and that means a nightmare is coming."

Whatever.  Stall tactic.
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Mom:  "Quinn, if you make your bed every morning, it will be worth one ticket."  (note:  we are on a ticket reward system here.  Had to get off the US Dollar, like most of the world, because of the temptation it caused).
Quinn: "One ticket?  That's got to be worth more than that.  That's a big job!"
Mom: "No it's not.  It takes 30 seconds.  See?" (Pulled up covers in less than 30 seconds).
Quinn: "That would take me at  90 seconds, and that's worth at least two tickets."

We have a future Donald Trump in our midst.  I hear the theme song "money money MONEY"  in the background.

Voices Return

For the record, Quinn is now a baritone again.  WHEW!  Thought he was going to have chipmunk voice forever!!  Not that COLBY'S is a chipmunk voice, since I made such a big deal about Quinn sounding like Colby.  Just... he's back to normal.  I should be quiet now before the boys read this and I offend someone.  AHEM.

Nightmares

Quinn crawled into bed with me at 3:30am, crying and shaking.  I asked him what was wrong.  He said he had a scary dream.  He asked for us to say prayers, which we did, and then he went back to sleep.  This morning, I asked him about his dream.

Quinn: "We were in our car, and a man came up and tried to open the door.  When he couldn't get in his head fell off.  His hands tried to grab me, and his body was shaking on the ground."

Oh my!  That IS a scary dream.  WHERE would such ideas get into his subconcious?  I asked him if he had seen anything scary like that.

Quinn: "No.  I just dreamed it.  And when that guy came up to the Mystery Machine, and tried to open the door....."

Mystery Machine????  OHHHHHH.  That little detail was left out of the first telling.  A little detective work leads us to the culprit... Scooby Doo.  And he would've gotten away with it, if it wasn't for those meddling kids!!

Overheard a few minutes ago.

Colby: "Quinn, when your nightmare woke you up, it woke ME up, and I didn't get to finish my dream!"
Quinn: "What was your dream about?"
Colby:  "I don't know, but it was magic.  I can dream that I can do ANYTHING!"