Reading Assessment.

This week Naomi took her Developmental Reading Assessment this week, and I am so proud of her. She scored a 24 which puts her in the 2nd grade, and that's where they are going to send her for reading. She is going to get the challenge she needs and I couldn't be more happy for her. When I told her about it she was also excited. I've been so concerned and worried about what they were going to do for her. I am not too worried about maturity, she hangs out w/ a few girls in the neighborhood who are about that age so I think she'll be fine.

Two Week Review.

I am on a roll today. We've made it through 2 four day weeks of school. It been crazy getting into the new routine, but I think we are settling in ok. I am sure by now the teacher is sick of me, but I need to be on top of her schooling, it's imperative. The first time I contacted her, Naomi had brought back a computer print out that she had missed the capital "U". I asked her about it and she didn't know how that happened. I just pointed to the letter on my computer and asked her what it was and then she proceeded to show me all the "U" shapes around the room and gave me it's long and short sounds. I sent a note in to the teacher saying it must have been a crazy fluke, because she's is knows the letter quite well. The teacher wrote back that she probably miss heard the computer. Personally, if I had a student who was a fluent reader and missed a letter on the computer, I would follow up w/ the child and note accordingly. On Tuesday the got to hear the President's speech and while his topic was non partisan, children at the age of 5 are. Naomi got a few comments that Obama was mean because that's what grandma had said. I just explained to her that it's ok to have a difference of opinion, and that she can believe what ever she wants and doesn't have to go along w/ anyone else. On Wednesday they started their 100 steps to reading. Each step is 15 mins of reading at home. The first book she brought home was very short, so short that she read it to me in less then 2 minutes. I logged it, but didn't count it as a step because we didn't read for 15 mins. On Thursday another book came home, not much longer then the first. And I saw they counted the first book as a step. So, we read it, and there was a bunch of facts at the back of the book (It was about teeth) so I had her read that to me to fill in the time, we still didn't come anywhere near the 15 mins, but I counted it anyway, and asked for clarification from her teacher, that if she's supposed to read the book she brings home for 15 minutes then she should bring home a longer book. I didn't get a reply, BUT, Naomi came home today with a longer book. We are still debating which is better taking my husband to work and taking her to school and picking her up or having her take the bus at least while the weather is still warm, because we will be driving her to school. There is no way w/ my asthma and Sariah's susceptibility to the cold it would just be better for all if we drive.

In other news, I've started a little bit of phonics w/ Sariah, she seems to like it. right now we are reviewing letters and went over the sounds of the letter "A". I don't know what all is going to come out of it, but I hope we can have fun with it. Just mommy and her time.

8 yrs ago

I don't think I've ever wrote my 9/11 story. I probably should for posterity. I was supposed to substitute at a high school that day, but the job was canceled at the last minute and there was nothing else available at that point, so I went back to sleep. I woke up a few hours later and turned on the TV to my shock that 2 planes had hit the twin towers. I immediately called my dad to tell him about it.  He agreed how horrible but he had other news for me. My grandfather had passed away earlier that morning from pancreatic cancer. A mere few hours before the first plane hit the Twin Towers. My grandfather was a veteran of WWII and very proud of his country. I am sure if he were alive to see the towers fall it probably would have killed him. I am glad he didn't see what happened. I think I spent every possible moment watching the news, various channels to get different perspectives. I was proud of our country for pulling together after that. It was such a polarizing election . . . but to see us united was inspiring and gave hope. I believe God allows tragedy so that we might serve when we might not do so otherwise. May God continue to bless and protect our country.

Photo Friday

From the closet of Wednesday Addams.

Back to Dance

After a nice summer break, dance started back up. Naomi has been eager to start up again. This is year 3 for here. This is also her 3rd studio. She still wants to do tap, but her old studio doesn't off tap at her age group, just ballet, and if they did offer it it would have been back to back w/ ballet and that was just too much for a 5 yr old, so I went looking for another studio. I found one, that will give us what we need AND is a little cheaper. There is a family discount for 2 or more students in the same family. Another plus is they'll take Sariah now instead of in January when she's 3 1/2 and I just don't see her waiting any longer. She's already upset that she can't go to school, so this will give her something to do. When it was time for her to go with her class, Sariah barely gave me a passing glance and off she went. She told me she had LOTS of fun. Naomi wasn't sure she'd like jazz and baton in addition to tap and ballet, but she told me tonight that she really likes it, even if she didn't think she would. Wednesday nights are going to be long, their classes are back to back instead of the same time. So, including travel time we are gone foe 2 1/2 hours. Despite the long time at the studio I think it's going to be a great year.

Leaving for dance.


Just before class. I thought about getting one of Naomi just before her class started but by that point there were too many people to take a good picture. I'll have to get one next week.

Sept 1st

And we wake up to FROST!!! Not minding the cooler weather, but frost already is a bit too soon.

On another note, The bus arrived 15 minutes earlier then it did yesterday. Better, but still contemplating picking her up. I HATE HER BUS STOP.