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September 12, 2015

Mommy's Birthday Letter to Drew - Age 8

Drew,

Well since you won't stay in that bubble preserving that little boy you once were, I get the privilege of watching you grow up before my eyes. You are wiser and more mature than your years - and I have to remind myself regularly you're only "8".

I absolutely love our little chats in the wee morning hours and as we read Harry Potter at night (we are on book 5 now). And your heart... You have become quite the sensitive little boy!  Anytime I have a tough day, you come up to me just to give me a hug because you sense I'm stressed. It melts my heart and puts everything in perspective. Thank you for that! I hope you continue to do that for others. And when I get hurt (my shoulder) you actually cry out of concern that I may have to go to the doctor.  It's amazing to see this change in you this year.

And yet you are still you. You love your little figures as you play, read, or watch your videos. You still idolize your Dad and do whatever you can to make him proud. As much as you groan about school (2nd grade - really?!?) we both know you like it. I love watching you interact with your friends, often being the leader.  It warms my heart how you look out for your friends and defend them on the playground.

While I hate seeing you grow up so fast, I'm blessed to watch all these changes in you.  I can't wait to see how you continue to grow - physically and that spirit within you. Just please let me cuddle and kiss your sweet face for a couple more years.... like 20 or so. I'm not ready to let go of my Punkinhead just yet.

Love,
Mom



April 12, 2015

First Grade Progress

I missed the first trimester update - so I'm going to include 2 trimesters in this report card post.

"Grades" are maximum 3, X means they aren't graded on it.

Language Arts                                                                                                            1st      2nd
  • Segments words into recognizable phonemes (cat=c/a/t)                                  3        3
  • Uses letters, letter patterns, long/short vowels to blend into words                   3        3
  • Reads common irregular sight words (ex the, have, said, give, of)                   3        3
Reading Comprehension/Literary Response/Fluency
  • Student reads and understands grade level appropriate text                               3        3
  • Reads aloud with fluency in a manner that sounds like natural speech              X       3
  • Retells the central idea of a story using beginning, middle & end                      3        3
  • Identifies and describes plot, setting & characters                                              X       X
Writing Strategies, Applications, Conventions
  • Spells short vowel words & grade level appropriate sight words                        3       3
  • Writes in complete sentences                                                                               3       3
  • Uses descriptive words when writing                                                                  X      3
  • Uses appropriate punctuation & capitalization                                                   X        3
  • Writes on one focused topic (autobiographical, observational & fictional)        3       3
Listening & Speaking
  • Listens and gives a focused response                                                                   3       3
  • Stays on topic when speaking                                                                               3      3
  • Relates an important personal experience in a simple sequence                           3     3
History/Social Science
  • Demonstrates understanding concepts                                                                  3       3
  •  Participates in activities and discussions                                                             3        3
Mathematics
Number Sense
  • Counts/reads/writes whole numbers to 50                                                           3       3
  • Counts/reads/writes whole numbers to 75                                                           X      3
  • Counts/reads/writes whole numbers to 100                                                          X   X
  • Compares & orders whole numbers to 100 using the symbols < = >                   X     3
  • Counts/groups objects into ones & 10s (3 tens, 4 ones = 34 or 30+4                   X     3
  • Counts & writes by 10s                                                                                         3      3
  • Counts & writes by 5's                                                                                           X     3
  • Counts & writes by 2's                                                                                           X    X
  • Creates and uses fact families (6+2=8, 8-2=6)                                                      X     X
  • Commits to memory & recalls basic addition & subtraction facts to 7                  3    3
  • Commits to memory & recalls basic addition & subtraction facts to 12                X    3
  • Commits to memory & recalls basic addition & subtraction facts to 20                 X    X
  • Solves addition & subtraction problems w/ one and two digit numbers                 3     3
  • Understands the use of symbols +, -, and =                                                            3     3
  •  Estimates & measures length, weight & volume using nonstandard units            3    3
  • Tells time to the nearest half hour                                                                          X    X
  • Identifies/describes/compares 3 dimensional shapes & objects                             X    X
  • Organizes, represents and compares data by category on graphs & charts             3    3
  • Describes, extends, and explains patterns                                                               X   3
  • Makes decisions about how to set up a problem                                                    X     3
Science Classroom/Lab
  • Demonstrates understanding of concepts                                                               3     3
  • Participates in activities & discussions                                                                   3     3
THE FOLLOWING ARE GRADED BY  CHECK OR N (needs improvement)
Visual & Performing Arts
  • Participates in music                                                                                            check, check
  • Participates in fine arts                                                                                        check, check
Physical Education
  • Demonstrates appropriate social skills                                                                check, check
  • Actively participates in activities                                                                        check, check
  • Demonstrates age appropriate large motor skills                                                check, check
Social Growth/Life Skills
  • Exhibits a positive attitude                                                                                 check, check
  • Respects people and property                                                                            check, check
  • Cooperates with others                                                                                        check, check
  • Follows School rules                                                                                          check, check
  • Follows Directions                                                                                              check, check
  • Demonstrates listening skills                                                                              check, check
  • Takes personal responsibility for behavior                                                          check, check
Work/Study Skills
  • Contributes to classroom activities                                                                     check, check
  • Exhibits organizational skills                                                                              check, check
  • Completes class assignments                                                                               check, check 
  • Completes and returns homework                                                                         check, check
  • Exhibits neat and legible work                                                                              check, check
  • Works independently                                                                                            check, check
  • Demonstrates effort                                                                                               check, check
  • Accepts responsibility for individual learning                                                   check, check
First Trimester Teacher Notes
It has been a pleasure getting to know Drew over the last couple of months.  Drew has made a smooth transition to First Grade and has made many friends.  He participates in classroom activities and enjoys sharing.  Drew generates neat and careful work, however he sometimes has a hard time completing his work in a timely manner. Next trimester we will continue to practice reading with fluency and expression as well as using our retell strategies.  At home, continue to practice reading with fluency and expression.  In math, we will focus on patterns as well as addition and subtraction facts.  I look forward to a great year with Drew!

Second Trimester Teacher Notes
Drew has made good progress to date.  He can easily grasp new concepts that are taught.  He is able to segment words into recognizable phonemes, use letters to blend into words and read grade level sight words.  He is reading above grade level with fluency and comprehension.  Also, Drew is able to retell in detail what he has read.  In math, he's able to count, read, and write numbers to 70.  As well as solve basic addition and subtraction facts.  Drew does need reminders throughout the day to focus and complete is work.  Also he enjoys sharing and class discussions..  Keep up the good work!

In both parent teacher conferences we discussed that Drew's a perfectionist and he needs to overcome this - to stop being so hard on himself.  This is why he has a hard time finishing class projects - it has to be "just right".  He is still prone to meltdowns when things aren't just right, but they are improving.  As of the Sprint Parent Teacher Conference, he's reading at level 28 (they want 1st graders reading at 16 by the end of the year).

Needless to say - back to back "straight A's" make for some proud parents!

Ben 10 Halloween

In the spirit of playing catch-up on blogs, I'll be consolidating this post which is Halloween Eve (there wasn't any school on Halloween) and the big night.  Drew was Ben 10 for Halloween this year - an older cartoon that is on Cartoon Network during off hours.  Dave and Drew shopped for this costume the day after Halloween last year, and scored this one for a killer discount.  Problem was he was more into Ben 10 last year compared to this year... and even then not really.  Good news, the costume still fit, barely.  Drew's had a massive growth spurt over the past several months.

Here are some pictures from Drew's school Halloween Parade.

Drew's class making their first round (he's center - white shirt brown pants)

Ben 10 (aka Drew)


Pause in the Parade

Ben 10 Makes 2nd round
 And then the following night was Halloween.  Living where we do there is quite a few homes to hit for trick or treating, so I go prepared...


Dave stayed behind this year to scare the neighborhood kids- his favorite thing to do.  Julie and I took Drew and Christopher until they were ready to drop.


Drew & Darth Vader... I mean Chris

Trick or Treat!



Drew had to have Curious George for the weekend from School
Drew actually called it quits pretty yearly this year.  In years past, he's emptied his bag and gone out for a second round.  This year he was done after the first candy dump.  Worked for me - I could finish the wine sitting down.

Halloween for the Over 21 Crowd

More catching up... Halloween for grownups.  Dave and I celebrated another Halloween party at our friends Brian and Stephanie's (Drew's old daycare).  As always plenty of stories to share and remember, but not necessarily G rated for the blog. 

Here are the highlights - I was Hermione Granger from Harry Potter & Dave was the Punisher.

Punisher & Hermione - before the party

The full Costume

All the ladies (I'm bottom center)

The guys - Dave is back center

Steve & the Punisher

Hermione & the Punisher again

Costume of the night - the troll

Brian & Ms Kirsten (Drew's old Preschool teacher)

Jonelle & Travis - I mean Kool Aid Man & The "ew" girl from Jimmy Fallon

20th High School Reunion

It's about time that someone catches up on a few blog posts.  This one goes back to last October when we celebrated the Antioch High School Class of 1994's 20th High School Reunion!

It was a blast catching up with friends some of which I've seen over the years, but many I haven't seen since walking the halls of high school or graduation.  Dave and I helped set up early on, so we didn't get to join in the pre-reunion fun taking place at a nearby hotel.  We were able to join after the reunion - when I'd had more than my share of drinking.

Here are a few photos.

My name badge with my senior portrait

Photo Booth Fun

Jeana, Irene and I - more photo booth fun

Me, Jason & Heather

Jeff & I

Chad & I - before the Fireball shot

Jenn, Me, Andrea

My DD & I

Ladies Night: Andrea, me, Heather, Irene

The HS gang at the hotel after the reunion
 Rumor has it they're thinking about having another one for the 25th....