Let's call this post Fifth Grade, Third Time Around
I remember very little about fifth grade. I remember I had Mrs. Kleppner. I remember that I did my first social studies/fair project on the Pyramids at Giza and the horrible time my Dad had cutting the triangles so they would fit together properly. I remember fifth grade was hard; reading comprehension issues made every subject a challenge from word problems in math to class speed reading with a little machine thingie on the board. I always failed those reading this/answer questions sections b/c I could NEVER keep up much less comprehend what was going on. Somehow I managed b/c my Mom wasn't one to help me with school work. If my brother couldn't help me with math, I was screwed. (THANK YOU Dale for being a good brother!)

The state standards are getting pushed into younger age brackets; they are doing some pre-algebra stuff as far as I'm concerned. Here in CA, 5th grade is hard too. Maggie made it through 5th grade well enough. And here we go again - Sean is in 5th grade. His teacher is awesome and a guru about organization and responsibility. Sean gets the pre-algebra stuff and seems to 'get' math overall. (thank goodness!) BUT (you knew there was a but!) he struggles with reading comprehension as I once did. So I'm delving into US History once again. I'm learning that I certainly didn't truly learn a lot OR I've forgotten a ton (I'll wager a little of both, but I did remember the capital of Kansas!). Sean has his first history chapter test tomorrow. We've been going over his study guides, re-reading the chapter and reviewing vocabulary. He is allowed a notes page so I'm typing it for him. There is such a fine line between feeling like I'm doing too much and letting him handle it on his own. I'm just not one of those sink-or-swim kind of Moms I guess. (I had one of those.) He can sit in the pool and tread water forever but he can't learn to butterfly if he isn't helped along. kwim? I absolutely WILL NOT do the work for my children (book reports, dioramas, science fair projects, etc.) but I feel like it's my job to guide them and help them along. He has studied and written out his notes page but I offered to type it for him so he will have it more clearly written. He told me how he wants it laid-out and how to outline stuff. All I'm doing is typing it b/c he has sports commitments.

So tell me, is typing it for him wrong? It's a notes paper. It's not a state project that he has worked on for six weeks and was expected to type himself. He has studied; he has written notes. I sat with him and went over the chapter/sections to make sure he got the BIG PICTURE. ( he tends to have a hard time analyzing stuff)

Am I fretting over this because my Mom didn't do a thing for me academically? (especially as I struggled to even tread water sometimes) She didn't go to parent teacher conferences, ferpetesake.

I am untying some apron strings with Maggie now in middle school. I'm letting her spread her wings (even if they need to be clipped a little). I want my kids to be confident learners so I will continue to guide them academically.

Just for today, I will be grateful that we have groceries and healthy food to eat; many people go hungry.

Just for today, I will be grateful that I have an education and can help my kids with their homework; no matter how tedious it may be.

Just for today, I will be thankful for my home (that is STILL on the market); some people have no shelter.

Just for today, I will be appreciate my four healthy children; just one year ago, one was VERY UN-HEALTHY.

Just for today, I will enjoy the Monday Night Football game, even though the Saints aren't in it (and they lost yesterday).

Just for today, I will SAVOR and appreciate the fact that I have AIR-CONDITIONING; many folks don't have a/c and today is simply miserable w/o it.

I have a clever football post, but since Blogger is not letting me add the photos once again. I'll wait until I can add them.

For now, I'll post about Maggie. You don't hear about her much so I thought I would share a little about what she's been up to. two words = MIDDLE SCHOOL! She started 7th grade on Sept. 2nd; she walks to school with friends; I have yet to be at the school once (and we are starting week three). It's a whole new time of adjustment for all of us. Not knowing who her teachers are and what she is 'really' doing during the day is weird. I'm at the elementary school so much that I know who is where at any given time; now, she is just out there in some mysterious land called MIDDLE SCHOOL. I'm anxious for back-to-school night so I can meet her teachers/ put a face with a name/ learn about their expectations/ and find out where her locker is. (b/c it's ALL ABOUT THE LOCKER, ya know)

She has re-connected with many friends that she has had from different activities that she didn't attend elementary school with. She has switched from trumpet to french horn in music; and loves it. She just finished participating in Oklahoma at our local community theater. Overall, she is learning to appreciate sleeping in (that's MY girl!), probably watches too much tv, and loves junk food. (sounds pretty typical, huh?) We butt heads a lot but that's probably b/c she is such a carbon copy of me.

And now I would like to formally apologize to my Mother...........Mom, if I was half as difficult as Maggie is to shop with, please accept my apology. Store choices, style choices, color choices, fabric choices, texture choices, $$$ choices - it's enough to make your head spin. And don't forget the game of  'it's too tight; it itches; it feels weird' when Mom suggests something that the daughter hates. I'm so sorry for being a pain.

I think Maggie forgets that I was once 12-1/2 too! Little did I know that I was walking away with a piece of my Mom's heart when I walked off to the bus stop each day.

You know your house is on the market (and you have a showing) if:
1) you can clean for five hours and you still can find little things to nit-pick and never be DONE!

2) you put apples on the table as a decoration when you ALWAYS keep them in the fridge b/c I hate room temp. apples.

3) you consider clearing the kitchen counter a success by dumping the mail and school papers into a plastic grocery bag and stashing it into the pantry (for sorting during Monday night football).

4) you think 'mopping' the kitchen floor with a hot, soapy dishtowel is perfectly acceptable.

and THE BEST ONE YET:

5) you stash the CLEAN dry laundry waiting to be folded INTO THE EMPTY WASHING MACHINE b/c it's out of sight :)

Sssshhhhhhhh.........did you hear that? ....................it's the sound of QUIET. Beautiful, soft silence. No television, no radio, no washer, no dryer, and no bickering children. It's sorta weird, yet peaceful.

School started last Thursday, but today was the first real day with no one getting out early or having to be there for late start. I didn't speak to one person today (I'm not counting Collin on the phone) until I went out to get a key made for Maggie. I'm not really a hobbit or anti-social, but I've really tried to step back on volunteering and the opportunities I have said 'yes' to haven't started yet. Just trying to manage the household; run errands; meal plan; and be less frazzled for the kids in the afternoon.....I'm trying to enjoy it while it lasts. I even walked to the dog! I know all of our days won't be like this when assignments and projects hit into high gear.

For now, I'm off to make dinner and pretend I have perfect clothes & hair like June Cleaver. I'm probably more on the level of Debra from Everybody Loves Raymond though. (disclaimer: my mother-in-law is awesome and has actually taught me how to cook!)