SO PROUD!!!

OK- so Jake and I have worked our tails off (unfortunately not literally) this school year to improve his reading skills (math, too). Today his teacher gave him a statewide 2nd grade fluency test and he scored an 11. She said passing is a 7-8 (if I recall correctly). Finally, a glimmer of hope... It made my day. Until the car ride home when he announced that 3+3=9. Oh Lordy... I looked back to be sure that he was kidding and found that he indeed was not. So, my bubble was burst... But at least I had a few hours of glory... And I AM glad the reading is improving at least. I let him get a "mocha" (Italian Soda) at my coffee stand to celebrate after school. Look how stinkin' cute he is in this pix. It was taken in Sept., but I forgot to post it.

Chuck E. Cheese Visit

I had a Dr. appt. yesterday and lugged the 3 kids along, with the promise to go to Chuck E. Cheese afterwards. Jake was so cute and read to Jayden in the waiting room during my appointment. They had a ball- and blew through 120 tokens in no time! (Jayden calls it "money") There were several new rides there.

Jonathan- "Cameron Crazy" Guy!

Here are a few pix of Jonathan with his Halloween candy. It was after Halloween, but he was gone on Halloween night, so I made him pose for a few pix. In case you don't know, the Duke (college in NC) men's basketball team is always great. The stadium they play in is called "Cameron", so the fans paint their faces blue, wear blue wigs, and are known as the "Cameron Crazies." We visited Durham, NC last summer and Jonathan got the wig and a t-shirt. So... that's what he wore for Halloween this year. Check out his long hair. He loves it- I hate it. I no longer have control over it, though- or it'd be short! Maybe in the summer- He usually agrees to a cut then. He assures me that it's stylish. He washes it almost daily and is definitely more into his look these days. Pretty cute. He usually reaks of "Axe" deodorant spray! Jayden goes up to him and says, "You STINK JaJa!" He wants me to quit drinking coffee. I told him I'd cut back IF he gets his hair cut. So... maybe it's a good thing he won't cut it after all!!! For without my coffee, I might die...

Halloween Night!

Luckily, I finally started to feel a little better (after my surgery on Tuesday). I did NOT want to miss Trick-or-Treating! Jonathan was at a party at his friend Luke's house. I missed him- and Jake was sad to not have him there to trade candy with afterwards. Anyway, it wasn't too cold for once, and my mom and I took the kids up to a nearby housing development. Jake was done after one block, but there was no stopping Jayden! She would push Jake out of the way so that SHE could ring the doorbell first. It was funny to watch her hustling in her little ruby red slippers! Poor Jake- as spoooooky as his ghoul costume looked, he could NOT see well, so there was no catching Jayden! At first they'd ring the bell and just stand there, but they eventually got the hang of saying "Trick or Treat!"! After 2 blocks, they each had a big bucket full and were done. Mom and I's favorite was the house that gave the adult's hot cider! Then we went home and counted the candies (about 85 each). Jake was required to give me all his Reeses and Butterfingers- and he graciously did so! Jayden wore her bee costume to her daycare party. Jake wore his ghoul costume to school, but was not allowed to wear the mask- he was bummed!

Riitta's 50th Birthday!

OK, so I can't quite believe that I have friends who are turning 50- but it's true! These are my best teaching friends. Stephani, Riitta, me, and Amanda. We decorated Riitta's door and made her wear a crown! Good thing my birthday's in the summer! (I'll be 40- NOT 50!!!)

Cub Scout Pack Meeting

This one was held in my classroom. We had a speaker talk about the flag and patriotism.

"Reesie"

When Jayden was a baby, Jake was just 4. People would ask him what his baby sister's name was, and he'd say "Jayden Narie." (Jayden Marie). He'd really emphasize the "Ree" part, so I started calling her "Ree or Ree Ree" which also led to "Reese or Reesie'. Here she is with "her" candy!