Chewy Toys

I just wanted to quickly jot down something Jocelyn said to me that made me laugh. For those of you that don't know, Jocelyn has an obsession of chewing on almost anything. It's like having a dog around that chews up everything! Headphones, sunglasses, batteries, anything! So her therapist that use to work with her brought her a chewy tube, a rubber toy that is made for kids that like to chew on things. The purpose is to defer her from chewing on household items. She calls it her chewy toy. Well her chewy toy doesn't work, she still chews everything up.
I was taking a bath and Jocelyn walked it and said,"Is that your boobie,is it a chewy toy, is it squishy?"
She is also starting to tell me to tell her "you're welcome" after she says Thank You to me.

The Forest

Hailey was sitting on the side of the tub watching me shave my legs tonight. She was so funny, telling me about how soft her legs were because she has baby hairs. She told me that mine were sharp like the grass in the forest. After I was done she said my legs were smaller from getting all the hair off. What a sweetie...haha!

Life Is Good

I locked my door before I went to bed so I wouldn't have any UNEXPECTED guests happen to crawl in my bed. I also locked it hoping that when Jocelyn woke up at 6 am she would see it was locked, and go get one of her big sisters to get her some cereal. It worked,I actually got to sleep in a little longer! When I did get up I woke up to the most disasterous house ever! Still, I didn't really mind. I love having older kids to help me out, and I got to sleep in longer! I all of the sudden got in the mood for Christmas, and wanted to go get a Christmas tree.
I made a deal with my kids. I made them each a list, even Jocelyn, and told them to do all of the chores on the list. If they did their jobs then they could get whatever treat their little hearts desired. We made treat lists, and I was off to Wally World to get my Christmas Tree, and the kids treats. This was the most clever plan ever! I had a way fun time shopping *ALONE*, and my house was getting sparkly clean while I was doing it! I thought to myself -Life is way good!
I started to think about how I was glad I didn't have a tiny little baby to take care of. I loved the times I had with each of my kids when they were babies, but I feel like I have done my time! I want to focus on me now that they are more independent, and I want to be done having babies. I am happy with the ones that I have, and I don't think there is room for anymore. After having babies I am so tired until they are about 2 years old. This might sound ridiculous, but it's so true. Having babies kicks my trash!
Two years ago I would have never had the thought of taking all 4 of my kids to the movie, and today I did have that thought. We didn't go, but it was so exciting to me that they are all ages that would be good during a good kid movie.
Life is good, and I've done my time!

Wondering What To Do

At the beginning of the school year I had MERSA, a terrible staph infection. I had to go to the hospital, and I was very sick. I had recieved a phone call from London's teacher around that time, and she was very upset with me because London's homework wasn't getting completed that week, and a couple of notes hadn't been signed and returned.
She called me to let me know. I felt bad, but really I was too sick to make sure she was doing her homework. Friends and family were watching the kids. I think that Matt's mom might have done some homework with her.
I sent a letter to her teacher just a few weeks ago asking her for a report card because I needed something to prove that she was in school. Her teacher sent me the worlds longest email telling me every negative thing about London that she could think of. I don't think that my kids are perfect. I have had a child (Brooklyn) that struggled a lot with school. I even had Brooklyn repeat 3rd grade because I can recognize when there is a problem. I care how my kids are doing, don't get me wrong. I want to know if they are having problems, but she was totally attacking me by saying that I didn't help her at home. I felt like she found pleasure in telling me what a failure my child was. I'm serious, there wasn't anything positive about the email. She also acted like I was an idiot for asking for a report from her. I had just recieved a mid-term from Brooklyn's teacher so I thought she could do the same.
I wrote her back, and explained to her how things work at our home, and she wrote me back and was much nicer.
I met with London's teacher (we'll hide her identity by referring to her as MRS. Haggle Snaggle) yesterday, and she just rubbed me the wrong way. She talked at me, not to me. Mrs. HS told me that she gives the whole class a Pre-test in Math. She doesn't teach the kids any of the concepts first. Then the ones that do above average go to one teacher. Mrs. HS takes the kids that did alright, and then the ones that didn't know any of it go to the resource teacher. Like I said, I want my kids to get extra help if they need it. Brooklyn still goes to resource for help in Math. It's not resource that I'm concerned about. I think that they should teach the kids then do a pre-test. I would feel terrible if I took a test every week and got them all wrong. I think that deviding them up plays a toll on their self-esteem too. The kids in the class know which kids are being sent away because they don't know any of the concepts. London gets things if she is taught. Her problem is paying attention.
Matt came to the school and was looking at the books at the book fair while I was in with Mrs. HS, but he was in the hall waiting for me with the kids towards the end of the conference. My two youngest kids came in the classroom. They sat down and started looking at some books. Mrs. HS haggled out in yelling tone, "Hey you put those books back now, and leave them alone." Well for those of you that know Jocelyn, she just looked down with the book in her hands. The teacher was so mad that she didn't obey her.
I was burning up. I thought, so this is how she talks to the children. How does she treat the students when no one is listening? I just have a bad feeling about her teacher. I want to send London to another school. Maybe Dilworth, and she could ride the bus with Jocelyn. I have dealt with my kids teachers for 6 years now, and I've never felt like this before! NEVER!

*Update*

I called Dilworth and their 2nd Grades are too full :(. I guess I will just talk to London about things, and let her know that just because she is sent away it doesn't mean she isn't smart. I think I'll find out what they are learning and teach her myself ahead of time so she does well on the Pre-tests.

Jocelyn Goes to Pre-school

Last Monday, Jocelyn had her first day of Special-Ed Pre-school. She did really well until it was time to come home. She is supposed to ride a bus to school, which hasn't happened yet. There is has been a mix up with the teacher and the bus driver. She rides a taxi cab home with a teachers aid. She got very upset when that happened. I think she'll get use to it eventually.
On her second day *Wednesday* the teacher called us and told us to come right back to pick up Jocelyn. She said that Jocelyn had a fever of 101.5. When we got home I took her temperature because she was playing and jumping around. NO FEVER! I was worried that she had that nasty flu that has been going around here at first. What a relief when she really wasn't sick. She hasn't even had a cold, or a runny nose. Pefectly healthy.......so that is why I am so confused. Did the teacher accidentally use a toy thermometer from the toy box? Ha, probably!

London's Baptism

I was stressed out about so many things the night before, and the day of London's Baptism. No one seemed to know who had a key to the closet with the clothes, and I wanted to show a movie I made of London, but wasn't sure if we could get into the library to get the T.V. I was also frightened to give a Baptism talk, but I really wanted to do it.....so I asked myself to speak. I got through it, and everything seemed to run smooth. We got the clothes, and the T.V. She was amazingly beautiful. She sang "Love On Another" with my mom, and London sang so pretty, and hit all of the notes right on. I want all of you that helped me out, and participated to know how much I appreciate you! Thank you to all of our friends and family that came.....we love you!!!

Family Photo's 2009

My best friends husband took our family pics a few weeks ago. For those of you that are on facebook, these are old news...but here they are for those of you who aren't.