I have a kindergartner - again. On Friday, I registered Colby - my baby! - for Kindergarten. WOW! Hard to believe. He went with me and did pretty well while I filled out the mountains of paperwork.
The older kids (3-5 grades) had TCAPs (our standardized tests) last week, so Friday was a relaxing day for them. Garrett's teacher told them Friday morning they weren't allowed to learn anything that day. So, after Colby & I registered for Kindergarten, we went outside and he played on the playground with Garrett's class for almost an hour. He had a blast!
He's young - he won't be 5 until the day before he starts. His brother was the same way. In fact, Garrett's birthday is later than Colby's. I considered holding him out. And even though he's registered, I reserve the right to do just that. I did the same with his brother. Spent the whole summer preaching to him about how he needed to behave. We started him and he did fine.
I know every child is different. But, really, how do you hold a child out who is READING just because he's young? Don't get me wrong, Colby's not reading classical literature or anything. But he's reading. I've been trying to remember Garrett's "sight words" from Kindergarten and work on those. He's doing really, really well. He also knows all the sounds of his letters, so in addition to the "sight words" we're working on sounding words out, too. That's going okay.
We're still working on things - like sitting still - but I suspect it will be worse if I hold him out and he's bored when he does finally start. As it is, I'm afraid he's going to be a little bored this year - Garrett was. But, we have great Kindergarten teachers at our school (we have great teachers in all grades, but right now Kindergarten is my concern). Teachers who make learning fun - even if it's something the kids already know - like the sound M makes.
Next year is my first year with 2 in school. A Kindergartner and a 4th grader. I'm not sure it's sunk in yet. Talk to me in August.
Monday, April 27
Wednesday, April 22
Daycare
I work. I like my job, but I call it my second choice. I want to be at home. Since I work, I have to have daycare. For just over 7 years, my children have been in daycare. For 6 1/2 years they have been at the same one - ever since we moved. My youngest has never gone anywhere else. I have been very happy with the teachers there. Similar to the way I feel about my job, I call my daycare my second choice.
My oldest is now in school, but has been going there during the summers. This summer was going to be our last. My youngest starts Kindergarten in the fall. We don't need child care except during the breaks and the school has a good program.
But - yesterday. They met parents at the door (in the morning, when everyone is in a hurry) to tell us they've decided to close the center at the end of May. Now, they said the economy wasn't supporting keeping the center open. Baloney. That center is full. I'm not going to get into it here, but I told the district manager exactly what I thought about that. Then called the corporate office & gave then a piece of my mind also. I was controlled and polite, but was sure to let them hear my frustration and made sure they knew how angry and disappointed I was.
Now, I have to find a new daycare for my youngest. FOR TWO MONTHS! PART TIME for two months. And hope that this crazy transition doesn't mess up his transition to Kindergarten in August. He may handle it better than I am. Kids are much more resilient than adults. But that doesn't stop the worry - and the anger.
I'm dealing, and he'll have a new place by the time his closes. And in August, he'll start Kindergarten at the "big school" with his brother and won't remember all of this. Please, pray for all of us.
My oldest is now in school, but has been going there during the summers. This summer was going to be our last. My youngest starts Kindergarten in the fall. We don't need child care except during the breaks and the school has a good program.
But - yesterday. They met parents at the door (in the morning, when everyone is in a hurry) to tell us they've decided to close the center at the end of May. Now, they said the economy wasn't supporting keeping the center open. Baloney. That center is full. I'm not going to get into it here, but I told the district manager exactly what I thought about that. Then called the corporate office & gave then a piece of my mind also. I was controlled and polite, but was sure to let them hear my frustration and made sure they knew how angry and disappointed I was.
Now, I have to find a new daycare for my youngest. FOR TWO MONTHS! PART TIME for two months. And hope that this crazy transition doesn't mess up his transition to Kindergarten in August. He may handle it better than I am. Kids are much more resilient than adults. But that doesn't stop the worry - and the anger.
I'm dealing, and he'll have a new place by the time his closes. And in August, he'll start Kindergarten at the "big school" with his brother and won't remember all of this. Please, pray for all of us.
Thursday, April 16
Tea Parties!!
I had an amazing time! I have never done anything like that in my life. And I am PUMPED. I'm ready to get involved and do anything I possibly can to keep this up. We are in danger of losing our republic if we do not start paying more attention to what is going on in Washington.
Yes, I'm angry about what's been said about it. How the people are being insulted by the media and left-wing politicians. How the people are just angry and aren't smart enough to organize by themselves. We must be driven (or paid) by a party. Oh, yeah, and everyone there was a "right-wing extremist" and is on the Homeland Security watch list. But those who were at a tea party (any of them) know the truth and it will spread thanks to blogs and word of mouth. You cannot deny what you see.
It was like one huge pep rally. And the horn honking! If you were in Tennesse around 10 years ago, you remember the income tax protests that went on for years. Every time you drove the capital, you honked your horn to let the legislature know you were against it. And it worked. And yesterday it was continued. You could barely hear the speakers because of the horns. It was peaceful, too. Amazing with 10000 people crammed into that space. And clean when we left.
There was no party affiliation yesterday. In fact, I saw signs that blamed Bush for the spending as much as Obama. And they were right. It's about responsibility. And it's about "we, the people" taking responsibility as well. Responsibility for who we send to Washington. Responsibility for watching them while they're there.
I do have pictures, but my batteries died and I need to get new ones before I can upload them. Hopefully some time today.
Yes, I'm angry about what's been said about it. How the people are being insulted by the media and left-wing politicians. How the people are just angry and aren't smart enough to organize by themselves. We must be driven (or paid) by a party. Oh, yeah, and everyone there was a "right-wing extremist" and is on the Homeland Security watch list. But those who were at a tea party (any of them) know the truth and it will spread thanks to blogs and word of mouth. You cannot deny what you see.
It was like one huge pep rally. And the horn honking! If you were in Tennesse around 10 years ago, you remember the income tax protests that went on for years. Every time you drove the capital, you honked your horn to let the legislature know you were against it. And it worked. And yesterday it was continued. You could barely hear the speakers because of the horns. It was peaceful, too. Amazing with 10000 people crammed into that space. And clean when we left.
There was no party affiliation yesterday. In fact, I saw signs that blamed Bush for the spending as much as Obama. And they were right. It's about responsibility. And it's about "we, the people" taking responsibility as well. Responsibility for who we send to Washington. Responsibility for watching them while they're there.
I do have pictures, but my batteries died and I need to get new ones before I can upload them. Hopefully some time today.
Tuesday, April 14
Tax Day Tea Party
So, tomorrow is April 15. An "anti-holiday" to most Americans. Now, my husband & I have already filed our taxes. He starts harassing me to put the paperwork together some time in mid-January every year. That way we're ready when the W-2s and other official paperwork arrive in the mail. And, we got a refund. Well, not a refund. We got our money back that we loaned to the federal government interest free. But I don't necessarily look at that number. I look at the actual tax due numbers. AND IT DRIVES ME CRAZY! If everyone had to actually write a check for their taxes in April instead of just getting back the extra the government took out of their checks, there would be a much larger revolt in this country. People, as a rule, just don't realize how much it is.
I am not one that believes there should be no taxes. I understand the government needs to provide defense and other items. I do not believe the government - at any level - should take care of people. YES, I know there are those that can't take care of themselves. I support charities that do that. And I believe the government has some role in that. But I believe the government has moved into supporting those that won't support themselves. I also believe the government is spending money where it shouldn't. Things that should be taken care of in the private sector - bailouts, anyone?
We need to be involved. I email my representatives & senators, both federal and state, regularly. I follow their websites & blogs and any legislation they sponsor and support. I monitor their voting records. I VOTE. Every. single. time. Now, it's time to do something else. In this country we still have the right to speak out.
I am taking a vacation day tomorrow to do just that. The Tea Party is tomorrow. There are hundreds of these nationwide. Here, in Tennessee, there is one at the capital in Nashville tomorrow at noon. Then there are county tea parties at 6pm all over the state. TWO chances to get involved. Once at the state level, once at the local level. TWO chances to make your voice heard. Guess what? We're going to both. I've never been to a protest before so this is new to me.
And we're taking our kids to the evening one. My kids vote with us. They knew by sight the candidates last year. My oldest got to where he could recognize their voices if he heard speeches from the other room. He also has a basic understanding of the Electoral College. And they both understand elections and the transfer of power. We're taking them because we think they need to understand "we, the people". Especially my oldest. They need to start learning now the responsibility we have to monitor those we elect.
Want to get involved? Find a Tea Party near you...http://taxdayteaparty.com/
By the way - don't just complain and protest. I have also emailed thank yous to my representatives and senators. Complain too much and they just quit listening. Tomorrow, I will take note of who listens and who doesn't and send them messages accordingly.
I am not one that believes there should be no taxes. I understand the government needs to provide defense and other items. I do not believe the government - at any level - should take care of people. YES, I know there are those that can't take care of themselves. I support charities that do that. And I believe the government has some role in that. But I believe the government has moved into supporting those that won't support themselves. I also believe the government is spending money where it shouldn't. Things that should be taken care of in the private sector - bailouts, anyone?
We need to be involved. I email my representatives & senators, both federal and state, regularly. I follow their websites & blogs and any legislation they sponsor and support. I monitor their voting records. I VOTE. Every. single. time. Now, it's time to do something else. In this country we still have the right to speak out.
I am taking a vacation day tomorrow to do just that. The Tea Party is tomorrow. There are hundreds of these nationwide. Here, in Tennessee, there is one at the capital in Nashville tomorrow at noon. Then there are county tea parties at 6pm all over the state. TWO chances to get involved. Once at the state level, once at the local level. TWO chances to make your voice heard. Guess what? We're going to both. I've never been to a protest before so this is new to me.
And we're taking our kids to the evening one. My kids vote with us. They knew by sight the candidates last year. My oldest got to where he could recognize their voices if he heard speeches from the other room. He also has a basic understanding of the Electoral College. And they both understand elections and the transfer of power. We're taking them because we think they need to understand "we, the people". Especially my oldest. They need to start learning now the responsibility we have to monitor those we elect.
Want to get involved? Find a Tea Party near you...http://taxdayteaparty.com/
By the way - don't just complain and protest. I have also emailed thank yous to my representatives and senators. Complain too much and they just quit listening. Tomorrow, I will take note of who listens and who doesn't and send them messages accordingly.
Friday, April 10
On Dan Miller
I grew up in and around Nashville. Aside from a couple of years as a kid in East Tennessee and my 4 years of college, I've always been here. I grew up watching Dan, Demetria, Rudy & Bill on Channel 4 news. I remember when he left, but don't really remember who replaced him. He was an icon on Nashville TV. I don't have the right words, but I heard them this morning watching Tennessee Mornings on Fox.
Charlie said it was "like part of the Nashville skyline is missing". I think that sums it up better than I ever could.
Charlie said it was "like part of the Nashville skyline is missing". I think that sums it up better than I ever could.
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