Great Trimester!

  The boys' elementary school just ended the second trimester so that means REPORT CARDS and CONFERENCES!! This is an anxious time for parents, whether your student is having trouble with some aspect of school life or not.  Fortunately, we are the people with students not having trouble.  Third grade is the first year our school district assigns letter grades.  Zach, being in the second grade, receives numbers 1-4 with 4 being the highest possible rating. 
  Ken and I are very proud of the boys' report cards with Zach receiving all 3's and 4's (meets or exceeds grade level standards) and Ben receiving all A's!! I always struggle at conference time with not wanting to be that parent thinking my child "walks on water", but being able to effectively communicate to the teacher my child's academic and social needs.  As a future teacher (eventually), I try to think about how I would want the conference to go if I was in their shoes.  I think that has helped in the last few years since my children have started school, it also helps that both boys have had some fantastic teachers along the way!  
  It's really amazing to think about how much of what happens at home translates to school performance.  In my kids' case, it appears we are doing the "right" things at home, but many times I still doubt myself and worry if I'm "messing up" the boys forever.  I guess I'm safe to continue our no electronic days, our reading times, our game nights, our Discovery Channel T.V. habit, and our Cash Cab in the car...along with Wii time, Suite Life on Deck nights, and Slurpees before dinner...everything in moderation!

Pinewood Derby Weekend

Well, our annual Pinewood Derby for the boy's Cub Scout Pack has come and gone! 

 For those of you that don't know, Pinewood Derby is when each boy gets a block of pine wood to carve a vehicle out of.  These cars cannot be powered by motors and have to follow specific weight, height, and length specs.  Each boy competes agains the other boys in their den (grade level). Medals are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers.  Then, the top three cars in each den compete against each other for the top three spots in the Pack.  Ben and Zach both finished 1st place in their dens!! So both of them raced in the Pack final and Zach won first place there!  What a great finish for all their hard work. The boys both used Ken's bandsaw to cut out the initial shape of their cars, then there were many nights of sanding.  Next came the painting, then the wheels and axles had to be prepared, along with adding graphite powder for speed.

We had a great turn out at the Derby this year and Uncle Ed, Uncle Bryan, Aunt Sarah, and Lucas came to cheer our boys on.  Since both Ben and Zach placed 1st in their Dens they qualify for the District Pinewood Derby in April, so I guess all the sandpaper and graphite powder can't be put away yet!!

Birthday Sleepover

Whew!  What a night...Ben had 4 of his buddies over last night (minus one who got sick after school) for a belated birthday sleepover.  All I can say is I'm glad Zach's birthday is not until June LOL!  Really it was a fun time, but I learned some things about myself last night: 

1. We really do have a quiet house, even with a 7 and 9 year old living here. 
2. I am not as patient as I thought.
3. If I hear the word "crap" today I will scream!
4. Sleepovers make you appreciate your own kids more.

Now in regards to number 4 on my list, I am being totally honest when I say all the boys here last nice were very well behaved.  They had good manners and listened.  Everyone has their own quirks, even kids, and that is highlighted when you have them over your house for the night :-) Ken and I were tired this morning, but the house is in pretty good shape (those well mannered boys know how to clean up after themselves too) and I have the rest of this rainy day to relax around the house, maybe I'll even scrapbook!