licensed to drive

Our new licensed driver hasn’t stopped giggling and smiling since she passed the behind the wheel test this afternoon.

Way to go Zoë!

a lesson learned…again

I am old enough to know better but I can be a bit dense when common sense should come into play. Today’s lesson learned is one should not wear their swingy, flared, above the knee-length cotton skirt with voile lining much like this one on a lovely WINDY spring day. Sure it is the perfect thing to wear, when paired with a simple t-shirt and ballet flats, on a spring day but certainly not when the winds are blowing constantly at around 25 mph. All I can say is thank goodness I was wearing underwear when I picked up Daniel from school yesterday.

they must live under a rock

If I am to believe the chatter in the great blogosphere today, I swear that I must be the ONLY parent in the continental United States who doesn’t have to explain the whole Miley Cyrus/Vanity Fair controversy to my “poor confused and upset children”. Could it be that my kids live under a rock?

Um, no.

Actually they just aren’t rabid, freaky Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus fans who must possess all things connected to her. In fact they roll their eyes every time they see any Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus merchandise anywhere.  Another reason is perhaps because they don’t read Vanity Fair. Does every blogger out there who has their panties in a wad over this read it, I wonder? Did they read the article? Some of the photos perhaps might be considered too mature for a fifteen-year old girl. I know that I would intervene if Ms Leibovitz took photos like that of my teen-aged daughters. Perhaps folks should be upset over the choices of the responsible adults in the life of this teenager rather than Miss Cyrus. I imagine that if I did ask my children what they thought they would probably agree…or they would likely again roll their eyes.

You see; the fact that my clowns live under a rock here under the Big Top has nothing at all to do with their lack of questions about this entire, breaking-news controversy. I guess that there is much more going on in their lives and the world around them to keep them occupied.

testing STARs

Over at Weary Parent, Char is ranting about the Standards of Learning Exams that her son is taking this week. I must say that I pretty much see eye to eye with her on the need for these tests. This annual education exercise can be a helpful tool for educators and students. It certainly helped to identify and create even more challenging learning opportunities for my daughters as they all (mostly) consistently scored in the tippy-top percent-ile. Still, like Char, I find myself frustrated over the fact that time before the tests is spent prepping the students to perform well. I would often question their teachers why it was necessary when one would interpret that the purpose of these tests is to see what my children have learned. The amount of pressure put on my kids during the weeks leading up to STAR testing was out of control. These are A-B students stressing over whether or not they will pass and what their STAR test scores will do to their chances in being promoted to the next grade level next year.

But the pressure didn’t stop at the classroom. No, parents were sent home reminders to make sure that we put a good, nutritious breakfast into the bellies of the little STAR test subjects. We also were lectured on the importance of providing the children a good night’s sleep during those two weeks of testing.

So offering M&Ms and Diet Coke for breakfast after a night of watching Conan, Kimmel and the ProActiv infomercials during STAR test week is a bad idea?

Then I can assume that it is still okay for Daniel because they don’t do STAR testing in kindergarten?

Can I resume my bad parenting bed time and breakfast habits once the testing period is over?

I wonder…

But the STAR test prep got even better this year. Our school sent home a letter with the standard laundry list of do’s and dont’s for parents to consider but they also included our children’s STAR test scores from last year with the encouragement that we should prod the students to do even better this year. They also were helpful in providing websites that offer “fun learning activities” (practice test questions) to help prep the students. What amused me was when I viewed the previous year’s test scores: Reading Comprehension- 100%ile, Math Facts- 100%ile, Math Comprehension 99%ile, Writing- 100%ile, Vocabulary- 100%ile.

Hmmmm….

Clearly the kid could do better. It must be the M&Ms and Diet Coke that her mama is feeding her!

In all seriousness, I DON’T take the annual STAR testing seriously. Yes that is right Mrs. Principal of my kids’ school. The mama who provides you with some of your consistent top academic performers just doesn’t care about the standardized testing season.

Why?

It is too much pressure. One year I seriously worried that one of my children might implode over the stress and worry that she was internalizing thanks to her teachers earnest efforts to prep her to perform well. The kid was at the top of the academic heap in her class yet she was freaking out over this standardized test? The school year was winding down and according to her last report card it was clear that she was more than ready for the next grade level having met all the objectives of the current school year yet here she was worried that this test was going to hold her back. I could not deal with this craziness so I let her in on a little secret her teachers forgot to share with her. While the STAR test certainly helped to identify her as qualifying for more challenging and fast-paced academic opportunities (GATE) its main goal was to show how well her teachers and the school were doing and whether or not they were meeting the state’s academic standards. Was she an accomplished 3rd grader or not? She thought this through and reasoned that yes she was a great 3rd grader who was more than ready for 4th grade. She then went on to take the test nourished with her M&Ms and Diet Coke and scored, once again, in the top tier.

Whoo-hoo!!! She looked great on paper according to the STAR test gods. Her school looked good thanks to her performance. All was right in the world.

But, like some things I do as a human parent raising these clowns, this bit of parenting wisdom came back to bite me in the butt. Fast forward a number of years later and the same child basically scored in the way-low bottom percent-ile of the sacred STAR test which made her appear to be on paper Forrest Gump stupid and not the ideal student for her new, academic over-achiever focused school. Her guidance counselor suggested perhaps we should consider the alternative school. Mommy~Dearest of course wallows in major guilt that the educators were right about our breakfast choices and my daughter’s brain was now the equivalent of mush. It was then that the darling daughter reassured me that I had not failed her because she basically filled in random bubbles making oh-so pretty designs on her STAR test. Why? Because, she sagely reminded me, the STAR tests are not that big of a deal in her academic career.

Yes, I repetitively banged my head against the wall over this one. But somehow we survived, she graduated from high school and no one really cares how she performed (or didn’t perform) on all those STAR tests that she had taken. Lesson learned. I now not only push the kids to bed early during STAR test week and forgo the candy and soda for breakfast for something more nutritious but I remind the kids that while the STAR tests are not that big of a deal I do expect them to do their best on them. Thankfully, we have survived yet another season of standardized tests so we are back to our late night tv habits and junk food breakfast habits…

KIDDING!!!!! …but only about the breakfasts and bedtimes.

my reality LIVE from my reading table

It just isn’t right that I am dealing with potty training, wiggly first teeth and learning how to read, write and tie one’s shoes in the midst of hot flashes and other annoying, uncomfortable things going on with my body. Yes, I know, this is what I get for adding to the family circus when I turned 40. Still, I just can’t help but believe that it ain’t right.

I just might have to hijack Holly’s midwife appointment with my own health issues.

because I know hell will freeze over before Apple beats down this mommy-blogger’s door and offer freebies

I upgraded my ‘Pod..

Abby is now the proud owner of the sleek, sexy, black 8GB Nano that was mine and Mommy~Dearest is getting to know her new 16GB iPod Touch. I’m getting to know it because I am still trying to figure out how to connect to the ‘net when it says I can’t and says I am connected.

Yes, I am one of Apple’s lemmings and Abby doesn’t seem to mind this hand-me-down at all.

In the meantime, I have downloaded some fun video podcasts to keep me occupied while I wait (patiently) with Holly tomorrow for her midwife appointment…average wait time is 1 hour and the  freakin’ old Golf and Car & Driver magazines just are not entertaining enough. This is why I had to upgrade.

gettin’ his kicks (not) on Route 66

Monday night UPDATE: The car is now up on the shelf…after two days of Daniel pedaling, polishing, hugging and kissing the car. It’s times like these I am truly grateful for 2-3 hours of school.

So I found this amazing, vintage pedal car on eBay.

It is the absolute perfect addition in his room on the dust-catcher architectural shelf in his bedroom, right above the Route 66 mural.

But then he found it before I had the chance to get it up on the shelf.

After he expressed his undying love for “her” I found myself wondering if we will be able to get the vintage car in it’s rightful place ready to travel along Route 66.

:::::sigh:::::

Perhaps not.

Gosh darn it all to heck!

they grow

It’s so hard to imagine that he once fit into my hand! He found his sign, that the March of Dimes has displayed for the past two years at local events, ran up to is shouting, “Hey, that’s me!”

It was a good day to participate in the March for Babies. But now I am off to soak my self in the hot tub. Daniel, because he is so much younger and resilient after the 3.6 mile walk, is off to a birthday party.

because a person is a person no matter how small

Some folks have been wondering where in the world is TeamDaniel this year. Well, while three of the circus act will be walking in tomorrow’s March of Dimes walk in Modesto, TeamDaniel is on hiatus. Why? I’ve been a little too distracted and busy with the coming attraction, the tiny dancer’s and the cheerleader’s competitions, the soccer player’s games and everything else going on around here under the Big Top this year. Funny thing though, the family was pretty disappointed over my executive decision as the family juggler. Such is life under the Big Top.

Nevertheless, tomorrow Jodie, Daniel and myself will be walking with my hospital’s team and meeting and greeting with former patients of mine who will be attending our NICU’s annual reunion. Check out the way-cool t-shirts our team will be walking in:

Those of us in the NICU truly do love what we do. We take very seriously our role in the lives of the babies and families that we care for. Some of them may be very tiny but still a person is a person no matter how small. With that sentiment in mind, we work extra hard to always treat our babies with the same dignity and respect every big person deserves.

Every year, half a million babies in the U.S. are born prematurely. Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death and many life long disabilities. The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. The funds we raise for March for Babies support research that saves babies’ lives.
Daniel is a our miracle man and a prime example of what funds from March of Dimes can do through research and development to improve prenatal and neonatal care, and education for families and professionals alike.
But this year I am not walking just for my little man and the many preemie babies I have cared for over the years. I am also walking in honor of my grandbaby due this June 2008. One in eight babies are born prematurely. It is my hope and prayer that my grandbaby will have the best possible start in life. She and every baby deserves this chance.
It is generous support like yours that makes preemies like Daniel smile the way that he can and does everyday and gives every unborn baby a chance for the best possible start.
Please join me with your generous support for the March of Dimes March for Babies 2008.

Of course it’s not too late to sponsor me.

note from school

Daniel received this note today from the girl in his class. I think she likes him. Since I am the mother of four strong-minded daughters who have never been too shy about telling a boy how they feel I won’t even comment on the fact that this little miss made the first move. Obviously she is a girl who appreciates what an awesome boy Daniel is. Daniel seems to appreciate her attention too as he shared the note with his teacher, his class, the ladies at Starbucks and me.

Today Daniel and I attended his year-end IEP meeting where it seems even more people appreciate how awesome he is. Seven professional educators to be exact. All told the meeting went very well. It is clear that he has made much progress this past year and managed to stay on track with some of the mainstream kindergarten objectives. But he still has some delays and challenges and he definitely needs the more intensive one on one instruction; so he will continue in special ed in first grade next year with a little more mainstream time.

Good Lord! First Grade! How can it be that my little boy will soon be in first grade? Time just moves too fast sometimes.