Landon's First Report Card

Landon received his first report card, and let me tell you, this mama was BEAMING. I cannot explain in words how proud I was of my big guy.

Here's the scoring (it was S for Satisfactory and U for Unsatisfactory back in my day!):

1-Insufficient performance of targeted grade level standards with support
2-Needs support to meet targeted grade level standards
3-Demonstrates proficiency of targeted grade level standards
3*-Demonstrates proficiency of targeted grade level standards
4-Extends targeted grade level standards

And my baby's report card:

Music-3
Art-3
PE-3
Math-3*
Science-3
Social Studies-3
Listening/Speaking-3*
Reading-4!!!!!!!
Writing-3*

Personal Social Development-3
Work Habits-3
Physical Development-3

Y'all, a 4 in reading! I am so proud of Landon. He is doing so well and I am impressed with his passion for learning.

Just Another Day at the Office

In mine and Christopher's 13 years of grade/middle/high school, we were never called to the Principal's office. (Well, except that one time that I got suspended from school for a day because a dumb buck-tooth boy in my class, Adam, said that my boobies looked like mosquito bites and I slapped him. Details.) Landon has accomplished this in a mere 5 months. Yes, my son was sent to the Principal's office today.

Landon has a few good buddies in his class. They all get along very well according to his teacher. However, she is constantly on all of them as they tend to get a little rough when playing outside on the playground. Today Landon didn't want to play but his buddies kept bugging him to play. He'd tell them to leave him alone and run from them. They would chase him. This happened a few times. (Here is where I ask the question: if his teacher saw this, why didn't she stop the boys from bugging him?) Anyway, enough was enough. Landon got pissed, picked up a small rock (the teacher said it was very small), and threw it...at his friend's head. Landon has terrible aim, except for today. The rock hit the child smack dab in the middle of the forehead.

They were called over to the teacher. Landon was crying immediately as he knew he'd made a bad choice. They all talked it out (she talked to both Landon and the boys that were bugging him). The boy was fine, not even a scratch. Because of the nature of the incident, Landon had to go visit the principal where he was given a stern talking-to and had a behavior report written up (I think that stays on his school record).

His teacher said he was not being malicious, that he was just fed up and made a bad decision. I could tell she felt bad that it all went down like this.

So yes, I am the parent of the 5 year old boy in K that threw a rock directly into another kid's forehead on purpose. Nice!

Sad Face

Every morning, Carter's class has circle time and they talk about how they are feeling that day. Carter's teachers have told us that every day Carter says, "I sad." When they ask why he's sad, he replies, "Cuz my Daddy pop me."

Every. Single. Morning.

I made it very clear to them that his Daddy does not pop him every morning.

And apparently every child in the class is sad every morning now...because their Daddy popped them too!

Carpe Diem!

I recently read a hilarious article written by a mom of 3 children venting over the number of times she has been told to enjoy and cherish every single moment, carpe diem, blah blah blah.

Parenting is tough, y'all. It wouldn't be worth it if it wasn't.

If we are all honest, there are certainly moments that I do not cherish!

It's a long article (I'd recommend clicking the link above and read it when you have a few moments), but I wanted to post two highlights that made me shed tears from laughing so hard.

The first is a description of a scenario when an older lady was telling her to enjoy every moment:

At that particular moment, Amma had arranged one of the new bras I was buying on top of her sweater and was sucking a lollipop that she must have found on the ground. She also had three shop-lifted clip-on neon feathers stuck in her hair. She looked exactly like a contestant from Toddlers and Tiaras. I couldn't find Chase anywhere, and Tish was grabbing the pen on the credit card swiper thing WHILE the woman in front of me was trying to use it. And so I just looked at the woman, smiled and said, "Thank you. Yes. Me too. I am enjoying every single moment. Especially this one. Yes. Thank you."

And her resolution to say this to young moms when she is that elderly lady in the store:

"It's helluva hard, isn't it? You're a good mom, I can tell. And I like your kids, especially that one peeing in the corner. She's my favorite. Carry on, warrior. Six hours till bedtime." And hopefully, every once in a while, I'll add -- "Let me pick up that grocery bill for ya, sister. Go put those kids in the van and pull on up -- I'll have them bring your groceries out."

We love them; there's no question about that. But mamas, don't beat yourselves up if it's not peaches and cream 24/7. Carry on, warriors!

Two 2-Year Old Troublemakers

As promised, more on the tiny trouble-makers. Carter and Jeter, both about two and a half, are trouble with a capital T. I can see many years of havoc in mine and my brother's futures. These little guys decided to take the Power Wheel truck for a spin. It was quite humorous.

Sisters

Me, my sister, and SIL posed for a pic at the Jones Family get-together.


And one that makes me laugh out loud every time I look at it! My sis and me caught showing off our real attitudes. :) Can't mess with this sass!

Jones Family Get-Together

Every January, my Daddy's family gets together on my Daddy's farm to celebrate each other. My Daddy has two siblings, they have us 6 cousins, and we have all managed to produce 12 kids! The 12 little ones have a blast together, running around on the farm, visiting the cows, driving Power Wheels, and riding on the golf cart and Gator.

When we got home, I realized I really only had pictures of Carter and Jeter as we made the little ones stay near the house. I have no idea where Landon was most of the time! (Pictures of the 2 smallest trouble-makers coming in the next few days!)

A truck full of the "big kids"






Jeter stole Aunt Angela's ride! :)


My "baby" niece Elizabeth with her boyfriend, Kendall

Lunch Notes

I've been trying to use my time wisely and manage every day tasks more efficiently. One thing I tried this past weekend was a mass production of lunch notes. I slip a note in Landon's lunch box every day, which typically is a drawing. I sat down and drew a bunch at one time instead of painstakingly thinking of something creative at 9pm when I am packing his lunch.

No judging...no one said I was good. :)

What's On My Head?

I picked up this fun little game, What's On My Head?, at Walmart for $2.50. Someone else picks a card and slips it in your headband. They give you clues to help you guess what's on your card. It's a silly and fun little game that has provided many laughs. Worth a million in entertainment value!

Meal Planning

Christopher gave me this magnetic meal planner for Christmas. It is very common for me to get home around 5:45 and stand in front of the pantry cabinet and fridge for 15-20 minutes trying to figure out what to fix for supper. And then I have to preheat the oven, thaw the meat, etc. Last week was my first week using this planner and it helped tremendously. I knew exactly what I was fixing when I walked in the door. If I had something to thaw, I'd pull it out the night before.

We make the plan as a family and starting next week we're going to find and try one new recipe per week. We plan the main dish; the sides are always easy to add on once that's been determined.

Landon helped me write out this week's plan:

Monday: Daddy isn't home on Mondays so the boys and I go out; Landon's choice this week is McDonald's!
Tuesday: spaghetti
Wednesday: fish cookies (aka salmon cakes)
Thursday: cereal (Mommy's night out with the girls!!)
Friday: pigs in a blanket (Landon begs for these every week!)
Saturday: we'll be in Virginia so a freebie!!!
Sunday: chicken patties (something quick & easy since we'll be getting home from VA)