Politics Politics

Is that what you call it?  When it's drama in the family?  I don't know - it's in suffering though.  One of the *lovely* family members has "un" friended both Bill and I on facebook - I know, gasp, how will we survive right?   I have to admit it was kind of weird - because we haven't seen hide nor hair for a LONG time - but I figure maybe they're cleaning out their "friends".  Whatever.  But the games go on - now we are getting more mail from them then we have in a lifetime.  It's like "look at me, look at me, I un-friended you - you're suppose to be upset".   It is to laugh. 
But......
In life that matters:

Attended a meeting about why Jack is receiving "enrichment" (tutoring) in reading.  I met Riley's Mom (Riley is one of Jack's best friends- and come to find out - they are cut from the same cloth- surprise, surprise, surprise)  ;-)   So here's the deal about why so many kids are in this "enrichment" class.  (leave it to school to put a positive spin on a title of a class)  :-)  Seems 2/3 of the entire Valley View School Dist will be in one of these classes for either Math or Lang Arts, because we are now adhering to NATIONAL standards instead of IL Standards.  :-/  Which I think is great - just stinks that we were so far behind AND it stinks that it will take away from another class - namely Careers or Band.  But I do see how their hands are tied because if I remember correctly IL is a state where PE is REQUIRED so the only thing left is Band.  :-/   It really is a shame.  So now the Band Director (as most Band directors ) has to pull more weight and get kids ready for the same productions with less and less time. 

I'm not sure what to do about our school systems problems - nationally.  but I KNOW it's NOT cut teachers.  We've GOT to wake up!!!  We've got to see that our CHILDREN are where our money should be spent and it's GOT to be PUBLIC.  I won't get into all of my "opinions" about private school or Millionaire's getting tax breaks or Oil companies getting subsidies - everyone has their own opinion about that.  But one thing I DO know for a FACT that we don't do right by our children - society wise.  That's one thing - if I could fix stuff - I'd ask God - or whoever - how the heck do we solve THAT one. 

But back to MY problem.  ;-)  He'll be in this class 2 days a week and it will focus on his comprehension of reading.  I'm all for it - except that it will take from Band.  So we sat him down last night and talked to him about how being in Band he'll have to do his work and then some because he will be a little behind because of his enrichment class.  We also explained why he was in this class and why this class was even in existence.  In typical Jack from he gave us the huffy breath and the "can I go, now" look.   THAT one will drive me to the asylum - this I'm sure of. 

We did the library again this week.  Sal's really getting good at finding books that she likes.  We started reading this week too - Sal's doing VERY well at that - as long as I remind her not to sing-song it.  She LOVES to do 'school-work' everyday and badgers me till I sit with her and read.  Jack and I are reading "Holes" now.  He seems to get it.  He just HATES taking time out to do stuff like that.  This week he's in for Math work on the computer.  Lucky lucky boy.  :-)

So, so far - we're doing well this summer.  I tell ya, it's scaring the heck out of me.  They're still fighting and bickering but for some reason I think I've learned how to ignore it.  Never having siblings close to my age  - I never had to deal with all that fighting and bickering and it's a little un-nerving for a control freak like me.  ;-)   I've even managed to cook dinner every night AND have something that Jack likes at each meal.  Now THAT'S an accomplishment.  :-) 

He is getting a little better about eating and he's really showing some interest in cooking.  We're thinking maybe every Friday our cooking day.  We'll see how it turns out.  ;-)