Here's an entry....okay????

Someone mentioned to me this morning that I have been "slacking" on my journal. Silly me thinking  the laundry, housework, homework, errand running, dinners, etc. were more pressing tasks. However, I'm not one to disappoint a *fan (*enter sarcasm here), so I will do my duty and provide an entry. Of course, in doing so I will be foregoing thawing out a plump, juicy steak for dinner....so said *fan will probably go hungry tonight....this one's for you, darling....

Well, we are on day 3 of the FCAT's. Wee one has been sick since Monday with a throat infection, and wakes up each day with a sore throat. I am taking her to the doctor to get some antibiotics, and hopefully that will help her get through the rest of the week. Today she took throat lozenges to school, and of course, popped her morning dose of two tylenol and a zantac. They were told that the reading section would be first, so she wasn't nervous when she went to school on Monday. Of course once she got there he had made a mistake and it was the math....but she said she thinks she did well. A few kids didn't finish the test and were crying in class. You see what happens when you threaten them with failure? They tense up and lose their confidence.

Here's how the tests are affecting the 5th graders. Wee one said that at recess they were playing a game and:

One boy out of frustration told another to "just shut up!

Wee one was running to catch a ball and another girl came up behind her and said, "At least let me catch one!" Wee one then hurled the ball in her general direction out of frustration to which the girl yelled back, "Well I don't want it NOW!"

Because she is feeling crappy, wee one didn't wave to her friend in line so said "friend" wouldn't talk to her. At lunch time wee one told me, "Every time I tried to say something she would turn at a 90 degree angle (remember, this was math day), and not talk to me. Then she turned again to make it a 180 degree angle!"  (I'm sorry she had a bad lunch, but I know she knows her angles!)

Of course, on the other side of her was the recess girl who when she asked wee one what was wrong, she looked at her and said, "What do you THINK?" She said they all ate looking straight ahead.

I'm telling you, the stress is making these kids crazy! I will be very glad when Tuesday gets here and things go back to normal. Wee one took her container of chocolate covered peppermint reception sticks to share with the class. Apparently peppermint stimulates the brain, so they can have minty snacks while testing. They are also told to have peanut butter instead of pop tarts for breakfast. Now why wasn't I told that the secret to superior brain power was as easy as peanut butter and peppermint? Here I was thinking it was good teaching and studying! Sheesh....

Oh, and here's the topper. You know how the girls worked all weekend on their invention convention project. We went out and spent over $60 for supplies, spent Saturday and Sunday working on their idea, writing reports, going to the library. Her friend came over Monday so that they could fill out the five pages of required paperwork....all of this so that they could have their work done by the due date on Thursday, during FCAT's....well, apparently the teacher made a little mistake and put that it was due the 2nd instead of the 28th on the class website. I can't tell you the words that jumped from my brain to my mouth and came flying out....and let me tell you there were plenty of parents who spent the weekend doing the same thing we did, who were not very happy! Although, I must say that at least now the project is 90% done and they can just enjoy their spring break instead of worrying about it. Still....it was a ton of stress at a time that we certainly didn't need it.

I can't believe it's March already. Actually, I don't know what it seems like. I know I've been here going on 4 years, but I'm still not used to the seasons. It feels like spring and looks like fall. The leaves are falling and we need to rake....yet the buds are alreadyon the trees. It is so mild out during the day, yet at night and in the morning we need the heat on. This week it is supposed to go up to 80, which will be nice because the humidity isn't here yet. I have another month of good hair....yay!

Okay, I've spent enough time here....my coffee is almost gone, the dog is pacing and I need to run errands....have a good one!