Even though I wrote about the awards and all the fun at the end of the year....we did get some news we weren't happy about. Andrew, Bud and Megan are grounded to the house this summer due to grades. We ask that the kids get "C"s or better on their report cards. Not too much to ask - school is pretty easy. Mark and I believe that the school system has actually "dumbed" down their grading system to allow more children to be promoted. But that is another blog entry all to itself.
Andrew who will be a senior this next year has been grounded for who knows how long because he refuses to do his homework and thinks that he can pull a great grade if he just passes his tests. Now, he has been trying this theory all through high school and it hasn't been working out real well for him. :) He is very stubborn, a lot like his mom, which my parents will probably agree with. He is missing out on so much but we keep reminding him that it is up to him to get out of this hole he has put himself in. He just gets mad at Mark and I like it is our fault that we are keeping him from his high school activities and social life. HUH? How did his grades become our problem. He needs to step up and own it himself. So, after much struggle, he is attempting a change at life. At the moment, he has changed his attitude and wants to achieve some goals. He currently has a girlfriend and it is amazing what power a girlfriend has over her boyfriend! LOL Time will tell....we will see what happens. On Tuesday, he wants to take his GED to see what he can do with that. But, if he passes, he will continue with his senior year and attend school and get grades. But, the GED will get him ungrounded - do you see where we are going with this?? LOL probably not. But, understand we know what we are doing. Mark and I offered Andrew the out of being grounded by passing the GED test. The test is a full day of testing, much like an SAT for college. Andrew has been studying for the GED and he passed the 200 question test online. So, Tuesday is the big day. If he passes the GED, a lot of stress will be lifted from Andrew and he would be able to enjoy his senior year.
Andrew also has attempted to pass his permit driving test and has failed twice because....wait for it, wait for it.....he didn't study! Go figure. He was one more shot to get it - if he fails a third time, he has to wait til he is 18. Do you think he will study this time?? He also has the previledge of having his own car which Mark purchased used and is sitting there waiting for him. If he fails, he will also lose his car. What more incentive does this kid need? Senior year is here and is going to be filled with so much....Please pray for Andrew to succeed and not put off the things that are important.
Next is Bud. Bud received 3 D's the last quarter of the year. From the moment of Meet the Teacher Night in September last year, I knew this was not going to be a good year. Bud received a progress report the first quarter and he informed his teacher that if he gets a D or F, he would be grounded. She let him do makeup work and made F's turn into C's or better. WHAT?!?!?! She took sympathy on him and we never received a progress report again the whole year even though I didn't see much homework being done by Bud all year. HHHmmmm. So, in May, Open House arrived. I went to visit his classroom and out of about 5 reports that the kids did for Open House, Bud had 1 done. It was very dissappointing! I came home and asked him where his projects were....he said he didn't do them. :( That, my friend, was a mistake, because for him NOT doing his reports he finished the year with 3 D's. No sympathy from the teacher at the end of the year!
Last is Megan! So surprised at this one. We didn't see it coming! I found out at Open House she didn't turn in her State report. What? I knew she was working on it! I asked the teacher if she could still turn it in and she said yes. I repeatedly asked Megan about it and she blew me off. The result of not doing her report cost her 250 pts. which she received an "F" in Social Studies. She also received a few D's the last quarter too. Not like Megan at all. Don't know what happened there.
So, with that all said, 3 kids will be grounded for the summer. They can not go anywhere. They will be left out of some fun things this summer. We hope they learned their lesson and will work harder this next year.
This is the part of parenting that is soooo hard. I wish there was a parenting manual that would help solve these situations but there isn't. You have to partner up and put your heads together and deal with it. Hopefully, eventually, the kids will realize that you mean business and will not accept the lower standards. I am sure I have left out a lot of stuff but this is the highlights of what Mark and I are dealing with.....maybe someone could offer use some encouragement or some pointers?? anyone? anyone?
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This last Thursday was the last day of school for my kids. Mark and I threw an "End of the Year" Party for our kids and their friends. Mark counted a total of about 50 kids and adults at the party. We served up hot dogs, chips and sodas along with lots of memories. My friend, Marcee, even brought over the stuff to make root beer floats for all the kids. It was a 5-hour party!! What a way to end the school year! 
Megan also won an award this year! Despite her grades for the last quarter, they weren't that great! Megan earned her letter last year and won the silver star that is on her letter this year. It is also based on a point system just like Tasha. We are proud of her efforts towards her goals. Congratulations Megan and have a great 6th grade next year.
The end of the school year brought awards. Tasha graduated from 6th grade and is off to Jr. High. She won the Bill L. Williams "Pioneer" Award for outstanding 6th grader. She was nominated by her teacher and was chosen by the principal. Tasha has worked so hard to achieve goals over the past three years.
Bud came home from school one day with Wolverine type claws on his hands that he made. Briggor had to have some too. They ran around the rest of the evening pretending to be Wolverine from X-men. It was way too cute! Had to take pics!
On May 20th, we traveled down south to an LA Dodger game. Mark got incredible Club seats, 4 rows from the field on the first base side. We took Mark's cousin, Rick and Andrew to the game with us. With these seats you get clubhouse food - all-you-can eat buffet and drinks during the game til the 6th inning. YUM! The seats even had a table in front of you where you could eat. The outfielder ran in and through the ball our way. It was right there....floating in the air towards me....I just sat there...numb! I didn't even jump to get it. You think I would have with my softball skills...but no, I let the girl next to me have it! What a dummy! LOL We had a great time and the Dodgers won that evening!! WHOOOHOOOO! Go Dodgers!
Briggor took a big leap the other day! He jumped off the diving board. Not too sure about it
Monday evening was a night for music! Tasha had her last Elementary school band concert. They were amazing! It was a wonderful evening! Tasha sat 2nd chair in the orchestra! She has signed up and got approval from her elementary band teacher to play at Jr. High Level next year! We are so proud of Tasha!
With Mom"! It was held right before school. There were so many moms there! It was nice to see all the kids enjoying some time with mom.
Sunday was Mother's day! Really, what a shocker you say! My hubby started my day with Starbucks then off shopping at Home Depot for stuff for the yard. Drove around for an hour looking for an open florist but nothing!! LOL Megan and Ryan wanted to buy me flowers. I encouraged them to buy me stuff for the backyard - something that will grow and I can always remember that they gave it to me on Mother's Day. So, with that said, we stopped at the corner where they were selling plants and pots and stuff. Ryan and Megan bought me rose trees. Mark bought me a couple of plants, pots and stuff for the backyard..jpg)
This is some more of the stuff that the kids made at school for me. Jade even brought home a pumpkin plant to plant outside. :) My kids rock!
We ended the day with pizza and swimming by the pool. No work for me! :) .jpg)
We finally found Megan in passing and then we were able to have lunch with her. It was a good day!
