The FIVE J's: Rest of October and beginning of November 2010

I did not know second grade would be so difficult for me. Each year the teachers ratchet it up another notch and I don't seem to be able to keep up with all the rules! This makes me laugh because, when I taught, I ran a very tight ship. But, in my defense, I was teaching seventh graders, right?

Jackson has had difficulty remembering assignments, bringing home books, the rules on taking reading tests, when his spelling tests are, and not talking at inappropriate times. Each time he tells me about these things, we use them as opportunities to teach him to show respect, be honest, follow directions, etc.

Jackson and the whole second grade are learning about communities this year. Jackson and his classmates are assigned jobs each week where they get paid. They lose money if they receive a ticket. Their tickets are recorded in their take-home folders so we can see the area in which our children erred. Jackson averages about two or three tickets each week and loses cash each time. This does not bother him in the least because he only gets to use his cash once each nine weeks at Market Day. So, we have had to institute some Double Whammy procedures at home to make it hurt a little more.

Market Day is a day where each child devises a product and produces enough to sell. Each child makes their own sign and sets up a table, trying to sell their wares to make a profit. Jackson's first products were little creations he made out of his overflow of Legos at home. He sold out in the first few minutes!

Jackson and Jamie went to Mobile to sleep aboard the USS Alabama with the other Cub Scouts in Jackson's pack. They had a great time and took lots of pictures. Enjoy!

Jonathan has been doing well at school. He continues to receive "good" reports rather than "great." I think he would have to be perfect to get a "great" rating. I have calmed down considerably since the beginning of the year. Initially, I was so concerned about his rating each day but I realized the anxiety I was experiencing was mostly self-inflicted and not of import.

Jonathan has continued to do his crazy stuff. One day an older couple was inquiring about our house. I was talking to them in our driveway, and Jonathan comes tearing out, holding something, winking, and completely naked. I scooped him up, excused myself, and took him in to get a bath.:) I heard the fireplace screen crash down yesterday morning and found him in the fireplace with soot all over his clothes for church, face, hands, and feet. He did the same thing last night and Jamie cleaned him up. Never a dull moment!

I took Jono to the eye doctor a few weeks ago because he has been winking/squinting a lot lately. It started at times that seemed normal but now he does it frequently. The eye doctor said he needs glasses so we are going to get those soon, when I can just take Jono. Any doctor's visit usually means he fills his pants out of nervousness and it would be nice to be alone to deal with that instead of with the entourage of the Warren boys.:) He also spends most of the visit signing "finished" because he is so afraid of being stuck or hurt (he is used to be lying and saying "It's okay" followed by a shot).

Joel continues to teeth. Either he or Jonathan usually wake at night with coughing or breathing problems. Joel, since four months old, has been waking each night with drainage. I am hoping this will end once his teeth are all in. We shall see.

Joel entertains us with his unintelligible verbage and signs adapted from Jonathan. He continues to walk/run around on his toes. He and Jonathan get along quite well and Jackson loves to play with him (unless Joel is intent on destroying Jackson's Legos).

We will soon be marrying off my sister, Betsy. She and Bryan get married the Sunday before Thanksgiving so that is the next big event we are anticipating!

Julie:)

This is a picture Jackson drew. All the kids drew them in his class, saying in what areas they wanted to improve. He says he wants to be "a better person in math."