Christmas 2010

Well, the Christmas season got off to a slow start for us.  I am thinking because we were so busy from the 1st - 17.  Either 1 or more things was going on every day.  I was practicing with Trinity's choir for our proformance and then the proformance.  Zachary was in the local highschool production of The Wizard of OZ.  He was the mayor of munchin land.  He had practices and then 5 proformances.  The rest was either cub scouts, Christmas parties, and a birthday party. 

We started our buying the week of Christmas and finished the day before Christmas Eve.  I don't suggest this to anyone it was crazy.  But, everything was found and wrapped and under the tree.

Christmas Eve Brooke got to sing at church and light candles.  Then we made cookies for Santa.  The kids were difficult to put to sleep. 

Christmas day started out at 5am with Brooke waking up and crawling into our bed.  We somewhat sleep until 7am. 

Brooke's presents:  A very big baby doll, perry pj's, roller skates, doll, pillow pet, a couple of matching games, pink boots, a coat, a red dress, cloths, Phineas and Ferb figures, dora video, dora figures.

Zachary's presents:  Ben 10 ultramatrix, ben 10 figures, perry pj's (2 sets), more pj's, lego star wars, Super Mario Bro's 2 along with the book that explains everything, electronic monolopy

My presents:  a new computer, Wii Fit, Jillian Micheals Wii fit, fuzzy slippers, necklace from Zachary, tennis shoes, flip flops, belt,

Mark's presents:  Wii Tiger Woods golf, Wii boweling, crown royal, tennis shoes, chocolates, jeans, gun shells, pic of his mom/dad/scott, movies (tons of movies)

Family gifts:  creationary and repair/paint the house

All in all it was a very goo Christmas.

Brooke's first day of Preschool / Drawing

Yesterday, Brooke started Preschool at Kindlelight. She is in the 3 year old classroom even through she is only 2.5 year old. She is as tall or if not taller than most in her classroom The teacher said she did very well. That she was the most outgoing of all the kids. She would go play in all the centers where the other kids would just stand and be still.

Brooke drew a picture of a little girl today.

Snowing in Spring!

Yes, today is the 2nd day of Spring and it is snowing outside. Friday I was in shorts and a t-shirt but Monday it should be back up to 60 and 70 by Tuesday. This weather is so weird.

Pictures from Brooke's 2nd birthday Party

Ok, here are some pictures of Brooke's 2nd birthday.















Doesn't really like the hat and the piggy tails poking out of it.




















Likes eating her pizza and cake. Her cake was a barbie doll cake.

















Oh, Mom can you help me reach that toy?



















Who, ME? It MY birthday I didn't do it!








My beautiful 2 year old girl. She looks so much older than 2 in this picture.

Moving on UP

Well, last week Zachary finished 3rd grade Social Studies, however this isn't a subject in which the school will move him up to 4th so he is just finished until next year or unless I want to do something with him. I'm thinking about getting a maps workbook, well see.

The other thing that happened last week is very exciting. Zachary's principal and I have been talking back and forth along with his teacher. His teacher said that he should have been placed into 4th grade this year. The principal said that there was some misscommunications at the beginning of the year about who had the authority to move a child up a grade. So, the principal looked at Zachary's progress and decided that he was far enough along in 3rd grade Literature, Language Arts and Spelling to go ahead and move him up to 4th grade in just these 3 subjects. But, that she couldn't move him up into 4th grade completely. She also said that she would work with me and his teacher about his course placements for next school year. He was also placed into the Advanced Learners Program so that he can receive G/T services.

Zachary is really excited about moving up to 4th grade in Spelling, Literature and Language. He should receive his new books/workbooks Tuesday/tomorrow.

The principal is also talking with the Head of the school and the district about CBE's and previous instructions and weather or not they would accept a 70% on the CBE. She is also talking to them about courses taken at Texas Tech University ISD and if they can accept those courses. So, there is possibly going to be some changes.

Missing Tooth

Well, Zachary has had an eventful week and a half. 1.5 weeks ago he lost one of his top front teeth. Now he has lost the other top front tooth. He is my full fledged snagglepuss.

Zachary's moving up in subjects

Well, I have talking with Zachary's principal about his placement and him fixing to finish up with 3rd grade language arts. Well, the principal went ahead and moved Zachary up to 4th grade Spelling, Literature and Language Arts. The materials have been ordered and the classes are up on the schools website. Zachary is sooooo excited!

The principal is also discussing some other issue like taking the CBE's when you have prior instruction and taking classes at TTU. She is also going to help with Zachary's school schedule for next year. WOW! This principal gets gifted children. Oh, she also put him into the advanced learners program which is like the G/T program for a brick and mortar school.

So, there is some exciting changes and hopefully some challenges in store for Zachary.

Health Update

Well, no food has been able to stay down for 1 month now. I have only lost 12 lbs. which to me is surprising I thought it would be more but that's o.k. Today I am going for Pre-op for the endoscopy on Friday. I will have a tube with a small camera put down into my stomach to see if anything else is going on down there. Right now the doctor thinks I have gastropynesis (sp?) this is where my stomach doesn't digest my food fast enough.

SENG Group Facilitator Training

This past week I went to Dallas, Texas for training. The training was through SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted) so that I can facilitate parents groups. Dr. Webb has a written a book called "The Parents Guide to Gifted Children". I am now certified to facilitate parent groups using this book.

The training was a wonderful experience. I met parents who understood the difficulties in raising a gifted child and school employees who understood the academic needs of gifted children. The support not only has me as a parent but also for me to bring training and a local support group for parents of gifted children was overwhelming. I thank all the ladies who attend this training in Dallas.

I am hoping that in the next few months I can arrange a meeting for the parents of gifted children in my area to see if there is a need or what do we as parents in this area want our group to be.

For more information about SENG please go to www.Sengifted.org

If you would like to purchase this book go to http://www.amazon.com/Parents-Guide-Gifted-Children/dp/0910707790