Common Assessments, EOGs, and MSLs....Oh my!!!

It's that time of year again.  School is coming to a close and our children are faced with the pass or fail exams at school.  I'm not sure about yours but my kids are hyper and hard to keep contained around this time.  I have tried to explain to my students and children alike that if they don't know it by now not to worry over it.  Many of them can take these exams with a grain of salt.  Others worry and loose sleep over every question.

I have a 9 year old with Aspergers Syndrome and he has no interest in these tests.  I have found a way to keep him focus and on task though.  Last year I had to "bribe" him in a way.  Each day he is monitored and if he focuses and reads the questions he earns a tiny Lego set.  At the end of the week, if he has earned all the Lego sets for the week he earns a larger Lego set.  It is working for him again this year, but we have omitted the smaller sets and he will just earn a large one.  He passed his EOGs last year with flying colors.  I was amazed that it worked so well.

Now that I have found his price, I am worried that he will out grow Legos.  I am sure that something will replace the Lego obsession, and I will just have to figure that out when the time comes.  Now if I could just get him to learn that homework is a must.  I guess that is a battle for next year.

Our New Favorite Game

Our family, like many, has children that will drive us crazy in the car.  Jackson, almost 8, and Caleb, 11, will bicker with no end.  I picked up this handy Melissa and Doug USA license plate game and the fun has began.  Everyone is into it.  My husband usually wins for the boys. Oh yes, they usually pair off against the only two girls in the family.  There are four of them and only two of us.

This game is fun and fast paced.  It keeps the children occupied and learning at the same time.  They have memorized many of the states and their locations.  In order to hold the game board you must know where the states are because the teams call them out rather quick.  As soon as we start down the road you will hear, "North Carolina, Virginia!"  We all get excited when we see a plate from the west coast.  Alaska and Hawaii get major bragging rights.  This game is a staple for all of our road trips.

How do I love thee...

Do you find yourself running in circles for your children?  Then we have something in common.  The saying holds true that I would give them the world, but this week I have found myself in an a rather helpless dilemma.  Our only vehicle is in the shop, and could be for a while.  My eldest son has soccer camp.  I have an appointment to sign my teaching contract with a new school, and register my boys in that school system.  What do I do?  What sacrifices do I make?  Well, with the words of Tim Gunn we will, "Make it work!"

I found out who my true friends were (a.k.a. who really loves me).  As soon as I posted my rock and hard place on Facebook, a friend in a neighboring county came to my rescue.  She offered to drive me everywhere I needed to go.  I was truly in tears as she blessed me with her generosity.  Another friend offered me her car.  Two other friends offered to transport my son for the remainder of camp. The pure kindness was overwhelming.

It is kind of funny that my first thought was how am I going to get my son to soccer camp and not how am I going to pay for all this work.  I suppose it is the mommy in me that wants the best for my kids.  When I see him on the field where I know he is happiest, I know I could never take that away from him.  The same goes for my daughter when she is cheering or dancing.  My loves as a child were reading, writing, and art.  My mom never had to go very far for that; although, she would have (I am sure).  I will continue to provide experiences for my children, but how much do I love them?  Would I sit for hours on end at practices and classes?  That, my friends, is a resounding NO.

I love my children enough to have my own life and experiences.  I like what I have accomplished and what I am good at.  I do not wish to live vicariously through them.  The pride exudes when they make a goal, perfect a dance, belt out a cheer, or bring home a good grade.  I love them enough to stand up for them when they have no voice.  I, also, love them enough to help them find their own voices and know when to use them.

A close friend of mine is fighting cancer with an awesome spirit.  She came to my rescue today in more ways than one. This wonderful woman has reminded me you have to do what you have to do. There will be times that I cannot give my kids all that they desire.  They will not always understand, but they will appreciate the sacrifices that I have made for them in the end.  I will "make it work", but not if it I lose myself in the process.