State Testing and Threatening Kids...

I was at a propaganda meeting about mandatory state testing of third graders tonight. I bit my lip for a long time while they told us how HAPPY our children were preparing for the tests and how relaxed they were.

Finally I couldn't take it anymore and I had to mention my kid, the one who got 35 pages of mandatory homework (study prep) to complete OVER Sprink Break. The work was mandatory and oh, if they completed it they could take part in the Ice Cream Sundae party. If they didn't finish they could sit and watch the others.

Oh, and then last night we got 13 MORE pages to complete that night...

So, remember my kid...he's 9 years old, in tears every day about the work load...not understanding the work (some of the homework is on stuff they have NEVER been taught), etc. Last night he didn't want to go to scouts (for the third week) because he said he HAD to work on his math practice for the test...

So, last night after he had gone to bed we hear sobbing coming from his room....he was hysterically crying about the tests and the work and how if he doesnt get it done everyone will know and he won't get to have ice cream and....

I.am.livid.

So I asked how forcing homework in this manner on children was not contributing to the stress in the children. Yeah, ok...here's the response I got from one of the teacher's. "Well, I have had parents call me telling me their children are in tears, but I just don't see it. They're so happy and they are all getting their work done..." Yeah, because you keep telling them they have to or they WON"T GET TO PARTICPATE IN THE PARTY. You are threatening them...bullying even....

ARGH.....

Thanks, I feel better now.....

Honestly....

Spring Cleaning....

Yup, it's that time....ugh....I love a clean house, but with working more and having five boys and a fairly messy DH, it just seems out of reach sometimes. So, I hired someone to help. No, she's not a housecleaner, she's a "kick you in the butt, work along side you, decluttering queen!" So, for $15 an hour she is pushing me to get stuff decluttered and out of here! Yesterday we tackled the laundry room. Sorted, cleaned, moved, consolidated, put in the trash, bagged for donation, etc. for three hours. DS #1 pitched in to move trash, load donation bags in the cars, and vaccuum. What a HUGE difference we made!

Today, we tackle the playroom and the school room/art room adjacent to it. I am not looking forward to this task....not at all..... Well, I am looking forward to the end result, just not the process. Wish me luck, and if I don't return, look for me under a pile of art paper and pastels....

S.T.R.E.P.

Yup, strep has hit our home. I have fallen and I can barely get up...no pun. Was having a great day Wednesday, went to meetings, did the mom thing, but then around dinner time I started feeling really bad. Went to bed early, but by 1a.m. was in the htroes of chills and sweats that lasted all night long. Dragged myself to the doctor the next afternoon. Wicked case of strep, wicked. So bad my tonsils were bleeding. So, they gave me some serious antibiotics and something new and fun, liquid lidocaine to numb my throat so I could swallow fluids. I felt like I had been hit by a Mack Truck.

Five days of keeping nothing down but minimal fluids, five days of chills and sweats, five days of rapid weight loss - 17 pounds. So, I am now reintroducing foods. I have discovered that graham crackers, jello, and popsicles stay down. I have no real desire to eat. This is good and bad. Love the weight loss, however, sheesh, too much too quickly! So today was exciting, I ate part of a banana!

I am going to lay back down now...

Stay healthy...