A Chat with the Teacher

I went to pick Jaedyn up from kindergarten this afternoon and the teacher pulled me aside with the statement, "I've been needing to talk to you for a week". Ok. Um, not what a parent wants to hear like... ever.

My heart sunk and my arm wrapped protectively around Jaedyn as we walked off to the side away from where the other parents were gathered to pick up their children. In my head I'm thinking, "Really? We're gonna do this right in front of her?!" How does a parent prepare for such a thing?

The teacher appeared very sullen as she started talking to me relating that there is a girl in Jaedyn's class that has been very shy and not very involved. She is ignored by the other kids and doesn't care to participate. I was crying inside waiting to find out what Jaedyn had done. She then proceeded to tell me that from the very beginning Jaedyn has been so kind in reaching out to her and the PE teacher had asked her to speak with me and thank me for the positive influence Jaedyn has had with her classmate. She said this shy little girl is now reaching out and beginning to participate and respond to Jaedyn's friendship and they wanted to thank us for it.

I think I'll take her out for ice cream! Not just as a reward for such positive behavior, but as an apology for having such a negative reaction when the teacher said she needed to speak with me. Have a little faith momma!

Tears came to my eyes as I thanked the teacher for sharing this information and leaned down with my arm still around Jaedyn, and told her how proud I was of her.

When we got out to the car she burst into tears and I asked her what on earth could possibly be wrong? I was on cloud 9! "I didn't get an 'O' today" she wailed. I had to stifle a smile. Each day the kids get marked for their behavior to give feedback to the parents on how their child is doing in class. An 'O' is outstanding behavior. Apparently my naughty little girl was talking in line when she should have been listening to instruction.

I wrapped my arms around her, right there in the backseat, and held her tight til the sobbing stopped. I asked her what she had learned from this and in her 5 year old words she told me how she could do better. Then I kissed her forehead and reminded her that it is important to listen but it's also important to be kind and I was proud of her for her kindness to the little girl in her class. I explained to her that if she learned something from this, that was all that mattered. Seriously, how could I put my foot down in light of what I had just learned about her?

Random Happenings

We've had rain! It's been a nice relief from the heat. Not crazy rain like that occurring across the country. But enough to make some fun puddles. And thank goodness that this year Jaedyn has Lilia to join her... so I don't have to!

Nope we don't own a single rain boot. But who needs rain boots when you have snow boots? Who knew you could use these babies year round?!

Yes, she dressed herself. This kid loves dressing up from the winter drawer. Ah well.

Lilia is such a quiet toddler that I often lose her in our house! Lately when she has quietly snuck off, I have found her here creating masterpieces.

And welcome to our new addition! We got a fantastic deal on this little beauty off of KSL. She has gathered quite the number of fingerprints already, I'll have to get used to that :) I'm getting lessons lined up for myself again (and hope to stick with them longer this time) and some day hopefully my girls, all of them, will express some interest too. In the meantime I'm sure my sight reading is terribly painful to listen to, but it's so nice to have music in the home again! And so far, everyone is having fun taking turns.