Grades: Who Needs 'Em?

See these two kids? I love 'em to pieces and yet they can frustrate me to pieces too. As their mom I feel responsible to make sure they are doing well in school. I also would like them to take responsibility for doing their very best. I cannot prompt them every day. They've got to own it.

So I back off and hope for the best and pray for them to do their best. Then the new grading system comes along and has thrown me (and other parents)for a loop. So I check their grades on line and I cannot decipher how they are progressing, but encourage them to hand in missed assignments and follow up with their teachers as to how they are supposed to finish their Learning Targets to complete the Power Standards.

Report cards come home and I see F's and I's. "Face palm. Head shake." I'm so frustrated. Now I have to take away privileges and begin close monitoring. I pray that my kids will have a desire in their hearts to be responsible not only in school, but with chores at home.

I know that grades don't define my children, but school is a way to help them show what they've got and find for themselves how well they can do when they apply themselves and be proud and thank God for an education and opportunities.

They did have better grades in math than in the past so I'm so thankful we've made progress there. They each had at least one "A" and 2 "B's" so I am pleased about this. Feel free to give ideas and advice on how to encourage my kids and how I can cope with where they are in their lives right now.

I am giving this over to God because He has it all in control and I need to let go and let Him do His mighty work in their lives.

Where Have I Been All Year?

Well this is last February. My kids went to a Winter Ball at a church nearby. It was decorated in the Narnia theme and it was awesome. It's almost time for them to go again and I haven't even posted pictures from last year. I'll post a few for ya. Enjoy!

We found H's dress at a thrift store for $14.00. I thought it was pretty. She did have to wear a shrug because it was a haulter dress and she wasn't comfortable showing so much of her back.

Here they are ready to go to their very first Winter Dance.

H invited a friend. They had a lot of fun.

Two of J's friends. The one on the right is Nan's (Mom's The Word) youngest. Aren't they dapper? They are in front of the coat closet that leads to Narnia.

I went into Narnia for a few minutes to take pictures. This is the way back into the coat closet from the Narnia side. Clever, wasn't it!

A glimpse of Narnia and I had to let my kids have fun without me at their first dance.

I wish I could experience every first in their lives, but time is past for me to be at every single first in their lives. They are in high school now and I don't homeschool them anymore so that settles it. I'll take every opportunity to experience any firsts that I can though. Some day there may be grandkids to experience firsts with :)

Northwest Trek July 2010

I can't believe how long it's been since I posted. I loaded these pics a long time ago and didn't finish. So here it is, our trip to Northwest Trek with my daughter's friend and his family.

My daughter is in blue and my son is to her left. H's friend from school is on her right with his sister and his mom is in front.

We stayed most of the day and rode the tram to see the range & forest animals and toured the rest on foot. There are some interesting wild animals, not like zoo animals. Many are injured and cannot fly or protect themselves in the wild so they live at NW Trek now. It is nice that we can visit them there.

Heading for the line to board the Tram.

These animals don't seem to mind getting close to the Tram at all so we got some good pictures.











Enjoying some lollipops!!

Our first attempt at a group photo. LOL!!





See Mr. Bear over there?

Mr. Centipede or whatever he was.



In the wolf's den spying on the wolves in their habitat.

The pelts are so soft.





This bird was so cool. It had a leash and was tethered to a long line. The guy set her in the tree and she flew to him for a snack.

Here's the same guy with a Beaver. He showed us how the Beaver washed his tummy and how he swam by giving signals. He said that these animals are not taught tricks. They only teach them signals to get them to do the things they would normally do in the wild. Like the guy rubbed his tummy to get the Beaver to clean his own tummy for us to see. It was so cute!

What a great time we had, walking and talking and seeing wildlife, the beauty of God's creation.

Have a good weekend. BYE!!

Lake Mowich August 2010

In August the kids and I took a day trip to an area near Mt Rainier. We visited a river, a forest trail and a lake. I wanted to take the kids to a waterfall that I enjoyed as a child with my family, but the road washed out six years ago. I was surprised and disappointed. We decided to drive the sixteen miles up to the lake instead.

Enjoy some pictures of God's great country in the pacific northwest.
My son and I. He is now more than an inch taller than me. When did that happen?

My daughter is close behind in the growing department.

We crossed this old, very high bridge and took the pictures of us up there. I was a little scared to look over the edge.

The deck of the old bridge. Would you drive over this bridge? I know it's over 50 years old and that made me think twice, but we drove over it, cuz if we didn't we'd miss out on what was on the other side.

We continue on up the road.

To Carbon River. A glacier river that carves a new path through the riverbed every year. This is just a small arm of it. H and I were too chicken to cross it and walk to the main river. J crossed over on a log, but I got dizzy when I could see the river rushing under the log I was walking on. So I came back.

Bouncing on an old fallen tree.

Me.

Next we went to a trail in the forest. It was beautiful. So much green and boardwalks and bridges, tiny pools of cool, clear water. Even some berries and Skunk Cabbage. The bloom smells just like a skunk.

Walking through Skunk Cabbage. No blooms at this time. That's okay with me.

Crossing one of the bridges. I love these boardwalks and bridges.



Back on the road to Lake Mowich. Sixteen miles of unpaved road, but worth the trip.

I told ya it was worth it. It was so quiet up there. People were everywhere (the parking lot was full), but we didn't see or hear very many.

A small meadow full of wild flowers and buzzing bees.

We waded in here for a bit and started a short walk.

I call this Turtle Island. It's a fun place to play and take pictures from.

Wading some more at Turtle Island.

Mt. Rainier peaking over that hill.

I love how clear and aqua the water looks.

Just me sittin' on a big rock by the water.

Looks peaceful doesn't it? The beauty of God's earth.