School Daze

As you may know, we've been back in school for about a month.

What a L-O-N-G month it's been!!


We weren't even in school two weeks before I got the dreaded "Your son's had an accident and I think he might need stitches" phone call. And he did, four of them. Thankfully, the wound was right in his eyebrow line and the scar is barely visible.





Our afternoons are now filled with homework and swim practice. And did I mention the homework?!

I must say this has been a turning point in our household for the dreaded post-school work. Don't get me wrong....I am NOT complaining much. We have just had to get used to hitting the books a little bit harder now.

And staying awake during studying is important, too:






At what age do kids realize if they would just sit down and do their work, without dilly-dallying, they would be done sooner?? *shrug*

We are all hanging in there, so far.


The Princess is hoping she can just get by on her good looks and fashion sense alone:



I'd give her an "A"......wouldn't you?!

Home School Much? No thanks.

So, yesterday I had a day off.....I slept in until 8AM, I had no plans for the day. I was minding my own business, watching the Today Show and sipping on a delicious cup of hot coffee....when my phone rang.

"Hello"

"Hi Mama"

"Hi Princess, what's the matter?"

"My stomach hurts."

"It does?"

"Yes ma'am. My teacher gave me some Pepto, but it still hurts."

Never mind the rest of the conversation except this, "Princess, tell your teacher I am on the way to get you and that you need all of your school work for today."


I picked up the Princess, her hurting stomach, and her full backpack from school around 10AM. I quickly assessed the situation and knew there was no immediate danger of stomach problems, so we took a detour on the way home to Hobby Lobby. We had to get all the supplies needed for a t-shirt book report project due this Friday.

We got home, the Princess quickly threw her backpack down, plopped on the couch and almost immediately informed me there was nothing to watch on TV. I told her it didn't matter because the TV was being turned off because she had school work that needed to be done.

I believe there was an loud HUFF-ing sound as I made her sit down at the table to begin Mama's Home School for the "sick".

We did math sheets, science, grammar and got most of her t-shirt project done. Of course, I'm not sure who was tortured more by Mama's Home School.....me or her.

For those of you who home school and to those that are called to teach.....BLESS YOU and THANK YOU!


(FYI, we've seen the doctor about the Princess and her stomach. No 8 year old child was harmed in the writing of this post.)

Betcha didn't know

How many of you knew that Mario and Luigi, of Nintendo fame, actually lived in early Roman times???

Look, it's right here in Lego-Man's 5th grade history book:






I had NO idea!

It's in the book

I am not a teacher. For a reason.


It's not my calling. I recognized that early and I'm eternally grateful for those who do this job day in and day out. Thank you!

And nothing makes me feel more like a teacher than the dreaded HOMEWORK!

We have been up to our eyeballs in book reports this weekend. I'm not talking about your standard, run of the mill book report. Noooooo, we've had to get all fancy this time.

Lego-Man has a "Cereal Box" book report based on a mystery book; and the Princess has ye ol' diorama from a biography. Just imagine the fun we've been having, if you can. I'm in a fun stupor!

We had to change the boy's book midstream, when we realized the plot of his Hardy Boy's book had to do with smuggling DRUGS. He had his cereal named "Smuggler's Surprise" with the cereal in shapes of bottles and pills. Umm, yea. Fortunately he just finished another Hardy Boy's book, which was about missing coins that were melted. So we are going with that one. Anybody want some "Corn Crunch" Cereal, complete with coin shaped marshmallows that melt in your mouth?!

When I found out the Princess had to do her diorama on a biography, I offered up a list of possibilities......Marie Curie, Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks, etc. In one fail swoop she shot down all my suggestions with one sentence, "Mom, Taylor Swift is a REAL PERSON too!"

Seriously. I mean, what was I thinking?? Of course, Taylor Swift. Duh. She's lived on the planet 20 years and done what.....made two albums and been dissed on national television by Kanye West.

I was hoping the Princess' teacher might help me with the battle of the biographies, but no such luck. The book was approved, so Taylor Swift it is. Just look for the box with glitter letters, a CD, cowboy boots, guitars and a Barbie doll dressed like Taylor Swift.


I can hardly wait for this week's homework assignments!

We've got the spirit

Yes we do!

We've got the spirit, how about you??

In honor of the homecoming game on Friday, our school had Spirit Week last week. Each day is highlighted with a theme and the kids dress up to get in the spirit.

If I must say, last year's themes were much better. Not to rain on anybody's senior year parade but "Decade Day" trumps "Comfy Day" at any given moment in the time-space continuum.

Ahem. Moving on.


For "College Dress Day" we decided to go outside of the typical University of Alabama "box". Not that we don't love our Crimson Tide, but we chose to go with another team we cheer for in honor of my brother.






Lego-Man actually had to defend his team of choice, by explaining to one of his buddies that the Navy IS actually a college team!


And then there was "Disney Day". I don't know too many 10 year old boys who are in the least bit interested in dressing up like a Disney character, well except for the boys who came to school as female characters.

Seriously.

Not my boy.




Who is the Princess dressed up like, you may wonder? Isabella from Phineas and Ferb, of course.






I'm gonna have to skip "Comfy Day" due to lack of interest. Because kids in pajama pants at school is just not very exciting to blog about.


"When I Grow Up Day" was a bit tough for Lego-Man; however, the Princess has was easy with her always ready veterinarian costume. We decided to go with Lego-Man's new sport for his costume. By the time he got home from school he was done with the hat and goggles part of his costume.

We've got the spirit down deep inside, so bring it up, don't let it hide!

Backpacks and Bows

*RING*

That's the sound of the school bell......which, to my delight, rang today!

That's right, folks, today summer vacation is officially over and our afternoons will no longer be filled with reruns of Phineas and Ferb. It's back to multiplication tables and AR points.

Last night I was overjoyed when I walked into the Princess' room and saw this:







Her "first day of school" outfit so neatly laid out on her bed.....including her shoes, necklace, sunglasses and BOW?? The Princess hasn't worn a bow in many, many months. But it matches the outfit so she went with it.

I am betting this is the first and last time her clothes will be laid out the night before school.

Lego-Man was less than excited about the new school year. He is pretty bummed that he and his best bud were separated after two years together. However, he was up and dressed before I got out of bed this morning!

Today brings a new school year....a day filled with mixed emotions. I welcome the school year and the structure it brings back to our home. Yet, I can't believe my "babies" are beginning 5th and 3rd grade.

I'm looking forward to a great school year and hopefully some great fodder for blog posts!

No more pencils, no more books

 

This week was our first official week of summer here at the GRITS household. 

We wrapped up school last Friday with Honors Day where both Lego-Man and the Princess received a few awards:

 

 

Lego-Man won the Science Award in his class and was on the All A Honor Roll ALL YEAR!

 

 

 

The Princess won the Music Award, All A Honor Roll, and the Academic Excellence Award for her classroom (which came as a shocker to us since we struggled with her getting “seat work” done all year).

 

It’s hard to believe my 4th and 2nd graders are now, officially, 5th and 3rd graders.  *sigh*

 

 

And what better way to start our first official Monday out of school than at a Memorial Day pool party?!  Even though the water was FREEZING, the kids did not seem to care….and I tried to overlook their blue, chattering lips!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope everyone has a great summer!

Happy Days

 

Sunday, Monday Happy Days

Tuesday, Wednesday Happy Days

Thursday, Friday Happy Days

 

Is everyone now humming the rest of that infamous song while conjuring up images of Richie, Potsy, Joanie and the Fonz.  Oh yes, don’t forget Ralph Malph! 

 

And just what decade does this awesome show remind you of?  The fabulous fifties, of course.

Sock hops, poodle skirts, drive-ins and Coke in a bottle.  Classic symbols of an era gone by.

This past week the Princess and her 2nd grade class celebrated their 50th day of school by having a 50’s party!  Complete with costumes, music, food and candy from the 50’s. 

 

 

 

The day was not complete without having a project to make it more of an educational experience. 

Each child had to 1.) interview someone who lived during the 50’s with a list of questions, and 2.) pick something that was invented during the 1950’s and present it on a poster.

And just what did the Princess choose?  DUuuuuHhh!  Sister went with the Barbie doll.  Never mind all the other great inventions like Play-Doh,  Mr. Potato Head and my favorite thing from high school, liquid paper.

Now, who knew that Barbie was invented in 1959 by Ruth Handler for her daughter Barbara?!   Barbie was sold for around $3.00 and over 300,000 were sold during her first year.  I had NO idea. 

Stow that info away folks, you just may need to whip it out one day.  Ya’ never know.

I wonder if Barbie kept her clothes on better back then, than the Barbies that live at my house.

Genius, sheer genius

 

I got these pictures in an e-mail from a friend and this Greek Geek got the biggest kick out of them.

These are too good not to share, so laugh with me people (especially you, Penni, the goddess of e=mc² ).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And now for my absolute favorite:

 

 

Folks, I’ve taken many a test with questions very similar to these in my lifetime.  Don’t think for a second that some of these answers more than likely crossed this simple mind of mine.  Who knows, some of them may have made it onto the paper….you know, just to give the professor a good laugh. 

Over the Top Tacky

I’m sure everyone has been tapping their mouse awaiting the arrival of today’s Spirit Week photos. The suspense of today’s theme was more than you could handle.

Am I right, or am I right?!

Well, your wait is now over…..today I bring to you Crazy Tacky Day, 4th and 2nd grade style. Brace yourselves.

Lego-Man combined his prize find green spinner hat with a shirt from the Don Ho sailboat collection, complete with his favorite Army fatigue shorts, accented by black knee socks from David Beckham’s personal wardrobe. He accessorized with a red Armani zip tie, Top Gun sunglasses, a somewhat coordinating green/yellow leather wrist band engraved with the word “Brasil”, and some black Crocs.

The Princess’ fashionable presentation brings together a look I would describe as the Cheetah girls go to Bermuda. She accessorized her lovely ensemble with two separate fashion flip flops straight from the walkways of Tar-Jay. You know the place…the red Bulls Eye in the sky. *insert sound of angels singing*

So from our CRAZY house to yours….

Yee Haw

Tuesday’s episode of Spirit Week had the kids get in touch with their Hillbilly side. Which must come from their dad, ahem, if you remember I am Greek and I don’t think there are hillbillies in Greece. *smirk*

I’m pretty sure there are hillbillies no matter where you go.

Check out my little hillbillies:

Oops, wrong hillbillies. These would be mine:

(please notice his billy-bob teeth)

(refused to wear billy-bob teeth)

Besides those two up there, my favorite hillbillies were the one’s found in “Kornfield Kounty”. You know the ones.

“I’m Buck and I’m Roy…..I’m a-pickin’ and I’m

a-grinnin’”

"Gloom, despair and agony on me-e!

Deep dark depression, excessive misery-y!

If it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all!

Gloom, despair and agony on me-e-e!"

"Now, we're not ones to go 'round spreadin' rumors,

Why, really we're just not the gossipy kind,

No, you'll never hear one of us repeating gossip,

So you'd better be sure and listen close the first

time!”

“Hey Grandpa, what’s for supper?”

In honor of Hillbilly Day 2008, I bring to you a blast from my past. And anyone who loved Hee-Haw as much as I did, will certainly *heart* this video. Sit back and enjoy!

All comments can be left at my new number BR-549.

SAA-LUTE!

Spirit Week 2008

It’s a big week for the kiddos at school this week.  Every year, the week of homecoming is called “Spirit Week”.  Now, I’m not sure other schools around the country do this, but I know my school did when I was growing up.  I have a distinct memory of Backwards Day.  No pictures, just memories.  Anywhoo…..

The Senior Class chooses a theme for each day leading up to Friday’s game.  Today’s theme…….”Twinkie Day”.  i.e. dress up like somebody else.  Why it’s not called twin day I will never know! 

The Princess also felt the need to explain to me, “It’s spelled like twin-kie, but it’s not.  It’s TWEE-kie Day, you don’t really say the N”.  Ohhhhhh, thank you sweetie.

I became less of a fan of Twinkie Day Friday night when my son’s scheduled “Twinkie” called and said he would be twinning up with a boy in another class.  We almost had tears people.  Which nearly inspired me to write the Headmaster a letter to ban future Twinkie Days.  But I didn’t.  I faced the conflict head on. 

*DING* That’s when your GRITS hostess came up with her own plan.  I immediately got on the Internet and found this with the Google image ripper:

 

(http://tinyurl.com/4azdhb)

Next, I went to a local office supply store and bought some iron-on paper for the printer.  Followed by a trip to Old Navy for a couple of Ringer tees.

Voila:

 

 

Happy Customers and Twinkies for the Day:

 

They are determined to get “awards” for their costumes, so stay tuned all week for more Spirit Week fun!  It’s gonna be good! Very good.

All About Me

I think it is safe to say that we’ve survived the first official week of school here in the GRITS household.  And so far, everyone’s conduct seems to be in check.  Phew.

Each child has mastered a list of spelling words and a weekly Bible verse.  Lego-Man has even added the words “concentrate”, “mongrel”, “expanse”, “pantry”, and “loom” to his vocabulary. 

It is great to say we are officially back in the school mode.  To borrow a quote from a favorite childhood show:

 

 

As your body grows bigger,
Your mind must flower
It's great to learn,
'Cuz knowledge is power!

It's Schoolhouse Rocky,
A chip off the block
Of your favorite schoolhouse;
schoolhouse rock!

Today I found a paper in the Princess’ backpack which is titled “All About Me”. 

I was going to scan the thing and slap it up on here, but the girl truly has some handwriting issues, which she definitely inherited from her father.  Based on handwriting alone, the child is destined for medical school!

Check out exactly what the Princess had to say about herself:

What is your favorite subject? Math (really, sis? what about all that crying over addition flash cards?)

What is your favorite color? Pink (like they had to ask)

What do you want to be when you grow up? a vetanarien (good, because animals can’t read your writing)

What is your favorite Bible story? Wean Jesus died on the cross (best story ever)

What are some of your favorite things to do? Play my DS (notice no mention of pushing mom’s buttons)

What are you most thankful for? God and food (girl after my own heart)

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? be presedent (followed by a “wow” and smiley face by her teacher) 

I’d vote for Princess GRITS for President!  Wouldn’t you? 

 

Hot Diggity Dog

I want to scream.  I want to shout. 

I wanted to do cartwheels down the school hallway today as I dragged calmly walked my kids back into the building which nurtures learning and fosters creativity. 

I wanted to hug all the teachers and thank them so much for choosing this career.  Because I certainly could not do their job, or my five minutes of fame would involve a special edition of Dateline NBC.

Yes, friends, school is back in session and the excitement is electrifying.  Well, just for me and the hubby.  The 4th  and 2nd graders did an excellent job hiding their excitement! 

It’s the beginning of a new school year—which means new clothes, new school supplies, and new tennis shoes.  And a bet as to how long it will be before we get a note home because the Princess keeps talking to her neighbor and Lego-Man cannot finish his seat work. 

I’m giving the Princess two weeks and Lego-Man one month.  I’ll keep you posted.