Friday Klatch

[SueK]

Good morning all,

It's a rainy, cold day here today and all I can say is Thank God It's Friday!

Sara's off school yesterday and today for Parent-Teacher conferences. Her conference is this morning and then we're hitting the Scholastic book fair they have at the school today. They always have some decent cookbooks there, so I might have to pick one up. Have to support the PTO, right? ;) After that I'm taking her to my in-laws and they're having her stay overnight. Guess Sam and I will just hang out inside the rest of the day due to the weather. We got her a Little Tykes kitchen set for her bday last week so maybe we'll play kitchen for awhile. I'll turn her into a foodie yet!

We just got a Bed, Bath and Beyond here in town and it's open now, so we might have to check that out sometime this weekend.

Jerry left last Sat for Japan and was due home this coming Tuesday. Now they want him to stay until next Saturday. :( He's trying to get out of it, and I sure hope he does!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

[Robyn1007]

Hi Sue! Sorry to hear of Jerry's delay, I'm sure that must be hard.

This weekend for me will be devoted to my roommates birthday (who keeps complaining that she's getting old at a ripe old age of 24). Saturday I need to buy my ski boots. I've tried on about 10 different pairs and have it narrowed down to 2 models, now I just want to try on one size smaller in one pair. Sunday, if Arapahoe Basin opens, I plan to head up to the mountain for my first day of skiing with a season pass.

I likely won't be able to check in until tonight so hi to everyone who follows!

Robyn

[linsleyd]

Good morning!

Not much on for this weekend since DH went on a camping trip with 10 of his friends, all ignoring the fact that it is pouring rain and it will continue through the weekend!
I'll probably go out for sushi with a girlfriend and tomorrow night will be chinese, wine and girlie movies.
And Sunday, of course, football!

Sue, my mother's conference ended up being this weekend and the awards ceremony tonight. I'm obviously not going but I'm glad I can't since driving up to Penn State in this weather would not be fun! Hopefully Jerry can get home sooner.

Robyn, enjoy first of the season skiing, how very exciting! Your roommate would drive me crazy being sad that she's old at 24, wait until she hits 30! :eek:

[SueK]

Your roommate would drive me crazy being sad that she's old at 24, wait until she hits 30! :eek:
Or 40!! ;)

Robyn - have fun skiing. I am pretty athletic, but never could get the hang of skiing.

Linsley - have fun with your girls weekend. I'd rent a movie for tonight but will probably just go to bed early. Samantha's been up since 4:45 and shows no signs of slowing down, so I'll be ready to turn in early by tonight, I'm sure. I bet your DH will be wishing he was indoors this weekend, with the weather we're having!

[Escher]

Hiya SueK and Robyn1007!

BB&B.... whenever I go there, I discover some strange gizmo that 24 hours earlier I didn't know existed, but now absolutely _need_

Ski-buff, eh? It's been awhile. My wife is the type of gal who would prefer to hang back at the lodge and sip hot cocoa while hitting on the guys w/ turtle-neck sweaters. NTTAWWT, as I'll be zooming down the slopes chasing snow bunnies who still manage to look good despite 4 inches of stay-puff marshmallow clothing. Something about the ski circuit strikes both of us as something of a dating scene.

Let's see...this weekend I'm helping my brother-in-law move into his new house. Yeah! Oh well, he promises to take a break for the game and pizza's on him. Tonight my better half and I are heading to Ruth's Chris for a yummy steak, etc in a parent's night out that our daycare arranged--For free! Most excellent side benefit, there...

linsleyd, did you catch last weeks PSU game? That was a thriller!

[linsleyd]

Esher, I don't even want to get into that game, it made me soooo angry!

Enjoy dinner out, that is definetly a plus with the daycare taking care of the kids!

[tbb113]

Morning! You all keep the rain over there okay? Sometime soon, rainy season will start here and I'm not partial to rain :D

Went last night to the Middle School talent show (Alex is an MC). Some of the kids are so talented...they even have their own groupies. The screaming when the names were announced is so cute (but LOUD). Tonight is homecoming so I'll go to the game until I need to leave to pick up Alex from the talent show. It went late last night (til 9:30ish) so I shouldn't have to miss much of the game. Of course, if Michael plays, its not until 4th quarter so I might miss him :(

Saturday is errands and I'm going out with the same guy to see a movie. Had a nice time Friday night. Went to dinner and then back to his place to watch an old movie. After I realized I had fallen asleep (I warned him that I was tired)...I left.

No plans on Sunday other than to go look at a friend's car for Michael. I think I'm going to buy it. Will be nice not to be borrowing my parents' car every week ;)

Sue - hope Jerry comes home when he originally planned. Its hard on everybody when a trip is extended like that.

[lindrusso]

Good morning everyone. :)

Sue - Hope Sam doesn't wear you out! :)

Robyn - Have fun skiing.

Linsley - Have fun doing "girlie" stuff. Sounds fun - maybe my DH doesn't travel enough..... ;)

My wife is the type of gal who would prefer to hang back at the lodge and sip hot cocoa while hitting on the guys w/ turtle-neck sweaters.

That's more my speed - except maybe the hitting on part....but wouldn't mind if I got hit on by a few cute guys. When you're nearing 40, a little confidence booster can't be a bad thing.....

All is quiet here in the house. We have the day off from school and the boys are off to Y-camp so that I can leave after lunch to go on an overnight to Chicago with a couple of friends. I almost backed out, but I'm going to get my party spirit going and go anyway.

I almost backed out because I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with all that's going on lately and felt like I needed to spend my free time here, not galavanting in the big city. Everything that is happening is good stuff, but still a bit head-spinning. We sold our house AND I got the job I wanted last spring - all within about a week. Funny how things work out sometimes, isn't it?

It will be a busy, crazy next few weeks. We are trying to work out closings - trying to close on the new house a week or so before we close on our house so that we have time to get our stuff moved. A little risky, but the buyers have been approved for their mortgage and things are moving along nicely.

Anyway........I hope Chicago isn't too crazy with World Series partiers! It doesn't start until tomorrow night, but they may be getting warmed up beginning tonight!

Alysha

[linsleyd]

Alysha, have fun in the city and leave the worries until you get back. I know how crazy closings and all are and I know it'll all work out. And you get to spend Christmas in your new house. That is very exciting!

[lhall]

Hi All,

I'm here. I just didn't have a chance to get online before taking Mariel to school and going to the grocery stores. So far it's been a productive morning. I've got one load of laundry in the dryer, the groceries are put away, and I've got some pumpkins in the oven right now. :D

Ginger has softball practice tonight. Tomorrow I'm working and Ginger has a game that Al will have to take the girls to. His parents *might* come up, but I'm not holding my breath. They talk a good game about wanting to see her play, but I mailed them a schedule they refuse to look at and she's only got 2 games left. It's their loss! Ginger's also got a birthday party from 3-6 and Al has a softball game at 7. I've already decided he's going to that alone. Besides, out budget needs some relief so not going is the easiest way to avoid the dissappointment of no Mexican resturant. Sunday we'll probably just go to church.

Ginger's parent-teacher conference was yesterday. She did great so we went to DQ as a treat for her. She actually got 2 Outsandings from her teacher, and he said at the beginnning of the year he rarely ever gives O's! He also got an E+ on her writing because she just blows him away with what & how much she writes. Her Target teacher also came by (that's the gifted program) and had tons of good things to say about Ginger.

Alysha,
You deserve to celebrate!!! That's great news about the full time job. Congrats!!! I'm sure you'll have a great time in Chicago.

Escher,
LOL! That would be me in the ski lodge too. Not that I've ever likely to go skiing again. I've been once with my dad & brothers, but after my dad almost died in a skiing accident he won't go near a pair of skis! BTW, I'm sure you'll take more than a little break for the game, and enjoy your dinner at Ruths Chris tonight.

Sue,
I do hope Jerry doesn't have to stay in Japan. Isn't he supposed to be gone most of this month anyway (with out the delay). I'm sure the conference will go well.


Robyn,
LOL! Old at 24, hahahaah. I hope your roommate has a good birthday and good luck finding some ski boots.

Linsley,
How is the unpacking coming along?

Tyra,
I'm sure your second date will go better. That's too funny about falling asleep while watching a movie. I'm guessing he took it well since you're going out again. Good luck with the car shopping and I hope Alex gets to play tonight.

Leigh

[linsleyd]

Leigh, hope you get a chance to breathe this weekend!

Unpacking is pretty much done. We fenced in the yard last weekend and the dog is loving it! I have to clean out the spare room this weekend so I can get my treadmill in use and the sleeper sofa is ready for guests. Other than that we have a few spots of trim to put in, paint touchup, a bedroom and bathroom door to install and all is good until next spring.

Now I need to go plan the open house! :D

[lhall]

Linsley,

Sounds like you've gone gangbusters on the unpacking!

I'm afraid this weekend will be a breeze compared to next weekend....*sigh*

Ginger's got a softball tournament on Saturday, but that's all we know. Al has a game at 5 (again if he goes it will be alone). A nearby outdoor shopping center is having Trick or Treating on Saturday from 3-5 & the softball park is having a family fun day from 5-8. *sigh*

Then on Monday it's dance class, trick or treating at the grocery store from 47 and trick or treating at home. At least I have all the candy!

Leigh

[tbb113]

I think it helps that I have known him for 9 years (I met him right after I separated from my ex). We had talked about going to see Flightplan or going back to his place. I told him I wasn't sure I could stay awake through a whole movie that was starting at 9:30pm (it had been a long week). I don't think he was aware I had fallen asleep until I told him.

Alyhsa - congratulations on the job and the house. Have fun in Chicago. I would love to go back and visit Chicago sometime. I grew up there but haven't been there (other than O'Hare) since 1979. I'm sure its changed a lot!

Leigh - glad that Ginger's parent-teacher conference went well. I'm really hoping that none of Alex's teachers want a conference this year. At middle school, you only go if the kid is getting D's and F's or if the teacher or you request one. I'm tired of being told that he is bright but not always doing his best. After 7+ years, I KNOW this and so does he. :rolleyes:

[Laura]

Hi everyone,

Taking a break from work, but I really shouldn't be. I am doing some contract work on the side, so I am a little behind for my regular work.

We have a very busy weekend here as DD has Nutcracker rehearals 9-4:30 on Saturday and 10-4 on Sunday (so much for chuch :rolleyes: ), and DS has a swim meet both days. Tyra I am envious that Michael can drive and that you are getting him a car, having Paige driving with her own car would make my life much easier.

For those of you who had read my "need your opinion" thread, I have tentatively decided to allow Paige to graduate early from HS and spend 4 months in France before she goes to college. It is dependent on her doing all the legwork and making sure that she is actually doing something while she is over there other than sitting around my girlfriend's house all day.

Alysha, congratulations on the job and have fun in Chicago.

Escher -- yum Ruth Chris! I have only been once but it was out of this world good.

Linsley, you amaze me with all that you have accomplished with your house. I wish you could send some of that energy my way.

Leigh, congratulations on Ginger's PT conference; being a gifted writer will really help her all the way through school.

Robyn, good luck finding boots. I really need to buy new equipment for DD, and lease some stuff for DS. I can't justify buying him stuff when he is growing 3-4" a year. I hope the snow is good for you if you go. Oh yeah, smack your roommate for me. ;)

Sue, I hope that you get a good sleep tonight and that Sam does too. ;)

Well back to the grind. Have a great day and weekend everyone.

[lhall]

Tyra,
Our Middle Schools do one parent-teacher conference a year in October for every student.

Elementary school has 4 reporting periods. They send out Progress Reports half way through each reporting period only if there is a problem. Last year I got 4 Progress Reports, and they all said Ginger talks too much. Amazingly enough this year she is doing much better about taking in class.

I was pleasantly surprised that her Target teacher showed up for the conference. We had not met her before since we were unable to make the Target Open House. That didn't happen last year, but Ginger had been going to Target classes for less than a month before Spring Conferences last year.

LOL! It's even funnier than he didn't even notice you'd fallen asleep! BTW, I regularly fall asleep on the couch watching movies with Al.

Leigh

[tbb113]

Laura - I agree, it is so nice that Michael is driving and this car fell into my lap. A friend wants to sell her 1991 Honda Accord (with around 75,000 miles) on it for $2500. We will go drive it on Sunday and assuming Michael likes how it drives, I'll buy it. Its not what he wants (a F-150 truck) but I told him to think of it as transportation vs his 'car'. His option is walking or this! I pay off my car next month, so the increase in the insurance is still less than my car payment. I told him I would put 1 tank of gas a month in the car but he needs to pay for additional gas.

I'm glad you decided to let Paige go to France. It should be a great opportunity for her.

Leigh - we have the same thing here. Progress reports go out half way through the quarter (again only if you have D's and F's or the teacher wants to report anyways). I think it just is stupid to being giving Alex "A's" and then complain that he isn't working up to his potential. Granted on a test you don't have a choice if the answers are correct, but if you expect him to do more than the bare minimum on his papers (when he still gets the A), you are asking alot from him. Challenge him to earn an "A" instead of rewarding the half effort.

[lhall]

Tyra,
A 91 accord with only 75K on it! You'd be crazy to pass that up!!!! I sold my 13 year old accord with 149K on it, and that was low mileage (at least around here)

It definately sounds like Alex isn't being challenged in school. Does the school offer any programs (gifted, ap) that would challenge him more, or is he already in those?

Laura,
I saw your thread, and this a great opportunity for your DD! I think your requirements are fair.

Leigh

[tbb113]

Leigh - Alex was identified as gifted in 3rd grade (they do it here based on tests in 2nd grade). In 3rd grade, they clustered the kids in one classroom, so all 4 3rd graders were together. In 4th grade, he went into a special magnet program (district wide) so that the entire class was gifted. Same thing for 5th grade. In the middle school, they are back to 'clustering'. Truthfully, I have never seen any differianted teaching being done in his classes vs Michael who was in 'regular' classes. The only difference is that Alex was accelerated in math and is at the HS this year for geometry.

He would really shine if he had a teacher that would challenge him to learn. He does take pride in his grades...just not his work ;)

[Laura]

Laura - I agree, it is so nice that Michael is driving and this car fell into my lap. A friend wants to sell her 1991 Honda Accord (with around 75,000 miles) on it for $2500. We will go drive it on Sunday and assuming Michael likes how it drives, I'll buy it. Its not what he wants (a F-150 truck) but I told him to think of it as transportation vs his 'car'. His option is walking or this! I pay off my car next month, so the increase in the insurance is still less than my car payment. I told him I would put 1 tank of gas a month in the car but he needs to pay for additional gas.



I can understand that Michael may prefer a Ford F-150, but at this stage of the game he will appreciate the gas mileage of the Honda Accord. I bought a 1989 Honda Accord when I graduated from law school. It was a great car, and I ended up putting 160,000 miles on it before I sold for $2,500. It sounds like you got a great deal!

[lhall]

How much longer does he have in Middle School? Things might get better in HS, especially if his school offers AP classes.

Leigh

[tbb113]

This is is last year in middle school. The high school does offer some AP classes and I would think he will be taking most of them. There is advanced engligh (requires a placement test and summer reading... here is the blurb
English 9 Advanced
(9) Year Fall
Prerequisites: Take the English Assessment consisting of a test and essay. All students enrolled in Advanced English 9 must complete the summer reading and any written work assigned before school begins in the fall. Failure to comply with this requirement and to pass a test on the reading the first day of school will result in removal from the class. The English Department mails information directly to students in June regarding admission the the class and the summer reading assignment.
English 9 Advanced is a rigorous course due to the increased expectations regarding volume of reading. maturity of insight, sophistication of language use, and standards of evaluation. This course covers several major genres of literature, including poetry, drama, the novel, and the short story, concentrating on analysis and critical interpretation. Students engage in a variety of writing types, with an emphasis on developing essay writing skills in conjunction with the study of literature. The course also includes grammar instruction and vocabulary development, with words taken from the literature as well as from lists designed for SAT preparation. This course meets the UC and CSU "b" requirement.

Algebra 2, Advanced
(10-12) Year Fall
Prerequisites: "B" or better in Algebra 1 or Algebra1 B and Geometry, and Math Department recommendation based upon a math placement test. Advanced Algebra 2 is a rigorous college prep course, designed to prepare the students for Honors Trig/Math Analysis. It emphasizes the real and complex number systems, solving equations and inequalities, and functions including linear, quadratic, trigonometric, exponential, and rational. Sequences and series, the Binomial Theorem, determinants, permutations, combinations, and probability will also be covered. This advanced course will spend less time on the initial review chapters, and investigate later chapters in greater depth.

Social Science - freshman year they take one semester of sociology and one semester of health

Science is very weird. Depending on your grades in your english and math classes depends on what class they suggest you take. I know that Michael took Physical Science, Chemistry and now is in Biology. I think Alex will be on a completely different science track. He could go directly into Biology and then take Chemistry or some other stuff. I don't remember all the permatuations, but it was confusing.

He will also need to take PE and a foreign language.

No time for a 'fun class' unless he wants to take an "A" period before the official start of school (which is how he takes geometry now).

I know at the moment he wants to go to UCLA, so the more advanced classes he takes, the better his chances of acceptance. Right now, their average GPA is a 4.1 :eek:

[colleency]

I've been so busy, it took me all day to read this. But it's really nice to be busy at work.

I plan to spend most of the weekend around the house. Yay! I hope everyone has a nice weekend.

[tbb113]

I would love to be busy at work. this place is slowly driving me nuts.

Colleen - I saw that Shawn was in a car accident on some thread. Hopefully he is okay. And how is the car?

[colleency]

I'm sorry it's slow for you. My day has slowed considerably too.

Thanks for asking about Shawn. He wasn't hurt at all.

He rear-ended someone who had no brakelights. They left the scene because they had no damage to their car. The insurance company has declared his car totalled, because as a car, it's not worth a whole lot.

We're in the process of buying it back from the insurance company. Then we need to fix the radiator, headlights, front bumper, and hood.

I'm so grateful that he wasn't hurt!

[tbb113]

What a pain! and I assume that its the star war car? Glad that he was okay...cars can be fixed a lot easier than people

[colleency]

It was the Star Wars car. It has been a pain, but we've been very lucky. A friend of ours is in India, so she has loaned him her car until his is fixed or she needs it back in December.

I didn't really say anything here, because for the first week it was oddly painful to talk about. And then it seemed kind of like old news. And there's been so much tragedy, I felt funny being sad about a car.

[tbb113]

Given all the time, money, energy, etc that Shawn put into that car...it makes perfect sense that it was painful to talk about. Glad that your friend was able to help out on the car front. Renting gets expensive very quickly.

[colleency]

Have a nice football game tonight. I hope you get to see Michael play.

My day just got busy again when someone tripped over a cable. I have to rewire it now. Oops.

[tbb113]

I'm leaving. have a good weekend