Wow!

So today is thursday. Last night beanie and I were up until 11pm again trying to get through her lessons. What a struggle...but she did it.

This morning she rocked it. She got up and got right into class. She actively participated and was even shouting out answers....thankfully the mic wasn't on so I was the only one that could hear her...but she was right everytime!

She even got called on a few times! What a difference 1 day makes. Super proud of her!

What will tomorrow hold?

School and big leaps of faith

So......Some of you may know that I have had it with Common Core. I feel for the teachers and staff that are trying to teach instead of teaching the kids how to take tests. Last week, October 12, 2015 I made the decision to pull beanie out of school.

WHAT WAS I THINKING??????????

There are a few benefits of having her home:
company and I can spend more time with her.

downside:
I am in front of a computer more now that I ever thought possible and I hate school work as much as she does.

We signed her up....alright...I signed her up...with k12.com. It's an on-line school that teaches the Florida standards instead of common core and the added bonus is she is learning cursive writing. (yay). Her books arrived last week via a 26 lb box and a 36 lb box. She was so excited she actually met the UPS driver at HIS TRUCK!!!!

It was like Christmas in October for this kid. Now that we have all her books and supplies, we can actively participate in all her classes instead of just following along and printing out a TON of paper. The first week was tough, but we made it through. Friday was AWESOME!!!! we were done with all the lessons by noon which gave up  just under 2 hrs to play before we had to go get Logan from school.

It's awesome to watch her grow and learn. We learned about art (abstract and real) and we even went to an art exhibit where she stole the show talking about abstract art and real art! It was fun to watch her think about what she saw in a painting (though I think it helped that there are no right or wrong answers).

Yesterday was tough (Monday) and by tough I mean we finished school around 11:30pm. Why? she had no interest in finishing her class work before I left for school. This meant that when I came  home we had one lesson that had to be completed before midnight.

It was fun.........not really.....it was a stand-off between daughter and teacher (learning coach). Guess who won?

ME! as if there was ever a doubt. She wanted to go to bed...but I wouldn't give in until the lesson was complete. She did the lesson and mastered it! What a girl. So what have I learned through all of this?

1- I can wait out her need not to do anything (i'll win)
2-I am stronger than I thought when it comes to putting my foot down
3-I really love spending time with my kids

So I am hoping that this week is better than last week, though Monday was not a good start. It's a learning process....for both of us!

Highs and Lows

Little man has been bumped up to the next level with his ADD meds. Though this is a good thing (odd I know) it has also come with a new set of challenges. He is having a hard time in the afternoon when the meds are completely out of his system.
He goes from a high in the morning, to taking his meds and having a low to after school and having a high. His body is having a hard time dealing with this roller coaster everyday...and so am I.  So, if your wondering why there is a bright side to his meds increasing...it means that he is growing up. The other issues that are a massive side affect is he doesn't eat. He weighs 42 lbs. Compared to his older sister who weighs 65 lbs. The kid is a twig. so he gets to eat almost anything he wants. high calorie, high fat stuff. he is thrilled. he can have milk shakes, cookies, yogurt on demand, breads, anything you can think of (that he will actually eat) he can have.

We are hoping to bulk him up, the downside of that plan...the kid is always full of energy. I have chased him around a park for 2 hours and he still has energy to spare (too bad I don't). The higher the meds go, the higher the side affects go...crashes and low urge to eat. It's something we have to keep a close eye on.

Maybe he will become like the hulk(without the temper)...he goes from skinny to bulky!

Beanie is 8. We have an 8 year old. She has been 8 for over a month now and I am still adjusting to it. She likes her shoes and her frilly dresses. I had to buy her some new shoes, turns out...heals are in fashion. An 8 year old in heals? Really? since when are those good for kids to walk in. i just don't get why the designers are putting 8 year old in heals...adult size heals. Why can't they stay little girls longer?
Thankfully I was able to convince her to get a pair of flats, that will go with EVERYTHING!

Logan is ok, i guess. We are working through some anger issues he seems to have. He like to be in control and when he's not...all hell breaks loose. He gets angry, combative and down right mean. Though it was rather funny, he took the remote for the tv and the cable box...I have an app on my phone that can control both...so I let him take the remote and then activate the app. Oh the look on his face. Priceless. I'd love to blame the mood swings on the stronger ADD meds...but since there's no proof that they cause this...it breaks my heart to see him so mad and unable to control or want to control it. He is such a sweet and loving little boy...until the other side is released.

I'm good...I am passing Macroeconomics with flying colors. The teacher is amazing. Every response to a post or email is filled with compassion and positive statements. Just what every student needs in a class like this...though I may miss this class. My next class is Careers and writing in Psychology. Translation....papers,, papers, and more papers with tons of research. I get it, it's the field i went into, it's still way better than draining blood or taking temps.

is it bedtime yet???????

mid-school crisis

I know you've heard of the mid-life crisis, but this is the mid-school crisis. I am exactly one year from graduating with my bachelors...and I'm struggling to care. This month I have macroeconomics and next month I have statistics. I'm over it. I have no interest in taking these classes. I am seriously over it. I have an assignment due at the end of the month and I don't care (right now) if I pass with a 65 or not, as long as I pass.

I hope this passes because it's not who I am as a student. I put all my efforts into the class, regardless of the subject...this class...not so much. Is this class over yet? (no...wake me when it is!?)

The kids are doing awesome. Beanie is improving with her reading skills and Logan is exploring different ways to arrange his lego figures. I have become addicted to guacamole. Logan is getting into reading about ninjago ( no clue), he seems to like the adventures and the characters, with each book he gets more and more enthusiastic about the adventures the characters go on. I'm just happy he is reading every night.

alright....guess i should go crack open the economics book...eventually....maybe...if only I could stay awake long enough to actually learn something.

I'm back!

Here I am once again to brighten up your day with my ramblings about kids, life and school. Yes, school. Mine, not the kids. 

I have decided to go back to school. I have found my path in life. I am going to be a psychologist ( I know..how appropriate given how nosy I am about people). I enrolled over a year ago and I am still going strong.

The kidney surgery was a huge success. Matt is doing amazing. He is back to work and playing hockey. That's right, he's back to playing hockey! My kidney is a trooper and 2 years later still going strong.

The kids are thriving. They are both in school full time now. The boy is in first grade and the girl is in second. The boy loves to read and play video games (shocker I know) the girl loves to play teacher and do projects-reading...not so much.

I am in my last full year of school. I finish next February with a Bachelors degree only to re-enroll for my masters. I want to be a master at something. I thought about going for my PHd, but I don't know if I want to be in school for that long. I mean, when I'm done, will I have time left to actually use it? Though being a Dr. does sound rather impressive. I'd be the first Dr. in my family (I think) and it will be awesome to be called Dr. Brugger ( yeah I know I already said that, but it's awesome!)

I have a part-time job that I love. I work 6 hrs a week doing everything imaginable. I sort, file, answer emails. clean, organize, and laugh. I do a lot of laughing at work. In reality, I smile because I have no idea what's going on.

If you are still reading this, congratulations, you have reached the end of this post!