The Hit Parade #2

When we first started doing foster care and had a house full of teenagers, we made it a point to be a visible presence at their respective high schools and made sure teachers knew who we were.  In fact, Mama was a teacher at the girls' high school for a while (actually how we met the girls)  We attended open houses and I gave all the teachers my business card.  We wanted to support the girls--and, because we knew our girls, wanted to support the teachers.  Call us anytime!

"A" is an avid reader.  She always had a book with her and could literally devour a Harry Potter in a weekend. 



This is a good thing, you're thinking.


Wow, a kid who likes to read.

It is fabulous.....

Except.....

When her math teacher called me at work to tell me that A was reading her novel during class. 

OK......

Had she already completed her work and was using her time wisely?

No.

She was reading her novel DURING class.  As in, while the teacher was teaching.

"Did you tell her to put it down?" I asked.

"Well, I told her it was inappropriate, and she put it down," her teacher said.  "But then I noticed that she started reading again."

"Did you take the book away from her?" I asked.

"Well, NO, I couldn't do that," was the teacher's incredulous reply.

"And, what is it you think I can do?" I asked.

I don't know who I was more annoyed with.  A for reading during class.

Or the teacher for being so rediculoulsy inept.

The Weekend

A very busy and productive weekend here.  The weather finally broke free from winter's chilly grip and we ventured outside to try to tame our yard.  I had done a bit of raking last weekend before the flu sent me to bed for two days so I still had a little yard mojo going. 

After a trip to the dump, the boys and I, with rakes and leaf blowers in hand, got to work.  I had purchased some yard games so the motivation to get the leaves off the back patio and front yard was pretty high.  I was really pleased to see all the boys work so well together and we made quick work of the back patio and moved to the front yard. 

Don't get me wrong, there was a fair amount of redirecting and everyone wanted to be in charge and everyone had the best way to move the leaves and everyone had the best idea of where they should go and everyone had to have a turn raking next to me (I had the leaf blower) and, even though no one was wearing a watch, everyone's time next to me was precisely monitored.  Oh, and then there was the pasive aggressive battle for the plastic rake--as soon as one kid put it down, another would pick it up.  It was all very subtle but clearly that rake was by far superior to the other three.  But, all in all, we had a good time.  Such a good time that I suggested we do it again on Sunday.

After a gourmet lunch of peanut butter and jelly roll ups, it was time to put up the yard games! 

Yay! It was all up and ready to be used. And what was the first question my children asked?

Can we go next door to play at the neighbors?!

Ah, no.