Friday Hodge-Podge Post

Hi again Bloggy Readers! Here's a bit of a 'catch up' post...

I had my meeting on Wednesday afternoon with Bella's teacher. I was really stressed out about it, but felt better going in having talked to the school counselor the day before. While her teacher will never inspire any warm-fuzzies, she does seem to know what she's doing. Bella has just become so forgetful and flighty, and indeed is either not doing her work or not completing it. She also can't seem to remember even the most simple instructions, which I've noticed at home too. She's lost all her focus!! But like her Mommy, certain things are important to her and by taking away her computer privileges for two days, we've been able to get her behavior back where it's supposed to be. I'm afraid that Bella suffers from 'only child syndrome', as her brother and sister are grown and no longer living with us. She's pretty much been the star of the show since the day she was born, lol!

So we're also making some changes at home, that will hopefully help her mature a bit. I've ordered a magnetic chore list so she can have some responsibilities at home and have practice on following through. If she does her chores without reminding, she will get to use the magnetic stars that come with it, and a certain number of stars will earn her rewards. Rewards will not be toys but trips to the library, the park, special Wii time, gelato, etc. I'm also going to restrict her computer time to 30 minutes a day and then she has to play with non-electronic toys. She gets too glued in otherwise and this disconnect is affecting her ability to focus on people. She's also been playing outside with neighborhood kids and is learning some give-and-take, as other kids don't consider her The Bella, lol! She starts ballet again on Tuesday which will also help her with other kids, listening and following directions.

What frustrates me is that this teacher always focuses on the negatives. For example, Thursday and Friday Bella did ALL her classwork properly, but instead of commenting on that, she complained that she couldn't use scissors very well and needed practice at home. Jeepers creepers! It seems like she can't do anything right for her!! So I will continue to praise and encourage Bella, and help her at home. She's very, very bright and her grades and testing scores prove that. I just think the teacher doesn't care for her. And as much as that sucks, that's life and I suppose Bella will have to learn that lesson. Learning it in first grade seems a bit early though. *sigh*

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I've been able to find some super cute clothes over here. They aren't cheap, but worth it!! Here is Bella modeling a new outfit before school...

Silly Goose!

This is her new Strawberry Shortcake remote controlled car.

She's a crazy driver, lol!

Bella said to get a close up for you!

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In the thirty seconds or so it took me to get my camera and turn it on, the brightness of this rainbow greatly diminished. It was SO intense!!! Shortly afterwards we got tons and tons of rain, so we got our 'treat' first!

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Here is 'my' cat, Minnie!

She's not really mine just yet, but I'm working on it!

She isn't wild like the other cats and is very, very affectionate. I think someone "dumped" her here in housing before they moved. I don't know if she'll ever be an inside cat, but she sure is nice to have around!

I just love this furry face!!

She will stand up for lovin' and has hopped into my lap many times.

Ah! A kiss for the Mama!!!

Bathtime!

Oh! BIRDIE!!!

So that's what's new over here!! All the boxes are out of the house, and while they are unpacked, there's still some organization that needs to be done and pictures/decorations to hang. You will be so amazed when you see the pictures! I was so depressed at first with the mountain of work to be done that I didn't take 'before' shots, but now I wish I had, lol!