This year our school has started a new Common Core. While I have been listening to parents say how much they hate it and how hard it is, I didn’t think much of it.

I have parents in my daughters 3rd grade class opt out of the testing, because it’s to hard and other reasons.

I went to meet the teacher night last night and the teacher said that they have never jumped right into division and multiplication at the beginning of the school year. The new Common Core they had too. They have seen a few struggling with it.

The first couple days of school my daughter seemed fine, she was happy getting 100% on review tests etc. Now that she is having math homework, she is struggling with understanding the wording and exactly what needs to be done.

For me I get most of it, but the way I learn may not be best for her. EX: My division I always do backwards as multiplication.

It makes me feel stupid at times that I don’t really get it.

Here are some examples of her Math.

Luckily we have great teachers who are helping the students as much as they can. They are trying to take the Common Core and break i down in their own terms, and I think that has helped a bit.

Is your child struggling with the new Common Core?

Life can be complicated.  In my life I have seen it all. I grew up in a low income family, Only one in my family to graduate high school. Married at 19 and enrolled in beauty school, but had to drop out after I had a high risk pregnancy.

So now I have been a stay at home mom to my 3 adorable kids, while my husband gets his PHD.  He will be graduating within the next 2 years.

THEN……..  The next chapter begins.

We have always discussed me getting a job or going back to school. After all i have been blogging for 4 years and am no where near being able to pay bills.

All i can hope for is the economy to get better.

 

Today is my birthday. Whoop-de-dooo!

I am 29 years old and while I know that is not old to some, it is to me.

Today i will just be spending time with my family, and having fun. Thats all that matters to me.

I could remember being a kid and always looking forward to those cards in the mail that had money, just so I could go shopping or whatever. Now that I am a mother, it’s all my kids look forward too. I always tell them though don’t count on someone sending you something, if they do it’s a lovely gesture.

I guess as you get older you learn what matters most.

So today I have a full day planned. Taking my kids to a library chess club, walking them in a homecoming parade, bringing home Subway. Yes thats what I want for my birthday dinner, it’s inexspensive and i’ve been craving it. Then last having a nice (subway) dinner and homemade cake.

Happy Birthday to me. LOL!

Today is the 12th anniversary of September 11, 2001. What started out as a beautiful day turned to tragedy.  I was living in AZ at the time and was in high school, so when I woke up at 6:30 AM, it was already on the news. I was just in shock.

When I got to my first period class, we did nothing but watch TV. That seemed to be the pattern all day, every class had a TV on even in the cafeteria. The teachers tried to get us to focus on school, but it was even hard for the to concentrate.  It just wouldn’t stop  The towers crumbled, then a plane into the Pentagon, and the plane that crashed in PA.

I remember being in my last class for the day Drama.  There was a poster on the wall, for a some kind of theater meeting.  I can it had various cities and dates on it as like a tour or something. Anyway, the last date was For New York City September 11, 2001 in Twin Towers. I think specific it was tower 1. My heart sank, do you know how many teenagers probably attended that?

I always think about that, how horrible.

So today this will be the only thing I post to remember all those who lost their lives on this tragic day 12 years ago.

 

We are in the final days of Summer vacation.

2
DAYS
21
HOURS
49
MINUTES
53
SECONDS

From the minute I am writing this.

Yes I did make a countdown clock. It’s been a rough summer, we did not take any vacations or go anywhere spectacular. We are on a budget and at the moment don’t have any money for extras, which is fine. You have to eat and pay your rent before you can have fun. That’s what is important in life.

Well, 1 day of school and then a 4 day weekend. I still can’t wrap my head around that.

This Summer has also been rough because of the heat and constant down pours. Mosquitos have been really bad, and whenever my kids go outside they are bitten a million times. There has been a confirmed West Nile Virus in our town.
So we have been in doors most of the time.

You can see where I am happy to get the kids of to school, so I can have a bit of a break. Get the house just the way I want it, and be able to just sit and relax for a bit.

This year is going to be totally different, our school is operating on different schedule. We will be starting later and getting out later. Literally by the time the kids get home, and get their homework done it will be time for dinner.
I would prefer the early start time, but not much I can do.

The good news is this year all my kids will be in the same school, well with having half day kindergarten. All in all it makes my life a bit more easier.

Have your kids started school yet?