Decidedly Brilliant

Money.

That is what my big decision came down to.  Unfortunately, I just can't afford the gas to drive to Logan 3 times a week when I have a better option.  So I am sticking with the new job for now. And I'm going to be thankful that I was at least able to change my schedule around to something that works better for my family, which is what it's really all about anyway.  Now I just have to work up the guts to break the news, once again, to my boss.  That is going to be a painful discussion.

But enough about that boring old drama.

I just got back from Parent Teacher Conferences at the elementary school, and not surprisingly, both Audrey and Olivia are total geniuses.  Audrey is getting top grades in everything- (she even brought home a perfect report card last week, which I forgot to mention!) AND her teacher told me that last week she had Audrey tutor a girl in math who had missed a lot of school, because she knew that Audrey had the concepts down so well.  And with Audrey's help, the girl mastered it as well.   Mrs. Keller said that she wished every kid in her class could be like Audrey.  Gush gush gush, I love my Audrey girl!

Olivia is rocking first grade too, albeit in her own unique fashion.  Her teacher had the kids do a little self assesment, and these were Olivia's answers:   I do my homework......once in a while.  I do my best work....not usually.  Reading is....a little tricky.  I can do math.....slowly but surely.  Writing is....hard.  I listen and follow directions...not usually.    Yep, she' s honest with herself.  Some of those answers might make a mother's heart say a little ouch, but the best part is that all over the paper, Olivia has drawn beautiful drawings of princesses and hearts and balloons, almost like a little message that she knows that her real strengths are in the arts.   Even though she said writing was hard, she has a journal filled with her writings and drawings.  She is very creative. She is comprehending what she is reading.  She loves to share what she has written with the class, and she never hesitates to raise her hand, whether she knows the answer or not. She is coming right along with her reading and she "gets" math, even though she still writes most of her numbers backwards.  She is doing soooo much better than I  dared to dream she might be after the fiasco that was kindergarten.  I am a very proud mommy tonight.