Spring

The weather has been beautiful lately!

Nate reading Lucy's library book to her:

School update

After praying and thinking through Nate's current school situation, I kept coming back to something I had dismissed at first: keeping Nate in 3rd grade again next year (holding him back). This would mean he would be the oldest (but not by far--only 9 days!), not the youngest. It could mean he would be in his cousin, Cami's, class, which he would love. It would mean he'd have another year to catch up on the things he's behind on (fine motor and gross motor skills, music, handwriting, some math). It would mean he would have a different teacher, and both of the possible teachers (there are two classes for that grade) are more experienced and stricter than Nate's current teacher.

Jon has reminded me that this solution won't solve everything. Nate quite possibly will still be teased. Jon has rightly observed that Nate doesn't know how to react to other boys' typical teasing behavior. He reacts weakly, angrily--basically inviting more teasing. So whatever happens with his classroom situation, Jon and I need to be even more diligent in training him and talking with him about this. He can't control other boys, but he is in control of how he reacts.

I spoke to the principal last week about the situation and my idea. It was obvious he had heard from other parents about the current classroom situation and knew the teacher wasn't equipped to lead this class well. He was very open to my idea of holding Nate back; in fact, it sounds like he thinks it's a very good idea. I think there are formalities that need to take place (approvals, seeing if there is room in one of the classes as far as numbers go, etc.), but I'm pretty confident it will happen. Although I would like to move Nate now, I think I'm the only one who thinks that's a good idea. Since I've never done this before, I'm willing to agree to the timing everyone else recommends--so it will probably be over the summer. In the meantime, he's still in the same situation and will be until June. That makes me sad, but I do feel renewed energy and motivation to do better at guiding Nate in how to behave and react.

We haven't spoken about all of this with Nate, yet. Once things are more solidified, we will. I think he will think it's a good idea.

Clippers game

A couple of weeks ago, we took the boys to a Clippers basketball game; it was Levi's first.

Jon and I used to go quite a bit before we had the kids and he would get partial season tickets. 

Levi loved the game and was interested the whole time--which is impressive!

School and when to step in

I am really happy with the kids' school... for Lucy and for Levi. Lucy loves pretty much everything about 1st grade, and I love her teacher. Levi has adjusted well to his first year of kindergarten. For Nate, I am leaning toward unhappy. His class, unlike any other class I've been in/seen at school, is out of control. The boys especially are raucous, disrespectful, and defiant. I've gone on a couple of field trips with the class and am shocked at how these boys talk to adults. I'm finding that, while Nate's teacher is incredibly nice and is a good teacher as far as the subject matter she teaches and the ideas she has, she is unassertive and has no control over the class.

Most of these boys are pretty mean to Nate. Nate has mentioned little things here and there, but it is actually from other moms that I hear how mean these boys are. (These are usually moms of the girls in the class, who obviously tell their moms much more about school than Nate tells me.) I'm not sure how much the teacher sees/hears and how much the boys are able to keep their comments and behaviors toward Nate out of earshot/eyesight. Even if she does hear/see some of the things, I think the class has gotten so out of control that she is beyond being able to regain it.

My dilemma has been wondering when to step in. So far, I have been pretty "hands off." I have not requested extra meetings with the teacher; I haven't contacted the moms of the biggest offenders. But from what I can tell, Nate is being targeted--daily, consistently, pointedly--by multiple boys. Other moms have definitely used the words "being bullied" to me about Nate. Of course I've talked with Nate about how he should act. I know he plays at recess with Lucy, Cami, and boys/kids from other classes, so he isn't by himself during recess. I do think he reacts meanly/negatively to the boys in his class, which probably eggs them on and might also invite more meanness.

So... Do I wait out the school year in hopes they replace the current teacher (I've heard whispers here and there that this might happen)? Do I speak to the principal? At this point, I really don't see talking to the teacher doing much good; she and I have spoken on occasion, and I don't see her being able to change anything going on in the class. Do I take Nate out of school altogether and homeschool him? Do I have him repeat 3rd grade so he could be in a different class next year (I know that's really not an option, but it has crossed my mind)? I really don't know where I stand right now! I want to keep Nate at school because I value consistency and I do like this school, but I don't want to ignore an issue that has become bigger than a "hardship he can use as a growing opportunity."

Walls & dots

I finished painting the whole living/dining room this week, and I'm really happy with it.

Before (I chose the color on the left):

After:

I redid the wall over the couch, too. Apparently, I'm in the mood for change. :)

And in this picture, you can see part of another little project....

I "polka dotted" a wall!

It's just gold paper and double-sided tape, so I can take them off if/when I want to. 

In fact, the tape is "removable" so some of the dots have been flying off the wall. I might have to redo it with stronger tape. But I like it!

I'm back

I know I've been a very bad blogger. I was sick with strep throat for a good 10 days, so that's partly to blame.

Once I started feeling better this week, I began painting the living/dining room. I never loved the yellow. I've finished a couple of walls and am about 1/3 done with the room. I love the new color! It's an almost-white grey (Irish Mist by Behr).

Here's a picture from last night:

and here it is today in the natural light:

You can see the old yellow on the wall I haven't gotten to yet here: