Parent/Teacher Conference

I had Masie's second parent/teacher conference for 1st grade on Friday, she is doing extremely well. Ms Eaton told me that she is very smart and very eager to help others, as she is always one of the first to finish the projects or class tasks she is given a choice to read a book or help out a friend, she nearly always chooses to help a friend. She is very polite and such a sweet girl. The graph below is a student progress report, the light blue line- Norm group Average, the Orange line- District average RIT and the dark blue line is Masie. As you can see she is above average on Math and reading, the teacher said the reason it went down was because the test was given straight after the winter break and all the kids averages dropped (my opinion is they should have been given a week or two to settle back in before they were tested, but whatever).
OK on the bottom of the chart are her other scores and I will highlight them here so you can see them

Mathematics Goals Performance - Winter 2010

Problem Solving- High
Number Sense- Ave
Computation- High
Measurement & Geometry - Hi Ave
Statistics & Geometry - Ave
Algebra - Hi Ave

Reading Goals Performance - Winter 2010

Phonological Awareness - Hi Ave
Phonics - Ave
Concepts of Print - Hi
Vocabulary & Word Structure - Low
Comprehension - Low Ave
Writing - High

As you can see apart from the two that she got low on (which we are now working on to improve) she did amazing and is above average in almost all areas. These tests are all done on the computer and they are sectioned off so they cant see the other students, Im am super impressed with my little 6 year old sitting at the computer testing all by her self and pulling these scores. Great job Masie, you are amazing in everything you do! Mummy and Daddy are so proud of you.

A Very Long Day

Yesterday was an extremely long day, Masie had her appointment with the urologist the day before and he wanted to do tests on her to see if the bladder reflux surgery done last year was a success or not, he also wanted to scan her kidneys as she has a lot of pain in her kidney's when she has a UTI. If you don't remember from the last test results Masie only has 39% of her left kidney and 69% in the other one, she can not afford to lose anymore of them. So if her surgery was not successful then all these UTI's she is having is destroying her kidneys one UTI at a time. Unfortunately the tests are not very nice, we left at 4am in the morning to be in El Paso Texas for 7am to start her testing. She was extremely nervous and very fearful as she has had them done before and knows how painful they are. Her first one was a detailed kidney and bladder scan, which wasn't too bad, it was a little uncomfortable as they needed to put a lot of pressure on her kidneys to get a good picture plus she has a UTI now so they were already tender. Anyway she got through that and then it was time for the one she and I were both dreading, the catheter. I am lucky enough to have not experienced having a catheter, but unfortunately for Masie this was her 5th time in her 6 short years of life. That hole should never have anything shoved up it, plus she is so little and that tube is so big, it must be agonizingly painful. When she was changed into this lovely outfit it was almost time for the procedure, about 3 seconds after this picture I was chasing her through the hospital corridor as she saw an opportunity and she ran. We got her on the bed kicking and screaming and they started. A mothers worse nightmare: Holding your child down while two men are holding her legs open and a nurse is shoving a tube up her urethra, all while your baby is shouting "Mummy please tell them to stop, it hurts, please Mummy." After that was over she calmed down a little and they started filling her bladder with water and a radioactive fluid that shows up over another detailed scan. She yelled at them for taping her to the bed so she wouldn't move through the scan, and for telling her to hold her pee when she has been told for years that she is not allowed to do this. She is placed into this machine that scans her while she is peeing and it shows whether she is refluxing or not (fingers crossed that it is NOT). After that traumatising episode for both of us, she gladly escorted me to the gift shop to pick out her much deserved prize. Her appointment for the results is on the 10th of February so please pray that everything goes well, ill keep you posted.

While we were down in El Paso we decided to go to the Zoo, but it was pouring down with rain and freezing cold. Did that stop us?? I think not!!!! We went to pizza hut for a lovely lunch we had a great lunch and a good laugh together, Masie being Masie was a star and was the life of the party even after what she went through, Masie is so wonderful I should be more like her. Anyway, Chris, Masie and Taylor were enjoying stuffed Jalapenos when all of a sudden (omg I cant contain my laughter even now) Chris jumps forward and calls out Ouch! I look up and see him with a boiling hot Jalapeno on his chin and him in agony, I immediately did what any other caring wife would do and I let out this ear piecing laugh. It was so loud that the whole restaurant turned to look at us, I was crying with laughter and Chris was leaning over his plate trying to get the hot cheese off his chin while in obvious pain. What they must of thought of us I don't know but I just know it was so funny I was laughing for hours after.

So full of happiness we decided to head to the zoo, we were the only ones in the whole place (not sure why). We stopped at the gift shop and bought these lovely poncho's, we may look silly but we were dry. Masie was not impressed with hers at first and was moody that we didn't buy each of them a $10 umbrella, but she soon got over it and despite the rain we had a great time.

Taylor and Hailey thought it was brilliant and smiled the whole time. I was always told never let children play with plastic bags, in my defence they weren't playing with them, I paid money to put my children in a plastic bag, I believe there is a difference.

After a very early morning and a really long day this was Masie at 7.20 last night, such a sweet little girl wish her luck for the results.

Something Freaky Just Happened

Well it didn't just happen, it was yesterday morning. It was about 7am and it was just me and Taylor up as she was the only one going to school that day (Masie was going to El Paso to see her urologist, long post on that tomorrow) so I'm getting her ready and this happens: (she is stood on a chair and I am helping her get ready)

Me- Taylor please get dressed so we can have some breakfast
Taylor- looking in the living room and giggling
Me-What are you giggling at?
Taylor- Pointing to the rocking chair, and laughs and says "at the little boy peeking his head up and down"
Me- Totally freaked out, shivers down my spine says "Taylor, what little boy?"
Taylor- Looking back at the chair "ohhh where did he go?"

OMG, WTF!!!!!!!!

I really don't know what to think, it was so strange because Taylor is scared of everything and I would have thought seeing a strange boy (ghost or not) in her house would freak her out, but it didn't, she didn't even question it? Me and Chris are now wondering if she is one of those kids that See's things, she hates going anywhere in the house unless it is properly lit and like tonight I find her just staring into her room at nothing?

Hailey's 1st Day at Preschool

OK so you want to know how well Hailey did at school then huh? She did A.m.a.z.i.n.g I am so proud of her, I didn't get one call to come and get her or questions on how to calm her down. She had about three episodes of tears that didn't last long, I was impressed that they were able to calm her down and she carried on with her morning. I mean it must be scary for kids on their first day of preschool, she has never left my side, ever, so she did remarkable. Taylor was fantastic and the best big sister today, she really was the key to Hailey's success today. Hailey kept asking for 'her Taylor' (or Tator, as she calls her), they let Hailey join the big kids for lunch which made her very happy. They are in different classes so she did so well on her own for the majority of the morning.

Look how cute she looks all ready for her first day! Hailey was so excited to go and pick out her lunch box, Taylor couldn't wait to go to school with her little sister and show her the ropes.

Now that's what I call a good big sister, helping her put up her lunch on the trolley.

This little girl Ella has loved Hailey forever and it made her day when she saw her this morning. Look at Hailey playing but still holding Taylor's hand.

Hailey's first activity in pre school, she lost an eye so its a one eyed Monkey, I think it looks brilliant. Good job Hailey you did fantastic on your very 1st day.

Hailey is at Preschool

STILL, and its been 2 hours since I dropped her off, wow!! I'm so proud of her. The head of the school 'Cornerstone' agreed to take her before she was three as she was potty trained and she knew having Taylor there would help her relax. I was a little, OK very nervous about taking her this morning. Flash backs of Zia came into my head and I really didn't want her to be sad or scared. I was so thankful Taylor was there with her, she is such a great big sister and took such good care of her. We have been talking about her going to school all last week and I think she was really ready for it. I know it will help her speech and improve her social skills immensely.

I will post pictures tonight I promise, I'm just trying to make the time go a little faster. I have already called the school and she is doing great, apparently hasn't cried yet. I'm so happy for her, I really hope she is happy. I have already cleaned the house made homemade guacamole, helped Masie with her blog, done snack time, painted with the kids and its only 10.30am. I am so badly clock watching, what is she doing now, did she enjoy her snack, has she peed on the toilet yet, did she get to play outside......... OMG I just miss her so much, my baby.

Our Weekend Went Like This

From bad to worse. We thought it would be nice to take the kids to the mini circus they were putting on in the civic center in town. BAD idea, so bad that we ended up laughing because of how bad it was and booing the clown. Taylor was far more entertaining dancing and showing off her Ballet moves. I think the most annoying thing was that they really didn't care if anyone was having a good time, they just wanted to make $$$$$$$$$. After every two or three acts they brought out balloons, clown noses and everything else they could think of to sell. We left half way through and vowed never to return. I mean I know the circus is normally a rip off and charges outrageous prices for rides, balloons and food etc but at least they put on a good show for everyone to watch and we come home broke but happy and chatting about our great time. Sunday we decided to take the girls to the tennis courts down the road, only to find that they have knocked them down and now there are mud piles and tractors sitting there. So we took the 20 min trip to base so we can use their courts. It was so cold we didn't stay too long. Masie wasn't feeling too well either, Taylor was having a quick lesson from Daddy and Hailey was sitting in the duffel bag and using it as a blanket.

When we got home Masie told me that she had a really sore tummy and it hurts when she pees. I couldn't believe it, she does everything right and drinks so much water and pees so often she couldn't do anymore. We was going to wait till the morning to take her to the doctors but she went down hill quickly and was really uncomfortable. So off to the ER we went, actually was a very quick trip of only 1 and a half hrs in total. Turns out she does have another UTI and is back on the antibiotics. She has an appointment in February with her urologist so hopefully we can get her some help. During this post being written she has thrown up all over her bed, floor and hair, so after bathing her cleaning carpets and beds I'm ready to turn in. What a great way to finish off a great weekend!! Lets hope next weekend is much better.

If you don't laugh you cry, Chris and I always try to laugh!!! This is Chris doing what he does best, making me smile.

My Book Arrived

My 2009 blog book arrived the other day and I am so thrilled. I used a different company to Blurb this time and went with blog2print. There were +'s and -'s on both of them but at the end of the day this one was 100% easier and I totally love it.Now I have two books, the momories in those books are absolutely pricless.

Saturday morning the girls and I sat and watched a movie together and they wanted me to do their hair, I thought I would give it a go in my whole 'trying to get girlie thing'. Masie went first and wanted plaits all over her head, I thought this was a bit adventurous but I gave it a go, next was Taylor she just wanted pig tails and the cute hair clips Nanny and Grandad sent for Christmas. Hailey, well she didn't really care and I was shocked that she sat there so I just did it all crazy and put about five pony tails in. It turned out pretty good I thought.

Going Back In Time

Excuse me while I take a trip back in time. Feel free to skip this post, but if you are bored carry on this might take a while. One of the reasons why I am a bit over the top with my camera and take pictures of EVERYTHING is because I don't have many of when I was growing up. A couple of Christmas's ago my Mum made me the best present ever and put together 2 scrapbooks of me growing up. We lost most of our childhood pictures in a house fire, and back in "those days" (lol, that makes me sound really old) people didn't take too many pictures anyway. I found these pictures on one of my friends face book albums, I was delighted to see them and the memories just came flooding back.

This is me and my bunny Rosie, I loved that bunny. Me and my friend Sarah would go down there everyday and take care of them (hers was Thumper), we would even take them for walks. I remember when Rosie had babies, I was so happy I cant remember how many she had but it was a fair few. Anyway me and Sarah got pretty attached and gave them all names, one day we went down there to check on them and someone had open the cage and let them all out. Our school was in the middle of trees and bushes so we didnt think we had a chance to get them back. We found Rosie pretty quick, she came running out of the bushes the same day. The miricle is we found ALL the babies over the next few days. Im not sure who did it or why but im still mad about it, we padlocked the cages from them on and it never happen again. Wow we all look so young, the girl on the far right is my very best friend Sharon. We had such a great time together, we were always up to something. In the spinny building tree houses or just messing around somewhere.

Check out my long socks, sexy!! We are just about to attend our history lesson with Mr Prince.(I hated him)

The front view our our boarding school "Broomham". This was the sight you would see when you first pulled up, I still remember the horrible feeling in my stomach.

We had a few ghosts at this school although none of them did any harm or were unkind, one of the ghost at the school called "The white lady" was seen many times going up and down stairs and walking across landings. I saw her only one time, and that was enough for me. Nobody ever saw her face just a light figure of a lady in a white dress walking away. Some of our class rooms.

Our courtyard was pretty big actually and just below this were the netball courts, I loved playing netball and I don't mind saying that I was pretty damn good at it too. We played other schools, and had a great time.

This is Cookie, she was one of my best friends although we didn't get to be "best" friends until we went up to Catsfield (the next school up)

This is Matron Kathrine, I don't remember her too much but I think she was pretty cool.

Matron Jo is below and she was the best, she was really young and actually liked being around us. She would invite us into her room for chats and she would always give us yummy treats. You were not allowed food in your room as a student so we thought this was pretty cool.

Funny Quote

Masie is getting so funny and getting her own little attitude thing going on, she has started to not particularly enjoy school and HATES doing homework. We practice her spelling words every night for a few minutes and last night I called her to the table for our nightly routine. She comes out with "Do they give us new spelling words each week just to ANNOY ME!!" "I said no they do it to help you to read and keep you smart", she replied "well its just annoying." LOL.

Oh and she has decided to start her own blog, she is so much like me. She sits here with me and loves reading other peoples blogs and asked if she could have one of her own. She is on there now choosing her background, we will see how long it lasts. If you would like an invite just let me know.

Home Made Bird Houses

This was one of our cool findings from hobby lobby this weekend. They are so cool and the girls worked really hard making them look just right. The finished products hanging in our apple tree, Hailey being Hailey dropped hers before it got to the tree so it has a hole in the bottom but still looks great.

Chuck E Cheese's

Yesterday we went to Las Cruses and visited our favourite kids restaurant Chuck E Cheese's. Luckily for Taylor and Hailey we only saw the back of the mouse for half a second and then he disappeared, but Masie was a little disappointed. We had a lovely time, the girls had so much fun with their tokens and after hours of fun and winning tickets they chose their prizes and we went to hobby lobby (lots of blogging material to come).