P/T interviews, Photos, Recipes and more (Gotta work on my titles)

Just got back from parent/teacher interviews, and I couldn't be any happier than if I'd won a $50 gift card to Michaels (oh yeah, I DID! Tee hee hee - more on that later).

I met with T's 2nd grade teacher first. The interview started with her saying "This is going to be an easy interview. Maybe you can tell ME what YOU'VE been doing?" She went on to explain that T is reading at a 5th grade level, spelling at a 4th grade level, and her artwork is consistently sent around the staff room. She called her "gifted" and said T goes to an hour long accelerated class every day where they read novels, practise Internet skills etc. with the older kids. Well, THAT was news to me. I had no idea she had been doing that. I knew she read well, and her spelling was excellent. Her teacher says that she more than often has nothing in T's work to correct, and her teacher's aide often likes to challenge T to artwork competitions! So fun. I had previous concerns that the teacher in the last school she was in raised about her being too much of a perfectionist. This teacher said she noticed none of that and if anything, T is extremely helpful to the other children. She often finishes her work more quickly, and her teacher then asks her to help the other children - which she does happily. She said her attitude is very positive, she makes friends very easily, and she understands and follows every rule and instruction. Her teacher explained that she feels strongly that T will do great things. My jaw dropped! I knew T had talents, and while she has weaknesses, she is very bright. I was happy with the report, and was pleased that she is doing so well.

I wasn't disappointed when I met with B's 1st grade teacher who had nothing but great things to say about her as well. B started school a bit on the young side (her birthday is Jan. 8th) and I was concerned a bit about how she would handle things. Her teacher said she is right on par with where she shoould be, and ahead in several areas. She said that she catches on quickly to new ideas, completes her work very neatly, and is very creative in her writing and artwork. She says that she adjusted very well to the new school and has made some good friendships. She is a leader in class and a model student. EXCELLENT! I couldn't be happier! Her teacher told me that she loves to work both alone and in groups, and that she uses her time wisely and always completes assignments. She is slightly ahead with her reading, and is growing in leaps and bounds with her writing. She was especially impressed that she writes about different topics each and every time in her journal, which is really good, I guess. I was so happy with both reports.

I don't know why I get nervous about these things. I always worry that their teachers are going to drop a bomb on me about my kids - you know, tell me something I had no idea about. I am so relieved that both of them are doing really great! I know I shouldn't be "proud" but I am. SO proud of my girls. They both work hard and are good, good girls. I love them so much!

On a different note, my three year old (who snuck her ballet costume to the school under her clothes) had a shirt on that said "Cute, Cute, Cute". I pointed it out to her and said "That's just like you, cute, cute, cute!" She smiled, came over to me and gave me a big hug, then without blinking an eyes said "You're right." LOL! What a card. At least my kids know they are loved!

SO, I called Simple Scrapbooks this morning and left a message about the "Let's Play" contest situation. Within a half an hour a nice gal returned my call and she explained that she was SO happy I called. She has my $50 gift card sitting on her desk, but she had no way of contacting me. She got my new address and is getting it in the mail ASAP! YAY!!!! Oh, now what to spend it on...any thoughts? I just can't wait! I'm GIDDY!

I might have a photoshoot opportunity coming up. There are a few co-workers of my hubby's who need their portraits taken for their company website. I took this one of my hubby and he showed it to the woman in charge of the website. They liked it, and want me to do the other co-workers possibly. It would be $$ in my pocket, but also some word of mouth! I really want to build my business here and this would be a BIG help. SO excited - I hope it works out.

We are having the missionaries over to dinner and I am making roast chicken, creamy mashed potatoes (the best), and for dessert I made the best Raspberry chocolate chip squares. I have to share the recipe with you:


Raspberry Chocolate Chip Squares

1 3/4 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 cup raspberry jam
1 cup milk chocolate chips
3/4 cup sliced almonds

Combine flour and sugar in a large bowl. Cut in butter until crumbly. Add in the egg and extract and mix well. Set aside 1 cup of this mixture and press the rest into a 9X13 pan, slightly greased. Spread the jam over that layer. Mix the chocolate chips and almonds in with the reserved crumb mixture, then sprinkle over the jam layer until covered. Bake @ 350F for about 35 minutes. SO YUMMY! Love it. Hope you enjoy it, too!

Take care, everyone - can't wait to tell you about our upcoming enrichment activity! It will be so much fun!