The "R" word

I know I am always talking about Paige on this blog, but hey, what can I say...she is my world!

She has started middle school and has merged with another elementary school. She has always been a great friend to others and is liked by everyone. She says that school has been great and meeting new people from the other elementary has been exciting, but difficult.

Paige, if you can't tell already, is a VERY STRONG little girl with a huge personality to boot. She is verrry dry, but as funny as they come. People crack up at her and with her, because she is constantly saying things that leave us all in stitches. She is not a cheesy or fake girl. She doesn't care about style (her sissy does, though :), she is not fussy and does not shriek and shrill at all things girly. She is who she is and in her little mind, you can take her or leave her...she just doesn't care.

She has come a loooong way from the days of being a Kindergartener who got teased and picked on because: a. she was Chinese, b. she was adopted, c. she had older parents, d. she had a speech impediment. She hung in there and proved to all of the kids that THEY were lucky to have HER as a friend. By the end of fifth grade, she was being chased by all of the boys, was invited to every party and is a social butterfly!

All of that said, mixing with the new elementary kids has kind of been like starting over, except this time she has a slew of kids who "have her back". She is in a diversified tech. class with this little girl and the story goes like this:

Paige: Sis, K. is my partner in DT. We are working on a module and today she looked at me and out of nowhere called me retarded.
Me: WHAT??? What did you do?
Paige: I looked at her and said, "You did not just say that to me!".
Me: ...and, then what?????
Paige: I told her that if she ever said that again I was going to tell the teacher and tell you to call her mom.
Me: Good for you. Did she react to that?
Paige: No, she said the teacher was retarded and so was I for tattling.
Me: You do what's right, kiddo. Always!
Paige: "Oh, don't you worry. I will! She doesn't have a chance against me or my friends. She can't get away with using that word. My friends overheard her say it and their jaws dropped. We are sooo mad and are not going to take it!"

Now, as a teacher, I do NOT like that word and if I were to hear it, I would call a parent in a heartbeat. As a HUMAN, the word makes me sick...physically sick to my stomach.

The fact that some kids, teens, adults, etc...throw around words like "retard" or "gay" or whatever else really, REALLY bothers me.

I'm going to meet with the teachers next week for conferences. I will be letting her DT teacher know that this happened, but I am not sure how much good it will do.

Any advice, thoughts on what to do??? I cannot sit by and not act on this. I realize that some might say, "Oh, they're just being kids", but I disagree. We HAVE to make a point. It has to stop somewhere. I don't want Paige thinking that she needs to take that from another kid. The little girl is the "queen bee" from the other school and is all about the gossip and apparently stirs up drama. I don't want to be overdramatic, but I am very bothered. Just curious what you would do if you were me or suggestions as to what to tell Paige.

Setting the trends

EMS had Western Day last week and I had to snap a couple of pics of my cowgirl. I took the day off to rest and got to see her off to school. As I was driving her, I told her how cute she looked and how I bet everyone would get a kick out of her outfit. I asked if she and her friends had planned to dress up and she said, "No, I don't need to plan outfits...I set trends!" Do you think she lacks confidence? :)

I love how secure she is in herself. I never was at that age. I still am not. I wish a little of it would rub off on me!

Sometimes I want to ban her to an island and ask for her back in a few years, but for the most part, this is a FUN age!!!

Love my girl!

Baller

Paige is attending a weekly basketball clinic to improve her basketball skills and I just adore watching her try to be the best she can be. She is trying out for her middle school team and is working out with the team two times a week. I am not sure if she will make the team, but I am so proud that she gives it 110% every time she gets out there.

This past week they ran bleachers and as active Paige has always been, she was HURTING. My dad was a basketball coach for over 30 years and I forgot how intense the practices and conditioning can be. It is not for the faint at heart.

Win or lose, I am proud of you, Paige! You are a great sportsman and you have a drive that cannot be unwaivered. Love you, my little baller!

Boundaries

I do realize that the past couple of posts have been a little on the negative side, so if you are looking for a pick me up, you might want to move on to another blog (kidding, ... well, sort of).

Today was a really, really rough day. I was interrupted today by colleagues, no less than 15 times throughout the day. Not only was my instruction halted, but the kids started getting antsy and talkative. While one colleague "stopped by to chat" he commented on how my students were awfully squirly (sp?) ... this being said while he had been in my room chatting excessively for 10 minutes. I mean, seriously people, have some boundaries here.

I never interrupt a class or waltz into another classroom unless it is an emergency or I have been invited. I value my colleagues and the students time. It is precious and I think it is RUDE to barge in.

Then, a teacher across the hallway from me comes in every morning to sharpen pencils. That is not a problem, I don't mind if it is before the students arrive. However, now she is sending her children over throughout the day while I am teaching. I have an electronic pencil sharpener, so it is loud. I don't let my students sharpen throughout the day, so why should another teacher's students come and interrupt us and do it.

BOUNDARIES! I have to create some or this is going to be a bad year.

Then to top things off today, Paige and I got into a disagreement. She is definitely showing the signs of being a teenager and while I am sensitive to that, I am not going to allow disrespect. She just fell asleep and didn't say goodnight...for the first time...EVER!!! :(

I desperately need a good devotional right now. Does anyone have an uplifting one that they would like to share? Maybe a good bible study??? If not, I suppose I can hit the bottle (just kidding...well, kind of :)

Thanks for listening to me vent! Tomorrow is a new day.

Sad day

Today I received news that a sweet mom in our community passed away from breast cancer. She was in her forties and such a vivacious, selfless wife, mother and friend. She had a college age daughter and two middle school sons. One of her sons, Cameron, is Paige's good friend. They've been in class together several years and have remained friends since. Cameron is such a sweet little boy and was so attached to his mom. With him losing his mom, it seems to have sparked a sadness in Paige. I think she is feeling the loss of our dad all over.

I don't really know what to do or say, but would like to ask if you are the praying type, please keep this sweet family in your prayers. It will be a difficult road ahead for them. Their middle son has autism and requires a lot of attention. He is an amazing fellow and I just pray that he continues to thrive.

I am reminded again to live life like it is your last day!

Keeping it real

So, this is two posts in one day, but if I don't get this off my chest, I could possibly burst. I guess I forgot what it was like to be a preteen 12 year old. I remember my mom always told me how difficult I was, but I never thought too much of it...that is, until now. Geez louise, hormones are in full effect and with those come eye rolling, closing bedroom doors (and trying to lock them...not successfully I may add), talking back, etc...

Please, someone please tell me that we will survive the next few years unscathed and still smiling! Ugh! Tough night!

Justin Bieber came to Paige's party!

Actually, it was Kennner impersonating JB! Once the bday girls and guests got into the limo, we gave them tasks to receive clues for their final destination. One of their tasks was to be serenaded by Justin Bieber. The musician had recently come to N@shville and the girls have this wild and crazy friend who happily wore a JB tshirt and serenade the girls. It was too funny!

Here is a little video clip...Kenner is a HOOT!


Love the way he sings, "Ava, Paige Oh Loren, where's Loren?" He is not shy!


Afterwards, the girls had to break off into teams and see which bday girl could be wrapped up first to win the next clue.

Here are the bday girls :)


More to come later :)