Day Two Of New Semester

A new semester almost feels like the start of the new school year to me. It is a time to fix the areas that weren't working, set new goals and to put the past to bed. This week has started out really well. I revamped our schedule and also put together notebooks for Amy. These notebooks are divided into Chapters and Units so when she needs to study for the tests she can find the information and her notes quickly. I am also sitting down with her and showing her how to take notes like a college student. I figure she might as well learn now! Our new schedule has us getting up earlier and having an actual schedule to abide by, but today it was so worth it. At two o'clock Amy sat down to look over her emails and to contact her teachers and she looked at me and said, "I feel like I accomplished so much today!" It made me feel as if I did my job as a "learning coach" and a mom. I know there will be days when things do not go as well as today did, but I am glad that she and I agreed about the changes that needed to take place and that Amy is on board with them.
More later!

End of Semester One!!!!

So, Miss Amy finished up all her finals, finally, and ended up with an A on her Algebra final. I was sooooo happy that I took her to the comic store and let her pick out a graphic novel that she had been wanting. Her semester grades are B's and A's and I am very pleased.
Since we do not have any classes scheduled until Monday, we took advantage of the California sunshine and messed around in our garden and then hit the beach for an impromptu photo session. I am posting those pics for you to enjoy a virtual day at the beach.
We are just going to relax for the remainder of this week and not even think about classes until Sunday night. I definitely need the break and Amy does too!!
Enjoy your week!

Finals Week-Pure He**

So, first semester is now over. I went into this freshman year with the mindset of letting Amy take the reins and see how she managed her time and classes. Well, this week with finals it all came crashing down. So today we had a come to Jesus meeting and things will be alot different in the second semester.
I felt so bad today, because I felt like I had failed Amy by letting her "learn the hard way." But after our meeting we discussed the changes that need to be made on both our parts and she said she will be happy with the structure and rules.
Rules, I do not like them-I am a bit of a gypsy, but when it comes to the success of my daughter, I will toe the line.
So here is our schedule for next semester, granted there will be flexibility based on appointments and life in general, but here it is:
7:30 Rise and Shine! (Shower, eat, etc.)

9:00 Classes begin-I explained to Amy that if she or I are still lounging in our p.js at 9:00 then we stay in our p.js until school is finished.It takes us both forever to get ready!!

9:00-9:45 Language Arts, nice way to start the day!
9:45-10:30 Algebra (this semester she will be keeping a notebook with daily work that she needs to show me.)
10:30-10:45 Break for snack
10:45-11:30 Biology (same here, daily notebook, daily work)
11:30-12:00 Spanish
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-1:45 Health/Game Design on alternate days
1:45-2:00 Review for tests next day, email or call teachers with questions,prepare for upcoming portfolios, etc.
2:00 Classes over for day

This leaves her plenty of time to be creative with her writing and photography. It also will give her time for family chores and hanging out with friends.

Wish me luck!!

Christmas Break!!

I don't know who is happier that Christmas break is here, me or Miss Amy! She worked up until five o'clock on Friday and then shut down the computer, closed her books and sighed a huge sigh of relief. Highschool is hardwork!!
Over the break I think we will hit Knotts Berry Farm and the rest of the days we will just let unfold.
I know we all need the rest and time to catch up with family and friends.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Must Be Thanksgiving!

Well, I just polished off the last of Miss Amys Halloween candy so it must be time for Thanksgiving! She wanted to work ahead so she could have the whole week of Thanksgiving off but with the demands of highschool it looks like she will be working up until the Tom Turkey pops. It is a struggle when our local highschool has a different holiday schedule. Her friends have all of next week off so they are planning mountain trips, etc. and she does not want to get behind since she just barely got caught up from our trip to Hawaii. Life is tough. (right) I wish I had it as good as she does when I was in highschool!
This week our biggest challenge has been Spanish and Biology. Spanish because it is well a different language, and Biology because she hates to take notes and the class is HARD! I kept telling her take notes, take notes....then I contacted her teacher and asked her to ask Miss Amy to take notes. What a difference! She listens to Ms. Patzin, me not so much....if only she could come and live here!!

More Halloween Musings

So, Miss Amy and I went to CVS to get some random necessary things; this weeks gossip mag and purple nail polish, when I hear "Santa Baby" piping through the air. Santa Baby? Really? It was the day after Halloween! Did I sleep to long and actually miss Thanksgiving? Which actually would not be a bad thing considering it takes me a week to prepare a feast that is devoured in 15 minutes. I looked around the store and it is decked out with dancing Santas, gift wrap and all kinds of presents that are the top of everyones wish list; The Ove-Mitt and pleather jackets (one size fits most.) I asked the gothic cashier what was up with the carols and he replied that they had started playing on Halloween. Creepy. So I made a decision. Next Halloween when I send Miss Amy out with her gaggle of friends I am going to instruct them to carry jingle bells. After knocking on a persons door they are to no longer say "tricks-or-treats!" the new catch phrase when begging for candy will be "Merry Christmas!"
Egg Nog anyone?

Halloween Hangover

Is it possible to OD on Kit Kat bars? Woke up Moday morning feeling like I had spent the night partying, must be getting old when Kit Kats can do me in!! There should be a warning on the wrappers, "The surgeon general has determined that the consumption of this candy when over the age of 45 is dangerous to your health. Due to the fact that you are over 45 and have lapses in memory you will forget how many treats you have eaten, so you will eat the entire bag, and you will get fat and die."
Okay, so back to school stuff...Amy bombed her biology quiz. See, Kit Kats are deadly!! Forget drug awareness, we need to just say no to Halloween!! I told her not to worry about it. Afterall, I fed the fish bird food and de-chlored the parakeets water the day after. So, we are spending today going over cells, mitosis, prophase and other cell related stuff so she can do well on the unit test. I am just hoping she and I did not kill to many brain cells so we can function today.
You know what sounds good right now? A Kit Kat bar!!