Brooke

Brooke's had an eventful week. Starting with last Friday. It was the town's birthday, which is celebrate every year. The school kids all put on a thing at the high school, dancing the same dances since before my in-law's went to school. The elementary age kids all dress up in western/pioneer attire or dress clothes. The high school age just dress clothes. They also opened up the theatre on main street for tours and other things including a Ball at the Fair Bldg, but since Mike won't dance we only go watch Brooke.

(The 1st graders do the hokey pokey.)
    Monday was the day off, Tuesday she had to go to the dr. and I had an SEP meeting with her teacher then Wednesday she received an award for her reflections drawing and her class was having another ice cream party for bringing in the most box tops and she was also the one that brought the most so she received another candy as well as getting out early. She was pretty excited that day.
    I had gotten a call on Monday from a pta member about Brooke receiving an award on Wednesday. We didn't tell her anything because we wanted to see if she knew or if it was supposed to be more of a surprise. When Wednesday came she was wondering why mom and McKenna were coming with to take her to school (her dad usually takes her on his way to work). I don't know if she even noticed the fact that her dad was in regular clothes not his grungy work clothes... lol. We dropped her off then found a parking spot and went in to the gym, which by then most of the kids were already in the gym (they have flag ceremony every Wed.) it took her quite awhile to see us, we were on the other side of her teacher. I wondered if she realized why we would be there when they were giving out all these certificates for reflections entries.
    When they finally called her name she went up and the shy thing that she is starts twisting her hair and stops not sure where to go.... Even though she watched many of them do the same routine... lol such a funny girl. Anyway, she was excited that she won. They received a candy bar (or rather a package of mini ones), $3 off Book Fair, a free kids meal at Del Taco, a ribbon and certificate. With their entry they were supposed to tell why their project represents "Diversity" which was this year's theme. Brooke colored a big rainbow and said, "Different colors make a rainbow." I thought it was awesome! She thought of it all on her own and she won. I don't remember ever winning a reflections contest so I was very excited for her. We didn't have any idea what she had done, because they did it in class, we only filled out the form for her.

    Here is going to be a little brag session. Please don't mind, I'm not trying to compare, put down, or show off  my daughter. I am just extremely proud (or very pleased instead of "proud") to have such a smart daughter and I want to record it. I realized something Tuesday after my meeting with her teacher. I am always down on myself and my mothering abilities or angry with Brooke for her lack of minding me. Literally if I tell or ask her to do something she ignores me. She will continue playing or watching the movie or doing whatever she wants to do. Her father can get her to do almost anything, I cannot no matter how I try to. It makes for very frustrating days at home. Now there are some days or times when she actually will listen or do things without being told that she knows she needs to do. I love it when that happens, but as I said it really gets to me. I have been trying harder to accept that and just keep trying and to keep my anger in check.
    I am getting to the point I promise. Well after the meeting I realized that at least that is where my trial is. For all the anger she sets inside me, that's it. Minding. She is such a smart girl, we knew that, but to see her test scores.. They blow me away! They are above and beyond what they expect 1st graders to be at. We aren't sure where exactly she gets it from, but I am grateful, school didn't exactly come easy for me, and maybe it will be different with older grades, but for now she is excelling! I think this whole year she has only had 1 spelling test with 1 misspelled word. Math tests I believe are all 100% too. She can do her math in less than five minutes when her mind is put to it. She realizes when she was made a mistake and quickly knows the answer and changes it. She is an excellent reader, the highest group in her class.
    We are so proud sweetie. We hope school will always be this easy for you at least for the most part. You are achieving so much.