Parent Teacher Conference Time....

I am proud to say that we had a great parent teacher conference.  Initially I was concerned that my 8 year old had so many "2"s on her report card (A "1" means you are below expectations.  A "2" means you are basically approaching target.  a "3" is meeting expectations, and a "4" is exceeding).  However, we have a great new teacher this year who has set the bar high.  I love that. 

We arrived to the PTC early (as requested) to review the report card.  We circled the 2's and talked about them a little.  Then we wrote the words, "Action Plan" on the back of her report card.  We talked a little about what that meant.  I told her I am so proud - no 1's, a lot of 3's.  I explained that it is great to know where our opportunities are and not to be concerned.  She was very positive.  So we hit up the book fair before our meeting and got some fun stuff.

In the meeting I was hoping this new teacher would not hate me...I am a very involved parent.  She is very much like me - likes control.  However she loved it!  She told Zanayah she was lucky...THANK YOU!  She may not feel so lucky later!!

We talked about each area and what we could do to continue to improve. She kept telling me I did not have to be concerned.  It was the first meeting.  I kept saying, I am not - however I want to make sure I am doing my part! 

I actually learned I own quite a bit of our action plan.  When Zanayah asks me to read aloud to her I always say no! I thought she should be doing the reading.  However, I am supposed to do some of the reading.  At this age kids will read without pausing for periods or using voice inflection.  The teacher wants me to read so Zanayah can hear how a story should sound, rather than one continuous sentance.

So why am I writing this blog?  I spent quite a while trying to find some worksheets and activities to do with Zanayah at home.  Stuff that was sort of fun.  I found this website and I love it: http://www.education.com/worksheets/third-grade/  They have other grades as well!  I printed a bunch of things and told Zanayah we would work out some reward system for her going "above and beyond" her homework and doing some of these.

I told her the extra work now will make everything easier later.  So far she is on board!  When I find more, I will share.  Many of you are doing your PTC now (or recently had them) and may be on the search, I hope this saves you time!!

First Thanksgiving at the Faircloughs

Thanksgiving 2010...we are going to change it up this year and we will be hosting Thanksgiving at chez Fairclough. I am actually really excited. I am the only one who eats turkey so we will just cancel the turkey and go for a whole chicken. I have started a menu and who is responsible for what. I bought those poppers where you pull the ends and a prize explodes in your face. The kids love those. I have the "kiddie table" and I am going to buy a new movie or something for the kids.

Is it so wrong that I chose simplicity over being eco-friendly? I just bought Thanksgiving day paper plates. I will put them in the recycling bin when we are done. Does that count? With 7 guests, 3 of them children, I will have enough of a mess to pick up I do not want to wash dishes. Let's say I am conserving the water and I will recycle the plates. We are even.

I do think this may be the best Thanksgiving ever. It will be laid back, drama-free, yummy and special. I will keep you posted!! 

I will also blog about how I survived and post some pictures! 

Laptop Lunches - my new obsession

Many of you already now I am obsessed with the laptop lunch bento box. They are based off of Japanese culture. You get a box and inside the box is 4 smaller boxes. It allows you to cut out the plastic baggies (money & environment saver!), bulk more fresh food in bulk (no more pre-processed, individually packaged snacks) and send a whole new variety of foods to school/work.

I got one for me and each of the girls. I will say it requires us to be more creative. The laptop lunches site had many great ideas. They are UBER creative. I also created a little cheat sheet for Zanayah (8 y/o). I put different ideas under three categories: Main courses, Veggies & Fruits, and Snacks. She can choose from those lists if she is stuck.

I also went and got these adorable fruit and veggie cutters. I cut watermelon, cheese, cucumbers, etc. into shapes like flowers and moons. My 2 y/o really likes these small pretty bite sized snacks. Zanayah feels super cool when she has something creative in her bento as well. She said her friends were jealous. I was just so happy she had such a healthy balanced meal!

The laptop lunch system even comes with a set of stainless steel silverware.

So here are some of my ideas (Zanayah has a snack time in the mornings and then lunch so this includes both meals):

#1

dry cereal (milk purchased @ school)

fruit salad & a baby bel cheese

homemade banana bread

#2

cheese & crackers

grapes

organic applesauce

homemade pumpkin chocolate chip muffin

#3

Turkey meatballs

small salad (comes with a dressing container too!)

cheese stick & grapes

celery & organic peanut butter

#4

Hard boiled egg & a few cubes of cheese

Apple slices & peanut butter

Salsa and tortillas

#5

Mini bagel with cream cheese

Carrot sticks

Mini fruit kabobs

Pretzels

I could go on and on!

Here is a great book full of ideas - you can click right on this link if you want.

Go to http://www.laptoplunches.com/ you will get 10% off if you enter my code "supermama" when you check out! Have fun!!!!

Here is a link for the veggie cutters on amazon!

Holiday Shopping Time

I love to shop online, there are so many unique and specialized gifts online.  I figured I would help make your search a little easier by providing you with some of my favorite sites.  Click on my banners to shop the stores.  Whenever possible I will also post coupon codes for you! 

As I mentioned, I have a love of unique items.  I also love handmade, green and local shopping.  My sites may not be everyone’s favorite but I promise there will be a variety of trendy, fun, and green!

I also plan to package Christmas gifts in reuseable shopping bags this year. I hope that my loved ones will start using only re-useable bags!

This is a great deal...