Saturday, December 22, 2012

Progress.

It all started with this email......


Dear Parent or Guardian: Brady Munson
This Friday you will receive a pink conference confirmation form attached to your student’s classroom teacher conference form requesting a conference with the Specials teachers as a group. The purpose of this additional conference with Specials teachers is to discuss some of the behavioral challenges your child may be experiencing during Specials classes or to update you as to how your student is managing in our classes after conferencing with you last school-year.

The issues in question may not be occurring in all of the Specials, but we will meet as a team as a matter of convenience for all of us, rather than asking you to meet with us separately.
We would like to share what we are experiencing and what we have been working on with your child.
We also would like to benefit from your expertise, so that together we can craft the best plan to help improve your child’s total educational experience.

So we went to conferences and found out he is an angel in the home classroom, however a bit of a stinker in the "special" classes (art, gym, music) (doesn't participate, hates to lose, likes to be the class clown, respectively) So of course the behavior is an easy one to correct and it was as soon as he knew we found out about it, but the lack of participation bugs me to the core. I knew it instantly that it was art. It always has been. If something is hard for this little one, he shys away and just doesn't do it. Period. He gets frustrated very easily. So to work we went, practicing at home, reassuring him that is doesn't have to be "perfect" etc..... Funny enough every time I volunteer in his class homeroom class his teacher raves about his drawings and work. So why not in art? No clue, so I emailed his art teacher requesting an update....

 
Hi Mrs. B –
I know it has been a while since we met at conferences in November, but I wanted to touch base with you and see how Brady is doing in art class. Has his level of participation gone up? He seems to be drawing more at home, however, still gets very frustrated if it doesn’t turn out the way he wanted or envisioned. I just hope he is trying for you a bit more than what we discussed at conferences. We ask him every week how art is going, but sometimes I don’t have a ton of faith in if I am getting the “real story”. I would love to get your view on it and if you have seen any improvement. He told me that his art got selected by the principal for the office and it gave me hope that things may be turning the corner, but I wanted to get your take on it.
Thanks,
Cherie

 Her response:  Which made for two proud parents!
Yes!
His interest has improved and his behavior is better. His art work is in the office because he worked so well and added an artistic touch to the VanGogh painting. I do hope you will stop by and see it framed in the office. he is quite proud of this.The class clapped for him when It was announced in art. I am glad to hear he is drawing more at home. he should just continue and make the mistake into something new.

Thank you for helping on this issue, I see improvement weekly.

 
 
So Way to go bugs.....for #1 telling us the truth......and #2 trying your best! It paid off! 
 
 This is one visit to the principals office I didn't mind! (and hopefully my only visit!)

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Once On A Housetop...

Brookie had her 3rd grade musical the other night, Once on a Housetop......We, as a family, having been singing these songs for two months straight and it was nice to see it finally come into action! She loves the whole gig of a Play.... the only glitch with this year was that she didn't get the part she wanted.....not for any reason more than the required costume was ......wait for it.......hold your breath.......YUP, a DRESS or a SKIRT.  I don't know what is getting into my little sporty spice but those two words are not in her vocabulary nor in her closet! But the show must go on right? She took one for the team and borrowed a skirt, a dress was not even a consideration EVER and the skirt must be made out of denim to even be considered. So there you have it, she didn't get to be the Chimney Sweep that she wanted where you could wear sweats and have soot rubbed all over your face, she had to be a poor damsel dressed in nice clothing......ugh the AGONY........ But she made it through with a smile on her face and a froggy like voice by the end of the night........Singing....and singing....and singing......
 
The smoking chimney.
My little Hanukkah girl in ......DENIM.

Up at the mike.......
The crazy coveted music teacher....she is loved by many!
I tried to get most of her solo speaking parts ......The gist was they were trying to make Latkes out of potatoes, a holiday tradition.....



This one was too long to upload but this is an actual song and dance number......click on the link below....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4NG0G8h6bc&feature=youtu.be



Monday, December 17, 2012

Well he's moving on up......

Just like George Jefferson, Brady is climbing the karate ladder to a de-luxe green belt in da sky! He just finished another session of karate and still seems to be enjoying it and loves to advance to the next belt color, because really it has always been and will always be about the costume. I have a feeling that yelling/kicking/punching is really secondary.......
 
Here is Brady giving it his all on his last day as a yellow belt.....I love the chick next to him giving it her all too!
Brady better be nice to this girl beside her she looks like she can pack a punch....or at least yell really loud....
Brady accepting his certificate and green belt from the loudest of them all.....Ms. Rachel.
This was us trying to get Brady to smile "naturally" and suggesting that he pretend that he is laughing.....nope still awkward.
Watch out....This green belted ninja is coming to get ya!
Congrats butterball......

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Living Vicariously......


Brady has been known to float from one obsession to the next, but this obsession du jour was a bit of a surprise, and a complete joy to Dad. Brady out of the blue just asked Dad to take out all his KISS stuff out of storage as he wanted to play with the characters......and so it begins my friends so it begins.......
 
Case in point the other day he hops off the bus and I ask him "How was school" he replied "I want to be Paul Stanley tonight".....I laughed and said "Bud we are going to the bridge lighting party tonight wanna do it another night" he continued "Nope, tonight Dad can do it." and so he did .....here is a random shot of him eating a snack after school before we left.......

 
 
And this one just kills me as he continues to wear it out.....This is my little man in the "devil's music mask" sitting in a church pew reading a hymn book......I mean why not...... funny enough people thought he had a "Christmas Star face painting done....."
 
Then the figures.....Brady is a crazo for the molded plastic characters and these did not disappoint either. He had a friend over the next day and they played "KISS GUYS" for three straight hours.....thankfully he had a complying friend over.....
The best part of all of it was watching my husbands conflicted face as he was over the moon that he could share this passion with his son, but felt the tug not to open the items he had stored as "collectors items" "Cherie, seriously this is going to be worth a lot of money some day......"


and the beat goes on and on.......I can't shake this thing if I tried.