No pain, No gain.

Last week we had "Meet the Teacher" night at high school. The kids didn't tell us about it. I happened to drive by the school the day before, and I saw it on the sign in front. So, I asked Brandon about it since he's the one we're worried about. He said, "Oh yeah. But there's no appointments left." Really?? How convenient for Brandon........so, the next evening while Brandon was at work Eric and I went to the school. We waited outside all of his classes for a chance to meet his teachers. Turns out, he was supposed to make us appointments and most of his teachers were full. But, we still tried to push our way in and we managed to speak to 2/4 of his teachers. His French teacher told us that us getting 21% and his gym teacher said he's doing fine. So, the only subject he is passing is gym. And band. When we got home, Brandon came clean and admitted that he's also failing math and science. **sigh** So, we have a kid who's failing 3 subjects and nobody at the school has called- no teachers, no principal, no guidance counsellor and certainly no Brandon. I guess the school doesn't realize that Brandon has parents at home who actually give a shit about him, but that doesn't excuse the fact that none of his teachers didn't call. And still haven't!

So, we took away his Xbox and his computer privileges and he's grounded from hanging out with his friends.....and I helped him organize his binder and I FORCE him to sit and do his homework every night. So, basically, the entire family is paying for Brandon's refusal to try harder in school. On the plus side, he seems to be losing a lot of that early teen aggression so he's becoming more reasonable. I almost like to talk to him now because he's a little more human, ya know?

I am convinced that we'll get this kid straightened out. We've come way to far with him to let go now. It's just.....painful sometimes.......

The Joys of Motherhood.

Well....here we are. Almost to the middle of February. The weather couldn't be better this week- See ya later, snow!! Kristen was out of the trampoline after school today, and I noticed that it was still light out at 6pm!!

We're about 2 weeks into the second semester, and I've already received my second phone call about Brandon!! I couldn't believe it when his science teacher told me that he has not been "engaged" in the class and that he's "disruptive" and has a "bad attitude". Really?!!? (sarcasm). I told the teacher that I no longer talk to anyone from school without Brandon present and that I would be happy to come by any day other than Monday...I told him that Brandon has to be accountable for his behaviour and if only the teacher and I are talking, Brandon is not being held accountable. The teacher told me he would talk to Brandon this afternoon, and call me with a meeting time for this week. Brandon came home from school and said, "The science teacher was actually nice to me today!". So I asked him, "Did he talk to you about your behaviour in the class and when we will be meeting together?" and Brandon said, "No. Why are we meeting with the teacher?"

Un-freaking-believable.

You know what else is unbelievable? Yesterday, I spent 7 hours in class just learning the principles of scrubbing, gowing and gloving. Not even practicing- just learning how! Like, reading textbooks, looking at PowerPoints and watching videos of proper technique! I had NO IDEA how many things needed to be considered to operate on someone! I guess I had just never really considered how much work is involved in preventing infection during/after surgery....now, I will never forget!

Sam and Krissy's eyes are better and they are almost done the drops for pink eye. But tonight, Sam started complaining about a sore throat so I guess I can predict my near future; lots of whining, sleepless nights and more whining. Suffice it to say, Sam is not the best patient. In fact, he's a nightmare. Cute, but a nightmare. Tonight he stood in the kitchen, naked, asking for the clothes that Grandma and Grandpa bought him in Florida. Problem is, they are still in Florida. He just couldn't grasp that and he had a freak-out. Ah! The joys.........