I love my girls.....

Tonight when the girls were saying their prayers, Macy went first. Her prayer went like this.

"Thank you Lord for our wonderful dinner. Thank you for this wonderful day you gave to us. I know you can't walk because you died on the cross. Amen."

I just silently smiled. Then it was Elle's turn.

"Dear God, thank you for this day. I saw a dracula movie once and I know that Jesus didn't die on a tree because he died on the cross. I know that must make you sad. It makes me sad too. I know your heart is breaking into little tiny pieces. Mine is too. I love you God and Jesus. Amen."

Ok - so I have no idea what the Dracula movie has to do with that or if she has really ever seen a Dracula movie but it just made me laugh. And I thought it was so sweet to hear her telling God that He must be sad because His son died on the cross.

Just wanted to share that. It made me smile. I love my girls. (and my boy too! ;-))

Cub Scouts and a quick update on our soccer season.....

So, first the soccer. We ended up losing on Sunday (both the girls and Jack's team.) But it was a beautiful day and they all played really well - the other team just scored more! :) We had a great season. They all got their trophies - which is everything to them! Especially Macy as this was her first trophy. She is so proud!!

Cub Scouts. Tonight was Jack's pack meeting. I messed up and forgot about it until this morning - after I had promised all three kids that we would be going to their school tonight for "Family Night." This week is the book fair at J and E's school, so tonight they had family night where they served pizza and played the movie Kung Fu Panda in the cafeteria. The kids have really been looking forward to this. Well, this morning I had to break it to Jack that he couldn't attend movie night because he had cub scouts. He was very upset and wanted to skip cub scouts and go to watch the movie with his friends. Don explained that he had a commitment and couldn't just skip it like that. Hard for an 8 year old to understand. I was on the fence - I knew that cub scouts was his commitment but I also understood how badly he wanted to go to movie night. It was a tough call. In the end, I agreed with Don and he took Jack to the cub scouts, while I took the girls to the movie. And actually Don and Jack came early and got to spend a few minutes at the book fair and enjoy some pizza before their meeting. Then they came back after the meeting and got to see the last few minutes of the movie. So it wasn't so bad after all and he learned a good lesson about commitments and responsibilities. It was a good night!

So - at the cub scout meeting......well, in the last few weeks Jack sold over $570 worth of popcorn - going door to door on his own (well, Don went with him but he just stood back and let Jack talk.) Don came home beaming with pride for Jackson - he said he did so well talking with everyone and showing them the products. Even a few people who were hesitant, Jack sold them. Don said one lady said "no thanks, I'm on a diet" and Jack said "we have low fat popcorn" and she bought some from him. He didn't ever hear "no." I didn't sell anything for Jack - Jack called my mom and was pitching her. I just listened. He did an awesome job! Don said he was so glad that they went to the meeting because Jack came in second place (our of over 40 boys in our HUGE pack!) and was awarded and given a prize. Jack was beaming, Don said.

The girls and I loved watching the movie - especially Elle since so many of her friends were there.

And I spent a fortune at the book fair - I'm a huge sucker for books!!!

It was a good day!

Soccer, Soccer and more Soccer!!!!

We had our soccer tournaments today and depending on how well we did today would determine if we play again tomorrow - well, both teams (Jack's team and Elle and Macy's team) will be playing again tomorrow. What does that mean? Well, it means that we had an AWESOME day of games today!! First was Elle and Macy's game. Elle scored a goal - she was SO proud! Macy did great on defense and kicked the ball out of the goal and kept the other team from scoring! Unfortunately I didn't get to see either of those great plays because I was with Jack watching his game. Such is life with three kids! :)) But I'm very thankful that the girls played on the same team so at least each of us could be there to watch their games - I don't know how it will work when they all play on different teams! So, back to our games. Elle and Macy won 4-1 and have a shot at coming in at second place for the season!

Jack is also very good at defense and although he sometimes gets bored defending the goal (he would like to be in the "action" more!) his coach reminds him that he was their best defense player on the team and they need him there. He got some good plays today and kept the other team from scoring at all! His team won 3-0! It was definitely our best game of the season as we've had a hard season and are in second to last place. Most of our games have been really close and the kids have played really well, but we have lost most of our games. So to go out in the tournaments with a win like today - well, it's a good feeling!

Both of our teams play again tomorrow because of our wins today. I'm praying for another nice day (although a little warmer and a lot less wind would be nice!) and that the kids get to go out on a good note, although I know that whatever happens that the kids have all had a great time this season and while we love soccer - we are all looking forward to free Saturdays again! That is at least until Baseball season starts up! And I think the girls will be playing baseball this Spring for the first time - wish us luck!! :))

Can I vent about the No Child Left Behind Act???

We got called in to meet with Jack's teacher today. Can I just say first that Jack is doing SO well in school this year! I know part of it is because he has a fabulous teacher who understands "8 year old boys" and is very good at positive reinforcement. Oh and did I tell y'all that Jack isn't on any meds this year! Yep, I decided to try him off of them at the beginning of the year and he hasn't needed them at all!

Anyway, back to our conference today. Jack is in an accelerated Math program at his school called PACE. A little background - he was in PACE in first grade, did well. At the end of the year he was tested and didn't perform too well on the test. His first grade teacher said that he didn't qualify for PACE for second grade on his test scores but since he did so well in PACE all year she was going to recommend that he be put in PACE anyway for 2nd grade. Fast forward to this year - at the beginning of this year, his second grade teacher sends us a note home saying that Jack didn't qualify for PACE on his test scores and would be put into regular (I hate that word but can't think of another way to put it) math. I emailed her and explained what his 1st grade teacher told us and that while I'm not pushing for him to be in PACE and I will go with whatever she decided, I wanted her to know that his first grade teacher thought he did well enough to be put into PACE in 2nd. She thanked me for the info, spoke with his 1st grade teacher and his 1st grade PACE math teacher and it was decided that he be put into PACE. His 1st grade teacher felt that it provided enough of a challenge for Jack whereas regular math would be too easy and he would get bored. So we all agreed to move ahead with PACE and if it ever got too hard or he got frustrated we would reevaluate our decision.

So - his 1st report card came out last week. He made the A/B honor roll - he was so proud! This was his first "number" report card - very cool to actually be able to understand his report card! He got an 85 in PACE math - so I felt good about our decision to push him into it - obviously it was challenging him enough that he's not making a 100 but he's not struggling and failing either. By the way - he has never complained about being in PACE or that it's too hard. So again, I felt we made the right decision.

So - onto why we got called in today. His 9 week assessment test scores are low - especially in PACE. And this is where my No Child Left Behind gripe comes in - here he has an 85 average in PACE math but with the "teaching to the test" that schools are having to do now, he may be held back one year. Not this year and we're not talking about that happening now but if he can't get his test scores up, it could be a problem in the future. Now, granted this is the first time he's had to do a multiple choice test and everything but still, it's enough of a concern that our teacher felt she needed to have a conference with us. I don't know if he freezes on tests or just doesn't understand it or and this may very well be the main thing - he is trying to be the first to turn his test in. He is competitive and doesn't want anyone to "beat him" or think that he can't do it. His teacher said that she tested him a few weeks ago with a timed math test and they had 5 minutes and he only answered 2 of the questions. 2 in 5 minutes! And it was simple subtraction - it wasn't like he couldn't do it. Then after school that day she saw Jackson crying in the hall - apparently someone made fun of him for only answering 2 questions and it hurt his feelings. She said he was sobbing. That broke my heart! And he never even told me about it! She told us this a few weeks ago and I started questioning whether PACE was too hard for him but when I got his report card, I thought he was doing great and felt it was good for some challenge for him.

Jack is very bright but every teacher he has had since he was 2 years old has said the same thing to me, that he is very lucky to be so smart and that things come naturally to him but the first time he has a problem learning something it's going to hit him VERY hard because he doesn't want to take the time to "learn" it. KWIM?

So - I know I'm all over the place in this post and I don't know if I'm asking for advice here or not. Like I said - I'm not a parent who insists or pushes my child into advanced classes but I want them to get the best of their education. Jack's teacher said again that she feels that if he were put into regular math he would be terribly bored. It's not the work he has a problem with - it's the tests. But after all - with NCLB it's all about the tests! So - how do you help someone become a better test taker?

Also - would his medication help him with this? I have been very happy not to have him on his meds this year but I'm not opposed to it either. Jack was never really on it for school work (but he was younger and didn't really have school work) he never had a problem focusing on something it was mainly for impulse control (which I'm happy to report that I feel like we have finally gotten under control - for the most part!) But maybe he needs it now for school work? I don't know - part of me says NO, he does well in school - he made the A/B honor roll for pete's sake! Ugh - it's never easy, is it?

But like I told Don today - I would much rather be called to the school for this rather than because he tackled some kid or pulled a girls skirt up or something equally as bad! I'm glad his behavior is on track this year and I'm so proud of him for how far he has come!

If you read this entirely too long book - thank you! Any thoughts are welcome!

Election Day.....

So, tomorrow is election day. Is everyone's kids as into this election as mine are? Macy can tell you who is running and who is "helping" them - helping them means the VP. :)) And she's only 4!! They were all discussing it at the dinner table tonight and Elle said - "I know who is helping John McCain, Sarah Patient." LOL! Macy quickly corrected her and said - "no, it's Sarah Palin!" Macy is very interested in this election - she has asked me some very good questions, such as "what does the President do?" I'm impressed that she thinks about this so much and that she even cares enough to learn this. She told her teacher today who was running and their running mates and her teacher was amazed!

Jack had to do a report on the election. He had to poll everyone on who they were voting for and then make a prediction on who he thought would win. It was a great project. He called every family member he could think of - even though I could have probably told him who each person was voting for. He loved it and everyone loved hearing from him. But just about everyone (especially all of my Republican family members) asked him who he was voting for. He told everyone Barack Obama and when asked why he said "because he did a funny dance on Nickelodeon." Like my aunt Mari told him - "that's why we don't let kids vote!" :))

But I'm very glad that they know what's going on and are taking an interest in this election. When I was their age I had no idea about the election or presidents or anything like that. I think it's so cool that they not only know what's going on, that they are making decisions for themselves on who their candidates are and they even have discussions among themselves about the candidates. Voting is such a priviledge and honor and I want them to realize that and to never take it for granted.

Whomever you are voting for - just get out there and vote! And may the best man win!

Our Halloween was great!!!

We had a great day yesterday! Elle had her party at school. It was a very cute party - they had face painting, crafts, cookies, games - the kids had a blast!! Here's a pic of me and my Elle at her party. She was getting her hand painted. I can't believe how big she is getting!!



After school we got ready for Trick or Treating! We went to my friend Terese's house and had such a great time! The kids played, then trick or treated, then played again and ate candy all night! They were in Heaven!! Here is my scary and beautiful trio!
It was a great Halloween! Thank you James, Terese, Quinten and Chloe for inviting us over!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!

Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween! My three little ones are so excited about today! Jackson is going to be a scary Werewolf, Elle is a pretty witch and Macy is a very cute Batgirl!! I, of course, will take lots of pictures!!!

Happy Trick-or-Treating everyone!!! Can't wait to see all of the pics of your little ones!!!!

XOXOX, Mila

My three jems....

Ok, if you haven't noticed - my blog address is threejems. Yes, I know that gem is spelled with a G, but jem stands for Jack, Elle and Macy - JEM. Hence the name, threejems. Because after all, that's what they are to me - three gems! Here's a pic of my three jems!

Macy at dance class.....

Ok, so I'm realizing that Macy is the subject of all of my blog posts lately - it will not always be like this! :) It's just that she has had a really busy week - I'll be sure to post some stuff about Jack and Elle soon, I just wanted to share this video of Macy. It's so cute!!!

At dance this week, the teacher pulled us in to the class at the last 5 minutes of the class to see them perform this dance that they had been practicing. It was for Halloween - it's called I'm a Bat. It's a really cute song and dance and luckily Don had his cell phone so he recorded it. I love it!

Halloween Party at Macy's school

Whew - what a day or should I say WHAT A WEEK!! And it's not over yet!! Today was a good day - we had Macy's party at her school. I made all of the food and thanks to one of my friends directions on these adorable cupcakes, they turned out great! Thanks Janelle! The cupcakes were a huge hit!! The kids loved them and the moms raved about them. My spider cupcakes didn't make it through the night very well - they kind of collapsed but the kids still loved them. Here are the pics - these were taken with my phone again, so some aren't that great but the room looked awesome! The other moms really did a great job with the decorations. And the kids had a great time!

The Cupcakes

The food.

We had monster toes (cocktail sausages with crescent rolls), spiders (Ritz crackers with peanut butter and pretzels for the legs), Witches hats, Apple bites - so cute! Everything turned out great!

The Witches Hats - the pic is blurry but they turned out cute.
The Apple Bites - the kids LOVED these and they are a healthy snack!! Just apples with almond slivers for teeth. Easy and healthy - can't beat that combo!

Macy with her friends.

We turned out the lights and the kids ate by
candle light and strobe light. :)) So the pictures turned out really dark.

All in all it was a great day! Tomorrow is the BIG DAY! Elle is having a little party at her school, then we have trick or treating at our friend Terese's house - should be lots of fun for everyone! Hope y'all have a happy and safe Halloween!!!!

Macy's Field Trip....

So - here I am already on my second blog! :) I'm on a roll!!

I decided to post about Macy's Field Trip this week. We had a great time at an evergreen farm. We picked a pumpkin, did a fun craft, rode a trailer pulled by a tractor and saw lots of vegetables that the owners were growing on their farm. It was a fun day. Elle went on the same field trip last year.

So, let's see if I can post pics on here. :)) Here is my sweetie pie.

This is one of my favorite pics - she was listening so intently to the lady giving the instructions for the craft they were doing. I love how she loves to learn. She pays a lot of attention and is very detail oriented. Then we went on a pumpkin hunt - here is when she found her pumpkin.
The perfect pumpkin!!
It was a great day!!

My First Blog....

So, I decided to join the blogging world and create my own blog. Yes, I'm a little late to the party. I started a family website back in 2002 but I don't spend a lot of time updating it, so I'm hoping that I can keep up with this thing easier. We'll see....

About me - I'm mom to 3 wonderful children - Jackson 8, Elle 6 and Macy 4. I'm very lucky that I get to stay home with them and spend time volunteering at their schools and driving them from soccer, to dance, to boy scouts and girl scouts and other fun activities! They have been a blessing in our lives and we are thankful for every day with them.

And when I say "we" I'm talking about my wonderful husband. Don and I just celebrated our 10 year anniversary by renewing our vows in Hawaii - in the exact same spot we got married 10 years before. What a wonderful 10 years that we've had - I look forward to many, many more!

So that's about me. Now I'm going to share something that happened today - I will try to do this everyday. Yikes! I hope I can keep up! :))

Jackson - Jackson had a good week. He sold SO much popcorn for his boy scout den! And most importantly - he did it ALL BY HIMSELF! I mean, we went door to door with him - we're not crazy! - but he did all of the selling. He sold over $550 in popcorn just by going door to door. He was so proud and having a salesman for a father - well, saying his dad was proud of him was an understatement! Jack did a great job and we are super proud of him. His confidence just shines through when he speaks. Just another wonderful trait about my wonderful son.

Elle - Elle is doing so well in school. She comes home DAILY with a beautiful hand made book for me where on just about every page it says - I <3 U mom, elle. What more could a mom want? And a story about today for Elle. Today was show and tell - they had to bring in something that starts with the letter B this week. Elle chose her Barbie. Well, she had the Barbie, a book and a bear in her bag and wanted to take all three. Fine with me. So - we are about to walk out the door this morning for school and all of the sudden she couldn't find the Barbie. She JUST HAD IT! Ugh - so she starts crying and we're walking out the door so I tell her we have to leave and she has two other things to show and tell. Nope. That's not good enough for her! She decides she doesn't want to take anything now. Ok - we are going to be late so I tell her that's up to her and she is making the choice not to bring anything. She cries all the way to school. I get back home after dropping her off and Macy brings me the Barbie. She found it on the floor by their room. Mom guilt sets in and I decide to bring the dang Barbie to school for Elle. So, Macy and I get back in the car and drive to the school. I go to Elle's class and Macy gives her the Barbie and Elle's face lights up. She gives me the biggest hug, tells me how much she loves me and then says - I wish you were my teacher so you could be here all day! Ok - so that was totally worth it to bring the Barbie to her! Then she hugged Macy and thanked her for finding it. What a sweetie!

And now Macy - well, other than Macy being so sweet to find Elle's Barbie and take it to the school with me - Macy is just a pure sweetheart all of the time. Well, most of the time! :)) She does have her moments - but her sweet moments are way more often! Macy hung out with me today. We played, ate lunch and then Macy and I took a nap together! I love days like today! We snuggled - she is such a good snuggler! I will miss these days when she gets older and doesn't want to nap with me anymore. Although as much as she loves to sleep - I'm not sure if those days are too close! :))

So that's it - that's my family in a nutshell. Thanks for letting me join this blogging world and I promise to do my best to keep up.