The Day We Rewarded Our Daughter for Mediocre Behavior

Lydia has had her ups and downs at school. We've struggled with poor behavior (mostly not doing what she's supposed to be doing and ignoring efforts to get her on track). We've found a system of rewards and consequences that works well for her and have often bribed her with rewards for a good week at school. It works well and she has come a long way from last year.

Audrey has had absolutely no behavior problems at all. She is a star student. Teachers love her. Other parents compliment us. She loves school and gets off the bus with a huge smile on her face, ready to tell us all about her day. Her teacher has different levels of behavior, with Double Outstanding Choices at the top, followed by Outstanding Choices, Good Choices, Ready to Learn, Turn Your Day Around, and then a level or two lower than that. I don't even know what the lower levels are because Audrey has never ended her day on anything lower than Good Choices. She comes home so excited to tell us what she was on for the day, and even Charlie questions her when she gets off the bus, "Outstanding Choices today, Audrey? Or Good Choices?" Audrey tells us all about the kids who end up on Ready to Learn or lower and talks about them like they have fallen from grace.

Yesterday, Audrey got moved to Turn Your Day Around for talking during carpet time. It was devastating. She eventually moved up to Ready to Learn, but it was still the worst day in her little 4K life. She got off the bus so upset and cried when she told Jayson what happened. Jayson emailed her teacher about something unrelated, but mentioned Audrey's day, and when Mr. K responded, he told Jayson how upset Audrey was at the end of the day and he had talked to her about how it's OK and tomorrow would be a new day and she could do better. He also seemed to feel awful that she felt so bad about it.

When Jayson told me about Audrey's mood when she got off the bus and forwarded me the email, I felt so bad for her. If only she knew what we dealt with with Lydia. Then she would realize that in the grand scheme of things, she was actually doing an amazing job.

So, we did the only rational thing. We took her out for ice cream. We told her how great her behavior was and how proud we are of her for always being so good. Her sisters also had good days, so they got ice cream too. Ice cream for everybody! All because Audrey behaved just OK.

A Trip to the Theater

On Sunday I took the girls to see the middle school's presentation of the musical The Little Mermaid. Jayson stayed home because it was in the middle of a Packers game. I was a little nervous about what would happen if Charlie had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the show, but luckily one of my friends brought her daughters too and I didn't have to worry as much. Also, Charlie didn't have to go in the middle of the show anyway.

The girls absolutely loved it. Charlie got a little antsy about halfway in. She started talking in a normal voice and even talked back to an actor at one point. I was ready to take her out in the hall, but she stopped. Then she turned around and stared at the two girls sitting right behind her, who luckily found it amusing.

I always love watching our students perform and there were several characters who were amazing, but I was really blown away by Ursula. After the show, the girls wanted their pictures taken with some of the stars. I talked to one of the directors and told her that I felt like Ursula stole the show.

When we got back home, Jayson asked the girls how it was. Audrey told her it was good, but a bad thing happened. He asked her what that meant and she said, "Some lady dressed like a jelly fish tried to steal some stuff!" I explained to Jayson that Ursula, the sea witch stole the show.

The high school is doing The Wizard of Oz in February and the girls can't wait!

Audrey's Acceptance Letter

As soon as I got home today, Audrey came tearing into the kitchen yelling, "I have something to show you!" Her eyes scanned the table and she frantically asked Jayson, "Where is it?! Where is it!?" He handed her a sheet of paper and she ran up to me. "I'm going to KINDERGARTEN!" She excitedly shoved a letter in my face that confirmed she is registered for four year-old kindergarten next year. "I'm going to turn four and I'm going to go to Hoover School!" I frowned and looked at Jayson and he laughed, because he knows how sad I am about the girls getting so big.  Lydia gave me a pat on the back to assure me it would be OK. Awwww... Audge-pants is going to school!

One year down, thirteen more to go!

Lydia completed her first year of school, 4k. It was such a great experience for her. I was definitely nervous when she started, mostly because she would be riding the bus by herself. It turned out to be such a positive experience for her. She has learned so much, and made many friends, including a few who ride the bus with her. She only missed one day of school, in April when she was sick, and the way she cried when I told her she needed to stay home, you would think it was the end of the world. She can't wait to go back to school in the fall.

Here are some pictures from her last day.

This is her with her teacher, who was so amazing. I hope she has another great teacher next year!