School Nerves

Penboy is in grade 1. He has Cruella DeVille as his teacher. Seriously. OK, I know I'm a mom and as such people will accuse me of hysteria when it comes to my child. Let's just get past that for a second. I don't know what this woman wants from my kid. He's not brilliant. He's a normal six-year-old who prefers recess to any school activity. When he writes, you can most of the time figure out what he's trying to say. He can read quite well, but doesn't want to. He's not great at drawing, but loves painting. He also likes geology, space, nature, and animals and knows quite a bit about those subjects. Cruella thinks he's seriously incapacitated. Every time I pick him up from school (which does not happen too often because I work for a living!), she beckons me with her bony finger and says "Oh, Mrs. Pen, I'm so glad you're here." Then proceeds to tell me what extra activities she has dreamed up for my child to do at home. This is supposedly because he is capable of nothing at school.

She asked me the other day if she could bring him up at a school meeting. I foolishly gave permission. She then phoned me with the results (recommendations for occupational therapy and such). She phone my cell. She phoned my work. I was away from my desk, so I called her back. She took about ten minutes to admonish me for not being available to her at the drop of a hat.

Yesterday PenBoy asked me for a timer (a stop watch). I asked him why he wanted one and he said it was because his teacher used it in class.
"What for?" I asked.
"Because Dennis was being slow."
"So she TIMED him?"
"Yes, she set the time for him to be finished the work he was doing."

No pressure there! Good thing my boss doesn't stand over me with a stop watch. "Pengirl! Write faster, you have ten seconds to go!" I think if she threw in the theme from Jeopardy, that would have made it even more "fun."

Yes, so this woman has rubbed me the wrong way. But if I'm overreacting, so is she. PenBoy has even told me of times when she flicked him in the head with her fingers to "make him focus."

Well, now I have to go pick him up. Maybe if I wear dark glasses and a hat I will escape the dreaded finger.

New Year


Yes, another one. It came on subtly. We did not make it until midnight. That is, I read in bed until about 11:00 and then could not fall asleep, so actuall saw midnight come and go, but that's it.


I just have one resolution - to take more action rather than wait for things to "improve."


Today was Mr. P's birthday. We went for our usual Mandarin Palace lunch. I find that buffet places are a waste of time on me. I can eat one plate of food. I had some dessert as well and then I was over-full. Also, their quality has deteriorated or maybe I have become more discerning. Anyway, Chef's House it is not. Munching on my papaya enzymes now.


Christmas was good except for all of us being sick. Seems that every year at this time we all get sick. I got some excellent loot from Santa.


and





and more stuff too, of course, including a new very chic watch from my friend Car. She spoils me so. I wish I could reciprocate.

Penboy has been begging for a new Leapster and we got it for him today - Leapster Explorer. Of course, we now have to get new games for it. Sigh. Toy manufacturers are evil. For Christmas Santa brought him a new hamster whom he named Henry. Henry is very cute and happily climbs onto my hand. Penboy very quickly adapted to Henry. I was worried that he'd be a bit scared. At first he was unsure, but when he picked up Henry for the first time, it was a love affair at first touch.

I got Mr. P a collection of four Sci Fi movies, including 2001 The Space Odyssey. I think it will be many happy hours of knitting time for me.

Happy New Year to all!