Good Answers

Here are Caroline's answers on a questionnaire from the teacher. Spelling has been corrected.

1) In one word, describe your first day of third grade.
"Movies"
(Are they watching training videos? No idea about this one.)

2) What was your greatest worry before you arrived in your new classroom?
"That I would not do well."
(Poor sweetie. She was really nervous.)

3) What was the best thing about this special day?
"Learning"
(Atta, girl!)

4) Who are 3 of your best friends in the class?
"I haven't gotten to know everyone."
(Very diplomatic or very picky?)

5) What do you think are going to be your two favorite subjects"
"Science and Reading"

6) List three questions you would like to ask the teacher.
"1. Do most students fail the TAKS test."
(Teacher's answer "NO!" They get the kids all riled up over this test and Caroline is terrified of failing it, even though this is a "lowest common denominator" kind of test.
"2. How much work is there?"
(Teacher's answer: "Alot!" Lazy kid.)
"3. Are the teachers nice?"
(Teacher's answer: "Yes!" Well, of course she's going to say that. Don't trust anyone who has an agenda, Caroline!)

7) What 3 things do you want your teacher to know about you?
"I love fairytales. I'm a reader. I like science."

8) What do expect your teacher to do for you this year?
"Teach me."
(Right to the point!)

Running Man

Colin is following in the footsteps of his Uncle Alex and both Grandpa's by taking up running.

At school the children are required to walk, run, skip, hop or otherwise move around the track for 12 minutes. Each time around the get a popsicle stick to trace their progress. 1 stick = 1 lap. 4 sticks = 1 mile. Caroline, now starting the third grade, has managed to complete one mile in 12 minutes ONCE in her scholastic career.

Colin, on his first day of school, ran the track completing one mile well before his 12 minutes were up. He and his best friend reported to me that other little boys were pushing them out of the way, and Colin fell down, dropping his sticks. "But," Colin reported to me fiercely, "I picked up my sticks and still beat him to the end."

Way to go, Colin!

Couponing

When I was a kid, Dad taught me math by taking me to the grocery store with him. I would cut all the coupons out of the Sunday paper, and together we would calculate price per ounce and determine if the better value could be had with the coupon or by using a different brand.

8 fluid ounces to a cup, 2 cups to a pint, 2 pints to a quart, 4 quarts to a gallon -- see Dad, I do remember! I actually had to explain this to a grocery clerk the other day. They were selling spring water for 50 cents a gallon, and I filled up my quart bottle with water. The clerk was in a panic about how much to charge me. I told him 12 1/2 cents, but that just made it worse. He ended up telling me to just take the water and go.

But even with careful comparison shopping, the lure of a coupon can lead to disaster. In a rush yesterday, I printed off a coupon to use at the craft store, as I was on my way out the door. Unfortunately, I forgot to log off AOL. I didn't return to my computer until the next morning, discovering I'd been logged onto AOL all night.

Savings at Joann's Crafts with coupon... $3.50
Cost of leaving AOL on all night... $35.43
Learning experience... priceless