Cora was a bit grumpy this morning and didn't want to pose with James for a picture of their new belts (apparently you are suppose to wear a belt with tucked-in shirts according to the uniform guidelines - who knew?), so after taking one of him in all his cuteness, I told her to just jump in and make the angriest face she could...
Luckily, despite her grumpy start, she had a good GREEN day at school. She's had a wonderful first week, coming home with PURPLE (stellar!) and GREEN (good) behavior reports each day. James, not so much. He's had a harder time adjusting to the bigger classes and more structured days (gone are his opportunities for multiple recesses, Montessori center time, and circle time), which has resulted in less focus and direction following than is required by his teacher (and which we obviously prefer him to exhibit as well). He also seemed to take Ms. Tina's designation as the Kindergarten Class Clown to heart, and spent his early days this week purposely falling out of his desk, walking across the cafeteria chairs, and singing the Peanut Butter Jelly song loudly while waving his sandwich in his friend's face, among other things. Since they aren't allowed to talk during class OR at lunch (poor kids - as Cora says, "They didn't let me have any FUN today!" - they really expect a lot from First Graders these days...), the singing got him in trouble (in addition to the other behavior, of course). We had TWO calls from his teacher this week, since he had been on ORANGE (orange = parent contact). We printed out updated chore charts and behavior charts for the fridge, and had long discussions about appropriate school behavior and the consequences of inappropriate behavior (for example, ZERO screen time this weekend - including TV, movies, video games, Kindle, etc.) He took it to heart and tried his best (all we ask, really!), and he squeaked by with a warning (YELLOW) yesterday. Cue an additional (shorter) lecture and reminder about expectations and trying hard and not distracting his fellow students... then... THEN he spotted a boy in the waiting room at dance class who was playing a new version of MineCraft, which he immediately asked me to buy for him. JACKPOT! I told him I would be HAPPY to buy him the upgrade... just as soon as he provides us with a full TWO WEEKS of good behavior reports from school. As I drove through the drop-off line this morning, I reminded him about our deal, and wouldn't you know it, he received a GREEN behavior report today!! Rewards = better motivation than consequences. Or maybe it's the new "Magic Tea" that Jay has made him the past two mornings before school?... Either way, HOORAY, we're making progress!
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