Options

Luckily in life we have options;  some make perfect sense,  some baffle our senses and some are just plain senseless!

Three very different scenarios for opting today, April 5, 2016 are:

1. Today's scenario begins this year's round of the Common Core test evaluations.  Last year, after a tenuous beginning to a second year of the uncommon  Common Core, Bailee's Mom and I, opted to let her take the tests.  Our rationale was... life is hard. There will always be things that will test your skills, your strengths and your vision. Just because you are given the option of not doing something tough, doesn't mean it's the right approach.  It went.....ok...we think... but no one was privy to the results (including staff) so what was the real worth of the stress?  Fast forward 12 months. We have a student who we now believe is a bit older, a bit wiser and a bit more able to contribute to the decision.  We opted out for ELA and Math testing.  It was not a flippant decision.  The discussions included what Common Core intentions were, what worth came from the testing...especially on a local level and what part of opting out meant in a protest mode. Kids are amazingly underestimated in the thinking department.  When allowed to be part of any process, they're actually outstanding young adults.... at least ours is  (said Grandma proudly!)  She will be taking the Science exam which in itself is interesting as the Science curriculum at the elementary level seems to take a back seat to other courses; maybe a reason that US students are underachievers compared to other countries.

Scenario number two sends Mommy Lacie back to work after 8 weeks of snuggle time, colic, reflux, bonding, and settling in.  Her mixed emotions were heightened the last two days as she prepared to spend  8 hours away from her little "Punkin!"  She is one lucky Mom as her Mom will be coming in to share Daddy duty when he heads off to work as well.  Which leads to scenario number three.

There won't be a need to bundle up the babe and haul him and his entire supply cache to a babysitters on a sunny, April morning when it's ONLY 3 DEGREES outside. We're all pretty much in consensus that the groundhog should be fired.  It's spring!  A multitude of records were broken this morning with temps lower than they have been since the mid 1800's.  but.......never fear, Mima's here and Jett will remain toasty in his 70 degree digs!

So, in the option department, Bailee, Lacie and Mother Nature all made decisions that were suited for them.  Mother Nature may feel free to up the ante a bit along with the temperature....50 would be good!