Yesterday I had to spend a couple hours working with Sierra on her homework. Her math assignment was a few dozen long division problems of the 35,343/19 variety. She had taken a stab at them, but gotten frustrated. I was worried because I’m a lousy teacher: I just can’t seem to grasp that other people don’t know the things I know.
But after going over a couple problems, Sierra jumped back into her work and started asking me to check them as she got done. And wouldn’t you know, she got the hang of it! She got better and faster as we went along, and all it took from me was a little encouragement. I am so proud of her.
Today, Sierra’s turning 11. We got her a snazzy new computer, a printer/scanner, and some software. The computer comes with a built-in dictionary, an encyclopedia, a camera, wireless everything and all the toys a little girl could want. She’s been wanting a printer of her own for a while – I get the feeling that she’ll be spending her allowance on ink from now on.
We had told Sierra that she’d get a new computer if she made the honor roll this term. But report cards don’t come out until Friday, and we realized that giving her a computer on the condition that she doesn’t need it to do well in school is stupid. Plus, Sierra had a rough start to the school year and probably won’t make honor roll, but she’s really turned things around. We decided that we’d reward the effort instead of the outcome.
So the next time anybody hears me complaining about my little girl being spoiled, remind me of two things: how bad I’ve spoiled her and how proud of her I am.
Maybe Sierra or Jared will get one of these if I can find the time
Well, the site is going to have to stay pretty for the time being. I won’t have time to replace the default theme with my own work until I get back from my road trip with Sierra to my brother’s wedding.
Rather than bore you with a list of our destinations, I thought I could bore you with a Google Map of our destinations:
(I’m actually not sure of our accomodations in Mount Horeb - still waiting to hear back on what my mom reserved me, but this sounds like what she described.)
I’m hoping that we’ll have time to sight-see a little bit in Chicago on Friday so that I can show Sierra the new Millenium Park or at least let her try real pizza for the first time in her life.