Well, Tristen finally got out of Hopper Jail - (read more here, if needed). He had his freedom for about a week and 1/2, and then he fell back two steps. He isn't in Hopper Jail, but he still struggles with not getting detention at school. (They give detention for EVERYTHING!!!! Running in the band hall, eating candy in the cafeteria before school, etc.) He got little over zealous when he got his cell phone privileges back. We have unlimited texting on our family plan, and well, he took full advantage of it. We can restrict their phone usage (who they can call, when they can call, how many texts they can send, etc.), but AT&T charges $4.99/phone for that. I'm too cheap to pay that, so I just stalk the phone bill and let them know when they are getting out of control with their phones. Honestly, their phones aren't used THAT much; Tristen just took his texting to a different level after getting his phone back after 6 weeks of not having it.
Tristen just selected his classes and electives for next year. OMG...he is going to be in 7th grade! Sheesh! As of right now, he is going to be in PreAP Math, Athletics, Band, Theatre Arts, and then the other core subjects (Language Arts, Science, Texas History). We aren't set on PreAP Math just yet. He has to take a placement test and from there we will decide if we think he can handle PreAP Math. He really wanted to do Band & Theatre Arts, but in order to do so, he had to do PreAP Math. If you aren't in PreAP math, you only get one elective. Odd to me, but whatever. He will get to play sports next year, since they aren't allowed to play sports in 6th grade. He for sure wants to play Football and Basketball, but he says he plans on doing all of the sports. I think for some of the sports you actually have to 'try-out' for the team. With football, I *think* every kid makes the team, but they have "a", "b", and "c" teams. Who knows....it is all a learning experience for me. In any case, I think athletics will be good for Tristen. Sadly, we've had him out of sports now for almost a year. We needed for him to prove to us that he could maintain his grades and adjust to middle school before we agreed to do additional extra-cirricular activities.
Tristen is growing like a weed and will probably pass me in height by Christmas if not sooner. He is 4'9"! He is still excelling in band and has a contest coming up. His private lessons teacher told me he has a Solo, but Tristen has yet to tell me that.
