The "Star Badge"...and the "tude".

So a plain old Friday, Brenna off to School and Rox off to work, I was going to run, then didn't, my foot is happier for the decision. I cleaned up a bit and worked some on the computer, trying to come up with a summer sports camp program for the little kids, which I am going to try and pitch to any of the parents that might be staying around penang for the Summer. Rox got home early as she had an interview with a prospective employee today at the coffee bean next door, it was nice having her home (she really is working too much, but don't tell her I told you that). Brenna was home not long after that and told me that today she was given the "Star Badge", she explained that she had done very well on her English assignment and that had earned her the badge, she further explained that she had a partner for the assignment, and felt that she should have the badge too, but the teacher "gave it to me." the significance of the "Star Badge" is that all of the students who get them, get to stand up at the end of the day assembly, and tell the whole school what they did to get the badge, they get to wear the badge for the whole week following their getting it, and it scores them points for their house. (we will take a picture of her with her badge on Monday). We were very proud of her and could not be happier that she has really come around in school, she really is a great kid!! the struggle however began when she found out there was no distinct "prize" from mom and dad for getting the badge, Dad had told her that we could go up the the 7th floor of the mall (where all the gum machines are with the cool toys), this was not however for getting the "Star Badge". the intention was that Brenna would be spending her own money there as she had talked during the week about doing that. Well Brenna approached Roxanne right before we left for dinner and asked "so when do I get something for getting the star badge" I'm sure you can guess Rox's response...The reply from our loving child was, of course "Well Katie and bla bla, and bla bla all got gifts when they got the star badge, I am not even proud that i got it now." goodness me, so it seems that our child has somehow gotten the message that doing well earns you gifts, this is not a message we have ever sent, at least i don't think so...In the past when she has done very well we have rewarded her, but not necessarily with toys, most of the time, a special dinner, or ice cream after dinner, something that we all can celebrate the accomplishment with...I guess we need to switch gears a bit and try to allow the praise to be what has meaning...don't know where we went wrong with this...Anyway, so that kinds sucked, Brenna took our being proud of her and praising her as being an in for some good schwag...interesting. Parenting can be tough sometimes, in case you all did not know this!! Anyway. so we took the now grumpy Brenna out to the Hawkers, to get some Char Koay Teow, at our favorite spot. it was very good, as always, and we ended the night with some min banana pancakes for Rox and I and some gellato for Brenna.

 When we got home, we talked to Cousins Kyle and Emily and Grandma as well. glad they had a good trip to Washington DC. Another good day in Penang!!