Today was the sixth grade awards ceremony at Kira's school. If a child is getting an award, they call the parents a few days ahead to let them know so the parents can attend the ceremony. I was shocked when Kira's teacher called me last week to let me know she had chosen Kira for the most Improved in Math award for 2010. Not because I don't think Kira should get an award, but because her teacher could only choose one student, and there was nobody else she thought was more deserving than my daughter.

Math is not a strong subject for her. She has struggled all year to achieve a B, and last nine weeks, she barely escaped with a D. This nine weeks wasn't looking so great, either, but I didn't nag her (too much). We worked as often as we could, and I pounded my head against the wall encouraged her to be, and stay, organized about her homework and note-taking notebook.

Magically, about five weeks ago, her grades started to rise.

I have no idea what happened,but all of a sudden, she was getting B+'s and A's and A+'s on her homework and even on tests and quizzes! Holy Grade-Point-Average, Batman! The grade reports coming home showed her average rising to a B, then to a B+, and then to a B+ with a 93%. She held steady there, one point away from an A in math for the last nine weeks. Then, two nights ago, her grades came in...94.3%...Houston, we have an A IN MATH!!!

WOOOOOOOO!!!!

I couldn't believe it. Neither could she! It was awesome.

So today, I got to sit in the auditorium of the middle school and watch as her math teacher gave her Most Improved in Math for 2010.

I cried. I admit it. I was wiping away tears even before they started the ceremony.

This year was so hard. It was so different and so difficult on so very many levels -- social, emotional, academic -- and to see her get this boost was just amazing. It was like a validation of her work. I know she is happy and proud of herself, and I know she knows how very proud of her I am.

I love her so much.

Family Dinner Out!

Travis and I have acquired a serious love for chicken wings. Him, just because they're good, and me, because I went to school in upstate NY where they REALLY know how to make some wings (Buffalo-style, natch!).

In Pennsylvania, when we would go up for Pennsic (a medieval event) in August, we'd never miss a chance to hit the Quaker Steak & Lube wing joint in Cranberry. We looked forward to stuffing ourselves with wings almost as much as we looked forward to going to the medieval event. One year, we even went with a large group of our friends (also devotees of their wings) to the original location in Sharon, PA.

They have the best wings, hands down. We lamented not being able to enjoy them once we stopped being able to attend the medieval event, but were thrilled to find a location had opened up in Newport News, last year. It's about an hour or so drive, and one day we just took the kids and roadtripped for some wings. It was there that we found out a Richmond location was in the works! Hooray!

Last week, the Richmond QS&L finally opened! last night, we took the family and headed over there for some wing-y goodness.

Right past the intersection of Broad Street and Parham Road.

The vintage red Corvette hanging in the main entrance.

Motorcycles....

Checking out the memorabilia...

WINGS!!!

The service was great and the food was phenomenal! We only had one issue and that was our table being right next to the bar. Normally, this would not even bother me, and normally it would not be a problem, seeing as how we eat out with the kids at 5:00 to avoid the rush. HOWEVER, last night our table was just behind a 'regular' who was very obviously completely smashed. How do I know? The number of f-bombs LOUDLY exclaimed, and the LOUD descriptions of various activities involving women, and men's expected treatment thereof, among other things. After about ten minutes of eff this and eff that and eff her and him and you and everybody, we asked to be moved to a table across the room. our server was great and very accommodating, and I told the manager so. Drunk-ass Dude-man was so hammered, he successfully completed the Atomic Wing Challenge without combusting on the spot. I was surprised, given how much alcohol there must have been in his system.

It was a really fun dinner out, and we'll definitely be back!