Olia has so much homework for fifth grade.  She had to work on similes and metaphors.  This is not an easy concept for a child who only has had one year learning the English language.  The structure of the Russian language is so much different than the English language.  I think I need to talk to Olia's teacher about English grammar.  She also has so many social studies terms to learn and memorize.  Last year we didn't do any social studies homework so to be bombarded this year all at once is a bit too much.  Yesterday when I was at cheerleading another parent asked me about Olia's teacher.  I said she is very nice but, she really gives a lot of homework! Another parent was standing nearby and remarked that she had also heard that.  Her daughter is now in sixth grade.  She said that her daughter didn't have much homework last year, but she didn't feel that the teacher really prepared her for sixth grade.  She said that the kids who had Olia's teacher were very prepared for sixth grade so I guess that is a good thing.

     Today Olia and I went to the mall.  She bought an earring holder at Claire's with her own money. We were probably in Claire's about 30 minutes and I told Olia she had to choose what she wanted or she could wait until another time to spend her money.  Claires has so many earrings, knick knacks, necklaces, etc. Olia could spend the entire day in there if I let her. Claire's is her favorite store!  She told me that she wished the mall was our house; she said that she would choose Claire's for her bedroom.  Olia said that Dan would pick Sears for his bedroom and I would probably pick Penney's and Renee would choose Victoria's Secret for her bedroom.  She is funny, but she knows us well!