Olia went to the "rec"(recreation center) with her friends last night. Dan drove Olia and her friend Marissa.  Marissa was a bit nervous to go in when they got there because there were sixth grade students and seventh grade students. Olia just said....come on, and headed in.  I guess if you have the nerve to leave your homeland and all you have ever known to go to a new country, going into a dance with some students who are a year or two older is just not that big of a deal.  Olia had a fabulous time.  She said the girls danced the night away!Olia told me that the fifth grade boys alldanced, but in a group near the girls, not really with the girls.  She also said that the boys spent most of the night playing board games, air hockey or basketball, all typical fifth grade behaviors.  Olia loves to dance and is a really good dancer. And she is not the least bit shy about dancing in front of a group of kids.  Olia didn't get home until 10:45 because the center was open until 10:30. I made her pay her own entrance fee because she answered me freshly when I was helping her get ready to go.
  This morning Olia lost TV for two days and computer for two weeks.  Her mouth just has gotten fresher and fresher and I am not going to tolerate it.  She finally settled down and apologized, but the consequences remain.  Today she and I went to a ceramics shop which is closing.  They were having a huge clearnace sale.  We purchased a box of figures to paint for $10.  It was a great bargain.  We bought pots, ornaments and figurines.  Olia just loves to paint so the box will keep her busy for many hours.  She painted a small ceramic chair, a penguin, and a cup today.  She had so much fun painting.  I painted a garden ornament because she likes us to do things together.  I also hung Olia's new curtains today.  They are hot pink, frilly, and lacy.  They look great in her room and she loves them!
  Olia did her chores today and was quite pleasant doing them.  She wanted to be able to paint and she knew she couldn't get to that activity until her jobs were done. She even cleaned up the paints without me telling her to do it.  So she is improving in many ways, she just has to learn to control her temper when she doesn't like what she has to do.  Olia does not like to be told what to do.  But she is up against the master teller so it would be better if she just learned to say OK. Dan thinks her fesity temperament will get her far in life.