I Think They May Be Getting Dumber

Is that possible?  I think as spring wears on and school becomes ENOUGH, my kids start losing IQ points.  Did I just hear someone say, "For instance?"  Well, I just happen to have an example.  And it comes from our favorite ditz, Blondie.

So I'm in my study hall yesterday and Blondie says to me, "Can you check my essays for Health?"
Me: Sure, what are they on?
Blondie (and she holds up a paper and says): This
Me:  What's 'this'?  You're 15 feet away from me, I can't read that from here.
Blondie:  I don't know
Me:  You don't know what you wrote?  Or you can't remember what the question was?
Blondie: Yes
Me:  Yes? Yes What?
Blondie:  What?
Me:  Is this a joke?  Am I on camera?  Are we Abbot and Costello?

Finally after a couple more minutes of this where I'm starting to get slap-happy with her ridiculousness I say,
"Just bring me the paper."  And of course, on the paper are the actual questions that she's supposed to respond to.

Blondie:  I'm actually only worried about the first one.  I don't get it.

So I read it and it basically says, "Talk about being a good listener.  When it starts etc. Refer to notes about emotional and mental health.

So I say, "Do you understand what being a good listener is?"
Blondie:  No
Me:  It's just saying what is a good listener and when does a person start being a good listener.  You know, someone who sits and listens to your problems, doesn't interrupt, tries to help by just being a good friend.  When you're sad, mad, etc.
Blondie:  Oh, okay.  Is my answer okay?

And then I read what she wrote.  To sum up, she basically said that being a good listener starts when you're a baby but as you get older and start losing your hearing, you aren't good at it anymore. Oh, boy.

Me:  Um, this isn't exactly what it means, you should fix this.  Do you get it now?  From what I told you?
Blondie:  Yes
Me:  K - go fix it.

So a couple minutes later, lets say, 15, she says:  Um, Mrs. Hanke, I'm confused.  I changed it but it doesn't sound right so I think I'll just keep what I originally had, okay?
Me:  Sure, you do what you want but its wrong.
Blondie:  Okay.

I mean, I spelled it out.  She sat there and listened (she looked like she was listening).  That isn't a complicated concept is it? Being a "good listener"?  I feel like I'm beating my head against the wall or someones trying to test my limits.  Sometimes her denseness seems like a joke...really... and that the cameras are rolling.  UGH!  She is seriously one of the most challenging kids I've ever had.

K - well, I'm going to head to school a bit early and try and finish the IEP I have on Friday.  Later!