Well, I took the time to speak with SS's teacher to get a very clear idea on what has gone on the past week in regards to his homework. She stated that he has been completing the work and that the other teachers are happy with his improvement.

So...

I guess my dropping him off at school and telling him to go inside and finish whatever needs to be completed instead of playing on the play ground for 30 minutes before school starts actually paid off. Or maybe it was my final threat that he wouldn't be going on the trip if the homework wasn't in. Not really sure.

So DH and I are allowing SS to go.

He did two hours of yard work last night (after completing all homework first) to continue to earn money for his trip for spending money. He is at about $60 now. He wanted to be at around $100.

This morning he asks if he can do more work tonight. I tell him we are going to an event at the school so that's not going to work.

Then he says, "Can I ask you a question?" (one of his favorite lines, by the way) and then he proceeds to tell me that his dad said he could take a loan out for another $50 and he'd work it off when he gets home. I ask him what the question is and he asks me if its' ok. I ask him why he's asking me if he's already had the discussion with his dad?

Not sure if he actually had the conversation with his dad or if it was another one of his ideas to get more money. The kid knows I run the house so he's always asking me things after he's asked his dad or things that should be between him and his dad...

Now we get to drop him off at the airport and he will be out of my hair for 6 whole days!