Terrific!

While I would swear that I JUST posted about the first day of school, we have amazingly already completed the first 6 week grading period! And, that means it is teacher conference time. I always go into conferences with a mixture of excitement and hesitation. It really is a great time to see how the kids have been doing, but the pattern seems, in Katey's case, that is when we also find out what...um...less than productive habits have been displayed in the classroom.

We began with Katey's teachers (she has 2 this year - one for AIG Reading and Math classes and one for the rest of the subjects). As in years past, we got rave reviews on Katey's grades - all A's, even in the AIG classes!! And, just as in years past, we got less than stellar reports on attentiveness, focus and writing. None of that was a surprise, but we continue to struggle in knowing how best to motivate Katey to do things she doesn't like doing, like writing about small moments during Writer's Workshop. Sigh. So, while we work on motivation we also give high praise for a wonderful grade card!!

I have to admit that I was nervous about Seth starting school and what life would be like helping him learn. Educational things come very easy for Katey - the girl taught herself how to read at age 4 and figured out multiplication and FRACTIONS on her own in 1st grade! Seth has never seemed to have the love of learning that Katey does and I figured there would be a lot more work on our end to keep him on grade level.

Boy was I wrong.

We had a wonderful, praise-filled conference with Seth's teacher! He got all high marks on his report card (no letter grades until 3rd grade around here, so he got all 3's and S's)! And his teacher went on a on about Seth's reading skills and that his reading level increased over the summer. The biggest critique that she had was that Seth needs to talk MORE in class!!! And, to add icing to the cake, Seth received the Principal's Award for October for staying on task in class! He got a little goodie bag and certificate for that.

We are so very proud of our little learners!!

Healthy Motives

Seth has been on a health kick lately. He has frequently requested "only healthy food" for lunch or dinner (though pancakes for breakfast is perfectly acceptable to him!) and even passed over dessert after some meals. He wants to get lots of exercise and has shown us how to do all kinds of new stretches that our adult bodies would NEVER be able to conform to!! Seth has seemed to be fixated on getting stronger and often shows off his ever-increasing muscles.

Just this morning, as I was packing his lunch for the day, Seth decided that he would eat a healthy banana for breakfast and it was okay if I also packed one in his lunch. He asked that all the food in his lunch be healthy and even decided to replace the lemonade Capri-Sun with a bottle of water! I don't know how long this phase will last, but I am liking it!

What is the reason for this new-found desire for health and strength? In his own words and a twinkle in his eye, "Mommy, I want to get strong enough to throw DADDY in the river!!!!"