The Monkey Barrel

Archive for October, 2005

This past Monday was John’s first parent teacher meeting. Wow!! I knew from our pre-school experience that he was pretty smart but average smart. I was so unprepared for what they told me. There are some standardized tests that the kids are given and the average score for most kindergarteners is 28 out of a possible 102. John scored a 73!! I was pretty surprised at the complexity of the tests for his age. Of course he has some trouble with poetry and words that rhyme, but that’s pretty typical of boys his age. But even still he got more than most kids did in that category. But more than academically, his teachers were impressed that within the first two weeks, John learned the function of the class, put the silliness and clowning around aside, and got down to business. He does his work without complaint, he helps those around him and encourages them when they do a good job, and helps them to behave when it’s time to be quiet. He is a great friend to the boys and girls in his class. He is also an amazing artist. His attention to detail is really great and he even associates colors to emotions. There is a little boy in his class who has problems speaking, but it doesn’t phase John at all. Ryan is one of John’s best friends and John even helps him to learn the way to say things properly. They had their first playdate today. I am so totally blown away by my big guy. All the fears I had about school and letting him go have all been put to rest. He is learning and growing at an amazing rate. I am most impressed by his character. His willingness to do the right thing, to be good in the midst of a crowd that is being rowdy, and his great ability to make friends and be a good friend. He is a wonderfull kid. Part of the reason we chose his name was for it’s meaning, God’s gracious gift. What a gift he has turned out to be. I only hope that we can do him justice as his parents.

I’m not sure what it is about our boys, but something in their genetic code or something we’re feeding them makes them extremely eager to grow up before their time. Luke was upstairs whining today and so I went to lay him down for his nap and when I walked in his room the little bugger was standing there holding onto the side of his crib!! He turns 6 months old TOMMORROW!! Why are they in such a hurry to move and be active? I didn’t think it was possible to have a more active child than John but I suppose God wanted to prove me wrong.

And yesterday John brought home a little five page book from school that had a great deal of the sight words from his class and he read all but the last page of the book by himself. In Kindergarten!! I couldn’t read until 1st or 2nd grade I’m pretty sure. He also got his 9 week progress report and he met all but one of the expectations that they had. They even put down that he listened attentively. I think they must give him some kind of magic juice for that cause he’s not exactly what I’d call, “attentive” at home. I think the more appropriate words might be ignorative, deafative, and sucked-into-the-tv-ative.

I think I say this in every post, but I”m just so proud of both of them. They are such go-getters. They aren’t sittin around waiting for life to pull them along, they’re reaching out and grabbing it by the horns and giving it a run for the money.

By leaps and bounds I tell ya. These two seem to be in such a hurry to grow up and do big boy things. Luke has finally figured out crawling. He can take two steps before a face plant but they’re two steps doggone it. Tonight he had his first taste of sweet potatoes. HE ATE THE WHOLE CONTAINER!!!!! We tried squash a few nights ago and there was much gagging and spewing and convulsing. First taste of sweet potatoes and he sort of jerked at the taste but after that he was grabbing the spoon to help me shovel it in. Can’t wait to change that diaper in the morning

And John has decided that just riding his bike isn’t enough and so has taken to doing “tricks” he can stand on the middle bar with both feet and coast for a few feet, he can take his feet off the petals and swing ‘em out to the sides, he can stand up and ride, he can skid his tires, he can drive on and off the curb (much to my chagrin), and I’m sure there are things he does while daddys outside that it’s probably better for mommy not to see. I couldn’t even ride my bike without training wheels until I was 8 or 9 for crying out loud. He is doing really well in school and has been “caught being good” twice in the hallways and once in his class. Now if we could just get him to keep his yap shut while the teachers trying to talk we’ll be in good shape.

They are such great kids. It is such a delight to be around them and watch them learn and grow. We are so blessed.