School's Out! Only not at all, really...

When Sophia's school was on spring break, they let us know that it would be online at least through April 22nd. Last week, they let us know that the kids won't be entering the buildings again this year. Then the governor made that official for everyone, so at least there's that. 

For the first couple of weeks of online school, Sophia has been at the dining room table. It's roomy and bright and the chairs are comfortable. It worked. However, once it was officially going to be the full quarter, we decided she needed some more permanence and privacy. So, I set her up in our third bedroom/back room this morning. Now she has a designated study and classroom space and can focus without interruptions from me or Erick. From me, it's puttering, cooking, walking in and out. From Erick, it's conference calls and wandering through. So, we're hoping for the best. School has not been easy so far, but I know everyone is just doing the best they can. Seventh grade has gotten pretty weird, but I know Sophia will get through it. I just keep wondering what all of this is going to mean for these kids. What an interesting and memorable way to spend a spring.

First Day of School

Sophia is a little less giddy about the first day of school, but having friends around certainly helps! Can't wait to hear about the first day of fourth grade.

Third Grade is Almost Over!

 Third grade has not been the best year at Captain. Now, that's not to say it's been bad. The first three years were each special in their own way. This year has been one for significant growth for Sophia, but it's not one that will go down as "special." Nothing more needs to be said about that at the moment.

The end of the year is always jam packed with extra things. Most of these things end up being my favorite things from the year, and that is still true.

One day last week, all the third graders gave presentations on a country or countries of their choice. I say countries, but only one third grader chose to do two - that would be Sophia. There are some conflicting reports about why she chose to do two, but it comes down to excitement and words. She has them both.

As a matter of fact, she didn't do a report on Kenya as she originally planned; however, she says she'd like to spend some of her free time researching it because it seems cool.

Her choices were Argentina and Venezuela. Here, Erick's holding the 13-page book that Sophia wrote about these countries. We were so proud to get to see the result of all her hard work. It really was a big project, and she threw herself into it.

Then there's field day. It's really and truly one of my favorite days every year. Maybe I'm reminded of the day Erick and I noticed each other as 16-year-olds, or maybe it's just that the excitement of the kids is catching. Regardless, I love it. My job this year was to take pictures of the kids. I had so much fun doing it. Here's Sophia with a few of her fellow "Brick Breakers."

And here she is showing off her skills as an egg carrier. She thought it was funny that she holds her mouth like that when she's concentrating. I think it's cute. Also, I'm doing it right now as I type. Sometimes, she really is like me.

The end of this year also brings the end to my administration as the PTO president. I may have more to say about that later, but for now I need to buy stuff for the end of year picnic...

Second Grade

I have several posts that need to be made at some point, but the one that I cannot afford to abandon is the first day of school. Some day, Sophia will look through the archives of the blog and want to put together each and every one of these memories. I would hate to let one slip through the cracks just because I'm tired. 

I am tired, by the way. Although I really couldn't tell you why. I assume it has something to do with not enough sleep, but that hardly seems credible. 

Anyway, school started last Wednesday for Sophia. She is now in the second grade at Captain Elementary. Her teacher is Ms. McD. And, apparently, Ms. McD is the coolest teacher at the school. This is what I gather when I tell people who Sophia's teacher is, and everyone responds with, "Oh. Wow. Sophia is going to have a fabulous year." 

What I have learned so far about second grade, however, is that there is less talking allowed. So, there's that. You can imagine how my Sophia and her classroom BFF feel about this heightened enforcement.

This BFF of Sophia's did not end up in her classroom this year, and Sophia was shocked to see that they are no longer the same height. She actually made me take a series of pictures with their backs together just to be sure.

It does promise to be a good year. I'm excited for Sophia to really get back into the swing of things. Other things that are different this year are: spelling tests, harder math and the principal. So, wish her luck!

And it begins...

...Again.

Sophia started first grade this morning. She was very excited to get the day going. She doesn't even pretend that she doesn't love school, although she insists that she doesn't like math.

Maybe that's what she's thinking about as she gives her lip a little nervous chew...

The nerves didn't hold out very long, but she wouldn't give me another smile. I'd used up my quota in the back yard apparently.

When it came time to leave, this was her response. I think she's relieved just to get it started. See what this big kid first grade thing is all about. I can't believe it. No more Kindergarten. No more cute little songs. Now she's just hanging out on the blacktop with all the big kids! Sigh. She seems to think she's ready.

I certainly hope she's right!

August 15, 2012

Sophia is a Kindergartner. It's official. She was so excited to get started this morning that she was actually willing to smile nicely in front of her school so we could get moving. Above she's in front of her school; below she's on the Kindergarten playground. Happy as a clam.

Once on the playground, the kids line up, sing a song, say the Pledge of Allegiance and wave goodbye to their parents. Yes, they really did that. Can you see how happy this face is? So happy.

I miss her already, but she is probably having the time of her life!

Education

With Kindergarten just around the corner, we've started all the registration and mental preparation that one can, especially with one's first I imagine.

Another thing has happened lately that I'm pretty excited about. Sophia has started getting interested in things like the Egyptian pyramids, other historical events and scientific facts. I did great in school, but I retained virtually nothing. Nada. Just the oddball stuff that the teachers and professors probably said by accident. Those are the kinds of things that stuck with me.

All that to say that I'm really excited about this phase because it's full of questions to which I don't know the answer. We're making lots of trips to the library and visits to the world wide web. I had forgotten how much fun it can be to learn.

To Sophia's Teachers

I registered Sophia for Kindergarten this week. Then I wrote this letter to Sophia's future teachers. 

To the Teachers of Sophia Creach: First of all, thank you. For everything you're about to do for Sophia. For everything you've already done to prepare for her. You and I can only imagine the impact you will have on her spirit, not to mention her mind. Thanks for caring enough to be here with her, helping to prepare her for life. It can't hurt for you to have a little extra preparation, so I thought I'd let you know a few things. I know you've taught lots of amazing kids. Many of them have been remarkable. Once you have become part of Sophia's world, I think you'll agree that a child as memorable as Sophia is a treasure. 

You'll be happy to know that she won't sneak around on you. As a matter of fact, when Sophia does anything that is opposed to the rules you've established (or even one she thinks should be established), she will come right to you and confess it. In preschool, she tells her teachers when she forgets to listen to their instructions, especially when they don't notice. I think it's only fair that you know about Sophia's supersonic hearing. I kind of wish I had a warning about that one. She may look like she's not paying attention, but she is absorbing every word and every unspoken message you're sending. I know this because occasionally she gives herself away by entering a conversation she wasn't near. The softer you speak, the more attentive she'll be. Like I said, she picks up on signals you're not giving out loud too. She is sensitive. The essence of Sophia is absolute tenderness. I don't mean that she'll run away crying. That only happens when you least expect it. I do mean that she can gauge the temperature of any given room surprisingly fast. Often she'll adjust her own demeanor to match it or to smooth it. Regardless, she is picking it up, and she'll happily tell you about it if you ask. She watches out for her friends and for the people that she says just aren't her friends yet. She uses her words carefully to protect the hearts of others. But sometimes she forgets to protect her own heart in the process. 

Sophia likes to talk. I've done my best to help with this last one, but I can't make any guarantees. I like to talk, too. It's all I ever got in trouble for in school, and that happened often. Sophia's daddy and I have been talking with her a lot about respect. How important it is to show respect to others that we come in contact with every day. How our teachers deserve an extra dose of respect since they're spending time with kids to help them grow and learn. All I ask of you is that you show some respect to Sophia, too. Just give her the benefit of the doubt when she forgets to wait her turn to speak. I promise that she's trying. And when you show respect to Sophia and her classmates, it will make my job so much easier to remind Sophia what respect looks and feels like. As you are working tirelessly to help these kids to develop their minds, please protect their hearts. Please protect Sophia's heart. I promise not to blame you when her heart inevitably gets broken. I'll help her get it back together and be glad that it's a Kindergarten heartbreak and not the high school kind. I promise to support you in whatever way I can. I promise to give you the benefit of the doubt, too. Sophia will most likely never say an unkind thing about you, although she does have a judgmental eye for fashion. I'll be generous in my response. 

 Thanks again for everything. I'll never be able to repay you. 

 Respectfully yours, Sophia's mom