John is in 1st Grade this year. I am following the rule of an hour per grade, so he does roughly 1 hour of academic work a day. Maybe. Sometimes it is much less. Though, he is always learning.
As the fourth, he benefits from what I have learned over the years. Namely, don't stress the small things. I let his interests guide our lessons and fortunately have LOADS of resources after 8 years of collecting. One day, he asked about what happened to his food after chewing: Magic School Bus episode about the Digestive System, Book about where my food goes, and Puzzle about the internal organs!
Another day, we spent time making webs with words in them inspired by Charlotte's Web. I have read this book to my children three times, but only John commented he wished he could speak to spiders. And he and I take special care when we see them...just in case a pig's life is on the line. But, we still love bacon. We are very conflicted.
The fact that John can read makes 1st Grade (and Kindergarten) way easier. After a pretty loosey goosey Kindergarten year, he has learned to be more disciplined. He knows which books he needs to complete every day. And he does it well. He knows that if his writing is not as good as we both know he can do, he will have to do it over. That is just the way it is. And he has perfected a lower case 'A'. It is beautiful and he will proudly mention it as I look over his handwriting.
Part of his regular work are logic puzzles of some sort. He can get overwhelmed with Sudokus, but he can also complete them in the right mood. And with the audience of a couple of eager brothers. I have been most impressed at how well he completes other logic puzzles that require deduction from reading clues. We haven't spent a lot of time on reading comprehension, but he seems to be doing just fine.
But, I felt we needed to add at least some reading comprehension each week. Today he read this excerpt to me and answered questions. What I loved is that we were able to discuss how his friends on the street are from Ethiopia, Korea (international adoptions), and Turkey (moved here last year). We also have neighbors that are first generation Americans from Vietnam (and love English Premier League Soccer!). One of his questions was what is something a person from another country can teach you. He immediately said: "Denadush"..he said his friend, Delaney, had taught him that is how you say 'hello' in Ethiopian. Now, he is 6 years old, so I needed to look up the spelling of this for my post. Initially, this did not come up with any hits. However, upon looking up Common Ethiopian phrases, Wikipedia gave me: 'Dehna adersh' which is an Amharic phrase for saying 'Good Morning' to a woman. Sounds about right.
Just to help this come full circle, I asked him if he had learned phrases from his friends born in Turkey. He gave me a little smile and said...and I will paraphrase here: Just words for common bodily functions. It is probably too much to hope for that converation occurred the same day we learned about the digestive system! But, if it didn't, I'm sure it was a good review :)!
Happy Birthday, Dom! What a year it has been. Full of Championships (The first being the Nationals winning The World Series), Confirmation Prep, Cooking, Comics (Foxtrot), Classwork, and...huh...what is another word I could use to go along with this alliteration I've got going on...Well, whatever, I'll think of it later.
You are 14!! You (and we) survived your first year as a teenager and signs are pointing to you being a not so bad one! Just kidding, you are a wonderful teenager and I wouldn't trade you for anyone! I think it helps a great deal that you stay physically active and busy and therefore don't have too much time to think about how the universe is conspiring against your happiness. Which is good, because between you and me: The universe does not care about your happiness...that is up to you and you are doing a lot of things right.
We learned (or confirmed?) last fall that you have a gift for running and actually kind of like it! Especially if you are beating everyone around you including me (let's be honest: not impressive) and your father (pretty impressive...especially the part where you can still have a decent conversation and are smiling immediately after...not a genetic trait)
I have continued my lessons in how to be the biggest Kansas Basketball Fan ever and you have recruited a promising new member to the club.
Though I frequently tell you and Will to separate at the table, I can't stress enough how much I am pleased it is because you are cracking each other up and not annoying one another. Hearing you laugh at Will's jokes is a highlight of my day, especially when you two are trying to one up each other in being clever with writing assignments or creative ways to keep track of your daily work (The Train of Thought is wiser than us all!). Not so much when you are distracting one another during Algebra...because teaching Algebra is actually the highlight of my day.
Last Fall, we got to watch KU play Dayton in a special basketball tournament and it was amazing. Dayton was LEGIT! (But, KU won, natch) We really weren't torn in our loyalty, but Dayton was a team we all kept tabs on for the rest of the season and even got to watch in person when they came to George Mason.
I love your smile! Every time someone speaks disparaging of thumb sucking, I quickly point out your beautiful smile...with no orthodontist bills! Thumb Suckers Unite!
For posterity's sake, a quick mention of how you regularly start your morning: Two bowls of cereal with too much milk and a quick rundown of the latest sports news...any sports news! You have recently added reading the Wall Street Journal...with a special interest in anything your favorite columnist, Jason Gay, writes. This all takes about an hour, so one might suggest you get up before 8:00 if you want to do all of this. Sometimes you do ...sometimes you get a stern lecture about time management. These are solid life lessons that I know will serve you well in the future...so thanks for listening and honoring them for at least a few days before I have to give them again...
In January, we all became the biggest Chiefs fans ever as they made their way to the Super Bowl and won in epic fashion! Championship Number 2! And Country Roads may never be sung with the correct lyrics ever again.
And a few weeks later, you had your third and most special Championship because it involved your CYO Basketball team! It had been a rough season where wins were particularly hard to come by. You played your hardest every game and Dad and I were so proud of you! Regularly out scoring everyone on the floor and picking up rebounds and steals (and fouls) on the defensive end. Even while playing after being sick with the flu for a week, you scored over 20 points. In hindsight, we shouldn't have let you play that game, but you came home, slept for 4 hours, and woke up fine...so...I guess it all worked out?
But, back to the Championship! I missed it due to a planned trip to Florida with Mitzi and Katie! I don't regret that trip #MomCation, but I do regret missing these games. Luckily, Dad kept me well informed via text. I knew you helped your team claw back in regulation to get to Overtime in the Championship where you shot back to back threes to open the additional time. You helped motivate everyone to dig deep and play their best game at exactly the right time! And when time ran out, The Holy Spirit Flames were victorious! Rock Chalk!! And Will was as excited anyone to be there to yell for you!
Then, within a week, the whole country shut down due Covid 19. We dealt with the disappointment of beloved tournaments being cancelled. The Big 12 went first (no 4th Championship), then the NCAA (no 5th Championship...and these weren't pipe dreams...the Jayhawks had a solid chance!!!) But, we knew it was the right thing to do at the time. Priorities got evaluated and discussed. And our lives changed overnight.
We spent all of our new found free time trying to stay active. We started running as a family. And by that I mean, we all started at about the same time and ended not at all at the same time while covering the same distance! This lasted into May, and then fizzled out...because running is hard! But, it did lead to daily walks which I enjoy taking with anyone who wants to come. The discussions on these walks are wonderful. And I get the sneaky feeling you all enjoy having the house to yourself when I go out solo...
You kept playing basketball and even had Will and John playing with you since no one else could.
We learned to pray as a family with Mass in the Back Room and nightly Rosaries in the Front Room.
We learned that wearing masks is just a new way to show our Jayhawk Spirit! Thanks Grandma!
We learned to spend more time as a family and enjoy each others company (for better or worse...but, mostly better)
To make up for the lack of NCAA tournament and because of all the time we had in the evenings and because of all the games in our home, you helped set up, organize, and were the heart and soul behind our family game tournament. You always got games ready and were up for playing no matter what. And then you helped put together the video commemorating the two months of game playing:
We learned to adapt to the new way of taking part in activities. One of which was virtual camping with the Boy Scouts. If virtual camping means I don't have to cook or clean up the kitchen: Bring it On!! (though I do appreciate this is not ideal)
Another adaptation was using Zoom and other forms of video to keep in touch with family and friends. This also included having Dad's promotion to Lieutenant Colonel virtually. And you impressed everyone as the Emcee. Who knows? Maybe this can be the start of a new tradition? Plus, loads of family got to witness the promotion who normally wouldn't have, and we never had to leave our house. Complete net win!
In May, we broke out the ping pong table for the first time in two years. This was your idea, and it was a top 5 one. It was the perfect way to enter the summer.
Even if John disagreed and preferred Bey Blades...which you were also happy to play.
We played loads of games and Dom beat me twice...and he gave me the biggest hug and told everyone he knew. I have never been happier to lose.
Another benefit of life as we knew it coming to a halt...we now regularly have fresh baked Baguettes! And they are amazing!
And so, we adapted and thrived during the shut down of our activities. You would learn something was cancelled, be understandably disappointed, and then look for the positive. Which is the way you have always approached life. Nothing keeps you down for long. Especially if there are cinnamon rolls in the fridge.
Or a new game to be played.
Or a day trip to be taken with the family*
*As long as there is the promise of ice cream (he is a teenager...not a saint...yet!)
And then, after months of cancellations, The Tour de France actually happened!! It was different than any other year, but we took whatever they were able to provide. We watched mountain stages from the start (and by we, I mean Dom and Will got up before 6 AM to watch them), exciting sprint finishes ("Mom! 5K left!"), masked podium presentations, and the same commercials over and over and over again...and LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!! Loved it so much, in fact, that you haven't stopped looking for people to race with since.
You have found a new activity that you love and it won't be cancelled because you are racing against your brother and your self. Life is Good!!
Happy Birthday, Dominic Joseph! You are one special kid (or should I say young man? Nah, you are and will always be our kid, even if you are a solid 4 inches taller than me and gaining on Dad). I am constantly grateful for your amiable disposition. I love how you are working on being clever...not in a middle school humor kind of way...but, really clever! Though, I know the middle school stuff comes out when I'm not around, and that is cool, too. Just as long as I don't have to hear it. I relish (side note: Inside joke, the boys frequently use 'relish' as a synonym for 'love' in their writing, I will use it now) how much you relish (I used it again...too much?) books, particularly about history. You are constantly learning and interested in how events came about. You want to know 'why', and I hope you never lose that. And though I shouldn't be, I am very proud at your reverence during our family Rosaries, Holy Hours, and Mass. You and Will have never once balked as we added new devotions to our family routine and that has been a gift for all of us.
We love you so very much, Dom! This is my 10th Birthday post for you as I started them when you turned 5. This was a year like none other, but you have made it a wonderful one and I look forward to whatever the next year holds for our family. I know it will be great as long as we are all in it together! And now, I'm going to go give you a big hug! Because I can!
Happy 12th Birthday, Will! A perfect dozen! So many great things come in dozens...like DONUTS!! July 17th rolls around every year and it seems like it is always in the midst of some transition for our family. Whether it is closing on a house, PCS-ing, traveling across country to see family, or PCS-ing...did I already say that? Yet, you never seem to mind. Because your love language, like mine, is time spent together. And we always get to spend your birthday together.
(Well, except last year when Dad was in Senegal)
And it is hard to believe that an entire year has gone by since we took the above picture. You have grown quite a bit...but, I'm pretty sure the sunflower is still taller than you...pretty sure.
You have had a lot of fun in the last year (even during this weird quarantine time we are experiencing...see earlier bit about our shared love language). For one, we got the chance to see the musical Hamilton in Oklahoma thanks to Grandma and Grandpa. It was definitely a highlight for me to get to watch it with you and Dom and hear all of your reactions.
You have continued to love Boy Scouts and participated in as many activities as you could. Including camp outs in Valley Forge and Gettysburg last fall. Though this is mainly Dad's arena, I do enjoy hearing about what you have learned and merit badges that you are working on. Pretty sure you are well on your way to 2nd Rank...if only Covid hadn't gotten in the way you would be there!
Last fall you got a little more into sports than you have in the past. Coaching you in soccer was one of my favorite aspects of that experience. I knew you would never give less than your best on the field and I could count on you to not give up on plays. Hopefully, I get to watch you another season this Fall.
You also experienced October baseball with Dom as the Nationals won the World Series. And we became the biggest fans ever! We'd actually gone to a couple of their games over the season afterall. My favorite memory was that you trusted Dom's wisdom enough to not go to bed in the 8th inning when the Nats were down in the Wild Card game. Dom told you miracles always happened in the ninth inning and you trusted him and it paid off. It was so much fun to watch two brothers enjoy sports together! (Side note...I frequently went to bed before the ninth inning, but excited running feet always alerted me to happy news)
History continues to be something you are interested in, particularly battlefield history. Probably because you are collecting intel for your Risk and Axis and Allies strategies. But, I am most impressed with how diligent you (and Dom) with a new writing course we started this year. It was not your favorite, but you worked at it and the improvement in your writing was obvious. While your writing improved, it also improved your worth ethic as you would persevere through the assignments to get them done...or get up extra early the next day to finish up. And I came to enjoy our afternoons discussing writing assignments that included literary criticism. Though nothing tops when I actually get to work with you on Pre-Algebra and Algebra. Which is rare, but I do treasure those moments when I hear "Mom, will you help me with math?"...I know my time is coming. Geometry is just a few months away!
Along with soccer and baseball viewing, last Fall, you elected to run cross country with Dom and Molly (Dom wanted to, I signed up Molly without her permission, and though she complained constantly...it was always with a smile). You decided to run to help with your soccer conditioning and ended up enjoying it and showing a lot of improvement. Your coaches loved having you on the team! I am keeping my fingers crossed we get a season this Fall as I loved the Cross Country Meets. Early Saturdays, but always done by 10:30 AM!
I love how you interact with your siblings. You can make Dom laugh as hard as anyone...which is why I frequently separate you during lessons. You and Molly share a creativity that I cannot match. Entire worlds are real in your imagination and you both have a way with words. And you have a soft space in your heart for John, which means you are more patient and always ready to give him a hug when he is sad. Actually, you are ready with a hug just about any time someone you love is sad.
I love your quiet wit and I am also impressed with your ability to quote entire sections of dialogue after hearing it once. We recently introduced you to Jerry Seinfeld (see above photo) and just like Hamilton, I enjoyed watching your reactions more than listening to the stand up routine.
Starting a real fire during a virtual campout
Supporting Molly at her bridging ceremony
Dominic was the heart behind our Late Spring Game Tournament, but your presence was what made the games happen. You were always willing to play along even when you were tired and wanted to do something else. Turns out, you and Dom are a dominant team at Spades...learned that the hard way.
Dear William,
I hope you have a wonderful birthday. I doubt I will see you for a while as you spent last night playing video games with the siblings until the wee hours of the morning as your first birthday gift. It has been a year where plans have been made and changed and cancelled...and you never get too down. Maybe it is because to make up for it, we have a constant supply of gummie bears in the pantry...or maybe it is because you know that better things are on the horizon. Miracles do happen in the 9th inning, and when they don't, at least you are surrounded by the people who love you and and you love back. But, it is probably a mix of both gummie bears and love.
July 17, 2008 had a pretty early start as we drove to the hospital in the dark and the guard at the gate knew exactly why were were there without being told. I thought of that as I came to check on you at 2:40 AM this morning. It was a great first memory of many memories to come. Which now include walks with you along the trail as you tell me about Minecraft or a recent Axis and Allies game...both of which I don't understand...but, you don't seem to mind. It also includes watching you do a little dance when we finally eat a meal that is a favorite. It also includes listening to you say your decade of the Rosary each evening with reverence and steady pace that shows you are actually thinking about the words not just rushing through it. I noticed this a few weeks ago and it helps me stay focused.
It also includes being ambushed by you with water balloons and guns as I returned from grocery shopping...no...I misspoke, that is not a favorite memory...Punk! Though the grin on your face is a good memory.
Happy Birthday, William Thomas! We thank God today and every day you are a part of our family. I just hope you wake up in time for cake...because it is peanut butter chocolate ice cream...My FAVORITE, TOO!!
