seven

1st grade!

You are rocking first grade. At your first conference, your teacher told us you're doing a great job in class and that she's going to start pushing you more because you've shown you can handle it. She also told us you were placed in the advanced reading group which was a surprise since I went planning to ask for tips on how to encourage you to read and help you feel more confident (you had been complaining about how hard it was and saying you weren't good at it). She also mentioned that you're popular and said everyone likes to be your partner. When I asked you if you felt like you had a lot of friends in your class you told me that people like you because you're nice and always try to make them smile if they're sad. That was the best answer! You definitely have best friends that you prefer to play with, but you already seem to understand that you can be nice without having to be their friend (something I didn't figure out until 5th grade!). I'm so proud of you.

You are in love with sports. You play them, watch them, reenact them, dress up in football gear... You like skateboarding, you're in karate, and want me to sign you up for swimming. It just happened all of a sudden and that's all you want to do now. You've told me a couple times that I can get rid of most of your toys (but then Mason jumps in to tell me I can't). I'm glad you found something you love. I'm sorry in advance that you will know more about sports than I do by next year. But I won't let that stop me from watching you play and cheering you on in anything you choose (sports or not). I'm sort of your biggest fan.

Candy and TV motivate you right now. I can pretty much get you to do or stop doing anything if it ends with candy or the threat of not being able to watch your after school show. I'm going to take that as a good sign that we don't over TV or sugar you and that's why they work so well. I'm sure that's it...

You still have the kindest heart around. You love to say thank you, you always want to cheer up anyone who is unhappy, and you do a great job of loving on your brother. You were invited to a birthday party at McDonald's this week and Mason ended up being able to join because a couple kids didn't show up. When I told you, you got excited for him. I'm glad you didn't get upset since it was "your" party. You rock at being a brother.

Love you to the moon, around the stars, times infinity plus googolplex. (plus one).

Mom