Liam B. Jones, First Grader

Liam has been going to the first grade classroom for reading for the past few weeks. His teacher wants him to continue to be challenged since he is reading at such an advanced level. I'm happy to see that she recognizes his strengths and wants to help him continue to succeed.

Yesterday, his 4K teacher from last year came over to me after school and told me how impressed she is with Liam's math skills. She said she is amazed at what he understands and that we should have him tested for gifted and talented. And then TODAY, his kindergarten teacher took me aside and asked if it would be ok for Liam to spend all morning in the first grade classroom for the "literacy block" since he is doing so well. Holy crap, kid. I'm so proud of you!

Day at the Orchard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fire Drill

Liam came home from school today and told me they had a fire drill. He got very serious and then started to cry. I asked him if the drill scared him or if something else was making him sad. "We had a fire drill, and all I could think about was Ellie," he said. Then, he started sobbing on my shoulder and managed to tell me that the fire drill made him think about us having a fire at our house and Ellie not being able to get out of the house. "And I don't want Ellie to die!" he sobbed. I just snuggled him until he calmed down and then we talked about how fun it was having Ellie in our family and that she is going to be with us for a very long time. I reassured him that if we ever did have a fire at our house that we would do everything we could to make sure Ellie got out safely. Love my sweet sensitive boy.

Buddies

Max and I ran some errands this morning and then stopped off at a park to play. There was only one little kid there with his grandma, so Max immediately latched on to him and they were off to play together! They went up and down the slide, on the swings, and ran miles and miles around a soccer field! The little boy's grandma asked for our number to plan to meet up at the park again sometime. Max is very excited about his new friend, Darnell.

In the car on the way home, we talked about what a nice friend Darnell is. I thought Max might say something about his new friend being a different race, since he hasn't had the opportunity to play with many kids that look different than him.

Instead, he said, "Darnell and I have the same hair." Yep, I said, they both did have very short hair! I pointed out that Darnell had black hair and Max had brown hair.

"But we have the same eyes!" he said excitedly. Yep, I said, they both do have brown eyes!

"YEAH! We are 3 and just the same!" he squealed.

I was so proud of him in that moment. It would be nice if everyone could see they are "just the same" and be friends!

Smile!

Just some photos to make you laugh while you wait for me to take some new ones!!

I'm off for three days, so you just might get some!!

Click!

Liam is quite the photographer and is constantly asking to take pictures of things. He wears my camera around his neck and wanders around finding interesting things to capture. He documented this freshwater clam Grandpa Howie had in a bucket when we were up north. I love the reflections. So adorable. I think it's time to get this kid his own camera! A waterproof one, in case he drops it in clam water!

Best Buds

 

These boys sure do love eachother! They are so sad to have to be separated during the day now, and Max can't wait to go to school next year! I love how when one of them wakes up in the morning, he's immediately looking for his brother. And then they play together until the last possible second before we have to leave. Sure, it's not always sunshine and rainbows, but I hope they always have a bond like this.