My Brilliant Boys

There was a time when my friend was telling me something wonderful that her son had done. I was listening enthusiastically, when she stopped and apologized. She said, "I don't want it to sound like I'm bragging." Well, I want all of you to know that I have no such inhibition. I am going to loudly brag about my kids because I could not be more proud of them.

Yesterday was Parent/Teacher conferences. Nate was able to come home so that I could go kid-free and talk to Ryan and Sean's teachers. I went to Sean's teacher first. I admit I was a bit hesitant because at this point last year I had some real concerns about Ryan surviving in a dual-language class. He was struggling a bit with never being able to understand his teacher or classmates. Apparently, Sean has no such issue. Mrs. Almodovar pulled out his test scores and started showing me how his reading and comprehension were above average. I was not surprised. But then she looked up from the standard explanation of his scores, as if she had forgotten something important. She said, "And, of course, all of this is in Spanish." I was a bit taken aback. I asked about his comprehension. She told me he was doing amazing. She added, "You're shocked, aren't you? I can tell he's GT because he is doing better than most of the Native Spanish speakers."

I was so proud.

Then, I went to see Ryan's teacher. In the first grade they have actual report cards, so I have put a picture of it here for your viewing pleasure. I waited while she spoke in Spanish to another mother for a half an hour. When it was finally my turn she handed me the report card and said, "You can see that he's exceeding expectations. I have absolutely no concerns about him. Do you have any questions?" That was it. I asked about his Spanish verb conjugation and behavior. She just told me that Ryan was still a bit quiet, but he's doing outstanding.

I left feeling so puffed up that I went straight to Costco to buy the boys books to show them how proud I was.

Once again, I find myself wondering why in the world I've been so incredibly blessed. Sean has had the chicken pox this week and on Wednesday I asked Nate if I could just skip ahead to next week because I was done with this one. But if I had, I would have missed so much. It's not just the PTC. I spent a half hour snuggling in bed with Quentin on my chest. Chloe decided to give her brother the cup he wanted and then she smiled at me and asked, "Am I a peacemaker?" I got a letter from an old friend from Chicago telling me that his daughter (who I taught in primary) is demanding to know when the sequel to my book will be out. Sean told me he was getting over his chicken pox because, "I prayed to God to feel better." Ryan has been working for weeks to earn tickets at school to win a prize. Today, he brought home his trophy. He had picked a bracelet-for Chloe. I admit that those experiences are tempered a but by an entire root beer float getting spilled on my couch (not the kids-Nate), Quentin breaking a dozen eggs onto the floor and having to refold the laundry because it had been used to break a few cannonball falls off the side of my love seat. But each of these experiences were wonderful. I cannot begin to understand why I am so blessed, but I'll take it.