Letter to My Son

Dear Son,

It's three days later and we are still on cloud 9, in amazement.  I just looked at my last blog post and realize that it was written around the time of your testing, back in October last year.... I think hope held it's breath for that long and so I didn't write.  Now we can breath, big happy breaths, mingled shouts of joy!

You tested into Airline Park Advanced Study Academy for kindergarten!  Your score was higher than 96 percent of four year old children, nationally.  The areas of testing included reading, writing and math.  Sweet boy, we could not be prouder!  Every day, even on weekends, Oma and Mommy worked with you.  It's a pattern we started this past summer.  We decided to continue the education throughout the school year.  In essence, you had a combination of Home Schooling and Private School.

We worked hard and you worked hard, but we never pushed you.  We taught you and if you weren't ready for something, we backed off.... waited a few months and tried again, maybe in a different manner.  You are a child who needs to be comfortable with what you are learning, in order for your confidence to grow.  When your confidence is there, watch out - there's no stopping you!

Every day Oma and Mommy reviewed what you did at their house and at our home.  We took on different topics to work with you and sometimes took on the same one, if we saw that you needed more help.  You have a team!

Just as I have found ways to introduce a variety of sports - swimming, t-ball, soccer and now basketball - all in the hopes that you are familiar with these sports to play with your friends.  The same thought process went towards your education.  Introduce you to a variety of fields of interest, see what you pick up with and go from there.  You showed Oma and Mommy an eager attitude to learn.  No matter what we tried to teach you, if you didn't have the right attitude, it wasn't going to happen.  (Currently you are learning subtraction and counting coins.  Mommy gives you spelling bees and Oma gives you spelling tests.  It's team effort all the way around.)

Wow, I'm still amazed.  You turned 5 years old this month and in the same month, you received an acceptance letter to a much sought after advanced academy.... Airline only had 12 seats available for kindergarten.  4,500 kids applied.  The odds were naturally against the likelihood of you getting accepted.  Testing took place every weekend from September through December, with time slots of 30 minutes from morning through the afternoon and each 30 minutes had at least 5-8 kids being tested at the same time.  Those 12 seats were valued.

I remember the day of your testing.  There were 5 kids at our table, waiting at the same 30 minute mark as you.  You went in... and stayed in for the full 30 minutes of testing.  While we waited for you to come back, kids went in for testing and came back out, went in for testing and came back out.  I prayed this was a good sign, that you tested for so long.

When you came out, I asked the lady who took you in, "Did he do okay?"  She didn't say a word... not one word.. but the LOOK she gave me.... could be read two different ways:  1)  You know I can't tell you anything so WHY are you asking.... and/or 2)  You KNOW how he did, come on!

Of course, we asked you what happened during the testing.  You read sight words.  You said some were really easy, such as "be" "into" and "said"... but a difficult word was Rabbit.  You had to draw the letter S and the letter O.  You had to add items.  (I have to add, other children had different tests, so nobody can say their child was better prepared for having heard about the test from another parent.)  All of the areas of testing had to be completed by you within a given time frame.  The person would count to 5 and if you didn't have the answer by then, the test would move on or stop.  I think about your Daddy when it comes to this.

You see, you weren't thrilled with writing the alphabet every day, upper and lower case.  Sure you could do it, but grudgingly.

Daddy turned it into a game, "I bet Gregory can't get to the letter M before I walk around the house." This was a challenge.  Quickly and correctly, you had to write from A to M before Daddy walked around the house.  You took to it and laughed when you won.  This challenge helped prepare you for the time pressure of testing, which we didn't know would be a testing factor.

From what I understand now, hide sight 20/20... in order to get an acceptance letter, the school is looking for children who are a year advanced.  With Oma and Mommy working with you, we knew that you were doing Kindergarten level work already, as well as some First Grade work.

I'm thrilled you are going to Airline.  So happy that the very next day we went to the school board on the Westbank and submitted the Commitment Form for you to go to Airline.  Daddy asked Mommy what the difference was between Magnet and Advanced Study Academies.  While I was at the school board, I asked and was told, "Magnet schools are schools with A ratings, but there is no test to enroll. Advanced Study Academies are schools with A ratings, but the child has to score above a 94 percent to get a seat.  The Advanced Study Academies are better schools to get in to, if your child can test into it."  I'm praying it's a good fit for you, son.  But I also know, if it doesn't work out, there are good schools out there to consider.  As Mrs. Joline (director at St. Augustine's Preschool) said, "School is not a prison.  If one doesn't work out, you can switch to another school for a better fit."

Your teachers were so happy you tested into Airline.  The day after finding out the news, you received high fives from teachers this year and last year and from parents that knew as well (who knew the good news from Mommy's Facebook post).

During Mommy's first Parent/Teacher conference a few weeks prior to getting the test results, Mrs. Kim said, "Gregory should test into Airline.  Yes, even with only 12 seats available, he should get in.  Even at an advanced study school he will be ahead.  He is reading at the age of FOUR!  That's unheard of.  Buy him books, lots and lots of books.  He is also very creative. " (She showed me pictures that you drew in school - your float was really cool!  You also drew a picture of Tigger when he was lost.  The picture was of our home and Tigger was outside in the rain.  The day you drew the picture, you asked your teacher to pray for Tigger; the class did - see, I think that's beautiful.)  Your teacher also said, "Make sure that whatever school he goes to, that he is tested for art gifted and talented.  Give him a journal and instructions to draw daily."

When I asked about your behavior, Mrs. Kim shared, "He is a rule follower.  He gets along with the children and they like him.  Both Preston and Gregory are so different in their personalities, but to see them at a table, they are serious about their work.  Both are intelligent and creative; it's the best thing to see them together, so focused."

(Side note - Tigger was found by a lady next to David Drive.  Tigger was in her backyard and her dogs found him, but he wasn't afraid of the dogs.  At 6am, Mommy received a call from our friend, Stephanie, "Aleta, I think someone found your cat!"  Stephanie saw a post on the Neighbors app.  It was Tigger!  Happy home again.)

St. Augustine's Episcopal Preschool was wonderful for you!  You learned a lot of social skills and how to behave in a classroom setting.  You also received a good moral education, with prayers, saying the pledge and attending chapel days.  We picked an excellent school to build on the foundation of your education.  The teachers were wonderful, creating a loving and encouraging atmosphere.  They wanted parent participation and were available for questions and concerns.  Choosing St. Augustine was the best decision we made and I would recommend it to any parent looking for a preschool.

I'm already missing the school and pray the parent/child bonds that were created are strong enough to survive the change of schools.  You understand what friendship means and you always ask for playdates with your friends, from this year and from last year for kids that are already at different schools.

Your speech teacher was eager to find out if you made it into Airline.  Early in the school year, she asked, "Do you know that he is reading?!"  Yes, we did, but we didn't know he was reading to other people.  That was huge for us to learn, because it was a reflection of your confidence.  (Side note:  Your speech teacher, Mrs. Juli, mentioned that next year, speech therapy might only need to be once a month!  I'm excited for your progress, but I'm not sure you will like this change, as you love going to speech.)

One more word about school and then I'll move on to other topics.  There's another school that I have to thank.  St. Edwards Catholic School.  Did you attend school there at all?  No.  But Oma and Mommy went to St. Edwards as a contender for kindergarten.  The school room was impressive with their requirements of kindergarten children.  The chalkboard had the "daily news" and daily words to read and write.  Oma was given a list of words the children had to learn each week from the beginning to the end of the school year.  We looked at the list and thought, "Oh my, there are some pretty difficult words at this list."

We talked about the list and decided that even if you only could read half of the list, it would be huge improvement on your reading skills.  As of now, you're already finished the list and going back to review each page.  Once your brain kicked into reading, once you realized you could do it.... once the comfort level was there.... you amaze us!  So, thank you, St Edwards, for showing us that children can learn that much more than our expectations, thank you St Edwards for giving us a goal we might not have attempted to offer you.... and yes, you learned those kindergarten hard words while you were still in PreK4.

Now, to share a few other tidbits during that long held breath from October...

Mommy and Oma are teaching Sunday school.  We alternate teaching with Mrs. Catherine and Mrs. Liz.  You love Sunday school.  You once said, "I wish every day was Sunday, so I could go to Sunday school class."  When it's Mommy's turn to teach, you get so excited.  The first Sunday of the month starts in the chapel where you sing songs and learn about the various aspects of service.  A couple of Sundays ago, the topic was heaven.  What was heaven like, who would be there.  We talked about God and Jesus.  How when people and pets die, that they go to heaven.  I said, "Gregory, you know that Tigger is old and one day he will die.  He will go to heaven.  Who do you think will take care of Tigger in heaven?"  You said, "God."

This past Sunday, Mommy and Oma taught.  We started the lesson with how doctors heal us, the instruments they use and how it takes time to feel better with the medicine.  Then we talked about how Jesus could heal with just the touch of his hand; we talked about how Jesus loves us.  Mommy brought a craft project for the lesson.  When Henry (a four year old boy) finished his project, he said, "Mommy and Daddy will love this!"  That made me happy.  Sunday school is a wonderful way to learn to have a relationship with God, to be better people, to learn to love and show kindness to one another.  Now that I know you won't be attending a school with chapel days as part of your daily education, Sunday School takes on an even more important role for your future.

My mind still stalls with the thought of you being 5.  I remember when you were five days old.... five months old... I remember when my cousin, Michelle, said, "Watch, before you know it, Gregory will be five years old."  I can't believe that's here already.  For your birthday, Mommy made the invitations, after Mommy and Daddy went to various locations to find a good place for your birthday celebrations.  We all liked Surge.  We had last minute cancellations from some friends and family.

I was worried about your friends coming.  We paid for 15 children to jump.... with the cancellations, I figured it would be more like 10.  How wrong could I be?  Yourself not included, there were 28 jumpers at your party.  27 of the jumpers were children!  27 family, friends, school mates, neighbors were there to celebrate (NOT including adults).  What wonderful people to come to your party.  Thank you to everyone who came, who said Happy Birthday, who sent love and hugs.  Everyone had a blast and you didn't stop for 2 hours.  And no, you didn't take a nap when you got home.  You were too excited to open the gifts and start playing with the toys right away.

Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras were crushed into one, because of how Mardi Gras fell this year.  You made Valentine's day hearts and added airplanes with hearts to hand out to your school mates.  You made heart-shaped plates with your handprint and flowers to share.  You even made a Valentine's Day heart for Anthony to give to his mommy.  How thoughtful of you to want your friend to have a gift for his mommy on Valentine's day!

You learned a new word and you have an opinion of it.  During bath time, you like to play with the water gun.  The long-standing rule is, "you can play with toys in the tub, but the water stays IN THE TUB."  That's not an easy accomplishment with a water gun.  After one particularly wet incident, Mommy said, "The consequence of breaking the rules is that the toy is taken away."  You asked, "Mommy, what does consequence mean?"  After explaining it, you said, "Mommy, I don't like consequences."  You make me laugh, son.

As I mentioned earlier, you are participating in Basketball now.  Aunt Kim told Mommy about the Upward program through Williams Blvd. Baptist Church.  Aunt Kim said, "It's a great environment, focusing on the game, but also within a faith based environment."  I'm so glad she told me about this. I was quick to find out enrollment and get the forms filled out.  The earliest age starts at Kindergarten.  When I called to find out about enrollment, I mentioned that you were four, but turning five and the lady said it was okay to enroll you.  I didn't know that a good portion of the kids on your team would be 5 turning 6.  A year older for sports makes a difference.

The older kids were good role models for you.  I felt bad, because neither Mommy nor Daddy showed any interest in Basketball prior to this.  We didn't even have a basketball or a basketball goal in our home.  The team was your first introduction into the sport and I'm very grateful for your experience.  (We do have a basketball and goal now!)  Because of the team, you know what dribbling means and you can do it with both your left and your right hand.  You know what passing the ball means and do it fairly well.  You know what shooting the hoop means, but you need to build up your upper body strength.

When we went out to eat at Bobby Heberts, you pointed to the television screen and said, "They are playing basketball, Mommy."  You were correct.  Just that knowledge alone is wonderful.  You understood what the game was about and could identify with it.  For each game, the children are given stars (which the parents iron on to the game shirt's sleeve).  When Coach gave you a gold star, you were thrilled!  You also received green, blue, white and silver stars.  It's nice how there is a set practice day on Mondays and a set game day on Saturdays.  You have a game this Saturday and then next Saturday is your last game of the season.  We will definitely sign you up again for next year!

I'm bouncing around in this letter, but there's more to share.  When Mommy took down the Christmas boxes to decorate for Christmas, I was greeted with eye level mold.  It was horrible.  You saw that I was sad and asked why.  I said, "It's a gloomy day."  You replied, "Not for you, Mommy.  Because I picked a pretty flower for you."  You brightened my world.  While Daddy and our friend, Chris fixed the mold issue, CJ (Chris' son) came over and the two of you played.  It was cute to see the two of you roll playing teacher, doctor, magician and cook.

This past year was the first year you helped decorate the Christmas tree.  You even handled some of the delicate ornaments.  You took very good care of them, knowing how much the memories meant.  Even with the house being torn up from the moldy walls and bathroom fix, we kept the Christmas spirit.  Daddy was a real trooper, insisting that we go to Oma and Opa's, while he took out the moldy walls.  He was concerned for our sinus problems.

I must mention the Thanksgiving feast at your school.  The younger kids sat at round tables, whereas the prek4 sat at the long table in the front.  After the younger kids came in and sat down, the older children stood to say grace and sang songs.  Some of the songs included sign language, which I thought was wonderful.  Oma and Mommy were there to help set up for the feast and to clean up afterwards.  I'm so glad we were there to see it.

For Thanksgiving day though, Mommy was in bed most of the time.  I'm pretty sure it was the flu with fever, felt like a mac truck ran over me and congestion.  Uncle Rene stayed with us during that time.  Uncle Rene asked you, "What if SuperMan helped Santa deliver gifts?  What do you think would happen?"  You told Uncle Rene, "That would never happen because Super Man doesn't exist."

Another time, you picked up Uncle Rene's phone.... and you sent text messages to a bunch of his contacts, sending silly smiley faces.  Uncle Rene was surprised that you knew how to send text messages.  Good thing Uncle Rene has a sense of humor :)

While I was sick, you wanted me to feel better.  After the Thanksgiving meal, when you returned home from Granny and Grandfather's house, you insisted that all of the Thanksgiving decorations get taken down.  Daddy, you and Uncle Rene took everything down and put everything on the kitchen table.  Daddy explained to you, "Mommy has special ways that she likes the Christmas decorations to go up.  We need to wait for Mommy."  But I was in bed, trying to rest.  You had a solution.

You rounded up a bunch of pillows and blankets and put them on the floor so I could lay down and instruct ya'll on what to do.  I was still too sick to accommodate your plans, but it was very thoughtful.  The next day, you spent time at Oma and Opa's house.  I was determined to put away Thanksgiving and force myself to decorate for Christmas.  The table and wall decorations were up by the time you came home.  My body was physically drained from the effort, but it was definitely worth it to see your face light up with seeing the Christmas decorations.  You softly said, "I love it, Mommy."  Yep, worth it, just for that one moment.

Earlier in November, Uncle Rob, Aunt Roda and cousin TJ came in town to celebrate Uncle Rob's 50th birthday party.  We were adventurous bringing you and TJ to Commander's Palace!  You two had a blast, because the table had balloons.  While Daddy told Mommy, "You look like you belong in this setting," which was very sweet of him to say.... the two of you had the battle of the balloons going on.  This included hitting the lady behind us on the head a number of times.  The waitress came by and shortened the balloon stick.... and then she came back and shortened it some more, because she didn't understand the gusto and reach of two kids.  The ladies behind us were really understanding and sweet though.  They were celebrating a birthday too... after singing Happy Birthday, they gave you and TJ their chef hats.  The food was excellent and the atmosphere was lively.  It was great to celebrate Rob's special birthday at such remarkable restaurant.

Rob also had a surprise birthday party at Rowena and Chris' home.  With lots of food and kids running around with balls of all shapes and sizes, it was a fun, family event.

Whereas at Zea's restaurant, you and TJ were calmer.  Zea's restaurant is a bit dark and when I saw you put something near your mouth, I exclaimed, "Gregory, what do you have in your mouth!"  "Nothing, Mommy."  I held out my hand.  It was a red crayon.  "Give them all to me, Gregory.  You know better than eating crayons."  I was slightly mortified.  Your said, "But Mommy, I wasn't eating the crayon.  I was taking the wrapper off."  You showed me the wrapper remains of blue and yellow on the table as your evidence.

Not backing down, I said, "Use your hands for that, not your teeth."  You replied, not skipping a beat, "Using my teeth is faster."  I kept the crayons.  I few minutes later I heard my brother snort laughing and saw him shaking his head.  I asked what was funny.  He said, "Because it's faster.  He is probably right."  Yes, I gave you the crayons back... and after trying to use your fingers to take off the wrapper, you politely asked, "Can I use my teeth now?"  Point made.  Oma listened to all of this and later remarked, "Gregory is entering a new phase of having sharp answers at a fast pace."  You are keeping us on our toes.

This brings me back to October and I'll stop the letter where it started with a happy sigh, shouts of joy and a lot of laughter.  As Daddy says, "We have a good life.  I love our family."

Today we ended the day with a play date at the park with Jamie and Nathan.  The weather was perfect, little wind, blue skies, temperatures cooled as the sun set, boys running, shouting, having fun.  Walking outside felt good.  It was good to breath in the air and watch you being a boy, silly, goofy, funny.  It's not easy to make and keep play dates.  Everything is busy, but it's so important for kids and for mommies to have some time together away from school.  It's important to enjoy simple things in life.  I think you know that already... you love life.  What a treasure.

Love Always,
Mommy




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