In the last couple of days, we have had both of the kids parent teacher conferences.
In years past, we have heard from Noelle's teachers the same thing my parents heard, "she's a real talker". This year, Noelle has moved to the middle school and is now part of the "changing classes" world. She has grown and matured so much. The talking has decreased and she is becoming her aunt Amy, pretty much a straight A student. All of her teachers have nothing but wonderful things to say and even one said that Noelle "doesn't talk that much in class". WHAT???? There are times at home that she will talk nonstop at speeds that I'm pretty sure could be clocked at close to 80 mph.
She is also doing a teacher challenge where she tries to read more minutes than three of the teachers. Both kids have always loved reading. (they really didn't have much choice since pretty much from day one, they were read to) I was amazed to see on paper the number of minutes she has read. Noelle can be found reading in the car, (something I can't do) at Michael's soccer practice, and before she goes to sleep. Of course those aren't the only times, but those are her "regular rituals".
Michael was nervous about his parent teacher conference. He has the same fourth grade teacher his sister had. His teacher tends to be pretty strict. Michael is pretty much guaranteed to bring home a "strike" or two weekly. He tends to forget things and has a hard time following direction. It doesn't help that he has ADD. (as do Sean and Noelle. three people with ADD plus one anal person equal a loving, fun family of four )
Michael's conference was led by him. I was very proud of how open and honest he was. He showed us what he felt were both his strong and weak points, something that is very hard for anyone to do regardless of their age. His teacher was even positive about what he said and mentioned that she was proud of how honest he was. Before we went to his conference, we told Michael that we understood that he was having some struggles this year and that we are proud of him no matter what was said during the conference. That in the grand scheme of things he is in fourth grade and that in the end it's not what does or does not happen in fourth grade that will matter most.
Bottom line, I'm proud of both of them and the loving, caring, creative, and smart individuals they are becoming.
