Kobi Love

I was at Lael's school for her 2nd Grade Spelling Bee (which I'll blog about later) and I saw this hanging on the wall outside of her classroom.

Kobi

"My favorite person name is Kobi. Kobi lives with me. Kobi likes to grab stoth. I love to play with Kobi.  Kobi is my favorite person because he is the smallest one in my family."

                                                                                             -Lael

I can't tell you how much my heart exploded with pride.

Even though she can't spell the word "stuff".

Wordless Wednesday

The Tantrums.....

......have begun.

(See, he isn't smiling ALL the time.)

9 Months

9 months. It goes by in the blink of an eye.

You are so incredibly funny.  You love cheese. If you see me reach for the package you squeal.

You love watching Lael play basketball. I can see in your eyes that you can barely wait to be able to run with her.

You are always smiling.  You smile while still holding on to that paci. Sometimes you cry and smile at the same time.

You make the weirdest faces.  I try my best to get you to make them over and over just to catch them on camera.

You are a biter.  I have marks on my shoulders, finger and legs from you daggering me with those 6 knives.  Somehow you know better than to bite me while nursing.  Just so you know, the formula is only a few steps away.

You have finally started sleeping in your crib.  Only for about 5 hrs at night, but it's a start.  I'm so proud of you for this.  You are becoming such a big boy.

You aren't taking steps yet like your sister did at 9 months but there is no need to rush.  I want you to be a baby for as long as you want.

You like to dance now.  You have this cute little bounce you do whenever you hear music.  If I say "Go Kobi, go Kobi, go go go Kobi" you giggle and bounce.  So. Cute.

I am both excited and sad to be planning your first birthday already.  It's only a few months away. Can you guys believe it?

His 9mth checkup is next week. I'm excited to see how much you've grown.

Silly boy.

Wordless Wednesday

This is the pretty bun Lael had when she went to school this morning.

This is what I saw when I walked in the house from work.

Seriously?

I live with animals. Animals I tell ya.

Average Work

Lael got her report card on Friday.  I’ve been making up excuses for the past year or so on why her report cards haven’t been the greatest.  I’m not sure what I expect.  Part of my problem is that I am not a fan of the grading system that is used.  I need to see a letter grade.  Instead I get a N for Not Introduced, a D for Developing, or an S for Secure.  From the end of last year up until now she has mostly D’s.    

A few weeks ago Lael asked me what an F was on her test. I explained that it meant she failed. That she had too many wrong answers.  She was very upset about this. I emailed her teacher and found out that the class had taken a unit math test and many of the kids did poorly.  It annoys me because that means that some kids did fine. Mine was not one of them.  Her teacher explained that Lael KNEW this stuff but rushed and made simple mistakes.  This annoys me as well.  It doesn’t matter what she KNOWS.  If she can’t pass her tests it doesn’t matter.  She assured me that she was going to go over the test with the class and have them retake it.

Along with the report card a progress folder was sent with class assignments and tests from the past quarter.  Included was that test and the retake.  She went from an F to a B.  Even then she made silly mistakes.  She does very well in spelling.  Some tests she got every word correct plus the bonus words. 

Maybe I have to come to the realization that this is who she is.  She does just enough.  She has two smart parents and she is fully capable but I know in my gut that she can do better.  Do I push her? Is this something she has to want for herself?

I asked her teacher to send extra work home so that I can practice with her.  Part of me doesn’t even want to bother because she will mumble and groan the entire time. 

Have any of you had this experience? A smart child who doesn’t seem to focus and apply themselves?

I am at a loss. I don’t want a child that is just getting by.  What makes it even worse is that she is compared to her sister. The one that gets Above Average marks on every report card. The one that is doing math and reading at a grade above where she should be.

I know every child is different but they are equally smart. What should I do?

Help!