One Proud Momma

This isn't going to be your typical Proud Momma Brag Session. No, I don't do normal; but I would like to share with you the amazing accomplishments of my children.

Nicholas, May 2012

Let's start with my youngest. Nicholas has been my nonreader... up until this year, that is. In kindergarten, he was too busy trying to convince me to let him stay home. Reading was going to storytime at the library with Mom and viewing pop-up books on trucks. In first grade, he fought it tooth and nail, received the "Most Likely to Become a Lawyer" award; and in second grade, he'd pick up a book here and there, set it down and start another- never finishing any of them. This year in third grade he took off, and I must admit Percy Jackson is my hero. Nicholas loves to read so much that it interfered with his school work at times. He went from reading just barely at grade level to having the highest AR points in his grade and making a 96 on the STARR reading test. Now he's rapping with a British accent, songs he's written. I'm so proud of him.

Andrew, May 2012

Andrew taught himself to read at the age of three. When he saw big sister bringing little booklets home from kindergarten, he sat with her and learned as she read. He read Harry Potter books the summer before he stared first grade, I kid you not! Every year has been a breeze; he is never challenged. Thankfully he's always had teachers who were willing to find work on his level. Last year, his teacher wanted him to skip fifth grade. We didn't because he is the youngest in his class already.  On awards day, he got a workout climbing the stairs to the stage so many times. The principal even made the comment that he should just stay there. He got highest GPA in every subject, along with recognition for his superior in Number Sense UIL and placement in the Spelling Bee. Parents ask if we send him to Kumon. No. Oh, I must work with him. No. In fact, I've never seen his homework because he's done before school lets out. Andrew received a 100 on both the STARR Reading and Math, a 97 on Science. But guess what was the most important award to him? Perfect attendance! Yes, this is something he's never done; every other year he's been bombarded with bronchitis and breathing machines. To get perfect attendance was an achievement. I'm so proud of Andrew.

Katie, May 2012

Now for my beautiful daughter, Katie. She has done so well this year with Future Problem-Solving, Creative Writing, UIL, completion of the SAT through the DUKE University talent search. Not only did she take the same test high school juniors and seniors take, but she qualified for admittance into college! Now that's some feat. Unfortunately, the sorry counselor didn't show up at the awards ceremony to recognize her and the few others who did the same (less than five). It was in the program and she decided to skip... grr... that's another story. Luckily, Katie had been recognized last Saturday at an official Duke ceremony held at Lamar University. We don't have Katie's report card or STARR scores yet because, well, the counselor is doing God only knows what... but I know they'll be stellar like they always are. I'm so proud of Katie.

Not only have the kids done well in school, but they also excel in extracurricular activities and will continue through the summer in dance, Taekwondo, swimming, scout camps, etc. I am truly grateful for the wonderful children God has blessed me with.

Okay, I know... it was a typical Proud Momma Brag Session, but what else do you expect?

What makes my kids unique: Andrew

I remember the wonderment that filled my curious mind when I found out I was pregnant with Andrew.  Would he have a full head of jet black hair like Katie did when she was born?  Would he act the same way?  Who would he look like, Pete or me?  I have learned that trying to compare my children to one another is like trying to find the similarities between eggnog and apple cider; it is virtually impossible.  Yes, they are both drinks associated with the holidays, but they have differing tastes and consistencies.  Likewise, my children have the same parents, but they are each unique and special.  Let me share with you what makes my dear, sweet Andrew (or Drew, as he likes to be called) one of a kind.

Drew at belt testing 12-4-10

Drew is a perfect middle child.  He goes with the flow and tries not to rock the boat.  When Katie and Nicholas are arguing over something like whose turn it is to sit in the front, Drew remains neutral and would even give up his turn for a little peace.  I know that he would follow the rules even when alone.  He is just like that.

Drew is also very competitive and extremely smart (in fact he is a genius).  He wants to be the best and is very hard on himself.  I can remember when Katie was in kindergarten and Drew was only three.  Katie would bring home little books for reading.  Drew would look over her shoulder and listen as we went over them.  He learned to read that way-- at the age of three, I kid you not.  When we would go have lunch with Katie and run into the principal, I would tell her what he was reading (Sherlock Holmes or something like that).  The principal would ask him to tell her about it, and he would summarize the book as if he were writing a review for Amazon.  He was reading Harry Potter books in kindergarten and first grade, and has read the entire series at least two times!  He had to go to upper level grades for reading because he was so bored.  Drew's birthday is August 29, so we could have waited a year to put him in kindergarten.  He is only three days shy of the cut-off date.  But we knew he was way too smart to do that, and even though he is one of the youngest (a girl shares his birthday), Drew is still one of the smartest in fourth grade.

Being intelligent and competitive is not always a good thing, though.  They say "Wednesday's child is full of woe," and that is true to some extent; especially when Drew views himself as a failure at something.  He plays sports but gets too upset when his team loses or if strikes out and doesn't score.  We have enrolled him in Taekwondo and that has helped boost his self-esteem tremendously.  He just made Green Belt, Level 2.  I am so proud of my precious Drew; I dearly love him, too.