Motivated

Freddie has recently moved to a new class at school.  At the front door is a little desk and clipboard where the kids can "sign in" when they arrive.  Freddie is *determined* to sign in.  Currently the routine is we do "hand over hand" and I help him, but there is not much benefit to that practice in that setting at that time for him.  He is busy scanning the room to see what's going on rather than focusing on what we're writing.  Hopefully soon he'll take the leap and write his name on his own.

At home he's been playing school quite often.  Sometimes he lets me be the teacher and demonstrate some letter formation.  Most of the time he is too stubborn to take the role of student. 

He let me demonstrate on the bottom.  He ran out of room so the I and E got written on top of the other E. 

He's at the stage where he isn't quite aware (or willing to believe Mama) of the order of the letters making a difference in the meaning. 

It has always been a favorite part of teaching to see kids progress through the stages of literacy, and I've had the privilege of seeing it in so many children, but seeing it develop in Freddie absolutely amazes me. 

Lessons from school

Thursday, immediately after school, 3.05 pm

Mama:  Freddie, do you need a heinie wipe?

Freddie:  You are a girl and you probably can't do it or know the right things. You can't even ride big bikes like Dada does or wipe your hienie. You are just a girl and girls don't know things.

Dedicated and Ready to Defend

I dedicate this work to my greatest joy: FCS, III.

I never knew it possible 

to love so much.

Charlie's defense is in one week.  He's ready to go.  He said he's not even nervous about the questions I've prepared concerning the outliers.

Freddie and I couldn't be prouder of our Science Guy.  I've even handed over the crown.  He's the new family genius.

On the road with Science Guy

We're in a teeny, tiny town in Vermont. Charlie's got a meeting of the minds to attend and I am tagging along. He's pretty involved talking shop, so I am out and about on my own for the most part.

What am I doing?

• Being thankful Charlie allows me to dress him. People watching around the conference is pretty darn good, but that's largely due to the fact that scientists are prime candidates for the TLC's What Not to Wear.
  
• Taking walks through the neighborhood, looking at flowers, finding four leafed clovers
  
• Avoiding conversations at the B&B and sitting on the porch reading The Kite Runner
• Meeting Charlie for meals
• Napping
• Wondering how on Earth I am ever going to be able to stick to this Weight Watchers thing
• Practicing map reading and planning excursions beyond the village