Open House

Wow. Just wow. You two just had me and mommy up to your school for Open House.

We've gone to open house before, and it's been fun. It's been a challenge in the past: late in the evening, surrounded by friends, a lot of excitement, tired kids at the end of the day. We've come to expect just a glimmer of what your lives at school are like from Open House. 

But this year....this year was something magical! You both sat still long enough to show us SEVERAL of your favorite works from your classrooms. We got to watch you navigate in your daily learning environment, and watch you show off your passions and strengths and teachers and classrooms...and mommy and I couldn't be more proud!

Julia, you went first. You showed us the movable alphabet in cursive and an awesome numbers work. Aidan, it was a challenge, but you succeeded at waiting patiently and watching Julia demonstrate her favorite works!

We even ran into your old young friend Teddy! It was a sweet reunion!

Aidan, in your classroom, you showed us your animals and the metal insets work, and how you make puppets! Julia, it was also a challenge for you to wait patiently as Aidan showed us his works, but you did so calmly and respectfully too!

"Thank you Mom and Dad for tucking me in at night. Aidan"

Then we got to visit the music room, and even explore the middle school room and after school care rooms too!

We got some great feedback from your teachers. 

Julia, Ms. Mary told us how you have been such a guiding voice in the classroom for the younger children, and how wonderfully you, Penny, and Zoey lead the children. She also noted, of course, how talented and prolific you are!

Aidan, Ms. Gwynn told us that she and others have noted what a rock star you are in the class. You have grown so much socially, and you really aim to help the class stay on task and within the order of what is supposed to be done. 

This was all so good to hear and was so consistent with what we've learned and observed from you both through the year.

Aidan, some of mommy's co-workers (your other teachers) share photos and stories from time to time about you, including this one from Spanish class:

...and this picture and story from Miss Ginger: 

Holly, you have to know that Aiden really made a positive impact on a student in class today. He was a gracious and kind leader, helping another student when he was stuck building shapes with such a gentle, encouraging attitude. This other student felt so valued and more capable because of it, based on the little things he would say and the way his eyes went from confusion to twinkling. It was good stuff! 

You proudly share your works with us, including this awesome metal inset: 

...and you are an amazing story teller, working as a sponge for every story and movie and book and show and song you've been fascinated in.  You weave a rich tapestry of a tale, my boy. Your teachers report this back to us all the time, and we get to see your story telling more and more at home!

Julia, your productive, creative, enchanting, detail-oriented works you share with us every Thursday tell the tale of a bright young, dedicated, creative, friendly student. We are so proud of you as you continue to explore written language and math and color. Word is you're writing a book...which we can't wait to see!

amazing self portrait, which even includes a mosquito bite and a beauty mark on your face: )

Kindness

Aidan, I've always known this. The way you are so sweet to babies, how you hug on your mommy and me, how you wanted to hold Julia from the second you met her... But a few recent events have made me really realize that you, my son, are so very kind.

***
A few weeks ago, you and Julia emptied your piggy banks to get ready to go shopping. Julia had four dollar bills. You had six dollar bills.

She said "Aidan, I have an idea. If you give me one, then we'll both have five!"

You thought about it for a little bit.

Your mother and I watched in silence.

You said "Okay!" And you gave her your dollar. Julia had a big smile. You had a bigger smile. It made you feel good to be so kind!

That is a hell of a lesson that adults- including me- need to learn!

***
The other day after dinner with Aunt Sham and Uncle Joe, you earned yourself two Girl Scout cookies (Samoas...so good) for eating your whole dinner, including the salad. You ran back to the table with your bowl. You almost took a bite. And you looked at your Aunt and Uncle and said..."Do you guys want some cookies?"

They said yes, and you ran back and got each of them two of your treasured samoas.

Sweetness shared is better than sweetness alone.

***
We heard from your teacher today. And it was an incredibly touching story. She tried something new with the lunch seating arrangement in your class. And you liked it. You told her "Best day ever!!"

She was grateful.

Then, you looked at her, tapped the seat next to you, and asked her to sit next to you for lunch.

She said "Me?"

And you said "Yes!"

And so you and your teacher, Miss Gwynn, sat next to each other for lunch.

The way Miss Gwynn told us the story, she sounds like she might have been grinning too much to eat. She told us that you make her happy nearly every day!

Kindness can fill your heart while you are filling your belly.




Your kind heart is one of your best strengths, and it makes me so proud to be your Daddy.

And you've given me a lot to learn from. If I could be as selfless, and sharing, and kind as you, I know I would be a better man.

I will try, my son. I will try.