Absentee Parent

Each month our elementary school has an awards assembly. There is a Student of the Month for each class & a Leopard Achievement Award. Following these two very special presentations, they hand out pins for AR (Accelerated Reading). The kids usually know when they are getting their reading awards because they know how many points they have. But the Student of the Month is supposed to be a surprise. James figured out how to tell if you might be getting the award - the teacher sends home a sealed envelope with a stamp that says, "to the parents of..."

Imagine my horror/embarrassment/guilt/sorrow/disappointment/anger/pride when Jacob came home with his Student of the Month Certificate. Give credit to me - I DIDN'T forget. I was never informed. So when Jacob was called up in surprise and went to stand on the stage, guess who wasn't sitting in the front row lined up to take a bunch of pictures? Really - they make them stand in front of all the kids holding their certificate until every last flash goes off on the parents' cameras. I'm so sorry I wasn't there. It's a huge deal!!

Jacob was surprised that we weren't there, but he got over it. Some things roll off his back a little easier than others.

He and James have been staying after school for Chess Masters. They get very excited about all the points they are earning toward the final day auction. Guess what I found crumbled throughout the dryer. Freshly washed and shredded chess master points. The good news was that the 10 point tickets stuck together and must have fallen out of his pocket in the dryer instead of the washer. He doesn't seem to be bothered that they look waterlogged. He says he's only missing his one point ticket, so it's not a big deal.

Other things that aren't a huge deal to Jacob - failing a comprehension test. He decided to just take the test instead of reviewing the book - OOPs. He's not bothered that it's dropped his overall average below the required 85%. I'm glad that he is forgiving to himself and others, but for some things I wish he cared more. What am I complaining about though? He's Student of the Month - perhaps his 97% average on his recent assessment test has something to do with it. He doesn't like doing homework, but apparently he learns what he is supposed to at school. Good job Jake! (Oh, he doesn't like you to call him Jake. You should call him Jacob).

P.S. I love his freckles!!!