Friday, December 4, 2009

Let the Crazy Start


I saw my baby off to school this morning for the last day of the academic year. He was a flurry of Christmas cards and candy canes with an arm load of party food and a present for his long suffering teacher.

Mrs X and I smiled at each other as we passed in the door way.
"You made it."
She laughed. We both made it really.

My son is one of those children. I will admit. He is the spunk at the back of the room who should be paying attention, but is instead taking every one's pencils for a 'Pencil Sale.'
I kid you not.
He tried to resell the class their pencils... more than once.

Other things that didn't work so well for him this year included practising his front flips in the library and the mid-day classroom walk out in protest over a matter he felt was being poorly handled by Mrs X.

If he wasn't my child I might find some of what he gets up to humorous. After all, who doesn't know the pleasure of taking off their shoes so they can sock slide into the wall? I just wish he didn't chose to pull that stunt in Math class. I also wish he'd restrained from spinning on the teacher's swivel chair and pinning the tail on pictures of his class mates on the notice board. He also took a real liking to rearranging the trinkets on Mrs. X's desk. More than once he produced a pencil, thumb tack, paper and sticky tape art piece for her viewing pleasure.


Can I take a moment to defend my off spring? A little, tiny brag even? Pleeeeease? It has been a long year...

He started Year One (First Grade if you live in the US) asking his father and I when he was going to get a chapter book to read and then proving his boredom by using reading group sessions as the optimal time to practice sculpture. An eraser and a pair of scissors were his medium of choice. Mrs. X and I finally found chapter books that kept him on task... mostly.

He refused to bring his spelling book home to me because, in his words, "What's the point Mum? I know how to spell."
We agreed that he would show me the spelling test results and, as long as his marks proved he was right, he didn't have to bring the book home. I never saw that spelling book.
Maturity wise he is every bit Year One. But that little brain is ticking away with a set of much older thoughts.

Mrs. X has the patience of... I don't know...someone more patient than me. Together we worked to support the academic growth BUT curb the sock sliding. Mostly we were successful.
(Okay, little brag over. Thanks for indulging me.)Year Two here we come.

What we have not figured out is where the two school hats, three pairs of socks, one pair of swimming goggles, a swimming towel, and one very new pair of leather school shoes managed to disappear to...

Oh well, there is always next year.
I love that kid, sock sliding and all. But for seven wonderful weeks it is Summer School Holidays. I can't wait. Let the crazy start!

PS- He gets the sock sliding from his father :)

38 comments:

  1. Hahaaaa! Oh you poor thing. LOL Well, not really because you obviously understand that he's not being bad, he's just smart and a kid. I feel kind of bad for kiddos in school because it just doesn't seem right for them, esp. boys. They need more playtime, I think. More freedom to move, etc. My son just got a yellow light (two warnings) the other day. I asked him why and it was because he was making explosion noises during class, kind of like a rocket ship. LOL
    Boys are so adorable. Your son sounds like a wonderful guy and I think it's great he has a teacher who understands him. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well, this is what you get when a child's mother is seomthing outre and bohemian, like....a writer! :-D

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love this post! Your son sounds like quite the kid. As a teacher, I can tell you, I secretly love the spunky kids. The slightly rebellious, "I need to be challenged" kids. I love the way their minds work! Happy summer break!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love this. Your son sounds like a great kid. He's on his way...and I bet Mrs. X will miss him...in spite of those little challenges through the year. Happy summer vacation!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have given you an award!

    Check it out below!!

    http://sharoninwonderland.blogspot.com/2009/12/blog-post_04.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. He sound fun. My 8 year old is one of those boys too, but in a different way. He is a dreamer and has a difficult time settling down and focusing on his work. His mind is always working. I also believes he's a pokemon master. Anyway I totally know when you say - it would be funny if it wasn't my kid. I always freaks me out when I read Australian blogs and they're talking about summer break and how hot it is.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a unique and inventive son you have! Starting a protest in class? Selling kids back their own pencils? That's genius!
    You should use him as a mold for a future character (if you haven't done so already!)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Awwwww!!! Brag away, it sounds totally justified.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I just found your blog the other day and I wanted to say, I think it's awesome!! Your little boy sounds like a lot of fun and very smart. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ha, cute! Plus he gets a seven week vacation? How awesome is that? I say lucky mom. I love my kidletts close at hand ;)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your son sounds great, like he's just brimming with creativity much like his mother :D

    Have a wonderful summer break!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Haha! He sounds really creative! That's a great thing and will take him really far in life! What a wonderful son!

    Have a great break!

    ReplyDelete
  13. It sounds like you have a delightful character in your midst! He is the student that learns quickly and then sits back angling for the next challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love boys and believe it or not, my kid did the same thing with the pencils, I'm not joking, LOL!

    much love

    ReplyDelete
  15. ooohh, you little boy sounds FUN, and really smart too, and it sounds like he can probably spell better than me already! and thank you, I will enjoy all the dancing. :)
    love, Clara

    ReplyDelete
  16. I think sock sliding sounds like a fabulous time! I may even do some tonight :) He sounds like a great kid. Let his imagination take him to the places us grownups don't visit often enough. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your son sounds like the kind of kid I would have loved to teach. It's weird thinking of you on break from school when we're only a third of the way through here. Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  18. He certainly sounds bright. :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Now that is my kind of kid :D

    ReplyDelete
  20. He sounds marvelous! I can see where he could be frustrating at times, but simply marvelous! And very bright too. Reminds me of my 6 year old nephew!

    Happy summer school holidays to you both :)
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  21. I had one of those. He grew up and moved out. Whew.

    Then, I replaced him with an even brighter and more inventive version of himself. Darn; you'd think I would have learned, so many years ago.

    Our biggest accomplishment this year has been that he's had no "melt downs" in the middle of class. His teacher is sure (like your son learned his spelling) that mine can read beyond his grade level (based mostly on the context of his conversations) and is quite the genious at math; but he refuses to prove it on paper.

    At work this week we are training in Strengths Finders. The general gist of the training is that schools (and families and workplaces) focus on a person's deficits rather than their strengths. If a kid can't sit in class, they force them into solitary, boundary driven activities to teach them control, ignoring the fact that with all the added activity and distractions, this kinetically driven kid has learned as much as, if not more than, the student who pays rapt attention and take copious notes.

    Meaning; the active child needs the added stimulation to focus, whereas the quiet child needs absolute isolation, to work and learn. Different learning styles, same results. And much later in life, when this active little boy is entering the world of employment, his multitasking skills may be just what he needs to become the next innovative achiever.

    Frustrating now, I know; but maybe the educational system needs to focus more on "how" kids learn productively, rather than conforming everyone into a single mindset.

    Thanks for sharing your parental trials and wonderment.

    ...........dhole

    ReplyDelete
  22. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh my goodness, what an adorable bundle of laughter and fun! I am sure he has inherited much from his lovely mother. :P

    By the way, Tab, I just have to say, you have been an absolute heaven-send in terms of support through my blog, etc. Seriously, I have not felt so looked-out for in ages. Being such a wonderful writer yourself, your comments mean millions to me. Thank you so much! :)

    have a lovely weekend.
    Sarah
    xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  24. Sarah- my pleasure. Really. You are so easy to get behind and support. I cannot wait to see what you do with your life and where writing takes you girl.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Donna- thanks for the detailed comment. I agree, kids need schooling to fit them. Boys especially need to move and groove. I am blessed that his teacher really worked with us.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks everyone for the comments. I super appreciate them and get a kick out of reading your feedback each day. Sorry I cannot reply to each one individually today. But know that I really care that you bothered to take the time to comment.

    I am beyond blessed with both my boys. Isaiah has a lot of me in him. Especially when it comes to imagination. I don't know that I am as bright as him, but I sure can get lost in my own world- just like him.

    We loved Mrs. X this year. What a God send! And the school Isaiah goes to is fantastic! We have been nothing but thrilled with that place. I used to teach there and I loved it as a staff member too.

    ReplyDelete
  27. How wonderful to have a teacher to nurture you little spunky one! Sounds like he is one intelligent young man! I work in an elementary school and am amazed at teachers who really work at helping each child learn their own way. (some teachers are better at that than others!!!)

    And Tabitha...boot camp??? I am sooo impressed, girl! You rock! (and yay for weight loss!!!!!)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Your son sounds happy, rambunctious and smart. And you sound loving and patient. May you both still be the same when he is grown. I think you will.

    Helen
    Straight From Hel

    ReplyDelete
  29. Yea for awesome teachers! Your son sounds like a great kid! One that keeps you hopping, but you'll have some great stories someday. Reminds me of the stories I hear about my husband, and he's one of the smartest people I know. :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. He sounds like a smart little bundle of energy! The pencil selling thing is hilarious! Enjoy your time together--they grow so fast.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Oh how I dearly loved this post! Sock-sliding and pencil-selling... what an amazing kid you have. The photo of him seems to embody his playfulness.

    I have two kids of the playful variety, and one kid who is very, very serious. (She is 7 and on pg. 340 of HP4 which she started last night.) But you know what? All three of my kids are very smart.

    Your love for your son comes shining through. Bravo, and enjoy every week of Summer Break!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thanks Suzette. sounds like you have some amazing little people living in your house too.

    Dawn- I know. I can laugh about it now. It was not funny at the time. The teacher was NOT impressed.

    Abby- Well that does make me feel good. Your husband obviously grew into a wonderful adult. There is hope :)
    My son is a great kid, but some days... :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. He sounds divine. A perfect specimen of a boy.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm sure Mrs. X will remember your son for quite some time. And really, how long are they little? I know the last three years with my daughter have flown by. You'll laugh about all of it later on, right? ;)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Oh my gosh, this is hilarious. Sounds like you've got your hands full! Smart little boy. Can't wait to see what he'll be when he grows up!

    ReplyDelete
  36. You had me at the Thoreau quote. {I'm a bit of a quote junkie...}

    Love this, too, "'You made it.'
    She laughed. We both made it really."

    Those two lines say it all. Congrats all around, sock sliding and all!

    ReplyDelete