Little B is currently closer to 8 than 7 1/2 - how the heck did that happen? He recently started participating in the gifted program at his school. We are proud of him beyond measure, but also recognize that pride isn't a helpful emotion to dwell on, so we've tried to tell him that we're excited for these extra learning experiences he is going to have (which we absolutely are). For his first research project, he chose to research "How does the Internet work" and "What goes on inside a computer?" Good grief this child is going to be dancing digital circles around me before I can blink.
He is also spending a lot of time writing in 2nd grade so far. His spelling is a serious work in progress, but I have been able to see progress and love reading what he brings home. His self-proclaimed favorite subjects are science and technology. This is no surprise, but thank goodness he is in good company in our extended family because that is certainly not my expertise!
I try to be careful not to force my job on my kids but Little B has taken a beautiful interest in doing church with me. He came to early service with me last weekend, and toward the end of the service he whispered, "Mom, do you know what I'm going to have for lunch today? Communion!" He also made me sit down with him this morning to install Spotify on his Kindle so that he can listen to the playlist created to support the contemporary service at our church whenever he desires. I'm not sure what about it speaks to him, but I treasure his interest and the place he is finding for himself in our church.
He's keeping at his piano lessons faithfully. I wish I knew what was going on in his head when he listens to and/or plays music, what parts of it are syncing with his brain and how it will someday come back out of him. Tonight I had the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack on, which he has heard but never really listened to before. After a couple minutes of intentionally listening he said, "This was released in October right? It sounds kind of spooky." I have no idea what month Phantom of the Opera was released but he's completely accurate in that adjective to describe the opening song.
We are using a gratitude calendar all month to help us think each day about things we are thankful for. In response to tonight's question, a possession I am thankful for, he wrote, "All books".
Little P continues to be all heart in all things and at all times. He is almost always the first one off the bus each afternoon, and when I go to meet them, he will hustle run across the road to give me a hug with a big smile and arms wide open. He almost immediately reports how much lunch he ate that day, mainly because that will dictate what kind of afternoon snack he gets. Another constant characteristic of my second-born: hungry.
Despite the quickly dropping temperatures, this crazy boy insists on sleeping in his underwear each night. No pajamas for him, which I cannot fathom. Since school started, he is slightly more willing to play on his own for a little bit, sometimes. But playing with other people is still his favorite place to be. He is adjusting to my job and our church community in his own way but did choose to participate in the children's choir that I help lead this fall. I enjoy having a piece of church that just he and I share, although I think he's really there because it gives him extra time with his church friends. He has also recently decided that he wants to play basketball this winter. Guess I need to figure out how to make that happen!
In all seriousness though, anyone know any good resources for how to parent kids who have a strong interest in play weapons? Little P scotch taped two water squirters together tonight to create this. I know I can't fight his interest but we also intentionally haven't allowed nerf weapons in our house. What is the middle ground?
Although they are both very strongly their own individual people, my boys are also a beautiful pair. They share a strong, abiding interest in watching, quoting, and acting out both Wild Kratts and Star Wars. They are fond of setting up the breakfast in bed tray in front of the fire so they can have an extra warm breakfast in the morning. And they share an affinity for whining about not wanting to go first when it is time for their nightly bath/shower.
My answer to every gratitude question of the day? A memory I am thankful for, a song I am thankful for, a gift I am thankful for, a simple pleasure I am thankful for...all my answers go back to them.
