Fast times and wild living with (the former) Baby Whozit…
Posted in First Grader, Jessica on Jan 31st, 2014
Yesterday on Facebook, a friend of mine launched what turned out to be a lengthy conversation about paying kids for grades. Her position was that kids should feel pride over grades and get a small reward, something like ice cream, but not be paid big bucks for academic performance. About a third of those who […]
Posted in First Grader, Jessica on Jan 17th, 2014
Between the preschool, Brandeis, and various sporting leagues I have a chance to observe a lot of other parenting. Sometimes I get ideas from peers: I’ll never forget the day I watched Caroline’s dad effortlessly redirect Caroline and Simon when they were about 3 years old and realized I was making things harder than necessary […]
Posted in Family, First Grader, Jessica on Jan 8th, 2014
By now I’ve made it pretty clear that I hold my son in high regard. I think Simon is sweet, smart, and a surprisingly good athlete. I’ve copped to his being a picky eater and non-awesome artist, but many of my posts focus on his strengths. This isn’t one of them. Because good grief the […]
Posted in First Grader, Jessica on Dec 31st, 2013
As 2013 winds down, I’m left with three thoughts. The first is could I please, please stop spending money? In the last three months, we’ve replaced our car, hot water heater, and furnace. I needed two of the three and wasn’t far off from needing the third, but I’m well and truly sick of writing […]
Posted in First Grader, Jessica on Dec 28th, 2013
When is being strictly average totally exciting? When you are playing up, that’s when. For the last three weeks, Simon has been playing in the Mockingbird Valley U-10 soccer league. This division is open to boys and girls (but mostly boys it would seem) who were at least 8 and not yet 10 when the […]
Posted in First Grader, Jessica, Kindergartener, Simon says... on Dec 18th, 2013
No, I didn’t go anywhere. I’ve just been over-committed everywhere, mostly not of my own doing. (Out-of-town guests stuff, PTA stuff, household emergency stuff, and zoning battle stuff.) 2013 is looking like it’s going to be a race to the finish. Herewith are, with just two weeks left, some of the funnier things Simon has […]
Posted in First Grader, Jessica on Nov 29th, 2013
This afternoon at 5:00 was Simon’s informal soccer tryout for joining the 8- and 9-year-olds at Mockingbird Valley indoor soccer complex. Besides being older, these kids play on a full field, use a larger ball, and play six to the field in semi-formal positions. The new youth director wanted to see Simon in action before […]
Posted in First Grader, Jessica on Nov 22nd, 2013
That’s when winter soccer sessions start up, and it can’t get here fast enough. I fondly remember that day, lo those many 20 days ago, when fall soccer ended. “How nice it will be,” I said to myself, “to have a bit of a break from twice a week practice and games every Saturday.” And […]
Posted in First Grader, Jessica on Nov 5th, 2013
Simon is making some serious progress in his various sports, a situation I find equal parts amusing, thrilling, and daunting. For example, his PE class just timed children in a half-mile race. Simon tied one other boy for fastest at 3:50. That’s up from 4:26 earlier this year and places his speed just shy of […]
Posted in First Grader, Jessica on Nov 1st, 2013
Remember Hong Kong Phooey? You might not; he was only around for about 16 episodes in 1974-5. But he showed up in a Scooby Doo episode Simon saw a few months ago, which led him to some old videos on YouTube, and hilarity ensued. And that’s how he chose a character last seen 31 years […]