Teacher Conferences and THE FALL

Tuesday was teacher conference day for Colton and Mariah. I have to say that I LOVE these conferences now. My oldest was a little hard on the teachers so I would spend most of that time listening to "How great a kid Anthony is BUT", a long list of: he doesn't sit still (he is a boy!), he is restless, doesn't like to read (not everyone does!), is very smart if he would put his effort towards it. I just wanted to SCREAM sometimes. It was always nice when one of the teachers would recognize what a great kid he is. Anthony has such great leadership abilities, so smart, and such a kind person.

I always feel in my heart that I should have waited to start Anthony when he was 6 rather than 5. Both Anthony and Colton are June babies. I feel like it made 100% difference in Colton's school life (so far, we are only half way there! fingers crossed) to start at 6 compared to Anthony's. If only the schools would help guide new parents with that. It always felt like Anthony got everything at the end of the year rather than the beginning. The best part is that he stuck through school all the way to the end and graduated on time. He had to work a little harder than others but he did it. Graduation is one of those moments when you feel such accomplishment as a parent. Hard to believe how proud and what love you feel in those moments.

Now the school conferences are as different as each of my children are. Colton's teachers absolutely adore him. More than one has wanted me to have him tested for the Challenge program in our school district. So strange how easy school comes for that kid, both his dad and I had to work hard to graduate. I have not had to help him with his homework since first grade really. It is weird that Anthony and Colton can look so alike, think so alike, enjoy the same things, but be so vastly different. Each year the teachers tell me what a hard worker Colton is, that he shows such great leadership abilities and he is the model student. (Some days I wonder where that kid is at home!) He is reading at a 9th grade level (if he could ever finish a book without getting bored half way through), but (shock of all shocks!!) he needs to work on his organization skills. If you have ever seen his bedroom it all becomes clear. I can't believe this is the last year of elementary school for him. I am not ready for him to be in Junior High next year, so much change. Selfishly I will miss those times when the teacher tells me how great he is. Of course I am completely biased and will always think this about each of my kids anyways.

Mariah, what do you say. I about fall off my chair each year when the teacher tells me what an easy going child she is. WHAT! Maybe they would like to be at my house each morning when Ms Grumpy Pants does not want to get up. Or when things are not perfect in her world and it is crumbling around us. Her teacher said that she is a great role model for her class. She is a hard worker, pays attention and follows directions like a dream. Her teacher said she wished of a class full of Mariahs (careful what we wish for). Funny the things each of the teachers would like them to work on are the same things we are working on at home. Mariah is (dare I say it out loud) a PERFECTIONIST, I am not really sure where this has come from. For sure not me her mom, I am both sad/happy to say. It is a long hard road for someone who believes everything in life must be perfect. Everyday we work on telling her that it is OK to make mistakes, that correcting the mistakes is what make us grow and learn. If you don't make the mistakes how can you be better at life. The funniest part is that she got the same speech from her soccer coach. He gets so frustrated with her when he can see that she is worrying about her every move rather than being involved in the game. I am so proud of how smart she is and how much of herself she pores into everything she does. The thing that concerns me the most with my little perfectionist, that she will worry herself to death and never fully engage in life. But that in itself is a lifetime project that we will work on everyday.

So after having such glowing moments in the conferences I am off to my car. Oops I forgot that I parked up the hill on the other side. So jiggling my purse looking for my keys, trying to call my kids back (of course they called me three times knowing that I am in the teacher conference, WHY!!! the house was not burning, and no stitches involved) and trying not to drop all the paperwork I switch directions. Never a good idea when tramping through the underbrush to not pay attention to your feet. Just FYI! Of course at the exact moment of my humiliation there has to be about 10 parents coming and going to witness my FALL. Yep, one of those frozen in moment times when you know you are going down but can't stop it. Out goes my right hand to stop all of me. Flying across the rocks and bushes goes my Glasses, my phone, my purse, my keys, all the paperwork. Rushing towards me are a couple concerned dads (very nice but even more embarrassing!) to help the klutz up.

If only at that exact moment the world would swallow me up. I reassure them that yes, I am fine, I can get myself up. Thanks so much for your concern. Gather my items, make mental note to self that I am now OLD apparently and more klutzy than I used to be, so don't be multitasking while trying to navigate the off road areas of school. On a light note there is apparently a bone in the pad of your hand under your thumb that breaks and does not heal easily. So now I may have to have an xray to rule out the break, when and if the swelling ever goes down! Funny little life. Always helping us out in those awkward moments.