And Charlie Makes 5: good things

If you are my friend on Facebook, then this may be old news. But if you're not, or you simply don't mind me indulging in a bid of my proud mama glow I will share here, too.

First, it was PIRATE DAY for the kindergartners today. With an older brother who has dressed as a pirate for Halloween and had a pirate birthday one year, we had a reasonable amount of pirate swag. But Gracie is Gracie and wants to put her own spin on things. Besides, it was 90 degrees today and the black pleather pirate vest would have been too hot!

I found this rhinestone jolly roger applique at Walmart several weeks ago and picked it up with the idea that a pirate day might be upcoming (as it was with Matthew at the end of kindy). Of course, I didn't actually getting around to putting it on a t-shirt until 9:00 last night. Surprised? I think not. She paired it with a black sparkling tutu-type skirt (because "That's what pirate girls wear," she told me), which at 7:20 this morning I found myself quickly sewing the waistband tighter because I wasn't sure it would stay up when she was running around on the playground and the size 4/5 elastic waist skirt was still too big.

If she weren't 6, completely adorable and my own kid I might hate her for that.

Regardless, Matthew's hat, hook and eye patch (no swords allowed!) completed the look and she managed to say the word "Argh!" no less than 36 times before getting on the bus.

I didn't actually count, but I swear it's not an exaggeration.

Meanwhile, Matthew was going to school as if it were just a regular day. What he didn't know was that he had won the character award for his class for "Cooperation." One student from each class is chosen by the teacher for exemplifying the character trait that they have been focusing on in life skills that month, and for this month is was Matthew. The parents are told and invited to the awards ceremony, but are asked to keep it a secret. The kids find out out when their name is called on the announcements and the winners are asked to come down to the cafeteria where the ceremony is held and parents were waiting. Matthew was the first student down to the cafe. He was literally beaming. I leaned over and asked him, "How did you get here so fast? Did you sprint?" He looked at me matter-of-factly and said, "No, I galloped."

Of course.

I was so proud of Matthew. Not just for being recognized for showing good character, but for what a good year it has been. To say 1st grade was rough would be an understatement. "Suuuuuuper rough" is probably an understatement. Not only do we have a better (but still growing) grasp on how his mind works and why he does the things he does, he had a great teacher in 2nd grade who gave him the structure and encouragement he needed. Plus, Matthew just worked hard, plain and simple. Not to say there weren't rough patches. There were. But on the whole, it was a much better year---and the last couple months were especially good, which last year was when it really felt the wheels had fallen off.

Not only are the wheels still on, they are racing along at full speed towards third grade!