We recently had parent-teacher interviews and I’m really blessed with two great kids who have always been well-behaved and well-liked at school. Here’s how they are doing (though this post is mostly about Hadley in her transitional year).

Bode. Fourth Grade. Non-issue. Beloved by his teacher and classmates. Student council. Cross-country. Soccer pro. Terrible artist. Math whiz and his nickname is “the human calculator.” Obsessed with the Rubik’s cube. He comes home from school, does his homework without being asked and is obedient and thoughtful. I can’t take credit for him at all because he’s completely self-motivated and, let’s face it, the kid is not normal. But I’ll take these kind of abnormalities.

Hadley. Sixth Grade. Has risen to the challenge this year changing from a non-structured Waldorf learning environment back to public school and I feel so validated in switching her back. I’ve limited her activities to cross country, piano and VBC (our school’s broadcast program) so as not to overwhelm her because she needs A LOT of downtime.

She started so so so so far behind (no) thanks to her incompetent teacher last year and has made huge strides thanks to the loving guidance of her new teacher. In just a few months, she skipped ahead not one but two reading groups (rarely/never happens) and is a wonderfully creative and imaginative writer. She still struggles in math and spelling but is making huge improvements. I wish I could help with the lack of motivation but here’s something we learned about Hadley during our 5+-year-long ordeal with potty training: she is the most stubborn kid on the planet and if she doesn’t want to do something, she won’t do it (or will be kicking and screaming as she does). The good news is when she is passionate about something, she gives her all and does a beautiful job. For our pumpkin party, I asked her to draw an arrow to direct people to our backyard. She created a masterpiece of an arrow that would have brought ‎Leonardo da Vinci to tears. I would have drawn this: =>.

It sure would be nice if she could channel some of that to her academics but we all have our talents and she will be numbered among the artists, dreamers and innovators of this world.

Her newest obsession? Reading.  Last summer, I bought the Fablehaven audiobooks for our looooong drive to Canada. We raced through all five books (more than 80 hours worth) and then she begged me to buy the books. She blew through them  in a matter of weeks, creating a new dilemma: I literally could not get her to read before. And now I literally cannot get her to stop reading, which is fine until I want to go outside and PLAY.

I’m not sure what alternative universe I’m in but I guess I’ll take it.

Fall sports season is a wrap!

Soccer

Bode has been with his soccer team for a couple of years and they’re finally gelling really well together. So well, in fact, that they went undefeated, which was particularly awesome because he’s had a rollercoaster few years playing. He started out as a superstar preschooler and was a top scorer. Then, as the other kids got stronger, he lost his confidence and held back. He has finally found his niche on defense and though he’s not a flashy player, he is a smart one who always makes solid passes and is a team player.
I asked Bode if they had a team name this season. He shrugged his shoulders and said, “I don’t know. Call us “The Undefeaters.”

Talk about a premonition.

Volleyball

This is the fourth season I’ve coached volleyball for the 2nd Ward Young Women at church and it was a blast! Hadley is only 11 (Young Women are 12-17) but I recruited her and a couple of her younger friends to play so we’d had enough girls. She continues to be a source of frustration because she fights me at every turn. The girl is good and could be great. She oozes natural talent and really thrives out there…and then when she steps off the court, she claims she’s only lukewarm about volleyball. Really? Apparently she doesn’t see what I see.

Last year, we beat our arch rivals 1st Ward in the tournament but then they beat us in the finals. This year, we were in it for the win and, despite our strong competitors (most of whom play volleyball in club or school), we were the Little Engine That Could. We came from behind to beat them during the tournament, had a showdown in the finals and were declared Stake Champions!

Great job to all! After a busy fall, I’m looking forward to our winter hibernation.