The Big Brag

When it comes to kids, I think there is a fine line between bragging and being proud. We should be proud of our kids accomplishments, but we have all known someone who is always talking about how great their child is. I sometimes find it hard to believe the things braggers go on about! I have always tried to be careful about how much I talk about my kids accomplishments. It is much easier for me to talk about what they do wrong or things where they are just average. But, today, I am going to let the pride shine through. So, feel free to stop reading now if you don't want to hear about how great my kid is.

Today was the awards ceremony for Carson's Kindergarten class. All of the kids got several accomplishment awards. Most of them were for things they did during the year. Carson got a Math Superstars award for participating in Math Superstars. He got the book it reward for reading 10 books a month for 6 months. He got a Six Flags ticket for reading for 6 hours. He also got an Excellence in Reading award, but that was given for being in the first grade reading group. Most of the kids got several awards like Carson.

After each kid got their group of awards the teacher gave 3 special awards. One boy and one girl got a citizenship award. Carson got the Principal's Award. The teacher can pick only one child in the class to receive it. She can choose to give it for various reason, but Carson got it for "Excellence in Academics and Behavior." I was very proud of him. We had a meeting a couple weeks ago with his teacher and she had all good things to say about him. He could read all of the sight words except for the word read (kind of funny). He could read several little books and could have read more if he did not lose interest in testing. He has gone farther on math on the computer program than most kids in his class. He is at about a second grade level and getting most of the answers correct. While he usually knows what they are learning in class, he is not getting bored. His teacher said he will raise his hand and make a comment that shows he is taking the lesson to a higher level. She also told us that he has matured a lot this year. He is better able to control his emotions. Behavior has never been an issue for Carson in school. We are really proud of him even if we are not sure how he got to be so smart!

As further evidence of his memory this morning he told me the date that all the season begin. What other 6 year old knows (or cares) the first official day if summer?

While I am bragging, have I mentioned Ellie is sleeping 8-9 solid hours at night? And then she will take a 3 hour nap if we are at home! She rocks at sleeping.

Carson's future

One year ago, Carson was "graduating" from pre-school. When asked at graduation what he wanted to be he said a doctor. In the last year that has changed. Apparently he thinks he knows for sure what he will do with his life now. This is a conversation we had this week.

Me: What did you do in music today
C: I did not get to go to the key boards
Me: Do you usually get to go to the key boards?
C: It's not fair, I only got to go one time all year. (with a lot on whining)
Me: Did other kids get to go?
C: No
Me: Would you like to learn how to play the keyboard
C: No. I don't want to know how to play any instrument. I am going to be a scientist that studies space when I grow up, so I don't need to know how to play anything.

I did not think the "when am I ever going to use this" started until high school. I am sure his uncle Bill the band director will be very proud of him. And, I am glad to know we are doing a good job at teaching him to be well rounded.

One month

Hello world. It's me Ellie. Today I am one month old. Can you believe it has already been a month? Mommy tells me all the time I am a good baby. I sleep great for a newborn. Mom just figured out that if I wake up at 3, I will go back to sleep until almost 5 if she gives me a few minutes. She tells me I do much better than my brother and sister did at this age. Some days, I seem to sleep all day while others I am awake unless someone is holding me. I seem to have a few tummy problems at times, but we are all trying to figure it out. It is not too bad anyway.

Mommy said to tell you all the things I have done in my first month. I have been to:
2 dance classes
2 swimming lessons
3 swim team practices
1 dress rehearsal for a dance recital
4 baseball games
1 baseball practice
1 church service
1 Awana end of the year celebration
2 visits to a Kindergarten class to read
1 parent/teacher conference (my brother is a bright kid!)
3 visits to Chic-fil-a
2 exposures to strep throat (thanks Macie and Daddy)
That's all I can think of remember right now. But, this afternoon I get to go to my first dance recital. I am sure mom will tell you about that soon. Can you tell I am a third child?

I will have mom tell you all my stats after my doctors appointment on Tuesday. People tell me I don't look like I am only a month old. Mommy dresses me in all different sizes since we have clothes from Macie. I still fit in the newborn sizes and size 1 diapers, but I can occasionally be found in 6 month outfits too. Daddy tells me all the time I am very strong. I do a great job at holding my head up, and I will push on things with my feet.

That's all I can think to tell you for now. Maybe mommy will find time to update you next month!

Kids Names

Kelly over at Kelly's Korner is having a Show us you life kids names. She wants to know how your kids got their names. I don't usually participate, but I thought it might be fun.

Carson Wesley
Carson is just a name we liked. I had a little boy in the church nursery I loved who was named Carson. Carson Palmer also won the Heisman Trophy in 2003 when I was pregnant with him. But, mostly we just liked the name. Wesley was Jeff's grandfather's (on his mom's side) middle name. I never met him, but he was very special to Jeff. I decided to give Jeff Wesley knowing I would get to choose the next family name. But, I really like it now. Our nephew Jake shares the same middle name for the same reason.

Macie Avaleen
Several years ago, my mom made a family history book for Rene' and me. In it was a genealogy for my mom's dad's mom's family. There was a distant relative named Macie, and I liked the name. When we knew we were having a girl, we decided we both liked it. Jeff's only request was not to spell it like the store. Avaleen was my mom's mom's middle name. I always wanted to honor my grandmother by naming a child after her. If Macie had been a boy, the middle name would have been Wilson-my grandmother's maiden name.

Elliott Grace
Ellie's name had been on the table for all 3 of the kids. It would have been Carson's name if he had been a girl. But, when Macie was born, I knew too may Ellies. So, this time around it was still the name we liked. We did try to come up with a MAP girl name, but we did not find one we liked.
Elliott was my mom's dad's middle name. There are actually 3 other boys in the family with Elliott as a middle name. And, I have heard another cousin will also use Elliott if he has kids (He is one of the Elliotts int he family). As you can tell our grandfather was special to all of us. His first name was Elmo so we did not think we should use that. Grace just went with Elliott.
Now if we can all agree on what to call baby girl we will be in good shape. Jeff and I usually call her Ellie. But, Macie calls her Ellie Grace most of the time. And, Carson usually calls her Elliott. I love Ellie Grace, but Jeff does not like double names. I guess we will see what sticks.

If you would like to join to fun, head over to Kelly's and join the fun. And, let me know you posted so I can read about your kids too.

Newborn Pics

Check this out to see some Ellie cuteness.

We had these done when Ellie was 10 days old. I had done some maternity shots for Alisha and we went back to get some newborn shots. I can't wait to see all the others.