Onward and Upward!

It's official, we have a second grader in the house!

This was a big year for Nick. 

It was the year he went from knowing his letters and numbers to reading real words and doing 2 digit addition and subtraction. From recognizing a few coins to counting his money. From struggling with his newly diagnosed ADHD to deciding on his own to explore the possibility of a medicine, and finding a medicine that makes him (in his own words) "feel confident" at school. (That was so great to hear!) 

And through all this we expanded his literary repetoire from Dr. Seuss and picture books to reading Harry Potter books 1-3, Magic Treehouse books 1-5, and the first Boxcar Children book, not to mention all the non-fiction books he checks out on animals, insects, earth science, astronomy and physics! (I'm learning a lot at bedtime I can tell you!)

We still have so much to do and learn, but I've always felt first grade was a pivotal year for learning, and it's been so awesome to be able to watch Nick go through it and succeed. We were so blessed to have a first grade teacher who really appreciated Nick for his curiosity, attention to detail (even though not necessarily the details of the lesson!), and sweet nature. Not only was she willing to put in the extra that Nick needed, she really seemed to genuinely "like" him, which, I'm telling you as a former teacher, is vital and not always easy!

Thanks Ms R and Ms K for guiding Nick through 1st grade!

And congratulations Nick on a job very well done!

Lily loving on her big brother at dinner. He gets a lot of this around here. 

P.S. And yes, thank God we have a few months of no homework!! Holy Cow!