Stay Beautiful

A few things happened this week.
Cole has a cold.  And he got another tooth.  Not a good combination.
He also has a few new words- "sthat" is What's That, he can say Jax...and fish...
Love his sweet little hugs and how he waves at the bus all the way down the road until it is out of sight when Jax gets on in the morning.

Jackson is enjoying school, and we are still trying to work on a few things at home-sight words, some reading easy words and books. This is what his teacher had to say when I emailed her this week.
Hi.  Thanks for your note.  I just finished my beginning of the year testing so I do have info. to share with you!  When I checked him on letters of the alphabet - he knew all caps but N and Y.  We just covered Nn last week so I bet he gets that one now!  Lower case - he can review efglqrtu and typewriter g.  He know most of the sounds associated with consonant letters - q, w, and y were two tough ones for him but we cover our sounds and have a wonderful program for this so I wouldn't worry too much about that.  He also had a hard time with the vowel sounds but again, we will cover that during the year...so no worries.  This just gives me a good idea about how he came into the classroom and what I need to focus on with him.  The main thing right now is when you read with him - focus on the concepts about print - where do I start to read?  Put your finger on that word.  Then where do I go?  See if he follows left-right and top to bottom progression.  He can point to the words as you read.  I would recommend that he read back to you the booklets we make at school - save them and reread them as well.  Talk about the characters, the setting, the problem of the story.  See how much he is comprehending as you read aloud to him.  Right now that is the best homework everyday - to read together.  I have noticed he loves to be read to.  He is also a good problem solver in math.  He loves a challenge.  More on our math will be coming home this week - I try not to send it all home at one time because I don't want to overwhelm people!!!  With writing, we write everyday and sometimes he waits until the last minute to do something (not sure if he doesn't want to write or just waits!!!!).  I would recommend letting him do some writing at home because it's good practice.  Let him help write out a grocery list and sound out words  - he may write mk for milk or cnde for candy and that is ok!  I will give you lots more information at our first parent-teacher conference in October but until then, he is on the right track and is doing well.  I focus a lot right now on paying attention, using good manners, etc. and he is adjusting to that for me.  The main thing I am impressed with is his attitude towards school - he loves it and I love having him!  Thanks for caring!  Julie
When asked if there is anything we need to work on, her response-
no not at all - I do have to remind him to get busy sometimes  but he loves to please so I can quickly get him to pay attention.  He is bright and loves to be challenged.  I am still working with him on not shouting out because he does know the answers!!!!  He is doing much better with that though - he is the bright spot in my day.  I really love having kids like him!!!!   Thanks for sharing him with me.  He makes my day! 

Yesterday was Jackson's second soccer game, but the first one I was able to attend.  It was fun, although I was reminded why I never liked soccer when Ryan was a kid. 

Last night, I took Brielle and her friend Jordan to the Taylor Swift concert.  It was a lot of fun. We stopped at Zona Rosa on the way down, hit lots of traffic, and the concert was awesome.  She sang almost every song from her "Speak Now" album, and some from her "Fearless" album.  What a great show!

"Stay Beautiful" Taylor Swift (excerpt)

You're beautiful, every little piece, love
Don't you know, you're really gonna be someone
Ask anyone

And when you find everything you looked for
I hope your life leads you back to my door
Oh, but if it don't, stay beautiful