Thug Daddy Pride

I drop T off at school today and his teacher (ECE) comes running after me in the hallway...

T's Teacher: "I need to talk to you."
Me: *grimacing* "Ok, what's up?"
Teacher: "I had to take T out of class on friday."
I think to myself... here we go. Smarty pants is being disruptive again
Me: "Was he being disruptive?"
Teacher: "Oh no, not at all. Sorry. I took him out of class because we don't usually have the Junior JKs read because they're not ready, but T was just bursting at the seams."
Me: "What do you mean?"
Teacher: "Well... you know that boy of yours is pretty darn smart."
Me: "Sure, just ask him and he'll tell you."
Teacher: "I took him to the library because he was mouthing all the words as we read them. I sit down with him, and he reads me the whole book. I'm not sure that I have ever seen that before."
Me: "What do you mean?"
Teacher: "Well the day before he's not reading, and then he suddenly knows EVERY word in the book. I didn't even have to help him with ANY words. Not one."
Me: "He's a fairly unusual young man. I told you that his brain has always been - unique."
Teacher: "Yeah, but it's like he already has nearly every word in the English language memorized and somehow the switch just got turned on."
Me: "T is an absolute perfectionist to a fault. So i don't think he wanted to read until he knew that he could. As I told you a while ago, all of the tools were already there. We read a lot - every day, and we learn new words too."
Teacher: "Yeah, but do you know how special it is to just learn like that? You have a very special young boy. You should be very proud of him."
Me: "Thank you. I'm very proud of him. Wait til you start doing Math, then you're really gonna be freaked out."
Teacher: "I'm not freaked out at all. I'm just reminded of why I love being a teacher."

I walked out of the school, out into the playground, and judge me not, but I had to shed a few little tears.

Because she was right, and today I learned what pride was. Real pride. The kind that makes you puff out your chest and ask the world if they wanna take you on today because you're ready for anything.

He inspires me every day.

Our kids can teach us more than we teach them - if our eyes are open.

Sorry for the rant. #proudPapa

Why You Deceptive Little...

So the wee lad had a play date today, and when it came time to go - and more importantly clean-up - this little exchange took place between T and his friend:

E: "I'm the best cleaner upper in the world."

T: "Oh wow, that's fantastic. Well I think everybody should be the best in the world at something and if that's what your best at E, I don't want to get in your way or do anything to stop that. So you go ahead"

** crickets **

Both parents, and the other little playmate all just looked at each other, like:

"Did that just happen?"

He possesses the ever elusive qualities of a 9-year old already. Lord help us all.

Dude was smooth though, I have to admit. If you put him on a used car lot, he'd already write bank, and he isn't even 5 yet.

You try say "No" to him and watch him wrap you in his spider web of child deception. Poetic brilliance.

Love that little boy. lol

Christmas Anticipation

"Daddy... we need to move the (fake) fire place. If we leave it there, how is Santa supposed to get out from the fireplace and not knock the Christmas tree over?"

"And you can't leave just one carrot Daddy, Rudolph isn't the ONLY reindeer. SHEESH DAD!!"

First Day of School is Finally here!

My young Jedi...

First Day?

First day of school for many in these parts... congrats and good luck parents. Tommy has been waiting for this day for months but with staggered JK, the poor kid doesn't start until Friday. Much to his chagrin I assure you.

So this morning, he was standing first on the porch, and then going to the end of the driveway, and was saying, nay yelling, "Happy First Day!!!" to every kid that walked by. 

A couple of the older kids looked at him sideways, but most just laughed and waived back. He hasn't even got there yet, and he's vying for school embassador. Funny kid.

Happy Back-to-School Friendos.

Fancy Tea Day

Spit-shined for Fancy Tea Day at daycare.

He cleans up pretty good!

That's ma boi!!!!

Darth Tom

Costume Day at daycare.

Darth Tom wants you to join the Dark Side. We have cookies.

Vader mask... lightsaber... ladies witch outfit hacked into a cloak... black shorts... black shirt... all things that were already on hand. Easy queasy Japanesey! most importantly, he loved it.

Admit it... at some point you did the vader breath thing...

KSSSHHH KUUUHHH

KSSSHHH KUUUHHH

Tommy is Four Today!

Four years ago today, my world shifted on its axis... and started spinning correctly for the first time in my life.

You complete me in a way I never dreamed possible son, I love you and wish you the happiest of days on your birthday.

Happy Birthday Kimosabe!

Halloween Fun

I love Halloween. Even moreso now that my son is enjoying its frivolity and grandeur. Dressing up like a fool and casing the streets with your compadres, in search of gold? Well, chocolate gold anyway. What could possibly be more entertaining and fun than that?

The wee lad spent a great amount of time deciding what he wanted to be this year... like weeks... literally. He changed his mind more often than a woman at a bonbon counter. In the end, he settled on this:

And here he is in all his glory...

So.Much.Fun.

Happy Halloween everybody!