Thursday, December 9, 2010

kindergarten

"kindergarten is like... the hardest thing i've ever had to do." -ella some days, i feel the same way.

overall, things are going great. but there are those days...

days i'm sure the kindergarten teacher down the street at the "official" school would certainly not have to deal with the drama i do.
the true colors of a 6 year old are reserved just for moms.

teaching ella is teaching a perfectionist.

you need to know that perfectionism drives me crazy. this is why over the years i have
"encouraged" my husband in "subtle" ways out of his perfectionistic tendencies.

he probably just thinks he has evolved into the well adjusted, perfect human he is today.


the truth is, it was all me.


anyhow, i don't have the energy for another perfectionist in my house. especially one i have the responsibility of educating. while ella is practicing her writing, amidst gasps of frustration and exasperated body language, this is what i hear in response to my encouragement.


"ella, you are doing a great job writing your s's."

(emphasis on sarcasm begins here.)

"ya... if you like s's that look like 5's."

"oh, ya, that one's
great... if you like backward s's."

"well, i'd like this one if it didn't look so ugly."


then, of course, is her tendency to question everything.
everything.

"why do i have to start the S from the top? if i don't will it collapse or something?"


i believe this trait will get her far in life.
that is, if we can make it through kindergarten.

there are many moments, granted me by a gracious
God who knows i need the encouragement, when the lights are on, the mind is working, and ella is learning and growing.

during the circle time the other day (which involves all children and can be a complete disaster) we were talking about the book of proverbs and knowledge vs. wisdom.
"we" who were talking about it was actually just me, while mason was launching off the couch onto my head and bennett was knocking stacks of pillows onto the bible.

so at the speedy conclusion of the lesson, ella gives me this "knowing" smile and says, "mommy, that was a real good lesson. thanks."


awww... just what i needed to make it one more day.
and then there is the presidents. i have these flashcards and the kids love learning about them and remembering them in order.

its really bad when they ask me questions about particular leaders and i can't find the answer on the back and i want to say, hey, don't look at me! i never even knew we had a president named franklin pierce and the only reason i know so much about john adams is because i saw the extremely well done miniseries on him with stellar actors that brought history home to me in a whole new way.


(although, i think the movie could be more aptly titled, "the man married to abigail adams")


(some men are just better because of the women they choose to marry.)


anyhow, then we got to abraham lincoln.


"wow. he is a really stylish man, mom."

ummm... you got that from a .99 flashcard?


upon further study she then said, "and he is really good looking."

to which i wanted to say, "oh just wait until you see who is portraying him in the upcoming movie."

(yes, mom, that is daniel day lewis)

and ella, i realize he may not be all that dazzling upon first glance but wait until you see the intensity of his desperate, courageous dash through a brutal battle to passionately save the life of his one true love. be still my heart.

5 comments:

Stef said...

Haha....and that is why I can't homeschool. I admire you, really.

Heather said...

This is the best homeschooling post ever. I feel like I'm right there with you, getting beaned in the head with a pillow :)

Gabe is the same way with writing his letters, never wanting to start at the top. I don't know if the letters will collapse, but it sure makes it easier when you just follow the teacher's directions. Jeez...

:)

angie said...

You are funny.

She may get perfectionism from her dad, but you know the witty sarcasm comes from you : )

debby94 said...

Stephanie, thanks for keeping it real! I always feel a sense of encouragement and relief after reading your blog. Knowing that I am not the only one going through "stuff" helps make it a bit easier! Love you!

Megan O. said...

I love that you started this post on homeschooling with a beautiful photo of your sweet daughter and ended it with a raging Daniel Day Lewis. This is why I can't get enough of your blog.