Playing catch up...and a sweet story

Here I go getting caught up with things! Olivia turned 7 last week. She is in soccer right now, and just started tball. She is a doll, and yet still quite sensitive. At the same time, she is a little go getter on the soccer field.

 

Ryan had his final orchestra concert of the year last night. He was hell bent on not doing it next year. In fact, he thought I was a mean mom for refusing to allow him to quit mid-year. Sorry buddy, quitting won't happen. Lo and behold today, I saw that he brought home for form for summer orchestra camp AND is signing up again next year. Go figure.

Oh yeah, and baseball is in full swing again.

Now on to Miss Katie.  These is something about this little girl...she is blossoming before my eyes. I am showing you the email I received tonight from her teacher. Her teacher is (to coin my Grandma Ada) a true gem. She is the most compassionate, sweet, kind, loving yet with high expectations teacher. Kate has been asking all year if she can just loop so she can have her for fifth grade. But this teacher doesn't do that. To set the story up, the fourth graders had a track meet today. I watched as Kate hung out with her friends...and her teacher. When you see the second picture, you will get a glimpse of what I saw while I was there. It was precious to me.

Kate did the long jump, 400 meter dash, the 4x4 800 meter relay, and the mile. She told me she took last place in the mile...at 8.01. Okay seriously? That is a good score and all the kids who did better ran FAST! Wow. I was certainly proud of her. Kate isn't competitive at all. As a matter of fact, I know Kate was probably grateful she took last rather than someone else. Like me she gets a little...fixated on feeling badly for others. She told me a few weeks ago out of the blue that the reason she never went after the ball in tball (four years ago) if someone else was also going for the ball, was because she didn't want them feeling badly. 

So here's the email....and why I love this teacher...and why Kate loves her....

I just wanted to let you both know how PROUD I was of Kate for all the events she was in...& her finish of the mile!  Of all the girls in our class, Kate ran the most today.  She just finished the co-ed relay and the first call of the mile was given.  She didn't even hesitate.  She trucked right on over to get ready to run!  Since I was on the field cheering the milers on...I could tell Kate was hurting on the last lap.  However, she picked it up and coasted to the finish line!  That takes a lot of courage in front of all your peers!   She did an AWESOME JOB!   When we got back, I asked them to write one thing that stuck with them from the meet.  She wrote about the 400 meter dash and the mile run....getting last place.  I whispered to her..."You know how many years I have watched kids quit in the mile because they weren't winning?  I am soo proud of you!"  Not every kid has that kind of courage!   WAY TO GO, KATE!   That's a true winner. 

What is so cool about this teacher is that she sends emails like this regularly. I simply cannot say enough good things about her. I really can't say enough good things about ALL of the teachers my children have had. 

Next time I swear I'll talk about Brady..and Peaches!