Zoë has a free spirit.....
Zoë has a free spirit. Not my words. OK. I have used these exact words and the exact phrase to describe my daughter to someone who is meeting her for the first time, someone who might not be prepared for the Zoë Experience. I’ve used the phrase as a precautionary preamble in baby sitters’ instructions, as forward to an apology, in defense of disruptive public behavior and more often than any other, as a reminder to myself that my firstborn is truly a special gift sent by God to teach me what the joy of Heaven is really all about.
But, this time, I did not use the phrase or the words. No. These are the words from Zoë’s teacher as relayed on her very first 1rst grade report card. My wife and I absolutely love Zoë’s teacher! She has a youthful exuberance and excitement about teaching and it shows. Not an easy task for someone who has been teaching first and second graders for 17 years. She and Zoë have quickly become thick as thieves. Zoë thinks she hung the moon. And, in a matter of just a few short months, just over two to be more precise, she was able in total to describe our daughter with the exact five word phrase that we have been using for almost seven years.
The progress report revealed little if anything that I did not already know about Zoë. She meets or exceeds almost every academic standard evaluated, particularly language and reading. This, I know. Although she meets all standards in math her teacher thought to make mention of the need for continued work in this area. Again, I know. It’s something we work on daily, almost constantly. It is beyond me how a little girl who can read and pronounce words such as assemblyman, president, mining company, Alaska, diphtheria (so the last one she got help from the book---dif-THEER-ee-ah, I didn’t know that and almost dropped one of the twins when she came up with the word on her own) can not tell the difference between a dime and a nickel. It’s a work in progress and I’m happy to report we have made huge strides.
Music, another category where Zoë excels. Again, I know. She started taking piano lessons the very same week she turned 4 years old. And no, we did not force her. It was her decision, something she wanted to do. I bought one of those inexpensive Yamaha keyboards figuring at least if she decided piano was not for her we wouldn’t be out a ton of money on a behemoth musical instrument that merely collects dust and serves as a credenza. One year later, on her fifth birthday we were scouring the classifieds for a behemoth credenza. (It sounds beautiful.)
Zane is truly a pleasure… Not my words. Again, I have used them many times but these are the words of his kindergarten teacher. You see, kindergarteners also bring home progress reports and like his older sister, Zane received glowing remarks. Remarks that put to rest any fears we may h ave had about sending Zane to school too early. (His birthday falls on the age cutoff day and Zane is the youngest kid in his class. I know, somebody’s kid has to be the youngest. But why mine?) He has shined. Again, like his older sister, he meets or exceeds every standard evaluated.
You know, as parents we all wish nothing but the best for our children. My great joy comes from watching my children flourish as I send them timidly into the world to experience new things. OK. So, Zoë does not go timidly. She runs into school every morning like her pants are on fire. The girl is on a mission to make every single person she comes into contact with during the course of a day smile or even better, laugh. She has a zest for life and the fantastic thing about that is she refuses to horde it. She feels it must be shared.
Zane is blossoming. He is learning that the world is a pretty cool place even in the bright and shiny areas outside of Zoë’s shadow. I know that my kids are great. As a parent, though it’s really nice to hear it from someone else.
Lagniappe: Live-Heaven
But, this time, I did not use the phrase or the words. No. These are the words from Zoë’s teacher as relayed on her very first 1rst grade report card. My wife and I absolutely love Zoë’s teacher! She has a youthful exuberance and excitement about teaching and it shows. Not an easy task for someone who has been teaching first and second graders for 17 years. She and Zoë have quickly become thick as thieves. Zoë thinks she hung the moon. And, in a matter of just a few short months, just over two to be more precise, she was able in total to describe our daughter with the exact five word phrase that we have been using for almost seven years.
The progress report revealed little if anything that I did not already know about Zoë. She meets or exceeds almost every academic standard evaluated, particularly language and reading. This, I know. Although she meets all standards in math her teacher thought to make mention of the need for continued work in this area. Again, I know. It’s something we work on daily, almost constantly. It is beyond me how a little girl who can read and pronounce words such as assemblyman, president, mining company, Alaska, diphtheria (so the last one she got help from the book---dif-THEER-ee-ah, I didn’t know that and almost dropped one of the twins when she came up with the word on her own) can not tell the difference between a dime and a nickel. It’s a work in progress and I’m happy to report we have made huge strides.
Music, another category where Zoë excels. Again, I know. She started taking piano lessons the very same week she turned 4 years old. And no, we did not force her. It was her decision, something she wanted to do. I bought one of those inexpensive Yamaha keyboards figuring at least if she decided piano was not for her we wouldn’t be out a ton of money on a behemoth musical instrument that merely collects dust and serves as a credenza. One year later, on her fifth birthday we were scouring the classifieds for a behemoth credenza. (It sounds beautiful.)
Zane is truly a pleasure… Not my words. Again, I have used them many times but these are the words of his kindergarten teacher. You see, kindergarteners also bring home progress reports and like his older sister, Zane received glowing remarks. Remarks that put to rest any fears we may h ave had about sending Zane to school too early. (His birthday falls on the age cutoff day and Zane is the youngest kid in his class. I know, somebody’s kid has to be the youngest. But why mine?) He has shined. Again, like his older sister, he meets or exceeds every standard evaluated.
You know, as parents we all wish nothing but the best for our children. My great joy comes from watching my children flourish as I send them timidly into the world to experience new things. OK. So, Zoë does not go timidly. She runs into school every morning like her pants are on fire. The girl is on a mission to make every single person she comes into contact with during the course of a day smile or even better, laugh. She has a zest for life and the fantastic thing about that is she refuses to horde it. She feels it must be shared.
Zane is blossoming. He is learning that the world is a pretty cool place even in the bright and shiny areas outside of Zoë’s shadow. I know that my kids are great. As a parent, though it’s really nice to hear it from someone else.
Lagniappe: Live-Heaven
Posted by Zoe's Dad at Tuesday, November 13, 2007 2:05 AM and is filed under report cards,free spirit,Kids,free bird,my kids rule! 
My reports always read:
You know Mr and Mrs Hughes, we've heard the school in the other village is very nice. Perhaps you should send him there instead.
I figured I was pretty safe. Before I opened the envelope I announced, "Guys, this is your report card. Is there anything you would like to tell me before I read it?" Zane's response was, "What's a report card?"
It is always great when your hear really good things about your kids - especially from teachers who are with them all day. Sounds like they are both doing awesome with school!!
The thing that impressed me most was that the teachers actually took time to evaluate my children and not just give a quick or pat grade report. It re-affirms our decision to send our kids to this school.
People are always asking my kids if Daddy ate paint. I don't know why.
Zoë is pretty quick to explain that Daddy is from Loo-ee-zee-anna. I get the sympathetic glance and "Oh, I see. Well, nevermind then."