Last week, Joey was crowned Greatest Gator in his second-grade class. One child gets this honor each week, a boy or girl who practices good behavior all week, works hard, and generally goes with the flow of all things school-related. Joey was this boy on September 19 and for the whole week following, he was the man. We made a photo collage he took to school and displayed for all to see. He wrote a page in the Greatest Gator journal, about how happy he was to have emerged victorious. He completed a special questionnaire, won the gift of a pencil and pencil gripper—pencil grippers are, like, all the rage in second grade—and was lucky enough to have a stuffed alligator sit on his desk for five whole days. Now, Joey’s reign is complete—his pal Lauryn is the new Greatest Gator.
Things are still exciting here in our household, though, because yesterday, Danny came home wearing a Shining Star construction paper hat. Second grade has Greatest Gators. Kindergarten has Shining Stars. And this week, Danny is it. He too was awarded a pencil—with a heart-shaped eraser, no gripper—and he brought home his own borrowed journal (he dictated and I wrote all about his family and what he likes to do). He gets to take in photos on Monday, which will be displayed for his week-long tenure, and he’s borrowing two books we’ll read at home and then return. He’s a proud boy. Yesterday, after I scolded him for doing something disruptive, he asked if I was still happy he’s a shining star. You bet I am.
I’m happy my guys are off to a good start this school year. I’m thankful they model their good behavior at school and save their bad choices for home. I’m proud, simply proud to be the momma of a Great Gator and a Shining Star.
Thank you for this great blog. I just had surgery on Wednesday, Sept. 24 to remove a 1.6 cm mass of DSIC and IDC, plus a large-ish area of linear, branching calcifications. I’m 42 years old.
It’s back to school for me in terms of breaking open books, but this time
to learn all about cancer and its treatments. Ironically, I met with my surgeon the very day I was supposed to start grad school for social work. My sister, too, found out she had cancer two weeks into her grad program for social work. Weird, or what?
I’m waiting now for the post-op doc appointment to hear what they have to say in terms of treatment. On first glance the nodes were all negative, but I’m staying neutral until all the facts are in. I’m feeling strong, but tired of the craziness and lack of normalcy. I’m sure that’s a natural response.
I started a blog the day after I found out I might be diagnosed with cancer: http://www.suesboob.blogspot.com and I welcome any and all visitors.
Are there good, positive, constructive forums online where women with breast cancer diagnoses can communicate?
I’ll read back in your blog to catch up. Thanks again for creating it. I wish you all the best of perfect health.
Sue B.