Winter Update: Ages 7 (almost a half) & 4 and 3/4ths

Dear Abe and Sam,

I have gotten so far behind on regularly posting these things to you, that I have now opted to do them seasonally and combined. Sorry. But, sometimes, other things take priority like having clean uniforms to wear for school (okay, SEEMINGLY clean uniforms) and making sure Ozzie takes his meds from whatever the heck is wrong with him (there is certainly something wrong with him, and one of the things is that he thinks he's my new boyfriend. That can be addressed at a later time.)

We are more than halfway done with the school year, and I think we have finally hit some sort of routine. Christmas break and the following snow days did wreak a bit of havoc on this routine, but we have bounced back formidably.

We got report cards (for both of you), and I cannot begin to tell you how stressed out they make a parent. You both did very well, but like the true worrier that I am, scour the entire paper and question what every letter means. I will give you the highlights for posterity: Abe you got an award for most improved academically in the second quarter. When I told you about this you said, "I don't know what that means, but I guess it's good." So, there's that. Sam: You have almost mastered all things in the math category (ahead of schedule!!), but you got an "S-" for "listening." My takeaway: You are a very social math genius. If you ask me, you are hitting a niche and should capitalize on that.

At dinner the other night, Abe started giving Sam some math problems, and Sam was nailing them. I mean, he missed the one that was 100 + 100 + 100 + 10 + 2, but other than that he did pretty good. I told Sam I was really impressed, especially for someone in Pre-K. Abe looked at me and said (in his best adult tone), "He's not in Kindergarten!? Oh man, he is really smart. Good job Sam."

Sammy, your birthday is coming up soon (although you ask me every day if it is "the next day"), and you have already started to compile a list of things you want. The list includes: A remote control helicopter (thank you Dad for gifting Robby that),  a Snackeez (you cannot. stop. talking about this. Everything we eat you suggest we could put this in the Snackeez), and "a green thing that you put in the bathtub and then it makes it green." ( ??????). You also have requested that your party be at Chuck E. Cheese.



Abe, I think first grade is going well for you. Most of the days you have "great days" at school and have formed a small group of close friends. You and one of your buddy's have even created an imaginary person. I sort of overheard you and Sam talking about her (Sam is in on it too), so I started asking questions. Here is what I found out:

•  Her name is m. (Lowercase m.)
• She works at Papa Johns.
• She has a boyfriend who has a mustache. He works at a popcorn store.
• She talks in some weird voice (at least when you are talking like m it is a weird voice.
• She has a bull dog named Chubby who walks and talks like a human.
• Her favorite song is some song that sounds like it is from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. (This is solely my opinion).

Seriously. All of these things came straight from your mouth, I cannot make this crap up. I don't know if I should be concerned, but you and Sam find all things m to be hilarious, so I am just going to let it go. Who knows, maybe there is a book in there??


  While you guys fight a lot (we have now entered the hitting, punching, and kicking stage) you also play together a lot as well. In fact, I am sure neither of you would admit it, but I am pretty sure you are best friends.

After Christmas break, Sam started to get dropped off at the "official" school drop off in the front of the building with Abe, as opposed to me walking him into school. I asked Abe if he could walk Sam to his classroom and make sure he got there okay. The first day, Abe, ever so dutifully, took his hand and walked with him into the building, and then to his classroom. The second day, they both get out of the car, and Sam breaks into a sprint to the front door. Abe, startled by this runs to catch up with him.

When they got home, I asked Sam if he was making it to his classroom okay.  Sam said, "Yes. I did it by myself, I don't need Abe to help me anymore."
"Oh, Abe didn't walk you to your classroom?"
"No."
Then Abe said, "I stand by the steps to make sure he gets in okay."

You two should know how lucky you are to have each other, and how lucky I am to have both of you.

Love,
Mama