Just got back from the district-wide art show. I love seeing all the kids' work, from kindergarten to senior high. What's sad is you can see the difference in teachers by the artwork the kids do. Brody is extremely talented, but has had only one art teacher whom I would consider excellent. He had her in kindergarten and first grade. She 'got in trouble' for putting Brody in Gifted and Talented art when he was in kindergarten.....one isn't supposed to be in that until first grade. She stood her ground and continued to take him with the older kids in the school. Brody has gone through several art teachers....they seem to be switched from school to school frequently. Other than his first art teacher, I have not been terribly impressed. I can't wait until he gets into the high school art department.....they have an exceptional group of teachers up there and the work that comes from the students in the high school is quite impressive.

Brody had only two pieces in the art show this year. They were told to cut down on the displays....why, I don't know....but I think it is sad. I am sure many kids, especially in the elementary schools, were left out. Brody's G/T class made ceramic tea pots of their own design. Brody made a sneaker with sock teapot. The sock folded down over the front of the sneaker to form the spout. He said they tested them to see if they held water....they do, but Brody said his is a bit messy when poured! LOL His teapot was incredible and won first prize. I can't wait until he brings that home.....I plan on displaying it in our living room. He also did a pen and ink drawing of a scarab with intricate patterns on it. He won a second prize for that drawing. We are extremely proud of him!

Since I am already in kid bragging mode, I can't leave Marna out. We got a letter this week inviting us to the Academic Excellence Banquet because Marna has been selected for the second year in a row. This award is given to students who get all A's on their report card every marking period. The students' teachers select the recipients. Marna and another girl from her class are the only two from grade 3 in her school. Actually saying grade 3 is misleading. Marna attends an 'ungraded' school. She is in a 3rd/4th grade classroom. Chronologically and on the books she is a 3rd grader, but she has been working with the 4th grade half of her class since September. So her straight A report cards are in a grade higher. She is one smart little cookie. It all comes terribly easy to her.....but her writing is barely legible and she can almost tie a shoe lace that will stay tied for more than 10 minutes. Can't have everything, I guess.

Oh and how could I forget? We also got a letter today saying that Brody has again been elected to the Middle School Honor Society. Brody is a good student, consistently earning A's and B's, but he is getting to the age where we need to prod him a bit more to do his best. I know it's an adolescent boy thing, but it doesn't make me like it.

Mike and I are extremely blessed to have such great kids. We are very proud of their achievements and hope they will both continue to excel. I don't normally do a lot of bragging about our kids.....but with all the good news we have received about them this week, I couldn't help myself!!