The first Friday of kindergarten, Julianna brought home a progress report. In typical kindergarten fashion, it was a list of attributes the kids need to have to be successful students–following directions, self-control, and so on. There are no grades in kindergarten, only +, √, and -. I got quite a shock when I saw her…
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Julianna’s New Schoolyear
I owe you an update. You might remember that when we first had Julianna’s kindergarten IEP meeting, back in January, the representative from her elementary school, who knew very little about her, recommended that she be in a self-contained classroom for 65% of the day. I was very upset about this on a number of…
Read MoreConfounded by a Primary Composition Notebook
Early Friday morning, we loaded up the van and headed for Target, armed with three school supply lists and Christian’s iPhone to calculate whether it’s better to buy 18 small glue sticks or 9 large ones. I had compiled the three lists into one so we’d know total numbers without having to cross-check lists, but…
Read MoreJust Write: Angel, Imp, Trouble
I’m teaching at a liturgical music camp this week, and yesterday afternoon we did an icebreaker game in which we had to tell as many things about ourselves as we had M&Ms in our cup. Alex watched with fascination and then, giggling, whispered to me that one of my things should be to say I…
Read MoreBusted
The words leaped off the page, preventing me from skimming through the last few pages of the magazine I was supposed to be going through so we could get rid of it: FIRING THE BUTLER AND THE MAID, it said. I tore through the article, and phrase after phrase made me wince: …choosing clothing and…
Read MoreJulianna, Unlimited
We made the decision on the spur of the moment. “Julianna, do you want to go to Children’s Liturgy? Like story time at church?” “Yah!” she said happily, and Alex, beaming with pride, led his two younger siblings out of the church with the rest of the kids. He returned fifteen minutes later, wearing that…
Read MoreThe Many Names of Julianna
We’re not big on nicknames in this house. We’ve given all our children long, classic names, and only Alex goes by the shortened form. People are constantly asking us “What do you call him? Nick? Nicky?” Other people are forever referring to the boys by diminutives, but we do not. We chose the names we…
Read MoreWhen Is It Okay To Laugh?
“Julianna, stop grunting and use your words.” Christian rested wrists on the table, fork in hand, and gave her a stern look, which our little pixie met with a bright smile. “Be-deeya blelua bwee!” Alex collapsed into giggles, which made me chuckle. He has such an adorable laugh. But at the end of the table,…
Read More7QT 166: Of Julianna, Kitchens and Proselytizing
___1___ We registered Julianna for kindergarten this week. Can you believe it? I’m having trouble. I mean, it seems like she’s been in our life forever, certainly long enough to be starting school…but there are things you tend to associate with a child entering kindergarten. Like, I don’t know…speech! ___2___ I shouldn’t make it sound…
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Kathleen M. Basi 