how are we already parents of five year-olds?!
we recently completed a private kindergarten application that required (too) many essay questions, one of which was to describe your child's personality, strengths, etc. this was a painful but also really interesting exercise for me and john - trying to describe who your child is in a few hundred words is no easy task. i figure i'd paste our responses in here so we'll be able to look back later and see how/if they change! as you will be able to see from my description, they're basically perfect and have zero undesirable qualities. ;)
JACKS
Jacks is a balanced and adaptable child. We see this at home and hear it from his teachers. He loves playing in groups and is also perfectly happy working independently. He is a self-starter and, whether he’s fort-building or reading a Lego instruction guide, he always finds ways to stay engaged. He alternates fluidly between leadership and supporting roles, and his teachers have commented that this versatility makes him quite adaptable as a friend and classmate.
Jacks is an attentive listener and enjoys being a helping hand. For the past three years, his teachers have consistently confirmed what we see at home, which is that Jacks is an amazing ally during clean-up time, often the first to start helping and the last one standing to finish the job. Jacks is organized and methodical—we know those blocks are lined up neatly and grouped by color and shape! Some of his favorite pastimes include “little jobs” where he’ll approach any task—from setting and clearing the table to sorting and shelving groceries—with enthusiasm.
Jacks has a passion for numbers, and identifies them in his environment or finds ways to integrate them into daily activities. We can’t drive down Geary without him identifying each avenue we cross and how many blocks we have left. Every night, he’ll check the clock a few times and tell you exactly how many minutes are left until his 8pm bedtime. In class, his teachers have mentioned that Jacks will sometimes study the calendar on the wall and attract the attention of other kids who gather around him as he starts calling out different patterns he sees on the chart.
LIVI
Livi is a bundle of hilarious joy and has an infectious sense of humor. From the time she learned to talk, she has used language as a way to make people laugh. It is a common occurrence at home and at school to hear children (and often grown-ups!) roaring with laughter at one of her stories or jokes. Humor is not the only way that Livi brings joy to others; she’s also compassionate and thoughtful. When a friend or sibling is sad or upset, she is quick to comfort them with a hug, or by finding one of their favorite loveys or toys.
A keen listener with an inquisitive nature, Livi won’t hesitate to ask for the definition of a word she’s unfamiliar with, or to correct someone if a story deviates from a previous telling. Her recall of information is quite impressive—she’ll often recount a story or fact from a months-old discussion that, but for her recollection, we would have never remembered.
Livi is an easy-going and resilient child. If a tower or fort she is building collapses, she simply reassesses her approach and quietly starts rebuilding. If she makes a mistake writing a letter, she casually crosses it out, refocuses, and tries again. Inventive and resourceful, Livi often scavenges the house searching for boxes, egg cartons, tape, and assorted kitchen items, and before we know it, she’ll have built an elaborate doll house or fashioned a pair of footwear for herself. She’s not very interested in store-bought toys, and prefers incorporating her own idea-born creations into imaginative play.
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| can't believe how grown-up they are getting! |
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all their classmates are already 5, so I think
they were especially excited to say goodbye to 4 |
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| "don't forget me!!" |
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| one. more. month. |
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| present time with sheila! |
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i was so excited to capture this gem
before taking them to school |
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livi just learned to climb the tree - the school rule is that
you can climb it if you can do so on your own w/o help |
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jacks tried so hard, but luckily the teachers turned a
blind eye for me to give him a little birthday boost! =) |
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| birthday popsicles and crowns |
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| i guess it's never too cold for popsicles! |
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livi loved her ballerina jewelry box...
now we just need to keep lyla away from it! |
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| a birthday is not complete without candles and cake |
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| lyla was waiting so patiently... |
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| we are definitely a family with a sweet tooth! |
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| all ready for their bowling birthday party! |
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| no lyla, you're not bowling! |
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there are five kids in the class with birthdays in the same week,
so it's been great to have joint parties with 3 other families |
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| the only quiet at the party came during cupcake time |
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there is so much less clean-up when lyla
doesn't hold her own cupcake =) |
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it took 5 years, but i think jacks and livi are
finally past the "i'm scared of face paint" stage |
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livi observed most of the time, and finally at the
very end, decided she'd have a turn |
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| thank goodness face paint is not an everyday occurrence! |
