So, last night was Back to School night at Brinley's Elementary! Yee-haw! It was fun to meet her teacher Mrs. Schwab who I have decided I really, really like. She had us sit down in Brinley's spot at the "red" table next to Grace's Mom & Happy-Ethan's Dad (don't ask me...). We were then led on a journey through Brinley's schedule (the girl goes from 7:45 am-2:45 pm--it's a long day) and the various information they are learning each day (like what a rhombus is? Tell me you knew that. Because I had no idea. I am not smarter than a Kindy-gartener). But while we sat there with Mrs. Schwab continuing to discuss how all the kids in our class were on a broad spectrum of reading and writing, I began to feel that competitive pull--where is my kid at compared to the other kids? Is she in the middle? Is she at the bottom? Is she at the top? How big is her brain? I have never been one to care about things like if my child is smarter than yours, but I found it nagging at me a bit.
Then Mrs. Schwab whipped out this ginormous sheet of paper the kids had written on. Next to Brinley's name I see that the 3 is written backwards and Mrs. Schwab politely points out in front of everyone, "Writing numbers backwards is perfectly normal at this age," which made me feel better...that is until Happy-Ethan's Dad gave me this knowing look like, "Yeah...maybe normal for your kid," to which I shot back a look of, "Dude--you named your kid Happy-Ethan. If we were keeping score, my kid is already 10 points ahead." I'm pure evil.
But, as I sat and ignored what Mrs. Schwab was saying because I was self-absorbed in my own thoughts, I realized something that gave me comfort. And I haven't stressed about Happy-Ethan's Dad since...and that is the fact that I have taught my kids well. I have taught them to aim for mediocrity. And if you can't reach that, then aim lower. Because when people have low expectations of you, then they are always happily surprised when you exceed those low expectations. Or at the very least, they are not surprised at all because they don't expect much from you.
Take that Happy-Ethan's Dad.
13 comments:
wait. his name is really Happy-Ethan. like, really? for real?
happy ethan's parents: total pains in the asses. when you name your kid stupid things, i automatically don't like you or your kid. i promise, brinley's better off there! she'll be fine, don't you worry!!! ah, kristi, i love you so much!!! you rock my world!
And who needs to know what a rhombus is in real life anyway? Too funny!
Yea, it is crazy when you are so stupid you can't even help your 5th grader with his homework. Did I even go to school???? I am starting to wonder...:)
Happy-Ethan??? What??? Seriously? (please tell me this is a joke!) As for Miss Brinley, she's better than just fine. She's awesome -- and you are too.
Seriously . . . who does that? Happy Ethan may be able to write his number 3 right but he's going to get beat up when he's older for that name.
Is that really his name...c'mon? For real? By the way, what's wrong with just being average...it's a fine place to be in life!
That is hilarious! I can hardly wait til I have to go to back to school night:)
I promise this kid's name is Happy-Ethan! I asked Brinley when we got home if that was his real name. She said, "Yes. His name is Happy-Ethan, but his nickname is Ethan," and because I am a horrible example to my children I laughed and laughed...I'm sure Happy-Ethan is a nice boy. I feel for him.
I feel so sorry for than poor kid...
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Bwahahahahaha! Why was your back to school night so much more hilarious than mine?
oh.no.they.didn't. Oh wow. Not sure what to say about that. Geesh. Just be sure you have all the laughing out for 10 years down the road when Happy-Ethan comes to pick Brinley up for a date!
All too funny. At Elijah's back to school night we were also forced to sit in those tiny little kid chairs and I felt so bad for some of the parents who had to squeeze in! I sat down, pull myself forward and whacked my knee cap on the metal part of the underneath of the table. I cussed under my breath the rest of the 45 minute "thisiswhatyourkidshouldknow" lecture!
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