Year 5, Day 31

In a suprising, but welcome, turn of events, I was welcomed (literally welcomed) home tonight to a quiet, relaxed home. "Hi Daddy!" Miles called from the couch. "Welcome home!" Jaclyn said. I plopped down on the couch next to Miles. "Hey buddy! How was your day?" "Good," Miles replied. "What did you do at school … Continue reading Year 5, Day 31 →

Year 5, Day 19

This may be a milestone that doesn't feel as major as it is just yet, since it won't become a reality for a few more months, but Jaclyn called me today with "something important" to tell me. The important thing? Miles has been officially accepted into a pre-K program beginning in the fall. For those … Continue reading Year 5, Day 19 →

Year 4, Day 279

"I'm not gonna take a nap at school," Miles declared, unsolicited, as we drove to daycare this morning. "Oh you don't think so, huh?" I replied, exceedingly skeptical. "Mommy said I don't have to," Miles said, digging out his current catchphrase. I decided to call his bluff. "Should we call Mommy and see what she … Continue reading Year 4, Day 279 →

Year 4, Day 265

Convincing Miles to get out the door in the morning is regularly a challenge. Well I'm happy to report that it was pretty easy today! Getting him in the car was the hard part. Miles walked briskly towards the car as I opened his door. When I turned to scoop him up, he was gone. … Continue reading Year 4, Day 265 →

Year 4, Day 212

Today was Miles's third day of German school, and it's been going extraordinarily well so far. As reported previously, Miles has been over-the-moon enthusiastic about going to a "big kid school." His teachers have said that he understands everything they're saying and follows directions well.* And at pickup each day, Miles emerges from the classroom … Continue reading Year 4, Day 212 →

Year 4, Day 198

Today, Miles started a weekend German program at the Deutsche Schule Charlotte. Every Saturday morning for the duration of the school year, Miles will attend a German language class (in the interest of achieving our ultimate goal -- sending him overseas so we can finally get a moment's peace). Miles's experience with new environments sans … Continue reading Year 4, Day 198 →

Year 4, Day 114

As is his wont, Miles casually announced, "I got a boo-boo," this afternoon. This is a nearly daily proclamation at this point, and I asked my usual follow-up. "How'd you get that one?" "From when I fell on the playground in the wood chips at school." I offered an observation. "Miles," I said, "it seems … Continue reading Year 4, Day 114 →

Year 4, Day 91

Me: "What did you learn about at school today?" Miles: "I didn't learn something at school." Either I need to reassess Miles's daycare or he's entered his teenage years a bit prematurely.

Year 4, Day 78

Part of my job at a learning center involved performing learning ability assessments for both prospective and current students. The battery can feel a bit intimidating, especially brand new clients whose previous experience with "testing" has been unsavory at best and a showcase of everything they're challenged with at worst. As a means to help … Continue reading Year 4, Day 78 →

Year 4, Day 77

With a gas crisis striking the East Coast this week, Jaclyn and I are trying to pare down the amount of driving we have to do, which is only relevant because it resulted in me being the one to pick Miles up after daycare yesterday, an occasion upon which I was delivered some unexpectedly clandestine … Continue reading Year 4, Day 77 →