Checking In With Jack

A couple of weeks ago Jack and Eliza were playing a little tennis at a nearby park.  He got tired of having to run around the net to get the ball every time he hit it over the fence, so he decided to jump over the net.  Unfortunately, he didn't quite clear the net and he ended up hitting his head on the court and giving himself a minor concussion.  (He was mostly fine, but had a little trouble thinking, reading, and speaking).

Shortly after this happened, it was necessary for me to administer a consequence after some misbehavior.  I told him that he'd be doing extra work for me around the house.  He protested, adamantly accusing me of using him for child labor.  I told him it's not the same thing, since he won't be getting paid.  I don't think that made him feel any better.

Just a sneak peak of one of the drawings Jack worked on
last month.  He's been drawing up a storm and I'll
show off more of his drawings in another post soon.

After many reminders to write down assignments and upcoming tests
in his planner, I made good on my threat to write it on his hand.  He
remembered that day!  And he's done a much better job of remembering since.

I chuckled to myself when I saw this evidence that Jack was using
the dryer!  I don't remember this ever happening before, but wanted to
share anyway.  Above all else, I appreciate that he's doing his laundry!

Jack did a great job with his "New World Dinner," a history assignment, designed
to help kids understand the impact of the Columbian Exchange on our diet.

It was the perfect time to try out the spaghetti squash and
patty pan squash a friend gave us from his garden.  Jack
was not a fan of the spaghetti squash.

During last week's piano lesson Jack was really struggling with one measure.
He got very frustrated, but went outside to collect himself for a couple of minutes
then came back in and finished his lesson strong.  I was so proud of him that he
didn't allow the frustration to derail the entire lesson!

Ever since this he received this component of his Halloween costume,
Jack-the-Raptor has been seen slinking around the house, doing homework,
doing yardwork...

eating bugers, eating siblings, and more.

A few weeks ago we were giving Jack a hard time at dinner because he'd forgotten to wear two important uniform items on school picture day.  We teasingly asked him how he was going to do in college, considering what happened.  He confidently replied that when you're in college you don't have to remember cardigan - there are no uniforms in college.