Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Our Son Rocks!





Alright, I'm just going to go ahead qualify my next few statements by saying I'm not usually one to brag--in print, anyway... usually, but you should all know that you are related to a GENIUS CHILD!!!


Luke got straight "A"s on his report card. I was happy about that. His teacher (who apparently thinks I have a mentality equal to that of her students and am somehow more impressed by my own son's report card for every extra exclamation point and hand-drawn smiley face she adds!!!! :) ) wrote a nice note on the front about how much she enjoys having Luke in her class.


However, this spectacular report card is not so spectacular as to inspire a blog post alone. Oh, no.


Attached to the aforementioned report card were his reading and mathematics standardized test scores. His reading score is simply outstanding. He tested at an 8th grade, 3 month reading level. (I know, right? I actually broke into applause when I saw it!) His target reading age should be late 7th grade to early 8th grade reading to continue to improve his skills.


And, yet, I'm not sure I would've felt compelled to sing my son's praises via the family blog had I not flipped the page to reveal his math score!


Are you ready for this? He tested at a senior in high school, 5 month math level! His target math study should be in Algebra.


Well! You can just imagine what I did when I saw that! I picked up the phone and made about nine phone calls to family and friends! (Like I said before, I don't usually do my bragging in print.) It was actually pretty funny, because Mika was on his phone calling people, too!


In hindsight, though, it's actually somewhat bittersweet. Luke's school doesn't have any accelerated programs, so Luke will have to sit in class practicing his times tables with everyone else. You know that has to be a real drag.


Mika and I talked about maybe sending him to a summer camp for video game design. We want to equate excellent academics with what he is passionate about. I can send him to an actual summer camp in cabins on the lake, and he would be grateful and enjoy himself. But I think if he gets to see his hard work pay off toward his own PERSONAL goals, it will snowball into a passion for academics. Who knows? Maybe he'll follow in Krista's footsteps with a math degree.


Well, thanks for letting me boast for a bit. We're really proud of him and wanted to give you all the chance to be as well.


I hope this finds you all well!


Jessie

Monday, January 12, 2009

Steed/Fields Reception

Hey everyone. It's been awhile since anyone updated, so just thought I'd say hello. Krista, Jorel and I were lucky enough to attend our cousin Derrick's wedding this last weekend. He married an adorable girl named Ashley Steed. I had never met her before, but you can tell they are a great fit for each other. They were married in the Sacramento Temple, which I didn't even know existed. It is a newer temple built right where the Mormon Center used to be!! I know you all remember the Mormon Center - sight of many a family reunion. Anyway, we didn't have time to see the temple, but Derrick said it was so weird that the Mormon Center is gone.

Krista and I stayed right at the hotel where the reception was, so that was easy and convenient. The festivities started at 7pm and it was really good to see everyone. Jorel was cranky...or hyper? Seemed a little bi-polar. But then passed out WHILE people where dancing with him. Wore himself out. It was funny.

Those in attendance included all of the Fields family of course, Uncle Pat and the Johnsons (Sheila, Rex and Mark). Small for a Nuge gathering, but still fun. Especially since I hadn't seen the Johnsons in probably over 10 years. They look the same - Uncle Rex just has more gray hair and Mark is not a kid anymore. We all had fun dancing and being goofs. Then us "kids" went bowling afterward where we had more fun and laughs. So it was good to reunite with everyone and realize we are still the same old dorky bunch. The next morning Derrick and Ashley were kind enough to invite Krista, Jorel and I out to breakfast. So we crashed their honeymoon and got to spend a couple extra hours with them.

We definitely missed all of those who couldn't be there, but hope for another opportunity to get together with ALL the cousins someday. (I actually have a plan for this, but Krista and I have to do a little research first...)

1993 and 2009 (missing a few people, but added a couple too)

Anyway, hope all is well. I'm sure everyone is busy as can be.
Love,
Jaana