PARKER....

I'd love to take just a minute to brag on our oldest child, Parker. He is our only son and engineer in the making. He has always been interested in how things work and understanding what makes things and people tick. This year has been a time of transition as he has entered middle school. Ron and I would both agree that this transition has included the two of us adjusting to adolescence and what that means to an almost 12 year-old boy! There are no longer teachers that make sure his homework is turned in when it's due. No. That is entirely up to him - the child that has trouble making sure his shirt isn't on inside-out....

Parker is enrolled in all but two pre-AP classes. He has struggled. Not with the work, but making sure to turn in assignments (already completed) and not constantly contributing VERBALLY. So, Science Fair. Was it already time for that again? Parker assured us he had it all "under control". Hmm...What did that mean? Parker does have a terrific record for in the science fairs of past. He has won Honorable Mention in the District Fair in fourth grade, and won 3rd Place in his elementary fair last year. We've always been so proud. This year we were not sure what would happen. We should not have entertained any doubt. He happily informed us this weekend that he won second place in the 6th Grade Science Fair and that his project would advance to the District Fair. Hurray!

Parker came up with a terrific project - completely un-aided by us, his highly-intelligent parents. He tested several different types of materials to see what would make the best parachute. We'll post more on his project on a future post. However, I will say that Ron and I were particularly please that Parker did this project on his own. We did not participate that much other than helping with a stop watch.

Maybe this post is more for our benefit. All the worrying, praying, crying, praying, yelling, worrying, crying, praying.....is not in vain. Kids are listening. They get it. Or, maybe it's just this one moment. And Parker gets it. Even if it's just this moment, we're going to enjoy it. It's too precious not to. Love that boy! More to come....