Megan's Efforts, Mom's Relief

Disclaimer-You will notice due to my attitudes regarding each event, I made no effort to take or have a camera for pictures. A nice mother at each event knew of my ambivalence and kindly took photos for me. I will post them as soon as I receive them.

Those of you close to me have unfortunately had to listen to me grumble and complain about Megan's Science Fair project and the School Spelling Bee.

Now, I am definitely in favor of academic achievement in the classroom. Homework, spelling, reading etc. are all part of our everyday afternoon/evening routines. (Although, don't even get me started on my views of homework...)

But, when the (Mandatory) Science Fair project packet came home mid-December, Mike and I both did our fair share of grumbling. It would be near impossible for a fourth-grader to do a science fair project on their own--it turns into busy work for parents. It did however get finished-no one really had a good time working on it, we all took turns complaining about something to do with it.

Mike because he was put "in charge of it,"
Megan because Dad kept putting it off,
Luke and Ellie because they couldn't eat the ice cream being "tested," and
Joshua, because he couldn't color on the big white display board."

A week before the project was due and still plenty of 'busy work' left to do to get the project finished, Megan comes home and announces that she was one of the top two spellers in her class and would thus be moving onto the School Spelling Bee.

Mike and I offered the typical proud parent responses, UNTIL, Megan produces a list of 200+ spelling words, (MANY of which Mike and I had never heard of or could attempt to pronounce.) She continued to tell us that the Spelling Bee would be held the day before the Science Fair Project was due. All typical proud parent responses ceased, and Mom's complaining began.

Science Fair and studying for a Spelling Bee all on top of typical nightly homework, reading, spelling, extra-curricular activities, chores, etc. How much should a 10 year old be expected to do?

The night before the Spelling Bee, we tested Megan on 5 words-she spelled all of them incorrectly. "Oh well," we reassured her, "It is an honor to have qualified. Just do your best."

So the Spelling Bee comes, and what does Megan do? Her very best. Megan came in 6th out of 27 fourth, fifth and sixth graders!!!!!!! (She ended up being the top 4th grader.) Typical proud parent responses were given.

Two days later was the Science Fair Open House. I was not happy as I patiently waited for the Open House to be finished, so I could help Megan take down her display. There were about 1 million parents and children in the lunch room, it was 125 degrees, and Joshua was on about his 15th (NO EXAGGERATION) piece of licorice. I wanted to leave. I was irritated. I was hot. I was ornery. The project was finished. LET IT PLEASE END.

All of a sudden, I hear a familiar name, "The next Honorable Mention for fourth grade is, 'Megan Sowby.' And what happened then? It was no typical proud parent response.

I burst out laughing.

Way to go Megan. We are proud of your efforts and achievements.

Truly, we are proud parents.