Friday, October 24, 2008

Is pride REALLY a bad thing?

I believe that, as parents, we have bragging rights. I mean, it's one thing to brag about your OWN accomplishments, but your kid's achievements are technically not your own, right? Am I right? Ok, I'm right. So on with the bragging.

Parent-Teacher conferences. I know that eventually I will probably not be excited to go to these, for fear of what the teacher may say. Luckily, Kennedy is still at the age where it is cool for kids to be smart and nice, so going to PTC is a highlight for my day. I think the whole "being dumb is cool" thing starts to kick in around the age of 11-ish.

So I sat with Kennedy's teacher last week. I went in, prepared to hear that I need to help her with blah, blah and blah. However, the teacher raved on and on about how much she loved Kennedy, how academically advanced she is, how she plays so well with the other kids and how she is just a joyful, fun-loving girl (everything a mother loves to hear). I'm so proud. I have such a sweet, smart daughter.


And since I'm already bragging, I'll continue. But just once more.

Lately, she has been in love with the Disney movie, Tarzan. There is a character on there, a gorilla named Terk (who we're not quite sure if it's a girl or boy, but whatever), who has been Kennedy's imaginary friend, recently. Well, Kennedy was "coloring" in her coloring book, today (when I say coloring, I actually mean "drawing" with a pen/marker on her coloring book), and was saying the name "Terk," over and over to herself. (Justin was home, not me- he relayed this information to me.) He didn't think much of it. Well, I get home from work and I see this on the kitchen table:

She had written her imaginary friend's name all by herself!! Granted, she missed a letter, but that is completely beside the point. She sounded out the letters on her own. Seriously. At 4 yrs old?? Maybe that's fairly common, but to me, she is an absolute genius. We are having blood tests done to determine if she truly is our child.

14 comments:

Raising Helm said...

I am truly impressed! and I strongly agree on the bragging rights thing. Moms can be proud of their children. Goodness we were blessed enough to bring them into the world we better get to enjoy them! Well done Kennedy! I don't know Justin well enough but I do know that Kennedy has a brilliant and beautiful mother. Cheers!!!

Anonymous said...

She is DEFINITELY your child! I got reports just like this about you :)

In her sunny, plays nice with everyone temperment, as well as her smarts she is like her momma. You surprised us by reading complete sentences from Bambi in the back seat of the car (including big words like "congratulations" with perfect inflection) when you were around this age.......

Kaija said...

Look at you reading Bambi! I love all your moms comments! I feel like I know you that much more! As an early childhood educator...! Sounding out letters like that usually is a kindergarten to first grade thing....she is a genius!!

Sarah said...

So not only is she adorable, but she is a smarty pants too. Can't get much better then that, huh?!

and BTW, I have wondered the same thing about Terk. Boy or girl?? who knows. I think its funny.

Schwartz Family said...

You really do have a little genius! You have done such an amazing job with her. You are a great mom and it definitly shows! You have every right to brag about her, she's adorable!

Sara said...

What a smart girl!! I'm sure she takes after her mommy! ;-) She sure is cute, I love all the pictures of her.

Lindsey said...

WOW! So what did you do? And what should I do? Nice Job! Kennedy is such a cute little doll!

Anonymous said...

Oh Ashly you are so cute yourself. I just really love reading how and what you write. I think you have a gift for writing. You make reading your blog just such fun. AND YES of course Kennedy is a smart, darling, sweet genius.
GR

melanie33 said...

it's only ok to have pride and brag about your children when they are extremely adorable and extraordinary. so in your case, you are good to go. mine too.

Unknown said...

according to president hinkley A PROPHET OF THE LORD - there is "no good kind of pride".

sorry but i have a 7 page article on it. and it's a good one.

joy. joy is a good word. she brings you JOY. not pride......joy.

Anonymous said...

I'm with you. I think Terk is as ambiguous as Rosie O'Donell. You're allowed to brag when you have a daughter like Kennedy. I love her.

Sarah said...

ha! i cracked up at this story.

kudos for the funny story and kudos that your daughter is a potential genius!

Anonymous said...

hey its me im in your ward(hint, hint)! And i dont have blond hair,
anyways that was an awsome blog!

Anonymous said...

hey its me again the same person as above! and i wanted to say that terk is a GIRL!!!!! im serious in like one of the movie/show things it said that terk was a girl!