Yesterday was the first I.L.P.s of the year and for Maxwell the first I.L.P. ever. First we went to Maxwell's classroom. We arrived a bit early and then got in more than 20 minutes late. The issue with this is that you schedule the I.L.P.s for your kids one after another. I kept sending Elijah, who was originally scheduled as the middle I.L.P., to tell his teachers we were running late.

Maxwell is being a great classroom leader. His goal for the quarter is to show initiative without being asked on the tasks that have to be done daily such as pulling out the lunch boxes and bringing out the trash can for snack time. He is in the highest reading group with chapter books. They will still be figuring out the reading levels and possibly further dividing them after the first two books. With math he is going to be working on Venn Diagrams, growing patterns, graphing, charting, complex patterns (at least for a Kindergartener) and skip counting. He can already count to 100 and skip count by 10s. Maxwell loves school and loves sharing the different guidelines and rules with everyone. It was cute to see him with his teacher.

Xander had a rough start trying to figure out his new classroom and friends but he has had a better week. He is in 3rd grade math, 4th grade reading, 4th grade spelling, and has a goal of always turning in quality work this quarter. Xander's levels all had a big jump during the summer, especially his reading. I was surprised since summer was only 6 weeks and we didn't really spend much time reading. We spent most of our time playing and vacationing. It was fun talking with his new teacher, Mrs. LeFevre. I knew she was LDS from a friend and apparently she thought we might be LDS so she was asking some sneaky feeler questions. First it was, "Where is Eagle Mountain?" I think Xander must have brought up that that is where we lived when he was born. A little later it was, "How old are you Xander? Are you going to join Scouts when you are 8?" She gave me some suggested reading for Xander and added in a whisper that he might also enjoy "Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites."

I knew she lived in Maricopa so I asked her some questions about that. From our conversation, I decided to be willing to look in Maricopa for houses. If we found anything out there I would be sad to live so far away from Carey and Jennie but seriously the houses are awesome and it is only 20 minutes away from the boys' school. She has lived in Maricopa for 5 years so she has a better feel for it than the people who are upside down in their houses. Also the church is huge there and is building a new Stake Center. I would still dislike living in Pinal County but yesterday at I.L.P.s I really felt how much I love the boys' school and how much I don't want to change it. Although if we could get into the Polytechnic campus that would be super awesome. Xander and Elijah both have a dream of going to M.I.T. I know they are still young, but I would like them to have every opportunity to realize that dream or to realize that that isn't what they really want.

Afterwards Xander's other very pregnant teacher, Mrs. Davis, ran out to tell me something. During 4th grade math Xander would be leaning closer and closer to the group and scooting his chair over straining his ears to hear the lessons. She invited him to join the group and now he can participate in 4th grade math for fun. She let him and I know that he was responsible to complete his 3rd grade math work but could take home the 4th grade math work or even work on it in class if he had time. She was letting Ms. Carmindy, the substitute, know that this was okay. She also told me that she would work with him when she got back in 2nd quarter on both levels more seriously. She starts maternity leave on Monday so Xander might have another bump in the new school year road.

After Xander's I.L.P. we went to Elijah's I.L.P. 40 minutes late. His goal is to work on using time wisely. I emphasized that this included slowing down to turn in quality work and double checking. Using time wisely does not mean racing through your work. Elijah is in 4th grade reading and 5th grade math. His writing level will be determined by the end of the quarter. I think Elijah is quite a talented writer but his boyness gets in the way of that. He doesn't want to sit still and take the time to write something thoughtful. I really like his teachers and think they handle his personality well. Elijah is really excited about the 5th grade math and has worked really hard to move up in math. Elijah is also really excited to finally be learning cursive in school. He has been trying to learn it on his own for the last year. Last night he got out his cursive alphabet from I.L.P.s and started practicing his cursive. By the end of third quarter he is expected to turn every assignment in written in cursive.

For all 3 grades they have made homework easier and more fun. They will be given assignments to enhance family time and fun time. This made me happy.

Afterwards I went to the office and volunteered to help with picture days on Tuesday and Wednesday. It really is a lot of fun to be able to volunteer.