Rock On

As I mentioned below, Whit is doing "reading camp" this month. One of the ways the teachers try to get the kids to read is by awarding points for pages read at home (or books read to them at home). After a certain number of reading points, points are "cashed in" for a reading rock. These rocks are the really pretty, polished ones, and some are magnetic. Anyhow, Whit has enjoyed getting these rocks, but there really has not been a big fuss about getting the points. He reached a 1000 point goal last week and went up to the director's office to pick out an extra cool rock. Well...here is where things get interesting. Jack just happened to go with Leigh that day to get Whit, and he was there in the office when Whit picked out his 1000 point rock. Jack's eyes fell upon a geode, one of those rocks that can be split open to find beautiful crystals inside. Jack decided then and there that he must "help" Whit get that rock; however, that rock was 6000 points. I came home from work that day to find what can best be described as a "reading sweatshop." Jack was hauling every book we owned to the living room and making Whit sit and listen as he read them. In one day Whit (with Jack's "help") earned 4000 points! I think they read about 40 books. Jack was even reading to Whit in the bathroom when he had a captive audience. Anyway, I knew that this would look a bit odd to Whit's teacher so I had to write a note explaining how Whit could go from a daily average of around 150 points to 4000. So, the 6000 point goal was reached yesterday, and the geode is now sitting in our house. And...I noticed a stack of books on the table this morning. There's one more week left in reading camp, and I think Jack has a plan. (-;

Whit

Well it's been a while since I have reported anything on the Whitster. He is having a tremendous summer so far. He loves to go fishing with me, do anything entailing water/getting wet, drink soda of any kind (but mostly Dr. Pepper) and eat just about any kind of junk food...so, he hasn't changed much in those ways. This past year and spring he did great in preschool and became very interested in gymnastics. He attends a weekly gymnastics class and excels in all things tumble-like. He speaks about Paul pretty often. Just this morning he told us that he dreamed about Paul last night (which I envied). He seems to have good memories of Paul.

There once was a time when Whit had a fairly severe language delay. You trollers from long ago may recall that he began attending intense speech therapy when he was around 2 years old. He graduated from that program but continued all last year getting weekly speech. He has made amazing strides in the area of speech as evidenced by regular reprimands such as "Whit, do not talk anymore for a while." So, this summer a golden opportunity came up for Whit at Baylor's speech and language clinic. They receive a grant each year from Scottish Rite that sponsors "Camp Success." This camp is essentially a reading program for struggling readers and emerging readers. He also gets speech support in the program. He attends four days a week (June only) for three hours each morning. I was wondering if we were making the right call...was it too early for a reading program? But with him starting K next fall, I really wanted him to work on reading. I am happy to report that after just two weeks of this camp Whit can now read many words. He loves it! It's just amazing and a testimony to what this sort of program can do. We are very proud of our soaring Whit. (-:

Race Weekend

Yes, it's true...they race trucks in NASCAR. And, they go REAL fast. Jack and I went up to Texas MotorSpeedway last night and watched a very exciting race. The smells, sounds and sights at a race make me smile thinking of Paul.

Later today it's back to the track for the Indy Race League (IRL) race. I hear there is a woman racer (Danica Patrick) and some Brazilian dancing guy (Helio Castro-something) that races. Hmmm. Can't wait to see the crowd this draws. I'll only be a casual observer at this non-NASCAR event, of course. (-:

From Kite, U2
I want you to know
That you don't need me anymore
I want you to know
You don't need anyone
Or anything at all

Who's to say where the wind will take you
Who's to say what it is will break you
I don't know
Which way the wind will blow

Who's to know when the time has come around
Don't want to see you cry
I know that this is not goodbye