Ethan is 11. Yes, he is in a gifted program and we homeschooled him before that. But honestly, he pretty much came that way. His mind is a complete mystery to me: able to leap tall abstract thoughts in a single bound; unable to remember where he put his jacket, important school papers, or the book he was just reading 30 seconds ago. (Poor boy got the scatterbrained gene from his mother's side).
Ethan is a blessing in our home in many ways, one of which is to give me something to brag about (look at these test scores! listen to what he can play on the piano! read this amazing blog post he wrote!) and another one of which is to keep me humble because I worry that I'm failing him as a mother and clueless about what to do with all his creativity. He's my oldest child and I've always felt like he was one step ahead of me, as evidenced by this photo from 10 years ago.
Yes that's my Child Development texbook. This is my favorite picture of Ethan as a little boy, although his Hoover Dam costume runs a close second.
Anyway, thanks for making comments on Ethan's blog, which until yesterday was set to private status. I promised him if he finished writing the bird post I would let him try out the public blog scene for at least a while. I am very protective of him but willing to test the blog waters a bit for the sake of giving him a creative outlet. I also didn't want to see that particular post end up in the "save as draft" graveyard where many of his other lovely but unfinished efforts rest collecting cyber dust. He was thrilled to see your comments, especially since he reads my blog faithfully and your names have earned celebrity status with him. "Wow Mom, Radioactive Jam even read my blog. He's totally famous. He won a Blog God award and between two and four billion people visit his blog every day." Such admiration and faith in fine print is hard to come by. I wish I could keep him 11 years old forever.
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12 comments:
You say he came that way...you give yourself so little credit! Yes, he came here with his own individual uniqueness and his own talents. But so many mothers would have forced him into "normalcy" and stifled his creativity and imagination. As lucky as you are to have him, he's so much more lucky to have you.
Is there an emoticon for 'speechless?' Because I need one.
FABULOUS photos! My 10-year-old is begging for a blog of his own, and after seeing your inspiring progeny at work, I'm going to agree. Thanks!
Jules, I just hope he keeps on posting!
And for my fellow readers:
As someone who has known Ethan his whole life I can attest to the fact that he came that way. But I know what fabulous parents he has too, and I can't imagine there is anyone better to foster his gifts and talents. I'd say there are 4 very lucky kids in that house. I'm just glad Julie is willing to share their stories with us.
That picture is awesome.
I'm glad 11 years is beautiful and something to look forard to. I'm currently wishing I could keep my youngest 18 months forever...
That picture you have of Ethan as a toddler is a classic. You need to frame that one!
I second Kim's motion. You need to give yourself more credit. Your entire family is blessed to have you as their mother!
And for all of Julie Q.'s readers, don't forget to GO VOTE!!
How cute (and smart!)
Hi, I've tagged you for a Thinking Blogger Award.
I agree with Kimberly, although he came with natural talent and ability the parents play a huge role in nuturing that.
A Hoover Dam Costume? I love that kind of thinking. Wow!
stopping by to say hello. i'm here by way of crazy hip blog mamas!
That is an age I'm definitely looking forward to. I love reading about your kids because they're such window into what an encouraging and awesome mom you are.
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