I had a chance to chat with Jordan’s lead teacher at school… I don’t get a chance to have quiet one-on-one time with her often. The classroom is FULL of assistant teachers and kids. And right now the classroom is down a part-time employee so that leads to a very overwhelmed lead teacher. So I completely relished in the opportunity to chat with her.

I was curious about Jordan’s progress with reading. I see signs here and there, but I haven’t pushed it very hard. Her brother was a hard core reader by now… but I’m trying not to obsess or compare. Every child is different. What surprised me was how Jordan’s teacher reacted to my questions. She told me Jordan had to work on a different skill before we focus on reading. The first thing she needs to be able to do is LISTEN.

Apparently Miss Jordan sits down to lesson time with her friends and is so busy talking that she finally quiets down just when the lesson is wrapping up. She’s missing some great opportunities to learn because she’s a social monster. Her teacher tells me that is isn’t a problem… YET. I guess we have a bit of time to work on this before Kindergarten.

In the meantime, I’m taking advantage of quiet time to work on letter sounds and words. Our book time before bed is officially my time to work on word sounds and encourage Jordan to use those sounds and deduction to identify words. Tonight she did a fabulous job figuring out the words “alligator” and “jaguar” while we read a Curious George ABC book. She’s willing to buy into this reading process when she slows down… but I make high speed children. I take full blame for that tendency.

I’m out of town – attending a super nerdy conference in Washington, DC called DrupalCon. And while I’m here… Jordan is at home with her dad and brother.

And she doesn’t like it one bit.

I swear the majority of our conversations on the phone are like this:

Me: Hi Boo! How are you?

J: When are you coming home (whiny voice)?

Me: I’ll see you Monday morning.

J: I want you to come home.

Me: (Ignoring her) What did you do at school?

J: I played. Come home. Right. Now.

Me: I can’t do that. But I’ll see you when I get home… it will happen soon.

J: But I want you home NOW (whiny level turns up a new notch)

Seriously. Randy tried as hard as he could to redirect Jordan’s attentions while we talked but it just didn’t work. The one thing I noticed though: Jordan’s verbal jumped up a notch AGAIN. Every time I leave she is more understandable and clear. She’s such a person and time away from me clearly requires her to verbalize clearer. I miss the kids a ton – but it’s great to be able to delve into my nerdy world from time to time. The good news: Things warmed up at home and the kids are enjoying the swingset in the backyard. Jordan returned to the sandbox and Cameron is enjoying the treehouse. I’m sad to miss the fun but I’m glad they have warmth to get outside and feel less trapped in the house. Now if only I could shake this mommy guilt every time I talk to them, I could really enjoy this nerd fest here in DC!