Self-Portrait
A few weeks ago, Jason and I nervously walked down Jack's preschool hallway to meet his teacher for his first Parent/Teacher conference.
As newbie preschool parents, we had all of the apprehensions associated with sending our firstborn off to school and having our parenting skills evaluated by professionals.
And with Jack, our - how shall I say it - "spirited" child, we had the expectation that this meeting was going to be our baptism by fire into 13+ years of squirming in our seats meetings with teacher types.
But, when we sat down with Mrs. B. and she began to talk about Jack, our apprehensions disappeared:
"Oh, how we love Jack. He is the happiest child in the class. He is excited about every little thing we do and learn, and he'll come up to me after a lesson and say, 'Mrs. B., that is just SO cool.' He has an excitement about life that is contagious to the rest of the class."
And, then she pulled out a paper and said, "I have something to show you. We asked each child to draw a self-portrait this week. Jack's picture could not have been more perfectly self-descriptive. Take a look at that big smile."
All of the other compliments and praises of success that Mrs. B. shared with us about Jack paled in the bright and beautiful light of hearing that she sees our boy as happy.
But, what sent tears down my cheeks as I sat in that conference room - staring at Jack's self-portrait - is that he sees himself as happy.
What a wonderful self portrait! And those are words that make a Momma happy - "your child is happy"!
ReplyDeleteAwww... you needed that, guys! Little Jack has a sweet, sweet heart.
ReplyDeleteLove this picture!
ReplyDeleteLauren
I remember Jenna coming home from first grade and telling us she was being sent to the "special class." Oh boy, now what? I was so upset. She had to go to a class in the basement of the school. I called the teacher only to find out that the class was for gifted kids, not the spirited ones. The was one happy day for this mom, too.
ReplyDeleteJack is a beautiful child and I'm sure you are going to have many times ahead of sheer pride.
this made my heart smile =D
ReplyDeleteyou're right. it is so important that he is happy. everything else pales in comparison.
when i read the title of self-portrait, i thought i was going to see a drawing you did of yourself after eating all the cookies you've been making =)
aww.. that is awesome. praise the Lord for a happy little guy. and growing up with you guys, how could he not be?
ReplyDeleteand way to go in preschool, jack!
Wow, you made tears stream down my face!! Congrats to you both as parents and to Jack as a happy preschooler!!
ReplyDeleteOkay, the self portrait made me tear up. Sheesh! I love that he sees himself as so happy. On a total side note, where did you get your advent calendar? That's just what I have been looking for. Except that there is NO WAY I am making that many cookies, so we'll have to figure out something else to stash inside. =)
ReplyDeleteSarah, This post brought tears to my eyes, for I felt as if I was reading about my Sierra. Such a busy, yes hyper at times, energetic child...BUT so full of life, smiles, hugs, joys, and fun! They bring smiles to all that they come into contact with. It is amazing how people are drawn to her at church every Sunday! And as we, as moms, evaluate every behavior, wondering if they are ready to bounce off the walls, throw their sandwich (just for a laugh), or tackle their sibling (or Gram and Pap)with their over-zealous hug, others see their love for life. Praise the Lord for teachers that tap into that love and energy and help them channel it in the right direction. I hope our first parent teacher conference with Sierra goes just as well. I am used to being on the other side of the conference, as the teacher!
ReplyDeleteso cute. He is so much fun.
ReplyDeleteOf COURSE he's happy...just look at his mommy. :o)
ReplyDeleteaww, that is wonderful. jack is loved and encouraged to be himself, all full of energy and life.
ReplyDeletei love his picture! morgan did a picture of a person in preschool in her 4th birthday and i was pregnant with landon at the time. she drew a person with a baby in their belly. they pick up on so many details that we might miss.
Aw, Sar! I love that little guy...it's been so fun to see him grow up into a little boy...sniff, sniff...how do you guys parent such cute kids?! Give Jack a big hug (and kiss) from me! Love you all!
ReplyDeleteHow could that little boy not be happy with all the love in that house?! I love how you wrote this and the picture is absolutely priceless!
ReplyDelete