Skip to main content

Spelling Bee

In Grade 6, I took part in my first (and probably last) ever spelling bee. I remember travelling, by myself, to previously unknown parts of the Blue Route Mall in Tokai: up a flight of stairs to a white walled room with lots of chairs, not as many people and long table at the front of the room.

The competition itself was a blur - but yesterday it all came flooding back as we travelled home in the car and Jorja sat behind my seat saying,

"Spell hospital"
"Spell boat"
"Spell xylophone"
"Spell animal"
"Spell computer"

and then again

"Spell hospital"
"Spell boat"
"Spell xylophone"
"Spell animal"
"Spell computer"

...man! If those were the words in that competition 17 years ago, I would've been the Spelling Queen Bee!

Admittedly, when she started going for the 3rd round of the same words, I was beginning to doubt the correct spelling - but she was none the wiser yet. When she decided to start making up words, I called it quits because what is a con-skwa-pa anyway?!

As Jorja's knowledge of letter-forming, phonics and general vocabulary grows, I become more aware of my role as her parent - she is so excited to practice her new-found skills, like writing in the birthday card for our Uncle Neil in London. She was as proud as punch to have written it all herself, and all I could see at the time were the smudges from the wet ink. 
Not cool on my part. 
I have to be more patience with her - my reactions will help form her attitudes and I can't rely on too many hindsight incidents here.. 



Ethan may not be forming words yet, but he enjoys his own expression of art - specifically, blue toothpaste on the walls, cupboards, light switches and furniture. I'm allowed to be a little upset about that. Right? Right??!!

See below a previous piece of art, A-la-Septadine!





Comments

  1. Now the excitement starts! She will want to write, spell and read everything. Fun!!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The week that has been...

"Life as we see it", right? My time so far at the cycle tour office is reminding me of just how demanding life in this age can be - a time seeking instant solution and gratification: We want it now! We won't wait! This is what makes a relaxing, easy going activity seem so rewarding! We've always been fortunate enough to cook with pleasure - obviously more for mine! And since returning from BA, we've also found great enjoyment from leisurely strolls in the neighbourhood or at Sea Point promenade. Take time for this! Here's what we've been a part of this past week: We were encouraged to see a group of students from Bishops come out (even in the rain) and join with the FBC team in painting a mural on the school's new diningroom and kitchen wall. For news and updates visit: http://www.fbcschool.org.za/ We joined over 15 000 walkers in a quest to feed the hungry children in the Western Cape, by participaing in the Blisters for Bread walk on Sunday. We tackl...

That's so amazing about Grace

Scrolling through some photos this afternoon, I came across one of our friend Tarrin-Rae and her new baby girl, Isla, born last Thursday 31 October 2013. Isla Grace Graham I struggled to contain my own emotions as I observed this special moment in Tarrin's life (and new Isla's too) and thought back to my own experiences. I immediately asked Tarrin if I may use this to share a bit more of what I some times feel as a Mom... At first glance, I see relief . She's finally here! We can see her face in real life and we can say out loud "I am a Mommy!" Like my own kids, Isla was in no hurry to be born and labour was induced. What's worse than having to wait 40 weeks to meet your newest family member?? Having to wait longer still! I must confess, that this feeling was mixed with a fair dose of disbelief  on my part too - when I sat quietly resting between visitors and feeds, I had to pinch my literal self and realise - the baby was here. Then I see comfort ....

A trip and a journey

It's a little after 4am and I'm watching my family form letterland characters with their bodies, across my bed. Unless I'm the 'underline' in the word, I have no place to lay my head here... That's a pretty normal situation these days - The only difference today is that instead of a sleepy tussle for my rightful place in the alphabet bed, I'm wide awake, mentally preparing for my drive out to Swellendam at 6am. And it's just dawned on me: this is the first event of the peak season for me, I'm almost on my way out the door and a daunting goal (Ethan's self-soothing) is 3 and a half weeks in motion. Yippee!! I remember thinking about this a lot before heading back to work in August, wondering how (and if!) it could be done and whether I would miss this event altogether because of it - or drive through daily (which aged me considerably during our events in March)... And here I am, almost 4 weeks clear of a 4 year practise - and ev...