Jack

Things are going well in Jack world. At least for the time being, his grades are up. This has been a sore spot at the Pinkie house due to Jack's apparent inability to give a rat's toody whether he passes or fails. Since his mom gives a Big 'Ol Rats Toody, you can see where the conflict could occur. Yay merrily, the 3 week progress report showed the grades in question to be up. Here's to hoping they are still up at report card time; however, I am learning that A LOT can happen to Jack's grades overnight. Minute by minute, actually.
In other school news, his GT group is wrapping up their presidential projects this week. Jack chose US Grant, and they have to dress up as the prez they chose and present the project to the 4th grade. Sadly, he will be in DC with DaddyP and Pop when the presentation occurs. He will still get to display his work, and we're planning on him bringing back some goods from DC to share with the other 4th grade GT kids. He'll also miss the field trip that is to follow this project. They're going to the art gallery to view the presidential portrait exhibit and to play at the park. Guess which part Jack is upset about missing?
PDaddy and Jack are still swimming about 3-4 times a week at the Life Center. Jack is up to 46 laps and has quite the following of old folks who gather at that time to do senior citizen water aerobics. He's like a celebrity amongst the elder set. PDaddy said a little old lady asked him for his autograph a few weeks back because one day she thinks Jack will be famous. Of course, that made his day!
He is still sprouting, and after hitting a semi-growth lull this summer, he has just started (and we are frightened by) what appears to be a mammoth growth spurt. He weighs 81 pounds and is 4 ft. 11 and a half inches tall the last time we checked, but every day it seems like he is a bit taller. All of the swimming is really starting to be evident in his body shape as well. The boy is getting a rather broad set of shoulders on him.
Lately he is really into NASCAR, and he follows the races both on television and in the paper, watches every swimming DVD we can find, and is as obsessed with trains as he was when he was three...only now he knows the name, classification, and location of every engine ever built. He is a walking encyclopedia.

And in closing, I'll leave you with one final, jaw dropping tidbit of info. Since 5th grade is a part of middle school in our district, I will officially be the parent of a middle school student when this school year is over. EEK! That means that Jack will be eligible to attend school dances (HEAVENS!), pep rallies (ARGH!), and walk the halls of the campus where I teach. This information may make sense to you guys, but I promise you that it doesn't compute in mommy world. I refuse to believe!