Homework

I slept in a bit this morning, and that means that for the kids who'd been up a good while already, the day had already begun in earnest and I should be willing and able to immediately face it head-on. If only my physiology worked that way! It doesn't, so when my oldest daughter offered me a sheet of paper with text typed on it as I was pouring my coffee, it went by only vaguely noticed. After a while I realized it was a memo from one of her teachers. The heading said

"In a Million Words or Less. . .
Tell me about your child!"

Let me tell you something, I get hundreds of memos from teachers every year, I have 4 kids in school (well, 3 this year) and the amount of paper that arrives on my desk is enough to constitute the Brazilian Rain Forest. I don't mind the paperwork - except possibly on an ecological level. What bothers me is that it's usually mindless nonsense, poorly written, rife with spelling errors and written on a level that any second grader could comprehend, and I usually read them while shaking my head in disgust and wondering where these people got their degrees that they're qualified to instruct my children, but can't construct a decent sentence, differentiate between your and you're, or bother with a spellcheck button.

This gleaming example of Xerox work, however, absolutely made my day! No glaring errors, an obvious sense of humor ("Take as much time as you need, until the deadline of course!) and showed a genuine interest not only in my child, but in gleaning the subconscious unspoken nuances about her, myself, our family, and our relationship.

Now this is my kind of teacher! As far as I can tell, and I've dealt with this particular school and the teachers there for years now, this is possibly the most intelligent and beneficial thing any of them have ever had the forethought to do. Besides, I love to write, I love to brag on my kids... What's not to love about this, my first homework assignment of the year!? Yes, I'm a nerd, OK!?

Now because I'm a dork, I'm sharing my essay with all of you, my adoring fans, who by way of reading my blog/poetry/musings have proven that obviously, you want to know all about my favorite oldest daughter! ;) Enjoy:

A Million Words or Less
about Kassi XxxackxxX

Kassi was our first-born daughter, born third in a long line of children. She has four siblings: two older brothers, a younger brother and a younger sister, plus another one on the way. She's more than willing to tell you all about the sister who never came home from the hospital too, if you ask. Actually, she's overjoyed anytime the reason to talk arises. A Million Words or Less would probably have been a good title for the first day she spent in class with you! Unfortunately, there's no reason to look far when wondering where that comes from, she gets her gift of gab naturally from her mother. She's an extrovert if ever there was one, and though she may be a bit giggly and shy when she first meets you, have no doubt that it won't last more than the first five minutes. *

She isn't the oldest child but she was the first of our children to have been "planned." She was named long before she was conceived. Kassandra Cheyenne the title waited around, like a pretty new dress in the closet, for about a year before Kassandra Cheyenne the child was born to fill it, and it fits her well. Kassandra is a Greek name, which means "truthful" which is appropriate for her. Her middle name, Cheyenne, however, is Native American for "city" and we haven't figured out how that name applies to her yet. We hope it doesn't have any bearing on how many grandchildren she'll provide us.

You'll find her to be cheerful, always smiling, and hoping for an excuse for it. Ask her what she's smiling about and she'll only smile more and tell you she doesn't know. To describe her as helpful would be an understatement. She's not only willing to help when asked, but is usually looking for ways to be helpful, and will gladly offer her time and energy to do anything you need or want done.

Some days you'll find her in a dress begging to have her hair done for no reason, begging to go shoe shopping, or oohing and aahing over the clothing section in the Sunday sale papers - but growing up with three brothers has made her just as content to tromp through the woods in a pair of ripped jeans chasing her brothers, or propped high in a tree hiding from them. Wherever you find her, she's almost assuredly going to be listening to music (Destiny's Child or B5 most likely) and singing along, but will blush, cover her face, and laugh hysterically if you catch her dancing. She also enjoys reading, reads well, gets excellent grades, and has many friends. She loves to draw, and has a real love for paper of any kind, markers, and colored pencils.

She was born on August 15th, and is the epitome of the Leo. She wants to lead the way, be in charge, and has the brains and attitude for it. She also has the temper for it, and isn't the slightest bit afraid to let you know she's upset with you. She wants the best, expects it - from both herself and the people she surrounds herself with. She doesn't like being lied to, gossiped about, or made fun of. With that in mind, she's generally hardworking, honest, kind and trustworthy. She wants to be popular, she wants to be perfect, and is frustrated when she can't be. She likes to be silly, she likes to flirt, she likes to "mother" her little sister. She hates cleaning her room, doing the dishes, and being told what to do. She likes English, Art and doing projects. She does her homework as soon as she gets off the bus, has a smart-alec sense of humor, loves her glasses, her braces, her family, animals, people and school. She does have a temper, and sometimes forgets when to stop talking, but she's a wonderful little girl.

No, she's a wonderful young lady, one who promises to be a beautiful human being and an amazing woman. We're very proud of her and all that she does, and will do in life, because we know that whatever she chooses to do, she'll do it well.

*edited, dag nab it!