future employers, take heed!

My boys didn't have school on Tuesday. Our district had scheduled a teacher work day for the day after Labor Day, thus effectively avoiding having to make a decision as to whether or not President Obama's speech on the importance of a good and responsible education would be shown to students interested in listening. That afternoon, I plucked the boys away from the grips of play and together we sat down and watched the President's speech online, and afterward, although they were itching to run back to see what kind of inane videos they could find on YouTube of dudes racking their gonads or field one of the 86 trillion phone calls made to the house for them, I emphasized that the President's hope that they choose to do well in school was a hope their father and I share.

"Remember what the President said? That each of you has something that you're good at," I reminded them. "Each of you has something to offer, and one of the best ways to do that is to work hard in school and discover something that interests you."

Later in the afternoon, because my oldest son is not interested being organized, I pulled out his school binder and went about flipping through his assignment book and notes to see if there was any outstanding projects to be completed before they returned to school today. Happily, I didn't find any outstanding projects. I did, however, find something that I, honestly, can only describe as outstanding. Perhaps also astounding. At the very least, I deem it exhausting. Take a look:

Sigh...

During this academic year, middle school students will be setting academic, home, and character goals. Because we're only three weeks into the school year, my son's academic goal was to maintain his already strong grades. He's a smart one, that kid of mine. However, his home and character goals, honestly, leave a little bit to be desired. I didn't put a direct call into the White House to see if the President would concur, but I'm pretty sure Sasha and Malia are striving for a little more than being cool.

Seriously, check that home goal out. This month - being cool and playing. First, please know that the spelling? Yeah, we get it. We know. He knows. THAT is our goal. Being proactive in remembering to spell being without an extra i is on our long term home goal list. What I love about his goal is how my son plans to achieve it - Like saying 'What's up, homey?' and playing with my brother."

What's up, homey?

Eh, not much, dude. Just chillaxin' here while I bust out some sweet life goals.

Wanna play later?

'Spose so.

Cool.

Yep.

Do you notice the part where I circled some ideas from the list of goals my sweet, sweet homey could really, truly benefit from? "What about being organized? Remember how we always talk about needing to be responsible for yourself?" I asked him. "I forgot," he replied. Homey forgot. That means later on, I circled listening.

Honestly, I give the kid credit for creativity. I also let his character goals slide because he really is already everything someone with good character demonstrates.

During his speech Tuesday, President Obama told students that "No one’s written your destiny for you. Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future." Never mind the future. Around here, we're taking the future one month at a time. And being cool, homey.