Parent Teacher Conference

Brian had a meeting with Oliver's teachers this week to discuss how he's been doing in school. (They do parent-teacher conferences twice a year with all the parents). Oliver has adjusted really well to being in school since he started back in August of 2011. He loves it there and is excited to go almost every morning. I was bummed to miss the conference since I love his teachers and would have liked to have visited with them in person but Brian filled me in on all the details.

Basically, they think he's brilliant. They said he is extremely verbal and has an amazing memory. Rihab says she has been teaching three year olds for 20 years and she's never known a kiddo with the ability to remember things - stories, events, etc. - like Oliver. They also said he is one of the most polite kids they've ever worked with, answering questions with: "Yes, please." and "No, thanks." They said he's usually in a great mood and does good listening. They said he gets along well with the other kids even though they all have their ornery moments.

He has a best friend at school named Hedia. She went to Taiwan with her family for an extended vacation and won't be back until February. Brian and I were really worried about how Oliver has adjusted to Hedia being gone. When Brian asked Terri and Rihab about it, they both began to laugh. Apparently, Hedia and Oliver are inseparable but all they do is fight constantly. So, I think the teachers are glad to have a break from the constant bickering.

Brian asked them what Oliver needs to work on and they said that while his gross motor skills are great, he could use some focus on fine motor skills - holding pencils, using zippers and buttons, etc. - so we are trying to find activities to work on those with him.

But all in all it was a rave. It was nice to hear that he seems to save his most difficult moments for us at home.

The Sunshines on a field trip to the Pumpkin Patch.

And here's Oliver's school picture from this fall (they bring in a great photographer and do the pictures outside so we end up with some awesome pictures):