Reflections

Last Friday Taylor came home from school all excited - he handed me a note. It was already opened, I read it, the first line read "Please keep this a secret from your child, we want it to be a surprise", great I thought already failed on that one. It was a note inviting me to the awards assembly on Monday where Taylor would be getting an award for a reflections entry. Reflections is a contest they have each year where the kids are given a theme and then use some artistic method to address the theme. Some kids draw pictures, write poems or stories, others compose music or a dance. Taylor entered the photography category. He had no desire too. I forced him.

This is the first year I gave Reflections much thought - while it is open to the whole school it is a requirement for the 5th grade "Golden Explorer" award. At the beginning of the year during back to school night the teacher introduced the Golden Explore award, I took note of the requirements and started devising a plan of attack so that Taylor could get the award. I was excited about it. When we got home I started talking to Taylor about what books he would read to make sure he read enough for the award. What award was all he said. The Golden Explorer I replied a bit irritated he hadn't paid attention. "Oh that - I'm not doing it" "Of course you are", I spat back. "Na- I don't want to" he nonchalantly said and walked out. I was outraged. How could he not want to get an award - didn't he want to be the best student in the school. Didn't he want to prove what I good mother I was - a mother whose children win all awards possible and then some. Ok that is taking it a bit far - but realistically why wouldn't he want to get an award.

So one of the requirements for the Golden Explorer was to enter Reflections. I decided that we would discuss the award at a later date but I didn't want him to miss the opportunity to get the award just because he hadn't entered Reflections. I suggested it, he dismissed it. I tried reasoning with him and just couldn't get him to come around. Finally I pulled out all stops and said "Little boys who don't do all their homework -INCLUDING REFLECTIONS - don't get the privilege of playing the computer. "Fine" he said glaring at me. I glared back. I felt a little guilty making him do it, but I rationalized that he would thank me later. So we went for a hike and he took a picture - had it printed and shoved it in a matt and entered the contest. For some bizarre reason he won.

The awards ceremony left me even a little bit more bewildered. It was obvious that many students put a lot of thought and effort into their projects and didn't win. Taylor snapped a picture and won. It was a nice picture but it took him all of about 10 minutes to complete the whole project. I had to laugh as I overheard him bragging a bit and showing off his medal to Ryan and Anna. "It takes a lot of hard work he said, but if you are willing to work a lot and try really hard you might win a medal too " Boy is he pleased with himself.

And boy does he need a little lesson in humility, which was obvious last night at family home evening. He was on edge all during the opening song and prayer I could tell something was up. "Ok Ok -lets just get it over with he cried as he climbed up on the table and covered his face pretending to be really annoyed and embarrassed - although it was obvious he was so excited he could hardly contain himself. "What" Rick said trying to act like he didn't know what Taylor was up to. "I know you are going to make me get 3 Hips and a Hooray" so lets just get it over with Taylor said like that is the last thing he wanted. We all knew he that is exactly what he wanted. He thrives off recognition and praise. When some one in our family does something of merit we recognize them in fhe by having them stand up on the coffee table and talking about whatever they did and how wonderful it was then we all give them 3 Hips and a Hooray. We cheer "Hip Hip Hooray, Hip Hip Hooray, Hip Hip Hooray" while punching the sky. The kids love it. Anyway so he got his cheer, he was beaming as he got off the table and said "Thanks mom for making me do it". I love being right - come to think of it I deserve three Hips and a Hooray too.