Dear Callum,

As I mentioned in your older sibling’s monthly letter, I am way behind. It was my dream to get this done before we went on our trip, but it just didn’t happen. I have so many great photos and things to talk about that happened on our vacation, but I’d rather save that for next month. Now I’m in the challenging position of thinking back to what happened the month before. Luckily, you usually have interesting thoughts and ideas and activities, so I’m sure I’ll be able to think of something.

Right before we left, I walked up to school to pick you up, and your teacher stopped me. That always makes me nervous, not because I’m worried about your behavior, but just because I hope school goes smoothly for you. Fortunately, this time she stopped me for a good reason. Your school is starting a chess club, and membership is on a first come, first served basis. She said that you got so excited about it when you heard the announcement, she wanted me to fill out your application on the spot so you’d have an excellent chance of getting in. Tobin is also hoping to do it. I’m happy that you both want to take part. I anticipate more chess games in our house as you hone your skills.

You finished your basketball season successfully. There were a couple of older kids on your team who were pretty advanced, but your coaches (including but not limited to your dad) did a good job making sure everyone got a chance to play. I can tell your skills have grown since last year, and I’m glad you had fun and continued to improve. You decided not to play soccer this spring, but you do want to play baseball again. You’ll move up to junior league this year, which means it will be kid-pitch. It’s your first time in that situation, which is always a crapshoot with beginning pitchers. Let’s hope everyone gets out uninjured.

Photo by Gary Clarke

Your school year is continuing to go well. You especially enjoy ELP. We had a conference with your ELP teacher, and she showed us a keychain you designed and 3-D printed. It’s in the shape of a rectangle with a chess piece emerging from it and your name embossed. You were very proud of it, and rightly so. Your teacher said it was particularly notable because you could choose from a variety of design elements, and rather than choosing something pre-fab, you built the chess piece out of smaller components. She even kept it a little extra time in order to show it to her students at the other school where she works. You got it back this week and are happily displaying it along with your other backpack decorations.

We had your conference with your main classroom teacher as well, and that also was full of good news. You’re excelling academically and getting along well with your classmates. You told me today that you’ve gotten to be good friends with a newer student to your class, Landon. Apparently he also enjoys Minecraft. Your dad and I always get a kick out of your schoolwork when you bring it home. Recently you were tasked with writing examples sentences to reflect different feelings. To answer the question “What would make you feel embarrassed?” you wrote “Net worth = $0.” To answer the question “How would you apologize?” you wrote “Sigh…I’m really sorry.” I can hear you saying exactly that, complete with the little sigh.

Your current favorites: Sprite, cookie tubes (those wafer roll cookies that come in a cylindrical tin), YouTube, playing Gorilla Tag on the Oculus, reading The International House of Dereliction by Jacqueline Davies at bedtime, listening to “Take On Me” over and over, stripping off most of your clothes as soon as you get into the house after school, and red Kool-Aid.

You are a fun, quirky, sweet and special kid. I love you and am so glad we have each other.

Love,

Mom