Our internet service stinks. It has been going in and out for over a week. Embarq better shape up or they will be losing a customer. Anyway, here is the letter to each of my boys, condensed for time and space's sake. ------- #1 was in fifth grade this year. Besides growing physically, he grew a lot academically, spiritually, and emotionally. I saw him start turning into a responsible young man that I am proud of. This was a hard year of lessons and he came through it well. This year he started noticing when things needed doing, and usually he went ahead and did them without being asked. He puts away his laundry, and tries to clean up after himself much better now. He is able to look after younger children, and has been very helpful with the Cloverbuds in our 4-H club. Academically, #1 started using a schedule to keep up with his studies, and rarely did he need prompting to finish. Spanish and Math went well. Grammar started falling into place, and his writing achievements were awesome. He won a writing contest at the university. I have seen his artistic abilities improve as well. The university classes seem to be helping, and he is starting to think about being an artist. He is a great public speaker at co-ops, show and tell, and banquets. He even gave a thoughtful campaign speech and won President in 4-H. He enjoyed new sports this year as well. Archery, shooting guns, bowling, and soccer were his favorites. He enjoyed being on a soccer team this past fall, and his team won the championship. I think the surest sign of #1's maturing was his ability to deal with conflicts with other people. He didn't come running to his parents or friends, but courageously and politely tried to take care of it himself. --------- Third grade pushed #2 in some new directions. He continued to excel at academics, but he had to try a little harder this year. He became an avid reader, fervently explored God's creation, and continued to have a positive attitude. He did well in Math and quickly picked up the Multiplication Facts. He loves Science and enjoyed Chemistry this year. Piano was fun, except for the practicing. He still struggles with Grammar, but a Writing class in Co-op opened a new passion for him. The schedule didn't go well with #2. He is still needing personal guidance. He enjoys cooking. And this year he won first place in the Unnatural Resources Fair for designing some drawers. He was also Photographer of the Year for the County 4-H. #2 thinks out of the box, and is often trying to invent new gadgets. His fort ended in a terrible case of poison ivy, but the Christmas knives have found their place doing whittling. He is an outdoorsman, but doesn't like competitive sports. He likes archery, shooting, and fishing. #2 is also a great public speaker, and especially likes Power Point. He won a talent show giving a demonstration of cooking an omellette. #2 needs lots of guidance to complete a task, but he is always happy and eager to get things done. We are very proud of him.