Brainy Bird has officially been at college for a full week. Classes started on Thursday, so he has not yet attended all of his classes. Today will be his second day of University 101 and Vector Calculus, which are Monday, Wednesday, Friday classes, and today will be his first day of his Unix class, which is a Monday, Wednesday class, and his first day of his intro computer science class, which only meets on Mondays. He already met his intro to computer science professor, and he really likes her.
Last week Brainy Bird made his first big decision as a college student. He had to decide whether to test out of his computer science algorithms II class. He definitely could. He learned everything in the course his second year of high computer science. He independently, as in did not consult with his parents, decided to remain in the class. He explained that he could not easily find another class that would further his degree, and if it is about taking something he likes, well the class is what he loves. He also likes the professor, and an A in a four hour course is a great way to start off his GPA.
Brainy Bird also just spent his first full weekend at college. He LOVED it. He told me yesterday that they went to a job fair, and he is looking forward to the open house for all of the student clubs and organizations. He also tried everyone’s favorite Mexican restaurant in Columbia, SC. His review, “It was okay. If it were here in Houston, we would not go to it.”
It goes without saying that I am thrilled he has found a group of friends to hang out with, and that he is immersing himself into college life. Some parents have shared on social media that their kids are having a hard time meeting people and are feeling isolated. I remember this feeling when I was in college. I am happy that this is not Brainy Bird’s experience.
While Brainy Bird was busy with his new college life, Little Chirp started eighth grade. Little Chirp’s goals are the same this year as they were last year. He wants to make the basketball team, and he wants to make all A’s. He chose not to take orchestra this year. He is taking Spanish 1 instead. He will have six high school credits when he finishes eighth grade. Brainy Bird had seven. The difference is that they are not offering pre-advanced placement biology in eighth grade anymore. This is much to the dismay of the parents of advances students, myself include.
When he is not busy with school, Little Chirp and I are enjoying our time together. We made up our own domino game that I honestly think is as fun as moon and Texas 42, but it only requires two players. We also cleaned the extra room of the house. This room has been different things over the past two years that we have lived here. Now, it is going to be Little Chirp’s study.
I love Little Chirp’s studiousness. He asked for a desk in his room, and I offered him an entire second room to have as his study. He liked this idea. We got it all clean and organized yesterday. Dad just needs to move the desk from the garage apartment to the new study the next time he is here. I am going to jazz the room up a bit with decor that fits Little Chirp’s personality and a television. I would never allow Brainy Bird a TV, so this is big for Little Chirp.
I can barely walk from our trip to the gym yesterday. In addition to working out, we are eating super healthy. We have a schedule of who cooks on which nights. Little Chirp is doing more of the cooking than I am as I am INSANELY busy with work right now. To offset this, I am making breakfast and Little Chirp’s lunch. I am more of a morning person than he is, so he likes having less to do in the morning, and he also really likes cooking dinner.
I keep trying to make his lunches and breakfasts special. He says I am trying too hard to compensate for big brother’s absence. So far, my biggest hit has been key lime pie flavored yogurt. He loves key lime pie. His favorite thing for lunch is leftovers, and the Thai basil chicken was pretty spicy, so I got the yogurt for him to cleanse his pallet when he took the leftover Thai basil chicken for lunch. He asked to have the yogurt with this morning’s lunch too.
As I said in previous blogs, this is one of the best chapters of life thus far. The three of us are loving every minute of it!
It is the little things in life…