Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

So, Nate's 4th grade year wasn't the best school experience he's ever had.

We left our beloved CTA Liberty to try out the CATS program.

Let's just say it wasn't a good fit and leave it at that.

Although - there were a few fun things that he loved.

Like the project where they got to invent their own animal by mixing two existing animals. Nathan mixed a Buffalo & an Eagle. He called it a Bugle.

He had a really good time, thinking up his animal and building it and building his habitat. That was a good memory.

And so was the time that his class elected him to be "Power Station Worker 3" - the star of the class play....

But - my little man is a stickler for his routine and the rules and kindness. 

Unfortunately, sometimes his classroom was really disorganized and crazy. He couldn't adapt to it at all,  and then he had a really hard time making friends. So when this boy who loves school and is super social started saying he hated school and dreaded going every day, we knew we had to make a change.

But - Liberty didn't have the room to take him back. LAME! Just kidding - I totally get it - but that meant Nathan had to either stick it out - or go to Sanborn, which is our neighborhood school.

So he chose Sanborn. 

Plus side - A lot of kids from our ward and neighborhood attend. So he already knew a lot of kids.

Strikes 8 & 9 for the year came when right after the second semester had started, Nate's grandma and Tom died within two weeks of each other. 

Poor kid!

But - he was much happier at Sanborn. He made friends quickly and the classroom situation with all of its rules and organization made him very happy.

He even got to be the Big Bad Wolf in his class play about Little Red Writing Hood. He did great!

And he earned two bronze and a silver medal at the math olympics!

One of Nate's strengths is his ability to adapt and be positive. 

While it wasn't his favorite school year ever - he did it with a smile and a positive attitude.

Next year, he will be back at Liberty. He's so excited. 

But - he already talks about what he learned from this year - compassion for new kids, a fondness for organization and rules.....(have I mentioned how much he likes that?), how to just take the punches that life throws at you and not let it knock you down.

Oh how I love this kid.