It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

This is my favorite part of the year - Abbie's school has released the narratives. Better than a report card, the narratives provide qualitative feedback to each student. I have found that they are usually spot on in terms of recognizing and describing Abbie's personality. Here are a few of my favorite excerpts from this year's batch:

From her English teacher (who she really likes and respects this year):
"What a student! Abigail makes me happy. I love her snarky and bluntly honest approach in class. She tells it like it is and lets the chips fall where they may, but she can also be very kind. I was very impressed by Abby's Renaissance Art History Research Paper. Her maturity and attention to detail surpasses most of her peers."

From her French teacher (who has had her for two years now):
"Abbie's infectious enthusiasm for French is simply tremendous as she brings wonderful energy to every lesson! Her cultural knowledge and natural curiosity to find out more about France and francophone culture are of an excellent level and we are able to have mature, in-depth conversations about life in France."

From her Math teacher (who might as well be oil to Abbie's water):
"Abigail is a very intelligent, mature young woman. Abigail is very capable in Honors and she works hard most of the time. Abigail is a good questioner and I enjoy conversing with her but I would like her to work on time and place."

From her Physical Science teacher (who is also her advisor):
"Abbie is academically very accomplished. She performs very well on exams and quizzes, and she is quick to master new material. She stays on top of deadlines and communicates quite well with her teachers. She shows a level of maturity well beyond her eighth grade years, and I enjoy her dry humor during advisory."

From her World History teacher (who she really likes this year):
"Abbie is a keen intellect and I have enjoyed getting to know her as a student, athlete, and AI participant this past year. She seems to have a real passion for the social studies and current events. I have enjoyed our occasional conversations on a variety of topics."

From her Orchestra teacher (who should have retired long ago):
"Abbie has been an excellent addition to our orchestra providing experience and leadership to others around her. She has moved up to the front of the group and continues to work to improve her musicianship."

From her Drama teacher (who I think she enjoys reasonably well):
"It has been a pleasure getting to know Abigail this semester. She is an inquisitive student who approaches academics and theatrical situations with enthusiasm. Our production would not be the same without her! She brings a smile through our door, along with a great work ethic. Abigail is a strong critical thinker, always wondering why and how things happen."

The teachers also provided goals for her to work on in their classes and I think that Abbie is paying attention to that feedback and making it happen. Beyond academics, Abbie is happy to have her last basketball game this coming Friday. The season helped her get in better shape, but basketball is definitely not her first love. Next week the softball season will start and she is really looking forward to that!

Getting braids before the last game of the season

Aside from school, Abbie continues her interest in bees and is planning to get together with a woman from our work who has her own hive and is excited to talk all things bees. Abbie has also developed more interest in plants. In addition to the potatoes and such that she sometimes plants outside, she has developed a solid collection of house plants in her room. She has lovingly named each one - Tango, Talia, Frederick, Danielle, Juanita, Seymour, TFW, Mushroom, and Klaus Gabriel. Each one is a different type of plant, so they all have unique watering needs. Each week she prints off a watering schedule so that she can track what she is giving them. She has also combined this interest with her interest in photography by taking flattering photos of each of them. They are loved! :)