What do I do?

As most of you know, my son Jonah just started 1st grade a couple of weeks ago. He's a very bright kid, but I really didn't understand how bright until I met with his teacher last week. She informed me that he had already passed off ALL of his 1st grade flashcards. She said that he basically already knows everything that they will be learning in 1st grade this year. When I asked what we should do with that, she said that she would do her best to keep him busy with customized spelling and reading lists and other assignments. But I know that will be hard because she's already got an entire classroom of students that she needs to teach things that he already knows.
Then, when I checked his backpack this morning, I noticed a note that said that he had passed his accelerated reading test with a score of over 90% ON THE 5TH GRADE LEVEL!
I would be lying if I didn't say that I was proud as a peacock, but I'm also a bit worried. When I ask him what he's done at school, he always says "boring stuff." Jonah loves learning new things, so when he says this, it tells me that he's not learning anything new. And I worry that, with all of his classmates working on things that he already knows, his education is going to suffer. I wonder if I need to find a school for him where he can be around kids who are on the same level that he is. His elementary school says they have a gifted track, but it doesn't start until 2nd grade.
So I'm looking for advice. What would you do? Do you know of any good schools for accelerated learners in the Salt Lake Valley that I should look into?

HELP!

Don't Knock on My Door

I've finally decided I need to invest in a "No Soliciting" sign for our front door, although our neighbor says they usually just ignore hers and knock anyway.
We get lots of people selling things door to door around here, we've even had a few who straight out ask you for money. If you are ever trying to sell something door to door, here are some tips, from me to you....

• Don't do some cute little knock that requires you to bang out a long rhythm on my door. Two knocks will do, more than that just annoys me.
• Look professional. You can start by combing your hair and wearing appropriate clothing. If you're knocking on my front door in your booty shorts and tank top trying to tell me that you're a straight A student selling magazines for extra money for your education, I'm going to close that door right in your face. A straight A student would know better.
• Which brings me to my second point. Don't lie to me. Like this man today, he comes to my door with messy hair, wearing a wife beater, an open front short sleeve shirt and khaki shorts and flip flops and tries to tell me that he's just finishing up his degree in communications and has a 4.0 GPA and that he's been offered a six week internship with the BBC in London and he's selling magazines to earn his airfare and hotel expenses. Do I have stupid written on my forehead?! I've taken a few communications classes myself and I know that they teach you about appearance and body language. From your appearance and the way you won't look me directly in the eye when you're telling me about your college conquests, I'm gonna say you're not on the level.
• If you're handing me a pamphlet, don't keep it folded up in your back pocket. If you want me to purchase something from you, you've got to be professional about it.
  
• Don't ask me for dirt on my neighbors
• Don't tell me that you still live with your mom, especially when you're obviously in your late 20's, early 30's.
  
• And last, but not least.....just don't knock on my door.

Jonah's Picture Day Wisdom

Today was Picture Day for Jonah at school. When I picked him up this afternoon I asked him how it went. Here is his response:

Jonah-"I smiled really good, but there was one thing that I didn't like."
Mom-"What was that?"
Jonah-"They told me to say 'Girls stink!' and I didn't think that was a nice thing to say. And they told the girls to say 'Boys stink!' and that's not nice either. It just broke my heart(Yes, he really did say that it broke his heart. My little guy is sensitive that way) when they told me to say that because I think girls and boys are nice and I don't like to say mean things."

I have to agree with him on this one. Whatever happened to "Say Cheese!" and stuff like that? Do we really need the school photographer ingraining sexist messages into our elementary students? I think not. I'm glad Jonah recognized it for what it was, something mean, and wouldn't say it. I don't think I had such deep thoughts at the age of 6.

Jonah's 1st Week of 1st Grade

Jonah started 1st grade this week. I think I was more nervous for him than he was. Jonah has a history of not liking new things and I was worried about him adjusting to the longer school day and a new teacher, but all he cared about was more recesses and getting to eat school lunch. He was very excited about that.
Anyway, he's doing great! He loves his teacher and he seems to be getting along well with the kids in his class. The longer day definitely takes its toll. He's tired after school and has been falling asleep a bit earlier at night.
I ask him every day what his favorite thing he did at school was and so far I've gotten the same answer every day..."the three recesses!" That's my boy.

Jonah got a new Lego Star Wars backpack this year.

This is what I get when I ask him to smile for the camera.

Yesterday we had quite the downpour of a thunderstorm and you know what that means, right? Mud! The kids asked to play outside and the next thing I knew, they were covered. I didn't get any pictures of Jonah, but I did catch a few of my muddy girls.

Playing in their little mud pit. After I took this, Jayne actually went and sat down right in the middle of the wettest part of the mud and just started having a good ol' time.

Jayne wouldn't look at the camera, but this picture shows how covered in mud she was. Her backside was even worse!

Lilly showing off her muddy hands

I love my kiddos! They remind me that happiness can be found in the simplest of things.......like mud.

While I was reading one of my friends' blogs, I noticed that it's been two weeks since I posted anything. I think I've just been feeling anti-everything lately, anti-blogging, anti-laundry, anti-cooking, etc.
So, I'm sure you've all just been salivating over your keyboards waiting to see what incredibly exciting things are going on at the Barnum house that would keep me from posting on the blog for two whole weeks! The answer is....not that much.
I finished my summer semester with A's in my two classes. I'm enjoying my little break from school until the 30th when I'll start my two fall classes. I was going to be ambitious and try for three classes during fall semester, but then I looked back on how tricky it's been to juggle the two classes with full-time
mommy-and-wife-dom and realized that there is a thin line between ambition and insanity. So, two classes it is! I'll be taking "child guidance" and "abuse and neglect in the family".
Nate has been work, work, working. Yeah, what else is new?
The kids have been up to their usual....digging in the dirt, playing games, swimming, and going to the park. Jonah starts first grade on Monday. He's super excited to get to stay all day and eat lunch at school.
Lilly doesn't start preschool until after Labor Day. She's a bit jealous that Jonah gets to go back so much sooner than she does.
So, that's about it. Just thought I'd let cyberspace know that I'm still around.