self correction

Tonight was a rough night at gymnastics. Katherine had just vaulted and was walking back down the "run way" to give it another try. She got distracted, watching the older girls, and tripped over this metal double bar set thing... I'm not sure how to describe it, but just trust me... she totally smacked into a metal bar that was about shin height. Not pretty! She was in tears and had to ice it for about 10 minutes. It's still hurting her now.....

In any event, on the way home we were talking about what had happened in class and then went on to discuss her day at school. Out of the blue, she tells me that her PE teacher keeps having to "self correct" herself. Self correction is the educational term for "whoops, I totally messed that one up, let me give it another try". When I asked her why her PE teacher had to self correct, she told me that her teacher keeps calling her KATIE. Heaven help her! Katherine is definitely NOT a Katie, and NO ONE calls her that. Ever. UUUUUGH! Evidently the kids in her class also have to tell this teacher that her name is Katherine. I think I'll be calling the school or sending a "friendly" reminder to the gym teacher reminding her of my daughter's name. As we discussed it further, Katherine began to wonder aloud if the teacher didn't like her name because she rarely addressed her by name. Great. She shouldn't even think such thoughts -- especially in first grade. Thankfully, she's proud of her name, self confident and unaffected by the perception of other people. With that said, it still annoys me. I don't want her to lose "Katherine" because some gym teacher would rather call her Katie. UUUUUGH!

In Caleb news, he had a Pop-pops day today. My dad called and asked if he could pick Caleb up from school and spend the day with day with him. Caleb was thrilled. He absolutely couldn't wait. My dad took him out for lunch, and then they went to North High School and Caleb engraved his name into a couple of pencils and insisted on doing some for Katherine as well. How sweet is that? My dad had a few errands to run, so Caleb went with him. They had a blast together. I finally picked up a worn out little boy after gymnastics tonight. I love that my dad honestly loves spending time with the kids and makes such an effort to develop a relationship with them. It warms my heart to see them growing so close, knowing that this relationship is one that Caleb will carry with him for the rest of his life.

We are in full birthday mode around here right now. Matt's parents are coming tomorrow for Katherine's party on Saturday and then Sunday after church we are leaving for Minneapolis for a few days. I have lunch reservations at the American Girl store on Wednesday, which I can't wait for, we are going to do plenty of shopping, go on rides at the mall, and hit the water park. It's going to be a great couple of days away!