A Quick Post About the Oldest

Henry's new favorite thing to ask me is: Why does Rex get to do everything?  He's almost making me feel guilty for not signing him up for any extra curriculars, but he's only 3 so really?

 I really do try to keep our extra things limited so we have plenty of free-time to be children and have fun as a family.

Having said that, Rex has been a bit "busy" lately--of course, busy to Rex is not the same as busy to most people.  He said he doesn't want to play basketball anymore because it takes up too much of his time.  A whole 2 hours a week that he would otherwise spend complaining about being bored.  

Yesterday Rex got to compete in Mathapolooza.  He was chosen top 10 in the 3rd grade from his school to compete against the other 10 top students from each elementary school in the district.  We guessed there were about 500 kids in all.  Rex was pretty nervous when I dropped him off (parents weren't allowed to stay).  He did melt my little mama heart when he offered to say a prayer in the car when we got there and he prayed to have the Holy Ghost with him to help him remember everything he's learned and to do his best.  This kid is a 20-year-old in an 8-year-old body--actually he said something to that effect to me other day.  For an 8-year-old, he's pretty self-aware.  When I picked him up, he said he had a great time until the end when neither he nor his school got any awards.  He's also bummed because it was his one chance.  Mathapolooza is only for 3rd graders.  He's hoping to make the Math Olympic and Book Challange teams next year--I think he'll make it.

He also made the A-Honor roll and the Rigorous Reader list for 2nd quarter.  He's now reading the Hunger Game series.  His teacher was kind enough to order the entire series for him since the books were banned from his school for content. To be fair it is about children killing children, but Rex doesn't seem to mind.  He also wasn't interested in my waxing philosophical about the dangers of safety and the role of government in society as portrayed in the books--he just likes reading.

 As mentioned he's also playing basketball again this year.  He seems to finally understand the rules and has even managed to make a few baskets but when it comes down to it, he's just not very aggressive and he thinks too much--he likes to super anayze each play, which then gets the ball taken away from him.  I'm not sure if he'll play again next year; he doesn't seem to like it all that much.  I might make him play though because Alice wants to do cheerleading for his team so...we'll see.

Despite his great successes at school and on the court, Rex is really struggling with the loss of Derick.  He broke down in the car the other day and just sobbed that he missed Derick.  I think he was really tired, but I also think he really misses Derick. He said that Derick just understood him, which is true.  I can see Rex putting on a show for his other friends--either being super silly or trying to be too cool, but with Derick he was just Rex.  They were really comfortable with each other so that Derick wasn't a friend anymore, he was more like a brother.  I've tried to step up my game and arrange more play dates with other kids from church and school (though to be honest the kids from school are pretty lame and only ever want to play video games), and while they keep Rex entertained, it's just that--entertained.  Rex said he's always going to miss Derick and that there isn't another kid like Derick.  And I had to agree.  Derick is one of a kind and we can't replace him.  Maybe they'll move back? In the meantime, we're counting down the days until we drive out to Montana--summer 2019.