Da Grumpy Mudder: The conversation went something like this...

6 pm, Monday night at the dinner table...

Me- So Sammy...Daddy and I had a good meeting with your teacher today.

Sam- What did she say?

Me- She said that she loves you and that you're a great kid...and she told us about all of the helpers in class that you work with on math, reading and whatnot.

Evan- She also told us that sometimes you're a goofball in class and that she would love it if you try a little harder to pay attention and do your work.

Sam- (lots of wiggling in his chair, eating ketchup, sort of acknowledging what we're saying with that sweet/sly little grin on his face)

Miles- Is he going to get held back?

Me- (eyes bulging out of my head, horrified expression on my face, giving the cut off sign, hoping that only M can see me)

Sam- What's a held back? I'm going to give you a held back, Miles! Mom...how do you do a held back? (clearly, he's thinking it's an exciting new wrestling move)

We redirected Sam to adding actual french fries to his ketchup and that was pretty much the end of that conversation.

The truth of the matter is...we are pretty sure that Sammy will be repeating first grade. We're not 100% certain but at this point, it seems likely. Our little Sam is a dreamer...and he's young...one of those tricky July birthday boys. You just never quite know if they're going to take off or struggle when they begin kindergarten at 5. The same was true of Miles when he was little, although his developmental age stood out more in second grade and we discussed possibly having him repeat that year. M is an old soul though...always much more serious than his little brother and somehow after falling a little behind each year, always in the winter time, he would rally and catch up to the rest of his class. He really stretched his wings when he started middle school and now, in his first year of high school, the kid has become an academic powerhouse. Sam I Am is just a different little personality all together. Funny, free spirited, outgoing, incredibly dramatic, super chatty and happy happy happy. He is going to need another year in first grade. It will give him the time that he needs to grow developmentally, and a year of being top banana will be so good for his self confidence. He's a smart little guy but he has always moved at his own, very deliberate pace. He just needs a little time...both Evan and I know this about him. Does it still make my heart ache a little...you bet. And it tears at Miles too...I can see it. He reminds me so much of myself and how I've always felt about my younger brother. He's worried that Sam will be sad. I told him that might be the case, but that we can all make it ok for him...and we all know that the skeeter is resilient. He's like a duck...it just all rolls off his back. We hope that'll be the case here as well. Such a sweet, happy kid. He's going to do great things...both of my little loves will. I just know it.