Cam played the "Old Worm" in his class play

Cameron has a short attention span in a classroom full of 25 kids. So most of the school year we’ve struggled with keeping him on task without his teacher needing to remind him every second. When it felt like we reached the last straw, I asked Cam’s teacher for a way so I can find out how Cam did each day.

She came up with a grid idea where there’s a list of what they do each day (it’s doesn’t vary much through the week) and Cameron has to put an X or a check mark for things he completes or doesn’t complete. At the end of the day, Cam has to get his teacher to look through the list to see if he told the truth and then she signs it. (And she leaves a message if needed) Then Cam has to bring it home so I or his Dad can sign it. Since we’ve put him in charge of self-regulating his work, he’s made really big improvements in his academic work.

It’s a relief to have found a key to reaching the boy.

Another awesome development, Cameron’s really gotten interested in reading “boy” books. That’s books like Harry Potter (we’re on book 5), Stink, Magic Treehouse and Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. I think he’s read so many books with enjoyable dialogue, he’s transitioned that reading into the way he writes in school. He has an incredibly conversational writing style. He doesn’t always write simple descriptive sentences to set the scene. He still needs to remember capital letters and punctuation. But seriously, I’m so thrilled with his writing.

Here’s an example of his take on running in the St. Louis Kids Fun Run:

The Run
By Cameron
4-15-10

“Ready set GO!” Wait. That’s the middle. Ok. Here’s how it started.

“Yawn! Buh boggly bop?” AHH? Yeah horrible but funny start.

1 hour later we were at Forest Park. 1 hour later my sister Jordan was running a 50 yard dash. It only took 30 seconds. 2 more minutes later that guy who says “ready set go” he said the 3 words.

I started a little too fast because in the middle I took a break. Then about 1 minute later I finished. My mom was SO happy.

That was my amazing run.

Cam had his 8th birthday party at the house over the weekend – four of the boys in our neighborhood came over to eat dinner, watch Harry Potter movies and sleep over. I discovered that once again, a bubble machine can go a long way when it comes to a party’s fun level.

Cam had a ton of fun… and his friend were pretty darn good. It was a really long bash. The kids arrived in the evening, had pizza and cake, played and watched a couple of Harry Potter movies. Cam and one of his friends were the only ones left awake at the end of the second movie. They all slept a little bit, ate doughnuts in the morning and played around for a while. I think it was a success… But an exhausting one nonetheless!

Cam ran in the St. Louis Kids’ Fun Run over the weekend – a full half mile! As you can see he was FAST at the start of the race. He had focus, he had drive… And he was SO tired by the end. But you know what? He finished!! And he earned a medal:

It was great to see him have fun with running. He’s pretty darn proud of the experience… although he wishes his medal wasn’t plastic but actual medal like the one his mom earned by running in the marathon relay. Either way, he’s been proud to show if off!

We’re having a great Easter… And the kids were super sweet this morning.

Cameron performed in his first show since he was four. He attended a week-long theater camp with a Scooby Doo theme. He had a BLAST. And MAN is that boy dramatic. He not only had a TON of lines, he appeared to know every other kids’ lines at the same time. It was awesome to watch.

I was incredibly proud. I didn’t expect Cam to have a central role in the show and honestly, I didn’t expect him to enjoy the week so much. I’m so happy he’s happy.

Eight years old. Can you believe it? Cameron is eight today.

It’s a big day for him. Cam is taking part in a local theater company spring break camp that has a Scooby Doo theme! So fun. I didn’t expect him to love it as much as he does. The big performance is tomorrow… He’s playing the role of Teddy who is Fred’s cousin. The theme is “Scooby Doo and the Creepy Family Reunion.” Cam has a couple of lines, gets to dance and sing. And amazingly, he’s really loving it. Hooray! The same theater program is holding a Phineas and Ferb-themed summer camp of a week. I think we’ll probably do that one.

Before I headed out to work, Cam made me stay to conduct his yearly birthday interview. Here’s his 8 year old interview from this morning:

UPDATE: Here’s our official happy birthday cake singing: