When we lived in Monterey, I didn't hesitate to BRAG about Pnut to my coworkers and my friends. Once they met him, oh yes, they quickly understood why.
When he was 2 years old, he spoke in very clear and complex sentences. Baby talk wasn't part of his vocabulary. He even pronounced my name without any problems. Most adults ask a few times how to pronounce my name.
So as you can imagine the book See Jane Run was a BORE to him.
His mom would roll her eyes at me when I would go on and on about my baby Pnut and how he can do no wrong in my eyes. Hey, that was my job. Brag on him at all costs. Hah!
His nickname is Pnut.
Oh did I mention he's a straight A student and an avid reader and plays other sports as well?
Oh yes, please believe he is top notch for real.
The first time I realized he would excel academically EARLY was when his mommy took him to tour a potential school and the 1st grade teacher mentioned the curriculum would introduce reading. My dear sweet Pnut announced that he reads chapter books and will be looking forward to writing book reports and researching foreign languages.
I'm sure in her mind she thought, "You're 5. Who speaks this way when they're 5?" Needless to say, he was transferred to a school that accommodated geniuses. Yes, I said it. HaHa.
I am very proud to say, he has gone on to do really amazing things and his mommy and daddy are very proud of him. Oh and he's currently in the 3rd grade, in the Magnet program and on top of his academic and sport game. So you know teachers are very aware of who they are dealing with when they get Nathanael in their class.
He can't go wrong with smart parents!
My favorite phone call from him was when he called to tell me he knew how to count in Korean. I wasn't surprised. He said, I can count to 50 wanna hear. Of course I wanted to hear. I asked for him to count to 20. You know just so he wouldn't embarrass me too much that all I knew was Kimchi and was never brave enough to try it.
He of course counts to 30 only because he was on a roll after 20 and I didn't have the guts to stop him. You know when genius kids get started it's hard for them to put a period on things. I love this kid.
The next week I called a friend of mine to get in on the conversation. She said wow, I"m impressed, I'll give him a quiz. You know to mix it up, she began talking about this LONG chapter book and of course, he was on top of it. Memorized some key points and pretty much gave her a thesis paper on the topic. Needless to say, she was quite impressed as well.
What I try to explain to people is this. Anytime a 2nd grader asks the teacher for the next year reading list and overall curriculum guide for the upcoming year (so that he can study during the summer) you have to know you are not dealing with just a regular type of kid.
This is all his doing. His parents NEVER force any of this on him. If anything, they have to remind his to be a kid. Enjoy the fun things in life. And he does!
Here's my favorite conversation with him last week:
Pnut: I'm planning to walk home from school and not take the bus anymore.
Me: Why?
Pnut: Because the kids are too loud and I can't concentrate.
Me: Concentrate on what?
Pnut: NOthing in particular, it's just that they are too loud and they are out of control. One time the bus driver turned the bus around and went back to the school because of the noise.
Me: Wow, that's deep. Sounds serious.
Pnut: It is and that's why I'm planning to walk next year.
Me: What does your mommy and daddy say about this?
Pnut: Huh?
bwahhhhhh!!! look at him making decisions without even informing his parents. needless to say, he will NOT stop taking the bus but, you have to admit, he has a point. what is up with all the loudness on a bus ride home!
told ya'll he was awesome!
He is a very, very, focused young man!
Don't sleep on him.
Look out world, here comes Pnut!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this shot:
Oh and if you're wondering, YES! He made the shot! Are you surprised? Hah!
4 comments:
he's a great little man!
WOW! That's awesome! He's one in a million!
That true what you said about being on the look out for extra ordinary folks. Cuz they just can't do the "day to day", they always need a challenge. I'm glad his folks are up for it!
Pnut will be showing off consistently, but you'll be there to cheer him on.
Amen! Look out world!
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