Palmer's Second Grade Program

 In January, Palmer's wonderful school teacher came to me and asked what I thought of Palmer memorizing the Gettysburg address for his second grade program.  I was a little stunned for a second and I am sure I asked her "do you think he can do that?"  I love to see my kids take on challenges, but never in a million years would have thought a second grader (even one as bright as I believe my Palmer is), could do that.  She told me she thought that he could do it and then asked Palmer if he would like to do it.  He looked a little bit scared at first, but then decided that it was something he would like to do.

We started by giving him a line or two and as soon as he had that memorized, I would give him another one.  His agile mind ate it up and he memorized the entire thing pretty quickly.  Josh and I just sat and watching him in awe as he rose to this challenge.  He worked so hard on it.  I would ask him multiple times a day to give me what he had learned of the Gettysburg Address, and he would smile and recite.  He never complained, he never said no.  This boy really is amazing to me. 

 This past Thursday was the second grade program.  The day for him to finally recite what he had been working so hard to do.  We had bought him this cute Abraham Lincoln costume for the occasion and all of our boys have decided they want to be Abraham Lincoln for Halloween so they can wear it.  There was another boy in his class that was asked to do the Gettysburg Address for the school program, and Palmer was asked to do it for the parents program.  I was TERRIFIED for him.  He however, was excited and happy and couldn't wait to do it. 

 This program was amazing.  It was entitled "Heros".  The kids went through 4 heros and the things that they had learned this year from studying them.  They did George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr.  and Helen Keller. 

 I was teary through the entire thing.  It was so touching and talked about so many things that I hope my kids will internalize. 

 Palmer stood out front as they talked about Abraham Lincoln.

 The kids all had their parts memorized.  I could tell they had all worked so hard.  It really was so good.

 Palmer stepped up to the microphone and began his speech.  I don't think Josh or I breathed through the entire thing.  He did it perfectly.  At one time he ran out of breath and had to stop a second to catch his breath that the audience got a kick out of it.  It really was so cute. 

 I was in tears the whole time and at the end the audience erupted in a huge round of applause.  I also let out a huge cheer (of praise and relief that he had accomplished what he has worked so hard to do).  It was an incredible moment. 

 Josh and I could sit back and relax for the rest of the program (I am so glad his speech was toward the beginning).

 The program also paid tribute to the scouting program and the wonderful things that program teaches.

 Palmer and Mrs. Inderrieden.  I can't even begin to express how much I appreciate this amazing woman (we seriously have always lucked out in the teacher category).  I am especially grateful for all of the potential she sees in Palmer.  She is always encouraging him and the other kids in her class.  She is incredibly patient and I want to be like her someday.  She is definitely one of my heros. I truly feel like some of the biggest blessings in our family's lives have been the teachers our children have had.  I feel like all of them have become our friends. 

 Lincoln had seen the program earlier in the day at school and McKay would have had a hard time with it, so my wonderful sister Debby said she would babysit them for me.  Hunter came with us though and was so good for the whole program!

It was definitely a special night for our family, especially Palmer.  He left that school on cloud 9 as he told us all about the goals that he was going to achieve next (I think he mentioned wanting to memorize Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream Speech" next ).  After watching him work so hard I don't think I will ever doubt that he can accomplish what he wants to again!

As soon as we can figure it out we will get the video we took of him reciting up on the blog.