As a parent, I always dread getting a call from the school phone number. Like the time I was in Boston and I got a call saying Bryce’s front teeth had been knocked out. What am I supposed to do, from Boston? Turns out it wasn’t Bryce, or his permanent front teeth. It was McKinley with his baby front teeth, and yes they were knocked out. You dread getting the call from the principal, waiting to hear the details of who did what to whom… It’s a proud parent moment and it’s always a pleasant surprise to get messages like this one:

Dear [Parent],
I just wanted to write and let you know what a pleasure it was last night to have [your child] on the food crew for the auction. He had a great attitude and took initiative helping dry and clear dishes, make appetizers, replenish food when needed, and just doing whatever needed to be done when we asked. I was impressed by his work ethic.

Sincerely,

A.W.

I also had another situation like this on Sunday night, but in person. McKinley and I pulled up to the pet store at the same time as another family we know.  On the way in to the store, as we all walked together, the mom asked McKinley if he was the one who walked a little boy home from school. She said how she liked how careful he was in crossing the street with him and taking care of him. She was impressed that he was taking his job so seriously and doing such a good job getting him home safely. It was nice that she could tell McKinley that in person and in front of his own parent. It was also really cool to hear that he was taking his responsibilities so seriously!