Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Hard work + Lots of Time =

Our kids participated in our school’s Math Team this year. 

None of us had any idea how much time it would be.  They met twice a week, after school, and did 1-2 extra homework assignments that required roughly 2 hours each.  And it was completely voluntary!  We (the parents) felt like quitting a couple of times there, so we can’t imagine how the kids felt. 

Emma’s Fifth Grade team competed a few weeks ago and did well (13th out of 49 schools), but the real payoff came last Friday night, when Gabe’s Fourth Grade team competed.

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His team took FIRST PLACE!  They are the Eastern Washington long-division-story-problem-negative-integer champs~

They were feeling pretty confident, but I was kind of poo-pooing it, assuming it was naiveté on Gabe’s part.  But when 4 of his teammates were in the top 6 of the individual award portion, we started getting excited.  Gabe’s team had won the team round in his room and so we knew they’d done well in that area, too.  We were thrilled when they announced that our school was the winner.  It was fun because cousin/best friend Mallory did it, too:

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Here’s a short video of the announcement (see if you can spot 3 of 5 Romney kids):

Anyway, I realize this is a boring post to everyone else, but it must be noted for posterity:  my kids took on a challenge, stuck with it and performed well.  We are incredibly proud of both Emma and Gabe for doing something that was hard for them!

11 comments:

Tristan said...

Wow! That is so awesome! Your kids have got to feel so good about themselves! And such a good learning experience.

Lauren in GA said...

I totally got chills watching that...and I even knew that they were going to take first. I got teary watching them jump around and celebrate and seeing Emma look back at you several times. How completely awesome! Congrats to your brilliant Gabe and Emma for working so hard at something so challenging.

I saw all three Romney kids...if that was Jane that walked in front of the camera once...

Shopper Gal said...

WOW!!! How wonderful is that!! I was sitting here with my Emma and she said "hey that's Mallory" (our neighbor) I bet your kiddos are so proud of themselves! Way to go Mom & Dad for sticking it out too!!

jessica said...

You know how we feel about math around here. I can't even imagine doing extra math homework for FUN!!! I'm pretty sure Emma and Gabe are smarter than me.

Adrianne said...

Congrats Emma and Gabe. That is fantastic. Now I have two questions.

1. Is Gabe already taller than Emma?!?!?

2. Is it really warm enough to justify the announcer's booty shorts that appear to be giving her and very uncomfortable weggie?

Valynne said...

Congrats to your smart kids!

Kimberly said...

How cool! I didn't even know there was such a thing as a math team.

J'net said...

Congrats on a VERY fun event!!!

Rochelleht said...

Wow. Once again, I must tell you your children are smarter than me. Sad, sad, sad...

Dave and Ash said...

A job well done to your kids.

And, not to take away from their accomplishment... I think it's worth mentioning that the announcer lady's shorts are excellent.

Tammy said...

Thats awesome! Miss u