R is for... Reality

Everyday, when I go to correct Mackenzie's work, I am greeted with stuff like this. Each and every day, she signs her work with a different name. Each name is as random as she herself is. Whatever her interest is that day, the name reflects it.

I always look forward to seeing what she comes up with each day. It's quite entertaining and I enjoy the chuckle.

Today, as I was grading her work, I thought about how boring it would be if she were in a traditional school setting and was limited to just writing her own name.

I get the necessity of it in that setting, I was a student and a teacher after all, but I couldn't help but think that sometimes "Reality" can be very boring and stifling.

 I bet there are other sixth graders out there who would love to be able to write a My Little Pony name or the members of their favorite band on their homework but can't for fear of being reprimanded with a zero or even teased.

So on particularly trying days, seeing the name "Octavia" on my daughter's paper reminds me of how blessed I am to be able to push back some of the realities of the "real world" for a little longer.

Of course, I might change my tune if she's still doing this in college.  =o)