Joseph and another boy got pulled aside in the hall for goofing around on the way in from recess. They were taking turns knocking the kickball from each other. The teacher who reprimanded about appropriate behavior in the hallway then said to the other boy that Joseph was “acting like a jerk and a bully.”

Joseph didn’t say anything at the time, but came home and told me about it. He was upset at being called those names, as he didn’t feel that was a fair assessment or an accurate definition of a bully. There’s a lot of talk in school these days about bullies, so Joseph is pretty aware of the definition and the teacher, apparently, was not.

I told him that he can always speak up for himself if he feels he’s not treated right, even if it’s in school and by adults. I would always support him for doing that as long as he did it with respect. But, I told him that thinking of what to say or that you should even say anything when you are right in the moment is hard, even for adults, so if you are thinking about it afterwards and still want to make your voice heard, it’s not too late now.

So, I asked him if he wanted to talk to his principal about it or if I should, or if he would rather just let it go. He said he preferred if I talked to her, but that he didn’t want to get the teacher in trouble. Pretty nice of him, I would have toasted her. Anyway, I emailed the principal, careful to relate it as Joseph had explained. The principal talked with Joseph and the teacher, and called me back. She asked if Joseph wanted to have a conversation with the teacher. I said, I didn’t think so, but I would ask Joseph and let her know if he did. During the principal’s recap of her conversation with the teacher, the teacher “did not recall” using those exact words, so I wasn’t about to put him in the position of her taking her embarrassment and frustration out on him and twisting his memory of the event to make him question himself. Not that she would have done that, but seeing as she didn’t even admit it, I would have gone with for that conversation.

I asked Joseph, Are you glad you brought it up or do you wish you hadn’t?

J: Oh no, I’m definitely glad I did. My knees were a little shaky though. But if I didn’t say anything it would just keep illuminating inside me, you know? So, yeah, now I don’t have to keep thinking about it.

I asked him if he wanted to talk to the teacher. He said, no, he was already past it.

Joseph found a fedora today and I bought it for him, along with some new shades and a shirt so ugly it’s cool. It couldn’t have clashed any more with the plaid shorts, but he’s basking in the cool all afternoon.

Overheard:

Joseph: You can wear a fedora with anything and it will look good.

Maddie: Why do you have to keep calling it a fedora, can’t you just call it a hat?

Joseph: Yep, yep. It’s definitely going to rain. Me: You feeling that in your knee?

Joseph: See, even Maddie looks good in it. (Note–Maddie is posing in her new jean jacket.)

Joseph: If I ever go to Florida, I’m definitely wearing this.

Noah: He’s going through his fedora phase a little early, isn’t he?

Joseph: What this outfit is missing is cologne.

Noah: Late for shuffleboard?

Joseph: Think I should make this my 5th grade look? Wear a fedora all of 5th grade? Me: Well, they have that “no hats” rule, so probably not.

Joseph and I talked through some possible outfits that could be enhanced by a fedora–polo, perhaps a t-shirt/vest combo. Jeans with sandals. Possibilities are endless. He was not sure he had footwear that would appropriately compliment a fedora though, and sent me a link to some ash grey Toms on Zappos, but I convinced him that the sandals he has would be fine. Although we agreed that the straw fedora won’t work for winter, and would be questionable for fall, so he’s shopping around online for a wool or felt style that suits.

Joseph: Hey, that photo ^ has a “no posting on Instagram” tag on it. Me: Ok. No Instagram.

J: “Wait! This could easily be either banjo music from far away…Or–music from a Chinese thrift shop. Yeah–there’s an old lady, reading a book. An old lady with poofy hair and glasses, like: ‘Can I help you?'”

[wpvideo xF9kpSpy ]

Pandora station: Ali Farka

Boom, pow, bang! The French and Indian War was starting. In my opinion, the French and Indian War is the most important event because it helped the British win land. This caused the British to tax the colonists to maintain the land. They did not like that and it was a spark…a spark to light the fire… the Revolutionary War FIRE! 

“You’re a great mom.”

“Well, thank you for saying that, Joseph. That is really nice to hear.”

“Yeah. Well you are. I like how you mom.”