Mali's report card!

Another VERY busy day, this my first day home. I took Mali to the doctor to investigate a problem on her forehead. A small black spec that looks like a blackhead, but has taken up permanent residence and is actually under the skin. It appears to be a small piece of rubberized turf field. This was Mali's guess, and I think she's correct. My theory is that she had it driven into her forehead on a header during a game or practice. We will see a dermatologist after our vacation.

Mali also got her eyes checked, and it was like a cartoon where the character reads the eye-chart's bottom line, which is the tiny little copyright notice at the bottom. Mali has extraordinary vision. She must have gotten that from her grandfather.

I love Mali's doctor - she spends a lot of time talking directly to Mali, asking her questions and getting her to relax. Relaxation was difficult to achieve after we all discussed the shots she should get (Tetanus, Hep A), especially before the cruise. Mali hesitated with her answer when the doctor asked her if she got good grades, finally admitting that they were "Okay..." in a very soft voice.
I said, "What do you mean!? You got straight As! Or is this your way of telling me those days are long gone?"
She laughed nervously at that.
Mali also replied to the favorite class question with "Math", which thrilled both me and the doctor.

In an amazing coincidence, Mali's report card came today in the mail. (Retrieved by Andrew, who was looking for his and forgot to take Moose on his favorite outing of the day!)
Mali was out getting treated to a pedicure by Alana, who was spoiling her as a surrogate for Olivia, who was out playing softball in the Dalles, two hours away. Since it was addressed to her parents, we had no qualms about opening it. I dramatically (to Andrew and Susy's annoyance) read the report card out loud to them.
Mali almost got straight As! She got a B+ in Team Time, which is a strange little class that is supposedly easy, though Andrew didn't like it, and Mali's teacher is rumored to be particularly difficult with her class.
Mali also got a lot of great comments. Especially from her math teacher, who is apparently very pleased with her. I think Mali's math fun is rubbing off from her friend Hannah R, who in 6th grade is taking an accelerated 8th grade math class. We're very happy about all of this, since she is doing her part to destroy yet another silly stereotype about girls. Oh, and also because math skills can lead to rewarding jobs - or at least higher paying ones. Sometimes.