four on friday. – gentino family

Judah. He’s always been a boy with an intense passion for one thing at a time (e.g. Star Wars). Lately he’s begun growing and blossoming into a boy with more varied interests. Always Star Wars, of course. And also: Reading. Harry Potter. Swim team. Astronomy. Cursive writing and learning Roman numerals. Hiking. Listening to audiobooks with his sister. I love watching the way his unique personality shapes his interests, and vice versa.

Amelie. She’s very reserved at first when meeting new kids, and boys are easier for her to connect with than girls. As a mother it’s downright painful to see your child on the outskirts, not always certain how to insert themselves into a group of kids. I think I nagged too much for awhile, so finally I sat back and kept my mouth shut and let her work it out. Here at the end of our Classical Conversations year, I’ve watched her come into her own with the other girls, and find some self-confidence. She has become the laughing, happy, chatting-a-mile-a-minute Amie we know. One of my greatest wishes for my daughter is for her to always be free to be herself, and when I see it happen, it brings joy to my heart.

Gabriel. Beautiful boy with stunning blue eyes and a personality that challenges me to the limit. But recently I realized: it is so good that God gave him this intense, inquisitive personality. As a middle child it could be easy for him to get lost in the crowd — not the oldest boy or the only girl or the baby of the family. His desire to be part of the action at all times is fierce; and it’s good that we have to take notice. At the same time, he has learned so much about being patient and waiting his turn and listening while others take the spotlight. He’s also learned to self-entertain, and while he isn’t much for playing with toys, he’ll quietly sit with his puzzles or blocks or roam the backyard searching for bugs. God has used this boy to change me, and I love him just the way he is.