This Is What I've Been Trying to Tell You

We had conferences for The Dictator the other night. Her teacher expressed how very bright and sweet The Dictator is. She is reading 140+ correct words per minute, when 40-80 is average. We had a good discussion about how we can try to give more challenge to The Dictator -- how she's been left to be "teacher helper" and used to help struggling kids more than given a chance to learn something new for 3 years now.

I told the teacher all about the writing left handed antics of the past two years. And how she needs to watch out and not give The Dictator time to plot, wherein she will gather a band of merry men and wreak havoc. The teacher smiled and promised to send us links and ideas to challenge her further at home.

The next morning, as I was checking The Dictator's math homework, I noticed that on the back (during class) she had written her name in mirror image. Writing backwards -- that's new.

I told The Dictator to take that paper to school and show the teacher and say "This is what my mommy was talking about" -- but then she thought she was in trouble.

No, Dictator, "in trouble" is saved for if you fail to realize your full potential to say smart alecky things but convince the teacher/principal/etc. that you were just joking. (Reference: demerit March 4, 1987)