This morning I was looking through #Holidays that are celebrated today and as I was thinking about them they took me back to my high-school days and then I kept looking and I found a #Holuday that reminded me of Charlie and Joseph. I know that was a Godwink to remind me how much I love those boys even when they frustrate me.
I don’t know about you but for me some days on the calendar seem like they were made to go together. October 22 gives us National Color Day and Smart Is Cool Day, and I can’t help thinking about homeschooling, the things we learn along the way, and the people in our lives who remind us that intelligence comes in all kinds of packages.
And, of course, I can’t talk about being smart without thinking about Steve Urkel! Did I do that? 😂
Did I Do That? Remembering Steve Urke. If you grew up watching Family Matters, you probably remember Steve Urkel. He was smart, enthusiastic, a little awkward, and absolutely unforgettable. His famous catchphrase, “Did I do that?” became part of television comedy history.
Charlie used to think Urkel was absolutely hilarious, and that memory still makes me smile. Urkel showed us a character who wasn’t afraid to be himself, even when other people didn’t always understand him. He was proud of his intelligence, loved learning, and certainly knew how to make an entrance.
And let’s be honest: sometimes being smart can be pretty funny, too! This is why I wanted to create a Shout-Out to Joseph and Charlie. Charlie may not be book smart but he is smart in other ways including technology which he has taught himself. While Joseph is book smart. They are as different as night and day but in other ways they are 2 Peas in a Pod.
As you know everyone has different gifts. Some people can remember facts that the rest of us have forgotten five minutes later. Others can figure out how things work, solve problems, learn new technology, or come up with creative ideas that surprise everyone around them.
Being smart isn’t limited to report cards, spelling tests, or knowing every answer in the classroom. It’s about curiosity, problem-solving, creativity, persistence, and being willing to learn something new. And sometimes it’s about being the person who asks the question everyone else was afraid to ask!
So here’s to the smart young men and women in our lives and to everyone who encourages them to keep learning, growing, and discovering what they can do. One of the things I appreciate about homeschooling is the opportunity to explore different ways of learning.
Not every child learns the same way. Some need to read something several times. Some learn best by doing. Others need pictures, conversation, hands-on activities, or a little extra time to make a connection. When we recognize those differences, we can help children discover their strengths instead of making them feel as if they must fit into one particular mold.
Learning can happen through books, games, experiments, cooking, building things, exploring history, and asking questions about the world around us. A curious mind can turn an ordinary afternoon into a learning adventure. And that’s something worth celebrating!
Now, let’s bring National Color Day into the picture. Think about all the ways color can make learning fun. We can use colored pencils to illustrate a story, create a rainbow while studying the colors of light, organize information with different colors, or explore how artists use color to express feelings and ideas.
For younger learners, sorting objects by color can become a simple educational activity. Older students might explore color theory, famous artists, the science of light, or the role colors play in advertising and design. You don’t need an expensive curriculum or a house full of supplies to get started. Sometimes a box of crayons, a notebook, and a little imagination are enough. And if the activity leaves a little color on the kitchen table, well, that’s what cleaning supplies are for! 😂
One thing I want you to take away from this post is smart comes in many colors. A rainbow wouldn’t be much of a rainbow if every color were exactly the same. People are a little like that, too. We have different interests, different strengths, different ways of expressing ourselves, and different things that make us excited to learn.
One person may love reading. Another may love mathematics. Someone else may be happiest building something, writing a story, creating art, or figuring out how a computer works. We don’t have to be good at everything to have something valuable to contribute.
We just need room to discover what we’re good at and opportunities to keep growing. Let’s Give Somebody a Shout-Out! Today, I’d love for our Greatful Moments community to join in. Who is one of the smartest people you know? Give them a shout-out in the comments! Tell us what makes them special, what they love learning about, or something clever they’ve done that impressed you.
And since we’re celebrating National Color Day, tell us this, too: What color makes you smile? Is it blue like a beautiful Texas sky, green like the trees after a good rain, yellow like a field of sunshine, or a completely different color? Let’s celebrate smart minds, colorful imaginations, and the people who make our lives brighter.
I also would like to share from Greatful Moments being smart is wonderful. Being willing to learn is even better. We don’t have to know everything. We don’t have to learn at the same speed as everybody else. And we certainly don’t have to stop being curious just because we’ve grown up.
So here’s to homeschooling, lifelong learning, Steve Urkel, and the young people who make us proud. And Joseph and Charlie, this one’s for you! Keep asking questions, keep discovering new things, and never be afraid to let your own kind of smart shine. After all, smart is cool, and every mind has something worth celebrating. 🌈
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed. 🦋🐸✝️
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#NationalColorDay #SmartIsCoolDay #Homeschooling #FamilyMatters #SteveUrkel #LifelongLearning #CelebrateLearning #GreatfulMoments
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
