About Andrew

Spring Break has commenced!  One of my goals for the week is to try to make progress on finishing some blogging from 2013.

Life  has reached a whole new level of crazy this year with Kaitlin starting school and having her own "life" complete with activities and when did Kindegarten start giving so much homework???  Matthew's homework reached a new intensity this year as well.  I am counting down until summer.

I wanted to record a little of Andrew's journey for those who follow along with care and concern and also for my own reference.

 Andrew has started gymnastics and LOVES it.  I wish I would have started him sooner!  It is SO good for his motor skills and just feeds his needs for sensory input and movement.  He is learning a back tuck on the trampoline and so my paranoia of a broken neck has officially commenced.  It's less expensive than OT and works his core and many of the skills we were doing there.

He has had a pretty good year.  He has a great teacher who is so patient.  I thought for a long time that things were better/easier for him, when it turns out his teacher is just the type who handles things and doesn't feel the need to constantly report to the parent.  Which is both great and a challenge, as that feedback helps me to regulate his medication.

We've had to increase his medication and add on another one this year.  We had to change doctors due to an insurance change and I do not like our new physician.  This is one of the hardest parts of managing ADHD ~ building a good professional team.  We might resort to seeing a Dr. not covered by insurance, but highly recommended and closer to our home.  I would rather make financial sacrifices and have quality care for Andrew that would require him to miss less school for appointments.

One of the things I am thankful for is that Andrew does not have the social challenges that many ADHD kids have.  I always send up a prayer of thanks on that portion of the Behavioral survey where all of the numbers indicating "never a problem" are circled and I am reminded that things could be much more challenging.  He is continuing to do well in school academically speaking (he LOVES to read! ~ I am so thankful for this) though his teacher thinks he'd perform even better if he could focus longer.   The exception is writing.  It is still very difficult for him and he is now a full grade level behind.  I met with his teacher this week and we are retesting him to see if we can get him qualified for services.  She said she is hoping to be able to have someone come into the classroom and work with Andrew individually on assignments and possibly modify the requirements to be more appropriate for his abilities right now.  It would help a lot as the gap between him and his peers is quickly widening and his frustration is greatly increasing. 

School is hard for him behaviorally as well.  Thankfully his teacher sees that "he just can't help it at times."  Although, he had a substitute teacher today and tried turning in two writing assignments with only the words "blah blah blah blah" on them.  I know his history and can surmise that it was friday, he's tired, writing takes a lot of effort and energy for him and he was just done.  However, it's not okay to do that.  But honestly, I saw the note on his daily behavior report (we've started those too) and just laughed (Andrew was not there to see).  There are consequences of course, but I have to keep my sense of humor.

It takes us a long time to get through homework on days that he has writing assignments as I still have to help him correctly form letters.  I am seeing that as Andrew gets older and the academic demands increase I am going to need to release myself from committing to things that aren't necessary.  I can see that I will need to have dinner prep done early so that when Andrew is home I don't get frustrated and impatient with his needs and that I can better invest myself into reinforcing good habits for him that take  s  o  o    l  o  n  g   to establish and so much energy to maintain.  It is NOT easy.  In fact, I am challenged daily.  And I fail daily.

I joined a website called CHADD for parents/kids with ADD in the hopes that I can learn more and find helpful resources.  They are hosting a webinar that has information on 504/IEP plans and what kids with ADHD are legally entitled to.  I am hoping to learn more so that I can better advocate for andrew.  All that to say, I'm learning that this journey is going to require a lot of time, energy, patience, and resources.  I recently attended a meeting about helping kids with Executive Functioning challenges (kids with ADHD have this).  They presented the statistic that 35% of kids with ADHD drop out of high school, along with many other sobering facts.  They are an at-risk population for many, many undesirable things.  It is so easy to get sucked into fear as a mother surrounding that.  But I have to just pull back and look at today.  Just today.  And what I can do in this one day to help move Andrew toward a life where he can be the best possible version of himself.   And then I'll wake up tomorrow and do it again.  And when it stops working or he changes and has different challenges, then I'll figure out how I need to change and adjust as well.  And I hope each day and each decision will build on one another until one day a man poised for a happy, successful life will leave my home and blossom.

First Day of School!

 

As much as I prefer to have my kids home with me, and these days of letting them go little by little to Pre-school, then Kindergarten, then first grade...tugs so much at my heart.  I do love the excitement of first day of school.  I am not putting off this post and am writing it as the day goes on so that I will remember all the details.  Especially since we have a Kindergartener this year!

Kaitlin literally bounced into my room this morning as I was getting ready in the bathroom.  Bounce, bounce, bounce, in the door ~ SO excited.  Which makes the day so much easier and fun.

As I was getting Kaitlin ready she started to say that she felt nervous and shy and I said, "Kitti, there is a little girl in your class that loves Princesses and Unicorns and you are going to have so much fun with her."  (Isn't there one in every Kindergarten class?) She said, "What's her name?"  I said, "I don't know, you'll have to tell me when you get home."

Dan went to work late so that he could be part of the morning.  He also surprised the kids with making a doughnut run for breakfast.   (You're welcome, teachers.)  The kids were SO excited.

 

The kids got ready and we did our traditional first day of school photos on the front porch, and they were really cooperative!











We headed to school where lots of families were gathering.  We did our first day of school photo with the Fox....

 

Fox Rocks!

And then walked Kitti inside.

 

The boys said goodbyes (you can see them to the left in the photo ~ they had already made it down the hall) and were off to the playground to meet their friends.

It was fun to run into Ben and Ella and give them first day hugs and best wishes.  They are small group friends who just were moved to our school.  Ben is in class with Andrew and was looking way cool in his hat.



The Kindergarteners went to the Library to hear a story and learn what they do on the first day of school.  And look who ended up sitting next to Kailtin?



A princess backpack girl!  :)

After stories the kids went outside to learn where to line up before school and the parents were allowed to go to the classroom and wait for the children.  Kaitlin got in line next to the spanish girl that volunteered with her mom when Andrew was in kindergarten (Kaitlin called her, her "Spanish Best Friend".  She speaks very little English, if at all.  Kaitlin walked up and said, "Hola!"  And then proceeded to chat away telling her, "You're going to learn a lot of English this year.  English is a language....."  While the little girl just looked around the room.  :)

 

The kids made the "Fox" sign as they were walking out into the hall.  They do this in Kindergarten (I'm guessing to keep their hands occupied) and it's a sign for them to walk quietly.  Kitti has watched Andrew do this and so she was all ready to go with her little Fox hands.



On a side note, Kaitlin recently grew a lot ~ look how tall she is next to her peers!

When they returned and were lined up outside the room I heard the teacher said, "That was a really good job walking quietly.  Wrap your arms around yourself and give yourself a big hug!"

I love Kindergarten.

We waited in the room, and the Bug returned, all smiles.



We helped them hang up their backpacks, get their planners (Kitti was not happy that it looked like a boy planner, "I don't like it.") and found their seats. (I noticed the princess backpack girl, who was also wearing a bow headband and a dress with a tulle underskirt came to check the seat next to kitti hoping she was seated there.  I think a friendship has already begun).  

Mrs. Sawyer seated the Spanish girl next to Kaitlin to help with her transition and it was so funny when she sat down, Kitti immediately started in again.  "Hi, Spanish Best Friend (yes, she really said that) Are you riding the bus home?  Because if you are, you can sit next to me on the bus...."  The poor thing doesn't need to learn English as Kitti will talk enough for the both of them!



It was time to go, so I said goodbye....

 

And took one last photo.

 

Kaitlin looked at me at one point and said, "Mama, are you crying?"  I think my eyes were glistening all morning as it's just a really big milestone.  And as I sit here and record these sweet memories, my heart aches and the house is so quiet.  The kids have fantastic teachers, they are at an excellent school, I am so thankful for all of it.  I just know there's no going back...that precious time in our life is over.  I loved it so much and can't help to be sad to see it end.  We will have a great year.  I will embrace this next stage and I'm sure I will love it (I already do) ~ but this morning, just for today, while Kaitlin is at Kindergarten, I'm having my "Mom" moment. But when the kids arrive home, they will be greeted with big hugs, a happy smile and apple cupcakes, ready to celebrate! 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I was happy when Kitti's bus pulled up.  (It stops right in front of our house.  Talk about convenient!) The doors opened and we met her new bus driver who was really nice.    I was grateful she made sure that each of the children had parents waiting for them before they let them off.

 

Kitti came happily bounding off the bus.

I gave her probably 10 hugs as I made lunch.

She had a great day and was really happy.

And the princess unicorn girl I told her about?

It turns out, her name is Sydney.

She was the princess backpack girl and sat next to Kitti on the bus on the way home.

We had an afternoon snuggle on the sofa and very soon it was time to get the boys.  They are "Walkers" this year.  After begging to walk home, I finally agreed.  However, when 3:30 rolls around, my plan is to start walking up toward the school myself and meet them half way.  So Kaitlin and I set out.  There was a lot of happy skipping.

 

 The boys appeared and were surprised to see us.  Not in the "Yay!  Mama is here!" kind of way that used to happen.  But more in the, "we were doing this really cool thing and now it's not so cool anymore because you showed up" sort of way.

Sigh.

I was greeted with..."I thought we were walking."

"You are walking...I'm just walking with you part of the way."

Andrew happily held my hand and we chatted about their days as we walked home.  We're still not exactly sure how Andrew's day went.  Other than he liked his teacher.  I'm not entirely sure he made good choices as his response varied from "yes" to "I don't know, you'll have to ask my teacher."  Oh well.  Matthew had a great day and reported that his teacher is funny.  Which means Matthew will love her.




See?  No running to hug Mama.

That's ok.  I can take it.

This is exactly why it's hard to see Kaitlin go off to school...I know what happens next.



We made it home and even though I wasn't cool for walking up to meet them.  I did make them happy with our 1st day of school apple cupcakes. 







Kitti finished off her first day of school with her first day of soccer practice which she was equally excited about!



Especially since she's playing with her BFF.

 

I think it's going to be a good year.  We have great teachers.  And I have to say, it was really nice just having one calendar of the same school events for all the kids.  I've made it through the pile of "First Day Folder' paper work.  Filled out forms, written checks, and they are tucked back in backpacks.  Lunches are packed and we're ready for round two.  And so it begins....

Andrew's 8th Birthday ~ Family day

 



Some of my favorite days of the year are my kids' birthday.  I love having a family celebration and spending time together and saying "yes" to things to which I would normally say "no."

 The birthday child gets to choose what to do on their birthday and Andrew chose to see a movie.  (I think it was Epic...this is the problem with updating my blog months after the fact!) 

Dan got off work early so that we could all go to the movie together.

 

This video game is always a draw when exiting the theater.  The kids always want to sit on the motorcycle and inevitably ask, "Can we play it."  And the answer is always "Not today."

Except on this day!  Being a Birthday and everything is just a little more special, it was nice to say, "Yes!"  Dan played a game of air hockey with the kids as well and then we headed out to Red Robin (Andrew's choice) for dinner.





The exciting thing is always the song and sundae ~ which we always pass around the table and share.  (I'm big on sharing ~ even on your birthday.  I think it helps nurture a generous heart.  But the birthday child always does eat first and the most).  :)

Then we went home for gifts and cake!






Andrew received a Lego Set and a head lamp ~ so that he could read in bed at night (which he uses every night!) and he was most excited to receive an ipod shuffle so that he could listen to music.





Then it was time for cake!

I did a quick cake for Andrew with a camo print I had ordered online and then when it came realized it was way too small and had to execute Plan B.  Andrew really wanted to use it so I did a little cake for him and he was thrilled.  It looked like a grocery store cake to me.  But as long as he was happy! :)





It was a very fun day celebrating our very special Andrew!

Andrew's 8th Birthday ~ The fun!

Andrew's birthday was a lot of fun.  It was very small ~ many of our little friends had other plans (the hazard of a summer birthday).  So it was just Shannon's family, our nephews, our family, and Andrew's buddy from school ~ Aiden.  It definitely made for a relaxed party and while we missed our other friends, the kids still had a blast.

After everyone arrived it was time for the obstacle course to earn their dog tags.  Dan did a great job setting it up.  Then he got every pumped with their "game faces" and ready to go....



Andrew was the first to go.  Lots of concentration here....


Hopping over the ropes....



Noah crossing the Lily Pads....



Crossing the beam....





Under the noodles....



And the end:  Trowing a water grenade at the tank balloon.  Andrew was SO excited about this balloon.  Someone (who shall remain nameless) was asked to tie it on to the sawhorse...it wasn't knotted and at the first hit, the balloon floated away!  Andrew was in tears.



Daddy came to the rescue. The game was quickly changed to "Throw the Water Grenade at Uncle Dan."



He was a great sport and made it fun, as only Dan can do.  Taunting, chasing, and having fun with the kids.



Hannah got a good shot off.  She wasn't the only one to get her target.  Like I said, Dan was a really good sport!



Cutie pies.



Love all these kids so.



Can't get enough of the toothless grin.



The next game was a search and rescue mission to find lost soldiers. 





Our little crew.



Then it was time to refuel with their food rations.



A not so healthy trail mix.



Michelle and Shannon enjoying the adult rations.



And then it was time for cake!  None too soon as the sun came out and the buttercream was just starting to get gooey and melt.



Make a wish!

Run For the Arts

One of the many areas that school funding has been cut during the recession has been the art program.  One of the ways that our school earns money to provide art programs for the children is to have a "Run for the Arts" each year.  The kids get pledges for each lap that they run (in a 30 minute time frame) and it funds an "Artist in Residence" program that the PTA heads up.  They bring in artists that do different things with the kids (One of the programs this year was the "Tears of Joy" puppet theater where the kids made puppets and did puppet shows with Native American themes.  It was great!)

My boys aren't that into sports, but they love to run!  So they were both excited about this and I have to say, after years of watching them play in the dirt at Little League and daydream and hang from the goal post in soccer, it was fun to see some drive and determination in them!

 

First grade was up first.  Here they are lined u and ready to go!



And they're off!!



I look at this picture and just think, "I love my boy."



The kids have numbers pinned to their back and as they complete a lap the parent volunteers tally the laps on their back.

 



There was a refreshment station set up where the kids could stop and get drinks during/after running.  Kaitlin LOVED helping the mommies fill it up.  When we arrived there wasn't enough help so we jumped in and got to work and ended up coming back to help later.  Kitti did great!



Andrew was so determined and wouldn't stop for a drink.  I snapped this as he ran by "4 laps!"  (3 laps to a mile on this track).



Andrew ran so hard the whole time.  He did great!



Here are a couple of Andrew's friends...John saying he ran 2 laps and Aiden getting refreshment.



Andrew did great, running seven laps!  One of the highest for his grade!

 

This cutie was up later in the day.

 

He too, ran really hard refusing to stop for a drink.  I was very proud of his determination.  He ran 11 laps!  Also one of the best for his grade.



Bridger is one of Matthew's best friends.  His Mom Jina, was marking tags with me.



The kids got Popsicle as a treat when they were done running.  The 3 boys to the right of Matthew are William, Stephen and Edoardo.  Good friends of Matthew's.



Matthew was playing with Kitti when he was done and I snapped this photo. 

I just love it.