Welcome, Fall
We had a great weekend! I'm really trying to soak up my family of four as much as possible before it changes forever.
Friday afternoon we had a parent teacher conference with Harrison's teacher. I was really nervous because I haven't gotten much feedback on how he's doing yet and I've been worried about him and how he's adjusting. Harrison has been faced with a lot of challenges over the last 11 months or so. I won't go into too many details right now, but it's been a rough season for us and it's been hard seeing him go through these struggles and it's been really frustrating and challenging to parent him through a lot of it. He's regressed in a lot of areas emotionally and behaviorally and I do think a lot of it has to do with me being pregnant. He's really excited about the baby, but he went through a tough stage when I was pregnant with Harper, too. So I'm praying a lot of it calms down over the next couple of months.
Anyway, the transition into kindergarten hasn't been the easiest for him. Many days have begun with tears. And trying to get any information out of him as to how things are going has been challenging. He doesn't ever want to talk about his day outside of the typical "recess was the only fun part." He's complained that he doesn't like school and wishes he could stay home with us. He has had some challenges making friends and it's been hard hearing him talk about how other kids have made fun of him or excluded him. He also hates doing homework. He hasn't had much at all -- he has one little assignment each week -- and then has also come home with unfinished work that his teacher has asked him to complete since he didn't do it in class. So, long story short, I've been a little concerned about how much he's been applying himself since he tells us he just doesn't enjoy school at all.
And then we met with his teacher and I left blinking back tears of relief! She had nothing but wonderful things to say about him. She said he always loves to participate and actually asks every day if they can write out their numbers because he loves doing it so much. My jaw almost dropped because anytime I ask him to practice writing for a homework assignment at home it is a big battle and he complains the whole time. And she looked just as surprised when we asked her if he has been having any behavioral or self-control issues in the classroom. She said he is a doll and an absolute pleasure to have in class and she's had zero issues with him not listening to her instructions. Rick and I exchanged a few glances like, wait...are we talking about the same kid?? Ha! It was such a relief to know that while he's been acting out at home he's not doing it at school. And that as much as he whines and complains about hating school he actually loves it when he's there.
And then it got even better. I'm going to brag here because I'm so proud of my sweet boy! She said that he is extremely advanced. He's already reading at a 1st grade level. He can count to 100 and beyond. He excels at math and can write out his numbers past 50 already. She said he will be screened for GT and she is confident he'll pass with flying colors. I felt like my heart could just burst hearing her say all that. I've always known he's a smart kid and it has nothing to do with me taking the time to teach him these things...he's always been extremely curious and inquisitive on his own. But he doesn't always apply himself if it's not something he's interested in or wants to do, and I really had no idea how he was going to compare to his classmates. It was just such so encouraging to know that after several months of struggles and challenges and worrying about my kiddo, he is thriving in school and that is one area I don't need to waste energy worrying about!
We told him how proud we are of him and that we wanted to take him out to celebrate. He chose Jimmy Changas. The weather was gorgeous so we sat on the patio and the kids played on the playground while we waited on our food. Rick and I joked that we are finally to the stage where they can play without us watching their every move to make sure they don't fall/run away/etc. It's nice to be to this stage finally. And now we are about to start completely over. Ha!
After dinner we stopped by the mall so I could get some nursing tanks and nightgowns to pack in my hospital bag. We were walking along and then all of a sudden Harper made a sharp beeline to the right. This is what she spotted and couldn't resist hugging:
Saturday morning we took Harrison to a make-up karate class since he had missed all week being sick. Harper loves to go along with the class. Don't let her princess gown fool you -- she's one tough cookie.
The reason for the Cinderella dress, other than duh, you don't need a reason to dress up like a princess, is because the Disney Store was having a costume party with free activities and games. They didn't know we were going so it was a fun surprise for them.
After that, we stopped by a pumpkin patch on the way home.
On Sunday, we went to church and then had a lovely lunch outside on the patio at Cafe Express. Then we came home and spent some more time outside soaking up the gorgeous sunshine. Rick is a great daddy. Harper picked out a kite from the dollar store and every weekend since they've flown it together. It's been glued/taped back together several times now :)
I am almost done with all the last minute preparations before Hadley decides to join us. I finished sewing her bedding. I have a few more sewing projects to work on but they don't have to be done right away. I washed all her newborn clothes and blankets and got our hospital bag packed. It's getting real!
Friday afternoon we had a parent teacher conference with Harrison's teacher. I was really nervous because I haven't gotten much feedback on how he's doing yet and I've been worried about him and how he's adjusting. Harrison has been faced with a lot of challenges over the last 11 months or so. I won't go into too many details right now, but it's been a rough season for us and it's been hard seeing him go through these struggles and it's been really frustrating and challenging to parent him through a lot of it. He's regressed in a lot of areas emotionally and behaviorally and I do think a lot of it has to do with me being pregnant. He's really excited about the baby, but he went through a tough stage when I was pregnant with Harper, too. So I'm praying a lot of it calms down over the next couple of months.
Anyway, the transition into kindergarten hasn't been the easiest for him. Many days have begun with tears. And trying to get any information out of him as to how things are going has been challenging. He doesn't ever want to talk about his day outside of the typical "recess was the only fun part." He's complained that he doesn't like school and wishes he could stay home with us. He has had some challenges making friends and it's been hard hearing him talk about how other kids have made fun of him or excluded him. He also hates doing homework. He hasn't had much at all -- he has one little assignment each week -- and then has also come home with unfinished work that his teacher has asked him to complete since he didn't do it in class. So, long story short, I've been a little concerned about how much he's been applying himself since he tells us he just doesn't enjoy school at all.
And then we met with his teacher and I left blinking back tears of relief! She had nothing but wonderful things to say about him. She said he always loves to participate and actually asks every day if they can write out their numbers because he loves doing it so much. My jaw almost dropped because anytime I ask him to practice writing for a homework assignment at home it is a big battle and he complains the whole time. And she looked just as surprised when we asked her if he has been having any behavioral or self-control issues in the classroom. She said he is a doll and an absolute pleasure to have in class and she's had zero issues with him not listening to her instructions. Rick and I exchanged a few glances like, wait...are we talking about the same kid?? Ha! It was such a relief to know that while he's been acting out at home he's not doing it at school. And that as much as he whines and complains about hating school he actually loves it when he's there.
And then it got even better. I'm going to brag here because I'm so proud of my sweet boy! She said that he is extremely advanced. He's already reading at a 1st grade level. He can count to 100 and beyond. He excels at math and can write out his numbers past 50 already. She said he will be screened for GT and she is confident he'll pass with flying colors. I felt like my heart could just burst hearing her say all that. I've always known he's a smart kid and it has nothing to do with me taking the time to teach him these things...he's always been extremely curious and inquisitive on his own. But he doesn't always apply himself if it's not something he's interested in or wants to do, and I really had no idea how he was going to compare to his classmates. It was just such so encouraging to know that after several months of struggles and challenges and worrying about my kiddo, he is thriving in school and that is one area I don't need to waste energy worrying about!
We told him how proud we are of him and that we wanted to take him out to celebrate. He chose Jimmy Changas. The weather was gorgeous so we sat on the patio and the kids played on the playground while we waited on our food. Rick and I joked that we are finally to the stage where they can play without us watching their every move to make sure they don't fall/run away/etc. It's nice to be to this stage finally. And now we are about to start completely over. Ha!
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| how this kid eats an ice cream cone :) |
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| "a fancy wedding dress with diamonds on it!" |
Saturday morning we took Harrison to a make-up karate class since he had missed all week being sick. Harper loves to go along with the class. Don't let her princess gown fool you -- she's one tough cookie.
The reason for the Cinderella dress, other than duh, you don't need a reason to dress up like a princess, is because the Disney Store was having a costume party with free activities and games. They didn't know we were going so it was a fun surprise for them.
After that, we stopped by a pumpkin patch on the way home.
On Sunday, we went to church and then had a lovely lunch outside on the patio at Cafe Express. Then we came home and spent some more time outside soaking up the gorgeous sunshine. Rick is a great daddy. Harper picked out a kite from the dollar store and every weekend since they've flown it together. It's been glued/taped back together several times now :)
Then it was pumpkin painting time! Harper wanted hers bright and colorful while Harrison opted for solid black. Because, Darth Vader. Of course.
I am almost done with all the last minute preparations before Hadley decides to join us. I finished sewing her bedding. I have a few more sewing projects to work on but they don't have to be done right away. I washed all her newborn clothes and blankets and got our hospital bag packed. It's getting real!
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