Oh My Word!

Summer has run its course.  The kids are eager to get back to school-- yesterday they spent much of the morning sharpening pencils, sorting through markers, cleaning out junk drawers, and labeling the different writing utensil bins.  After we were done, I found a few more crayons and colored pencils that I asked William to put away.  He opened up a bin and saw that one of the girls had put a pencil in with the crayons.  "Oh no!"   You would have thought that someone spilled a drink all over his shirt or something by his reaction.  I defused his anger with-- "William come on buddy.  That is not that big of a deal.  Just put it where it goes and move on."  To his credit, he is beginning to realize that little things like this aren't worth ruining his day.

My homeschoolers who don't officially start until August 29th are just as excited to begin working.  Since we hope to take some sort of family vacation this year, I am starting the homeschoolers a week early on August 22nd, so they won't miss any days.

 I love it!  Adam and Caleb still humor me with a first day of school picture!  I can't believe they are in 10th and 11th grade this year!

 Paul, Andrew, and Jonny were so excited about school today that they hardly could fall asleep last night.  No problem-- they were still up two hours before school!

Alex ate breakfast in record time-- way before the timer went off.  What?? Timer??  Well yes.  Alex was taking forever to eat-- often spilling it on himself or making himself vomit in order to get out of eating.  Totally a "new" control issue for him.  This is something that began middle of last year (no medical conditions either) and when the doctor mentioned possible supplements because he wasn't gaining weight-- I knew we had a problem on our hands.  So I began setting a timer if Alex was still at the table after everyone else was finished or if it was obvious that he woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  He hates it, but I told him that he is the one who controls whether or not he is going to have to have the timer set in the first place.  I realize that he may just have less of an appetite or not enjoy eating as much as my other kids-- so I give him very little to eat.  This leaves room for adding an extra 1/8 cup or so if he begins throwing a fit because he doesn't want the timer set.  Alex wants alot of control... Alex has alot of control-- but not to be independent.  If he wanted to put on his shoes and was adamant about doing so because he is a big boy-- well I think it is different than a child refusing to eat breakfast because he has decided today that he just ain't gonna eat.  What is really cool about Alex is that when he finally accomplishes something as simple as eating his breakfast, he is so proud of himself often bragging what a great and fast eater he was!  For the most part, I see him responding positively which makes all our lives easier.... and happier.

Now that school has started--well we'll just have to wait and see how lunch time goes.  Half a sandwich, a juice box,  and a banana shouldn't take too long to eat.  I hope.

Dennis was excited to recognize Cars on the backpack in front of him.  School was so chaotic this morning, I was glad to see that something comforted him.

As soon as I began to leave, Dennis burst into tears.  Immediately thoughts of  Jonny's kindergarten days flashed through my mind. Come on Christine give your son a pep talk.  "You are a big boy Dennis!  You have been waiting for this day so stop crying and go be by your new friends.  You will have fun!"  With that Dennis turned around, stopped crying, and walked over to the carpet.  I could hardly believe it was that easy.  But then-- Dennis loves school.

I checked in on Alex who was busy coloring away.  He was so caught up in his work that he never looked up to see me. This is huge for Alex.  Way to go my big boy!

Like I said, the morning was chaotic so Julia showed Jonny to his new class while I was with Alex and Dennis.  His teacher is so nice-- and Jonny is so excited! 

Even though we showed Paul where his class was, he didn't know where to line up.  I asked William to show him, but that obviously didn't work out well when Paul came back crying.  Thankfully Galina united Paul with his class.

When I talked to William about the Paul thing I realized that I would have to take a different approach since he was quick to blame Paul and as a result was very argumentative.  "William, why did I ask you instead of Galina to take Paul to his class?"  After some thought he answered, "Because I went here last year and could show Paul where to go."

William is very smart.

"Absolutely William. And because you are his big brother and I thought you could handle this responsibility."

As I said this, William walked out into the street just as a car was coming. 

"William!'  Get out of the street!"

This was my reminder that William is William. 

"William why did you run out into the street without looking for cars first?"

William's response-- "I didn't run, I walked."

Second reminder that morning.  I need to be very careful with my words.