First Week Down

We survived my first week back to work!   Boy was it a week!   I can't believe how fast it went but how exhausted I felt after all said and done.   I have a great group of students this year!   We have a new department chair so things are a bit all over the place.   I am hopeful that all will settle and we all will feel at ease with the new leadership soon.   Not totally a fan of getting up early early again but who can complain when they are home by 11:30am and have the rest of the day to spend with their little one.

E did pretty well without having me take him to preschool in the morning.   He only bit one of his peers and they called me on my first day back.   We had a meeting on Tuesday.  I was nervous going into it and felt as if I was the one in trouble.   Needless to say, I was very impressed with how collaborative they were and their idea to use a sticker reward system with Evan.   I also made two picture cards that remind E to not bite and use words.   So far both have worked for the week.  I am hoping it continues to work.   His biting isn't malicious it's a means of communication for him. They said he is such a friendly and loving child who they adore.   He gives hugs all the time, shares, helps, asks for his needs/wants, participates, cleans up after himself and is overall a great kid.   So hopefully this sticker and reminder system works and he gets over the biting phase ASAP!  

E has been having some sleeping issues again.  He woke early this week a couple nights in a row with the start of his cold.  Very typical of Evan when he is getting sick.  After the two nights of interrupted sleep he started sleeping through the night but waking at 5am.   Ugh.   Not good.    On Monday, Wednesday and Friday E doesn't get to take a nap until 1pm.   Again I am hoping that he can get back on track now that we have transitioned to our school year schedule.   Only time will tell...

The Power of Determination

This morning my little sister achieved her goal of running the rock and roll half marathon.   I was amazed at her persistent hard work and dedication in the months leading up to the run.  Despite some set backs she had while training, she stayed committed and determined.  Today she ran/walked the 13.1 miles by fighting through her pain and believing in herself.   She never gave up.  She showed me that although she was thrown an unwanted situation in her life, Fibromyalgia, she still could face her fear while she achieved the goal she set out to meet.  I admired her self determination and perseverance in accomplishing one of the biggest challenges in her life.  I am SO PROUD of you Callie!!!    

E's First Day at Chalk Preschool

Today was Evan's first day of preschool!!   Where have the last 2 years gone?   It's hard to believe that he will be at school amongst his friends and teachers without any family or friends caring for him.  This was his first time and boy did he know it.   The last 2 weeks Dave and I have been talking to E about what to expect, that Daddy and Mommy cannot go with him to school and that we will be dropping him off.   E would, in his own words, repeat what we were saying and seemed quite happy about it.   Well...this morning he was not so happy.   He was fussing and whining for a good portion of the morning, particularly when I told him I wanted to take some pictures of him on his first day of school.   There may be no smile before going to school but he sure was all smiles afterwards.

As we made our way outside, E became reluctant to take pictures.  The reality of going to school had sunk in.

After I persuaded him that we needed to take some pictures for his grandparents, he moved to the far end of our yard, stood straight faced, and willing.  Phew!

(the monkey E has in his hands is his favorite zoo animal which 

was his assignment/to share with the class)

We dropped Evan off in the 'Blue Room' with his teachers, Miss Agnes, Miss Megan, and his classmates.  As soon as we set foot in the classroom E didn't waste any time making himself comfortable.   He jumped right.   He ran over to the classroom's play kitchen to check it out and also looked and touched a few small toys sitting on one of the classroom's tables.  When it was time for Dave and I to say goodbye, E hesitated to stop mid play and give Dave and I a hug/kiss and say goodbye.  

I'll be honest, I think I was more nervous about E's first day than Evan.   I didn't cry, and I thought I would, I just worried that he cry the whole time or worse, bite another child.  Despite my fears, I was hopeful he would enjoy his time there, make friends, respect his teachers, and cooperate.  Luckily I received no calls.   What a relief!   Even more of a relief was when Dave and I went to pick E up.  We were so eager to hear how he did at his first day that we practically ran into the school.    As soon as we arrived we were greeted (as we usually are) by the director.   She instantly told us how great he did.  All smiles and beaming with happiness, we walked back to his classroom and took a peak.  Before Evan saw us we saw E sitting on a small couch.   His teacher was reading a story.   Of course, in true E fashion, Evan wasn't just sitting on the couch, he was wiggling around like a wiggly little worm.  Although he was quiet and listening as he observed those around him.   As soon as Dave and I walked in and E saw us, smiled and ran up to us to give us a huge bear hug.   He couldn't get his words out fast enough.   We could tell he had so much to tell us.  The first thing he said was "jump house".   Chalk preschool is attached to Pump It Up so day for a half hour his class goes to play.   We knew that would steal his heart and be his most favorite activity of the day.   Boy were we right!  After E filled us in on his day (well the jump house part)  Miss Agnes told us that E did a great job.  She was pleased with how social he is.   No surprises there ;0)   She also gave us a run down of what they did and how great he did.  Dave and I couldn't have been any more proud of Evan.  He did SO well and liked it SO much that he didn't want to leave.   We are hoping Evan is looking forward to the year that lies ahead as much as we are.

Way to Go Evan!!!

Grand Geneva

Dave, Evan and I took a 2 day vacation to Timber Ridge Lodge at Grand Geneva.   So much FUN!!!   Dave and I hadn't been to a water park in years and this was Evan's first time.   We hadn't been at the water park for more than two hours and boy were we exhausted!   We were so amazed at how brave E was going down the water slides, jumping in the pool, and running in an out of the water.   He was a little fish!!   Overall, it was the perfect little get away before school starts and 

one we'll remember always.