First Timer

Collin went on his very first airplane ride to see Aunt Lindsay in Seattle with me. We had a wild time exploring new parts of the city and old favorites. Lindsay is the best, most generous hostess. She had great ideas for kid friendly activities and some solid Sister Trip traditions sprinkled throughout. It was fascinating to hear what Collin remembered from our time living in Seattle and alternatively, watching him experience things for the first time. 

We hit the arcade, plenty of playgrounds, two beaches, Lake Union, the movies (Pete's Dragon made us so sad.), the Woodland Park Zoo, Pike's Market, the Fremont Troll, and Georgetown. Collin even helped Lindsay and I recreate this beach babe moment from 30 years ago!

Every trip, I am so impressed with the ability to get all caught up with my dear sister and feel so spoiled by all her efforts to give me a break from my day to day. She extended the same welcome to her very energetic 9 year old nephew that has no filter. I wish I would have documented all the funny quotes and quips from riding the bus and walking around downtown. Traveling with a special needs child is not for the faint-hearted, that is for another post though.

Wild Rumpus

 Collin is 9! He wanted to invite his whole class to his party. I was nervous we would have 20 kids or none but it was a good group that showed up. There was pizza and cupcakes and an egg hunt. The kids also started a Nerf dart war and a dance off.

I love to plan and prep and create a kids party. It is the actual party that gives me hives. Just kidding. Not really ;)

report card

   As usual, my youngest son has flipped my perspective on parenting on it's head. A few months back I received Collin's report card. His progress is always good but the report is filled with categories like, "needs improvement," or "does not meet standard." It is a difficult thing to take in as a mom. I have three other kids that have very different, very high-achieving report cards. And, in raising these four boys, I have never seen any of them work as hard as Collin. 

   I am so very proud of the work he puts in. With ADHD and dyslexia, the classroom is not an ideal place for him. He keeps his teacher and I guessing, for example, it will take him anywhere between one and three weeks to master a spelling list. No real pattern or method for success has been apparent. Yet he greets each school day with enthusiasm. He is quite social with his peers and many of his teacher aides have commented on that joy of his. 

   Medication was not a good fit for Collin right now. Maybe in the future we will investigate further.  (Middle School, I'm looking at you.) For now, we take our vitamins, we lather on essential oils, and we have a morning pep talk about controlling our bodies and the volume of our voice. I laughed at loud when I read a note Collin wrote to thank his principal for all his hard work and noticed Collin ended it with, "I am gluten free because my mom thinks its a good idea." Ha! Indeed, Collin is  willing to make the changes but he would be all Cheetos and playing SkyLanders all day if he was in charge,

We are all met with challenges in life and Collin has taught me the most about how to respond to those difficulties. When something proves frustrating for my three over achievers, I have some new resiliency skills up my sleeve. The true life hacks for when, not if, things don't come easy. Let's face it, we live in a culture that is achievement based and celebrates overnight successes. Fighting that flow has been consuming for me. I was the cool, composed young mom at all those award ceremonies where my kids were center stage.  Now I am "that mom" whose kid can't sit still or shoves ahead in pickup line. 

So we have changed what and how we celebrate achievement at our house.  We started looking for what each son specifically excels or struggles with. We will help support where needed and when they get it right? There is no more money for straight A report cards. Now there is going out for froyo and cheers from your brothers. The older boys miss the way it used to work out for them but I am insisting that learning empathy and goal setting and doing it together is the better way,

8

  Our sweet, enthusiastic Collin turned eight last week! We had dinner with friends at Dave and Buster's. (So much fun apparently, he couldn't even button those pants!) He also had blessed individual time with grandparents. And he received thoughtful gifts from Auntie and Uncle in the mail. (Is there anything better than finding out that UPS has something for YOU?)
  Collin is spirited and creative and bold. He is loving life and making optimists of us all. His joy is boundless and his smile gets him off the hook for just about anything. We love you, baby boy!

Collin

The school year started with a haircut for Collin. All that shaggy hair was in his eyes and so I buzzed it on week one. He is attending the virtual academy that Aden is, so home haircuts are a perk. The flexibility in the curriculum is a dream for a student like Collin. Everything is adjusted to his level and he gets a lot of repetition where he needs it and moves right ahead where he does not. Having the freedom to work from home has helped me figure out how he learns best, where the hot spots are for frustration, and we recently worked to with his doctor to start some medication. I love that I have been a part of every step but I have a certified teacher to help me where the gaps are. So many helpful tools and tricks for getting this energetic and curious little guy on his way.

Disneyland 005

Jedi Training! The younger boys were so excited about this newer option at Disneyland. We sat down for the show and Collin was chosen from the crowd to participate. He did exactly what they asked and he loved it. (Maybe Disney offers 1st grade curriculum??)

A highlight for me from the trip, even though Collin was more enamored with Splash Mountain in the end.
Sidenote; I was expecting him to go rogue, and just beat the tar outta Darth Maul but he was so well behaved. It was actually one of the girls that went crazy on Darth Vader!

last of the graduation posts

A few more of the first day of school (before) vs. the last day of school (after) pictures.

∆∆∆ before ∆∆∆

                                                                       ∆∆∆ after ∆∆∆
   I think they were as ready for summer as I was. Well, almost. What is it about that morning dash of lunches and loading up that zaps me so much? Anyhow, I am currently enjoying my freedom to lounge about in sweat pants and serve the children cereal for dinner.

we made it

This post is tricky. Kindergarten was the best of times. It was the worst of times, too. So I am going to rip it off real quick like a bandaid. Collin made it. He is a champ. And his big drama Mama made it. The only tears shed on graduation day were Dad's, realizing how this life zooms by so quick.

We celebrated with Red Lobster because "you get to share food!" and "it's attached to a beach!" according to Collin. (who was only a wee bit dissappointed when we arrived at the real Red Lobster)