Kelbre: All Girl

I don't know that I have ever seen a 2 year old child so girly and yet such a tomboy at the same time. Kelbre however is teaching us that we didn't know much about anything. She certainly has her own way of doing just about everything. She'll tell you that too.

Her favorite word as of late is "freakin." I wonder now how often I used that word. She comes to me and says, "mom, I am freakin hungry." Then comes her daily demand for "serul" (cereal) which is one of the food groups for toddlers, if you didn't know that already. She tells you what's going to happen, not what she thinks. Last month, we saw her favorite Aunt Jacki at soccer practice for just a minute when I dropped Aaron off. Then we left to run errands. She was convinced that Jacki and Uncle Reed would still be there when we got back. I insisted that they were gone. Well when we got back, guess who was still there. Kelbre announced to everyone that I was a liar. I am sure she will be announcing many more things in the years to come.

Besides telling me off, Kelbre's other passions lay in torturing the puppy and doing everything the boys are doing. She is attached at the hip to Robby. She has him wrapped around her finger. If mom or dad get upset with her for anything, guess where she goes? Her relationship with Aaron usually centers around fighting, but he does take priority at times. Usually when Robby is gone. She has discovered friends. And birthday parties. Everyday she announces that it is her birthday. She is already 10. Time sure goes by fast.

Aaron The Artist

If there was one wish I had for Aaron this year, it was for him to do art with his great grandpa Frank. He spent his life working as an artist for the military and Aaron has always associated his own talent with this special man. This wish came true last week as we traveled to the midwest so he could paint with his grandpa. It was a special experience and one that I hope will be etched in Aaron's mind forever. The painting they made together will hang on our wall. The funniest part though was Aaron announcing that he didn't like painting. Oh well. His passion lays in drawing.

Besides taking private art lessons, Aaron is playing Baseball and Soccer. He too has discovered WebKins and has a monkey name Andy. He wants to try everything that his brother does. As much as we try to separate the two of them, the more they latch on to one another. He looks forward to a big year this year, as he turns 8 in August and will get baptized. He will also be old enough to start cub scouts. Then he and Robby will be doing all the same things.

After a year in a traditional school, Aaron asked to come home. It was a good decision for him, mainly because he was bored. His ability to read so young put him ahead of his peers in just about every subject. By coming home this last year, Aaron was able to finish first and second grade curriculm in one year. He will still be considered second grade next year, but will start 3rd grade curriculm and possibly 4th grade reading. He loves being able to move ahead at his own pace. Despite the fact that school comes easily for him, he really doesn't like it that much. He would never choose to read a book like Robby. He would much rather ride his bike or be outside. He loves to create, cook, discover. He loves science experiments and field trips. For his birthday last year we bought him paper, glue and paints. He was in heaven. If you ever want him to drop his allowance quickly, just take him to the craft store. Somehow we always end up spending half our money too. I haven't quite figured out how.

Robby: Virtual Miracles

Robby is now 10 and the transformation that has taken place over the last couple years has been amazing. I am in constant awe at his loving, nurturing ability, especially with his sister. He has the ability to get her to do things when mom and dad fail! He is definitely her favorite. He has discovered a passion for WebKins, an addiction fueled by his Aunt Jennifer. If allowed, he would spend the whole day caring for his virtual dog "Rono." When not with his virtual dog, he can be found with his real life Shi-Tzu puppy named "Pal" who seems to understand that Robby is his owner. The puppy has been great and getting Robby to relax when life becomes overwhelming.

We just finished our second year with Connections Academy, a virtual school. It's overwhelming to see how much he has accomplished in two years, and the future looks bright and exciting. With a virtual school, the kids are still in public school with teachers, but they are schooled at home. The curriculm is set, the teachers grade the work and the students even get on the computer and can talk and listen to the teachers weekly through virtual classrooms.

The decision to pull Robby in 3rd grade from a traditional school wasn't difficult. He was unable to get his work done and no matter how hard he tried, seemed unorganized and always "out of the loop" on what was happening. He was the child that couldn't find his work, had the wrong spelling list, or forgot the book he needed for homework. He was constantly being punished and had quickly become depressed about school. I hated seeing my child come out of school in tears. Despite the teachers insistance that Robby just didn't have his priorities straight, I couldn't believe that my child didn't care. He hated to read, he was failing math, he couldn't write. The thought of writing a simple paragraph would cause an emotional tantrum that would last a day.

After being home, we discovered Robby had problems with his eyes. He didn't even make the charts on eye tests. He was put in Vision Therapy and within 6 months he was reading with ease. The child who wouldn't read was reading for 5 hours a day. The flexibility allowed in school, along with V.T., allowed him to discover the magical world of books. Once there, he was hooked. We had his hearing tested and although the tests proved normal, the Dr. recognized that Robby had a difficut time sorting through sounds. This lead us to more testing and a year later, a diagnosis of ADD. It was the most wonderful day, to know that your child isn't being bad, but that his brain is just different than most. I'll never forget when Robby was reading through the list of "ADD symptoms" and exclaimed proudly "that's me mom!" It was though a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

So where has this taken us? Robby is getting ready to enter 5th grade and is a writer. He has begun writing a series about a school hampster that escapes and has all these adventures. His aunt illustrates them. He loves school. He reads 5 hours a day, easily. His teachers have inspired him. He realizes that there is more than one way to accomplish a task. He is experiencing rather than discussing. He left 4th grade with 9 A's and 1 B and a 94% overall. He still faces challenges every day, but he has been able to manage himself without medicine. Amazing.

That's not to say we don't have days where I wish I had a magic pill. Today is one of them. But good days outnumber bad. We have learned the value of routine. He stays busy with sports, friends and boy scouts. He is always anxious to try new things. Karate will be his next great adventure. This could be bad. What have I agreed to?

New Beginnings

I never thought I would join the blogging world. As a matter of fact, until this morning I didn't even know how. But something tells me that sooner or later I must wake up to technology, if not to benefit myself, then to at least make me look good when my children ask me how later on.

Our lives seem to be rushing by and we are finally enjoying the quiet stillness that has accomponied summer. That is, now that the big summer trip is over and we have somewhat survived! I insanely ventured out alone with the kids to Chicago, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana on a 10 day trek to discover LOTS of rain. Somehow, in the midst of a LOT of car time, we were able to spend time with grandparents, couisns, aunts and uncles. It was a very rewarding expereince. While I already long to see them again, I think I have had a lifetime worth of Chicago.

The rest of summer brings relaxation, perhaps a camping trip in July and a lot of pool time. And too my children's dismay, a daily dose of school.