Catching Up!

It was during the days when attachment issues and tantrums were heavy that I couldn’t help but wish to fast forward to a time when Sidney had the emotional capability to simply go through the motions. So, dropping her off to preschool each morning has been a joy. She is happy and flourishing in routine.  She gives me little more than recognition when I walk out the door while she’s absorbed in whatever activity the teacher has set out to start the morning. In the past several weeks, we have turned so many corners. It’s like she’s finally allowing herself to simply be a kid.

Still going through LOTS of paints!

I’m waiting for the teacher lead walk of shame to the car, but I have yet to see one. We are aware; there is typically a honeymoon period, so we are waiting with some apprehension, but so far so good. She loves her teacher Mrs. A. while her teacher is blown away, saying “She is so grown up for being so little.” Never mind all of her 37 inches, she moves through the school arrival routine with purpose, and it’s so cool.

My little werewolf is making great strides. She’s been watching the episode on N*tflix of Alv*n and the Ch*pmunks. At least two or three times a day she lets out a series of howls. Of course it should be no surprise; she typically turns herself into a cat. I guess I should be happy for the change in routine.

Meanwhile, Eli is patiently watching over a trombone. He started band, and he was so proud to take case into the line of classmates along with two other trumpet players. I can’t believe he’s old enough to be in band. 5^th grade has been a bit bumpy, but he seems to be finding his way with the added responsibility and different teaching style of a new teacher. He’s a good student and my goal is not to let him lose his zest for knowledge.

So what are mom and dad up to? As my good friend Jill says, we are “Work Tom and Work Cara.” Tom’s always busy, but mom decided to see what she could do with contracting more writing and transcription. Turns out mom quickly went from a few hours a week to late nights, early mornings, and everything in between. I’m trying to find a happy medium.

 

 

Remembering

Do you remember where you were today 11 years ago? For me, I was on the phone with my mom. I realized something very terrifying was occuring, and I've never felt such a loss of control outside of the death of Tom's mom. We live in a crazy world, but on days like today, I try to remember what my mom reminds me. There's more good than bad in the world, and good will always squash out evil.

 

This day forever changed feeling safe, but I hope that we all somehow retain a bit of what we learned. Unity as a nation, praying for one another, and most of all knowing God never leaves our side, no matter how desperate the situation.

 

And now on to my original post......

 

Sidney likes to be center stage everywhere. From standing in front of the TV (“hi my name is Sidney, and I would like to sing you a song”), to capturing the attention of the speaker and congregation during the children’s sermon on any given Sunday (you are not the only adorable 4 year old in front), to generally making her presence known wherever she goes (in the back yard yelling “woo hoo boys” at the neighbors”), our little chilly pepper likes attention.

More Sidney artwork. I give you, the spider.

So, you can imagine her dismay not going first for “show and talent” last Thursday. No, not show and tell. I was corrected. “Show and talent.” I picked up an outwardly sullen girl from preschool. She was quiet until we got inside after driving home. Suddenly, something minor caused a flood of tears. As I picked her up to calm her down and sat down, I was thinking about how hard it is for her to adapt to a new routine. I was thinking she’s melting down, because it’s a lot to take. No, instead, I was informed she wasn’t called on for “show and talent.” No amount of explaining that her turn is coming seemed to phase her until it was actually her turn. No more drama this week, only finding the next item to take.



And more on these two in another blog. With my friend Grace.

So, school is under way. According to Eli, and the certificate he brought home from school, he can play either the trumpet or the trombone. I won’t tell you why he likes making the buzzing noise into the instrument, because that would involve an entire conversation on bodily functions. Since my sweet Kindergartener entered many school years ago, he’s thought it was the most hilarious thing. Eli was only relieved to learn he wasn’t taking up the clarinet, like his dad in elementary school. Poor Tom, playing the clarinet was an alternative to a career in flute.

I

OK, off to the rest of my day.

First Day Rewind

I've blogged about school, and I can't I didn't post pictures! Eli started two weeks ago.

The photo below could be entitled uncooperative 10 year old. And i just noticed, he's not wearing socks!

 

 

And finally, a week later, it was Sidney's turn......

 

 

 

 

 

Routine!!!

Did I say I like routine, because we are all doing better with my favorite word “structure.” We’re already on to our second week of school. Eli started last week, and we are getting used to consistent days versus no schedule. I’m kicking lollygaggers into high gear, with warnings to “shake a leg,” literally, shaking my right leg. It doesn’t typically; bring the same gales of laughter as Eli’s younger years. Now, it gets an eye roll, and a “DON’T RUSH ME!”

Sidney started 4 year old preschool this week. Thankfully, we are still in the honeymoon phase. Many of of her sensory issues haven’t surfaced, yet. This year we know how to curb her behavior. We are spending lots of quiet time together in the afternoon and moving through our days with almost militant routine. We’re going through lots of watercolor paint and spending as much time as possible outside, as well as limiting trips to noisy, bright stores.

Her teacher commented she can’t believe how grown up she is for her size. It’s one of the bittersweet things about adoption and being a second child. She came home grown up, and while she regressed in a healthy manner, her brother fills in the gaps.  While her classmates are looking forlorn, Sidney goes through the morning arrival routine with purpose.   It’s polar opposite of what I experienced with Eli.

OK, I need to get something productive done!

As a fun way to end summer, we camped with friends. 

 

And we all relaxed.

                                         

Moms snuck smores.



And then a relaxing day began.



More hotdogs were grilled.....



and Grandpa Steve and Grandma Sheryl arrived.

So, the countdown is on. School starts Monday, and this mom couldn’t be any happier to resume a consistent routine. We are squeezing in last minute trips to the pool and enjoying days without rushing around. In celebration of summers end, I allowed Eli to go on two separate sleepovers with only one night at home in between. How could I say no? He already had plans for Friday night when another mom texted me. By Saturday night, he was falling over asleep on the couch.



Thank you Courtney from the Rose Tinted Lens



While Eli socializes, Sidney and I are having lots of conversations about preschool. Her days are going to change. Every morning Monday through Friday, she goes to preschool. This week is much smoother, so I’m glad she feels calm while we’re having these conversations. This is a great change from last week.



Thank you Courtney from the Rose Tinted Lens.

She woke up several times last week with night terrors. Typically, if she has a night terror, the day after I can expect to hear about China. Typically, it’s something about “coming on the big plane from China.” So, what she said next blew me away. Eli and I were talking about if/when our family takes a heritage trip. If we decide Sidney will benefit emotionally, we will go. Sidney was sitting in the backseat (the most important comments and conversations out of my kids always happen in the car. She said, “you need a lot of food in China, Mom. You starve in China, Mom.”

I’m certain my jaw almost hit the floor. There’s nowhere she would have heard the word starve. We haven’t used this word, ever. We’ve talked about having food around; she didn’t have enough in China, etc. But never have we used the word starve. Sometimes it’s hard to believe all her mind retained at such a young age.

OK, I’m off to continue tackling my Mt Vesuvius of laundry. Camping this weekend for a fun activity prior to starting school on Monday. Now, if I can find a two subject notebook I’ll be set.

Hacking and coughing

Day five on the couch, and mom continues hacking. Bronchitis has a hold on everyone but Eli. Tom’s in denial, and Sidney still has a small lingering cough. I wake up each morning waiting to look in the mirror and see my normal healthy pink. Instead, it’s my pale mug. I typically swim 5 miles per week.  My toe has touched the water since last Friday, and I’m going NUTS!!!



I couldn't take it any longer. I'm incorporating these photos into my blog header, and I'm still figuring it all out. But I had to share one. This is from our annual 4th of July party at my friend Jill's house. Thank you to the Rose Tinted Lens. Please see the link below!

Enough of my incessant whining. I’m going to focus on more positive matters. Summer is winding down, and I can’t wait for schedule and routine. But, before schedule and routine rule our house, I have a ton of organizing to do. Thank you P*nterest. I’m not using all the ideas I find, but I just love the look of the clean rooms in the decorating portion. It makes me want to purge and throw away! Eli’s spending the night at his friend’s house, so I’m getting ready for an invasion in his room. Shhhhhh.



And Miss Sidney is trying to wrap her head around preschool. She went three mornings a week last year, but this is every day. The big time.  Transition is never easy for a kid. Her new teacher has several decades of experience and many of the parents are former students. I’ve never had kids in her classroom. It’s rare not to hear any negative information on a teacher as school approaches; however I can honestly say I only hear good. Everyone tells me the same thing, “oh Mrs. A.! She’s so great!”

This is good on multiple fronts. She’s seen everything. She won’t be easily bamboozled by the master bamboozler. She won’t attempt to over diagnose or interpret behavior. This was paramount last year. Mrs. H. always took her behavior in stride. Never making a bigger deal of it than necessary!

If you like my photos, give Courtney a shoutout on FaceBook or take a look at her other pictures. She's in the Chicago area. Here's a link to more awesome pictures.

http://therosetintedlens.tumblr.com/archive

OK, off to find a cough drop.