b2s 2012

I was afraid to unload the pictures from the first day of school.

Very afraid.

Finn was glowering at me. I snapped a few shots and then shook in my boots and ran for the hills.


I guess this means Finn will no longer hold hands with me and skip to the bathroom anymore. The rudeness.

So as penance for the scathing looks, I made the boys take a few shots across the street the other night. Besides. I had completely forgot to take any pictures of Ollie at his new preschool. Parental fail.

Did you get the new crewcuts fall catalog? The clothes are ridiculously cute but the prices will make you wanna gauge your eyes out. At least for the boys clothes. A cute tie for $76. Really???? But I was inspired by the cover of the mag--the kids were lined up like the good old days of class pictures.

Our wannabe attempt. It did not quite translate. With their backpacks, the boys look like they are strapped into a roller coaster at Magic Mountain.

I didn't have a big chalkboard so I photoshopped one in. As if I could write that evenly on a chalkboard.

I mean, I did not think I would be able to pass that one by you any way. You are much too smart.






Someone here thinks he's too kewl for school. And for mama's camera.




Perfecting his duck face--one of life's more important skills.






It's so funny how last year Ollie was in love with Nemo, and Finn and Calvin were obsessed with Star Wars.

Now it's ALL ABOUT NINJAGO people. We need new patches. Even mama has completely fallen for the charms of Ninja Jay. Kai still has better hair. Ok. I'll stop, before I scare you any further.

Here is the scoop with Ollie. He doesn't like going to school. He goes to a new Montessori
preschool on tuesdays and thursdays and has 1/2 hour speech sessions on mondays and wednesdays.

Once he is there, he is totes fine. Like happy as a clam. But every morning, he asks with a suspicious, anxious tone, "mommy, do I have to go to school today?"

I kinda hold my breath and mutter, "yes ollie".

And then he wails and thrashes like a wet noodle and REFUSES to get dressed. And then I give him a homeopathic remedy for fear(rescue remedy or aconite).

And after around 10 minutes he calms down.

But still. It's wearing me down. I dread mornings. It's good for kids with spd to be in a structured setting with other children, so they can learn to cope in the world. But sometimes I wonder, especially about kindergarten next year. Our school just went to all day kindergarten. That is just not going to fly. However. I will{prayerfully} do what is best for Ollie when the time comes. And for now, we will continue on the current course.

Does anyone else out there have to drag their kids to school? If so, any tips are welcome.

I already learned something new about Ollie this year:

Yup. It's a true story.

Ollie calls his preschool "Twain's school". Because Twain's little friend Paul attends as well. Therefore, it's Twain's school. Perfectly scientific reasoning.

And Ollie is definitely learning his letters. He found a p-shaped carrot the other day. And we cheered. Wouldn't you celebrate, if you found a p-shaped carrot?

With spd, you take nothing for granted.

Calvin has team teachers this year.


I found this little self-portrait in his backpack. He colored his orange and blue striped shirt, complete with skinnies, haha.




Finn's teacher is strict and likes to keep the classroom very quiet. Finn likes the classroom dead silent and gets annoyed whenever anyone talks, so they are a match made in heaven.


What have I learned about Finn this year? See portions underlined in red.

My kid still loves money.

I said, "Hey Finn! I cannot believe you wrote that!!!!" And he started laughing hysterically and said "I was just being funny! I didn't mean it". Yah right kid. Whatevs.

I have tried(and tried) all summer to show him that money is not to be accumulated, but to be shared with others, but I guess we will have to KEEP on it.

>>>>>>><<<<<<<

We are all still adjusting to the new school year. Even mama. We were used to having daddy home for most of the summer, so it was just a rude awakening for us all.

By the end of the 2nd week, we were all toast. I keep falling asleep in the middle of the day and the boys have all been on melt-down mode. Especially the other night.

There were nonstop temper tantrums.
And nonstop fighting between all brothers.
There was disrespecting of parents.
and refusal to repent.
Mommy and daddy were sad and tired from it all.
And their were lots of consequences. And more tantrums when they realized they were not going to get their way.

At one point during the evening, I could not handle seeing the mopey tear-streaked face{s} any longer.
"Enough already! Your life is not that bad! Snap out of it". And I was very tempted to say, "Save your tears for the pillow!", ala Dance Moms...but I refrained. (Have you ever seen that show? omw).

Then God, ever so kindly, pointed out that I had been a bit mopey and teary about something for a little too long as well...and that I needed to snap out of it too. No more angsty teen drama over hurt feelings.

I think when we see our kids act this way, it mirrors how we sometimes act. I can't help but think God uses our children to show us our own yuckiness.

Thank goodness HIS mercies are new every morning.