SHoes and getting in the groove

We are back in school and getting the groove on.  Learning how to cope with school and do the homework and move on to other things.  It is not an easy thing to do when you have a child that does not handle transition easy.

But I must admit it is getting better.  I hope in continues to climb in this direction.  The morning routine is getting easier but it is still getting up and getting the day going.  I marvel at how things have come.  the other day Brandon went to put his shoes on and he didn't have enough time to complete the task becasue we had to be out the door and going.  He picked up his shoes and carried them in his arms with his backpack and lunch box and got in the car.  By the time we arrived at school his shoes were on and laced up.  Big deal right?

Hey three years ago my son would not or could not put on his shoes... the laces were too tight to get his foot in and if he unlaced them he would pull out the laces etc... then in total frustration he would throw his shoe across the room and bang his head on the ground.  Two years ago he struggled with unlacing his shoes and putting them on but learn how to control the anger and ask for help.  He got it (he got help in other ways but he was making an awareness decision on how to handle difficult tasks) and then last year... if he was running late he was upset with putting them on in the car and needed help but he slowly learn he could do it.  I told him how proud I was of how far he had come and learn to put on his shoes... he just looked at me like I was silly. 

It seems like everyday is a struggle and it really isn't.  Things are getting better but it is a very slow and steady progress that unless you don't look back you really don't see how far you have come.

A bit bummed

The other day a woman who's blog I read stated that a little girl that was being hosted from Ukraine and was struggling with her family and needed a new host family for a few weeks.  I talked to my husband and he was on board with it and so we talked to the boys. 

The boys were very excited and really thought it would be great to help out.  I reminded them it would be short term and that she would have to go back to Ukraine.  They were ok with that.  Josh even comment that this would be a great time for them to step up and get along better.   We also told them the reason why the girl was having difficulties was because she had FAS (like Brandon) and was struggling with coping with all the new adjustments.

We made it very clear that I could not help them as much as I used to and that they had to pick up some slack and also help with the girl in adjusting to everything.  May I say I was so PROUD of both my boys.  They wanted to help and teach her what a family was and how to handle life little problems.  Josh was so cute he even said that the girl sounded a lot like his brother. (yes she did).

Needless to say, we are a bit sad, she will not be joining our family for a few weeks.  They found her a host family and it sounds like a good one for her.  At least this little girl will have what she needs to help her before she goes back to Ukraine.  I am happy for that but a little sad that we won't have this experience with her and for the boys. 

Josh thinks we should look for another girl to help out.  They want a girl since they have each other as brothers.... so a little girl to help would be great.  They both would not mind a baby sister. 

We are doing something right with these two little guys, love them and the BIG hearts.
  

Back to School 2012

We started back to school this past week.  All was good.  Josh loves being in 5th grade and all the "new" things he gets to do.  Brandon didn't like as much but has learn to enjoy.

They are both going to do safety patrol in the afternoon and Josh is adding his in the AM as well.   Josh has wanted to do this for two years and his finally going to do safety patrol at his school.  He is so exited for this it is really sweet.  I hope he likes it as much as he thinks he will.

I am a bit bummed though.  Joshua does not have the same teachers as Brandon did.  I wanted Josh to have the teachers his brother did so I can say "see it isn't me" my kid is not being over protected or mother... he doesn't get it.  The teachers look at me like he is fine.. but I know what my child really gets and what he doesn't.  If you knew Josh in school... he gets it.  He is so far ahead in "getting it" that you don't need to worry about him.  He will get his assignments and follow up etc.. (unlike another child that has no clue).   I just wanted the teachers to know I am raising healthy kids.

Brandon is so all over the board and unfocused and well Josh is so focused it is scary.  I wanted the teachers to know I can raise a "normal" child.  I feel they still look at me cross eyes and making it up.

Oh well, I know what my kids need and if I get the looks at least my child wil get the help he deserves and need.