So that's what I'll do!
Cade: He is in 4th grade (GASP! I have a FOURTH grader!). He is playing on a competitive soccer team that fortunately doesn't take up as much time as it was originally going to due to field availability-- or rather, unavailability. I was relieved when his coach informed us there wouldn't be as much practice time. Between school, scouts, piano lessons, his pest control business and soccer he keeps plenty busy. He's scored 3 or 4 times already this season and is enjoying trying out other positions. Last year he was stuck as left defender the entire season. It's great to see his ability to move around and adapt to other positions. He even played goalie on Friday night. Shocker! He did well and didn't get scored on. I think Kyle was the most relieved. He is doing well in his class and I have been so impressed with his teacher. In some ways I feel like I'm a school snob. Growing up back East, there were many aspects of my education that were quite different than the way things happen here. I've bit my tongue and held back doing anything about it at the school, realizing Cade wasn't that old and things could still change. And, the reality is, I am his mother and the buck stops with me, not the school. Cade's principal is in his 2nd year and he is implementing some fabulous standards that have me singing from the rooftops. He is having teachers hold the students to a higher standard for starters, which I LOVE! No more letting kids turn things in late and no more teaching to the average. The teachers are now required to teach to the highest level and let the students follow suit. Plenty of studies have shown that when taught to the higher standard, the kids will rise to the occasion and in the mean time get a much better education out of it. Cade's teacher focuses on positive reinforcement, which is awesome and Cade is thriving in that environment. Much to Cade's dismay, I signed him up for another year of piano with our sweet Maisa. This was a difficult decision for me. He really hated piano last year. Not the the teacher...just the idea of having to do something that he had to work at. I knew Cade was going to be busy enough with everything else and I hesitated to put yet one more thing on his plate (and consequently, my plate). I didn't want this to be a completely negative experience, but Kyle and I also felt that these days, kids don't know how to do hard things. Just because he doesn't like it wasn't a good enough excuse to not do it. So I finally resolved that if Maisa had a lesson opening on a day and time that was condusive to Cade's schedule, I'd do it. She did! Miracle of miracles she had a Tuesday opening that was just right for Cade's crazy schedule. So far we've had 2 lessons. He's not loving it, but he hasn't hated it as much as he hated it last year... In Cade's spare time he invents things, like this awesome airplane track, and still loves building and creating with Legos. He also frequents a place he and his friends call Area 51 (its just an empty lot in the neighborhood) where he works on his "club."
Sure if we let him he could play on the computer (Minecraft or Lego.com...ugh) for hours at a time, but he stays busy enough, fortunately, that it's rare when he does have the time and has earned his 30 minutes to play. He is a boy, what can we say...but I'm hoping by using time limits it teaches him self-discipline.
Savannah: She's in 1st grade! Her class started out with a whopping 30 students and bless Mrs. Whitaker's heart, she was going to do her best to tame all those 6 year-olds and still give them a great education. Fortunately a few more kids registered on the first day of school, giving our school the go-ahead to be able to hire a 3rd first grade teacher, reducing the class size to 20. Savvy got to stay with her original teacher, but many of her friends left the class, which made her a little bummed. She's over it now and really enjoying school. She comes home every day happy and thrilled with life and is excited to leave for school in the morning. This makes my mother heart happy. I have opted to not sign Savvy up for a single activity this fall and I am very happy with that decision. She comes home and does her homework right away (usually!) and then goes out to play. She loves reading, being read to, riding her bike, and more recently, riding her motorcycle that Dad bought for she and Cade to share. Cade isn't much interested in it (he's quite terrified of it, actually), so Savvy enjoys going on motorcycle riding dates with Daddy. I'm doing my best to not have a heart attack every time she's on it.
Ruby: Our little preschooler! She thoroughly enjoys going and wishes it were every single day. It's just twice a week in the morning for 2 hours-- so it's perfect for me. I love this age and love being with her. Since she still naps in the afternoon (for which I am so grateful) that also limits the one-on-one time I get with her, so twice a week preschool is just right. I just took her to the doctor for her 3 year well-child visit. She's in the 40th percentile for weight and 85th for height. Shocker! Woodbury's are not at all known for their height. We'll see how long that lasts. We have started a little potty training. I don't like to push it. Laziness perhaps? I discovered it was so much easier making the underwear transition with Savannah because we waited until she was completely ready and begging to no longer be in diapers. Then it was really painless. With Cade we tried to do it really soon and it dragged on FOREVER. It's going fine and really if we pushed it more I think she could be completely potty trained in a few days. I think at this point I am the one in need of some self discipline! Ruby is hilarious and is in the independent stage. She loves playing with Savannah and misses her desperately while she is away at school. Ruby is also my home body. She isn't too keen on going around town for errands. Usually after 2 stores she is DONE and begs to go home. She is excited about having a little sister and claims when she is born, she will be all done with her pacis and pullups "because the baby will need them." The jury is still out on that one. Sweet nonetheless though!
