Isaac
Isaac started the school year a week later than his brothers, which was a logistical nightmare. (Their schools are not in the same district.) It was also somewhat anxiety-provoking for everyone involved. After having the same teacher for two years whom we all dearly loved, Isaac started the year with a new teacher, a new classroom, and different classmates. He also had a different bus driver, a different bus, and his new bus arrived almost a full hour later than last year! That's a lot of change for a kid who can be resistant to a break in routine.
I was nervous about the transition. He was nervous, too, especially as he waited for a bus that took a long time to arrive the first day of school. It was a recipe for disaster.
Maggie, his teacher, said he adjusted to the new routine easily and has had great days. He hasn’t had any behavior issues at school except for occasionally laughing at a classmate who is misbehaving.
He has been involved with Special Olympics and earned a medal in golf and a ribbon in soccer. The kid is athletic.
Isaac has continued to count money (he started this last year) but now has been interested in bringing money to the YMCA. He usually takes a dollar or two with him. At first he never spent anything, but lately he has been buying a bottle of water from the vending machine. (Can you imagine the freedom to buy whatever you want INDEPENDENTLY without having to request it from another person? This seems like a wonderful deal, especially if you’re not able to communicate very easily.) Earlier this month, Chris took the boys to the Rec Center and as Chris left the weight room, he was shocked to see Isaac sitting on the floor drinking a bottle of water and eating a bag of Famous Amos cookies. When asked if he bought those things at the Rec Center, Isaac smiled and answered, "Yes!"
Saturday morning when Chris and I got out of bed, Isaac had made a pot of coffee, unloaded the dishwasher, and brought clothes upstairs from the dryer.
Tonight when I tucked him into bed and tossed his weighted blanket on top of him, he was watching a video of Wii Sports Resort Golf. He placed $2.50 near the iPad so it could be near him all night long.
When Noah started 7th grade at a new junior high building this fall, it wasn’t a smooth transition. There were some tears involved, and it was overwhelming for him. It was a big change: new teachers, new classmates, a new schedule, and different expectations. I, too, felt like I was back in junior high as we sat down daily to determine what he needed to do, how he was going to do it, and in what format it needed to be done. It has been a little bumpy with lost items and some late assignments. After about a month, things got a little easier and more comfortable, especially when the after-school program started. (I think he has spent six hours after school playing a Monopoly game,and it's still not over.)
Noah was discharged from special education in the spring last year, so this is the first year he has not had a 1:1 associate with him to keep him on track. Nobody has really been keeping tabs on him but me – and I’m doing it from home. His teachers have been wonderful. His guidance counselor has helped put some accommodations in place, such as allowing him to carry books in a backpack between classes. She has also helped him to make better use of his study hall time. We’ve been thankful for her.
Noah is involved in band, jazz band (it meets at 6:45 a.m. twice per week – he never complains about the early morning), choir, men’s choir, and cooking club. He wakes up by himself, makes his own breakfast, and gets packed on early days. He is usually the first one out of bed.
The first quarter ended Friday. He earned all A’s (not even one A-) and one B+. How’s that for fabulous? He also got high marks for being respectful, responsible, and prepared.
This fall Noah auditioned for Opus Honor Choir, which is quite a competitive process. He attended last year. He has been practicing since August and has been singing with his instructor during the lunch hour, after school, etc. He learned Monday he was selected! He will be singing Thursday, November 21 in Ames at C.Y. Stephens Auditorium. Noah wants me to chaperone, which thrills me more than words can say. I’m there!
Henry started third grade this year, and he loves his teacher. He began the year with a student teacher, and he thinks she will do well in her own classroom someday. He is learning cursive, which has been very exciting!
Henry has been reading the Harry Potter series for the last year or two and has only a few pages left. How many pages are in the entire book series? 4,224 (I looked this up because I am bragging!)
While he was in hot water recently, I asked Henry to finish up his fire prevention poster. This is what he drew: