Halloween, and etc.

I know it has been a while since I updated this blog, not because I don't want to, just because we have been busy with work,school,therapies,etc. These photos were taken on Halloween night. Michael was a Ninja. The boys had the day off of school, so we had been running errands and working on Nick's costume ALL day. Honestly, I was glad to get the night over with. I heated up some ravioli for dinner, and we went out trick-or-treating first with the neighbors and their kids. After about an hour doing that,Michael and I dropped Nick off at home(he was getting out of sorts) and then just Michael and I went out. It was great just walking with him down the street, chatting about things, enjoying the nice weather. Just him and I. No yelling, no homework, no pesky little brothers, no rush. It was nice. Since then, the weather has turned much colder and wetter, and we are back to reality. Now we are being forced to change schools-after we fought to get Michael accepted into his current school, now we are being told that both boys will have to attend the school closer to us because too many kids from our neighborhood are going where they are at now. UGH! I love the school they are at now!! That is the reason we chose that school! Tuesday night we watched the election, and needless to say were quite happy with the results! Michael was so excited that Obama won! He was really into this election, and they even had a pretend election at school(although, he will tell you it was real..LOL!) He was watching as every state reported their ballots, and for a while, it looked like Florida was going for "the other guy", Michael flat out yelled "Mommy! We got to call Nana and tell her to change her vote!!" LOL! It was funny. Typical Michael.

Snapshot(s) Sunday

Look at those leg muscles!



Some photos of our last soccer game of the season.

Ramblings.....

We had another soccer game today at noon. It was rainy and the temps hovered around 60 degrees, fall has definitely appeared. They won 4-2 I think. Did not get any pictures as it was a crappy day out, and we watched the game from the Jeep. We brought Michael and one of his friends home from the game and they played video games for a couple of hours. Michael is now at their house, spending the night. Anyway, at his new school, Michael comes across a lot more handicapped kids than he ever did at his old school. Last week we had a chance to really discuss the fact that he is around so many of them now. Michael told me that he did not like the handicapped kids because they could not use their legs to walk, or run, etc. I don't think he meant that he did not like them, I got the impression from what he said that he felt bad for them. I told him that he could find some other things that he possibly had in common with them, other than playing sports. I told him that "I bet they like video games just like you do. Or the same tv shows". He was trying to wrap his mind around the idea that some kids cannot use their legs. He has seen Dwarfs walking around, and he knows that if he did not have his medicine that he would be a dwarf also. Technically I guess you could say that he still is one, but his form is just treatable nowadays. He told me "Maybe if they used their legs more they could learn how to walk?". "Maybe" I said. "But there are also conditions where they will never be able to use their legs" I continued. Then, I told him that people would consider Nick to be handicapped. "He is not handicapped!" he retorted. "He can walk and run". I then told him that some handicaps you can't see, and others you can. Then went on to say "I don't think Nick is handicapped either, just others might consider him to be." I think being in the mix with all different kids is going to be good for him. I have also recieved reports from him that there is a kid that bullies him. The first I heard of this, I told him to tell a teacher about what happens. The next day he told me the kid had pushed him down again, and he went and told his teacher. If it happens again this week, then I am going to the school to report it to the principle.

Living on the Spectrum: The Dread of Soccer Season.......#links#links

Living on the Spectrum: The Dread of Soccer Season.......#links#links

New Look.....New School

I thought Michael's blog could use a fresh new look. Michael is now in the FOURTH grade! I can't believe it!! He is going to the same school that Nick is in this year, and so far, this school seems to be a little tougher academically. They have homework every night, including Fridays. Michael is growing and eating well. At his last checkup I think he was around 56lbs, and just over 4ft tall. He is playing soccer again this year, and we have a game tomorrow. I will post more then with some pictures!

Goodbye Maggi...

I will miss you and love you forever. Hope you are having fun in heaven.

New Update

This month has been real busy. Last weekend Michael had his Starfire soccer tournament and we spent most of the weekend in Tukwila. He only played for the first half in the last of four games; but he did very well. Overall, they tied 3 games and lost one. Michael was kind of upset the coach only put him in one game. I can't say that we were exactly happy about it either. The medicine that he takes for his growth has one minor set-back: It makes him hyper. It was fairly un-noticeable when he was younger as he was ALWAYS on the go. But now that he is getting older, it is noticeable..and is starting to set him apart from the other kids his age. As if his size was not enough, now we have this added to it. Why can't my boy get a break? For about a day and a half he was forced to sit for hours on end, the coach would get mad at any of the kids if they went to play on the playground in between games-but the other kids would get to play in the games-Michael just sat more on the sidelines. Anyway, I digress...

The weekend prior to that; we took the trailer out camping at a KOA campground in SeaTac. Michael had a WONDERFUL time swimming, and going for walks. We also played Monopoly, and just enjoyed each other's company. We are planning another trip in July and we can't wait!! Don't know exactly where we will end up going as of yet--we all want to see our good friends in Spokane; and we also want to see the Bavarian Town of Leavenworth,WA. So many choices!!

We are also thinking of sending Michael to the same school as Nick next year. I am going tomorrow to see what I will have to do in order to make that happen. Michael told me he wants to see his brother at school during the day..just like everyone else..he says. Him and Nick share a very close bond.

My Baby Turns Nine!!

Thursday, May 1st, at 6:25pm Michael turned 9yrs old! He got a couple of presents that night, and as a complete surprise, I let him go to a movie with daddy on Friday morning. Yes, he skipped school. Oh well. I work from Tuesday to Saturday, so it was really the only time they could have gone. I figured, What's one Friday?? Anyway, he had his birthday party with his friends today and he had a really good time. He got quite a few presents:

From us: A new Monopoly game, Star Wars Legos, Speed Racer legos, a skateboard and pads.

Aunt Christy: our new fave game, Electronic Battleship
Nana & Grandpa: Wal-Mart gift card
Grandpa: $25
Friends: A puzzle, Speed Racer cars, a Super Soaker, and more Legos.

Our soccer tournament is coming up on Memorial Day weekend! Not much longer!

March Update

Michael had a science project to do this month. We built a volcano(that is it in the pic) and he had to make it erupt. He took it to school and it erupted in the school yard with all of the other "volcanoes". His was the most abstract. He helped to make it and decorate it-so it was HIS project. We had fun making the clay and decorating it together.

We had some behavior issues that popped up this month and were dealt with. He is now back in soccer, and will be back in karate next month. Speaking of soccer, his team won their last game today. We let him play in the last one, and he did really good. His coach is starting up a league off base to go to a tournament next month. Michael desperately wants to go; so it looks like we might have more soccer to come.

Tonight I took Michael in to work with me. He got to do all kinds of cool stuff! He said he had a great time and it was nice to just get some time alone with him. He got quite a few treats tonight that he normally does not get. He had two sodas, some candy, and we went to Burger King for Dinner. This boy chowed down on a Whopper Jr. plus french fries and was asking for more!! I remember just a couple of years ago we could barely get him to eat anything; and now look at him!

February Update

This month has been busy for Michael. Around the first of the month he tried out for a soccer team down in Olympia. We should find out if he made it the first part of March. The first day of try outs was 40 degrees and raining-Michael was very cold and he barely made it through the hour long practice. He went back on the second day dressed a little warmer and did much better. He is also playing soccer on base with the 9-11 yr olds. They practice twice a week for two hours at a time, and he also has karate twice a week. We are going full steam here 4 days a week, and games on Saturdays. He also has a tournament in karate coming up in either March or April.

Dr Appt and other stuff

Wednesday Michael has his Dr appt for a growth check. He is just a hair shy of 4ft!! I mean seriously, they said 47.75 inches! He now weighs 53lbs. All of this finally puts him in the 3rd% on the growth charts!! I feel this summer will really put some gray hairs on my head with all the roller coasters he wants to ride...UGH!

Yesterday he tested for his orange/white belt in Tae-kwon-do. They also did a little sparring. There were tons of kids there for testing so it took about 3 hours. He got his belt though and he did really good. Here are a couple of photos:

Sparring

Testing for his belt

Recieving his new belt from one of the Masters.

Holding his old belt; wearing his new one
Today we went to Auburn to watch his best friends from Spokane skate at their meet. We were only able to stay for a couple of hours because I have to work tonight; but we had a great time watching them and talking. The kids don't have school tomorrow-so right now Michael is over at a friends house spending the night. It is supposed to snow for the next day or so, so we will see if they get a snow day this year.

Man with Red Hair....

Today I took Michael to get his hair cut. He originally wanted them to color it as well, but the place we went to does not do that. So, afterwards, we went to Sally's Beauty place and found some red hair dye. We also found some blue hair spray stuff that he also wanted. Here are some of the pics from our event of dying hair:

checking himself out in the mirror

what a goofball!

what happens when you eat too many carrots!!

This will be a busy week for Michael. He has a doctor appt. on Wednesday. They will draw blood to measure his hormone levels and probably take an x-ray to see what his bone-age is now. Then on Saturday he tests for his next belt. We have to get up early and get everyone there by 8:30am and we will spend the morning at the meet. Sunday we hope to meet up with our friends from Spokane and go skating. Should be a fun weekend!