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!