First adoption support group.

Today I went to my first adoption support group.  It was really great to get together with other adoptive moms who understand all the issues and behaviors our adopted kids have.  The group has been going on for awhile but I haven't been able to attend because of scheduling conflicts.  The group is made up of other moms in this area who have kids around the same age as Goose, Bubba, and Baby boy.  It's run through Metropolitan Family which is where Goose and I have been doing attachment therapy for almost a year now.  I'm so thankful to have opportunities to connect with other adoptive parents.  I have been able to connect on the Internet through the various "adoption forums" that I go on and recently through connecting with other moms who blog about their adoptive families.  I have learned so much from other families and believe that in order to navigate the world of adoption it's essential to have these connections.  At today's meeting I picked up yet another tool to try with Goose.  Each time I add another tool to my tool box I always feel more equipped to be the best mom I can be for my kids.

First day of First grade

She picked out her outfit.  It's so "her."

The backpack.

Walking to school.

Holy cow does she look old.  What a beauty!

Her friends from last year that are in her class this year.

Walking in with her class.

Here are some pics. of "first days" past:

2 year old preschool

3 year old preschool

 

4 year old preschool

Kindergarten

and now... 1st Grade

We met the teacher...

We went to school this afternoon to "meet the teacher."  Goose has a great teacher and a wonderful classroom. She even has several of her best friends from kindergarten in her class.  We brought in her supplies and left them on her desk.  Tomorrow is the big day ... finally she will be in school all day.  We spent some time today picking out just the right outfit.  She is going to look awesome.  We also discussed what she wants for lunch.  I pray that tomorrow goes well and she has a great start to the school year.

And here she is, the BIG first grader.

First day of school for Bubba

Getting ready to go to school.

The StarWars backpack.

Getting in the "big blue van."

Before running up the ramp.

With big sister waiting to go in.

Hanging up his backpack.

He looks so sad but he did really well.

A Day out with Thomas

Choo-choo!

Coloring.

Riding on a street car.

All my boys!

She was very interested in the toilet.

Sitting in an old train car.

Conductors.

Watching Thomas go buy during lunch.

Our picture with Thomas before we got on.

A view from our ride.

Baby boy saying "let's go Thomas."

Bubba's reaction to a clown walking by.

Riding on Thomas

The excitement of finally getting to ride Thomas was just too much.

a day at the park

Yesterday after peanut left to go to her grandparents for another extended visit I took the other three kids to the park.  It was a really relaxing time.  I was also able to get several things crossed off my "to do" list.

I called the school district to find out when Bubba's walk-in speech will be this Fall.  Of course I didn't get an answer but when I called again today they told me to call back Monday when the office is officially open.  I e-mailed Goose's school to set up a meeting with her teacher and the special ed. team.  We finally have all our testing results from this summer and it looks like there are some accommodations that she would benefit from.  I went on-line and ordered several books about childhood anxiety that I can't wait to get reading.  And then I ordered a bunch of pictures for Baby boy's mom to send with him on his next visit.   I at least now feel like I am accomplishing something.

Digging

On the teeter tauter.

Sporting his new hair cut and a fabulous tan!

Tuesday morning

I always feel like I should be doing so much more.  The house is picked up the laundry put away.  All the kids are dressed and have been fed.  It seems as if there is not much to do right at this moment.  But there is so much more I should be doing.  I need to sit down and write baby boy's birth mom a note.  I often think of sending her a card of encouragement but then I never get around to it.  I have been thinking for weeks I need to send her some pictures of baby boy but again... nothing.  As we look to the school year I should be looking at what it's going to take to get Evi started on a 504 plan.  As a former teacher this one should be easy but again I don't know where to begin.  We are still waiting for the report from this summers evaluation but I could call the school and ask to have a meeting set up as soon as possible.  Now that we have a more formal "diagnosis" I need to get reading again so that I can add more tools to my tool box to help Evi as best I can.  I have found some great resources on other blogs.  I have read a ton about sensory processing, attachment, and ADHD but now I need to get reading about anxiety disorders in children.

I'm the type of person who will complain that I am bored (I know...not sure how that can be the case with four little kids around.)  What I really think is I'm overwhelmed.  I know that at some point I'm going to dive into all these things but for now I'm just going to try and get through the day.

thinking about getting ready for the kids to go back to school....

Well that's half true anyway.  I did go school supply shopping and clothes shopping almost two weeks ago so I guess I have been thinking about the back to school thing for awhile.  I'm  trying to get our fall schedule set so I can release some of this anxiety.  We still have our fourth placement but she will be leaving again for two weeks on Wednesday.  Then we will have here for two weeks at which point the paperwork and approvals are suppose to be done and she can go live with her grandparents permanently.

As for baby boy his visits are going to start increasing so there is no way to know what his visit schedule will look like.  It seems that things are always changing and I just need to except it.  Bubba is going to preschool 3 mornings a week and he will continue speech at Easter Seals once a week.  He is suppose to receive two 45 min. sessions of speech through our school district but I haven't heard anything yet about when that will be.  I'm having a hard time getting him signed up for activities because I don't know what time the walk in speech will be.  I tried to sign him up for fall soccer but the class was already filled.  I'm hoping to get him in both swimming and gymnastics again because he really seems to like those.

Where to begin with Ms. Goose?  She will be starting first grade in about a week.  We have been talking to her about the transition and hopefully helping her to feel good about starting a new grade.  I even got several books from the library about going into 1st grade.  I love how each book talks about how kids may be nervous because 1st grade won't be like kindergarten and how many kids will miss their kindergarten teacher and classroom.  I had a good discussion with Goose about how it's okay to feel nervous at first, but just like the kids in the book she too will discover that 1st grade is going to be just as great as kindergarten. I had planned on working with the kids at least 3 times a week this summer, especially Goose.  Well I failed miserably at that.  We did do stuff at least once a week and we tried to get Goose to practice her reading.  The problem is she doesn't like it and when I sit down to listen to her read I often get frustrated.  I get so mad at myself ... I was a reading teacher after all, you'd think I could use my skills as a teacher to help her.

We have her signed up for gymnastics again and she will be continuing with "mighty mights."  She really loves it and she is getting really good at it.  We are staring our attachment therapy again as well.  It always seems that there is just too much on the agenda but I can't see cutting any of it out.  Both Evi and Bubba will be able to go to "Faith Weaver Friends" on Wednesdays at our church. It's a free program that teaches them to love God and each other, how can I cut that program out?  This fall due to gymnastics the kids will be late every week and to be honest some weeks we will probably skip it altogether.

I'm hoping to lead a small group this fall at our home twice a month.  I am looking forward to it.  It will be great to have the opportunity to connect with other people and get into the word of God. I also hope to do more with the PTA at Evi's school.  I'm not sure how that will play out though.  I really enjoy helping in the classroom so I may just stick to that.  We have some weekend getaways planned as well so there will never be a dull moment.

I don't know how other moms do it.  Especially those with lots of kids.  I struggle each day to keep them busy and not just sitting in front of the T.V.  I have to fight with the four year old about doing any activity outside and each day brings meal time battles with the two year old.  The six year old can't understand why she has to stop being bossy and the other two year old cries every time one of the kids walks past her.  No one can find anything to do (except the thing their brother or sister is doing) and crying is constant.  All of this happens within the first 30 minutes we are up.  I just don't know how in the world we will ever feel balanced.  The doctor appointments, therapy sessions and extracurricular activities are endless. If I'm not driving them to one of these things we are trying to get in physical activity, reading time, and healthy meals.  Oh yeah and don't forget keeping to a nap and bedtime schedule as well as making sure they bath and brush their teeth.  Well not even just brush their teeth, we have to floss and use fluoride rinse too.  Don't forget teaching them to be kind to others and to treat people with respect...I'm in charge of all the moral upbringing too.  At the end of the day it's no wonder I enjoy a glass of wine.

Shedd Aquarium

Looking at sting rays.

At the "Fantasea" show.  Right as the show got started they had technical problems and canceled the whole thing.

We saw these plains practicing for the Air and Water Show.

Lake Michigan

Peanut with the city behind her.

Baby boy being silly at lunch.

The family

Looking at some Sea Otters.

Goose got to feel a real star fish.