Update on Will

Great news!! I got a call this afternoon from the principal at Walnut Glen. He told me they indeed had a spot for William for 1st grade. I had to go and withdraw him from Keeley today, and then we'll re-enroll him at Walnut Glen tomorrow morning. I am so excited!!

Although Will is happy to go back to school with all of his friends, he was a little disappointed b/c he's been rididng the bus to Keeley w/the neighborhood kids and he thinks it's so fun to ride the bus. We don't have bus service to Walnut Glen, so he's not able to experience the bus.

But, I believe Walnut Glen is a better fit for him, for us. It's an amazing school and we are so lucky to get to be a part of it.

1st grade & 4th grade

Today, my two oldest babies are starting school. Ben is going into 4th grade. I know, right? I can't believe it myself. And William is going into 1st grade. Where does the time go?

This year things are changing up for us. Ben is going back to WGA and Will is going to Keeley. Will got bumped from WGA, and was on the waiting list but didn't get a spot. We are still hopeful that this first week of school, something will come available. But in the meantime - he's going to Keeley. So that means, David and I tag teaming to drop them off and pick them up from school since they have to be there and be picked up at the exact same time.

They were both pretty excited about school starting. Although - I don't think the reality of Ben being at a different school really set in w/William until this morning. He was really nervous this morning. I took Will to school, and David took Ben.

William wore his Jack Skellington t-shirt. He loves Nightmare before Christmas. It's his favorite movie!

Ben - my big 4th grader : )

Will & Ben trying to stand as far away from each other as I will allow : )

Ben : )

Will :)

I took Will to school, and surprisingly all the kids were already in the classroom and seated when we got there, and we were early. Which was a bummer, b/c Will hates walking in front of everyone.

He was pretty nervous, and would not look at me. So I took one photo of him and left : ( I didn't want to embarrass him.

I snapped this one as I was walking out. He's over by the window in the black shirt.

I am still holding out hope that Will will get a spot at WGA - but if he doesn't, I am pleased with the teacher that he got. I've heard great things about her, and she seems so sweet and genuine. Which is exactly what he needs. And the bonus is - our next door neighbor's son (his BFF) is in his class. They have known each other since they were babies. So that really helps him not to be quite as nervous.

David took Ben to school this morning. I told David to go in and take some photos of Ben and Ben said "Why? Why does he have to go in? Why can't he drop me off?" Really? He's only in 4th grade. I thought that didn't start until middle school? And, of course, I secretly think that my kids will always want me around no matter what age. They'll never be embarrassed of me. Ha! I told him that Daddy had to take photos, it was a requirement b/c mommy's on the PTA. Haha!

Our 4th grader : )

Inside his class. The blonde boy sitting behind him is one of his BFF's. Probably going to have to separate those two : )

They had a successful start to their first day. Will's teacher sent me an email and told me he's doing great. So that makes a mommy even happier.

So - it's just me and Andy here. He starts school on September 6. So we have to find things to entertain ourselves : )

He had to get up pretty early this morning (6am) and he's not use to that at all. He put the bar stools together, and made himself a little bed : ) And of course, Teddy has to get in the shot : )

Happy First Day of School!

Advice Needed!

We are having SO much trouble getting the boys to go to bed. Well... Will & Andy that is. Ben has his own room - so he does great. He goes to bed, reads a little and then falls asleep. Will & Andy share a room. And it's miserable!!!! Will is actually very good and would go to bed. But he can't b/c the bedtime monster is bugging the dickens out of him. Yes... I am referring to Andy. He was such a great sleeper as a baby. He would sleep something crazy like 14 hours a night. Crazy, right? It was wonderful! Well now, is my payback. B/c he won't go to sleep to save my life.

I just don't know what to do to get Andy to go to sleep. He's been sleeping w/David and I for the last 2 years (he's 4). And so has Will off and on. School is starting - so we are making Will go back to his bed. He's a little scared too - but he's fine. He's a good sleeper. And with him, we would love it if Andy would get out of our bed too. David and I have not slept alone in our bed together in 9 years. I would really like to have a good nights sleep. It NEVER happens.

We intend to move in a year or so - to have more space. But for the time being, we are short on space. As I said - Ben has a room. Andy & Will share a room. David & I have a room. And then we have one bedroom that is designated for the media/xbox room. Which we really kinda need. Having the media room really helps out w/fighting and giving the kids somewhere to go.

Andy can wake up at 6am, take a nap/not take a nap, and still stay up till 11pm. It's amazing. I don't know why this kid doesn't want to go to sleep. I'm exhausted!

I am very frustrated. It seems I've had this dilemma for ever. Well ... for 9 years now. I'm ready for it to come to an end. But I don't know what to do. I've done everything I can think to do.

I would LOVE advice from other mothers who have dealt w/this or might have some ideas. I'm desperate.

A Sign!

I have been watching "Switched at Birth". It's a new series on the Family Channel that comes on Monday nights. It's about 2 girls who were switched at birth and one of them happens to be deaf. So on this show - there's a lot of speaking in sign. And the girl who is deaf on the show, Daphne, reads lips well but in most cases has a confused look on her face b/c everyone is talking to fast for her to read their lips. So she misses most of their conversation. I can see the frustration in her face, but never really could imagine how she (or any other deaf person) must feel when around hearing people. It's really a great, great show. I am enjoying it.

I have always been fascinated w/sign language. And I have always ALWAYS wanted to learn - but never did. I taught all 3 of my children sign language when they were born. It was simple signs that we learned from a book. Such as milk, eat, more, bed, tired, etc. It was a life-saver for us. Especially with Ben. He was our first and we were really unsure and didn't know how to fully understand what he needed. So teaching him to sign - really took out all of the guessing for us. He learned it quickly and loved doing it.

After the kids could talk, the signs fell to the waist side. There was no need for them. But in the back of mind - I've always thought someday I would learn.

So, yesterday - I am at Wal-mart looking at air fresheners and such. This girl walks up next to me and is looking at them too. She picks up one that I have used and I start to talk to her (b/c that's how I am : ) and tell her how great it is, and how nice it smells, etc. I'm just talking and talking until she taps me on the shoulder and points to her ear. She was Deaf! In that very moment, I felt like a complete idiot. An idiot b/c I couldn't communicate w/her. She was young, pregnant, seemed very sweet and trying hard to communicate w/me and understand what I was saying, about air fresheners, nonetheless. I stood there for 5 minutes pointing and making motion w/my hands - that I or she had no idea what I was saying. At that moment - when all I could hear was silence - I knew how Daphne, and all other deaf people, must feel. I looked at her and just waved bye and walked away. I felt terrible, defeated. So sad that I couldn't communicate w/her.

I know, that will probably never happen to me again - b/c it's the first time it has. But it was then that I decided it was time for me to learn to Sign.