Middle School Visit

How is possible? The twins are finishing up fifth grade and moving to middle school next year. It was hard to believe with Connor last year, but it's even harder to believe for Sawyer and Xander this year. We did early start for three years in the back of what will be there middle school next year. The building is a little familiar. But that was also six years ago, because they've been at their elementary school the past six years, and it's going to be hard to say good-bye in a few more weeks. Incoming special education students were invited out today to visit the middle school on a field trip from their own schools ... the good news is the boys seemed happy. There were arts and crafts activities set up, a sensory table in the hallway, pizza for lunch, and even corn hole to play. The school has a pretty amazing peer leadership program that helps the transition for all sixth graders, and a special subset that works with the special education kids as well. We are hopeful the transition is going to go well ...





   





Special thanks to the boys current teachers, Mrs. K and Mrs. B for sharing the images.

Variety Show

While Sawyer was off getting his chronic ear infections taken care of with surgery for tubes, Xander was busy getting ready for his big performance in the school Variety Show. He was playing guitar and singing "Counting Stars" by One Republic. He rocked all three performances ... two at school for the students (broken up by age group to help overcrowding in the gym) and one in the evening for parents and friends. He is so fearless, and has come so very far. I still remember when he didn't talk at all, when the words faded and we only had signs and sounds. And here he is, eight years later, singing in front of the whole school like he was born to do it. The people who know him best, who have worked with him and seen his progress over the years, were all in tears. Happy tears. Because our boy has come so very, very far. Past teachers were in the audience, driving in to cheer him on as he performed. And he LIVES for the applause. He loves the spotlight and the cheering.

The Sick One

All winter, Sawyer has battled ear infections and illness. He's missed more days this school year than in all of his previous school years combined. We went six straight weeks with an ear infection, multiple visits to the pediatrician and eventually an ENT, and tried multiple types of back to back antibiotics. Nothing worked. And the audiology tests confirmed that he wasn't hearing well because of all the fluid in his ears. After multiple visits and audiology tests, the ENT determined ear tubes was the best option. So today was the day ...  early morning appointment, waiting with iPad, icee from Sonic, then recovery at home with more iPad time ...

Maybe Someday ...

A rainy day adventure ... looking at more property out in the county for later on. Beautiful horse farm in the back yard ... sunsets to the west just over those hills ...

Hard Life

It's so hard to be Bruno ...