Ok, so here I am one year later and blogging just seems impossible to catch up on. But I feel so guilty not documenting that whole year of our little lives. It is not that major things have happened but that just the little things in the lives of 3 young children do seem so important. The moments that you want to remember forever. I then recall the words of a friend that said, "Don't let your own perfectionism get in your own way, so that something that you desire to do, you don't do at all. Sometimes "good enough" is good enough." Words I am sure to pass on to this little guy some day.
So here we are...Uneditted pics of the Garrisons from September 2010 to October 2010
September~Our annual Woodstock Fair trip ~
Imagine sitting around all day, motionless, for a living? Skylar was scared of this guy once she realized he was not a real statue. I still don't get how he does this. 
We don't buy ride tickets yet, thinking it is easily avoidable at this age. But when some oh so nice, lady gives you some for free, we figure we will try one ride. We were surprised to find out that the younger two really are ride junkies. Dustin could do without. 
He was content to watch the sand art.
School started, I wasn't ready. I found myself with tears of disbelief that my little Sunshine was indeed old enough to be going to kindergarten. But aren't the parents of 5 year olds supposed to be "old"? I don't feel it in the least. But am amazed with how fast they do grow. It seems like just yesterday when she was this little peanut in my arms. I know she will do well and she will be such a blessing in someone else's life as she has been in ours. She was thrilled to have her friend, Olivia, in her class again this year. 
Kamden insisted on carrying his lunchbox for the first 2 months of school because he wanted his lunch like the kids.
Some day "you're gonna miss this..." Thomas boots and sparkle shoes peeking out from under the chair.
The second day of school I went into the room at night to find this sweet face. As I looked quickly, I mistook this little face for that of her brother. It was when I turned the light on and saw the dark hair and earrings that I realized just how much she actually looks like Dustin.
Dustin's list of chores he would like to do so that he can get a quad and a dog.
We don't buy ride tickets yet, thinking it is easily avoidable at this age. But when some oh so nice, lady gives you some for free, we figure we will try one ride. We were surprised to find out that the younger two really are ride junkies. Dustin could do without. He was content to watch the sand art.School started, I wasn't ready. I found myself with tears of disbelief that my little Sunshine was indeed old enough to be going to kindergarten. But aren't the parents of 5 year olds supposed to be "old"? I don't feel it in the least. But am amazed with how fast they do grow. It seems like just yesterday when she was this little peanut in my arms. I know she will do well and she will be such a blessing in someone else's life as she has been in ours. She was thrilled to have her friend, Olivia, in her class again this year. Kamden insisted on carrying his lunchbox for the first 2 months of school because he wanted his lunch like the kids. Some day "you're gonna miss this..." Thomas boots and sparkle shoes peeking out from under the chair.The second day of school I went into the room at night to find this sweet face. As I looked quickly, I mistook this little face for that of her brother. It was when I turned the light on and saw the dark hair and earrings that I realized just how much she actually looks like Dustin.Dustin's list of chores he would like to do so that he can get a quad and a dog. After much dicussion about this, we informed Dustin that he could do jobs to earn the money so HE could buy one. So I began to tell him that he could vaccum to earn the money. He responded with, "I would rather scoop poop." This after he had gained the experience of doggie doodie at nana's. I quickly reminded him that he did not have a dog and said, "I can ask the neighbors." I helped with that conversation as to not scare off the neighbors if Dustin only gave them part of the story.
Our neighbor reassured him that he would keep him in mind for small jobs like leaves and stuff.
As we walked out the door this morning for school Dustin requested that we be quiet (as the neighbors were sleeping). "I don't want to lose my job."
9/ 16
9/ 16
When talking with Dustin about his youth activities, he told me that he liked when they went to the "cemmetary". Though I don't know everything about this church, I did think it was a little unusual. So I felt the need to ask more, "Where did you go?" "You dropped me off there..." seeing a bit of confusion on my face, he felt like he needed to explain more to me. " Where you and daddy used to have church!" Then it clicked...the sanctuary.
October~
Hayrides, donuts, apples, pumpkins and picnics...all the things we enjoy at our yearly Columbus Day trip to Buells Orchard. We joined up with some friends and it was eye opening to see one of the girls being "fun-loving" and "girly" with Dustin. I sat in my seat thinking, "oh no, no you are much too young to be doing this." I still stand by that thought and so does he. "I don't do that girlfriend stuff, mommy." That's right, keep calling me mommy till you are married. 
October 27,2010
I had my first "Placement Meeting" with Skylar's kindergarden teacher, a first grade teacher, the school psychologist, and the princial. The topic at hand was whether to move Skylar to first grade two months into her kindergarden school year. At first thought, you start to become a proud parent. Then the reality of making this decision is overwhelming. There are so many things to consider: friendships already in place vs. new personalities to be mixed with, will she feel like an outsider in either setting, will she be bored or less confident, will she miss the foundational building blocks that would make her a well rounded student in the grades to come???
So we settled on testing her all around abilities and finding out if she could mentally handle the move. Over the next two weeks the psychologist would do cognitive, social, emotional, and intellectual testing with her. The results were a little more surprising than I had imagined. Her reading came back at a high second grade reading and her math at a high first grade math, and she is just starting kindergarden. What would this mean for her? So my concern led to her emotional state. She is not always the most confident individual, so this was a focus for me, to protect her self esteem while advocating for her to get the education the she deserved.
We have been attending a new church since May 2010 and are already seeing how we enjoy the family activities that so many people dedicate themselves to helping with. This specific one is the Harvest Party which is intended to take the place of Halloween activities. There is a candy hunt, games, and the kids get to dress up still, which most kids like. But they are asked to dress up as something that God has created. OH, was I surprised when they each picked their ideas, creative kids. 
The snowflake, the spider and the carrot. Really? A carrot? I thought it was awesome to see him come out of his shell or should I say skin? A beautiful snowflake, so creative and unexpected in October. Guess she was preparing us for what was to come this winter. And the spider the costume was adorable, and given to us and what better way to get you to overcome your fear of them, than to be one yourself. 
So confident and so out of the norm for him. I held back from telling him that he was wearing ladies capris. He even won 3rd place for his age. Cool.
October 27,2010I had my first "Placement Meeting" with Skylar's kindergarden teacher, a first grade teacher, the school psychologist, and the princial. The topic at hand was whether to move Skylar to first grade two months into her kindergarden school year. At first thought, you start to become a proud parent. Then the reality of making this decision is overwhelming. There are so many things to consider: friendships already in place vs. new personalities to be mixed with, will she feel like an outsider in either setting, will she be bored or less confident, will she miss the foundational building blocks that would make her a well rounded student in the grades to come???
So we settled on testing her all around abilities and finding out if she could mentally handle the move. Over the next two weeks the psychologist would do cognitive, social, emotional, and intellectual testing with her. The results were a little more surprising than I had imagined. Her reading came back at a high second grade reading and her math at a high first grade math, and she is just starting kindergarden. What would this mean for her? So my concern led to her emotional state. She is not always the most confident individual, so this was a focus for me, to protect her self esteem while advocating for her to get the education the she deserved.~
I visited the first grade class to see how I thought she would handle the class. My initial reaction was that she would have been eatten alive by the personalities in the classroom and that she could have lost every bit of confidence that we had finally seen her gain. As we prayed for direction, out of the blue (otherwise known as in God's time), a teacher commented on how she had seen Skylar with her head held high, walking down the hall today and that she was so happy and confident. That was our answer, that we would leave our little girl as the head of the class rather than the tail. Either spot is fine, if that is where you are, but I am sure it looks a little different in each. 
This is her visiting the 2nd grade classroom that she would be doing her reading groups with. It was kind of a sensitive subject that had to be handled with care for the sake of both the school kids. Since afterall, Skylar would be joining a classroom that was the same grade as her older brother. After discussing with him that she reads well because she enjoys it, much like you play sports well because you like it, he was willing to invite her into his class. We thought better to let her have her own class. So she went to her current teacher's sister, Mrs. Benton.
~This is her visiting the 2nd grade classroom that she would be doing her reading groups with. It was kind of a sensitive subject that had to be handled with care for the sake of both the school kids. Since afterall, Skylar would be joining a classroom that was the same grade as her older brother. After discussing with him that she reads well because she enjoys it, much like you play sports well because you like it, he was willing to invite her into his class. We thought better to let her have her own class. So she went to her current teacher's sister, Mrs. Benton. Dustin started his first season of playing soccer. He began the first day as an intro due to his lack of experience. Within the day, the instructor encouraged us to consider moving him to the U8 tri town division, still a recreational program but more advanced. We quickly discovered this was more of the way to go for Dustin. 
Within the 8 weeks Coach Steve had to make specific challenges for Dustin as to not allow him to run the field of 5-7 players. He was encouraged to make goals outside of the box, then when that was easy for him, he was encouraged to be on the defense. That still did not stop him from making goals. Now Coach had a different area for Dustin, goalie. Again, that did not stop him from making goals. He made 2 goals into the other teams net from his own goalie box. Now don't get me wrong, he was not a ball hog, and did try to share with his team mates but was insistant and polite to make sure that when the opposing team would get the ball, that he make a point to make sure that his team quickly retained possession of it. The team ended with an undefeated season with Dustin making 4-5 goals a game. Way to go gAtors . 
Skylar and Kamden were cooperative participants going to games each Saturday morning. In this house we travel as a family when it is possible, supporting where we can.Within the 8 weeks Coach Steve had to make specific challenges for Dustin as to not allow him to run the field of 5-7 players. He was encouraged to make goals outside of the box, then when that was easy for him, he was encouraged to be on the defense. That still did not stop him from making goals. Now Coach had a different area for Dustin, goalie. Again, that did not stop him from making goals. He made 2 goals into the other teams net from his own goalie box. Now don't get me wrong, he was not a ball hog, and did try to share with his team mates but was insistant and polite to make sure that when the opposing team would get the ball, that he make a point to make sure that his team quickly retained possession of it. The team ended with an undefeated season with Dustin making 4-5 goals a game. Way to go gAtors . We have been attending a new church since May 2010 and are already seeing how we enjoy the family activities that so many people dedicate themselves to helping with. This specific one is the Harvest Party which is intended to take the place of Halloween activities. There is a candy hunt, games, and the kids get to dress up still, which most kids like. But they are asked to dress up as something that God has created. OH, was I surprised when they each picked their ideas, creative kids. The snowflake, the spider and the carrot. Really? A carrot? I thought it was awesome to see him come out of his shell or should I say skin? A beautiful snowflake, so creative and unexpected in October. Guess she was preparing us for what was to come this winter. And the spider the costume was adorable, and given to us and what better way to get you to overcome your fear of them, than to be one yourself. So confident and so out of the norm for him. I held back from telling him that he was wearing ladies capris. He even won 3rd place for his age. Cool.Andrea
Good for you! This shouldn't be a guilt thing for you that's hanging over your head though. You'll be thankful to have it later but you and the kids will be just fine without it, too. Don't beat yourself up!
ReplyDeleteGood for you for making an apperance in some of the photos! :)