Tree Trimming and Other Festivities

Eli is getting so big way too fast!

Little guy Jace enjoying his ride before seeing Santa.

The coolest train...ever!

Improving his eye sight, one day at a time!

I want to ask Santa for this!

Me too!!

The boys had a complete blast trimming the tree.  They even had to get out their stools so they could reach higher on the tree.  After the tree was complete, it was time to assemble the train.  Choo-choo...we only turn the train on a couple times a day...it has a lovely horn that goes off constantly! 

The previous weekend, we went to Bass Pro Shop/Outdoor World so the boys could see Santa.  The entire store was decked out in Christmas decorations...we had such an amazing time!  I was even able to pick up a few surprises for Christmas morning....gotta love being sneaky.

In one of the pictures, you may notice Eli has an eye patch.  He had his one month check-up post glasses.  Even though he has made some improvement in his left eye, the doctor wanted him to start wearing the patch two hours a day.  Eli is so cool with being a pirate for a couple hours a day!  

Train Excursion

This summer, while visiting my parents, my dad thought it was a fabulous idea for us to bring the boys on a train ride from Hill City to Keystone, S.D.  The boys were extremely excited but it didn't take Rob and I long to realize why my mom and brother chose not to take the excursion with us! The scenery was gorgeous...the mountains, trees, and old abandon houses to look at.  There was even an old fashion gun-sling fight that we had to stop the train for!  After about fifteen minutes, the boys were starting to get restless, but we continued on our journey and enjoyed the sights.  Once we got back to the lodge (where my parents were), my dad couldn't stop laughing!

Life with ADHD

The dreaded words coming from my son..."Mom, I don't like school...I just need to stay home, don't make me go."  Left with a broken heart and wanting to "fix" his bad feelings for school, I sat there. Frozen.
Holding the most amazing little boy. Wanting to cry, but knowing I needed to find my inner strength. Be Strong.

You may be asking, "What kiddo doesn't like kindergarten?"  Since the amazing day, in China, when my son was placed in my our arms, my little man has always been a wild and crazy boy! School systems are not designed for ADHD students.

Many restless nights have been spent researching..searching for what we can do to help him manage his day.  I have read so many, "How to Raise a Spirited Child" books that they all sound the same after awhile:

Incentives.
Behavior Charts.
Discussions.
Play Therapy.
Which leads to frustration.

My beautiful son has to be on the move for a majority of his day...making school very difficult for him.
Wiggle seats.
Various motivators.
Mixed with HUGE stubborn streak.  Some individuals even have the notation that he is lazy because he refuses to do his work. He is a very smart kid, but doesn't see the potential of what school means.

So. We celebrate. Days of green (didn't have to change his behavior card); We love him even more on days of yellow or red. We pray. We hope. Yeah, we even get mad that we can't help him more.

One thing that will never change-The LOVE that I have for my son! He has such an amazing way of viewing life. Boring, never.

Pumpkin Carving

 Nothing to these guts!

Our favorite babysitter, Brenna at Central High School's Boofest!  The kids had a blast playing all the games.

 The finished products!  A work of art!!

At first, Eli didn't want anything to do with holding the guts!

As Halloween is fast approching, the boys have yet to decide what they will be for trick or treating.  So far, they have gone as either a dinosaur, IronMan, Bumble Bee, or a Transformer.  We will have to wait one more day to see what they actually decide to wear!  (I guess that is what happens when they have numerous dress up costumes to pick from!)

Hockey and Hunting...Quite the Mix!

While Rob was back in Michigan for a quick trip to visit his cousin, my parents and I scored free hockey tickets to our local hockey teams game opener.  I walked into the arena; heard the chaos on the ice and forgot how much I LOVE hockey!   The boys had an absolute blast between the pucks, the fighting, popcorn, and drinks!  Oh and how can I forget about the cow bells.  I think both boys ended up with 5 each (needless to say they are outside toys and some were hidden!) 

In the last picture, the boys are outfitted by their Uncle Mark.  He gave the boys a gun and the "hunting" hats that they are wearing.  The boys thought they were pretty cool with their new gear!!

First Day of Kindergarten

So it begins...the road of public education.   It seems like yesterday that we received our Travel Approval to go to China.....now he is in kindergarten.  I had to attend my open house at school, so Rob had to hustle out of work in order to bring Eli to his open house. Don't you just love the shuffling of kids around to make ends meet? 

Eli's first day was perfect...except for the bus.  They didn't have him listed on their pickup schedule (for those of you that know me, realize how organized I am and had all of this worked out...they seriously forgot to put him on the list...urgh!).  After some serious phone calls, he was able to ride the bus home!  Now, two weeks later, it takes him five minutes to get off the bus...little social butterfly!

Another Big Dream...Accomplished!

The top picture was too cute not to attach!  My ole' teaching buddy and dear friend was visiting in Colorado so we met at Boyd's Lake for a fun afternoon adventure.  The boys had a blast in the water and building sand castles.

Rob and I have always wanted a camper...we can now say we have  camper.  I absolutely love it!  The boys beg to go camping every weekend.  Now that we are back to school, our weekends are jammed packed but boy do we figure out ways to be able to camp!

Our first camping adventure was at Guernsey State Park.  We were so excited for the boys to be able to swim and hang out at the beach...until we got there and were told they had drained the reservoir.  So, in the one picture of the boys on the beach, there is suppose to be water!  We didn't let that ruin our trip.  The boys were quite content playing in the dirt pile by the camper.  We also visited a super cool castle and a museum.  First camping adventure = success!!