Christmas Programs 2011

This year, Eli and his CCD class dressed up as angels for their Christmas program.  You can bet I was there with a camera in hand.....my wild, sweet, little boy dressed as an angel.  I wouldn't miss this for the world. His crew had several Christmas songs that they sang.  The last song was Happy Birthday Jesus.  Such an amazing job was performed by all!

We also attended Eli's Kindergarten Christmas program at his school.  It was great that his program was in the middle of the day, which allowed me to take 1/2 a personal day :)  At his school, they have three kindergarten classes.  Each class had a different type of hat to represent their individual class.  Eli was amazing at listening and following directions!  GO ELI!!!  He really liked the fact that we could pull him from school after his program!

Eli Turns 6!

 

So I have NO idea why this above picture copied three times.....and as you can tell, I have no idea how to delete it!

Time goes so quickly....Here is a picture of Eli celebrating his 2nd birthday while we still lived in Michigan.  He is such a crazy boy! 

This year, Eli started Kindergarten...he was excited at first, but then he didn't think it was necessary for him to go.  Now, he is back on track of enjoying school and has made a few good friends!  Writing is the hardest thing for him...his letters are slowing getting to be normal size..haha. 

He has a love for....

- guns

- Bow n Arrows

- Ironman

- Thor

- Wrestling with his dad

- being silly

- riding the school bus

- bringing home sticks from school...seriously strange but its just crazy Eli

- JibJabs

- Starfall (he rocks at navigating a computer)

- his family

The list is only a beginning of the things he loves.  Eli continues to be an ACTIVE, silly, little boy (who is growing up way to fast).  I never knew I could love a little boy so much!!

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!!