5 years old

 

We are so grateful for our Auntie Kristen and the beautiful photos she took of us for Reece's 5 year old pictures.  We couldn't be happy with them!

"I think I caught something!"

So it was a typical Sunday in the Matthews house.  Gregg and I have neglected our entire house because we have been trying to make things so smooth around the house since school started for Reece.  Things have definitely been on the up swing so we decided to try to get some normalcy back which includes much needed tending to our yard.  Reece became highly frustrated because we weren't playing with him or as he says "we aren't doing anything fun!"    ( Quite the life he leads, ALWAYS needing fun!!) Needless to say he took it upon himself through his tears to pick up his fishing pole and practice his casting.  Sadness and disaster quickly turned to "Daddy, Daddy, Mommy, I think I got something!" He reeled it in all by himself to find a rather large pike on the hook!!

So I ran over to get our neighbor Roger!  After all he is the one who taught Reece how to fish and gave him his fishing pole AND lures to "catch some good guys"

I'm not sure who was more shocked as to the sight of the rather large pike, Gregg, Roger, or Reece!!

Aslo thanks to Roger and his pliers Gregg didn't have to stick his hand in the pike's mouth . ( I had no idea of course that they even had teeth).  What a proud moment for everyone!!  

We decided to throw him back in so he could grow bigger for us to catch again.

 ( Reece earned himself a solo fishing spot on Mr. Roger's boat that evening!)

Coming up for Air, well at least a little!

Gosh it has been crazy busy around here.  I have had so many moments where I say I need to post that and then haven't taken the time to do it!


So a quick recap of our adventures:

• BEST NEWS - the day after I posted about Reece struggling still with school we arrived a little bit earlier than usual.  There many kids outside waiting for the bell to ring.  As it did, all the kids ran up to get inside. OMG YES Reece was one of them!  We have turned a major corner!  He is doing fantastic and told me at pick up today he had an "absolutely great day"

• On Sunday Reece caught his first fish!!  (I'll post pictures soon)  We had some "adult" company over so Reece decided to keep himself busy by practicing his casting.  Next thing I know very calmly he says "Mommy/Daddy come here I got something!" Sure enough he caught a little blue gill!  The best part was when he asked us if "he could cook it on the grill tonight"  We decided to throw the little guy back in the lake.

Now that Reece seems to be adjusting to school he has really started opening up on his days away.


A few highlights of things he is learning:

•  "Ms. Stachura talked to us about words which are not kind to say".... Daddy asks " Like what?" Reece responses with " like stupid (long thoughtful pause), hate (another long thoughtful pause), God damn!!!" OH MY GOODNESS
•  " Mommy you are walking on my words" Guess he was telling me I need to quit interrupting:)
• "I walk down the hall with the biggest marshmallow in my mouth, but  you know I really don't like marshmallows at all." We realized this is how they convince the kids to be quiet in the hallways
•  " I told you I am a big boy now and can get myself in my seat!"
• "In Wellness today we talked about Go foods - like apples, oranges, potatoes, and No foods.  Its okay to have No foods for special occasions like birthdays.  So since we didn't eat too many No foods for your birthday yesterday Mommy I can eat some more today, right!?!"

It is amazing in two weeks how much Reece has grown up and how much more independent he is becoming.  Of course we love to see this but realizing how quickly the time flies.  We are truly trying to treasure EVERY moment big and small!!  He continues to amaze us each day!

Some adjustments

    So I would love to be that parent who says I dropped my child off at kindergarten and we are now full steam ahead, running into school everyday. Gosh I really would love that!  Our case hasn't been so easy.  Everyday is a challenge just to get Reece out of the house.  He wakes up and immediately begins with "my belly hurts today, really hurts today Mommy, I can't go to school"  He tries his best to delay until I have raised my voice enough that we are in the car in route to school.  At this point, I have such horrible anxiety at the fact of what has occurred before we even leave the house that my mind is racing with what can we talk about to distract the inevitable of drop off, how fun can I make the day sound, you get the idea I am sure!  Well then it comes to walking up to meet his "friends" and teacher.  I will begin with the positive, yesterday's drop off there were no tears and a few extra hugs (YEAH!!!!!) .  Otherwise there have only been tears all the way to full blow hysterics.

    So I have read other blogs online, talked with family, talked with other kindergarten teachers only to be told "Reece will adjust."  I have no doubt that he will.  I treasure picking up at the end of the day when he runs out of school with a smile on his face excited to tell me all about his day! (He seems so happy)  It is simply a HORRIBLE way to start a day.  My heart aches to walk away with him a complete basket case.  

    Of course as a teacher I reassure parents all the time, "I swear your child is happy the minute you leave".  In my heart I know this, but now experiencing it first hand my heart is breaking. I wake up every morning seriously praying that the "drop off" goes smoothly!  

So we are getting things down to a pretty tight routine, dinner at 5 pm , bedtime by 7 pm, although the past two nights have been 7:30( ugh).  As most everyone who knows us knows this IS A MAJOR ADJUSTMENT!!  Gregg says we are becoming "the all American family".  Who new that's all it would take, right? 

    Reece has always thrived off of routine and I guess why would he be any different now that he is 5 !?!  So it as much getting him back into a routine as training ourselves to follow a schedule again which doesn't allow our selfish flexibility.  (Hopefully we can get back to a little of that soon:))
    Tomorrow is a new day, our fingers are crossed for the possibility he may run up and say "Bye, Mommy see you soon!"

My final note: I have seriously contemplated my ability to be a kindergarten teacher!!  I have a whole new appreciation for OURS' especially!

A BIG day!!

When most people think of kindergarten they think of things like new friends, rite of passage, excitement, and maybe yes a little scary .  Well Reece had a much different idea about Kindergarten.  He told us before going to bed last night, "This is the day I have been praying would NEVER come!"  Needless to say emotions were running high today and on all levels. It is a new school, new teachers, new friends, simply but NOT SO SIMPLY everything new! 

It was a half day for him today and we joined him.  All and all things went fine.  Reece was definitely shy and very cautious but did eventually warm up even asking a few boys if the wanted to be his friend! As as parent and being in education myself I hoped ( as did Gregg when we spoke about it after) that we would walk into his classroom and his teacher would be welcoming the children each by name with wide open arms. That didn't happen:( There were some great moments however and I will try to keep an open mind.  (This tends to be a bit difficult for me.  I do understand Reece knows and senses all of our frustrations as adults.  I want him to know and feel how important education is and supporting the school we have chosen for him .)

Thursday will be his first full day alone.  We simply drop him off at the door to his teacher and principle and off he will go!  I am guessing there will be tears and hoping only from Mommy:)