So what you're saying is... I haven't written a post this entire year? Really? Why did I think I had?
Duncan is doing awesome in school and he is the BEST reader! They give them letters to test and he tested into "M" and at the end of the first grade the expectation is that they are in I or J. So all that reading that he doesn't particularly like to do is paying off.
He is a good reader but he doesn't follow the story line very well, there is still a comprehension issue, which is fine, I would expect at much in the first grade. They are just words. We will get there.
Because he gets the "M" books and they are geared toward a slightly older audience he doesn't quite get the humor. he just had a book with made up words and sounds and expressions and it was the first time that things kind of went over his head. His teacher said some of the books (they go up through middle school in letters!) might not necessarily be appropriate for his age so we can stop at any time if we want to choose our own books to read. I bought a series of books that I was holding until summer but if the book after this one is also a problem we will start skipping his books from school.
A friend suggested National Geographic magazine or another magazine like that and I think we will go that route. There are several science kind of magazines, I need to check them out and get going on that. He would love to get the mail too. He is disappointed almost every day when there is no mail to him. (In marketing we call this the "mail moment" but that's more when it's geared to house wives!)
It's fun to hear him read. He is a little TOO good at it, we can't get away with much spelling any more, certainly not the words "candy" or "treat" he is his mother's son after all.
Dylan is doing well, Not much has changed with her which is fine with us. I finally got all of the paper work done and everything needed to get her on the waiting list for DSPD services. I sent in the first forms in November! Last week we got the letter she was approved and on the wait list. Most of the wait was for the school system to give her her psychological evaluation, or show their attempt to do so. And as soon as that was done they called to do the final questionnaire.
One of the questions was if she did any socially inappropriate behaviors like - burping, farting, picking her nose, making noises, screaming, yelling, laughing at inappropriate times, crying for no reason etc (she went on...) I laughed and told her that she basically described what Dylan does all day. So funny.
She has discovered that she likes to be pushed in races. She laughs for a whiles, sleeps for a while, laughs some more. Sara pushed her around in circles on an indoor track for a race that is trying to raise money for more assisted runners to have push chairs and equipment to race. It was a long night of circles but Dylan seemed really genuinely happy after it was over. She was so cute with Sara! Just staring at her and smiling. It seemed like she really was grateful!
I pushed her in a Valentine's race - I was training or something and I pushed her the 2.5 miles to the place, for the 5k and then... reluctantly at this point :) the 2.5 miles back home. We logged some miles that day too! She got a medal at both races so her collection is growing, though maybe not as quickly as mine.
Ian is as sweet and adorable as ever. In fact, I think because he is throwing fewer and fewer dramatic fits he is sweeter than ever. He is just a LOVER. He always tells us "Mom, you're the best mom I ever had!" And hugs and pat-pats and gives us a kisses. Matthew tried to explain it to him once..."Well, son, that doesn't say much because I am the ONLY dad you have ever had." And Ian just out his arm around him and smiled lovingly. In fact, the other day he said "Mom, you are the luckiest mom in the world right?" Which is, I am sure, not quite how he intended it because he followed up with the same hug, kiss and pat-pat.
I think he can actually read now. He gets embarrassed and won't let on, but I am pretty sure he has accidentally said words a few times. Just simple ones but words all the same. He knows al the sounds, he's been in preschool, so it's no shocker that he would start putting them together. I am looking forward to another phonic speller because that phase did't last nearly long enough with my older speller/reader. I blinked my eye and he spelled words correctly. Next child!
Asher is great, he loves school and is really funny and cute. He is SUPER skinny, like this little tiny thing. Some mornings when he doesn't make the potty in time he comes into Matthew and I, buck naked, freezing and we snuggle him up between us. He is the only kid that gets away with it because he is a snuggler and holds super still. Sometimes I get disappointed when Matthew helps him to the potty and takes him right up stairs even though it's the right thing to do.
Greyson is a stinker, he has the worst attitude ever. He gets away with it all because he is a good kisser and he always says "I snuggle you!" When he wants you to snuggle him. I mean really, how can you be mad after that? Really though, can you say birth control? (Sorry, Grey, if you see this later... it's not likely anything you haven't heard before though.)
My last big race was the Marathon at Disney World in January which was a really AWESOME trip other than the worst five hours of my life spent running! I am glad I am a one and done in the marathon arena, good to have it under my belt and moving on. That is NOT the distance for me. The highlight was cheering for the half the previous day and running into my friend Bonnie when I was at 22 miles and she was at 19. (I got a little bit of a head start because I had a great time and got in a good corral. Thank you down hill races!) The path went along together in opposite directions for a split second and she saw me and yelled. I can't believe she spotted me! We both ran alone, we ran our own races, and feel good about how we did. And BOTH of us are never doing it again. We have other friends planning to go this coming January and Bonnie and I plan to be the best CHEERLEADERS ever!
There's a super fast update... now to dig up some pictures to post!
Dylan doesn't really watch TV at all, it just doesn't really interest her. But, the few times she does, it's music related. Ian's favorite song right now is "Shut Up and Dance With Me" (It's good stuff...) They watched it together and he sang to her. They love each other so much, I die.
I do believe this is a hug...
The longest half marathon of Sara's life (I imagine... circles pushing a stroller!) Dylan loved it!
We watched Up a few weeks ago and then went to "The Up House" It just so happens my Disney friend Tania is friends with the owner, she told her to watch for us. She did, we met, and I loved her! She was great. And she let the boys go in the gate and up to the porch, they loved it more than they thought they would. (The others were sleeping in the car with grandma!)
Mini-Matthew
The kid loves Dylan's food. Loves it's "kid approved flavor". Ick.
Happy birthday to me, we went to a Japanese cooking place with lots and lots of fire. (Ask Duncan, he will tell you about all the fire! But he thinks it's worth it because he LOVES the steak!)
We borrowed "Big Sister" and "Little Sister" for a few hour of fun one day. It was loud. :)
Love this girl so much.
So does he...
