A Few Things

After 30 very long, very emotional days at Montessouri we decided to switch schools.  The school was great it just wasn't the right fit for Jordan so he is now at Merryhill Elementary.  So far, so good.  And the transition went easier than I had anticipated.  He has a small class, only 13 kids and his teacher is very structured. Exactly what he needs. 

 Also, I cut off Jordan's mohawk.  It was killing me.  I kept prepping him and when we got to the barber he refused to let it go.  But once they started I asked him if it was ok and he said yes.  So they did it quickly.  Before they were finished he looked in the mirror and had a complete meltdown.  Who knew a five year old was that attached to their hair.  Maybe we need to switch it up a little more so it isn't so traumatic. 

 

I think it turned out nicely. :)

 

We are very slowly counting down the days until Graduation.  Dj has a slight case of senioritis but can you blame him?  5 weeks left of the semester.  I am very proud.  It's been a loooong ride but he is one step closer to his goal.  Ok, well one step closer to three more years of school, but we try not to look at it that way.  And yes. That's a picture of a Glee Graduation... what?

 

 

Hmmm well I thought I had more interesting things to write about.  Guess not. Wow.  Or maybe it's because its 7 am and I am now thinking I want to go back to bed.  







Confession: Punisments and Priorities

"Next time you dish out punishments over speakerphone, think about who's actually being punished. Me or him!"

That's the message I sent my husband this evening after he had verbally disciplined our son on the drive home via speakerphone (no movie/leapster/computer) after having a less than stellar first day at his new school.  And by that I mean, completely unacceptable, resulting in not one but two incident reports and a conference with the teacher. 

I kept thinking to myself :

"Is this really how his school years are going to be?"

And then I took a strool down memory lane. Reminded myself that it was just the "first day jitters," and that Jordan has never done well with change/transition.

Case in point #1.

After being potty trained Jordan had to move up a class at daycare.  His first day in his new environment he managed to push over a bookcase and hit a little girl in the nose and then the very next day pulled the fire alarm. 

Case in point #2

Again, after growing out of his daycare class he had to transition yet again to a new teacher and new kids.  The first day he dumped water onto someones lunch and smacked some else across the face.

I don't tell these stories to get sympathy, empathy, or pity but to be honest.  Be real.  Is this a first of many visits for us to the office, probably.  Do I hope and pray it's not, absolutely.  Am I the only one that has these moments. No. I have honestly come to realize that the way I parent is not the way you may parent or even the way I was parented (word?) but I know my son, and I know what works for him, what makes him tick, and what way he may react.  
I try really hard not to be the mom at the park scanning the playground with accusing eyes wondering who's child is running wild banshee style screaming, flicking woodchips and nearly grazing everyone with a flailing appendage as he makes his way to the slide. I've been there. I know the looks, and I've gotten the stares.  There is a fine line between aggression and play with Jordan and we teeter it quite often but I do know deep down at the core right next to his heart is my sweet boy.  The sweet little boy who asks to hold my hand before falling asleep at night, and the boy who tells me repeatedly that he loves me, he has a sincere little soul and he may not translate his sweet side effortlessly but with a little patience (and even a few punishments) he is a genuine, tenderhearted boy.  

So tonight while we are on "punishment" I'll soak up these last little moments of his innocence and remind myself what my parenting priorities are: love, respect, and honesty.  Oh, and we'll write apology letters. ;)

 

A Full Confession.

My house is dirty. And not the "you have a four year old" kind of dirty. Dur.Tee. I have yesterdays dishes piled in the sink, (which I probably won't do tonight either) a load of laundry I forgot about and now is sour, the garbage can is overflowing, reasearch papers spread out across the table and two of the chairs from my English final last night, and I just noticed an avocado that rolled off the counter and is wedged between the fridge and the wall. Seriously? What. The. Hell.  But what I really can't quite understand is, we all left the house at 8 o'clock this morning, and Jordan and I didn't return until after 7 pm.  So really, how does my house get like this??? We aren't even here!!!
Another confession, Jordan fell asleep on the way home, without eating dinner, or getting a bath / brushing his teeth, his feet are dirty from wearing flip flips, his knees look like he's been crawling through a coal mine, and his blanket smells like stale french fries and burnt toast. Sigh. 
Only 3 more days of school and then I get a break.  And really I better have the mother of all shakedowns in this B because CPS might come knocking on my door. I'll be glad when one of us finally finishes school, because seriously we never see each other. Our Conversation just fifteen minutes ago.


Me : "How's work, babe?"

DJ:  "Eh. Pretty shitty."

"Oh, I'm sorry"

" Eh. Whaddya do? What's bubba doin?"

"Sleepin, are you off yet?"

"No."

"Okay, I'm goin to bed. See ya tomorrow."

"Actually I'll see you Saturday, I'm leaving early in the morning to go to the library, and then I work at 5."

"Oh, Okay. See you Saturday. Wait, I have to work Saturday remember? You have to take Jordan to his Tball game at nine then drop him off at McCalls because I won't be off until 5. You work at 4 right?"

"Oh yeah, Sunday then...."

"Ok, See you Sunday"

DJ "Wait I am going to the library after work Sunday until at least 10."

"Well, I'll probably be in bed by the time you get home. So I'll see you Monday morning."

Yes, this is our lives. :(   It's all gonna be worth it right?!?  That's what I keep telling myself anyway.
And that my friends is why my house is filthy, and also why I ate a personal size frozen pizza for dinner, and why I am leaving the dishes in the sink until tomorrow.  Thank you and goodnight.