Yay Rylan!

Dear Rylan,

You are the world's best potty-trainer. Evar.

Love,
Mom

*breathe*

It's never easy. Having that talk.
The one where no matter how you word it, it's going to potentially crush their little worlds. Change them forever. So many questions. Is this the right thing? How do you know? How did this all happen so fast? Am I effing up my kids? Am I being an asshole?

Companion and I have decided to split.
We had a plan. We didn't really stick to the plan. It kinda catapulted into fast-forward maximum overdrive.
We officially told the kids last night.
We went through the whole "Mom and Dad are going to live in different houses", "We both love you very much", "There will be times when you stay with Mom, and other times you will stay with Dad", "Dad's apartment is really cool and has an indoor swimming pool" "Dad would really like if you helped him decorate his place with pictures you draw"......
And I think they understood.

I think.

Jaysen didn't really react as I had expected, although I'm not really sure what I expected... We told him over dinner. He listened, and didn't really have any questions other than if I was going to stay in the house with him. He was excited to hear about the pool. But it was a hesitated kind of excitement. When he was finished eating, he said "I'm going to get Rylan. You tell him what you just told me". That was a pretty bold statement. It told me that he understood the basis of what's going on. He understood the importance. I'm preparing for the real questions to come in a few days. Processing.

Processing.
Processing.
Processing.

9

Happy 9th Birthday Jaysen!!!!!

You are so very loved by so many people. But mostly, by me.
Which is totally special because...well, because it's me.

You are so very awesome. You amaze me every day with how far you've come, and how much you are maturing. I still remember those days when I would kiss your little bald head and breathe in your sweet baby-smell. Now, you kind of have that Justin Bieber hair thing going, and often smell like sweat socks.

But I love you, Bear.
And every year, this day is so very special to me, because I am reminded that it is you who made me what I am today. Because the day you were born is also the day I became a mom. And that is the greatest gift in the world.

Happy Birthday, Jaysen!
Party like a rockstar.

Announcement

The Red One?

Is totally potty training.

Life is good.

Oh Em Gee.

I know I've gushed on and on about The Awesome School Jaysen is currently in. Even (half) joked about wanting his I-Team to follow him through college.

Just received the Best.News.Evar as it relates to school.

I was fretting because after school tweaking around with budgeting, this is Jaysen's last year at The Awesome School. This year has been such a success, I really just wanted onemoreyear, just to have that positive experience. Alas, the school only goes up to 4th grade now. Which makes this a transition year. We all know how much we lurve transitions.... Since the next transition is to upper elementary for grades 5 and 6, it makes the whole upper elementary school experience a whole transitional clusterfeck. Nerves...worry...anxiety...gaping chasm in the ground swallowing me up.....

But!

I received a personal phone call from Jaysen's Resource Room teacher. Y'know the one who digs my kid for who he is, appreciates him, encourages him, and has faith in him? Also doesn't put up with his crap? Yes, the magical faerie-like teacher whom I probably owe my life to...okay, well at least my sanity...

Well, she called to let me know that she accepted a job as a counselor....at the upper elementary school! Uh...did I hear that correctly? Jaysen's not losing his Team, he's actually gaining them for another 2 years! Whoot! She also confirmed that we will need V, the sp.ed district head to attend Jaysen's transition IEP meeting, to ensure he follows the kids he is with now (as we are not at our home school).

Seriously peeps, I almost collapsed.

She's going to be a fabulous counselor. I honestly can't think of anyone better for such a job. Srsly, she already does that a good portion of the time.

So Yay! Congrats, magical faerie-teacher!
Spread your glitter and cupcakes all over the upper elementary!
You will be awesome and rawk it like you always do!

And yay for 2 more years of success!

Um...wow.

4th grade is.........AMAZING!
I am happy to report that Jaysen is off to a great start this year- in school, and at home.

His parapro reports that his anxiety/frustration level is way down this year, and when he does have difficulty, he is using strategies to help diffuse himself.

Wow.

At home, I am seeing a happy, social kid, but also a helpful one. I can't even begin to tell you how helpful Jaysen has become. He follows directions with little to no grumbling, and will do things like get himself ready for bed, or get dressed in the morning, without me even having to ask him.

Wow.

He is helping his brother cope when his little 3 year old temper flares. He helps him get ready for bed. He asks his opinion on what movie he would like to watch. He takes turns with him when they play the Wii. He answers Rylan's incessant questioning. He encourages him, and tells him he's doing a good job. He tells him to have a good day when he leaves for pre-school.

Wow.

He's also more accepting of the suckier things in life. Like dentist appointments, homework, taking medication, and bedtime.

Wow.

That is not to say my son is perfect. He is my son, after all...
He still has bouts of frustration. He still gets lippy, and he still doesn't know how to constructively express or deal with certain emotions, but he's actively working on it. And you can see it in his face when he is truly making an effort.

Wow.

He also informed me, "Mom...your little boy is growing up."
Yes, sweetheart......he certainly is.
*sniffle*

First day of school - fourth grade

Dear Fourth Grade,

Why did you sneak up on me and bite my ass at 10pm last night? Didn't you know that all the good school supplies were already gone? That was not very nice of you.

~Momzilla