Conversation with Seth....

 After the First day of school.

Seth: I'm hungry, tired, my head hurts....

Me:  Go to your room and lay down. 

Seth: I'm laying down.

Me and Lily: You're complaining SO MUCH! Go to your room and lie down.

Seth: NO! Then you can't hear me!

Me:  😐

Sick of Frowns

Silas has a system at school that helps motivate him to stay on the “straight and narrow”. It also is a system that helps me stay in the know about some of what goes on at school. Really it helps me know what questions to ask him and helps him and me to communicate better. So it has his schedule on it and a place for teachers to write a smiley face, a straight face or a frowny face… depending on his behavior at the time. It has been a stressful tool as well as a source of motivation for Silas. Overall, It’s really a tool that I’m grateful for. It has evolved over the last few years and adjusts from teacher to teacher. But overall it has been a blessing to teachers, Silas and Us… and believe.  

This week Silas has been pushing the boundaries and sometimes just straight up being disobedient and disrespectful.  On Thursday his special Education teacher texted me a warning of that day’s folder. But she said because of his behavior early in the week she went to check on him in his general education class. She apparently caught him erasing 2 frowny faces that his substitute teacher had, as a rookie, written in pencil. His plan was to replace them with smiles. 🙄😏 

So this letter is how we have mostly successfully dealt with behaviors that are brought to my attention. I print a letter for him to, then, copy for his teachers. 

So Friday he handed the letter to his teacher first thing and immediately said “I’m sorry”. She, of course, bent down to hug him and thanked him for the apology, and told him how good that was to say sorry. He looked straight at her and said “Mom.”  As in mom told me to say it. 😑. 

Well, at least he is understanding the drill.  I may have to switch some things up. 

This kid is smart, funny, lovable, AND frustrating all at the same time. 

the

Conversation with Silas…

 We have been doing sight word flash cards a few times a day along with other words he is learning to read….

Me: (card says Mom)

Silas:  “Anita!”

Me: “what does it say?”

Silas: “mom! It’s you!!!”

Mystery reader

I was able to visit Si’s classroom for mystery reader day! It was so fun to meet his friends and read a book about a boy with Down syndrome. His friends were so sweet and he loves showing me around. It was Alabama Down syndrome day and I was able to invite them to the Buddy walk and talk to them about Down syndrome. Great afternoon!

 

Stuff that’s going on

 

Lily and homecomings

 

Beach trip

 

Conversations by Seth and Si

 Back seat of car:

Seth: Si?, did you put a booger on me?

Si: no. 

Seth: okay. 

Beach conversation with Si…

Relaxing and Swimming in the ocean on floats. 

Silas: ooohhh….. fish!….fish….

Me: that’s my leg! 🙂

Silas: Oh!!! Leg!…..never mind!

🙂🙂🙂

Conversation with Lily....

 Me: How is you room a wreck again?!?!!

Lily: It’s not! It’s just that all the drawers are open and the stuff is all over the floor.

Me: ........fix it. 

All tournament softballer

 So proud of Lily being recognized as a member of the all tournament team this year. He had some great plays and so glad she was rewarded for her effort. She sure lives softball and competing. Love this girl and love her talents and motivation. 

My Tiny Baseballer

 We had one of many baseball tournaments today with Seth’s travel ball team. He and a lot of the others had a rough time. They didn’t win one game all day. It was tough. Seth struck out 4 times. It’s rare for him to strike out even once. He’s a good consistent hitter.  He got back up there every time and came and sat down every time. I think sometimes my kids’ disposition is misread on the field. They don’t cry or get mad. Most times Lily just smiles as she walks back to the dugout or throws a ball back to a pitcher. To some it may seem like they have no passion or care about the game. This is so wrong. They have amazing g self control and focus when it comes to sports. 

Today we got home and Seth was walking through hours after we got home.  I called him over and said, “hey, I was really proud of you out there today. You had a pretty bad day at the plate but I absolutely loved your attitude out there.”  He said thanks, then started to walk away, he turned back to me and hugged me tight. 

I have to remember even when they control those emotions... they need love, encouragement and acceptance. 

We are having so much fun in this stage of life!

Happy Birthday, Silas!

Eight Years ago our family received the greatest gift ... well, greatest since Seth was born.  Silas is a gift that none of us knew we couldn't live without.  He is an amazing mix of everything good, stubbornness and mischief.  He was a surprise in that we didn't know we were not finished adding to our family and, when he was born, he surprised us with an extra 21st chromosome.  Both of those surprises were a perfect fit.  I love thinking of all the ways Silas has given to our family and all the ways Ian, Lily and Seth  have given to him.  They work perfectly together.... not all the time, but it all comes together in the long run.  We love you more that we ever thought possible, Silas Estel.  Happy 8 years of life.

Silas Loves....

1. Swimming

2. Blueberries

3. Pizza

4. Carbonated beverages

5. Power Rangers

6. Star Wars

7. Video Games

8. Donuts

9. Light up Shoes

10. Taking Zelda for walks

11. Mammaw's pound cake

Silas Hates....

1. Riding his bike

2. Chocolate

3. Ice Cream

4. Getting Frown-y faces at school

 

Conversations with Seth....

Seth: You know what my ideal traveling thing would be?

Me: No... what?

Seth: A hot pink Spyder... I'd wear a hot pink leather jacket and pants with a hot pink helmet.

Me: mmm... ok.

Seth: I'd drive up and be like.... "Hey Ladies, Sup?"

Conversations with Seth....

Seth: (coming out of the bathroom) Mom, can you wash by blanket? (comfy blanket he sleeps with every night)

Me: sure, what happened, I just washed it this week already.

Seth: I just accidentally peed on it a little.

Me: oh.  ok. put it in the washer.

Be Compassionate and Say Less Words

I don't have too much experience with people saying weird or inappropriate things to Silas and me when we are out, so I'll go ahead and share this one since I have it. :). Well, people probably say inappropriate things, but I'm not very sensitive so I don't think much about it....

Anyway...

Costco Dude:  (yada yada yada.... spring rolls are still cooking....yada yada yada)

Ian and Me:  (mmm.... spring rolls... yum)

Costco Dude:  (looks at Silas) "does he have autism or something?"

Me: "No, he has down syndrome" (super upbeat and friendly... switch to education mode ... trying to          hide my "what the what?")

Costco Dude: "Ahhh...."

...................

Costco Dude: "My parents had 4 kids..... Thankfully, they were blessed and nothing was wrong with any of us."

Ian and Me and now Seth:  .......... (exchange looks of What the What??!!?!??!)

Me: "yea, I have four kids and we feel very blessed.... except for these 2, sometimes." (pointing to Ian and Seth) 😏


Ian couldn't believe he had heard him right.  It was so strange.  I mean, people really don't think about what they say.

Be Compassionate and Say Less Words.

NEW LONG AWAITED TITLE!!!!!! CONVERSATIONS WITH SILAS.....

Me: "Silas,  you are my Heart..... Silas, (point to his heart then to mine) You are my heart."

Silas: Wait, Wait.... (puts his hand on my heart) your heart are..... (puts his had on his heart) .... my heart.

Me: "Awww.... Thank you, baby! I love you"

Silas: (smiles sweetly) Game?

Me:  😑

100 days!

This guy has spent 100 days in Kindergarten!  I'm so proud of him.  It hasn't been easy and we have had our share of tears and trials, but I couldn't be more proud of this monster.  He has learned so much and will likely spend another 100 days, next year in kindergarten, but I have complete confidence in him.  He just keeps getting more awesome!  Not easier... but he is most definitely worth the effort and patience.

My tooth Fairy

I have the most generous tooth fairy ever!