Max back to virtual school

The first few months of the year have been a hard couple for Max. He’s been having up-and-down trouble with his stomach. After missing 33 days of school we were enrolled him into the virtual school that the county offers at the recommendation of his counselor.

Since being part of the virtual school he seems to have lower stress and better grades. I take these as positive changes in six grade. I just hope that we can get through whatever is going on with his stomach. There are good weeks and bad weeks. 

He had his best report card but I’ve seen in middle school. It was only one B on it and the rest were all straight A’s. He did have to work hard at this. And I’ve had to follow up with him more than I’d like to. But I am proud of him for working hard at this and I’m hoping that his learning skills will take with them into seventh grade. We hope we can get back into the real classroom next year.

Interestingly enough though he told me that he prefers virtual school because the kids he meets are actually quite nice and he enjoys getting to know them.

He also did end up playing soccer this spring and it seems to be enjoying it OK. He feels like he’s not learning an awful lot and has contemplated a return to travel in the fall. We shall see how it all plays out. Today he got to play goalie for the first half and then a mix of offense and defense in the second half. He was a busy boy and he seemed exhausted but happy if he had played the whole game.

Ellie’s recovery

Ellie is nearly 3 months post surgery. She is making great progress in physical therapy. I’m proud of her for working hard at the exercises she’s been given. She is walking well again. She does sometimes have ankle pain though. I pray the bones are healing better and that the ankle pain does go away after the surgery. I’m proud of the patient she has had and the tenacity she has shown working at healing.

At the post surgical appointment with her doctor he indicated her healing was going well and she may be able to return to high impact activities around four months instead of six. This is all dependent on how the upcoming MRI goes. We both received it as good and exciting news. It gives Ellie hope and I believe it’s part of her inspiration to truly follow the PT program she’s been given.

In the midst of it all she is preparing for her eighth grade formal. The nice mall is conveniently located near the physical therapist office. Ellie and I have spent a few evenings shopping together recently looking for dresses and shoes for her as well as me. It’s been a nice experience spending this time with her.

She has found her dress and put together a very cute outfit. We even found shoes that she’s excited about and that seem feasible with her ankle healing. This is not her chosen dress below. I’ll save that for the night of the formal. I’m excited for her. It’s fun watching her approach these little milestones and get excited about things.

Happy 9th Clair Bear!

The day started out just as she planned. She was up in plenty of time for a good snuggle before we headed down to make pancakes before she even turned nine. 

We stopped to celebrate at 8:55 AM the moment she turned nine.

She had a lot of request for very specific food today. It started off with Mommy making homemade chocolate chip pancakes with the berry compote and fresh whipped cream. She enjoyed her breakfast tremendously. 

Then, grandma joined us for the celebration. Bringing with her some presents for Claire they had some good snuggles on the couch while watching House hunters international and waiting for a time when it was right to open presents. Ellie had had a friend spend the night so we didn’t wanna do it until she had headed out for the day. Claire was very excited. She had a long list of little things she wanted for her birthday this year and as she commented post opening her 17 presents “I got everything on my list!”

I’m very proud of his coat; I stitched her name on it. 

After present it was time to head to Frederick for two soccer games. Max was first and then we would have a bunch from Pizza pretzel creation. And then Clair have a game. We had a picnic at the park between the games and the kids played on the parks a little bit too.

Clair soccer game started off quite well when she scored the first goal for her team. It was also her first goal for the season. I love the way her face lit up when she scored that goal. She also had a huge smile as her team celebrated at midfield.

That smile is the best!!!!

After the games grandma headed down to aunt Katie‘s and we headed home. At home Clair began playing with her gifts and enjoying exploring each of them. I was on duty to begin making homemade macaroni and cheese for dinner. Everyone enjoyed dinner and we got to the homemade ice cream cake, which everybody enjoyed as well.

It was a really great day and Clara got to do pretty much everything she asked. The only downside was the sunburn that the kids came away with because I forgot to bring sunblock to the fields today. Bad mom!

This is the engineering kit she put together. It’s a pendulum that draws to make cool designs the glow in the dark. It’s really neat. She did it with only a little bit of help from David.

I may have made a mistake when I treated each of my kids birthdays like their own mini Christmases. Yes they are spoiled. And yes it’s exhausting. It starts weeks before with a gift procurement  and planning. The night before requires decorating including putting up the birthday treat balloons and fun stuff every year. They have come to expect it. I hope with all the spoiling that with my kids are grown up they look back and say boy our parents worked hard to celebrate us each year, I know they love us. I hope we haven’t spoiled them to the point that they don’t know how to appreciate celebrations that are not full of gifts. 

As Clair Bear comes in to nine, she’s just amazing. She is a joy to be around. She brings happiness and is a clear reminder of God‘s love every day and in every situation. Hey Joy is visible. She’s also very smart and she enjoys interesting adult conversation. She’s doing great in school. This Girl can be anything she wants to be. She will eventually need to figure out how to organize her self a bit, but no doubt that will come with time.

She is still determined to be a doctor when she grows up.

She loves her family and she loves God. When I asked her after prayers tonight what was the best part of her day she said spending the day with my family. She’s known to tell me that quite often. 

The baby is turning 9

Clair has been counting down the days until she turns nine. She has been very excited about her birthday. Tomorrow is the big day. She had instructions for the day that includes lots of cooking and fun and decorations and presents. I have spoiled my children. I set a precedence that their birthdays are in many Christmases. At least they will grow up knowing that we treated them special on their birthdays.

Here’s a picture of her but I took before putting her to bed.

When I said this is your last picture eight she said no. She told me to lay down beside her and take a picture of a snuggling. My girl loves her snuggles and her mommy time. And I absolutely adore this about her.

Clair is a great busy and loving child. She brings positive energy and happiness to every situation. She sees the good in the world and then others. She can tell when others are stressed and she tries to bring them up. She has a heart for God and I truly believe Jesus lives in her heart and I absolutely am so thankful for that. She has plans for this world and I believe she will accomplish every single one of those plans that she wants to accomplish.

I love her so much and I am so grateful that I get to be her mommy

We put this little decoration up on her bedroom door. I struggle to believe it will still be there at least looking like it does right now in the morning, thanks to the cats who are very interested in it. We shall see.