Daybook Time

While the baby drifts off to sleep in his nice clean bedding (we have been without a washing machine for close to a week....which brings pause...technology, advancements, dependency), Lucy and I sit across eachother, listening to music and journaling for 15 minutes.  She is supposed to be writing about her perfect summer day; as we stare out the window with the rain and cloud cover. 

I will use this time to my advantage to update the Avensons

Sidney: This will be a challenging summer.  He has fallen twice in the past two days and has two separate bumps on his forehead.  He had me take his small little bike up our grass hill, he sat upon it and if I did not stop him, he would have simply rode down the hill - full speed ahead.  Seeing his brothers ripstick, he has also placed two feet upon his bike seat and tried to glide down the driveway. I have also had to search high and low for him - as he is prone to opening the deck door, closing it behind him and taking a walk around the house.  This will be a challenging summer.

Lucy: She is head strong into soccer.  We have placed her into a competitive soccer league for a number of reasons, but most of all, to get her spirit back in tact. She is in great need of claiming something for herself and having to work hard for something.  She says that practices are, "Just okay," but I have already seen a rise in confidence in her.  She walks with an encouraging step.  It will be busy, no doubt.  But, we have three months of this intense session and then we can take a break and get ready for the lessened Fall Soccer through our community ed program.

Simon: Is doing so over the top fantastically well at his school.  He auditioned for a "By Invitation Only" piano play for the Spring Arts Festival and was accepted.  He is in the gifted reading program - reading great books, completing high level assignments, and participating in Literature Circles with like minded peers. He is in the advanced math class and being challenged there as well. He is working through his recess time with some peers on a Lego Animation project to present to the class.  They are working with the Technology advisor in the school.  BUT - most importantly, he has gained trust and knowledge of who he is.  He is aligning himself with stable kids and being able to distinguish between the group he does not want to be a part of and the class of kids he wants to stand shoulder to shoulder with.  He will say things like, "The 'popular' kids just don't know who they are....i feel sorry for them."

Perry: For the very first time, he has outstanding grades mid quarter.  We have not fought once during these last 2.5 months in regards to his grades.  He even has an A- in English...the class he hates. We still go round and round with his head strong nature and his obvious disregard for his siblings from time to time.  But, we are at a good place at the moment and I am clinging to that for the time being.  He has decided to give up piano - which i am not happy about, but he wants to pursue guitar.  I can honor that.

I have been told that it is Read Aloud time. We are reading the second book of Toby Alone:  Toby and the Secrets of the Tree. A lively culture of minuture people living and surving within a tree.