Growing and preparing

Jaemin is preparing for Kindergarten next year.   He's in his 3rd year of speech.  Today, I chatted with Miss Ashley and she said he was very engaged today.  She said he started to flap briefly and caught himself, but still runs his hands on the concrete block wall.  He likes the texture.  She still thinks putting some velcro under his desk will help take care of his sensory seeking needs when he goes to school.  I hope so.  But, she said he was participating well and asking questions.  He's been participating much better for the last year, but is just now starting to really ask questions back and being part of a conversation.  AND he LOOKS at us more often when he talks!  This is HUGE!  I couldn't get him to do this just a year ago.  It was like it was painful to look you in the eyes while talking.  He'd do everything to look away....even for a camera.  Now he looks at you and you can really see him.  His questions are getting bigger and longer.  He no longer hates going to speech.  He walks down the hallway at school, beside his teacher, like he owns the place.  He's so sure of himself.  He said he's ready to go to school.  I'm so proud of his hard work.

At home, lately, I've noticed Cole holes himself up in his room or is working or is with friends....usually in that order.  I finally decided that the reason teenagers keep themselves in their room in solitude is to prepare their parents for the day they leave.  This way they're still here and you can get used to really not seeing them.  Then, one day they'll be gone, but they will not have been around much right before anyways.  God has a funny way of getting you ready for the next step in life.  Or at least that's how I see it. Gotta find the bright side.

my collages

I finally got all of the pictures I wanted printed from our trip and hung on the wall.  Love my Korea art.

 This is my collage from our trip in 2009.

Some.....of the birthday pictures

I will have more of Jaemin after his party this weekend, but I finally got Chelsi's off the camera and Jaemin opening his gift from us.  You can see his look at the blanket....less than thrilled.  But, he likes it now and sleeps on it.....yes, not under it.

Cheerleader in the Making

Even one of the cheerleading coaches' husbands said Chelsi is a born cheerleader.  I agree.  She loves cheerfair time of year and she did great.  I had to video tape it this year.  Hope her foster mom is reading.

Happy Birthday Jaemin!

I CANNOT believe my sweet baby boy is 5 already!  My youngest child is actually 5!  He has been such a blessing for the past 4 years and 3 months we've known him.  We have not done any cake yet.  We will be having grandparents, etc. over next weekend and he'll get to blow out his candles then.  He did want biscuits and gravy for his birthday dinner, so that's what Brian made tonight and I made a quick stop at the store to get his orange juice.  We gave him his birthday present too.  He needed to have something to open ON his birthday.  He liked the Duck Dynasty blanket okay.  I really thought he would love it since he loves anything Ducky Dynasty, but it didn't quite strike him yet.  He LOVED the Ninja Turtle color book best.  Go figure, the $1 color book!  But he's happy and he's made happy easily.  What more could you love in a boy.

I took this picture this morning of my 2 birthday kids.  Chelsi's birthday is tomorrow, but we won't be home together as a family until Saturday, so we're going to have her cake and ice cream then.

My sweets

Now that the weather has cooled down, Jaemin couldn't wait to play outside.  He actually stayed outside for awhile.

Growth for some

Chelsi and Jaemin lost a little weight, a few pounds each, for their annual checkup.  Jaemin, of course, had to get a shot, but I chose to wait for the other shot and give his system some time.  They both grew a couple of inches as well.  Kaelin shot up 4 inches this year.  The doctor thinks she's going to be relatively tall for a girl.  Maybe even taller than mom!

Cole's all signed up for the ACT.  He took it in the Spring and didn't do terribly for a sophomore, but he wanted to take it in October too.  I hope he does considerably better just because it will boost his confidence.  He said his teacher said it is all booked if we hadn't signed up by today, but we had no problem getting in when we logged back in.  Now, we're having to have more specific discussions regarding colleges.  He changed his list for who gets access to his ACT scores tonight.  I really want to believe he's giving it his full effort.  Time will tell just how much he's maturing with age.