What to do???

How do you know what is best for your child? I am doing good to figure out what is best for me most days much less the rest of my family. Child Development is one thing that I feel like I know. It is hard when you know that you have a child with some special issues and the rest of the world just views him as a brat. I see it everyday, the looks and disgust for me on their faces. The sad thing is it is only going to get worse. I have the ability to change his environment now, but what happens next year when he is in kindergarten and I don't have any control over his environment or his teacher?
How do I help others see the bright and very funny child that he is? If they only stopped and talked with him, they would see it. Don't they see his interests? Even the lady at Sam's knows that he loves firemen. He has worn a firehat for 1 year now. Would it be so bad to let him wear it on the day that the firemen come to school? He told me on the way home that there was a fire hose and fireman coats and hats in the block center today and then he said, with tears in his eyes, "I couldn't play with it, not even today." It broke my heart. He knew it was a special day but they don't see that they are killing his spirit. So he doesn't pick up toys as fast as the other children and he sometimes is doing his own thing. Isn't it a teachers job to teach children how to do the things that they don't know? As I try to read this through my tears, I wonder what I am supposed to do. Do I leave him in a place that is supposed to be the best school in this state? I know that he is learning some things there, but at what expense? He will get the Occupational Therapy that I know he needs if he stays there and he will get to be part of the social emotional pilot program that will be there, but I can't help but wonder if I am doing the right thing.

Riding the Waves

The beach was perfect this year! I can not remember a time when we didn't lose at least 1 day to the weather or really rough waves. The weather was perfect and the waves were perfect as well. We had so much fun and stayed on the beach the majority of the day. It was really scary to me to see Zander out there in the waves. You just never know what could happen out there, but he had a great time. I did too. That spot at that beach is my favorite place to be and I am so glad that I was able to share it with my whole family.

Cannon Blow!!!!

 

Canon Blow! That is what we heard from Zander, Rehm and Charlotte everyday at the pool when we were at the beach. Yes, I am well aware that when you jump into the pool like that it is a canon ball, but for some reason, Zander thought that he needed to rename it canon blow and that is what they decided to call it. So enjoy the pictures. They had a great time doing this and would do it over and over.

Eliza Claire

 

Isn't she cute. I loved spending time with my neices and nephew. I never get to see them. Eliza never warmed up to me until we were telling everyone goodbye when it was time to go back to our respective homes. She finally let me hold her and give her a hug.
Eliza wasn't too sure what to think about all of us and the ocean. She didn't like the water coming in and going out. She did like the pool but wasn't quite as daring as Ruby.

Ruby survive's

 

Last year at the beach, the twins were so little. They were so cute and I enjoyed watching them on the beach. This time they were big enough to run around with the kids and swim in the pool. Ruby was amazing. She tried to do everything that the big kids did. She did not care if water was in her face at all. She would get up on the steps and jump in completely going under the water and if she didn't go under she would put her face under the water. Somehow she managed to survive even when the big kids (Michael and Summers) would jump in causing huge waves that would literally go over her head.

Funnel Cloud!!!

 

You have to look hard but you can see the funnel cloud. It was awesome to watch. The funnel would form and then it would touch down on the water for a few seconds and then go back up. It contined for quite a while.

Zander and Esy

 

Zander and Esirae

Grandkids

 

The best we could do trying to get 6 kids to sit still and take a picture. We had just watched a water spout and we were getting ready to leave the beach.

And they're off!

 

Summers and Zander riding go carts at he beach

Professor Hacker's Golf

 

This is a photo from Professor HAcker's Golf at the beach. Zander loves to go there because you get to take a train ride. I hate it because it is so hot!

Big Sister

 

This is Zander's big sister, Esirae. She has grown up since our last visit. She lives on the other side of the country so we don't get to see her often. Zander was so excited to see her and very sad when it was time for her to leave. He doesn't quite understand why she is not here all of the time and I have tried to explain that her mother lives with her and that Summers is her dad. He asked me the other day if I was his real mom? Guess I have a little more explaining to do.

All in the pool

 

My sister said it best on her blog, "life gets in the way". I have been so busy lately with work, school, vacation, family visiting, new business and Zander's school adventures that I just haven't had time to post. I will try to do better.
This is a picture of most of us in the pool at the beach. Yes, for those of you that think your eyes are deceiving you, that is my Mom in the pool with us. It doesn't happen often that she comes out of the room to play with us so we made sure to document it. We had alot of fun in the pool and on the beach. This was the first time that we were all together and all had our own rooms. Esirae was here for her summer visit and Jenn and her family were also there. I have stayed at this hotel since I was a child, but I enjoyed this trip so much. We had an ocean front room and you could hear and see the ocean at all times. We sat outside in the evenings and talked and even played dominoes with Mom and Dad. It was great and ended way too quick. There will be more beach postings to come.

swimming

 

Daddy throwing Zander in the pool!!

swimming

 

The pool....
What should I say. I have tried not to write about that pool. It has caused alot of stress. However, I have also really enjoyed it. Zander and I spent alot of time in it on Saturday. I bought him a new mask that doesn't fog up and really keeps the water out of his nose. He finally decided to go underwater and that was it. He was swimming. We took off his floaty swim suit and he was swimming. Now, granted it is 3 feet of water, but he is doing great and just in time for the beach!

Cinnamon Rolls

 

On Zander's birthday, we were supposed to meet mom and dad for lunch at Zander's favorite Mexican restaurant. I came through the living room 30 minutes before we were supposed to be there to find this. Zander sitting in front of the TV eating the cinnamon rolls that were for breakfast the next morning. He did not understand why I was upset with him. He had eaten 2 of the 6 large rolls already. He had discovered the refrigerator and has started helping himself. I have to really watch him or he eats to much. It was very funny though.

Wanda Brown Dog

 

Is there anything sweeter than a boy and his dog? Zander has decided that he loves Wanda all of the sudden. He wants her in the room with him all of the time. I am not so crazy about that. She sheds so bad that I recently had her shaved. Unfortunately, it has grown back. I am really glad that they enjoy each other.

Help!

 

I heard a small, "help" from the kitchen. When I arrived this is what I found. Zander had fallen backwards in his chair and was laughing hysterically. He couldn't figure out how to get up. Yes, I took his picture before I helped him up. I think he is used to that now.

4 year old checkup

 

Zander and Dr. Ball, yes, that is still the same fireman hat that he has had on every day since October. Some days we wonder if he still has hair.

4 year checkup

 
Zander went for his 4 year old check up today. We had fun waiting for Dr. Ball. Zander showed me his fat tummy and his skinny tummy. He is always so good for Dr. Ball and sits so still. He had to get a finger stick and a shot today. He was so brave and did not cry at all. He weighed 39 lbs today and was 42 inches tall.

Zander and Mom

 

This is Zander and I at the doctors office on his 4th birthday. I never get to be in the pictures, so I though I would post.