In the meantime, here is my update on the kiddos: C is continuing to improve in pre-k at Silver State. We had to have a parent-teacher conference one day last month since they really don't have those for pre-k and Tom and I were concerned that we weren't getting the full scoop on C's performance. And we were right. Turns out that C has been getting his name on the board and missing part of recess for talking during table-time when he's supposed to be doing his assignment and/or reading group. C failed to see why we, his parents, needed to know this and when we would ask if he had a good day at school, he'd reply with a resounding "YES!". We, choosing to give him the benefit of the doubt, let this go on for quite some time until we realized that perhaps the teacher's viewpoint would be valuable in ensuring that C was indeed making progress in discipline. Not so much, it turns out. We were informed that he was indeed disrupting the class during quiet times and that punishment of some sort was a part of his daily routine (mostly the name on the board and missing out of portions of recess). We are now getting daily reports on paper as to how his day is, and C is fully aware that lying about his day is just not an option anymore. Making this change has been an adjustment for him since he now sees how his behavior at school affects his privileges at home...like being able to watch cartoons or go to fun places like the park or children's indoor amusement centers. We have seen marked improvement in the past couple of weeks and couldn't be more proud of the way he is handling himself. There are still moments when he gets talked to about "self-control", but overall he really has come a long way in behaving himself in structured environments.
E has officially entered the "terrible two's"...a whole 4 months early. She is intent on getting her way all.the.time. and is bent on making C's life miserable. For some reason she just loves to hit C for no reason and of course wants whatever toy he happens to be playing with. If she does not get her way it is the end of the world and the screaming and thrashing of appendages begins. The quandary of it all is that she is a little Jekyll & Hyde-ish...those moments of insanity quickly transform into all peace and love as she proceeds to hug and kiss everyone in sight, as if what we had just witnessed two minutes before was a figment of our imagination. These are the moments of my day...about 10 times over. It's downright exhausting. Add to it her insatiable curiosity and I am constantly on my toes (case in point, she actually managed to properly open a Capri Sun juice pouch while I was showering the other day...all I could do was stand there slack-jawed while she proudly waved it at me as if to say "see how smart I am!"). Honestly, I am thinking that going back to work would not be so bad right now as it would probably relax me more than staying at home! *Sigh*
Despite all these challenges, I feel so blessed to have these kiddos in my life. I just keep reminding myself that this too shall pass and someday I'll be standing there with two adult children wondering where the time went. I really do want to cherish EVERY moment I have with them...the good, bad, and the ugly. I love it all.
