December 2009

Zack: I want Ultimate Alliance 2 and a mini projector. Sophia: I want a telescope so I can see heaven. Happy to report that last year Santa brought Sophia a Big Wheel and Zack a skateboard ramp. They both still play with those toys! I hope Santa spent as wisely this year!

Here is a pic of Zack and Sophia last Christmas! WOW! I didn't realize how much they had changed!

Love those little feet!

Still not quite tall enough for California Screamin...Next time he'll wear his Heeleys!

Does anyone ever really outgrow the Carousel?

Trying to open the mailbox with a fruit roll up in his hand!

Determination! I love her drive! She got it open too!

Goofy, our favorite!!!

The castle at Christmas time

The tree lighting is stunning!

Mickey and Minnie in their Christmas sweaters!

Christmas rocks!

London, England and Edinburgh, Scotland 2009

Way to go Zack!

Today I had Zack's parent teacher conference, and I was pleasantly surprised! His new school is not like his last. He has not been bringing home test results each week! Other than seeing what his homework assignments are, I have been in the dark.

We had some trouble with homework early on... YIKES! He would take so long to get it done, and in some cases seemed like he just didn't get it. Homework time became frustrating. Zack actually handled that on his own by asking if he could do his homework at school for the hour after school that he usually played on the playground. The teacher agreed and said he could do it in the hall and ask her only a couple of questions.

I have been reviewing his homework and have seen few mistakes so his solution worked well for both of us! I did wonder, however, how his grades were going to be! That little booger! He has straight Es as in Straight As! His teacher said he has already tested high enough to move on to second grade! Way to go Zack!

If you have been reading my blog for a long time, you may remember that Zack's kindergarten teacher insisted I hold him back because he just wasn't getting it. I refused knowing that he was a bright kid who was just overwhelmed with the newness of everything in his life. Thank God I went with my gut.

Zack's teacher said he is polite, independent, and driven. I thought this was cool since those are three traits that I push heavily at home. A lot good smarts will do if a person has no drive to use them!

One item we'll be working on is his processing of instructions. The teacher asked if I have had his hearing checked. I had to smile because I just had his hearing checked about a month ago, and I was surprised that he had perfect hearing! LOL!!! He processes things very slowly. The teacher, and I agree that this is likely because English is not his first language but is now his ONLY language as he has lost his Russian (not intentionally). Other than the 25 or so Russian words we use regularly at home, he doesn't remember a thing. Anyhow, we both think his little brain is spending extra time trying to process because of the language acquisition.

He's going to be meeting with the speech specialist at the school. His teacher says that she also works with helping kids learn to process things more quickly. She'll teach him some tricks to help him think quickly. :)

What this mama says is for a kid who processes slowly, he is doing darn well! I wonder what he'll be capable of when he gets this processing issue under control!!! :)

Way to go Zack! You want to be a doctor? You've got what it takes! Whatever you decide to do, my little man, I'll be your biggest cheerleader!

Fall Days

Today we went for a nice walk in the brisk air! We love fall. I think it will turn out to be the kids' favorite season for so many reasons!

I've decided to continue to post pics and surface level updates on this site instead of going private. I got SO MANY comments and thank you all for keeping up with our little family. That's why I've decided to update this blog with pics now and again. :)