School is coming to a close and that means weeks of fun with the kiddos. Visits to grandma's house, camping, late nights outside, jumping on the trampoline, sprinklers. My Summers were heaven as a child. Swimming in the Eel River was it. Lazy lounging on the rocks, tanning by body (such a no no for me since my parents let me burn to a crisp), catching salamanders in the muddy shallows, watching the occasional river otter. Seriously heaven...So now it is up to me to help create that for my kids. No video games, just nature, and walks and fun. Adventure, adventure, here we come.
{ Liam, 5 years}
This guy turned 5! I can't believe it. He will always be my baby, but this Fall he will be in Kindergarten. He is so excited, and such a social butterfly, that I know it won't be nearly as hard as Aiden was. My sweet, shy Aiden hung on to me for dear life. There's something about being the first; you have to experience everything from an unknown place. Everything is new. But when you are second (or third, or fourth) there are always kids around, you know school (even though you many not go yourself), you know letting go, and sharing, and situations, because your sibling have done them, and in turn, you also experienced them by default. Liam is a fast friend and loves to talk and share/make up stories, so he is ready for the whole experience that kindergarten has to offer.
But man, has it been trying lately. I ask the boys (other one almost 8 yrs.) to stop and they just continue on. I ask them why and they say because they want to. There is little to no regard for others, and it is so hard to teach respect. Life revolves around them, not only in their minds, but literally. My day is scheduled around theirs as a SAHM. I feel that some kids are better adjusted when both their parents work, but then again, some are not. It all depends on that child. Sometimes I feel mistreated as the person that is constantly there. Because I am there non stop I am no longer a gift, or a necessity, but the person that makes their food, does their laundry and can be stepped on when needed (slave laborer comes to mind). Oh, how to teach respect. Sometimes I want to blow my top so that they will stop and listen (and I have before, believe me), but all that ends up doing is making one cry and the other one follows suit or completely shuts down or screams himself. I love them both, they are amazing, smart, funny boys- but boy do they (and I) have a lot to learn about how to communicate and respect each other.
{Aiden at Tae Kwon Do in his new decided camo belt}
TaeKwonDo (TKD) is meant to help with that respect and responsibility, but it is a process, and we are still learning.
{Liam, March 5, 2012, After catheterization}
This boy might need open heart surgery again. We have yet to find out what the plan is. In March he went to UCSF and had a catheterization. They measured pressure and concluded that the closing in one area is sever enough to need it again "sooner rather than later". This guy was in this hospital for a past open heart surgery just 2 and a half years ago, does he really need to endure it again so soon. I am very angry and sad that he has to be put through so much in his short life. But he is a trooper, and strong and bright. His spirit shines through, although there are so many others places he would rather be. His "special heart" makes me love him all the more, but it sure is a source of many hardships too.
{Ready to take on anything}
Let us conclude with a ready stance, because truly, this kid is ready for anything life decides to dish out.
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