Update

Luke is almost done with first grade and he has made great strides. He has such a hunger to learn. He can't get enough of his "homework" books, you know those workbooks that you buy from the store for extra practice? He carries them in the car and around the house. Our big challenge now is learning to read. His teacher tells me that comprehension isn't a factor, just putting all the letter information together and recalling it. So we will continue to plug ahead at home and will look for a tutor this summer that hopefully will give him the extra boost that he needs.
He is playing Coach Pitch Baseball now, we were blessed with an awesome coach. Coach Mike and his assistants are amazingly patient with the kids... what a blessing he has been. Luke is doing fine, I recognize that professional baseball will probably not be in his future, but what he lacks in skill he makes up for in enthusiasm!! When he is tired of being in the outfield he creates his own game.... He chases the other players as they run the bases. Then there is the old standby of sand castle building and making your own dust storm. He's happy and most of the other players are doing the same things. I'm just glad that the  other team parents take this level of play for what it is... FUN!
More and more I am noticing what I had hoped to avoid, kids being mean to my kid because he was different. Ugh... it hurt. Luke didn't seem to understand that they meant what they were doing to be unkind and I was grateful to be able to steer him to another activity without any harm done. I was also grateful to know those childrens parents and know that they were the caliber of people who would deal with their child's behavior, not excuse it or encourage it. Luke didn't seem to notice being treated unkindly, but when another situation began to arise with different children and I said to him, "Don't play with them, Luke, they will be mean to you." He understood and found other playmates.
His health is good, fighting off a cough, but we all are. Great news! His back seems to be straightening on its own! Our last ortho check up was a super surprise!! Thank you Lord!
He is wonderful, sweet, funny, and a pill all wrapped up in one package. He drives us crazy, but we'll deal with it all to have the amazing kid that comes with it!

Woman Born with half a brain...

http://news.aol.com/health/article/virginia-woman-michelle-mack-born-with/714900

Fishin pt one
*<><Kym><>*

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Going Fishin'

Luke's favorite place to be is on the boat with the family. He likes to knee-board (he lays on his belly and holds on), help daddy drive the boat, and fish. Usually fishing consists of a piece of rope with a chicken bone tied to it that he watches drop in and out of the water as he runs it in the water displaced by a rapidly moving boat. On this day, however, Daddy was determined to take him fishing - real fishing. It was a wonderful day and Luke can't wait to go out again.

Luke loves to Jam out to Guitar Hero with his siblings. Thankfully he has not noticed that his wii remote has no batteries and it is actually his siiblings talents that he is taking credit for. We love watching him play...he is our rock star!

Growing Up Sassy!

Luke's kindergarden year is almost at a close. I am encouraged by how well he is doing. He knows all of his shapes, colors, letters (big and small) and just about has all their sounds down too! He can write his FULL name - which his last name is a long one so it makes me greatful that his first name is Luke and some long drawn out affair....

He is a disobedient thing - and for those of you who read this and say awww... he just must not understand, yes we made that mistake too... interestingly enough if you say, "Obey or I will take your game away" (Leapster...LOVES IT) suddenly he repeats what I asked him to do and hurries off to do what I asked.

His siblings have taught him things like, "I am gonna give you a knuckle sandwich!" or "I am gonna beat your butt!" before a romp on the floor or wrestling match. He now says it ALL THE TIME... clearly tact and timing are much harder to teach.... His favorite times to say these phrases are on the way to the time out chair or after being told that "No, 2 cookies is enough".

He has joined the soccer team and LOVES IT! He wants everyday to be Saturday. His skill matches most of the other kids on the team... he often kicks the ball towards the other teams goal and last week he did a big WOO HOO when the other team scored and went up to their coach and slapped him a big Hi Five... I admit I did look around and wonder out loud.. "Hmm..whose child is that?" jk

I am looking forward to his summer break, which is short b/c he attends summer school, but not having to be out to the bus so early and rush the kids off to their day is a welcome thing for me. I like it when all the chicks are in the henhouse.

Until then...

Well my baby boy is now 6 1/4 years old. Winter time has been a lesson in patience. Fear that his inattentiveness would further hold back his learing we put him on ADHD meds. While they do help, the side effects sometimes manifest in an unwillingness to eat, sleep issues..which become sleep issues for us both, and picking at the fingers. The other issues seem to be taking care of themselves but his poor fingers are paying the price.

Hearing is an issue again, the tube in his good ear has come out and his ear is filled with fluid and his hearing aid mold is too small and is getting feedback so therefore he can't wear it either. He takes atvantage of this and has become about the orneriest and LOUDEST boy i have ever seen or heard. He repeats everything over and over and says what when we are two words into answering him just out of habit. We are all about to go crazy. Thank God for "Uncle Nut".

Lukie LOVES Nut! He follows him everywhere - we have had to crack down on bathroom prvacy time and whenever he accomplishes anything he can't wait to tell "my buddy, nut".
Nut/Jim told Luke, "Draw me a picture of your most favorite thing, anything, color it for me and when I get done I am going to come over and you are going to show it to me - whats your favorite thing, Luke?" Luke answers, "You" awww....

Luke has finally begun to lose some teeth as the adult teeth are pushing the babies out of the way - but not before they are all twisted and contorted into funky directions. He has lost 3 and it is so cute to see him with a front tooth missing. He is getting so big!

Kindergarten has been an adventure, especially for his teacher who has 6 boys and no girls. He is learning well and seems to be doing only slightly less than his typical peers. I am so pleased with his progress.

I am so proud of my guy, for all of his frustrating moments, he is so sweet - i am too tired to be anything but greatful :)