I Can’t Wait
I can’t wait to start following the schedule I made.
I can’t wait for the fireworks (there is no parade).
I couldn’t wait to start writing this poem,
and now that I’m done, my family I’ll show’em.
by Lex, 7/4/2012
Here’s Lex reading the poem to Eve. I had to grab the camera quickly so I missed the first little bit. It’s cute anyway.
Lex woke up this morning and announced that we need a summer schedule. Sometimes I wonder what is going on in his brain. Was he thinking “Life has been crazy busy lately! We need a schedule!” or maybe more like, “We’ve had a summer schedule for the past few years, we need one this year too. That’s just what we do.” I never fully know with him, but clearly he realized I wasn’t making one and so he took the initiative. We looked for last years on the pile of chaos I call my desk, but only found the envelope with the dates and days. So instead we looked at the blog to find a picture of last year’s schedule and he went from there.
He worked hard on it. All day! He even brought his first draft to the Weight Watchers meeting this morning. He diligently worked on it through quiet time and was extremely proud of himself when he hung it on the fridge. He set the date for July 4th, the first day we’ll be able to follow a schedule. He also made extra pieces for “specials” like fireworks on the 4th. I had a few chore items from last year and he made a few more.
He worked straight through quiet time. I had him move to the living room for awhile, to get away from the dining room table where he spent much of the day!
I am so proud of him and he is so proud of himself! It was a pleasure watching him work on it all day. He modified the schedule a bit from last year, but nothing drastic and nothing unreasonable. I wonder if we will do a better job following it this year!
He is so proud of himself! That makes me happy.
Summer Schedule – 2012
(I just noticed this was taken before he added the extra piece of bright paper to indicate we have a “see fireworks” special that day.)
Alan suggested we put him in charge of the budget next. We could use some scheduling in that area as well! :)
He’s such a handsome little guy!
I learned more about the game folder today! Lex made a sheet of games for his classmates. He and another girl in his class started it on Friday. They are going to hang it on the wall on Monday and fill it with activities and games for their classmates. We made copies of this game sheet for each of his classmates. I have no idea how this will play out on Monday, but I think the idea is absolutely adorable! He’s such a sweet genius.
Four part game sheet. We made copies for each classmate, one for Eve, and one for Parrish. Plus the original that Lex wanted to hang on to, just in case.
Lex wrote out a list of his classmates, alphabetized in alternating colors (he did all of the blue names, then all of the green names, how's that for mental work!?). Then he glued the list on to the inside of the folder. I don't understand this part of the plan, but he said it was important.
Lex brought this home from school and worked on it a bit more at home. He won’t tell me what it’s about. I’m intrigued though.
I often find myself wondering at what age kids should start attending to personal hygiene things themselves. For awhile it was showers. When do kids start showering? How do you teach them? Funny thing, parenting is, because things just happen when they are meant to happen. Lex decided one day it was time to start showering. That was awhile ago and now he showers sometimes and bathes other times. But it just happened when it was time. I say all this because a new thing I’ve been wondering about for awhile is nail clipping. It’s one of my least favorite jobs. The kids don’t fight or protest, but they just barely cooperate, and their nails grow so fast I feel like we are clipping them every week! This evening Lex fussed about not liking to have his nails clipped so I said, “Want to do it yourself?” He jumped at the idea!! It was hard work for him because he’s still developing that fine motor control, but he did a decent job. It took him a long time, but I was patient and he was patient and he was super proud of himself when he was done! I guess right about seven is the answer to that question.
I thought hard about getting the camera but he was sitting on my lap and it was sweet and he was working hard and I didn’t want to interrupt the moment. Why don’t I have an eye-cam yet?!?!
We had Lex’s seven year check-up today! Seven years old! My, how time flies. He was not very happy to go, but I appreciate that he doesn’t physically fight with us much anymore. I had to carry him into the exam room, but he didn’t protest or fight, instead he just snuggled in and fussed. On the way over he kept saying, “I’m not very excited to go to the doctor’s office.” To which I had to reply, “Of course not, no one ever is!”
This is his general opinion on going to the doctor. At least he just sulks these days and doesn't physically object. Fortunately we have a good doctor who is able to get him chatting and make the appoinment go smoothly.
He did a good job though and cooperated with the doctor. No surprise, he’s a well and growing boy. They measured him at 48″ (now he can ride the rides, right?!) and 56lbs. Which puts him at the 73rd percentile for weight and 32nd for height. Not that that matters at all, but I like to know. :)
Open wiiiide.....
Then we came home and he was antsy and picking all afternoon, like something was just off with him. Not sure if it was brought on by the doctor’s appointment or something else. Bedtime was an hour late (thanks to a birthday dessert!) but I’m hoping he’ll sleep well and wake up his usual chipper self!
The first grade chicks have hatched. Everyone is excited!
We were quite busy with the origami today. Lex loves it. He kept saying, “Wow, it’s amazing that paper can be turned into this.” Every now and again I would make a fold on mine, then show him how to do it, and it would completely transform the shape of the paper in his hand. He was amazed.
Also, while we’re on the subject of Lex, this is from the other day, the day after his Three Piggy Opera. He was beaming! I still smile when I think about it!
This is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen! Really. It’s almost 17 minutes, but worth it! In the very beginning Lex is hidden behind a little girl in a blue shirt, but then they sit down and you can see him clearly.
This is the event that caused him so much stress in the beginning. Once he learned he would be in the orchestra, which is what he was hoping for, he relaxed and got really excited! He’s been walking around the house all week singing and practicing, using claps instead of jingle taps (the instrument he’s playing in the video).
Watch it. Watch it again. Laugh. Maybe it’s only funny to me because I know all the kids. We’ll see. Anyway, I was cranky before this opera, but left feeling really, really happy! Lex was bouncingly happy as well. He watched the video on the camera in the car, then Eve watched it once we picked her up. Both times Lex sang along the whole time. I love it! I love him!