Updated
September 30, 2003
As it nears the
end of the month, it's a good time to look back and see what has
been going on lately. With Jackson starting his new school, things
have been pretty hectic.
We really have
been focused on the kids for much of the past month. Jackson has
been pretty good in school lately, but it's been a challenge. We
found out he was being picked on at school the first week or so,
and that has led to some problems. He also is very determined,
persistent, and focused, so that has been a challenge as he has
moved from Montessori school to a more rigid schedule for class.
We actually had
a really bad experience in soccer a few weeks back, on photo day.
We didn't know that the games had been canceled due to the field
being too wet, and we (along with almost everyone else) got to
the fields at the earlier time for photos -- well, there was a
delay, and we lost 'focus' with Jackson. Once it was time for photos,
he didn't want any thing to do with that -- he wanted to still
play on the playground with his friends, and he lost it.
That was the
best thing that could happen, as it turns out, since after the
outburst -- and us running ashamed out of the area -- we found
out that lots of other parents have similar challenges -- and it's
not our fault, or Jackson's for that matter. A friend recommended
a book "Raising Your Spirited Child" and I have to say, it is right
on target -- Excellent information -- lets me understand that Jackson
is 1) very normal; 2) very smart; and 3) is MORE intense, sensitive,
perceptive, persistent and energetic. Knowing that, it makes sense
how he acts / reacts -- and I can learn how to look out for it
and plan ahead.
Anyway, it's
just all about trying to be a better parent for both Jackson and
Porter. Porter is working very hard on his potty-training and he's
wearing underwear all during the day, with pull-ups on only at
night. He's a pro at peeing in the toilet, and just yesterday started
really seeming to be comfortable pooping there. We told the boys
that once Porter is finished with diapers and once they learn to
swim better, we'll take them to visit Mickey Mouse.
We're planning
a trip over Porter's birthday / Super Bowl weekend to Walt Disney
World. I'm going to have plenty of free SWA flights by that time,
so I have invited Mimi and Papaw to join us for the trip. The boys
are really looking forward to it, and I think it's only matched
by my own excitement! I'm really looking forward to it, and I actually
looking forward to being able to help them / me handle it by using
some of the new techniques from "Raising Your ..."
Other than that,
we haven't been doing much else, although I did get to go to the
Austin City Limits Music Festival two weeks ago for the weekend
-- Myra, Kenneth and I hung out and had a really good weekend.
Of course, I wish Katie and the kids could have enjoyed it, but
the boys are just a little too young, and it was pretty intense.
In the next few
weeks I'm going to start up as project manager / business analyst
for a project that will take me to Oklahoma City and Hamilton,
Mississippi during the week, so travel is going to be a challenge
once again. But that's all part of life --
Anyway, this
weekend is Greek Fest, and our church's Family Fun Fest / Bingo.
Should be a busy weekend -- we'll have to work on taking it easy!
