Old friends

This weekend Devin and I were invited to our friends- the Sylvester's- for some fun in the sun. Devin and Emma have been friends since about 20 months old and you can find many posts with Emma and her awesome family here on my blog. Emma has always had a little "thing" for Devin and we love to watch them as they grow. They remain great friends with a little bit more of flirt coming through. At one point they flipped the boat upside down and were "fooling around" under it. I know it was all innocent but it reminded us that we may not have much longer for their actions to stay innocent! 

We'll Definitely keep an eye on them! :)

Obsession

Devin, now 8, is completely obsessed with baseball. Redsox games on tv, player/team stats and sports news, baseball movies, baseball documentaries, baseball video games and his most favorite- playing baseball! There's is no shortage of baseball around here and that proves  evident when Devin wakes durning the night asking for his baseball in his sleep so that he can "throw a strike" too funny! 

Devin was able to move up to AA level this spring (his birthday falls the day after the cut off) after a successful try- out. The AA level is when the kids begin pitching the ball with coach assistance after four balls thrown. Little did I know that Devin would really thrive in pitching this year! I could see he had potential in the beginning of the season and I did some asking around until I was able to help Devin with his pitching technique. By the end of the season he didn't even need any coach assistance and was throwing most pitches in the strike zone. 

He did so well, in fact, that he received MANY compliments from coaches. Including an opposing coach chasing down our car to tell us that Devin "was the best pitcher his team faced all season!" What?! We were both so proud with huge smiles plastered on our faces. 

Devin just finished a week of baseball camp. He loved it, even with the 88* with high humidity temps. 

I pledge that I will do everything in my power to help Devin foster this passion and talent. ⚾️

Well Hello There...

The past 10 months have been crazy for us, but you can not tell that from my lack of blog posts. Because of the complication of our situation, I had stopped blogging. I now realize that was a poor choice. During some rare solo down time the other day I read through my blog, watched the videos, and admired all of the pictures (of varied quality). I realized what a true time capsule my time spent blogging had become. I realized that I wanted to continue this- for memories, record, and pleasure.

Let's play catch-up!

Last October, due to extenuating circumstances, a relative's child came to live with us. Now that we are "legal guardians" I feel that I can and should include Nadya on our blog.

Nadya is a spirited 7 year old. She is artistic and eager to learn. She is full of energy and attitude. We hope to help Nadya grow into a kind, responsible, and loving young adult.

Devin and Nadya have semi-adjusted to their new roles as "siblings." For Devin this has been a whole new world. Devin spent 5 1/2 years as an "only" and was thrown into sharing EVERYTHING in his life with another child- a child a year older than him who has had many bumps in her road. For me, Devin's understanding-heart-of-gold and ability to adapt has been confirmed.

The kids fight like siblings and perhaps this has been one of the hardest things to adjust to. It was not a gradual grow into the arguing, blaming, accusing. It was a flip-of-the-switch. Between their rivalry and my teaching children of the same age- my life became quite an exhausting, stressful whirlwind. I am hoping that as we (I) better learn how to manage all of these roles, it will get easier.

For now I leave you with this picture (from my birthday at the New England Aquarium) and a promise that I will be back SOON!

(I wish Devin were looking in this picture but that would have been TOO easy! LOL)

Visits with Santa

Busy Saturday

I officially became a "soccer Mom" on Saturday! Devin started his soccer team, the Sting. He is in a Kindergarten league in our town and all of their practices/games are held at 8:00 am on Saturday mornings! Devin LOVED soccer and can't wait to go back.
In the picture below you can *barely* see him in the center of the picture. He is #4. He was running and dribbling the ball in the practice drills. After a 30 minute practice there are 2- 15 minute games.
Last Saturday, after having soccer, Devin had to participate in his karate promotion. He is getting to a pretty advanced level in his Little Ninjas Program. He currently has a white belt with a red stripe and just received a "Junior Leader" patch. He only has a few stripes left in this program! Go Devin!
I also had to buy him a new karate uniform on Saturday (we went for black this time). It was the first time Devin had worn the jacket since spring and he has grown a little (okay, A LOT!) and his sleeves were about 3 inches too short and the jacket barely made it to his waist! ***Big shout out to Memmere for switching over/adding on all of the patches!! Thanks! Love ya!***

Kindergarten Boy!

Devin started KINDERGARTEN on Tuesday!!! What a big boy!! Here he is, ready to go Tuesday morning in front of our house with his pack back and name tag on. We were just about ready to head over to our neighbor's house where he hangs out for about a half hour before she brings Devin and her grand daughter to school in the morning (I pick them up in the afternoon). The kids go to a private kindergarten from 9am to 2pm.

Once he was at school, it seems like the kids got right to work. He brought home a paper in which he copied the alphabet and wrote his name and told me about doing some math- writing his numbers (but I didn't see it). The concept of "seat work" was definitely something that Devin did not welcome with open arms and we had to talk about that Tuesday night and do a bit of practicing. I'm told he did much better with this on Wednesday (yay!). In some ways I do feel bad for the kid with his mom being a teacher and all.

I am super-happy about his teacher being strict and expecting near-perfect behavior from him though. While she expects this, she is also understanding that there is some adjustment time needed and that he is having some health problems (see below). I'm hoping this helps to prepare him with great behavior for first grade in public school next year.

On Wednesday he told me that he worked on patterning and that his was blue, yellow, blue yellow, etc. They got to make their pattern with stamps. He really enjoyed this. They also did a Bible Story with the pastor and he told me about how God made all of us. I'm so glad that he is able to get the Christian aspect of education this year without being in a Catholic school.
Through all of this Devin has been battling an ear infection....since his surgery on August 23. His poor right ear has been so angry that its resisted the Floxin drops, azithromycin (oral antibiotics), and the Cortosporin drops (when used alone). He is now on Cefdinir (oral antibiotics) as well as the Cortosporin drops. I sure hope this does the trick! He is due for some relief (which is what I was hoping for with the surgery!). We are scheduled to go for a recheck with the specialist in Boston next Thursday.

Signing off for Now,
Mom of a Kindergartener....Karla

Summer's End

With only one week left in my summer vacation I realize that I've hardly blogged all summer. We haven't done a whole lot this summer, in terms of big vacations or hitting the "hot spots" but we've had a great summer. In summary we've spent a lot of time at the pool and just enjoyed being at home. We've done the typical park trips and visited with friends and grandparents. We went to the ocean and the lake once, as well as an amusement park.

Its been a laid back summer, and I'm okay with that. I think we have all enjoyed ourselves and each other and that's the most important part. Devin is set to start kindergarten in two weeks and I will return to teaching next week.

First, though, we have Devin's second adenoidectomy at Mass Eye and Ear tomorrow. She may put in tubes set #3 as well, but she will decide during surgery. This should alleviate the fluid in the ears that Devin had all last winter (that resulted in hearing loss, behavior issues, ear pain, and headaches). These issues haven't been as prevalent this summer, but we all fully expect they would return after summer. Here's to hoping that Devin's surgery goes smoothly and his issues are cured!!

Enjoy the last few weeks of summer!

Dancing Devin

Double Milestones

I was already feeling a bit emotional on the way to Devin's Pre-K graduation....realizing that he was about to start his "elementary school career" when he announced that he has a wiggly tooth. His FIRST wiggly tooth.

"No! Not today!" was my first thought. I just didn't think I could handle anymore milestones occurring on this day. *Sigh*

But alas, I have no choice.Today Devin graduated from pre-k and got his first loose tooth. My baby is getting so big, so fast. I have such a desire for the baby-ness to still be in the house but I know that I can not hold Devin back. He is ready for Kindergarten, smiles with "windows," sports teams, and play dates without Mom. I'm happy and yet so sad.

We're in Trouble

As I was picking Devin up from school today I noticed that he hugged Ashley and Nora, and then blew Sara kisses from the car.

In the car I said to him, "You are such a flirt!"

He, of course, asked me what a flirt was. Upon hearing my response, "It means you like a lot of girls." He said "I love ALL girls!!"

Oh boy!

Phone Photo Friday~ Devin and Lolly

Wordless Wednesday~ Guess Who

Sports Mom

Its official....I am a sports Mom! And I couldn't be happier :)

Devin had his first practice/scrimmage on his birthday, Sunday. He was so excited and looked so cute in his shirt and hat uniform. He played first base...(one of) the assistant coach did a great job showing him how to play the base. He has a little work to do on running bases since he currently likes to stand on the base and watch his ball go flying into the field. (haha, its kind of cute to be honest!) He was such a go-getter...running from 1st base passed 2nd to near center field to get a ball! I love his determination and excitement. He already is looking forward to going next week-end and playing on the "big field."

Ok, I have more pictures but it is not letting me upload them here for some reason! I will try to post more pics in another post.....(grrrr!)

5

Today my baby turned five. I guess I shouldn't call him my baby since he is almost four feet tall, weighs 61 pounds, and is now on a sports team. He is so smart, caring, and handsome. I just love him so much!!

We had a small celebration at the house today (after baseball...more to come on that!), with just us, my parents, and Devin's Godmother, since he had his party last week-end. We got this fab Jake and the Never land Pirates cake (and cupcakes for school tomorrow) from Batter Up Cake in Manchester. How adorable is it?? And its so yummy!
You know what? Devin will always be my baby!

Glow Bowling

Today we celebrated Devin's 5th birthday. He won't officially be 5 until next week-end, but Erick had today off (not next Saturday) and next Sunday is Devin's first T-Ball practice/game. We will celebrate again on his actual birthday, May 1 with a cake and a few presents.

I loved this party because it was easy. The kids loved it because they got to go glow bowling.
My 77 year old grandmother. Doesn't she look fantastic?
Devin's favorite (second) cousin Isaiah! Devin looks up to him because he is a "big boy!"
Devin and his good friend Emma :)
Party Room...pizza
Cake time! Make a wish!
Presents...thank you everyone!
Devin had so much fun with his friends and family. We are thankful to everyone who came.

Friends

Sunday our neighbor, and Devin's good friend, Lexi spent the day with us. The kids had so much fun together. Devin loved having a pal in the back seat with him, someone to play with all day, and a friend to just be silly with!

We took the kids to the mall, I had some Gym(boree) Bucks to burn, and let the kids play in the play area. After that we took them to lunch at Olive Garden and then back to the house to play.
Although Devin and Lexi have spent a lot of time playing, they have never really spent the whole day together. These two cuties got along really well, especially considering they are both only children and are not used to a full time playmate. Glad to see them getting along so well, since they will be in full day Kindergarten together (and car pooling!) soon!!

Bathtime

Devin usually takes showers nowadays, but tonight was a bath kind of night.

Lolly loves water. She steals my straws and drinks my ice water all the time. She jumps in the tub as soon as anyone gets out of the shower, just so she can lick it clean! She is unlike any cat I've known!

Here are my "two" children at bathtime tonight.

Pure Determination

Behavior Equation

Returning from vacation was much harder than I had anticipated. Devin had a very difficult time adjusting back to school. I think the majority of his problem was being so far off of his sleep schedule while we were gone. About a month before vacation (give or take) Devin decided to drop his nap at school. I was okay with this...he was 4.75 at that point and I felt lucky to get a nap out of him for so long, especially considering he was still going to bed early.

Well, take no naps + same bed time then + vacation (Super late bed time + on the go ALL day long + no nap) = one hellava bad boy upon return!

It took us almost a month to get our sweet Devin back! I'm not even joking! He had to go to bed an hour earlier every night for weeks! He is finally catching up on his sleep. He has even starting napping again some days and is back to his regular bedtime. He still goes to bed at an early time, 7:00pm...because he has always been a child who needs a lot of sleep.

As much as we all LOVED vacation....I'm not sure that Erick and I are chomping at the bits to take another big trip anytime soon.

Games

Haha, this cat sure keeps us laughing!!