Out of sight, but not out of mind!

Ainsley's little friend is including her in his prayers at night, but Harry isn't forgotten either. I've heard lots of good things about him lately, which is such a comfort. Since starting kindergarten he is often a complete wreck at home. Apparently that's not the case at school. His gym teacher waved me down the other day to tell me "he's a wonderful little boy. A pleasure!" His friend Samuel dedicated a book he "wrote" to Harry. Another friend wants a bike the color of Harry's. His friend Ethan from soccer passed me his picture that he drew in science today and told me it was for Harry.
This is all great news, because little people sometimes dwell on only the negative things (I didn't get to sit next to Samuel at his birthday party!). He's been so stressed outside of the classroom that I called the school psychologist, who apparently had such a wonderful discussion with him that she forgot he was 5! "He's so articulate!" The only advice psychologists, social workers, teachers, guidance counselors and old moms could come up with was to feed him a good snack after school. So we're padding his day with turkey slices. It seems to be working.
Another concern is his speech, and that he sounds somewhat nasally. The science teacher told me today she likes to ask him questions just to hear him talk. 'He's so sweet! So adorable." She says she has been telling her 8th grade daughter all about him. And she swears she just put it togther that he's my kid. She also has a stressed out kid, a perfectionist. She seems to be more stressed while she is in school though. I guess we are fortunate it's teh opposite. Their advice had always been to just do what works for them. Combined with 12-year-old Nick's advice to "just be yourself" actually makes a lot of ssense. For all of us really. Maybe everything we need to know about life really is learned in kindergarten! No wonder he's exhausted!

Just Wild About Harry

So today I actually got to ride bikes with Harry.

This is obviously a big thing for us, as it's not something we've ever done before. You may recall that Harry learned to ride on 2 wheels shortly after my cast had been removed, and I've only recently been cleared to ride again. I took a quick jaunt around the extended block on Saturday (in the rain & gloom no less), to get used to not being on a stationary exercycle, and after daycare buddy (of both H & A's) Alex's birthday party today, we took a spin in the Temple parking lot.

While Ainsley & Kim we're puttering around with her trike, Harry and I did a few laps around the lot. I'm not sure who was thrown off by me on my bike (again), Harry or Ainsley!

Great to get out in the sun. great to be back on 2 wheels, and great to be able to finally do it with the little man!

On another topic, I also got to take Harry to his karate class, for my first time on Saturday. I was VERY impressed with the instructor (?) who quickly escorted Harry into his class. Did I mention that this was also apparently his first time in a group session? I was a little nervous about him getting nervous, and wanting to bail... no such luck. There wasn't even an opportunity for that to happen. The instructor met us in the reception area, Harry quickly and efficiently stowed all of his stuff, and was off into the room before I even got to say anything... which left me a little confused as to what to do next.

After making myself scarce for about 45 minutes, I let myself come back to observe the end of class, trying not to let him spot me... I was very impressed with how the class was run, and just as much, how he was participating. There was no indecision, no goofing about, no nothing, but all of the kids (varying in age from maybe 4-10 ish) seem to be having a blast! He was taking direction, even some subtle critique, all in stride.

Great to see!!!

Impressed!

As we do each day, we ran into our neighbor Ellen as we walked outside to the school bus. After she said hello to Harry, he responded so appropriately, thanking her for the big bucket of treats that she gave him for Halloween. I didn't ask him to do it. I had not coaxed him. We had planned to write a thank you note! It may seem like a little thing, but I stood by in shock and awe!