How We Cope

OK...I've made it no secret to those who know me, how energetic Turner is.  We've have no official diagnosis but I have no doubt if we did, we'd have a boy with some sort of clinical diagnosis.  ADHD????  High energy, kinesthetic learner????? 

We are not going to have him tested now.  Maybe never.  Maybe someday.  It is/will be our decision and we will make it when we are ready.

For now, this is how we cope.
1.  Limit sugar. 
2.  Lots of outdoor play and running around.
3.  Lots of Wii activities, so he's moving and coordinating his movements.
4.  Soccer.  Lots of running. 
5.  Riding his bike
In other words....lots and lots of physical activity
and last but not least.....

What's that you ask?   Why it's a tube sock filled with rice, of course!   My aunt makes them so that you can microwave it and have yourself a portable heating pad.  That is NOT what we do with it though.  On good days, we can put it in Turner's lap and it helps him to sit still and concentrate on his work.   On bad days, we drape it over his shoulders for a little extra sensory feedback.  Today was a bad day.

That's it!!!

Men in Uniform

Makes me *SMILE*

(ps.  buy lots of popcorn if they ring your doorbell)

Just as an aside:

I had to renew my driver's license today.

The next time I have to renew them, the boy on the right in the above pics will be heading to college.

I CAN'T TAKE IT!!!!

Loving It!!!!

Can I just say, I am LOVING having all 4 kids at home this year!

L_O_V_I_N_G   I_T!!!!!

(Don't have as much time for blogging though)

He is doing well academically. 
Almost finished with his first Dick and Jane book.
Learning to write!!!!
Counting (as long as you don't need the #6)
Adding (again, don't worry too much about #6)

He misses school (at least the social apsect)

I think he'll be fine once scouting starts.

He also starts speech next week which will give him his school-time.

The other three are doing well.  

Judson is working a little college level chem

While mightily struggling with 3rd grade english.

Funny how that works.

Ansley is doing well in math and reading.

She's learning multiplication

And reading above grade level.  

Turner and his little ADHD self is working on writing.

He has VERY weak fine motor skills in his hands

So it is a struggle, especially

when he gets to squirming.

Lest any of you anti-home schooling folks think my kids are not being socialized.

(because we all know that is what happens....right?)

I have 3 in scouts, 2 in gymnastics, 1 in soccer

Not to mention chess and Saturday School (which is a winter activity)

We had to give up karate for a while as we ran out of time.

The Great Prisoner Exchange (AKA, The Sleepover)

We met Alex and Makayla through martial arts.  They are home schooled and about Judson's age.  Alex and Judson struck up a friendship, as did Ansley and Makayla.  The relationships have been going strong for almost 2  years.  I have to say, it makes it nice that I like to talk with their Mom too.  It's a Win-Win situation.

This weekend we decided to do a 'double sleepover'.  Meaning,  Alex came to our house and Ansley went to Makayla's house and spent the night.

I have no pictures of the girls sleepover.  The report is:  They were very quiet, had tea parties,  worked on art projects and watched movies til almost 2am.   In other words, SUCCESS!

I think we also had success here at Camp Stricklin.  The boys played chess (LOTS of chess), played computer games  (LOTS of computer games),  ate (LOTS of eating), played on the slip and slide,  rode bikes, watched tv, rough housed, and had a rowdy time.  Again, I'd call it a SUCCESS!

Here are the pictures I took of the boys.

Randy with all his little helpers!

Today....we recover.

A Few of My Favorite Things

I apologize for the shaking filming.

Turn the volume up on Sawyer's video.

Introducing......

His Highness Captain Underpants and Cinderella

(be thankful I managed to get him to wear underpants, he was really wanting to go commando today)

In case you are wondering,  he is wearing glass slippers.

Remember????

OK....remember THIS STORY?

Finally tonight, we got together with DANIEL.

Oh...Sawyer was so excited!!!

Before we (just he and I) left, he told Ansley

"Now stay out of trouble"

They were excited to see each other.

Daniel and Miss Kris, who taught both Daniel and Sawyer in pre-K

These 2 truly do have a connection!