Same Song

We're singing the same song this week. On Thursday I got a call from Cam's new school that he'd spit on someone so I FLEW up there and sat in on his class for a hour and a half. I LOVE the school, and still believe that Cam is in the perfect place, but he's still getting into the same type of trouble. Friday he threw a snowball at the teacher (among other things) and was suspended again. I tried to get an emergency appointment with the therapist, but it's a no go. Unless someone cancels we'll have to wait until Thursday.

We've been watching Cameron and taking mental notes about his behavior. It's obvious that he has NO impulse control. He knows all the rules but doesn't stop long enough to follow them. We're going to continue with the child study process at this new school so that he can get classified. Bottom line - he needs a parapro with him during work times so that he gets his assignments done and stop getting put out of school. We're going to try to have his psychologist fax over the paper work verifying that he has oppositional defiant disorder. That way it'll be in his file and then maybe at 504 plan can be put into place.

His new teacher says that he's in the middle to high range in his class of kinder and first graders, but she can't get him to focus long enough to really do anything. When I was there and made him sit with the small group and do the vowel assignment he finished in about 1.5 minutes with no help from anyone. That's pretty amazing considering how much school he's missed due to trips to the office and out of school suspensions.

We've been talking to him about making friends and bucket filling, and he's finally starting to open up about his feelings. He's been great this weekend about filling up our buckets by saying kind things and following directions, but who knows how this will translate when Monday rolls around.

As far as THE LIST is concerned I'm beginning to cross things off! I still think we've found the perfect school for Cam and in the event that we move after this school year he'll be in another public Montessori school wherever we end up. So, right now #29 is complete as is #31- Pics of the kids. Yesterday I reserved our session with a local custom family photographer. We'll be taking family pics next week and I can't wait! I've been wanting something done like this for a long time, but could never afford it. Now I can. These are not sit down, posey pictures...these are pics that will capture the kids' personalities in an environment they're comfortable in-HOME. Check out the photographer's work here.

The shelf is also coming into view. Things are really beginning to shape up nicely, and while I have a few different irons in the fire, my number one choice seems to be shaping up nicely. Here's another pic of our new possible city.

Lastly, just want to say a big THANK YOU to all of you who have been sending kind words, encouragement and prayers for Cameron. It's greatly appreciated and keep them coming! :)

These past two weeks...

I think these past two weeks have been our most difficult as parents. Cameron has been suspended until Wednesday (AGAIN), and we're pretty much over it. After talking to Cameron about his behavior, we learned that students are picking with him, calling him "weirdo", and just making his first year of school a living hell.

So, I can tentatively cross number #29- Find the Perfect School for Cameron, off THE LIST! We've decided to pull him out of school and this Friday we found what we think may be the perfect place. On Monday he begins at a Montessori school. Montessori believes in freedom with limits and that's exactly what he needs. He's not the type of kid to do well in environments where he's forced to do things, so he kept getting in trouble for not working in a group or sitting on the carpet with his class, even though he already knew all the concepts they were going over.

At the new school, Cam can walk around, get out of his seat and sit on the floor ALONE, and they have a peace room where kids who have extra energy can use a sit and spin, or jump on a trampoline before going back to class! He can even wear house shoes all day long and EVERYTHING is hands on. After touring the school he immediately said he wanted to go there...this from the kid who tells us everyday that he hates school.

The same day he was suspended we ironically went to our first therapist appointment. This one was just for the parents where we talked about our concerns and what we want to see for him. Before we could even mention looking at other schools for Cam, the therapist suggested it, because his issues may be environmental. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

Here's a video of a Montessori classroom.

I also added #31 to the list- invest in timeless family photos of the children.

Busy, busy

So...I broke my promise. I know I said that I would blog more, but I've just been too busy with school, work, and dealing with all things Cameron.

We've been to a Piston's game, the orthodontist (Dj's getting expanders), the doctor to discuss Cameron's behavior issues again (after he got suspended), and gymnastics (which DJ started, just as we consider taking Cameron out because he WILL NOT behave).

On the job front I'm still awaiting word on the southern jump off. They're having a hard time finding a principal, so things are kind of at a halt. Damon and I are exploring our options though, and none of them are in our home state.

Next week Damon and I will be seeing a family therapist in preparation for Cam's psychiatrist visit. This situation has been a MAJOR point of stress for us, and we're really at loss. Child Study stuff has started and they have put new interventions in place to see if they can help him. So far, they've been working at school, but...The doctor also suggested we give him benadryl before bed to help him sleep. We see a difference, so I guess that's progress.

I also learned to make a new dish. It doesn't have a fancy name, but it's cabbage with bacon...sooooo good.

Here are some pics of what we've been up to.

Cameron's new past time

In an effort to give Cameron something that he enjoys, we enrolled him in gymnastics. He expressed interest after some students from the gym came to our school to put on a performance during morning assembly. Last Friday was his first day, and he did...well, he did ok. He didn't follow directions a couple of times, and got into a mini-fight with one of the other boys in his class but other than that it went well. This week's class was amazing! Cameron followed all the directions of his coach (until the ornament making activity), and had a great time. He had the chance to work on the rings, bars, practice back flips, cartwheels, and front flips on the trampoline.



In other news, we have decided to put Cameron through the child study process. We are still having major school and home behavior issues, and are pretty much at a loss. Both Damon and I don't really think that his actions are "normal" 5 year old things, so it's time to call in the experts. We've also scheduled an appointment with his pediatrician to discuss ADHD or an emotional impairment. STRESSFUL!!!

The SPED teacher and the school social worker recommended some booksd that may help us understand and deal with Cam a little better, The Explosive Child and Your Defiant Child

Half B-Day and Other Stuff

On the 17th Evan celebrated her half-b-day! I really can't believe that she's already six months old. Her check-up was today and we're happy to report that she is happy and healthy. Evan weighs in at 14 pounds 6 ounces and is quickly closing in on the 50th percentile (that's our goal!). She's in the 80th percentile for height, but Damon can't remember exactly how long she is.

Evan enjoys playing with her brothers, taking pictures, laughing, smiling, chatting with mommy and daddy, bouncing in her excersaucer, and putting any and everything in her mouth. We're working on sitting up independently and will be moving up to stage 2 foods soon.

Cameron and DJ are doing well. We've started to track Cam's behavior with a sticker chart and it's working wonders. He has issues with following directions and aggression and since we've started using the chart, the problems have been cut in half! He'll also be seeing the counselor at school once a week where they'll discuss how to deal with anger and practice following directions.

Since DJ has been potty-trained we've had a major bed-wetting issue. It's a great week when he can go at least 2 nights dry. Sad, but true. Today DJ visited the doctor so we can hopefully nip this issue in the bud. He gave a sample and was tested for diabetes (he's fine, just a precaution). When Damon mentioned that we were considering buying a bed wetting sensor our wonderful pediatrician whipped out a free one and gave it to us. Horray! We're going to have DJ begin wearing it tonight. Surprisingly he' pretty excited about the thing because it's red (his favorite color), but he's worried that he won't hear the beeping. We'll see how it goes. Keep your fingers crossed for a dry morning.