First Day of Kindergarten for Wesley (3 days late)

My Big Boy is now a Kindergartener!! We had a wonderful short summer but it was finally time to begin a new path in elementary school. Of course, nothing ever really goes to plan around here.  Wesley did his staggered entry the week of July 9th and everything was great.  Sunday before his first real day I took the kids to the pool as one last moment of summer. We got home everything seemed okay, I fixed dinner and that is when Wesley complained he didn’t feel well.  Took his temperature and it was 102!!!

No other symptoms but fever. I was sure it was going to be fine by the morning and he would not miss the first day of kindergarten.  I was wrong…he not only missed the first day but the first 3 days of school. By Tuesday he couldn’t swallow and was still so sick.  OH MY GOODNESS!!! Come to find out he had Hand, Foot and Mouth.  Our first case ever.

Finally by Thursday Wesley was well enough to go to school.  However, the night before his poor little sister got it.  She was up all night crying and drooling and was a mess.  He might of been well but I was a mess along with Cailyn.

First Day of School…3 days late.  We mustard up just enough strength to get pictures… You can kind of tell he is still exhausted but he was ready!!!

Then we got to school.  I walked into the classroom but someone else lagged behind.  Here is my sweet, timid boy checking things out and realizing “nope, I am NOT going in there”

I tried talking him into going but I was already SO tired and worn out that I started getting tears in my eyes (you know the #1 thing they tell you NOT to do to assure your kid everything will be fine).  That is when he dug his heel in the ground and refused to go in.  I finally got the teachers attention and told her I thought it was best if I just leave him in the hallway and walk away (bawling).  I watched from a corner it take 3 adults to drag my kicking, screaming for mommy child into the classroom.  IT WAS AWFUL!!! I just stood there.  In moments like these you wonder am I doing the right thing, maybe he wasn’t ready, maybe I am not ready…then another teacher asked me if he was my first child to go to school.  I thought to myself “Yes, I am just a crazy women who on the 4th day of school still can’t get my stuff together!!!” 

Well, he made it in.  He only stood in the corner of the classroom for an hour watching everyone… (No words)  The teacher was kind enough during lunch write me to tell me that day he was doing much better and they even caught a few smiles.  Thank you, Lord!!

When we got home he was head over heels in love with school!!! Of course.  All that drama…again no words!!

That evening the school had a Back to School Night. I normally don’t care much for these things but I want the kids to feel like they are apart of the school community so we went.  I am so glad we did.  Check out these smiles.  Yep, it was a hit. 

We are officially in kindergarten and Wesley is doing GREAT!! He loves it and Wesley has adjusted very well.  The teachers just rave over what a well behaved child he is!!!!! Let’s hope he keeps that up!!   I should mention thanks to our crazy track three schedule he was in school all of 7 days before he got a 3 week vacation!

Personal Note to Wesley-  I love you son and I am so incredibly proud of you!!! Continue to stay brave and strong and always pray!! 

Wesley’s Preschool Graduation

On May 22, my big boy officially graduated from Preschool.  I was so proud of little guy!!! Here is official graduation picture.

Oh my, how this little man melts my heart.  I will be honest Wednesday when I dropped Wesley off at CEC for the last time I just stopped in the parking lot and cried.  I couldn’t believe 3 years had gone by so fast.  This was his last day walking into CEC.  Yes, I took a picture of him leaving the car!

 

Here is Wesley’s first day at CEC… dreading going to school… How times have changed!!!

 

Just a quick snapshot.  Please pass me the tissues!!!

Last picture before the ceremony…

Mommy and her big boy!!!

 

His graduating class before the ceremony.

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The Class of 2013 from Highlands CEC. They were each presented their diploma and Bible in their cap and gown.  Then they left the sanctuary and came back without their cap and gown and with their backpacks. 

I might of gotten misty eyed seeing all these kids for the last time together looking oh so adorable!!! After several sweet songs and a prayer it was over.

Wesley walking out of the sanctuary!!! Ready for Kindergarten!!!

Wesley and Daddy!!

I have been told a time or two that I talk too much.  I am saying my farewells to Wesley’s beloved teacher Ms. Ann.  Our friend is waiting to take pictures of us and apparently is snapping pictures. I have to laugh because this is a perfect picture of the kids bored, Collins waiting patiently, and me still talking…

Family Picture with the New Graduate!!

Wesley, your Daddy and I are so proud of you!!! You have grown so much the last 5 years and we have enjoyed every moment.  As sad as it makes me sometimes on how fast time is moving, I want you to grow up!! We will always be your biggest fan. 

A little about you… You are shy, but not a pushover.  You have a drive to win and sometimes have a hard time losing.  You know God, you speak about God all the time.  I will miss having the Bible as part of your daily curriculum.  You love bugs, blocks, dinosaurs, and playing outside.  You know all your capitol letters and most of your lower case.  You can count to 120 and you love doing math problems (most of which you give to yourself).  You still write your ‘s’ backwards.  You are one of the most loving little boys and I am SO PROUD YOU ARE MINE!!!

Wesley’s First Day of Pre-K

Today was the day!  Wesley’s first day of Pre-K was today Sept. 10th, 2012. It is amazing to believe this is his last year of preschool. I can’t think about that right now *Scarlett* I will think about that tomorrow. 

If you don’t know, Wesley has a slight aversion to leaving the house.  He just wants to be a hermit and stay home ALL. DAY. LONG! Getting him to leave is like pulling teeth.  When I told him it was time to go it was painful, but not as painful as last week's meet the teacher.  So things are looking up.

Here is my big boy getting ready for his first day.  He looks so confident and handsome!! 

I just love this big boy!!  Check out his new Spiderman lunchbox!!

Well we got to school and he was still looking confident. Like “ I can do this mom, don’t worry!” Me worry??? Never.

Then we got to his room…and he was holding on to me for dear life. The good news is he didn’t cry.  I pretty much had to drop off and leave QUICKLY. 

As I left I saw that Wesley was getting some extra hugs and he was in wonderful arms!!

When he got home he said he had a great day and he would go back tomorrow.  haha! His favorite part of the day…Recess!!

As he shirt says “Pre-K Rocks!!”

 

Dress up time!!

What do two kids do when they are bored?  Dress up!! haha! 

***What is really interesting after I looked at them in each other clothes and how well they actually fit each other, I realized that Wesley has a wider waist then Lawson.  Go figure.

We have a soccer player!

April 14 was Wesley’s first official soccer game.  We woke up early had a power breakfast and were in the car by 8AM.  8:20AM he had soccer pictures (it was kind a comical to me because he had never actually played a game yet we were having soccer pictures made) and then it was time to play.

While they waited for the other team to take their pictures the kids warmed up. Here Wesley is warming up with one of his buddies, Holden.

Now we know Wesley does not stop running or moving at home, we had some expectation that he would keep up with the herd of kids running around the field.  What we didn’t expect is for when the game started for Wesley to march down the field and attempt a goal. His first attempt he missed.  We were proud of his efforts and cheered for the team.

 

The very next time the blue team (his team) got possession he kicked the ball down the field and scored!  Go Wesley, go Wesley!  Collins and I just turned to each other in surprise! This is Wesley scoring although you can not see more then his foot behind the coach.

Then…the next time down the field what does Wesley do…he scores again!!   WOW!! That was my only thought.  The boy had no game time experience and there he goes like he is an old pro!

We were brought back down to earth when Wesley did score for the other team. So he didn’t quite have a perfect game but I honestly  couldn’t describe how proud I was of his efforts.

The thing I love most about Upward soccer is it really isn’t about who wins or loses and who does well and who needs their mom to hold their hand out on the field so they will play.  It is about having fun! Let’s keep it real…they are only 4!

 

This is a Christian league and the kids had a blast!  I was super proud of everyone! 

What was Wesley most thrilled about?…getting another sticker from the coach.  He has really no clue that the grey sticker means he scored in a game, not sure what the gold sticker means, but the green is for showing up for soccer practices.

Great job, Wesley.  We have another soccer game this weekend.  We really have no expectations of what he will do.  As long as he has fun that is all that matters!!

Wesley’s First Game- Cancelled

I am up and ready to watch my Wesley play in his first soccer game but Mother Nature had other ideas and his first game is cancelled. Since I will not have pictures of him playing (running around the field in a cluster of kids chasing a ball) I thought I would post some pictures I took of Wesley before his first soccer practice.

I was trying to get a picture of him standing with the ball.  No dice.  This child is too busy.  Like most other pictures these will be action pictures.

We got a soccer net to practice at home and here he is when he made a goal! Happy boy!

We will be ready for his next game and his best cheerleaders will be there to cheer him on!!!

Go, Wesley, go!!

Update on Wesley

Wesley is back to his normal self.  Everything is great, his head is great, his ticker is good, and he is a strong and healthy boy.

Here is a synopsis on what happened.  (Okay, this is LONG, I apologize in advance for all the grammatical errors. )

Jan 26th- I took Cailyn and Wesley to Target.  They did not have any of those limo looking carts so I opted for a regular cart and Wesley in the bag buggy.  I was not buying much so storage was not an issue.  Not to make this story longer then it needs to be he stood up to point at something, I pulled the cart back towards me and Wesley toppled out backwards- head first.  As hard as he fell I was sure there was going to be blood.  No blood just lots of tears.  We got ice, we got popcorn (thought that would sooth the pain) and we were on our way home.

No dice.  On the way home he started trying to fall asleep and it scared me. So off we went to the doctors office.  They checked him out and besides being droopy tired he seemed fine.  They gave me strict guidelines to follow and to wake him up ever 30 minutes, but when we got home for him NOT to fall asleep.

On the way home he tried to fall asleep and I kept on waking him up and sure enough he threw up.  I was scared because they told me if he threw up more then 2 times we had to go to the emergency room. 

Besides being a little lethargic he seemed okay.  Then he threw up again right before bed.  He just kept saying he was tired and want to go to bed.  After getting some reassurance from my sister’s MIL, Miss Paula, I decided he could go to bed.  I set my clock and would wake him up every 30 minutes.  Then after we hit the 12hr mark I woke him up every hour.

In the morning when he work up I was feeling pretty confident everything was okay.  He even said to me “Mommy I think I am healthy now”  Cool!

We took it easy didn’t do much except stuff around the house. 

Here he is on Saturday and he looks good…he made this tower himself.

Then on Sunday everything seemed to backtrack for us.  He woke up fine and then by 9:00 he was throwing up again.  I had to go to church so I went to church with Lawson.  Collins, Wesley and Cailyn stayed home.  I put in a call to the triage nurse for advice and Wesley slept.  The nurse did not get back to us until I got back home and after I told her the details she pretty much said very alarming “WAKE HIM UP, GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM NOW”  My heart dropped.  Not that I didn’t believe her but I called Miss Paula (Lauren’s MIL) again just to make sure.  (I guess I should add that Collins started a new job and we had no insurance.) Although I want my kids to be healthy I just wanted to make sure. Miss Paula confirmed “TAKE HIME TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM NOW”  We got Wesley up and dressed and Collins and Wesley were off.  I was to take care of our other children.  I was a basket case.  Not gonna lie.  I wanted to be with my baby, he needed his mommy. Those few hours seemed to be the longest hours!! As my mind raced Collins was comforting our son and we got great news, he was fine.   He had a fever but his head injury was fine.  Our message “Just continue to take it easy and he will be fine.” THANK YOU, LORD!!

His fever got higher that evening and I was back to checking on him multiple times a night but he was good.   Thank you to all those that prayed for our buddy!!

He was back at school on Wednesday and did great. 

Then Friday’s doctor rounds: As if all this wasn’t enough, he had his annual heart appointment.  They did find a venous hum but with the double checking of an EKG he is fine. 

Then later that afternoon we went to the doctors just for a double check on his head…head fine.  Ear- infection.  Since he was showing no symptoms I chose not to give him an antibiotic.  Good thing because when we went BACK (yes, BACK) to the doctor’s on Monday for his 4 yr checkup the ear infection was pretty much gone.

Last but not least, if you are still reading this good for you.  This really is for my records.  His 4 yr check up went great.  He is 41.5” tall, he is 40lbs and health wise in great shape.  Wesley did fail part of his hearing test so we are going to take a trip to the ENT.  How he failed his test and some of the information I gave them about how he is sensitive to loud noises made them believe he needed to be checked out.  What is one more doctor’s appointment at this point really? I will keep you updated on how he does.

So that pretty much sums it all up Wesley is happy and healthy and will never sit in a grocery cart again!!

One more thing… I have to share this note from his teacher.  MADE MY DAY!!! 

Oh, and the part of us being awesome parents is pretty nice too

Wesley is 4 years old

My baby boy is 4 years old.  WOW!! The years have flown by.  My big boy who came in weighing 8lbs 8oz

is now a little boy full of life and energy.  His smile is contagious and his eyes smitten you the moment he glances at you…

The top 4 things Wesley loves right now at age 4…

1. Pretend Hunting and Fishing

2. Spiderman

3. Playing with his sisters

4. His mommy

okay…I might of just thrown that last one in there but he did tell his preschool teacher he didn’t want to grow up because he never wanted to leave his mommy.  I am thinking that makes me a favorite!!haha! 

His birthday celebration seemed to be a week long.  First we celebrated that day with a special chocolate donut breakfast.

Then later that day we opened presents on facetime or skype with family!!

Then the following Tuesday he had cupcakes with his friends at school.

Then on Saturday he had a birthday party with all his closest friends.  What a fun time!

The picture below reminds me of his 2nd birthday party (and no it is not because he has his age on his shirt) it because I can not get a picture of this child sitting still he is always running!!

 

**When it was birthday cake time I some how forgot the candle!!! As luck would have it one of our dear friends were having their daughter’s 4th birthday next door so I borrowed their candle and quickly returned it.  Disaster adverted!! Thank you, Jenn!!

All of Wesley’s friends…

What a wonderful time celebrated a terrific little boy. 

He did ask if he was going to continue to get gifts every week…haha!! I guess one would think that since ever since Christmas he has received some sort of gift every week!!!

I love you Wes-wes!