Ryan the gr8!

Ryan made it through a Labor Day with out a hospital stay this year! The three years prior to this included at least an ER visit, if not an ambulance ride and a stay at the hospital. We don't know if he's growing out of his seasonal allergies and/or asthma, or if it was the cocktail of meds we pumped him with that did the trick, but either way, he made it through Labor Day weekend! Yes!

Ryan's 8, going on 16 lately. We're starting to see some tween behavior along with more desire to play with friends and less desire to hang out with his sister and brother. He's doing well in school...reading well, excels in math, loves recess. His teacher says he's a good boy and student. We've had a few small issues with talking, and unfortunately, we're struggling with a few of his friends. His best friend, who's such a good kid, transferred to a new school last year. Since then, Ryan's been finding new friends in class, but he tends to gravitate toward the class clowns. Friends have such a huge impact on kids, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he's not in class with a couple of the boys next year. One in particular has had a negative influence on Ryan, something even Ryan has recognized. He asked to move chairs in music, because he knew he was talking too much. That was a proud mommy moment...when my kid took responsibility for his actions and made changes. Some times it feels like he doesn't hear a word we say, then he does something like that.

He just finished up another season of fall baseball. His team was mediocre but I think Ryan still enjoyed the season. He played outfield for about half the season and the other half he played second base. He liked second base a lot better because "it got more action". Who can blame him? He's really pushing to play football now. The schedule for kids football is insane, daily practice, traveling weekend games. Plus it's a lot more expensive. Ryan watches the game on TV and understands what's happening, He knows some of the teams and players. He cheers at the right time and knows what some of the calls are. He really wants to play and has a huge interest in it. We're really going to have to think about it for next year.

Ryan, at a month shy of 8, finally stopped sucking his finger. He's sucked his first finger since he was a baby and nothing could make him stop. We tried bandaids, gloves, yucky tasting stuff, rewards for not doing it...everything we could think of. Then he broke his arm and it was in a cast that didn't allow him to get his finger in mouth. I thought that would be the end of it, but nope, the minute the cast came off his finger went in his mouth. Then, this past spring, he lost a tooth and another, adult teeth were coming in and he was still sucking that finger which was causing the adult teeth to come in at an angle. We decided it was time to take him to an orthodontist and get a mouth brace. Well, all it took was one visit, the guy telling Ryan he needed to stop and Ryan hasn't put that finger in his mouth since. I guess he was ready and finally had the right motivation. No matter what, it was a huge habit to break and we're so proud of him.

First Grade Attitude

Tonight, my son the first grader, sat at the kitchen table doing his homework. He finished it much quicker than I anticipated so I questioned him about it and looked it over. While I was checking his work he said "This homework is so kindergarten", eye roll and sigh included.

Did I mention he's only in first grade?

Oh Tooth Fairy...

Ryan finally lost his first tooth! It's been loose for quite awhile, you can see the new tooth is already half way in. He got $2 from the tooth fairy, she had a toothbrush for him as well but forgot to leave it under his pillow. Another first...I can't believe how big my boy is!