Summer is over, and we're settling into our routine. We have fun things going already and lined up...
Stephen started school (Pre-K at a nearby church in partnership with a Christian school) on August 17. His teachers have been very sweet, and he enjoys it as usual. He has one good friend from whom he is always being separated. Boys... He goes MWF, 9-12. I work MW, so I have Friday mornings with just Lydia.
I'm also doing some "school" things at home to supplement pre-school and to transition into homeschooling next year. So far, we're working on reading, writing, math and science. Science mainly consists of library books on topics in which Stephen shows interest; the current book is on rocks and minerals. The boy loves rocks!
Both kids are in Kindermusik this semester. I've learned that the teacher loves to barter, so I've been doing various things for her in exchange for Kindermusik time! Lydia will enjoy her class more once she gets over shyness; she's pretty typical in that she does many of the motions, etc at home but not in class. Stephen has just moved up to the Young Child level, and he'll be working on the glockenspiel by the end of the semester.
Stephen is having a good time in general. It is interesting to see him be imaginative (ideas, songs, games, etc) and give the credit to his imaginary friend, Friend Octopus. Today, Lydia and I were test subjects for his new invention, which was supposed to "take our dreams out of our minds and put them into the books" that were next to our heads. It took him a while to test since the 'generator' appeared to be having issues. He's a lot of fun!
Lydia is moving forward in the world of communication. She is definitely in the echo-itis stage of talking. She calls Stephen, "See-see," and herself, "Ya." She makes the cutest animal sounds and makes a decent attempt at any word I ask her to repeat. She loves to cuddle, which her parents don't object to at all. One thing that gives me 'concern' is that she loves to try to do exactly what Stephen does. :)
Of course, our fall will be quite different than I had planned after the loss of Silas. Lydia has no clue what's gone on, and I've seen how abstract this experience is for a 4-year-old through Stephen's processing. We tried to be clear with him all along but would realize after various comments from Stephen that we hadn't been clear enough. I think he understands now, but just doesn't have the experience to "feel" it the way we do or to mourn someone he's never met. For me, I am on an overall, upward trend with the occasional dip. I know so many have been praying - thank you!
Sorry for the length of this post, for those who are still reading! Maybe I'll be a regular poster - some day...
Stephen started school (Pre-K at a nearby church in partnership with a Christian school) on August 17. His teachers have been very sweet, and he enjoys it as usual. He has one good friend from whom he is always being separated. Boys... He goes MWF, 9-12. I work MW, so I have Friday mornings with just Lydia.
I'm also doing some "school" things at home to supplement pre-school and to transition into homeschooling next year. So far, we're working on reading, writing, math and science. Science mainly consists of library books on topics in which Stephen shows interest; the current book is on rocks and minerals. The boy loves rocks!
Both kids are in Kindermusik this semester. I've learned that the teacher loves to barter, so I've been doing various things for her in exchange for Kindermusik time! Lydia will enjoy her class more once she gets over shyness; she's pretty typical in that she does many of the motions, etc at home but not in class. Stephen has just moved up to the Young Child level, and he'll be working on the glockenspiel by the end of the semester.
Stephen is having a good time in general. It is interesting to see him be imaginative (ideas, songs, games, etc) and give the credit to his imaginary friend, Friend Octopus. Today, Lydia and I were test subjects for his new invention, which was supposed to "take our dreams out of our minds and put them into the books" that were next to our heads. It took him a while to test since the 'generator' appeared to be having issues. He's a lot of fun!
Lydia is moving forward in the world of communication. She is definitely in the echo-itis stage of talking. She calls Stephen, "See-see," and herself, "Ya." She makes the cutest animal sounds and makes a decent attempt at any word I ask her to repeat. She loves to cuddle, which her parents don't object to at all. One thing that gives me 'concern' is that she loves to try to do exactly what Stephen does. :)
Of course, our fall will be quite different than I had planned after the loss of Silas. Lydia has no clue what's gone on, and I've seen how abstract this experience is for a 4-year-old through Stephen's processing. We tried to be clear with him all along but would realize after various comments from Stephen that we hadn't been clear enough. I think he understands now, but just doesn't have the experience to "feel" it the way we do or to mourn someone he's never met. For me, I am on an overall, upward trend with the occasional dip. I know so many have been praying - thank you!
Sorry for the length of this post, for those who are still reading! Maybe I'll be a regular poster - some day...
