Field Day triumphs and woes!

THere are some days I jsut want to hide in my bedroom and cry.

Today was Field Day - I HATE field day.  My kids can't do stuff, they can't, they can't, they can't.

BUT I NEVER EVER, EVER let on to them.

I dread the day in silence, plan on attending the event to try an put out fires before they begin and be prepared to have a special treat at home for them.

WHen we only had a Brahm it was easy - I spent my entire day following his group around, anticipating and making the playing field as fair and accessible as possible LOL.

With 4 littles it's jsut NOT possible.  I get a much needed work out running from group to group but still I have learned I have to depend on my teachers to anticipate and care enough to accomodate my kids on the fly.

And you know it was great for 3 of them.  Ok Tao didn't really have field day as he goes in the morning.  BUT Brahm's class loves him, as does his young, future loving teacher.  So he joined them LOL!

Brahm ran and for the most part stayed up with his group in ALL events!!  THIS was the first year he could do that!!  We cheered, and were beyond excited for him.  Previous years (as we are jsut about a month into school),  Field day became the demarcation line where we could see his status in class go from cool little guy to something is wrong with that kid.

It has been beyond heartbreaking to watch.  BUT I think we are past that with him, and my heart sings!!  We were blessed with a gloriously warm day which helped his joints.  WOnderful kids who would match up with him at stations.  Apparently he did get drug in the 3 legged race, but at 32 lbs - well it's not hard to do.

Fei - well she was Fei with her radiant smile!  My favorite were the hurdles.  Apparently, she ran up to them, looked at them and then crawled under them!! LOVE

So our littles did incredible.  I am so relieved and excited that they had fun, had fun with their friends and are still as awesome before this day!!

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And then there is Cavanaugh - this may make people mad, but we only accomodate our kids some (ie I went to find the hand trike because I knew he couldn't do the bike race).  But most of the activities we ask them to try.  That's it, step up, do your best and be respectful of the people volunteering their time.  You don't have to be the best, you don't even have to finish but you must try.  (I am talking frisbee toss, ball throw etc.)

(THis is the 3rd year Cav has participated in one capacity or another so it was not new.  He has been slowly spiraling downhill as the predicted honeymoon is slowly waining.)

Cav decided he was not going to do any of it, and was defiant and nasty to his teacher and helpers.  So much so that they called me.  Luckily, I was on my way and we had a little come to Jesus meeting of how he is expected to act ~ period.  Both my husband and I are of the premises that teachers are not paid enough for the crap they endure.  I have to admit I am horrified that it is my son causing so many issues ugh

Cav loves to act more disabled than he is, and his teachers well, they have great hearts but totally enable the "poor disabled boy".  By the time I got to the school from my bible study at 11:30 he had eaten everyone's food from the wagon, gone to the bathroom twice, went to see the nurse and totally disrupted the entire classes time.  The hard thing with manipulative kids is that you can't pinpoint what is going on but you are totally and utterly exhausted and frazzled.

Giving him the benefit of the doubt I let him apologize to his teacher and rejoin his group.

THis lasted for a bit but then all hell broke lose.

Let's jsut say we left the school early with him screaming at the top of his lungs.

The sad part is that people only see Cav for his legs.  Not the child behind them.  If he had been born with legs I can guarantee he would never be allowed to act like he does.  It is such a disservice for his future.

My heart also breaks because those around us that saw me carrying my screaming leg flailing 5 year old out of the school will go back to their preconceived notion ~ that's why those orphanage kids shouldn't be adopted.  And THAT breaks my heart.

Understanding His timing?

I mentioned in a previous post that despite all of MY efforts, our paperwork has seemed to follow it's own timeline.  This basically means I have wasted a TON of money on overnight mailings that ended being delayed along the way.

We realized that HE has a plan and that we I need to be ok with this plan and believe that He has a reason for His perfect timing.  It finally dawned on us that it was because my husband co-owns a retail shop and there was a sweet spot between Thanksgiving and Christmas which would make things a bit easier for him to be gone.

WRONG!

We found out today that if our 7th grader misses 10 consecutive days of school he will be unenrolled from school!

WHAT!!

We will be gone for 2 weeks!

I freaked out, are you kidding me!

It took me a little bit, a while, all afternoon to realize that THIS is the reason for the perfect timing.  We have been thinking we would leave the very beginning of December, but I am jsut betting we will leave a week later.

WHY!

Christmas (I am sure it is called something else) Break starts basically after the 16th of December.  If any of our trip falls after this time then our sweet big boy will not have any issues.  Of course that goes into the high retail season for my hubby but he seems to be fine with it.

And although I totally believe that God's timing is perfect and he does have a plan for us, I am not above asking for prayers.

I have tried homeschooling, lets just say it is better for everyone that they go to their school!

Besides we love our schools, and if we homeschool him he will miss out on his first year of basketball.  THis is not a compromise I am willing to make for him.

We are not sure if this 10 day rule will affect our other children but it would be so much easier if we didn't  have to find out.