Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Madelyn Sweetness

Conversation with Madelyn about her upcoming birthday party:

Me (A): Maddy, who do you want to invite from your class to your birthday party?
Maddy (M): It's Madelyn.
A: What?
M: My name. It's Madelyn.
A: Sorry... Madeeelyn, who do you want to invite from your class?
M: What? 
this is Madelyn's new favorite response.
A: WHO DO YOU WANT TO INVITE FROM YOUR CLASS?
M: Spencer.
A: That's it?
M: Yes. Spencer.
A: Ok, well if you want to only invite Spencer you will need to get his mom's phone number.
M: OK.

As the world turns... the following day.

M: Spencer can't come.
A: Why not?
M: He doesn't know his phone number yet.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Parenthood is Funny Like That

Another school year typically brings assessments, scores, and interventions to help Madelyn. It always brings a flood of emotions.
I sent a note off to the teacher this morning:
"Dear Madelyn's Teacher, While reading with Maddy last night I noticed she is having a lot of difficulty with recalling words she already knows. What can I do to help her?" 
Within moments I got a response:
"Yes, I see this too. I am evaluating what we can do to help her. I will keep you posted."

At first I felt a rush of calm... perfect, someone is taking the reigns and can work on helping. 
Then thankful... how lucky we are to have such a responsive teacher!
Then... a rush of sadness... it's not in my head...
Then, fear... fear that the stress of the difficulties she has will somehow overtake her personality. Or burden her.

One thing I do know. I am more proud of this girl than I ever have been of anything in my life. She takes this and everything in stride, and continues to work hard and love everything around her.

"Que Sera, Sera. Whatever will be, will be. The future's not ours, to see. Que Sera, Sera. What will be, will be"




Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Kayaking!

Yup... Madelyn went kayaking!

We had an amazing Labor Day weekend. Kayaking with Auntie Linda, boating with Uncle Jay, and cookouts at Nana and Papas!

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

When Dad and Reed Nap...

Madelyn and I sometimes head to the lake.




But Maddy still had time to make sure a fort was ready for when Reed woke up: