And suddenly...

... it's July.

I don't know where the time goes... July is already a week gone and the kids are well settled into their summer routine (or lack of). We have soccer and tball four nights a week - and that's with only two kids enrolled! On top of that Elliot is doing a makeup music term in an effort to get caught up to Jack so they can be in the same class in September, extra stress now will hopefully provide an easier schedule come fall.

Elliot graduated last week from his nursery school and from Amy's programme. Amy always goes big for graduation - EVERYONE at the daycare came (even the families who didn't have graduates) - and there were presentations by the kids, photo slide shows through the years, lots of food and outdoor fun with a bounce house and yard play. Jack graduated two years ago and his was MUCH tougher - the slide show was full of pictures of Sam, who should have graduated with Jack and his three friends, but instead lost his fight against cancer a few months before his fourth birthday. To make matters worse, the pictures were of the same four kids for four years, from their first steps to their graduation... I didn't anticipate this grad to be as hard - and it wasn't - but it was still gut wrenching to see my little 10 month old Elliot flashing his chubby faced, toothless grin at the camera. Where did he go? It physically hurts.

Okay and for a switch of topics so I don't lose it completely...

Jack did fantastically at school, all A's but one B in music (his music teacher outside of school suggested this is common of her students b/c the school grade is often based on interest and enthusiasm in class and her students are well above the school curriculum and so seem kinda bored with it). He was pleased to have graded and is in Fraser 2/3 for next year - a split class with second and third grade students. According to the class lists, there is no grade 2 class, just a 1/2 split and a 2/3 split... of the two I'd much rather he be in the 2/3 split. He's happy that two of his best buds are in his class, I'm happy that one of his best buds (in grade three) is not. Evil mom. More importantly and excitingly than his school performance is the fact that his second tooth is loose. Now that he's through the trepidation of the first tooth experience, and has witnessed first hand the reward of the Tooth Fairy, he is damned and determined to get this one out fast. It started being loose Tuesday morning, apparently because of a run in with a strawberry, and I'd be surprized if it lasts the weekend.
My girlies are so awesome. They really are incredible. Paxten is adjusting to having Wen with her the full three days at Amy's - she has a really hard time sharing Amy with anyone, let alone her sister. To make it tougher, a baby is starting at Amy's too (and a second will be starting there the end of the month, which she doesn't know yet). She's jealous and clingy to Amy, soaking up any attention she can get. Every time we drive past the nursery school she announces it is hers and reminds me that she's a big girl now, "a preschool kid". Even in the past six months or so she has matured and grown up, in her mannerisms, her expressions, her interests and play... I took a picture of her in the park the other day and when I see it it literally takes my breath away - she's gorgeous! and so frighteningly smart.

AnnaWen is doing well at Amy's and seems to love going there every day "with Paxten". I think for her it's more about being with Paxten than which home she's going to. I was sad to see her leave Wendy's (the friend who took care of her since November), but I am planning on picking up a fourth day of work on Fridays once school is back in and have asked Wendy to take the girls after nursery school and over lunch until I can get home to pick them up. I think that will be good for both girls since they will have some same aged playmates of thier own. Wen's super speedy catchup has slowed, which makes me a nervous mom. She's probably at age appropriate with most skills, but struggles with some abstract concepts. I think in the long run they won't be issues, it's just a factor of not having the language long enough to be exposed and learn it all incidentally yet. That said, I won't be surprized if she presents with LD in school. Thinking of where she was and who she is and how much she has survived, I'll take that chance and run with it - she is a walking, breathing miracle of survival and spirit - it radiates from her eyes and her smile (and glares). I was holding her at Jack's soccer game tonight and marvelled that she was there, heavy and real in my arms... was it just a year ago we stared at her picture and feared all the worst case scenarios? Was it just two years ago that we felt our adoption journey was in jeopardy of never coming to pass, that we'd never find our Anna and bring her home? Again, where does the time go?

Sooo, even though I don't get HERE as much as I should, we're still here... bumping day to day through our hectic crazy lives.

N