The Great Big Catch Up Post

I am bound and determined that I will catch up on all of the pictures and all of the memories. 

So this post is all pictures on my phone. They aren't connected and really I just want to have the memories here. I'll try to explain as I go along: 

Oh the last day. It was magic in room 124, just magic. This is their end of year gift. They had painted frames and I had taken a beautiful picture of our class family and put those in the frames and wrapped them up. What is really special is that they are wrapped with a very special ribbon. Let's see if I can explain. On the first day of school (actually on the meet and greet before school started) I had parents write on a ribbon their hopes and dreams for their child for the upcoming year. Those ribbons hung in our classroom all year long  and then I took them down and used those ribbons to tie up their frames. 

Here is what it looked like when all of the ribbons were hanging in the classroom together. (all of the families hopes and dreams for they children)

Another activity we had was to "pass the portrait". I took down the portrait that they had draw way back in September. Then they wrote on the back of the portrait and after everyone was done we passed them along. So they ended up writing on all 20 of them. They wrote the sweetest notes. 

They reread their hope and dream that they had written for themselves and the one I wrote for them. 

Super powerful end of year activity. 

The authors celebration with all of their published books!

Helping Abigail study for finals - all that English vocab

In the middle of all of that there was an audition for the private orchestras

Abigail played in a chamber group concert

This must have been when Anna was home for a long weekend - you can tell from the way I'm holding onto her! 

Let's end (oh my I think I might be caught up) Anything more adorable than two little girls in my class with best friends charms? 

Summer Rhythms, Routines, and Rituals

"Plan and practice regular rhythms in your home to care for what and whom you most value." Sally Clarkson

I so admire Sally Clarkson and totally believe what she said in that above quote. I didn't know it way back then when I was developing rhythms in our home. I just knew we needed time and a place (especially in the summertime) to brought us closer. Some might think with a 20 and 16 year old those old days of time at home together doing things is long past. I actually think it can be even more important to have those set times that say to my girls

💛We are a family

💛This is what we do

💛We make time for each other regularly

When these regular things are already set and in place, nothing takes their place.  Here are just a few of ours. 

Reading on the Couch

Started this way way way back when Abigail was napping in her crib as a baby and toddler Anna and I had some time together in the afternoon. Way back then I made a "nest" (yes, we called it a nest). I put a blanket on the floor in our bedroom and some pillows from the bed. She cozied on that blanket. I piled up books for her to 'read' (I clearly remember Fancy Nancy). She couldn't read the words yet but had memorized the stories and would out loud 'read' the book to herself. I remember a pile of camera/photography books I read back then as I was trying to teach myself how to use my camera. 

It was glorious day after day. And it instantly became a tradition. Every day. Every summer. Every year since then. 

So these pictures were from our first day of summer (Monday) and it was just like no time went by from last summer! 

This was my view from the couch. We eat lunch on the porch every day (dinner too) and so when we are done all we do is take a step inside. 

Here are a few other posts on reading that are fun to look back on: 

I love this post on reading and growing into stronger texts

I love this post on the importance of bedtime stories {even when you read all day long to kids in your classroom}

I love this post on what they were reading two summers ago.

I love this post because this photo -- snapped quickly before school says so much.

I love this post because this series is long ago gone but still filled with love.

I love this post because she used to read on the 'couch' in the kitchen.

I love this post because I remember having books (by theme) in baskets all around the house.

I love this post because this was the beginning of the 'chapter book library' in our playroom which is now 5 shelves longer!

I love this post because she was a little reader way back then!

I love this post because Anna was 10.

I love this post on reading.

I love this post because of how Anna recommended a book to me and I still love it!

I love this post because of a book I had just finished reading to the girls.

I love this post because of the stack on Anna's dresser.

Read Aloud Time 

Anna is twenty. Abigail is sixteen. They both know that living here means read alouds. Forever. 

Reading aloud is calming, soothing. We go on "adventures" together. 

Once again it is a time that is set aside in our day - nothing else matters. This summer we started Prince Caspian by CS Lewis. 

A Designated No Screen Time 

There are no screens until dinner some nights and other nights no screens from dinner til bedtime. It all depends on the day. My girls are used to this. I truly believe (and it works for us, not judging any other family) that kids need to unwind their brain in the summer - to have a feeling of being bored - to then get creative - go for a walk, draw, create, find something that brings them joy. And I know for my girls a screen won't bring them joy. I snapped this picture to remember the first day we put our screens aside. 

So these traditions are our every day rhythms that help it F E E L  like summer. They are relaxing and they help us to unwind from the whirlwind of our school year days. We have plenty of fun too! We love a grand adventure in the summer and we love day trips too. But taking the time to chill (and building it in) can even be better than any adventure we have. 

A New Kitchen (color)

Well not exactly a whole new kitchen but we just finished our first big summer project. Scott wanted to pull down some of the sheetrock in our kitchen ceiling to redo the seems. I'm so grateful that he's super home handy! And if you redo the ceiling and paint it, well then you might as well paint the whole kitchen. 

I decided to not go with the pale blue and chose white. Yes, white walls, white cabinets, white counter. It's all white and I love it love it love it! To me it's a big blank canvas and I can decorate it for the seasons anyway I please and it'll always match. 

Here is what it looked like in the beginning. I wish I took a picture of the ceiling opened up but gosh I just didn't! 

So this is what the first week of summer looked like at our house (while I was driving around every day to doctor appointments) 

 

It was really messy in here for a whole week. But it's done now and I promise to post pictures just as soon as I can! 

The First Week of Summer - honestly

I can't believe it's been almost a week since school ended. This first week is flying by! I love being home. (although I haven't been home much, ha!) I love being with my girls. But I do miss the greatest class I've ever had. 

I am so behind on this blog of mine. I've got pictures on my phone, pictures on camera chips. My plan is to slowly work through the memories bit by bit but also stay current. So here is a post from this week. I'll dig into what I'm behind on slowly. Man! The last two months of school took every ounce of me. 

I thought I was really smart and booked a TON of doctor appointments for this first week of summer and a bunch in the last week of August at the end of summer. I didn't like how last summer they are almost every single week all summer long (sometimes 2 per week all summer long) I have to get every annual dr appointment for me in the summer and of course Anna. But Abigail sees so many specialist that her appointments filled each day this week. What I thought was a good idea turned out to be not so good. I want to remember for next year to maybe have a bunch this first week but also spread some out because boy did they leave me emotional and exhausted. 

Here are just a couple I want to remember: 

She saw Dr. Dunbar, her endocrinologist. This amazing doctor is monitoring really everything overall growing wise. She has been with Abigail since the beginning of growing concerns and has her on growth hormone replacement therapy (shots). 

This doctor is not close by and so we stopped at an allergy free bakery that she loves on our way home. 

Today she visited Dr. Lee for scoliosis. Here she is outside the building on the way in. She's holding in that big bag her brace that she sleeps with each night. 

She sure looks like a high schooler in those pictures to me! I'm so grateful for amazing doctors and expert medical care nearby. 

 

How to Get Through Sophomore Year with EoE and ADHD

Abigail just finished her sophomore year of high school. And it was no easy task for her. I have said it before and I'll say it again... no none works harder than her. (Anna too has challenges and things she's had to dig deep and get through - but that for another post) 

I've written about it a lot on this blog of mine. In fact in the labels you can click Eosinophilic Esophogitis and read from the beginning. But in a nutshell, this digestive disease that Abigail has lived with her whole life is still there and it causes her to be in pain daily. She has trouble swallowing food. Food can feel like it is stuck in her esophagus, and other 'fun' things like reflux and constant nausea. 

Not related to EoE she is currently taking growth hormone replacement therapy (not enough growth hormone to grow) to hopefully grow and we are constantly trying to get calories in that girl of ours so that her weight can catch up with what the growing meds are doing. So each night she gets a shot from me (I've gotten quite good at them by now!) 

Someone who is in that much pain each day get behind in class then there's time to do her work. She can't work quickly because she's in pain. 

And then there is ADHD to add to the mix. I've heard it described like this. Asking a student to focus when they have ADHD is like asking someone with broken legs to walk upstairs without their crutches. Yup, not possible.

And one more thing: lack of sleep. Not just lack of hours that a hard working / staying up too late to get work done high schooler does but lack of good sleep since she sleeps with a brace due to scoliosis. She straps that huge thing on like and does the best she can. I'm amazed! 

I'm not typing all of this to make a huge list of her difficulties. No, not one bit. Believe me, that girl has a lot going for her as well. She sure does! Like a dynamic personality, a never quit attitude, and love of learning. She's got it all. She just has to do it all in pain. Every day!

So how did is get through sophomore year? With AP Biology and all the other classes honors level? 

Here's how: 

Surround Yourself with Friends

Now I don't have a ton of pictures of her friends. I really don't. But they are there for her every single day. They are such a tight group that adore each other - and this mama is grateful for them. 

Have Family Support

Every single night Scott stays up with her until late late late - around midnight most nights. He never leaves her side. He never gives up on her - won't let that disease win (not EoE or ADHD). Night after night. Some nights she's independent and he just hangs out with her in the playroom (now homework room) and some nights he's hip to hip with her - working along side of her. He helps to keep track of assignments and lets her have control but with his help. 

There are more pictures like these but gosh, this is the only one I can find right now. Night after night of sophomore year was just like this. 

She also has the best big sister in the world who, even though she is away at college is there for her little sister. They talk, text, and when Anna is home there is no one on the planet that could be a bigger cheerleader. She always has been. I love this old video of Anna helping Abigail eat when she was a toddler. (I miss those days) But seriously, look at how determined that big sister was at getting calories in her little sister! 

Have Great Teachers

Well I certainly don't have any pictures of Abigail with her teachers but there are some really great ones in that high school of hers. A few went above and beyond the 504 accommodations that were already in place. They met with her one on one before school and after school. They helped her to prioritize and figure out the best path for herself. I wish I took a picture of her in her 504 meeting advocating for herself and the accommodations she needs going forward. She speaks so well, confidently and accurately. I am just so grateful for good teachers that make a way. 

Last Days

Those last days in early June feel like a blur; they really do. Scott was busy with his middle school. I was tired to my toenails with my fourth graders and trying so hard to end my school year well. But we had Anna home at that point and it made all the difference. 

I took this picture of Abigail getting out of the car on the last full day of school before finals. 

Anna took this one when Abigail walked in the door after her very last final exam (the week after that 'from the car' picture above)

And this cute video too:

So school is over (for us here in CT since June 16th) and it is soooooOoooo good to be done with all of this and have a break. Looking forward to some chill days at home, getting some house projects done, organizing in a big way, and some adventures as a family! 

We are so proud of you Abigail Mei! 

Lilacs in the Kitchen

 Another one that I should have posted in May... and now here we are in June. All of the lilacs are gone but the roses are blooming! Even this purple gingham is all packed away. I'll take summer in our kitchen pictures soon! 

Spring According to Gladys Taber

"April in New England is like first love." Gladys Taber 

(Yes, Yes, I know, it's June... but when I wrote this it was late April and I just never hit publish) 

I am rereading Stillmeadow Sampler by Gladys Taber, 1959. She lived in a 1600 farm house in Southbury, Connecticut and writes about country life. I love how this book is written in seasons (although she actually has a book called "Seasons" I will read someday) 

I love to read the season I am in to just enjoy it that much more. Her writing is like poetry and I find I can read just a paragraph at night before I go to sleep and mull it around in my mind all day. Her writing reminds me greatly of my hero, Laura Ingalls Wilder who also writes about the joys of living in the country and everyday pleasures of life. 

A few of my favorite quotes from her spring writing:

(oh and our tulips were glorious this year) 

"A countryman's life always moves steadily, with a pattern fitting the changing seasons." 

"Days on the calendar come and go, but God is timeless. Love and faith and hope know no season, they are themselves, I think, eternity."

"Time was, then, the next twenty-four hours and what I would get done in it. But now I feel my own small portion of time links me with those who walked in the garden yesterday and those who will walk there after I am gone." 

"As I went back to the house, the sound of the lawn mower drowned out the rap-rap of the flickers. Somehow the first mowings are especially lovely, for the grass smells better than any perfume and the clippings fall green and think behind the blades." 

 

"The best way to keep a house spotless, of course would be not to inhabit it at all, but just come in twice a week and clan and then shut it up. I have seen houses that look like that, so guests hardly dare sit son for fear they'll unfluff the sofa pillows. To me, a lived-in house is better. But it is all in what you consider important." 

"Even in May, the evening chill comes down. There is nothing urgent to do in the garden, for the seeds, we hope, are about their own business. We may have just soupbowls of fresh asparagus for supper, dressed with top milk and sweet butter. Then after the dishes are washed, we go out and putter around." 

"We all, I suppose, desire at one time or another to escape. We not only wish to escape the drudgery and routine of our lives but the frustrations and worries. We yearn, in short, to be free. Just to pack up and go. To get away from it all, as the saying goes. But there is no place so far away that one can escape one's own self. The country of the heart is always the same." 

"I try to understand the newest music, the most modern art, but I think there is a place in life for simple, old-fashioned things."