Ch-Ch-Changes

"Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Don't tell them to grow up and out of it
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes" -- David Bowie

This holiday weekend, we spent some time re-arranging the kids' rooms a bit. Well, mainly Michael's room. His room has gotten disorganized in the last couple years. So, we got a bookcase and a student desk from Craigs.lis.t. Looking around at his room, I can see the transitions that he is going through...from young child to pre-teen, to soon teenager.



On his desk, he has a refurbished laptop--our first foray into letting him have privacy and (limited)unrestricted use of the internet, etc. We had the talk about being responsible and that if he respected our rules, we would let him keep the laptop out on the desk.



It's interesting to watch him slowly move towards the teen years and onto adulthood.

Of course, there still is a bit of that young child still in his room...



And above his desk...



And while I cannot hold onto all his childhood items, like we cannot hold on forever to that little child, I am letting him keep his toys, etc. as long as he wants them.

Sometimes I do not have the words to describe my son, but I do think that this passage from a letter I sent to his new school’s project team, does sum up my son best. I think this is helpful to put here, not only because this is my journal and feelings, but also to show how someone who has ADHD works:

“Michael is an intelligent child who thirsts for knowledge. When he is focused, he quickly absorbs new things and retains it. He loves science and is naturally curious. Being an only child for eight years and with his social pragmatics issues, he tends to have better relationships with adults, to the point of sometimes thinking he is on equal footing with them. This can sometimes come off as if he does not have respect for authority.

Michael’s behavior is often the most troublesome issue. He sometimes does not understand what is appropriate and inappropriate in a public setting. He means no malice or disrespect and is very contrite once he realizes the situation. He oftentimes uses his sense of humor to clown around to “fit in”. Michael’s world is black and white with very little shades of gray. When he believes something is one way, it is very hard to get him to understand that it can be another way. When he gets frustrated, he can become moody and temperamental---and it is best to let him calm down on his own.

Michael can also be very caring and considerate. He is thoughtful and quick witted and loyal.”

Soon he will be going to a Middle School orientation. A new journey begins for all of us.

Meanwhile, we moved one of Michael's bookcases to Willow's room. Her room is starting to reflect her toddlerhood versus babyhood.


(Note, Spongebob is EVERYWHERE)

And while Michael's toys are pretty much stuffed in his huge toy box, and some are stuffed in his closet, Willow's toys are pretty much overflowing...




Another transition for Willow...she is starting to want to sit in a booster seat. I think the high-chair has a short time left in our household...



Willow has recently begun to use more and more phrases. She is creatively playing, and she has opinions on everything.

I cannot wait for vacation to see both of them enjoy the beach and the pool. I am looking forward to all the adventures waiting for them!