Due to a scheduling glitch one day last week I needed to send you to day camp by yourself--no Isaac, no Miss A, no Mommy, no Gramma...just Mila. We talked about it for days. I called the camp director. I sent a letter to your camp counselors. I made arrangements to drop you off late and pick you up early...YOU LOVED IT. You had one question only "Mommy come back?" YES, Mommy ALWAYS comes back--then you were fine. You had such a good time I decided to let you do it again this week just one day and you literally skipped and squealed on the way in! In all the ways that I have to force myself to remember that you aren't really 14 years old, I do have to take the time to remember that some times you are and having some independence, especially socially is probably a really good thing for you. I hope you look forward to your 'free day' this week too <3
That little emotional/attitude breakthrough we had last week has continued and we've been working hard on being respectful. I think it's normal adolescent stuff, but the language barrier still makes things difficult for me to clearly decipher what you understand and what is still a foreign concept. We had a good talk on your bed this week--back & forth conversation! (a first!)--after I needed to tell you no. I hope you are absorbing that a No is not a denial of love or affection, that is indeed the growth of a healthy relationship. You did a few little things this week that help me see that you are starting to accept this--you asked for a picture of just you and I, then you leaned in:
You also trusted me to walk you through a wooded path (that I honestly didn't know we were going to have to walk through--sorry honey!) to get to a beach, then you asked me to walk you through uneven ground to the water (I can't overstate what a big deal this is! Previously, you have REFUSED to walk on ground you don't trust--I've literally had to carry you).
You also interacted with our dinner prayer. This may seem small but for 39 weeks now we've taken hands as a family at dinner and I've asked you if you want to pray, which you quickly refuse. This week you've initiated taking my hands and then reminded me mid prayer to pray for your camp counselors "mom! Miss 'Manda! Miss Zoe!" Oh gosh, yes. Dear Jesus, please bless Miss 'Manda and Miss Zoe at camp. *insert a big smile of approval from you*
Isaac:
As much as you love day camp, you've been a bit overwhelmed by the constant activity and I think the stimulation of some of the other & older day campers. So we changed up your schedule to go to camp just a couple days a week and that is working much better for you. In fact, one of the days this week was Bike Day with specialized adaptive bikes provided---it was the first time you've been able to ride a bike and it made me cry! Little boys should ride bikes and it's an experience that I just haven't been able to find the right resource for you to have independently. But we are on a mission now! (Also, if anyone has any connections to adaptive bikes, please send them my way! Adaptive bikes are about $1500 each. yikes!)
We took a little walk around the city this week and you had your camera-ready face with you!
Me:
We are finding our summer groove with a summer nanny, day camp, a new job and the instant pot. The job is offering a lot more flexibility which allows me to get home earlier and enjoy more of the day with my goofballs. We've been to the beach this week, had picnics in the park, walked the city and played a lot in the backyard pool. We all have tans now and the neighbors don't seem to mind the barrage of Disney show-tunes that waft from the family room window. I would even describe our days as 'really good' recently. No major meltdowns or sickness or issues that we can't at least waddle through together--just lots of normal family stuff: "Isaac stop telling Mila to relax. Mila, relaxing might actually be a good idea. Mila, please use gentle words. Isaac, don't stick your tongue out. Isaac, if you walk slow in front of your sister she is going to bump into you, you can't get mad at that. Mila running to get in the car before your brother so you can lock your side of the van so he won't get in and try to take ONE of your FOUR cup holders *eyeroll*...is nicely done; next time, make sure your sandals are strapped you'll be even faster." You know...that kinda of stuff.
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