The older I get the more I start to notice how a year makes such a difference. The weather changes is like a metaphor for the ever changing events that occur in one years time. Being a mother, I notice that one year in the life of having children reminds me to fully appreciate every second I have with them. I try to remember not to rush things. I am a planner so that can be such a big deal for me. This past year was very much the most significant.
So what has happened in the Waterbury household in the year? Liam my oldest child turn 10 and started 5th grade. He and Marah started at Lansing Charter Academy this year leaving behind Post Oak Elementary. The decision to leave Post oak was not an easy one but after all the pros and cons we thought it would be the best thing for Liam. So knowing he would be a year away from Middle Schools and keeping his success in school our number one priority we moved to Lansing Charter. After his October parent conference we discovered that our decision paid off for him. Liam is doing wonderfully. He has improved so much in his ability to focus and pat attention to his school work, he is in a smaller class size, he is improving on his reading, writing and his creative self. Change has never been easy for him and I think he handled this change the best out of any in his life. I am super proud of him. For those of you who have not heard Liam is a huge football fan!! He plans to play football fall of 2011. He is also very much into zoology, dinosaurs, history, and geography. I am pretty sure he knows more places in the world then me. I am super grateful to have Liam in my life.
So what has happened in the Waterbury household in the year? Liam my oldest child turn 10 and started 5th grade. He and Marah started at Lansing Charter Academy this year leaving behind Post Oak Elementary. The decision to leave Post oak was not an easy one but after all the pros and cons we thought it would be the best thing for Liam. So knowing he would be a year away from Middle Schools and keeping his success in school our number one priority we moved to Lansing Charter. After his October parent conference we discovered that our decision paid off for him. Liam is doing wonderfully. He has improved so much in his ability to focus and pat attention to his school work, he is in a smaller class size, he is improving on his reading, writing and his creative self. Change has never been easy for him and I think he handled this change the best out of any in his life. I am super proud of him. For those of you who have not heard Liam is a huge football fan!! He plans to play football fall of 2011. He is also very much into zoology, dinosaurs, history, and geography. I am pretty sure he knows more places in the world then me. I am super grateful to have Liam in my life.
Marah started 2nd grade at also has gone to Lansing Charter Academy. We decided that since its a school that goes up through 8th grade that she too can benefit from being in a familiar environment through middle school years. She spent 3 years being in a Chinese immersion school and had excelled in her ability to speak and write in Chinese. We plan to keep her involved with Chinese learning because its supper great to have two languages. However she also need a good fit for her English academics and a consistency which she was not getting before. She too has been improving so much in her confidence, social, and academic standpoints.
Marah has always been into dancing, art and creative movement activities. She started getting involved with theatre. She was in two plays. She was in Hansel and Gretel and she was also in Stone Soup. She had a great experience and even memorized lines. Marah has grown a lot this past year. She is small for her age but has a big heart!!!
Connor was born December 19th 2009! Connor is a miracle asset to our family. His birthday will always be cherished too because he adds to the absence of Joe's parents Roger and Mary who died around the holiday season. Of course we have always had a wonderful Christmas and family times with Liam and Marah but Connor just adds to the joy of the season offering us a way to see both the joys and sorrows that come this time of year. Although last year we spent Christmas day in the hospital because Connor got jaundice and they wanted him to gain wait. Connor has blossomed this year mile stone after milestone. He rolled over at 3 1/2 months. He sat up at 6 months, crawled at 7 1/2 months, he started walking at 10 months and 2 weeks. Just yesterday December 2nd, Connor tried toddler running across the living room. He falls down and he gets right back up. He has 3 teeth and is about to turn 1. I can hardly believe this year has gone by so fast.
Joe has been working really hard to finish his Degree in Computers. We are fortunate that Joe has been the stay at home dad while going school. Its so great that Connor has had his first year at home.
I started my 3rd year at the Lansing School District as a Kindergarten Readiness Teacher Assistant. I recently joined the Great Start Parent Coalition as a member this organization serves as a resource for parents of children 0-5 in the greater Lansing area. I also am Secretary of the Environments Committee for Cumberland Elementary where I teach. I really love my job and I keep looking for ways to stay at my job even though I don't get paid in the summer months. But I am very fortunate to be in a job I love!!!
I am looking forward to the next year to come.
Happy holiday Season to all my friends, family and dear ones!
