Pedal Pushers

Reni's arrival into our family has shown us something new about our daughter... she apparently has a very competitive streak buried deep inside of her!  It was first manifested in the form of 'competitions' at dinner time.  While we love to hear our daughter talk, we didn't appreciate that she often wouldn't start eating her food until the rest of us were well done with ours.  We made the innocent (?) comment one night, "Look!  Reni is beating you at eating his ___________ (fill in the blank)." Now we have to remind her that it's not important if she finishes first, that it's not a race, and stuffing your mouth to overflowing isn't healthy, safe or attractive.  But, it has led her to eat foods that previously she wouldn't touch (like her fruits and veggies), so she can 'beat' her brother. 

Fast forward to the last several days since Nathan has returned from Japan.  Our evening routine has turned into eat, clean up supper, then head outside for a walk with Reni riding his new trike.  It didn't take too many nights before Ellie decided she couldn't be outdone by her little brother and that her bike (which has been sitting in the garage for a few years) was due for a dusting off.  Here are pics from about a week ago when she took it on her inaugural ride outside of our driveway.  Note the small size of the helmet -- we have been waiting a long time for her to overcome her anxiety!  A new, properly fitting helmet has since been purchased.  And Reni now has a helmet too.  UH-dorable.  We are so proud of our kids, but especially of Ellie for overcoming this fear and finding joy and freedom in this activity.

Enjoy these pics of the kids riding in the empty campus parking lot.  We also take spins around the campus sidewalks -- a child bike rider's paradise!

A very quick, but related sidenote:  this morning Ellie had her 6-year check up with Dr. Taylor.  When it was finished (and she had cooperated quite well), she asked, "Did I beat the other patients?"  Yes, she is competitive!

And since some readers were unsure of how Reni's tricycle works, here is a brief cell phone video of him demonstrating the "hand" pedals:

The "Albania Song"

I completely lost track of time and forgot to post the bicycle pictures and video, BUT, the Wyatt's shared this quick clip from Cheers which I haven't seen in years.  If you want to learn some quick facts about Albania, you'll get a kick out of this (if you haven't seen it already).  The Waggoner kids will be back on here Sunday... ;-)

Ellie's End-of-the-Year Kindergarten Program

Just hours before picking Nathan up at the airport, I was pleased to attend Ellie's Kindergarten awards program.  Her class performed 3 or 4 songs.  Ellie's was last.  She was the alligator in the song, "5 Little monkeys".  You can watch her stellar performance here (seriously -- she did her part with no prompting.  I was so proud!):

With classmate, Lillie

Ellie and Ms. Paula, the teacher's aide

Ellie and Mrs. B -- an amazing Kindergarten teacher who went above and beyond.  We are so grateful!

Ellie and her special ed teacher, Mrs. Moberly -- this wonderful teacher has come up with some creative strategies for Ellie that have been great!

On Tuesday we had a meeting with Ellie's team, this time to discuss the possibility of retention.  Before I share what we have decided to do for next year, let me give a little background: The day before Nathan left for Japan we had Ellie's annual ARC meeting to plan her next IEP (individualized education plan).  We went into the meeting wanting one thing for Ellie, but left with our ideas for her next year of school even more muddled.  Because of state requirements for Ellie to continue to receive special education services, she needed a "label" for her needs.  After lots of testing, it appears that she is landing somewhere on the autism spectrum.  This was shared with us at her ARC meeting and allowed us to have some time to mull over all of her results before her retention meeting at the end of the month.

While the pros and cons for holding her back to repeat Kindergarten appeared to be pretty equal, it appears that she likely has a lifelong disability that more time to mature won't cure.  We also began to realize that in order for Ellie to face the fewest numbers of educational transitions (which transitions have historically really disrupted and delayed her learning), she probably needs to move on to 1st grade. Due to school policy, she can not repeat the same teaching team she has had this year -- but she theoretically could repeat her 1st grade teaching team if deemed necessary.  Her IEP has some very specific requirements which will ensure that the learning strategies which have been successful in Kindergarten should continue on at her new school for 1st grade.  Her Village teaching team has also expressed a strong desire to help her new team at Wilmore Elementary so that she can have as successful a year of 1st grade as possible.

Through these meetings with her teachers, we've gotten a clearer picture of our Ellie at school.  We heard lots of positive things about her from a social perspective that were new to us -- probably my favorite word was "charismatic."  I think it explains why she appears to be so well liked by everyone who knows her (and at her school of more than 800 kids, it appears that EVERYONE of the staff knows her!).  They said she seeks out social interaction with her peers (something we did not witness in pre-school) and her classmates enjoy her company (I've heard this from teachers as well as parents who say their children have "Ellie stories"). This kind of feedback also helps alleviate some of the fear that accompanies a possible diagnosis like autism which has a lot of social implications.  But it is precisely because Ellie is so well liked, that there were fears that she might not receive the positive peer modeling she needs should she remain in Kindergarten (where she might be rule as queen bee of her class). Whereas in first grade, her peers would be more likely to give her the social correction that she needs to understand appropriate behavior.  Additionally, she has met all the content benchmarks for Kindergarten and with some individualized instruction they assured us she has the intellectual capacity to handle 1st grade material.  So... we move forward and covet your prayers for us as we prepare her for a new school and all that it brings.  After three years at the Early Learning Village, I think Mom and Dad are more nervous about her new school than she is!

On a final note, we learned this week that Ellie will be evaluated at Cincinnati Children's Hospital in early December.  While that may sound a long ways off, we're hearing that it's actually about half the wait time for most kids awaiting evaluation by them.  We're on a cancellation list and have been told she's been given "priority status" -- by whom, we don't know, but we're not arguing!

Check back tomorrow for some fun bicycle pics and video!  And maybe for a slightly better edited version of this post.  It's late.  I'm tired.  I'll fix my mistakes later. ;-)

Presents from Japan

Nathan brought the kids these gifts home from Japan.  Funny how we didn't have to show Reni once how to use a sword.  He picked it up, swung it through the air and said, "Hee-yaw!"  Yes.  Totally 100% boy.  And we didn't ask him to make this face for the camera either.

For Ellie's sake I'm glad this sword is padded.

100% GIRL

2 Swords is better than one.

Scroll down to the post below to view kayaking pics.
Coming up tomorrow:  Ellie's Kindergarten Awards program (sniff, sniff).

River Rats

Nathan came home Friday afternoon to a very excited family.  He was able to stay up til 8PM, then we were all up bright and early to pull the kayaks out of storage.  

[If you like our beach bag, you can snag your own over at the Minus 1 Project! and help them bring home their little one from Korea ;-)]

 Ellie was pumped.  First of all, she got a new life jacket since Reni was inheriting her old one.  Here she is smiling because we're approaching a rather large and loud waterfall.

When you don't give a child a paddle, they get bored and try to do things like throw their water bottles in the river.  His sister tried this on her inaugural kayak ride so Mommy was prepared and had quick hands to catch it before it could be lost forever in the depths of the Kentucky River.

This ride has been anticipated since we purchased our "boats" (as the kids call 'em) four years ago.  You see, when we bought the two kayaks (a single and a tandem), we bought them in anticipation of having a sibling for Ellie someday.  The tandem has the capability of holding two child jump seats, one of which has been Ellie's seat back in the roomy back compartment where Nathan sits.  Saturday morning we installed the second one in my front compartment, up between where my feet rest.  Let's just say it's convenient that Reni doesn't have feet because I don't know that there would be room for 4 of them up there!  This set-up will suit us perfectly though at least through this summer.

 Not bad for over my shoulder, if I may say so myself.

 Reni wasn't upset about riding down the river, but I don't know that he really understood the hooplah at first.  Trying to get him excited by showing him his sister and Dad in the back.

All he wanted to do was eat "nah" (snacks).  That was Ellie's favorite part at first too.

Oh my goodness, what a cool dude.  I just had to include both pictures.  Shades or no shades?  Watch out girls!

 NOW he's figuring out this river thing.  This is kinda fun!

Ellie's showing interest in paddling!  This is good because I'm thinking next summer she might be taking over my seat and I'll be in the single ... where I will have much more leg room. ;-)
As we were packing everything up to return home, Nathan and I remarked how happy we were with our kayaks -- such a great family activity to get us outside and doing something fun altogether, enjoying the beautiful nature practically in our back yard!

Come back for photos from Ellie's Kindergarten awards party, riding bikes, and news about our decision regarding Ellie's schooling for next year.  SO much to share!

Virtual Reality

Anyone who knows me well, knows I am a fan of technology.  From the Canon DSLR cameras that we have been using to film here in Japan, to the Skype web calls that have helped make the distance from home feel smaller.  Japan is a land of technology.  I learned yesterday that many public women's bathrooms have a motion sensing sound machine in the stalls that "flush" to cover potentially embarrassing sounds.  There is little you can't find sold by vending machine, starting from the familiar drinks and snacks to toys and even lingerie.  There are no ticket windows for the trains or subways either, only an ATM style machine for the tickets that are then taken by a machine at the turn style to let you in or out of the station.  On the train, most passengers are texting away on their phones. (Interestingly, talking on your phone in enclosed places like the train or restaurants is considered rude and doesn't happen much.  Maybe we can make that catch on in the USA!)  With all of this technology around us, it is easy to be surrounded by people, yet feel disconnected.  Sometimes it is even hard to know what a 'real' relationship feels like.

On Thursday morning here in Tokyo (Wednesday night in Wilmore), I was able to get through to Cydil and the kids for a treasured Skype video call.  Cydil corralled Ellie and Reni long enough to bring them downstairs to the computer with our webcam and I heard the welcome "Do Da Do plop Do Da" Skype ringtone.  As the audio picked up and the video turned on, I heard Elisona complain, "I don't want that daddy!  I want the real one!"  She dutifully answered a few questions about her day at school, but got bored with her 'Skype Daddy' pretty quickly.  Reni giggled when I pretended to tickle his belly through the screen, but he didn't last too long either.  Cydil was soon distracted by Reni's dirty diaper that I could neither see nor help remedy, so the call ended with Cydil continuing to hold down the fort in my absence and me getting some breakfast to be ready for another day of videoing here in Tokyo.  Ellie counts days by the number of 'sleeps' between events, so for the last week or so the number of sleeps has been steadily decreasing.  I am actually typing this from the Tokyo airport and will post it in Chicago, so the number of sleeps is down to zero!  Yesterday Ellie told Cydil, "First I'll see his feet. Then I'll see his belly. Then I'll see his face and I'll say, DADDY!"  That picture will keep me motivated through the 11+ hour flight!  Ellie will have her 'real' daddy back!  One hug is more powerful than hours of Skype.

Sometimes we approach God like we do vending machines.  We robotically attend church and punch our spiritual time clock.  We have turned relationship into religion.  Not only does that substitution leave us empty, it does little to attract others to the Good News. One of the reasons the church is so small in Japan is that most non-Christians think Christianity is like all of the other religions they know about - a list of do's and don'ts.  There are some strong believers that are working hard to change that perception.  The earthquake and tsunami have made many in Japan long for something more real.  The church is seeking to be the hands and feet of Jesus.  Through their work, some Japanese are experiencing the comfort of God as a loving Father for the first time. Isn't that what we all want? A hug from our real daddy?  How amazing that we serve a personal God.  Our heavenly father is more than words in a book He is a personal God who wants to be involved intimately in our lives. Time and space are not obstacles for Him!  

One More Sleep...

Ellie has been counting down the sleeps since Sunday.  This morning she rubbed her eyes and said, "One more sleep til REAL Daddy is here!"

"Real Daddy" is Nathan-in-person versus "Computer Daddy" (Nathan-on-Skype).  Last night she told him, "Daddy, I want you here so you can hug me!  Then I can play with my swords."  (Last week he showed her on Skype a gift he bought for her and Reni: padded samurai swords).

We got a happy surprise with news that Nathan would be landing about 7 hours earlier than originally planned.  This means that after Ellie's end-of-the-year awards party tomorrow afternoon, we can ALL go to the airport and pick him up.  As usual, Ellie had a special way of describing her seeing her Dad again and it went like this:  "First I'll see his feet, then I'll see his belly, then I'll see his face and say, 'Daaadddyyy!'" (Referring to watching him come down the escalator -- evidently her memories of this airport arrival with Reni are pretty fresh).

And how do I anticipate Reni's reaction?  In typical Reni style, he'll probably punch the air with a fist, grin, and say, "Yay!"

Thanks for praying for the kids and I during these 15 days home alone.  Overall, it has gone really, really well but we'll ALL be glad when Daddy is home.

Happy Birthday, Nathan!

Happy Birthday, Babe!  Your birthday was officially over in Japan about 15 minutes ago, but you still have 12 hours and 45 minutes remaining here in the Eastern Time Zone!  I read your blog and it looks like you were treated well by your hosts and team members!  I tried three different takes to get the kids saying something to you on camera but it didn't turn out so well -- maybe if I had your mad video editing skills we could have had something cute. ;-)  Ellie kept singing Happy Birthday to her brother -- perhaps because singing to someone not present was too abstract?  Ah well, you know our girl.  When she has it in her mind to be silly, silly she will be!

We love you, appreciate you (even more when you are absent! ;-) ) and can't imagine life without you.  You are an amazing dad, friend, partner, team mate, and much, much more.  We celebrate you today and thank God for the gift of your life!

Love, me.