First Grade Blues

We are a little blue. Russell is having a hard time finishing work in class. It started out slowly, but now it is every day. And it isn't that he is incapable of doing the work or that he is being defiant, he just can not sit and concentrate. He's frustrated because he knows he can do the work, but he can't sit and do it. We're frustrated for the same reasons. When he gets home from school, I have to pretty much sit with him the entire time to help keep him focused on the task at hand. If I don't, then it takes him at least twice as long to finish. We think his self confidence is lower because of all of this and it is heartbreaking.
Some of this started in Kindergarten, but Kindergarten has more time in the day for finishing work, so it wasn't a huge concern. But now that he's in first grade and has more involved work all day long, he just can't get it done. Luckily, his teacher is really great and good at communicating what he is doing in class. Russ gets a lot of support in his class with the second teacher that helps and his speech therapist that also is in class twice per week to help, so he isn't missing out on the instruction and group activities; the self work is his big challenge.
So, can you guess where this leading???? Yep, we off to the psychiatrist to start an ADHD evaluation. Ugh. Is it the end of the world? No. But, you start to wonder is this kid ever going to get a break? Who knows? Maybe this is the 'break'? I guess all we can do is move forward with this, see where we land and keep on keepin' on!

Germs!!!

Rachel started school on Monday (obligatory picture, Rach picked out everything she wore!!) and she already has a cold. Her school started uneventfully. There were some crying classmates, so she fussed in her fake crying way. But, she got over herself! She has two friends from last year in class and two friends from SoccerTots in class too. One of our soccer/school pals is my OB's daughter - small world!!

So, germs. Last night the nose was starting to run and today, well can you say, DRAINAGE??? Bleh! It does seem early in the school year to start this up, but I guess it is unavoidable. At least we have a three day weekend to rest.

We have been planning a long weekend trip to Atlanta. We have been wanting to go and see the Georgia Aquarium and some of the other sites. Adam and I realized that if we didn't go soon, we might never go. So, we'll be off the last weekend of September. I am really looking forward to going. We think the kids are going to LOVE the aquarium. We'll also go to the zoo and then who knows what else we'll do. Our hotel is next to a mall with a Macy's. I haven't been to a Macy's in years - so I'll definitely be going there!!! : ) Before you mock me, if you lived here, you'd understand the lack of shopping options and how depressing it truly is.

And then we get our big ultrasound for the baby on Sept. 27th. Finally, we will know what this baby will be! Still no names picked, but maybe after we know if it is boy or girl it will be easier to decide.