There are so many kids Davis’ age at church that are graduating from Elementary school this year. So Megan, Laurie M, and I decided to throw them a graduation party.

I made them each a photo cupcake topper with their new school colors on it. I also brought balloons in all of the school colors so they would feel united and more grown up. I wanted Davis to know that he isn’t alone in how he’s feeling – they’re all growing up together.

Megan has such a fabulous backyard with plenty of space for the kids to play and run around. The party started with water cannons and the slip ‘n slide.

Megan’s neighbor has a bounce house and kindly let us use it. The gymnasts had so much fun in it doing their flips and bonding with each other.

Laurie M was in charge of the games and they had a blast! The object of the first game was to transfer the water in the first bucket to the last bucket while blindfolded.

Next, they had to fill a 2 liter water bottle (cut with a window in front) that was on a child’s head, to the line with a water gun while taking turns in their line.

Lisa and I watching all the fun.

They also had to put on a wet suit, life jacket, and goggles relay.

They ended the party with a huge water balloon fight.

Davis really got into it. {{giggle}}

I still can’t believe it’s summer already and my little guy will now be in Intermediate school. I have an appointment with the new principle next week. I’m hoping I’ll feel better about the whole experience after talking to him. {{fingers crossed}}

I made the boys a special shirt for them to wear the last day of school. I can’t take credit for the idea, I got it from Cristin.

I have major mommy guilt for being AWOL the last half of the year and really credit the boys teachers for their success. I thought it would be appropriate to publicly thank them by adding it to their shirts.

I believe every teacher of a Turk boy deserves bragging rights! Their teachers got such a kick out of the shirts and felt validated.

Davis walked with all A’s and 1 B. He grew up so much this year and exceeded our expectations as he only got 3 answers wrong on his TAKS test! A huge accomplishment considering his sensory integration issues, lack of comprehension skills, and anxiety.

I was on the verge of tears during the ceremony. I made it through both classes without a hint of a tear. That is… until I saw Christina (Davis’ teacher from last year). Then I lost it and we teared up together.

I’m full of emotions:

Pride, for Davis and all the hard work it took to get to this stage.
Love, for this little guy in whom you have to serve so much.
Fear, for the challenges he will face in Intermediate school.
Exhaustion, for the constant hard work it takes to keep him on task and moving forward.

Unbelief, that we actually made it through Elementary school. Over the years, we have been to physical therapy twice a week, play therapy once a week, countless specialists, Meyer’s Developmental Clinic, Holistic specialist, gluten free/dairy free diet for a year, herbal supplements, and medications. We have gone through developmental testing with psychologist a few times, had to hire an attorney to protect his rights, and have been in more ARD meetings than I can count.

I have had to negotiate, cry, yell, demand, keep my cool when I wanted to explode, suck it up, and humble myself over and over again.

We’ve tried out almost every sport not because he wants to but because he has to gain exposure. We constantly push Davis to try new things, expose him to different environments, and teach him to adapt.

Instead of escaping into lovely novels, I read self help books, autism books, and parenting books every year to keep myself educated and up to date on the needs of my kiddo. I’m constantly having to keep myself in check because you can’ teach what you don’t know. And there’s A LOT I don’t know.

I gave myself a moment to feel all the overwhelming emotions I was feeling. However, it was time to take my boys home and celebrate all that we’ve accomplished together.

“Welcome to Summer!”

Ready or not here we come!

First up, was lunch at a new hamburger joint with Billy and Lisa.

It was Lisa’s birthday so we had a lot to celebrate. Since Jason was out of town, it was so nice to have them there which made it feel like more of a special occasion.

Next up, Davis’ graduation party…

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m on this purging kick. I’ve been getting rid of everything in my home we no longer use. Life has most definitely gotten away from me as my home as become overrun with stuff.

With summer here I needed a plan of attack on how to manage my household more efficiently. The solution – the less you have the less you have to clean.

So the last full day of school I tackled the upstairs and purged it. It felt great emotionally but did a number on my poor back.

I was completely lame with teacher gifts this year. I just purchased beaded lanyards and a summer treat. It’s my go-to gift in a pinch.

I was hoping the boxes made up for the lack of creativity inside. I got them at Canton a year or so ago.

Davis’ class has some OTT room moms which I really appreciate and admire. They went all out with autograph dogs, a framed picture of the class from Sky Ranch with their name on it, and topped off with a DVD of all the pictures they collected throughout the year. {{squeal in delight}}

Oh, I almost forgot! They also made each child their own personalized chocolate bar. I cannot even imagine how long it took the two of them to put this together.

During the party, the kiddos enjoyed an ice cream bar while they watched the DVD of their last year in Elementary school.

It was one fabulous party and Drake was all over it.

Dylan’s party was amazing as well. They had a luau with personalized surf boards that all their classmates could sign, played games like Limbo, with fruit cabobs and yummy food.

Dylan’s 2 year crush is moving this summer. I’m so sad for him. Skylar is such a darling girl and treated Dylan so kindly.

My sweet boy won’t have Davis or Skylar at school next year. So my goal is to arrange lots of play dates this summer so he can make new friends and connections.

Drake made himself right at home as he found all of his favorite things in each classroom. He behaved so well as we yo yo’d from classroom to classroom several times throughout the afternoon.

I was the first person to wish my sister Lisa Happy Birthday! We were up late finishing a project I was doing for Davis’ graduation party. I just adore her and am so glad she had the most amazing birthday week! Billy out did himself with several thoughtful gifts and excursions.

It’s been a Woodruff weekend as my darling friend Jen is getting remarried and moving to Arizona. It’s bitter-sweet as I am so happy for her but will miss her terribly.

Her kiddos are my kiddos ages and they are a blast to be around. Her boys are more outgoing and adventurous than mine and have been such good examples to them. I have thoroughly enjoyed having Ella in my home as she’s a burst of fresh air in this testosterone filled home.

Jen has many talents and glides through life with elegance despite the difficult challenges she’s had to face. She’s been an inspiration on how to handle adversity and an asset on how to handle my ADHD son. I’ll miss my go-to-girl for advice and straight forward how-to with the school.

Jen also knows how to throw a party! Armed with $1 squirt cannons, water balloons, baseball, volleyball, and sand the kids had a blast.

The group of kids, even though large in number, were caring and made sure everyone got a chance to play. I was really impressed with the sportsmanship shown and how everyone was just there to have a good time.

The water spout was the focus for my kids as they constantly filled up their water cannons. Davis may have squirted several adults a couple times while trying to get his water as high in the air as possible. Hasn’t his mother taught him better! {{geeze}}

Davis playing volleyball is a sight to behold. I had to remind him a couple times that he can’t build a sand castle on the court. {{I’m not kidding}}

I’m sure the volleyball players won’t appreciate the new sand castles and motes that now surround their court. However, the kids had so much fun creating them.

Drake wasn’t strong enough to use his water cannon, so he used it to poke holes in the sand. The boy was so stoked at his new talent. He did this for at least 20 minutes. It was too funny.

The party was well planned and executed. Everyone had something to do and it was a nice send off for the kiddos to their new life in AZ. We wish them happiness and unity in their new adventure. With Jenn as their mom, I know they’ll have it.

My house is straight up loud. From the moment Turk boys take their first breath – they know how to wail. Their vocal chords are fully developed and they use them for all kinds of noises, sounds, and rhythms.

They mostly use their God-given ability for good; roaring laughs, ear piercing squeals, and pure enjoyment hubbub.

Turk boys seem to believe that being a brotherhood is a contact sport. They use their entire bodies to communicate. They run, stomp, crash into things, and play with enthusiasm.

Turk tantrums are a sight to behold. Set on a stage they would be Oscar nominated as their performance consumes their entire body.

The pure energy Turk boys put out would most certainly run a small power plant for an entire day. I would be wealthy beyond imagination if I could bottle it up in pill form.

Turk boys know how to use their acoustics to their benefit. You’re never left guessing as to what they need or how they feel.

Turk boys are silly beyond recognition.

They love physical comedy and are always up for making each other laugh, doing stunts, and recently video taping their adventures.

Turk boys have amazing smiles and are bit of camera hogs. When the camera comes out, the cheese in them is released and it’s go time!

Turk boys know how to laugh and never seem to tire of it. They make crazy faces, say the silliest things, and will do anything for a giggle.

Turk boys know how to transmit how they are feeling! It’s usually verbal, loud, and with intensity.

Can you believe that I’m still trying to get used to the pandemonium also know as the Turk home? You’d think I’d be used to it by now. It’s a wild and crazy ride and the Turk boys always have something up their sleeve.

I adore these little beings more than they can comprehend. I just hope they don’t only remember Mom as always getting on them to “BE QUIET!”

At times the noise can be overstimulating, overwhelming, over powering. With summer looming in the distance I’m hoping I can make the transition with patience and elegance.

You know I’m devoted to my children’s appreciation when I get up at 7:00am and hustle them all to Muffins with Mom. It’s such a wonderful even the PTA puts on, but I’d rather it be “Lunch with the Ladies”. {{wink}}

At any rate the boys and I had a great time and I even got a couple phone numbers of other Mother’s for play dates this summer. Score!

Thanks to the pig flu splash day was rescheduled. The school district did a great job in freaking my kids out by cancelling everything.

Now that the epidemic has been diverted, the life of an 8 year old can go on with water games also known as Splash Day.

I think the kids had a little bit of fun. I’m not quite sure though. {{reeking with sarcasm}}

Having kiddos 2 years apart, it’s always double duty and after giving Dylan his due attention, Drake and I headed on over to Davis’ classroom for lunch.

Drake was more concerned about stealing Davis’ Doritos than anything else.

One of his favorite people is in Davis’ class and I finally got him to go over into the circle of girls and have lunch with her. {{evil laugh}} With a bag full of cheesy goodness and 8 girls giggling and playing with him; I was able to have a nice lunch and conversation with Davis.

Near the end, one of Davis’ male classmates came over to him and whispered in his ear, “Does Drake want to marry Emily?” (sister of Davis’ classmate) I started cracking up!! Leave it to a bunch of 4th graders to find great pleasure in the crush of a 3 year old. Geeze, they have one track minds.

Davis & Dylan have been mini-Spielberg’s lately catching everything on video tape using our old video camera. Well, this evening Davis brought it to me because he had dropped it and it was falling apart. Luckily Dad was here and he was able to put it back together and get it to work again.

I grounded him from using it for the rest of the day and offered up other choices they could do with their new found time.

A little while later Davis came to me and told me that he was going to try to fix it himself and not tell me that he had dropped it. However, he remembered the story in the friend (Broken Trust) we read together about the little girl who broke the doll but ended up telling her neighbor about it. He said, that she felt better after telling the truth in the story and he now feels better as well. “It worked”, Davis said with a shy grin.

I gave him a big hug, thanked him for not only listening to our stories but also using the lessons learned. It was a bonding moment for Davis and me. I’m never quite sure if he’s ever listening to me or if it’s sinking in. I guess it is and I’m doing my job after all. Who knew?

So my sister still has NOT sold her house. She has anywhere from 2-5 showings a week but no offers. My boys have been seriously disappointed that Aunt Lisa still is not living with us. However, her man (Billy) has been living with us for several months now and the boys boys have grown very attached.

There are several perks to having Billy around. He takes out the trash, he plays hide ‘n seek with the boys, he does man yoga with the boys (pictures to come), occasionally goes grocery shopping, and is around when Jason’s out of town.

Well yesterday Billy ordered too many Subway sandwiches for the luncheon he hosted and the boys and I were treated to a free dinner!

Whoohoo! It was great because I had no idea what I was going to fix for dinner. The boys even ate 2 sandwiches to earn 2 cookies. Ah, the little joys in life.

You will never believe what they wanted to do after dinner and our reading time. I really can’t believe it myself, but they wanted to watch The Phantom of the Opera!

{{You just spit out your Diet Coke didn’t you!!}}

I was flabbergasted! I hadn’t seen it until the Movie came out in like 2005. Don’t be surprised, we’re not a musical or cultural family. To this day Jason doesn’t know who Snow White is. I’m not kidding. But if there’s a super hero in it, you know we’ve seen it many times! {{giggle}}

Apparently, their music teacher has been talking about it all week. Dylan has this monster book and the Phantom of the Opera is in it, so they grabbed the book, read everything about him, debated on what was actually true or not (according to their music teacher), and then sat down to watch the movie.

When I had back surgery my man hooked me up with an embarrassingly large flat screen as well as instantly downloadable movies from Netflix. Since they aren’t 13 yet they can not watch PG13 movies. A fact they try to negotiate constantly. {{tired}}

However, Netflix did have the black & white (w/o dialogue) version to instantly download from 1925. I told the boys that they wouldn’t like it but they could watch it if they wanted to. At first, they were very confused why they couldn’t hear the people talking. So Drake and I acted out the dialogue for them; “Oh No! (in high pitched dramatic voice) That man came out of the cave and then disappeared.”

The boys were not digging my substandard acting skills but like all things crazy fun and a little weird, it caught on and we had a fun time with it. They ended up watching the movie for an hour before it was time for “lights out”. {{a.k.a. quiet time to please mommy}}