Pax-Max

I had my second Parent/Teacher conference for Mr. Paxton James today with his sweet sweet teacher, Mrs. Leaverton! Albeit, yes, he is simply in PreK and this is not a major conference to most people; however, with Paxton's social/emotional "issues" I was equally eager and anxious for this conference!
Let me first document, there is absolutely NO doubt in my mind that we have our children at the best school around! We started the conference looking at where Pax is academically. He is soaring! Way above where he needs to be in order to be ready for Kindergarten! His teacher mentioned on several occasions that there is nothing he cannot do when he is taught new things, and he does them all wonderfully!! Way to go my smart boy!!! We moved on to discussing his social/emotional needs. I love how sweet his teacher approached this issue. She began by saying "I have no doubt that the Lord has created Paxton to change the world in amazing ways. He is not afraid to question, argue and plead his view on anything and everything!" Ha. Kind of a double sided complement and area of frustration for all of us with Mr. P. He is SO opinionated, passionate and down right argumenative. The weird part is, for most kids, they would have learned already that YOU never get your way by arguing with me or your teacher. His teacher is strict and kind. She does not give in to him and neither do we. He has quite the battle to face with this personality trait, BUT I loved the gentle reminder, that the Lord created Paxton exactly the way he wanted him. He has major plans for him and HE needs Paxton to be a strong strong boy in order to accomplish HIS will.
We are all in agreement that Paxton is beyond ready for Kindergarten academically and he will just have to fight through his natural tendencies and continue to grow and mature socially and emotionally!!
Now, I just about lost it sitting in the tiny PreK chairs, holding hands with his sweet teacher as she prayed over our family and Paxton. She mentioned just how perfect the Lord created Paxton, how sweet he is and what an amazing child he is! I just love the love she has for him even on the most difficult of days!!!
Paxton James, you have come SO far this school year. You are a kind boy, you are making sweet friends, you are super duper smart and you are maturing SO so much!! We are so proud of you buddy!

Daylight Savings

Oh Harper girl, you express my thoughts on daylight savings time as well!!! Where did that extra hour go??

But oh how excited we are for more daylight in the evenings!!!!

Mono and strep throat and ear aches...oh my

The sickness this winter had just lingered on and on and on. Maddox is still battling mono and with a compromised immune system, he continues to catch other nasty bugs along the way and has a much harder time getting rid of the bug. The mono has made it super hard for him to concentrate and he started struggling with his school work (which, if you know Maddox, he certainly doesn't struggle to keep up academically). He is exhausted and thus irritable. This week he came home from school on Monday with a double ear infection only to be woken up in the middle of the night with the stomach bug. He was bent over, crying out in pain with his tummy which of course freaks me out bc I was told to be aware of stomach pain because it could mean problems with his spleen. The doctor called him in and anti-nausea medication and I was told if the stomach pain subsided with the meds, then he just had a tummy bug. If it didn't, then we needed an ultrasound of his spleen. Thankfully, the meds worked great and he was given some relief. 

He was finally able to return to school today and attend his valentines party!! Whew. He would have been so so sad if he had to miss that. 

I have I brag a little on his sweet sweet teacher. When I had to pick him up early from school because his ear was hurting, she asked if it would be ok with me if she shared a little about what was going on with MADD to some of the other teachers so they could join us in praying for healing over him. The prayers were definitely felt, and today was the best day he has had in almost 2 months! Also, his teacher had all the kids make him get tell soon cards that were sent home for him to read. So so precious!! Then, one of his little buddies at school (well, with the help if his awesome momma) got him a sweet get well soon care package with a smily face balloon attached and they dropped it off at the front door. Adorable!!

We defiantly felt the love this week. I can honestly say, nothing brings me more joy than to watch other people love on my son and make him feel special. (It makes me excited about the day... A very very long time from now, when I have the chance to watch my son marry a girl that loves and adores him. Nothing brings your momma heart happiness like watching others love the child you love so dearly). Any who, that was super off topic!!!

We continue to pray for complete healing, added energy and the ability to fully concentrate during the hard days. We also pray for guidance for brad and I and Maddox's teacher to know when to push him to try harder and when to show Grace as he struggles to overcome this nasty mono!! We are sure thankful for such an amazing school and a wonderful teacher!! 

Here is Maddox with his care package from his sweet friend

Here is a picture the sweet momma sent me of her adorable little boy "sneaking" the surprise to the front door. He rang the door bell and ran off. So cute!

Here's the super fun shark mail box Maddox and I made for his valentines treats. Such a fun project. He did so good!!!

Daddy surprised him and came to the party!!!

Chapel Program

On Wednesday mornings at the kids school, they participate in chapel. They sing praise songs, someone/or class provides a message and the kiddos join together to formally learn more about the Lord. Each class gets a chance to lead the chapel service and this week it was Maddox's class!!! Oh my mercy, it was such a precious little service. The kids led the "congregation" in all of the pledges and the school Bible verse and then Maddox got up there, in front of all of the pre-k through 3rd grade classes and parents and led us all in prayer. Melt my heart. Such a brave soul and such a sweet sweet spirit!! His class taught us all about the free gift of Grace. Each child had several speaking parts and Maddox even played the part of Moses. It was epic. Such a wonderful time!

 Here is Mrs. Bolton and her precious class as they were gearing up for the program. I cannot express how amazing his sweet teacher is. We all absolutely adore her and her ability to teach her class and mold their hearts. 

Here is the entire class after the program

The best looking Moses ever. On a super funny note, when Maddox walked on stage with this bear, Harper squealed "Oh hi, Santa" hahahah. Love it

Such an amazing group of kiddos!!!!

Here kitty kitty

Glasses

Paxton received a new fashion accessory!!!

Seriously, this kid could be a model for glasses! Such a handsome little man sporting his new specs! He is amazed and how much more detail he can see, and I am amazed at how well he has taken to wearing them. He is very responsible with them and knows if "they aren't on his face, they are in a case". 

Now, the only thing I don't like about these glasses, is the way they have matured and aged him! Please stay my baby forever pax-max!!!

7

Catching up is all I seem to do lately. Ha. Well, thansgiving, Christmas have come and gone and the new year is well under way, and there would just be way too much to attempt to catch up on, instead I will just start fresh and hope to throw in a few pictures later on!

Big news in our house...we have a 7 year old! How on earth has time gone so quickly and now our first born, the one who officially made me a mommy, is now a big seven year old! Such a great time. I love this age with him. He is smart, funny, he is able to read (super well by the way) he loves Jesus and is passionate about that, he is independent and loving! I absolutely adore my Maddox boy!

He is still loving 1st grade. He makes friends faster than anyone I have ever seen! He has found a new passion for building with Legos, and he loves to read his adventure Bible that he received for Christmas. He laughs the hardest when being tickled and he gets upset the easiest when he knows he had disappointed someone. He is fiesty, opinionated, and determined that everyone do the right thing. There is very little grey in his world. Things are either right or wrong and it truly bothers him to see someone do something "wrong". 

He is such a good kid and I pray he knows how much he is loved and adored!!!

Oh my Maddox, I pray 7 is the best year yet!!!