Sunday, May 31, 2015

Driving In the Rain

Today was the first time Caz drove in the rain.  As soon as the first drop fell, I ran into the house to grab him.  This was the perfect time to dive in less than ideal conditions.  He has to learn some time.
     We drove for 40 mins, all over northwest Duxbury.  We ventured into some unfamiliar territory.  It threw him a little.  He wasn't able to go by rote.  Some turns were a tad too fast.  Others were a tad too slow.  All in all, he drove well.  He made his first attempt at parking.  It wasn't terrible.  We practiced a few more times, then drove home.  It's a work in progress.  And I would say Caz is off to a good start.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Taking Flight

It was nice to see Caz take a risk today.  He stepped out of his comfort zone.  This was a great example of a little encouragement going a long way.
     He finished his sprint practice the other day.  He and his buddy, Reese, were watching the end of javelin practice.  Goofing around, they both decided to throw.  Reese got of a decent throw.  Then Caz stepped up and let it fly.  One of the throwing coaches just happened to look up as it went sailing out, over 110 feet.  The coach then asked him to do that again.  Which he did.  He was promptly told he would be throwing in the next meet.
     He was very excited when he came home that day.  He bypassed his usual nervousness over doing something outside of his comfort zone or outside of his routine.  Never mind the fact that Dad had been telling him to go to javelin practice all season.  What does Dad ever know, right?  But hey, he did it.  He threw in the meet today and threw well.  He only used a two step, as opposed to a full run up.  That will come. But he threw very well.  Had he been throwing with the top throwers, he may have nearly placed.  It doesn't matter how he got there.  He got there.  Hopefully, he will continue.  Success breeds success, correct?

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Keep on Truckin'

Back on track with Coco today.  It had been a long stretch between being able to get him in for a full school day.  Yesterday was just a complete kick in the arse.  Coco had a legitimate cold.  Sure it happens.  All the kids get a cold or the flu.  But when you are struggling to get a kid there consistently, on the days he is physically sick, it's just rubbing salt in the wound.
     On a more positive note, he may actually be close to being caught up with school work.  At least so he tells us.  And we were able to finalize his IEP.  The school has been really great with us so far on that but like any administrative process, it just takes time.  It seems like forever when it is impacting your child.

Friday, May 15, 2015

The Thrill is Gone

Legendary Bluesman, BB King, passed today.  Or maybe technically, last night.  It is sad on quite a few levels.  One is certainly that the world lost a first class musician.  It also signaled the end of an era.  BB is really the last well known blues artist that defined the era.
     I find that I am waxing nostalgic from when the boys were little, especially Caz.  We used to listen to a lot of BB King when the boys were little.  Caz would ask for BB all the time.  We would play the blues while cooking breakfast, pancakes, eggs, bacon,....all the breakfast necessities.  We would have a good time.  Family time.  We still have those mornings.  But they are fewer now.  I guess that is how it goes.  And that is sad too.

Monday, May 11, 2015

One Day

What a difference a day makes.  From A list to sh*t list in 24 hours.  Caz really nails those peaks and valleys in life.  Apparently, his decent started right after track practice when Demi picked him up.  He ran his mouth.  During the night time routine, he imploded.  He was his own worst enemy.  He tried to use the ADHD excuse but we will not let him do that.  ADHD is not a license to be an a#$.  Demi and I created a united front.  We didn't lose our cool.  I came close.  I had to take some electronics.  But he needs to learn a lesson.  Hopefully, he will.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Happy Mother's Day 2015

I hope all of you Moms out there have a wonderful day.  I know the mother of my children certainly deserves one.  I can't do any of this without her.
     Caz knocked it out of the park this year.  Demi drove him and his friends to the store.  She parked and walked quietly into the store.  She spied them all picking out Mother's Day cards.  The put a lot of though it the selection process.  The big deal was the gift.  He made Demi close her eyes and pull her hood over her eyes until he could get the gift into the car and hidden.  He did a great job wrapping the gift.  Demi opened the package to see strawberries dipped in chocolate.  Caz proceeded to tell her that he was able to select the strawberries, then personally hand dip them in the chocolate.  Demi was truly moved.  It was really nice to see.  Well done, son.  Well done.