Spicer and I took a road trip yesterday.  We visited my great uncle Jerry and his wife Rose, we had lunch at the Kountry Cafe in Clinton, we saw the house I grew up in, and we went to see Papa Joe.  Here are a few pictures. 

Yesterday was Spicer's ARC meeting.  I sat in a room surrounded by women, who are with my son every day, women who see all of Spicer.  These women help him through good days and bad days.   Spicer has made many improvements since Kindergarten and I have all of these women to thank for it.   Even Spicer’s teacher from last year took the time to come to the meeting.  It is very comforting to know that so many people care about Spicer and are willing to do the extra interventions he needs even without an IEP.  We aren't out of the woods yet but we are going in the right direction.   Spicer's two biggest struggles are his attention span (lack of it really) and reading.   The first issue makes the latter issue more difficult.   In effort to improve Spicer's reading skills the school has placed him in a reading group with a smaller student to teacher ratio in hopes of keeping his attention.   His teacher will be sending games home so we can help make reading more fun and keep his interest.  We plan on starting him in tutoring after winter break and doing summer school this year again to keep all the facts and figures fresh in his mind.   Spicer's attention span and reading issues dominated the conversation for the most part but the over overwhelming theme were all the comments about Spicer's heart.   Everyone in the room spent time telling a story or sharing their feelings about Spicer's big heart.   Every one of them said they had never met a child with a bigger heart and a more caring disposition.   I can't tell you how much that filled me with pride.   As a parent you want your child to be good at EVERYTHING which is statistically impossible.   But I took comfort in knowing that when it comes to the biggest grade that counts, my son is the best and soars above the rest.   And I was so glad that sitting around these women, these women who care for my son every day without fail recognize that and don't let it go unnoticed.   I love you Spicer!  I am so proud of you!  We WILL get there!  Thank you for passing the biggest test of all, thank you for having the biggest heart!

Last night was family night at Spicer's school.  We had a great time.  Spicer learned about all kinds of neat things: stars, phases of the moon, spicers, the earth's rotation.  Spicer made all kinds of cool stuff: his version of Stary Stary Night, a moon, and a rocket ship.   We also did face painting; I painted his face and he painted mine.   Here are a few pictures. 

This is the first Halloween in 3 years I have been able to Trick or Treat with Spicer.  Since my divorce Halloween has fallen on the weekends.  So Spicer had celebrated with his Daddy.  Here are a few pictures of Spicer's and I haunts last night :)...

This week is a fun week at school for Spicer.  It's DARE week.   Everyday there is a new theme.  Monday was backwards day.   Spicer wore his hoodie and shirt backwards.   Tuesday was slippers day.  Spicer wore his huge bear slippers.  Everyone loved his big slippers.   Today is stuffed animal day.  Spicer brought his stuffed dino.   Tomarrow is sports day and Spicer plans to wear one of his tee-ball shirts.   Friday is Books Alive where he will wear his knight costume.   Enjoy Spicer!!!!

Spicer's spent his fall break with his Daddy while I was in Europe.  I was so happy to see him when I got back.   Spicer held me tight and told me how much he missed me.  I brought Spicer a few things back, (a shirt, teddy, toy double decker bus and taxi, and a lego magazine).  This week Spicer told about my Europe trip at show and tell, played with the ducks nextdoor, went to see Robin Hood at MSU, picked out his knight costume, and we attended game night at his school.   Here are a few pictures...

It began as an idea In 1997, the Partnership for a Walkable America sponsored the first National Walk Our Children to School Day in Chicago, modeled after the United Kingdom’s lead. Back then, it was simply a day to bring community leaders and children together to create awareness of the need for communities to be walkable.

It evolved into a movement By the year 2002, children, parents, teachers and community leaders in all 50 states joined nearly 3 million walkers around the world to celebrate the second annual International Walk to School Day. The reasons for walking grew just as quickly as the event itself.

Whether your concern is safer and improved streets, healthier habits, or cleaner air, Walk to School Day events are aimed at bringing forth permanent change to encourage a more walkable America — one community at a time.

Now it’s a priority In 2005, new legislation recognized the value of Safe Routes to School programs and is providing funding for States to establish programs. Politicians and other government officials are paying attention to the importance of safe walking and biking to school. Obesity, concern for the environment and the effects of urban sprawl on communities has led to the joining of efforts among those that care about these and other related issues like school siting and traffic congestion.

My son is the best... he just said, "Mommy, I will get the trash today because you need to rest." How wonderful is that??????  I love you Spicer!!

Spicer and I painted his pumpkin from Fall On The Farm... So Cute!!