Reading Ready? Not So Much.

So my sister and I are pretty close in age. And we're pretty competitive. About pretty much everything. I called her last week, and told her about my experience in Jonah's preschool, and how kids were constantly calling out to him, "Jonah, come play with me!" "Jonah sit with me!" "Jonah, make me a sandwich!" (this last one was loud, from across the room, while my favorite guy was "cutting" wooden veggies in the play kitchen). My niece is more reserved and is a watcher of others, from what my sister has said, and when I mentioned this, she told me about her not-so-outgoing little girl. I knew that my niece was quieter, and didn't tell her about Jonah to be any way, but my sister did mention about how well her son (who is a year younger than Jonah) is doing with his letters. At three, he can sound out 3-letter words with obvious middle vowel sounds. I was super impressed. Give him a word like "bug" "hat" or "gum" and he can probably get it. But it made me a little more aware of how uninterested my guy is in letters. If it's a letter outside of his name, except for i, he probably doesn't know it. And at four, with some in his class that are really much further along in that department than he is, I thought maybe I should initiate a little more activity relating to letters and sounds. In the car this afternoon, we he agreed to work on it. We started with the letter B and talked about the sound it makes; then this:
M: Jonah, can you think of a word that starts with B?
J: Ummmmmm...
M: Buh buh buh
J: Buh buh buh beak! Beak! Seagull!
Sigh. It's a good thing he's athletic!
;)

The List

On the list for a single child with IA, I am #74. Anyone else care to share?
I actually thought I might be in the mid 60's, but really, this is not so far off. I'm okay with it.

I Kicked a Disabled Man

Made you look.

So In Taekwondo last night, they had us actually sparring, and I was paired up with my friend Daniel, who is pretty severely delayed. He's big, but a real gentle guy with soft little kicks. I told the ref I really didn't want to kick him, and she assured me, "Kick him a few times, and he'll start kicking back." So I reminded Daniel that we were going to kick each other hard, and after a couple of kicks from me, he was kicking right back. Managed to kick me in the gut under my padding somehow, and left a big blue bruise on my upper thigh, but is all fairness I accidentally stepped on his toe while kicking him, so he couldn't retreat! His toe was pretty pink too, from trying to pull away. All in all it went well though.
My next match was against my friend Muriel, who can kick sort of hard, but lacks aim, and sometimes appears to be flailing. In her wild attack, she boxed me right in the crotch. Not impressed. I sort of told her off. I apologized later, but seriously! I have a few big circle targets on my padding. Not on my pants! Ow.
Jonah is all about superheroes right now, especially Batman since he got a Batman shirt from his dad. I was getting ready for work this morning, and I put on my new black skirt with grey chemise and black tee over it, and was feeling pretty good. And Jonah says to me, "You look pretty. Just like Batman." I guess when you don't have a ton of people in your life complimenting you, that'll do! I know in his mind, it was among the greatest of compliments.
I've been thinking more about my sweet girl and what I will name her. I thought I had it picked, but after this summer, I feel a bit like that girl I might have had is going elsewhere and my someday girl is not the same someday girl as before. I don't know if that really makes sense. But I feel a bit like the girl I will someday have is not the same one as I might've, so I'm debating whether a new name may be in order. But I'm thinking more and more about the names of referred children, and some of them are beautiful too, and I would certainly consider keeping one if it was as adorable as Hana, Eden or Biset. So stinking cute.

Best and worst of 2009:

Best:

• Zip-lining with my favorite guy in Rockridge this summer
• Finding out that my adoption will go ahead
• Spending time at the cottage in Ontario this summer
• Teaching Art and Drama
• Relaxing with my friends at our monthly scrapbooking club

Worst:

• July 14
• Finding out my ex was getting married
• Hoards of obnoxious and righteous parents
• Fattening up

Well, the year started out stressful, dipped to an all-time low this summer, but has ended on a relative high note. Things are okay, though nothing seems stable or certain in my world. But it's all good. It would take the fun out of life if I knew everything that was coming my way.

So my son's dad is getting married in 50 minutes. Walking down the aisle. And my guy will be there suited up as ring bearer. My mam is going just in case she is needed to help out with Jonah. I jokingly told her to leave her cell on so I could call at 7:10. I was kidding though.

My favorite guy got his hair cut today (still unruly, but less so than before -- just how I like it), and we picked up a couple of pairs of shoes: dress shoes for the wedding (I forgot to bring his from home when we came to town, but found a pair for 4.99 at Good Will -- lucky us), and a pair of tap shoes. We were told they were $33 but then found out the boys' shoes were actually $50!!! WHAT? Seriously. Fake leather shoes for $50. Thankfully they hurt his feet and he opted for the much shinier patent-leather Mary Jane style usually worn by the girls. He knows they are girls, but he doesn't care. Neither do I. He's four.

But in combination with the hot pink paint he picked out at Home Depot to paint his room? Oy. I know he's all boy, but he certainly has a feminine side that is alive and well. He also wants to join Sparks (like mini Girl Guides). Who wouldn't? They have snacks, do crafts and sing songs. It's ideal for my boy. But they said he couldn't join. And even though I emailed the head office, they have not responded. Nice.

Anyway. Happy New Year to all. May your lives be rich with family and friends, your hearts at peace and may each of you in the adoption world experience the joy of parenting.

Cheers.