Congratulations Alessandro!

Alessandro received a "Heroes" award at school for being a hero. Being a hero was defined as someone who works hard, is a good example, is kind to others. Only one student from each class was chosen. Way to go little man! We're proud of you!

Scarecrow Festival

The boys got free tickets to the scarecrow festival from school so we thought we'd check it out and see what it was all about. I was pleasantly surprised! They had tons of blow up slides/tramps, rock walls to climb, fair games to play. The boys had a blast! It was a lot of fun. We ended up staying much longer than we had anticipated.

Nothing like a little brotherly competition. :)


Diego kept trying to do a backflip but couldn't
quite figure it out.


He was loving it though!


We were shocked Alessandro wanted to try it.
You can see how scared he is by looking at his
neck. hahaha


He kept looking up at all the cords, I think he
was checking it out to see how secure he was.


Alessandro kept getting stuck on one part of
the wall, he was too short so he'd keep falling.


Diego made it to the top.

They raced to the top of the tower.

Update on broken leg

Today was Alessandro's follow up appt with the Dr. to see how his leg is healing. She said everything is looking great! The bone is healing just fine and he got the okay to do whatever he wants. No more restrictions!! When he got home the first thing he did was jump down the stairs and then he ran back to do it again. hahaha Then when Diego got home his first question was "Can I wrestle Lalo now?" Yes you can!! His response was "FINALLY!!" Alessandro is thrilled to not have us harping at him about staying calm and not doing anything to hurt his leg. :)

His broken leg is a little more than an inch shorter than his good one. In time it should catch up, but if it doesn't he may need surgery in the future. It would be surgery on his good leg to put a metal plate and screws in, which would stunt the growth in that leg until the broken one is able to catch up. Then they'd remove the hardware and both legs grow at the same rate (hopefully). If this needs to be done she'll probably wait until he's an adolescent. She said if they wait until he has a growth spurt he would need the hardware in for a shorter period of time because he'd be growing faster. She kept saying "for now" the limp is okay, "for now" the different lengths in the legs is okay "for now" everything is fine. Which leads me to believe that in the future things will need to be done. But at least "for now" he is able to do what he wants and not worry about his leg. We go back in 6 months to see how his growth is going. In the mean time, I think he'll be having a lot more fun. He's already excited to participate in PE class and to do the monkey bars at recess. :)

Struggles

This week was parent/teacher conferences and this time of year just seems to make me sad. Diego is such a hard worker and he puts so much time and effort in trying to learn, but it is all so difficult for him! Last year we were able to have him tutored for reading and by the end of the year he caught up to where he was suppose to be. But already he is behind again. Only by a little, but still, that is just the beginning. We read everyday for at least 20 min. It's not something he loves to do, so it is a struggle, but he does it. He's not far enough behind for the school to help him, which is a totally different topic in itself. Why do they wait for a child to be SO far behind before they even consider having him helped!! Anyway, it's not just reading, everything is hard for him. My heart breaks for him. I worry for the future and what that will bring. Maybe I am over reacting a little but I think it's because I know what it's like to have a disability and to study your absolute hardest and for so long only to pull off a C. It's crushing. And no matter how proud your parents are of you because for you, that really is good, deep down inside you know it's really not that great. I don't want him to experience those feelings of failure and frustration. As a parent it is so hard for me to see him work so hard and still not get the concepts. I guess it's just hard to watch your child struggle, I wish things could be easier for him. I want him to be happy...and I hope that he is. He can tell he's a little different, but at this point he doesn't let it get to him. I hope he keeps that attitude the rest of his life. I guess through our challenges we all learn something and I know he is learning hard work and dedication. It's a fight everyday to get work done (I can't blame him, I'd hate doing what is hard also), but he is definitely a good worker!! And I think this trial has made him much more compassionate towards others and their feelings. So good things do come out of trials, but as his mom, I still can't help but wish life was just a little easier for him.

Our pumpkin patch

We planted pumpkins in our garden again this year. Unfortunately I got the wrong kind so they are all small. We're actually going to have to buy big pumpkins to carve this year. :( The kids still had fun picking them and choosing which would be "their own" so I guess it's okay. We got 14 pumpkins in all.


Diego and Alessandro decorated the front porch, I think they did a pretty good job. They didn't want any help! :) (Luca is scared of the scarecrow so he is not big on the idea of sitting close to it for a picture. hahaha)

Happy Birthday Jana!

Ben surprised Jana by renting out Classic Skate for her 30th birthday. It was great! Alessandro has been begging to go for over a year now. It was just perfect because there were plenty of people but not too many to make me worry about the kids. Diego and Alessandro tried the skates, but decided to stick with their scooters. Luca stayed in the middle of the rink just standing most of the time...but he loved it. And Mia enjoyed dancing to the music.

The boys having fun

Mia dancing

Cornbellys

For months the boys have been begging to go to cornbellys with their cousins. There were only two days we could go (we only go the days they have their sales) and we were afraid we wouldn't be able to make it work this year. But we did! It was a late night but everyone had a blast! Well, maybe not Udine...he was in too much pain. But the boys loved it! :)

The boys rolling around in the corn

They think they're so funny coming out the dirtiest.

I never knew being pulled by a tractor could be so much fun!! It was hilarious to hear the four older boys that were behind me. They crack me up!!


Alessandro, Carter, Diego and Cody dancing to the music. They really do make me laugh! Good times.

Racing down the slide

Udine being such a good sport. He is in so much pain but he stuck it out for us.

Luca loved this donkey!! I had to set a time limit or else he wouldn't have gotten off!

Alessandro was 5 days short of having the Doctor's okay to run and jump, so we let it slide and told him he could participate on the little kid tramp. He had a blast!