Regional Science Fair

Ethan was SO excited (we all were really!) about getting the rare opportunity to attend the regional science fair.  There were schools from all over the area competing.  Unfortunately his run of luck ended here.  He didnt get any awards (he was pretty much competing against future rocket scientists- for real!) and that was really hard for him, but he had a great day at UTA exploring the college and getting out of school! 

All of the kids from our district that came to the fair

Ethan was one of 6 from his school that made the 'cut' to regional!

his competition.....

middle school

Well, middle school is coming up for Ethan. I can't believe he is old enough already! The parents orientation was last night. It is such a big school, and they get 4 minutes between classes (and Ethan is slow anyway!) I was really excited about the elective classes he would get to take but it looks like he won't get much of that.
Everyone must take writing, reading, math, history, science, and technology.
Then they get the choice of PE or competative athletics, but if you aren't one of the top players in athletics you basically get screwed and dont make a team, but still have all the training for it. Yea- we will pass, Ethan is still loving Karate anyhow! Besides, athletics starts at 6:30am. hmmm, that is when we wake up- not leave the house!
Then for electives- they get 1 full year class, or 2 half year classes. Ethan wants to continue band so that is it for him- no other choices, nothing fun and different. bummer! And if you take a year off from band, you can't get back in- so you use it or lose it. Apparently 8th graders get more electives.
More than anything I am worried about Ethan from an organization standpoint. He is terrible about remembering to turn work in, how is he going to remember to take the right book/assignments to class? ugh! And then remember to bring all the stuff home that he needs to do.... 7th grade is going to be a huge struggle. I had hope earlier this year because his ADHD seemed to be doing so much better. until this last month. Everything fell apart. Grades plummeted, memory vanished, behavior wasn't as great....so we now have him on all his new meds- hopefully this will give him the boost he needs. One plus is that he does seem to be doing better socially this year. No one good friend at school, but there are a few people that he can hang out with sometimes at recess- which is huge for him! And next year he will get to be in school with Keaton- one of his best friends on the street. He is in a different grade, but hopefully they will have lunch together- that would be really nice!

No training wheels!

Yeah! Cam learned to ride his bike on monday without training wheels!

Jim didn't even have to hold on to the bike from behind and run with him or anything- he just took off!!!
However- he does need to work on paying attention....A neighbor took all the 1st graders for a bikeride yesterday (1 day after learning to ride) and they went to the lake up the hill, Cameron apparently wasn't paying attention and he just rode his bike right into the lake. all.the.way.in. Brad (the neighbor), had to go in after him! Luckily he wasn't upset about being freezing cold/wet but he was concerned about his bike being wet! Later, he said he had a fun underwater adventure. LOL! Sure do wish I had a picture of THAT!