"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
--Jeremiah 29:11

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Last Day of Preschool and Soccer News

Conway attended his last day of preschool for this school year. He and his classmates celebrated by wearing tie-dyed shirts that read, "508 Rocks." He was a pretty sad when he got to school. Not because he was being sentimental, but because he didn't want to change into that shirt. He had worn his beloved bowling shirt today and was not happy about taking it off. I convinced him to leave it on long enough for them to take a class picture and by that time he forgot and wore it the whole morning! He also got to jump in a bouncy house and have a beach themed party time in the classroom. He had a great year. Looking at his portfolio reminds me of just how much he's grown these last 9+ months.

Now that he's off school, he can focus on fun things that he didn't have much time to do during the school year such as visiting the library and aggravating his sister. Story times for his age group fell on mornings when he had preschool so it'll be nice to get back to the library for some activities this summer. And now that he and MK are going to be with each other all day, every day, I'm sure he'll find new and interesting ways to bug her! It's already starting, unfortunately!

The coolest (well, technically probably the hottest as in warmest) new thing he's going to be introduced to this summer is SOCCER! That's right. Our boy is all signed up to play soccer. It's a very recreational league of 4 year old's and it's coached by a friend's dad. This makes me feel better because he'll let Connie sit and rest as much as he wants. Or dig in the dirt, or pretty much whatever the kid is up for. Dr. Bromberg even went so far as to say he thinks it would be a great experience for him to be with his friends and maybe even make some new ones! I am ashamed to admit it, but I have struggled for awhile now with feeling like Connie will never fit in with the other boys if he doesn't play sports. I know it's ridiculous, but I can't help but see the friendships that other kids in catholic schools have because of their unity on the field, in church and in the classroom. That sense of community and togetherness is the main reason we chose Assumption for their school so I have just been worried that if he doesn't play soccer like the other boys going into kindergarten he'll be left out and never accepted or something. Having said all that, he may play one game and hate it. He may get too overheated, or just not be interested or we may deem it too rough for him and just be uncomfortable with the potential risks posed to his pacemaker and wires. And that's okay. It's totally okay. It's not like he's ever going to be an Olympian. In fact, we were told that in our very first conversation with Dr. Bromberg on March 5, 2007. He said that once he had his double switch, he would expect him to live life like any "normal" child, but would not reach the Olympics. He then reminded us how few healthy-hearted athletes attain that level in their sport. We'll for sure be taking some video at his games and post it here. I am not sure, but I think his first game in this summer league is in just about two weeks. I can't believe that two summers ago he was in pretty bad heart failure and now he's running around and dancing like crazy! I don't know why we've been so blessed, but I'm going to continue to give the glory to God and try to stay ever-grateful.