Friday was Track and Field Day. T crushed and won his races, including the 1500m and 800m.
Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, the hubby, T and I participated in the final session of the SNAP program, which we participated in to build skills to make better choices and co-regulate with T when moments get tough.
While the program added to our full schedules, we are thankful for the 13-week journey together.
We learned and relearned great tips and the tools are making a difference – such as the sticker chart we’re using to help T get through routines he struggles with, like getting ready for school.
Parents often roll their eyes at sticker charts. But it’s working for us. If it takes rewarding T with up to $5 a week to get through routines, it’s a steal!
The SNAP staff have been wonderful – and so have the other families – and the wrap up party was a nice way to celebrate us making it to the end.
There were cupcakes, chips, completion certificates, speeches and a visit from SNAP the Dragon.
As the weather gets warmer, I’m feeling astounded the school year is nearing its end.
It’s been a year of ups and downs but I’m hopeful we will have a strong finish.
We’re so thankful for the supports we’ve had, including his CYW who has made such a difference and helped T made so many gains.
The excitement for Track and Field Day was palatable.
In the days leading up to Friday, and the morning of when I did school drop off, we reminded T it’s important that he tries his best and to have fun.
We reminded him to pace himself in the runs – to not burn out in the beginning, to take a steady pace, and then charge to the finish.
His CYW texted us excited photo and video updates throughout the day.
It was heart-filling to see T give every activity a good try, from shotput to hurdles and long jump.
He exceeded expectations when he won all his races, including the 800m and 1500m runs.
My heart felt warm hearing his CYW proudly cheering him on as he neared each finish line.
I could see the look of pride on T’s face as he made it to the end.
Life is often a series of starts, restarts, and endings – and with each end, a new beginning.
On this day, it was about strong finishes – a reminder of the many gifts this awesome boy has. I hope he sees and feels it too – and I hope others in his school do as well.
I hope T soaks in this positive energy and confidence boost – and that they springboard him to wonderful new beginnings.
Wow T must be an upcoming gifted sportsman! Way to go T!
Thank you Faith. It was a wonderful day!
Glad to hear that T did so well at Track and Field and crushed it!! I also love that he’s sporting a team Canada shirt! That was very sweet of his CYW to provide updates throughout the day. Hopefully you were able to celebrate this weekend.
Thanks Linda. It was such an awesome day and yes, loved the Canada shirt the hubby picked out that day for T to wear.
It was a short weekend for me. I worked all day yesterday and so it’s a long 6-day stretch for me. Haha. But it was for a good cause. Looking forward to a quieter weekend coming up!
To new beginnings 😊😊
Thanks Gary. I wish it for all of us. 😊 Hope you and Hawklad are hanging in there. Almost at your finish line too!
What a wonderful and strong finish to the school year! As Wynne mentioned, I also loved “springboard him to wonderful new beginnings”. YES!
Thank you Erin. 😊 We have 5 weeks (23 days) to go with school. Hope it finishes on high and a springboard to a great summer and third grade ahead! 🙏
Wow, congratulations! You are the wing in his back 🙂
Thank you Margie! One of the wings. 🙂 Supported by many feathers.
❤️
Could T actually be an athlete in the making? I’m actually excited to imagine him taking part in bigger sporting events. But one step at a time. I guess I’m more excited to read this than I should probably because I was never a sporty kid — I was just okay when it came to PE classes.
Thanks Bama. Sports was not my forte growing up either, although I did ok in cross country running and baseball and that’s about it. I think sports will be a good outlet for T just to burn his energy. Whether he becomes and athlete, it is as you said, one day at a time. 😊
Way to go T!!!!
Thank you Tammy. 😊💕
This is so so great!!!! Love it! Sign him up for RumFASD! You guys should get a team together! I love thay he rocked the track and field day! Rebecca
Thank you, Rebecca! We plan to do the FASD run this year with the Surrey Place team. I think T is more than up for it. 😊👍
Seems like Track and Field is an amazing outlet for T! Of course, kids should have ways to get their wiggles out, but it seems like it’s great for his emotional regulation
Thank you, Claire! Running and swimming have been great outlets for him and I hope this is something he can continue. He’s also expressed interest in karate which can teach him discipline too I hope! 🙏
You might have the next Michael Phelps on your hands!
Wouldn’t that be something! I read Phelps struggled with an invisible disability growing up too (ADHD) and his mom, a teacher, helped guide him and eventually towards swimming.
That’s correct! His coach was amazing
What a spectacular way to end the school year! Seems like you may have a budding track team member in the family 🙂 Congratulations to all of you Ab, and yes- onward to the next set of adventures and learning.
Thank you Deb! We still have 5 weeks of school left but I do feel hopeful we can end things off on a high note. 🙏 Have your grandkids finished school yet? I seem to think the US finishes and starts the school year before we do here in Canada.
The grands did home school and yes they finished up before moving to Colorado. Every state starts at a different time- typically August or September so everyone is done in May or June. Here in Washington we often have snowy weather make up days so sometimes the kids go until almost the end of June
That sucks that you have to make up snow days! Congrats on them finishing up for the year – thanks to you!
Wow! On so many levels. Your ama ing insight. T winning all his races. SNAP and how it has improved your daily life. Bravo to all your family and to your beautiful writing!
Thanks Vickie. It was an amazing day indeed. I hope you and the family are enjoying your long weekend!
I bet your heart is exploding with pride Ab. It seems like this school year T had exceeded his expectations.
Thanks Diane. It certainly has not been without challenges but I’m feeling hopeful for a good end to the school year. We have 5 more weeks to go. I think your grandkids will be done soon right?
He won all his races – I love it. And 800m and 1500m – those are some serious races! I love this, “that they springboard him to wonderful new beginnings.” What a wonderful way to wrap up – the post, the SNAP program and the year. Onward and upward!
Thanks Wynne. It was a very proud day for all of us. He did so amazing! We have 5 more weeks of school left and we’re feeling hopeful for a strong finish. Good luck to your kids finishing up school too – I believe the US starts and ends earlier than we do over here.
We had a teacher’s strike so we don’t get out until the end of June this year. Here’s to a strong finish for all!