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T turned 11 years old earlier this month. Eleven already! It feels like time is just going by faster and faster as they grow bigger. We knew that we were going to keep things on the smaller side this year, so it was just us celebrating him. At first, he mentioned wanting to go to Chili's, but last minute changed his mind and wanted to get a pizza to go. His biggest request was picking up 1/2 dozen cupcakes from Small Cakes and giving them to his buddies in guitar group. He doesn't get to bring in store bought goodies to "school," so he wanted to share with his guitar group on the last summer session. He found Cupcake Wars on Hulu and had been watching episodes. Luckily, we have one in our neighborhood. His guitarmates appreciated the sweet treat and by the end, all were "chocoholics!" So, we had a dinner at home, opened presents, and ate cake on his special day. Love this kid! He really seemed to like all of his gifts, but the ones that received the biggest reaction were the framed American Ninja Warrior pics and his ANW mug. It was a replacement mug because a ninja had signed the other one we bought him last Spring and has set it aside for safe keeping. He LOVES this show and it's helping him WANT to become a bit more active.

We're focusing on music right now. At first, T only wanted drum lessons. He's loving it, but then said that he wanted to do guitar as well. He's had one for a few years and was ready to try it again. So, we have him in that. Older bro just recently signed up for a group, so all the guys go play guitar and I get a few hours to myself. It's nice and it's not too far from our next location. I was asked if I wanted adaptive lessons after I filled out the intake and questionnaire worksheet. I said no. I want him to have the real deal because he can handle it. He has the words, the patience, the focus. Let's see what he can do. By the way, they charge more for adaptive too. Grrr . . . 

One has started school already and another doesn't start until September. This is the month that is tricky for us. Having one doing lessons while the other is begging for his attention. I must say, 8th grade has started out well. D got stuck with 7th/8th grade combo teachers and after the first welcoming call, we got that switched. Apparently, you must have other things wrong with you if you an IEP! Um no, it's possible to have one just for the free speech services. I made a call. I know I can't do that forever. I love that one episode of the Goldbergs where Beverly says, "Do you want mommy to get involved?" Yeah, one call did the trick and he now has the 8th grade teachers, no combo, no super hero junk. There must be something flying around the internet because when I relayed to hubby that one of D's activities with the combo teachers was to choose a superhero name based on this key, he had done the same at work in one of his back-to-school meetings! For fun every now again, I refer to D as "Magnificent Thunderbolt!"

We are almost all packed and ready to go. About 2 more weeks and I'll never be coming home to this house again. I'm excited, anxious, sad, etc. I think I'm more afraid of the next 15 years flying by as fast as the last 15 years did in this home. T had a peds appt early this morning. We get more time with his awesome doctor when I make them for 7 am.  New system update, so the nurse asked some questions that I wasn't ready for. How many kids and is he your youngest? I quickly answered that T is my middle, but just lives at home with his Mom, Dad, and brother. She didn't ask any follow up questions on the subject, so maybe something popped up in her notes. Yeah, we're moving for this particular model. I know that if T can be independent in his NextGen down the road, he'll be able to be independent anywhere. I think that's the fear part. I just have to embrace the unknown and hope for the best. 

This was the other pic that I framed for him. Loved it!