There's Water at the Bottom of the Ocean

Sorry I have been slackin in the blog department - but life as the Gosselin's is not for the faint at heart!  OK, it isn't that bad - but we have had a film shadow for 3 weeks and you always had to be careful that the camera was on.  I really think this movie is important - and trust me - you will get the good, the bad and the 'OMG!  what is WRONG with that family' when it finally comes out.  Cherry was with us 99% of the time and if she didn't already have the camera on - she was saying "oh - can you say that again?" 

We have some respite now and we have settled in as a family of 6.  Mikey has daily pouting fits about who knows what but we take it in stride and roll with the punches.    He started school today.  We started him in afternoon kindergarten every day.  You would have thought this kid had won the lottery when he found out he was going to school like his sisters.  Mikey was not allowed to go to school in China.  Cherry was a huge help when it came to asking him about school.  He wanted to go - but he said "Only kids with parents get to go to school"   I know that SWI kids get to go so I think he probably was not allowed because of his legs.  It was the school officials that didn't allow him to go - not the fear of him being teased.  He told a story that his foster sister went to school one day only and was sent home.  She was not allowed back.    He told the story with such sadness and a little bit of anger that he was not allowed to go too.    So when we asked him if he wanted to go to school now - he asked "But what about my legs?"  Cherry told him it didn't matter here and he nodded and gave a thumbs up!   

His pouting fits are usually due to language frustration.  Mikey is used to getting and or taking what he wants.  He is figuring out that Lucas Boot Camp is not a walk in the park.  The girls adore him and he adores them.  Zoe and he struggle for the spotlight - but when he is sweet - he is super sweet and when he is pouty - he mumbles under his breath, crosses his arms and won't look at you.    Most times I just let him sit and pout and eventually he joins the family again.  Sometimes I have to physically get him to join the family (like when it is time to go and he is having one of his sit-ins under the desk and I have to pull him out and carry him to the car)  I don't want to paint a bad picture - he is a sweet and loving boy that is struggling to let go of the independence he had for so long.  If he can just figure out that it is ok to be a kid and let Mark and I take care of stuff - all will be well.

Tomorrow is his first Shriner's appointment.  I think we will wait until the language is further along before we do surgery.  He knows that he will have surgery at some point and he definatly wants new legs.  I tell you - this kid is sharp.  There is no way I can put him under the knife without him understanding more about the process and what to expect.   These are his legs and he deserves to know exactly what is happening.

Oh - and if you didn't already think we were doing too much too fast (ha)  Mikey has started karate.  He LOVES it.  This boy is confident and has absolutely no problem marching around the other kids and showing them that he can do it too.  Mikey has never once shown any signs of self pity.  If anything - he is a tiny bit arrogant.  God has huge plans for him. 

Now - if he will just learn English!!

Mikey at karate