Back in the Saddle

So I'm finally getting back to writing now things are slowing down. We are finishing up our last unit of our Epic adventure. We should be going to a Mosque and LACMA in the next week to finish up our study of Islam. It has been a very, very busy year full of ups and downs.
We have all learned a lot about all these great religions that shape the world. We have learned about real friendships as well as the heartache of losing friends. The kids have formed even closer bond with each other.
Looking back on this past year and seeing where we began and where things have taken us has been truly remarkable. I think the easiest way to do this is note the changes in each child separately.
Frodo is now a teenager. His transformation this year has been amazing. Physically he has grown six inches, several shoe sizes and when I look into his face he no longer looks like a boy but a young man. Of course he is happy that he is now only 1/2 inch shorter than his sister and is truly feeling for the first time in his life that he is the older brother. He has become assertive, more compassionate and his many interests have a definitive path. He has shown responsibility, honesty and a readiness to move onto the next level of academics. He also has very strong opinions about where he draws the line. He has also crafted very solid friendships with children of many ages and several adults. He has also become very protective of his siblings in a way that I have never seen him exhibit before. But best of all every ounce of his personality now comes shining through him with a confidence that just a few years ago I didn't think was possible.
My Bug has had the bumpiest road this year. She just turned 12 and stands only a few inches below me. She is still in the middle of transforming from little girl to young lady. Unfortunately from this we have had the roller coaster of emotions, self esteem and personality. But she has come out of the bumpiest of storms more confident, stronger and having a better understanding of herself. She has made mistakes that cost her, but most importantly truly learned from those mistakes and moved on even though she felt like her heart had been ripped out. I am proud of having a girl who speaks vehemently for what is right. But she has also shown wonderful leadership skills, been a wonderful friend when it was needed most and gotten over her terrible shyness. She is exploring the world around her and soaking in every part of it.
Last is my monkey. At 6 1/2 he just started to read this week. He is excited beyond belief! He also can instantly memorize anything he has heard which never ceases to amaze me. He has grown so much and has such an amazing physical mastery of his body that it astounds me. He is like a tornado where ever we go. A ball of so much energy that most people don't know what to think of him. We have learned that he only likes a few friends and too many people overwhelm him. He is teaching me not to take things too seriously but to recognize when he needs boundaries. Interestingly even though he is so physical he prefers to have girls as friends because of the way they tend to play. Also he's just so sensitive underneath his seemingly tough exterior. My next stop with him is working on his anxieties. He is very nervous around new people, situations and being away from me. So I'm working on a few things to help him along.
Now that I'm writing again I feel like I have soo much to say and can't quite get it all out. So until next time. :)