Maddox Update

Maddox will be 6 going on 16 in August.  This is a kid who wants to grow up way too fast. He wants to do everything his brother does, he wants to be like his brother, he wants to have play dates like his brother, he wants to go to school like his brother....he always seems to be playing catch-up to his big brother.  He had a play date on Friday and I overheard him telling his friend, "I can't wait for you to meet my brother. He's like...he's like...unbelievably good at basketball. He always beats me like 40 to 12 or 40 to 20.  He's amazing."

Maddox sometimes doesn't think he's good at sports because he's always up against his big brother. Joe tells me this is normal and that it will start to even out sooner than later.  But, sometimes we have to have discussions with Joey about taking it a notch down to give Maddox the chance to do well, too.  But, the other day, Maddox caught me telling Joey that and he said, "Mom, it's okay. I don't want him to take it easy on me."  He's a tough kid like that....he takes his beatings pretty hard, but seems to get up again and is begging for more every time.

Maddox loves school and loves his friends. He has not gotten in trouble at school at all (contrary to Joey at half-day kindergarten!)  He loves playing anything, he loves sleepovers, and he loves play dates.  I've never seen a kid so excited to play with other kids.

He's still a competitive kid - he likes to turn anything into a competition, he likes me to "time" him doing this or that, he hates to lose like his big brother.  But, Maddox also needs a break from competition- we are usually two steps ahead of a meltdown now, so we can stop the madness before he absolutely explodes.  His anger management classes seem to be working really well, so that's great. ; )

He had kindergarten orientation last week and was a lot less nervous than Joey was which totally surprised me. Maddox can be very shy in big groups when he doesn't know people, but he walked in and out of school with confidence! That makes me a little less nervous .

Maddox and I go to battle here and there....I'm not sure if that means we are more alike than we are different or what.  He is daddy's boy 98% of the time and I'm his provider of milk, cookies, clean sheets, laundry, and school snacks.  He seems to know how to push my buttons....whereas Joe knows exactly how to deal with Maddox. Maddox's saving grace is his huge smile, and the fact that I think he resembles my dad and my gpa Cecil in his looks. Maddox is also very sensitive and he will watch a sad story on tv and he will break down in tears watching it...and then again at bedtime.  He holds on to his feelings for awhile, which makes me proud.  He feels for other kids who are sick, or who don't have privileges like he does - he seems to really "get" that concept of being blessed.  He also is one of Jesus' biggest fans...he's the one who gives us bible lessons, tells us about God, reminds us to pray, and asks lots of questions about God and heaven.

Next year, he'll be in "real" kindergarten at Sacred Heart and I'll have two boys at the same school. God bless those teachers.