The 'Awesome Party'

Tonight, we celebrated Lily.  We decorated the house, made cupcakes, a special dinner, and had all the relatives over.  It was a great night. 

She wants to wear her shirt
to school tomorrow. :)



First discovering we're
having a party!!!

 She is awesome.  I hear it over and over, from her teacher at school, and the directors and tutors at Huntington... she works hard.  She is eager, and she never gives up.  And that is paying off. 

She jumped SEVENTEEN, did you read that?  SEVENTEEN points in a quarter - in Reading.  And TWELVE points in the same quarter, in Math.  My girl -- she is absorbing like a sponge... and she is bursting with knowledge...

And this mom is bursting with pride.

She is more than awesome, she's amazing.

When I was rocking Lincoln to sleep tonight, he lays his little head on my chest.... pulls back - looks into my eyes, and gently kissed me.  Laid his head back down for a couple seconds and did it again... I said, "Lincoln, I love you."  And he hugged me tight.  Melted. My. Heart. 

Lucy is (mostly) potty trained.  She only wears a diaper at naps and bedtime.  She hasn't pooped on the potty yet... she saves that for mornings or nap time, but we'll get there.  She prefers a piece of chocolate over a sticker - definitely my kid - for her potty reward - and there is still excitement in shouting, "Mommy!  I have to go potty!" and taking off like a bat outta 'you-know-where' to the bathroom. 

Our life... is good.

E-I-G-H-T... how?

She is kind, sweet, silly, funny, loving, trusting, hard working, creative, and just an all around awesome kid.  I'm proud to be her mama.  And I'm hoping she has the best 8th year ever!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LILY GWEN!

Decorated!

We decorated the tree last night.  Lily, Lucy and I (Lincoln handed me the ornaments, but I'm guessing didn't like how pokey the branches were, since he had zero interest in touching them.)... Most of the ornaments are side-by-side, some actually sharing the same branch, mainly around the bottom, in the front.  I love it. There aren't any pictures of Lincoln or Luce, though -- because those turkey birds decided to take their clothes off to decorate.  *actually, Lily did too, but put them back on so I could take a couple pictures.

Lily also made a special picture for Santa, and asked if I could hand deliver her envelope to him at the mall -- clarifying she has no intention to get that close, she wants ME to hand it to him.  :)  I'll do it.  I know it's something she colored, but I'm not sure exactly what it is... it's sealed, and meant exclusively for him... Gotta respect that.  My girl LOVES telling me that Santa is coming in XX days -- she is SO excited.




Hard to believe on Friday, our big girl is turning EIGHT!  She hasn't mentioned anything about bringing a treat into school, but we're going to pick something out on Thursday night and Brandon will bring it in for her class.  We're having a pool party at our local hotel's indoor pool, and there are half a dozen little girls going to be there... but the coolest part of this... the first girl Lily asked if she could invite, was Avery.  Avery is in Lily class, and is in a wheelchair.  She doesn't speak at all, she uses her iPad to speak for her.  Lily asked Avery's mom (who regularly volunteers in the class) if she thought Avery would be able to come, because she'd really like her to be there... Avery's mom said that Avery can swim and just will need help in and out of the pool, so yes, she will be there!  YIPPEE!!  I have a lot to get done between now and then, but I work best under pressure.  A peace sign cake, and a 'rockin' birthday theme... butterflies, guitars, and peace signs, in tie dye.  **Thanks, Cindy - for your help again this year with the girls and the party... I really appreciate you.

Well, it's time to get to bed.  I have an almost eight year old that has to read her mama a book.   :)

It has been a long, long time...

How is it possible that I haven't blogged ANYTHING since June?!?  Um, my only (lame) excuse is starting a new job, working 5 days a week now, and just the busy life we lead....  so I'm not going to play 'catch up', since most of you are also my FB friends... and so you're up to date.  ;)

It is the holiday season and my kids are EX-CITED!  We have our tree up (no decorations on it yet), and a few sparse decorations here and there throughout the house... hoping this weekend will provide the time (and energy) to get those all out and up!  Also planning to bring all three of my kiddos to "Christmas in Kasson" - where they haul Santa from the City Hall to the cinnema in Kasson's finest, shiniest Fire Truck... there are 'reindeer' in a cage by the liquor store and most of the businesses downtown do some kind of cookie decorating / ornament making / coloring contest and at the end, every child is given a small stuffed animal...  I'm sure it will be a great time for the kids... and since we aren't going to be anywhere else, how can we not go?!  *though, honestly -- I am dreading trying to load them all up, get them all in snowpants / mittens / hats / boots / etc... bundled into the stroller -- because Lucy and Lincoln both are getting sick of riding and want to walk (in opposite directions of each other) -- think I'll need to stop in the liquor store, while visiting the reindeer, to purchase some patience.  :)

My Lucy is in LOVE with all the pretty lights... on the trees, in the windows, on the streets - Kasson has them hung on every street light on the main roads... I'm hoping that Brandon will string the lights on the house this weekend too -- so our house can be a part of the "Ooooooo, mama... look!"

Our bell ringer

The downside to this, is she thinks she's big enough to plug in and unplug the lights to our tree and I'm a little stressed about that.... she's quick, so by the time I'm correcting it, she's already plugged in or unplugged.... and oiy.


Lily was ringing the Salvation Army bell ... so proud of the sweet, kind hearted girl she is.

We've been coloring lots of Christmas pictures and hanging them on the cupboards in the kitchen, preparing for a beautiful display of art for Santa, when he comes to deliver all the goodies to our house... I have to say this is probably one of their favorite things to do... they love to sit at the table together and color... and it is a proud moment for me, to watch them together, sharing the crayons, complimenting each other's pictures... ♥

Promise to myself to start blogging again... so much to write, share, and reflect on.  

Fired up!

The last few days, I've been feeling really edgy... anxious.... like there's something I want to say, but I'm not sure exactly what it is... there's a feeling of despair almost... and I know it's boiling down to this 'issue' we're having with Lincoln's preschool...

So this is what's going on:

Lincoln does better with older, bigger (in size) kids.  He can be aggressive to smaller, weaker kids.  We're working on this, but we know with a year under our belts at school, this is a fact.  He also is still taking naps, so we (and by we, I mean at his IEP meeting, we: his special ed teacher, his typical class teacher, his OT therapist, his speech therapist, and me, along with our social worker and the school's district manager for special education) decided it would be best for him to attend morning classes, since that wouldn't overlap his nap time, encouraging further potential behavioral issues....

So when they told me, "The morning class for 4-5 year olds is full, sorry.  He'll have to be in the afternoon class if you want him with the bigger kids, or we can get him in the morning class, but it'll be with the 3-4 year olds."  -- delivered just as simply as, "The sky is blue today." -- I felt my heart sink.

We aren't able to register him for classes, like we are responsible to do for Lily and will be for Lucy.  This is the schools responsibility to arrange on our behalf.  What we experienced initially, with getting him enrolled in the morning 3-4 class last year, was easy / simple / mindless.... I really wasn't expecting the transition to the 4-5 year old class to be any different.... hmpf.

Initially, when they told me that, I just said, you know -- I'll have to discuss this with Brandon, this isn't really what we were expecting and I'd like the opportunity to get my husband's input and get back to you.  In speaking with Brandon, we both felt this really was setting Lincoln up for failure.  This was NOT the best environment FOR HIM.  It was the best for the school.  -- about that time, with that realization - is when my Lincoln's Mama role kicked in...

My response was simple, respectful, just saying that while I understand what's being said, this is not what was discussed for Lincoln's best interest, and I was really disappointed that this was even being suggested that we consider anything but what was best for him.

Her response again was, I'm sorry.  The class is full.

I called my brother in law (who is a social worker) to find out that unless the morning class is FULL of students, every one of them with an IEPs, he has to be put into that class. The school HAS to give him the best circumstance for his education opportunities. Keep pushing and don't give up, was his advice.  He said the school was hoping I would just cave and said, "Oh, ok."  And let it go.

Um, hello -- do you know me?  Apparently not.

So yesterday, I called for a personal meeting with the special ed teacher.  Asked her to our home.  Wanted to discuss this with her in person.

I told her that I appreciated that she was on our team and understood that all we ALL want is whats best for my son.  It was such a comfort to know that she agrees with this.  So clearly, after all of our discussions, she would understand why it's imperative that Lincoln is in the 4-5 year old morning class.

This is when the truth was divulged.  There was a little girl in his 3-4 yr old class, that Lincoln targeted.  Not sure why -- smaller, weaker... yes.  But he would zone in on her.  She's already scheduled for the 4-5 morning class and they were trying to keep her and Lincoln separate.  She has a little brother (who also has an IEP / special needs) that is starting the 3-4 yr preschool morning class, and their parents were hoping  both their children could go at the same time.

Not. My. Problem.

Sorry -- heartless?  No.  I want what's best for MY CHILD.  It is the school's responsibility to provide enough staff to assist with the needs of the children in the class.  It is my responsibility to keep Lincoln and Lucy and Lily in line at home.  Somehow, I manage - most of the time.

I guess through all of this - all I can say is -- that saying that "God only gives you what he knows you can handle" is true to some extent.  I am a bit feisty.  I realized this would be in our favor eventually, but didn't realize that it would start at preschool.

Sigh.... this too shall pass, right?  Just like a kidney stone.  ;)

Summer's here!

Rainbow girl ♥

My girl has been outside every day.  It is hot and she is in her glory! It's summer, and she is taking full advantage of these beautiful days.  We are going through sidewalk chalk like nobody's business.  She LOVES to color, and is so creative... and I must admit I LOVE seeing her drawing all over our sidewalks; at the bottom of the driveway, the sidewalk up to the house from the street, the sidewalk in front of the house, to the breezeway door, the back patio, the deck, her swingset... she colors on EVERYTHING.  And I love it.  Then it will rain, and it's like a big eraser, and she's out there ready to recreate.

Lincoln and Lucy also like to use sidewalk chalk, but someone's always trying to color over / on Lily's creations *ugh.  Or eventually, one of them will have to try to take a bite of the chalk, or throw a piece under the deck, or some other impulsive action on how we're not supposed to use sidewalk chalk.  So then, I'll open the sand box and they happily start playing there, and Lily is left at peace...  Win-win!

This was a loud moment.  Everyone was making noise of some kind. :)

Lincoln drying off with Lily

Goose!

We've had the pool out several times already -- in fact we already need new swim diapers.  (*which truly are worthless at holding anything but poop in, --TMI?-- they more are just so they don't swell up and hold water equivalent to their body weights, like a normal diaper would).  Oh, my kids love to swim.  Who can blame them -- isn't this what summer's all about?

LOVES the water

And when we're not swimming, or doing sidwalk chalk, or going for walks to the park, or playing on the backyard swing set, then we're back to the crayons.  

Whatever we're doing, it's bound to be outside, and together.  Because that's the way we like it!

Coloring on the deck

Summer school (boo!) starts next week for Lily -- three weeks of 1/2 days -- and the following week for Lincoln -- 2 weeks of 1/2 days.  She will be done then for the summer, and he will have two more weeks at the end of July.  To help retain all that fabulous stuff they learned this year.  And to get them back together with some of their school friends.  I know Lily's not excited about it now, but she'll be happy to see those girls again.  I'm sure of it.  :)) 

Get outside!  Enjoy this weather!

School's out!

1st day of First Grade

My girl is done with FIRST GRADE.  Wow.
                          DONE.

She learned SO much this year.

- Reading.
- Spelling.  *which has limited what we talk about in front of her now.  :)  No more spelling things out!
- Telling time
- Counting money
- Fractions *yeah, in 1st grade
- Spanish
- the list goes on and on....

She's such a cool kid.  I am proud to be her mama.

Last day of First Grade

She'll have a week off, but then back for three weeks of summer school.  To make sure she maintains all the great stuff she's learned.  She's not excited to go back, but it's only 1/2 days -- and that will give her more time around her friends from school, so I'm sure that will make it a little easier to accept.

And next year.... a second grader.  I'm already looking forward to the school shopping... new clothes, new pencils and markers... wonder what she'll be studying next year...  what she'll learn...

I'm sure she's looking forward to the summer break.

It's going to be a summer full of back yard pools, dinner on the deck, corn on the cob, family gatherings, bonfires, and every parade we can hit!

BRING IT!  :))