Preston's School Projects - November

Since they can't hang on the fridge or wall forever... and since I can't store every single thing in a box in the attic...

Gracie's School Projects - November

Since they can't hang on the fridge or wall forever... and since I can't store every single thing in a box in the attic...



I thought this was a cute project... the brads brought back memories of my elementary school days. But, I really loved it when I flipped it over and read that Gracie worked on it with "min. assist!"

Foto "Friday" vol. 33 - Busy & Fun Week

Monday


After I dropped Gracie off at school, John and I took Preston to Disneyland with our neighbor, Addison, and her mommy, Rachel. We have lived here a year and have not yet gone - - both because of John's previously insane schedule and because we were so hesitant to take Gracie and have her be too stressed for any of us to enjoy it. I had a tremendous amount of guilt about going without her, but am so glad we did. It was really hot, even in November, and we spent a considerable amount of time in line for tickets.
(We bit the bullet and bought passes, realizing that we can take several short trips as often as we want and then there isn't pressure if one (or both) of the kids isn't having a great time. We can go on however many rides we can fit in without the pressure of fitting everything in. Plus, once we get the lay of the land, we will be able to carefully plan Gracie's first trip with shade, lines, crowd control and ride order all accounted for.)


Addison and Rachel were so patient waiting for us; Addison is a pro at waiting in line as she's been to Disneyland a bazillion times! Now that we have passes, Preston and I can go with them more often. It will be so fun!


When we left Disneyland, we picked Gracie up from school and then she had OT and PT. Last Monday (the 9th), she got to demo the type of wheelchair we have in mind for her. (There's been some questions regarding her strength and whether or not she'd be able to propel a chair on her own, thus a new chair had been put on hold until she could prove she was ready for it.)
On her first try, she got in, propelled, turned, etc. It was remarkable how well she did and she taught a big lesson about never underestimating her! This week, I was armed with my camera to capture her in action. She did great again, but rather than turn herself with the wheels, she discovered she could "bounce" off the walls using her feet! At first we thought she was having trouble steering, but quickly realized that this new method of movement was completely intentional. Leave it to Miss Gracie to add her own special touches to mobility!




Tuesday
This was a crazy day! Gracie's Triennial IEP was in the morning and lasted just short of her entire school day. As soon as school was out, I took her to Vital Stim . (Yep... she's back at therapy... more on that to follow soon!)

That night, I went out... for the first time in over a year... with fellow Mommy in CHARGE, Catherine, to celebrate her birthday. Upon seeing me in a dress and heels, Preston said, "Mama, what you wearing? Take off you shoes, Mama." His comments cracked me up... he has never seen me in a dress and heels... it is a very rare occasion! (My "lack of glam" also evidenced by my fading farmer tan!)



Wednesday
I took Gracie to school, then Vital Stim (normally on Fridays) and then OT & PT. At the end of PT, Gracie got very upset because she saw the wheelchair she'd used on Monday (and the previous Monday) and walked (with my assistance) toward it. She signed "up" and I had to tell her it was time to go. She got furious, started to cry and when I picked her up, she pointed to the chair over and over. I felt so bad and so happy all at the same time - - bad because she couldn't use it and it was time for us to leave; happy because she clearly loves the freedom that the chair gives her. I am so excited for this new chapter in her growth - - so much freedom and control heading your way, sweet girl. (Now we're all in big trouble! Ha!)

When Gracie and I got home, John was standing in the hallway in front of the bathroom door. He quietly informed me that Preston was on the potty about to go "number two" all by himself. And... he did it! Yay! He told John he had to go, took off his pants and diaper, put the potty seat on the toilet and climbed up all on his own! Woo Hoo!!! A huge step in the right direction!

Thursday
John took Gracie to school and Preston "helped" him. I stayed home preparing for the carpet cleaners to come (very badly needed, by the way!). Once they finished, I took Preston for a haircut. While we waited, he informed me he had to go potty. And... he did BOTH on the potty there. I was floored and so proud of him. After his cut, we picked Gracie up from school and returned home to play in front of the house (as I was trying to keep them off the carpets as long as possible!).

We blew up this cool tube that my mom got the kids last year. We thought Gracie would love it (and I think she will, eventually), but on this particular day, she wasn't having any part of it! She only wanted to sit in the stroller and play with the tennis racquet and ball.



Preston, on the other hand, loved the tube!

Friday
I took Gracie to school, then Preston, then came home, cleaned a bit, went to the store, made Pumpkin Marble Cheesecake, cleaned some more, got myself cleaned up, picked Gracie up, brought her home, fed her, changed her and then went to Preston's Preschool Thanksgiving Feast. It was so cute to see the kids together and get the chance to chat with some of the other parents. By the end of the evening, all three of us were tired!

Foto Friday vol. 32 - Two and a half... sigh!

As of November 9th, my little nugget, Bubba, is officially two and a half. I don't normally celebrate the "half birthday," but do, of course, recognize it as the marker for adding the all important 'half' to a child's age. For weeks I've been answering the question, "How old is he?" with "Almost two and a half," mostly, I suppose, to hang on to that "younger" toddler age. Two and a half rounds to three and I am just not ready for that at all! Time moves entirely too fast and specific memories of things done at certain ages and stages fade as new memories are made.

In light of this, here are a few specifics about you, Preston, as a now 2 1/2 year-old...

- You are 35.5 inches and 30 pounds. You are just about to bust out of your size 8 shoes and we can't find a hat that will stay on your head when you take off running!

- My heart soared when I said the following to you: "It's time to go get your socks and shoes on," and you excitedly said, "I'll go tell Neener!" I followed as you ran down the hall, went up to Gracie, knelt down and signed, "Shoes, socks, on, go!"
I stood there thinking, "He is such a good brother to her." And then, you tackled her. Ugh.

Other things you've recently said (or now consistently say as a "big boy") that have made me laugh out loud (despite my best effort to stifle it), made my heart soar or just surprise me because you so easily pick-up and apply language...

- "Mama, is it ready yet?" "No, Bubby, not yet." "Aw, ma-an..."

- "I'll be right back... stay there." (Hmmm... does someone say this to you, too?!)

- "Good morning, Mama. Good morning, Neener. How you sleep?"

- "Neener, are you okay?" She cries or seems irritated... and you say, "Mama, Neener upset... hurry!" (I love that you describe emotions now... upset, happy, sad, tired, mad, silly, funny... you often announce how you and others around you are feeling.)

- The other day all four of us were playing in your room. You were looking for something and walked over to where you last saw it, got a perplexed look on your face and said, "Hmmm... that's funny! Where is it?" (It took Daddy and I everything we had not to bust out laughing at your little dialogue.) You proceeded to move things on your shelves and in your bed. Finally, about five minutes later you yelled from the family room, "There it is! I found it!" It was your little fire truck and it, along with the ambulance and police car, is often in your possession.

- "Oooh yummy, that my favorite!!" (Really... your favorite, Bubby? Is it possible for everything to be your favorite? It is when you're two and a half!)

- You loved the Halloween decorations (even the scary ones once you knew they were pretend). When we'd drive by the ("Thriller" like) graveyards around the neighborhood, you pointed to them and said, "Look, Mama! Halloween!" and then you'd let out a pretend, albeit very loud, horror film-worthy scream and laugh hysterically.

- "Sorry, Neener. That's okay." (Said as you do something you shouldn't have, accept your own apology on her behalf and then pat her back or kiss her nose. I almost forget that you're admitting naughtiness that needs addressing!)

- You saw that Addison was home across the street and you were bound and determined to go see her! Luckily, you cannot manage the lock on the gate... yet! "Mama, I go see Addison, now!"

I absolutely love it when...

- You laugh out loud. You have the best belly laugh when tickle-wrestling with Daddy. Actually, you both do!

- You tell us you love us. You do this often, unprompted, along with doling out hugs and kisses... such a sweet, affectionate boy.

- You tell us about your dreams. Each morning and following naps, we love asking what you dreamt about. It's often monkeys, elephants and other zoo friends. Lately, though, you wake up in the morning with the most amazing, imaginative stories about your dreams. Whether the great tales you share with us are from your dreams or just your imagination running wild (encouraged by our oohs and aahs and genuine wonderment), Daddy and I love hearing about your dreams.

At night, you love falling asleep with company... usually Mommy or Gracie. Nap time can be difficult at home, as you fight so hard against resting, but when you do give in, you don't mess around!

- You absolutely insist people acknowledge each other, especially your sister. When someone talks to you or to me, you make certain that they also say hello to Gracie. If they ask you how old you are, you answer and also tell them how old Gracie is. You are such a protector and advocate for her; you have already learned how to help her have a voice. I love that about you.

- You tattle on yourself the minute Daddy comes home or calls. No matter what you did during the day and no matter what time it happened, you make sure that Daddy knows. I love that Daddy always gently thanks you for being honest and then talks to you about why you did the naughty thing(s) and why they aren't okay. I hope you always are this forthright with your wrongdoings!





Other things you do...


- You easily ride your tricycle well over a mile a day... often in one shot... breaking only to balance on neighbors' brick borders, jump pavers like a leap frog and count bugs and/or flowers. You love finding puddles to ride through and then pedal in circles making all kinds of patterns. You want to ride all the way to the park, but I will not let you because I am certain I will have to carry you and your tricycle all the way home after you've played! Someday, my little man, we'll give it a shot when Daddy can pick us up if need be! (Just last week we took your tricycle to the beach and you rode along the Pacific as all the grown-ups on bikes passed you by with a smile. What a lucky little guy you are to have already cruised the beach paths on your bike!)


- You have found another use for your tricycle (aside from riding one-handed and with no hands)... you put one foot on the back platform and push with your other foot as you hold the handle bars. "Look, Mama! Bubby has scooter!" Then... much to my dismay (because I know what kind of daredevil tricks are surely in your future), you hold the handle bars and hop over the seat as you're rolling. Ay, ay, ay!

- You love all things related to sports and truly are a natural little athlete. Daddy just raised your basketball hoop and we had to get you a little heavier duty ball to increase the challenge! You frequently run out back to practice dribbling the ball and take a few shots. You still love hitting balls off your "T," but much prefer to take a swing at a slow pitch. David Beckham better look out because, like your Daddy and uncle, you are quite skilled with the soccer ball. You can drop kick, you can easily aim and kick with both feet and you can dribble a ball across an entire soccer field! Surely the whole neighborhood can hear you scream, "Goal!" while playing the backyard!

- You like "working out" with Daddy. And, you're a good trainer, because you often remind him he needs to do it!

- You love to dance and sing. You love singing with your music in the car and dancing to Mommy's music at home. Your current top dance request is to Michael Franti's "Say Hey (I love you)" which is referred to as "The I love you song, Mama," in our house!


- This one is included at Daddy's insistence (it's a Daddy kind of thing, after all). After tooting or burping, you first proudly ask, "Did you hear that?" Once your wondrous sounds have been acknowledged, you then say, "Excuse me!" and giggle.
Ah... boys.

- I am amazed at your receptive sign vocabulary. One of my most favorite things to do is sign sentences to you and you'll translate. After Gracie's school Halloween parade, you sat in the kitchen with Daddy. I asked you, "Did you tell Daddy what you did today?" You didn't know where to start (it was, after all, nearly 8pm) so I signed behind Daddy, "You went to school with Gracie and walked in the parade." You said to Daddy, "Bubba go school with Neener and walk parade." Unbelievable.

Foto Friday vol. 31 - School Picture

Gracie - 1st Grade
...and her very first school picture!

This picture is many years (and the efforts of many) in the making!
This is the first year Gracie has been able to attend school full-time outside our home. She started out part-time last year (with me as her "aid"), but was in the hospital on picture day, was out sick on the make-up day and then we moved! So, when the picture day information was sent home last month, I was, to say the least, excited. I just wanted her to have a school picture... and though I wanted it to turn out cute, cute was not the point. The picture itself, regardless of her expression, pose, etc., was totally the point.

I was not there to witness (or supervise!) the "photo shoot," but knew that she was in good hands between her aid, her teacher and everyone else who was there. That afternoon, I was told that two shots were taken and had they tried their best to get a good one. Carol (an aid from the upper grade class - - the same one who kindly took Preston on the parade route last week) actually laid on the floor to prop Gracie up on the seat they use (why these companies don't provide supported seating is beyond me!), while her aid, teacher and several others tried to get her attention focused on smiling in the direction of the camera.

When we received both photo packages and were told we had to choose just one (or pay for both), John and I were elated to be choosing between two adorable, yet very different photos. However, making the decision proved to be more difficult than we anticipated! It took us days! In the end, this is the one we chose (we are still hoping the company will allow us to keep both since they're already printed). We love it because she looks so grown up and carefully posed, as though she had practiced in her mirror the exact amount of grin she wanted in her picture.

First day of Preschool

Today our little man started preschool!

(Yes, I know... not a very "toddler friendly" backpack! The Caillou one I ordered online was way too small for all his stuff! We are working on getting something much cooler!)

This day has been several months in the making with lots of tours at various programs, lots of disappointment (apparently my standards are high) and then, finally, with the help of another local mom, I was introduced to Preston's new school. When it was described to me, I was hopeful. When I toured with him last month, I knew it was exactly what we'd been looking for.

He was so excited this morning!

And, we were so excited for him! But when we drove away, I felt like a part of me was missing. I was nervous for him and was almost sick to my stomach with anxiety for the better part of an hour. When I called later to check on him, I was told that he cried for us for over 30 minutes about 20 minutes after we left. (Dagger, meet my mamaheart. Ouch.) I know it's normal, but it hurt and made me sad.

He had a few more emotional moments throughout the day, but for the most part, had a lot of fun. When we picked him up, I could see he had been crying recently. His eyes lit up and he squealed with excitement when he saw me, then John and then "Neener." He was really happy to see us. His teacher was wonderful and she told me how they comforted him and reassured him that we were, indeed, coming back for him. Thankfully, he said he had fun and that he was excited to go back on Friday. He chatted all the way home about his school day, his new friend "Timmy," and said he played and prayed. Soooo cute. Fingers crossed for fewer tears and more smiles on Friday!

He will attend an "odd" schedule of Tuesdays and Fridays... it is so kind of the school director to be flexible and work around therapy appointments for Gracie (thus, eliminating Preston having to attend and/or ride in the car for over three hours on those days). The other (huge!) bonus is that John is off most Tuesdays. When we got in the car after dropping Preston off this morning, it was the first time that we'd been together (with the exception of his graduation party last year, which doesn't count because he was too stressed out to be recognized!) without at least one of our children in eighteen and a half months. It was wonderful and strange all at the same time. We are looking forward to our few hours on Tuesdays so much. On Fridays, I will have some time to myself and time to get chores done around the house... with my music blasting and no guilt for having Preston watch a video while I get it all done!

My little man is in preschool... such a big boy now... sigh.

Gracie's School Projects - October

Since they can't hang on the fridge or wall forever... and since I can't store every single thing in a box in the attic...

Once again, Gracie had no trouble with stuffing the tissue paper into the small water bottle... this time to make the cute Jack-o-lantern! Apparently, putting things into a container must be centered around an adorable craft for her to comply!

I had to include the ghost Gracie made (with help, of course!) last year just before we moved. This year, it sat on our mantle in a place of great honor during the Halloween season.

Trick-or-Treat... and other Halloween Happenings

I cannot remember ever doing so much celebrating at Halloween - - even as a kid!

Costume Party
Last weekend (the 24th) we attended a costume party for our neighbor who turned three. The birthday boy, Adam, is dressed as Spiderman (he lives just a couple of doors down) and Snow White, Addison, lives directly across the street. These kids all love each other!
(Snow White and our Fire Fighter have been known to scream for each other hysterically through closed windows and doors... as though they have a sixth sense about the other's presence! Preston cries for her when her family's cars leave and always wants to know where they are going!)

We weren't sure if Gracie would love being in her "fire truck" or just the opposite. I took a ton of pictures just in case she never got in it again! She loved it though, and thought she was "all that" sitting in her special truck.


Just hangin' out


The fire fighter from every angle!


The boys in the bounce house


The witch on stilts Gracie liked her; Preston, well, not so much!



Miscellaneous Halloween Shenanigans!

We brought out old costumes (the duck was supposed to be Gracie's last year, but she wasn't having any part of it - - then or now!) and the wig belonged to our old friend, Marena, who was the greatest clown every Halloween. (She was silent and only used a notepad and a horn to communicate! It was a riot!) The witch hat was at WalMart and Preston insisted we both try it on!



Pumpkin Carving

Unfortunately, we didn't get a picture of the finished products and with the heat we've been having, they all shriveled up before Halloween night!

School Harvest Parade

-Betty Lou, Gracie's trusted aid, starring as the pirate pushing the dalmatian in her fire truck.
-The "Ring Leader" is our school principal.
-The "Cal Trans Worker," one of the Instructional Aids in the upper grade classroom, volunteered to take Preston on the parade walk. He happily went with her and came back with a bag of loot!
-"Jack" cracked me up, so I had to take his picture!

Gracie's classmates... aren't they soooo cute?!
&
Betty Lou and Gracie... aren't they soooo cute, too?!

And, finally... Halloween!

Fortunately, John got off work a bit early and was able to join us for a little Trick-or-Treating. Unfortunately, Miss Gracie ended Friday night with a fever and cough (which explains her "rough" days lately). She spent the better part of Saturday laying around pretty miserable and getting regular breathing treatments along with Tylenol for her fever. (Thus, no spots on her face and no red "collar.") I tried to time her breathing treatments so she'd feel well enough to go to a few houses, but she tuckered out pretty quickly. We did manage a couple of pictures before John took her home, though.


The three musketeers... Adam as Spiderman, Addison as Snow White and Preston as the Fire Fighter

The "Tot Posse" had a blast trick-or-treating together!

*John constructed Gracie's fire truck with some of our moving boxes and (a lot) of tape. He and Preston put on the first coat of red paint. I put on a second coat, painted the "bumper," made the headlights, used the free paint sticks at Lowe's to make the ladder, printed an enlarged Orange County Fire Authority shield off the Internet and added finishing touches with puffy paints and glitter. To make her dalmatian shirt, I just used slick black fabric paint and made spots everywhere. Her trach ties were painted red to serve as her dalmatian "collar." For Preston's T-shirt, I used iron-on printer sheets and printed a small shield and the text. John and I had so much fun putting it all together for them! And, let's just be honest... you haven't truly experienced Halloween until you've had a cardboard-constructed costume! And, you're not a "Halloween Mom" until you've suffered a costume-related burn from a glue gun!

Here are two quick videos that crack me up!

In the first one, he's excited and eager (he was every time!) to race to the door first and say "Trick-or-Treat," but wasn't completely getting the concept of knocking and waiting for the door to be opened!



About 20 seconds into the second one, Preston is checking to make sure that his friends got equal loot! I love how he and Adam look down into their loot bags!