Our Family, Told by Chuck E. Cheese Himself

Who needs cameras when you can get a Chuck E. Sketch??

Welcome Baby Bird 1 and 2

Last year at this time, we were well into our bird journals.  This year is a little different.  Since we spend countless hours in the car, we have no time for journals.  Nature keeps marching forward, with or without them anyway.  The girls' excitement is just as high too. 

Today, we discovered that two of our seven baby bird eggs hatched.  This piggy backs on Adeline's chick hatching experience in her IU classroom.  She is fully aware that the baby birds crack their way out of their eggs.  I was glad to see the carry over. 

Here are two short clips of the birds and of Adeline's explanation of what she saw.

Shades of Blue

Me:  Adeline, what is your favorite color?

Adeline:  Dark Blue

Lila:  I like blue too. 

Adeline:  No, Lila.  You like sunny blue not dark blue.

Lila:  Oh yes!  I like sunny blue.

Slipping

Savannah is nearing her last day of Kindergarten - gulp! I can't believe she is approaching seven years of age and will be in 1st grade.  Everyone told me the time would fly.  They just failed to tell me how to stop it from doing so.

I can honestly say that Savannh is more than I ever dreamed. She has broken out of her shy shell and become confident, yet completely compassionate. Somehow, she is the perfect balance. I once said that I wanted to raise a girl with strong convictions - not unlike her mother at times :) Well, I believe we are on the road. Savannah is determined to make this world a better place. She has started by developing a No Liter task force. It is only made up of one individual but she is always recruiting members while picking litter up off the ground along the way. Savannah is also compassionate about Africa. After her Kindergarten class studied the country, Savannah has been saving up her money. After thinking long and hard, she has decided that she wants to spend her money on clean drinking water for Africa. She once said, "Most kids would want to buy toys but not me. Clean water is much more important than a new toy." We just opened a savings account for her activism and Savannah is very excited to get to her $50.00 mark.  Never a day goes by without Savannah pointing out something she could do to help improve someone's world.

Looking at what I just wrote, especially after reflecting on my worries a year ago, Savannah is a huge success. She is top of her class academically (can now read the Magic Treehouse Series!!), she is highly respected by both students and staff, and she is blossoming in her faith. I couldn't be more proud.

With this growth and surge in confidence, I feel my little girl needing me a less. I wasn't prepared for her strong desire to play with friends in our cul-de-sac, have playdates with school friends, or spending time in her room alone. These desires are certainly stronger than her desire to snuggle with me on the couch while talking about her day. She needs less holding/snuggling and much less of my time. While she still gets very excited to have special mommy and Savannah time, her proximity from me is different. I used to complain that she wouldn't ever be in a different room than me. Now I wish we shared the same spaces more often.

I know her love for me hasn't changed. I also know that this is a completely natural and necessary road in her development. I would just rather freeze her in time. I now know what it feels like to miss her. I can't believe that I am the one asking of her time when it has always been the other way around.

In the end, I just hope that she knows how much I love her and appreciate all that she brings to this family. We got so LUCKY! 

As far as my heart is concerned. . . moments like the one in this picture help to fill the void.

The best big sister anyone could ask for!

Another TWIN Moment

I walked in on the girls and they had made this game up all on their own.  They were too cute taking turns.  One played while the other sang.  Adeline had been playing too loud so she thought it only appropriate to tell her sister that she was playing too loud.  The clip isn't as endearing as when I walked in, but it shows both sides of their twinship - the loving to play with each other side and the telling each other what to do.

I really love these girls.

Miss Grace

I wish I could say she gets her good looks from me. . . but we all know it simply isn't true.


Here is Miss Grace on the morning of her preschool, end of the year program.

Just to make sure we are keepin' it real. . . 

Twins - A Blessing, Not a Curse!

Recently, I have turned the corner on having twins.  I have always said it is double trouble but lately, it has been such a blessing.  The girls have become best of friends and play so well together.  I love watching them come up with different games and laugh themselves silly. 

One example of this was today.  The girls pulled down my laundry basket and got into their "boat."  I asked them if they were going to "Row, row, row your boat," in a sing-song voice and as soon as I walked away I heard this.

Good Bye Mrs. Stueve

Today was Adeline's last day of her mainstream preschool.  I knew saying good bye to Mrs. Stueve would be hard, but I didn't know that I would walk away with a hole in my heart.  Mrs. Stueve willingly took both Adeline and Lila into her classroom last year.  They didn't meet the age requirement which meant their development lagged even farther behind than that of their classmates.  Initially, Adeline always had a therapist with her which put another adult into the classroom.  Having been a teacher, I can say that having an adult set of eyes on you all of the time isn't so pleasant.  Of course, Mrs. Stueve welcomed the therapists, their suggestions, and any additional work the girls required.

The girls on their last day of school last year.

This year, Adeline returned to Mrs. Stueve because she teaches the three's class too.  I was thrilled to have the continuity.  Adeline was just thrilled to be with Mrs. Stueve again.  Mrs. Stueve has always met Adeline where Adeline is at that point and time.  While every child in the class was potty trained, Mrs. Stueve didn't blink an eye that Adeline was not.  She provides positive encouragement, is her greatest cheerleader, and makes sure to recognize even the smallest reached milestones.  There is no one else that makes me feel so positive about my Adeline.  I can't express how fortunate we have been to Mrs. Stueve guide Adeline through her first mainstream experience.

It is no surprise that Mrs. Stueve has found a place in our hearts.  Adeline has a real connection with her.  What surprises me, is that Mrs. Stueve really loves Adeline.  She is more than her teacher, she is an extension of me.   Here Mrs. Stueve explains her feelings in her own words. . .

Today was bittersweet...I am so proud of all of Adeline's accomplishments and it amazes me and warms me everyday to watch her grow.  At the same time, I will miss her so much and feel so protective of her. . . If I have contributed even the smallest thing to help Adeline along on her path, it makes my 10 years of teaching all worth while.  

How lucky we are!

Here are some pictures of the end of the year picnic.  It was quite nice to have a school picnic in lieu of a program.  The kids had a great time playing together.  We were there a full two hours and my girls were not ready to leave.  I guess if you give Adeline tractors and dump trucks and Lila big box of rocks and sand, they will never want to leave.  The little kitten didn't help either.

Here are some pictures of the festivities.  I was too busy crying to get a picture of Adeline and Mrs. Stueve.  However, I got one of the fabulous Mrs. Brady who has also had a hand in Adeline's success. 

With a Cluck Cluck Here and a Cluck Cluck There

Adeline's developmental classroom recently became the home to baby chicks.  I was pleased to hear that the kids were able to learn through observation.  Not only did they get to watch the cute, fuzzy, yellow, chicks run around in their box, they got to watch one emerge from an egg.  Adeline was so interested that she was able to tell me about it after she got home - something that she usually doesn't do.  All the students held the chicks the day after they hatched.  The chicks were rather calm and sedate which made it much easier on Adeline.  Three days later, families were invited into hold the chicks with the children.  Four day old chicks are much more active!

It was obvious that Adeline was very interested in holding one  She kept trying to put her hands out and was petting the chicks head, but the minute the chick's feet touched her hands, she was a ball of stress.  She never handles animals that move outside of her control well.  As I kept trying to encourage her, my frustration grew (see video for some yelling and chick avoidance).  At that point, Miss Lois stepped in with a simple, yet, ingenious idea.  Lois unfolded a napkin and laid it in Adeline's hands to provide a mental barrier between her and the chick.  Adeline immediately calmed which resulted in a wonderful chick holding moment.  Another example that highlights how amazing Adeline's IU teachers are.

Ten minutes into the activity, Lila was brought into the classroom.  She is in the building for speech and occupational therapy during this time.  Lila decided to accentuate the difference between the girls for all of Adeline's teacher by reaching down to kiss the chick before anyone could stop her.  Getting the chick out of her hands was about as hard as getting it into Adeline's.

I should mention that "Baby Kate" spent the week with us last week and can be seen sitting with us in the pictures and video.  She was too cute with the chicks. We had a great time being a family of four girls and I can't imagine an easier child to care for. I loved turning her into a Shaw girl with pink bows and ponytails. We love her lots!

Miss I Don't Like Dressing Myself. . .

was found coercing Adeline to pull her pants and socks off when asked to get ready for her nap.  Of course, Adeline thought it was great fun to pull Lila's clothes of her legs and obliged.  Please, don't let this be the start of manipulation.

Another Milestone??

The girls went for their last ride in the double stroller tonight.  Of course they insisted on sitting in their old car seats while attached to the stroller.  The twins found a way to get comfortable so Savannah, Daddy, and I took turns pushing them around the circle.

Somehow this has to count as a milestone reached.  My girls are on the verge of being stroller free.  Alex and I still find it hard to let go of our babies.

Mother's Day with the Horses

I volunteered with Adeline's theraputic riding barn for my Mother's Day activity.  The barn hosted a Kids Corner at a steeple chase event.  I went a couple hours early to help put together sock horses and then was helping kids put on the finishing touches.  It was pretty cute.  After the ponies were complete, there was a stick pony race which seemed to give Miss Grace trouble.

The weather was pretty cold and miserable which had us turning toward home before the steeple chase started.  We were able to take in some pony races which was pretty neat.  In the end, I just wanted to be surrounded by my girls.  I can't imagine what life would be like if I weren't their mother.  They are truly a gift and love them so!

Not quite the picture I got with the girls last year. . .

Gymnastics Anyone

The girls were fortunate to attend Max and Katie's birthday party. Katie is Savannah's first friend!! She is now seven - sniff sniff. It was great to see the girls connect so quickly, considering that they rarely see each other. I swear that there is some special magic between the two of them. I hope it continues for years to come.

Here are some pictures from the party. It was held at a local gymnastics venue. The swinging harness was the favorite. Savannah couldn't stop laughing and I couldn't stop worrying that she was going to crash into the ceiling. Oddly enough, Lila wouldn't try it but Miss Adeline hopped in and LOVED it. She kept saying, "Push me higher."

Here is a clip of the harness swing. I stopped the video just when the girl was confident enough to rocket Adeline up to the ceiling. Why don't they make these things for adults?

There is a Difference

Too often, I am faced with people questioning me about how Adeline's development is behind that of typical three year olds.  Yes, Miss Belle looks pretty good when you meet us on the street but under that social wave and priceless grin are various developmental delays.  It is really hard to explain unless you spend time with her.  I feel compelled to make sure others get that there is a difference.  Adeline is who she is and her road is much harder than that of her sisters.  She deserves credit for what she accomplishes when it is that much harder.  She is doing really well and making more progress than I ever dreamed.  I am so proud.  But. . . there is a difference.

Here is a clip of the girls jumping over cardboard bricks.  Adeline had a really hard time sticking the landing without the use of her outstretched hands on the floor.  Lila, jumped much higher than I ever thought she could.  Savannah put Adeline's in a tizzy because Adeline thought Savannah fell when she landed. (Another new addition to her sensory issues is that Adeline always thinks people are falling which really stresses her out.)  What I love the most is how Savannah and Lila were cheering Adeline on and how Adeline reciprocated for Lila.

Square Dancing

Savannah's school had a family square dance. I was skeptical at first but it turned out to be much fun. Alex (country pirate??) was volunteering behind the grill which left me with the girls and tunes from a fiddle. The caller did a great job of getting everyone involved.  Savannah started out partnered with her friend Ella, but was partnered with others as the night went on.

Lila and Adeline had a good time with Mommy on the dance floor. It appears that we were quite a show as the comments came pouring in once I stepped off the dance floor. I had a lot of fun with them. In the clip, they aren't during much because they didn't quite feel at ease without me there to dance with them.  Lila gave up dancing before the end and put her efforts into Ella's brother.  They were too cute!

Occupational Therapy

Miss Lila recently qualified for OT services again. Her Special Instructor and classroom teacher have both commented on her clumsy ways.  Let's just say Lila leaps before she thinks!  She also could use some help in the fine motor department.  She is drawing different shapes etc. and can write her name (thank goodness it is only four letters) but her pencil grasp is immature.  Cutting also lags behind that of her peers.

Since I have no idea how to help Lila lift herself out of her clumsy ways, or rein her into cutting and drawing activities with me when she would rather be running or jumping, I am thrilled to have OT on board again.  Lila performs well for her therapists, just not mommy or daddy. 

Well, Lila was evaluated in February and qualified for OT at the beginning for March and. . . hasn't seen an OT yet.  Budget cuts, the economy, and many other factors play into overloaded therapists that can't increase their case load.  Do I care?  NO!  My kid qualifies for the services and she should be getting them.  When complaining to the case manager about her lack of follow through and persistence, I am told that I should be reassured that Lila will get all the services that are due her.  Her OT will make up for the lost weeks.  My complaint is that she doesn't have an OT and she needs the help now, not four months from now.  We need not wait until Lila has formed any more bad habits will with pencil grasp or fallen more behind in her other areas of concern. 

So here it is.  A piece of my life that sets me apart from many other moms.  I am not trying to figure out what T-ball team to sign up for, or what playdate to plan for the twins.  I am spending hours going back and forth on the phone with the county while trying to manipulate my schedule so that Adeline's OT can serve Lila.  (I begged and she was willing.  God Bless her!)  Yes, that required moving one of Lila's speech therapy sessions and  changing Adeline's bus schedule. 

At the end of the day, I feel that I spend countless hours driving, following up with therapists, and worrying if it is all worth.  It has to be right??

My Girls Minus One