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.