First Dentist Exam

Lila went to the dentist for the first time today.  She was a super star.  Miss Sara (a mom of Lila's classmate) made sure to make her feel extra safe and comfortable.  She explained everything and asked before she did anything.  Lila Grace was thrilled to get up into the chair and felt super important when Miss Sara let her wear a rubber glove.  Soon, she was laying back with sunglasses on to block the bright light.  She opened wide and proved to be a pretty good brusher.  Her teeth look great which is nice to hear since I let Miss Grace to most the brushing these days.

On the flip side, she has a super high palate which will likely need expansion and a fairly large open bite accompanied by a tongue thrust.  No surprise there.  We noticed her forward, lower jaw and tongue immediately after bringing her home from the NICU.  Although she still uses a binki, it is likely that the ventilator tubes and all the various equipment she had in mouth during her NICU stay were the culprits.  Since Adeline suffers from the same problem, we might want to start socking some money away for our more than likely long relationship with orthodontia.

The Bus

Many people already know my thoughts about a school bus.  I am not afraid to state that I don't think anything good can come from riding a bus.  Having been teacher and having been on many buses with students, I feel as thought I have substantial evidence to back my opinion.  Thus, I don't expect my children will ride a bus unless it is absolutely necessary.


The one exception is Adeline's bus home from her IU classroom.  This bus is small, transports four children from her classroom, and has car seats.  The teachers strap the children in and the parent unstraps them when dropped at their house.  I feel that there are few transgressions that can take place with three and four year olds are strapped into car seats on a bus.  I still take her and pick her up every day that I can.  But, in order to allow Lila Grace to take dance, Adeline must ride the bus home on Tuesdays. 

Today was her first day and boy was she excited.  I even got a note home from her teacher telling me so. 

Ahhh. . . .

If you heard a strange noise this weekend, it was our audible sigh of relief when entering the outdoors.  Yes, we played outside!  A much needed break from the severe temps we have been experiencing.

Later that evening we had the first official Wolf Shaw game night - Savannah's idea.  It entailed making edible necklaces (a little fine motor activity to give the little girls practice which somehow was accepted as a game) and a much less successful board game.  We might stick to craft nights and bag the board game idea until another couple of years.  It was enjoyable nonetheless because the five of us sat around the table with the sole purpose of being together.


Notice Savannah's tricky pattern

Of course the best part of edible necklaces is EATING them!

Following in Her Little Sister's Footsteps

Somebody else wanted to take dance after hearing about how much fun Lila Grace is having.  At first Savannah only wanted to take dance if she could be in Lila's class.  I convinced her that there is no such class.  Thus, she started ballet all on her own and loved every minute of it.  The class is composed of 6-9 year olds and all of the studnents have been in the class since September.  I would have been sweating bullets and hating every moment of it, considering all the girls knew what to do and how to do it.  Even though Savannah is way behind in her knowledge, she tried very hard to hang with the group.  I am just thrilled that she had a beaming smile on her face when the class was over.  She felt that she did a great job and that is my number one reason for signing her up for extra curricular activities - building confidence.

Here she is warming up with the other girls.  They were instructed to spin on different levels.  (notice the tongue out look of concentration)

A Tearful Goodbye

After five wonderful weeks, we had to say goodbye to Grammy and Papa. The girls absolutely adore my parents and I adore having them here. The help, extra one on one time with the girls, and stronger since of family during the holidays is a wonderful blessing for all of us.

It was a hard goodbye at the airport. Lila Grace thought she was going to go with Grammy and Papa to their house. She doesn't get that she can't just get on the plane with them or that there is a significant distance. Adeline was just plain mad that she drove the airport without getting on a plane. Savannah, well to no one's surprise, was a sobbing mess. It is very hard to stand back and watch your child hurt while knowing there is nothing that can be done about it. The distance is always going to be there and random drop-ins aren't an option. We all wish it was different.

Here are some pictures that sum up their stay:

The Potty

It should be noted that Adeline is completely potty trained.  Yes, I said it before but I want to make sure and document that she verbalizes when she needs to go. I thought this would take at least a two to three months to come into place for her but she is already there. With the exception of Christmas day, both girls are accident free and I couldn't be more happy about it. Rarely do I have make a potty stop in a store and they are fantastic about holding it during long car rides etc. The potty training burden has been lifted!!!

Here is today's potty talk. . .

A: I need to poop

I help her on the potty

A: It is too hard Mom

Me: You have to push hard Adeline

Obvious pushing is observed

A: Where is it mommy?

Pushing coupled with interesting sounds

A: Oh, that is poop gas mom. It's in there (pointing in the toilet).

Laugh

A: It's funny mom.

A: Poop is too hard mommy.

Off the potty she goes until 15 minutes later when she completes her task. After, she runs into Alex's office. . .

A: I poop Alex.

Daddy: Yeah

A: Alex, know what?

Daddy: What Adeline?

A: I potty.

86 Days of Planning

That is as far back as my memory goes when thinking about Savannah's start to plan our anniversary.  One day it just popped in her head to plan her mommy and daddy the celebration of life time. "I can see it all in my imagination mommy." Not only did she see it in her head, she worked, and worked, AND worked until she made it a reality. Each week, sometimes each day, she would ask how many days to go until our anniversary. She never lost focus which is exactly what I thought would happen. How can six year old stay pepped up for something that won't happen for 86 days?


Here she is the night before with all the decorations up and presents ready.

Savannah crafted, created, and organized. She had a list ready for the things she needed, some of which she said I could buy for her. Everything was simple and mostly handmade. Savannah instructed us to go to bed early or stay in the office the night before because she needed to do some "work" downstairs. With the help of Grammy and Papa, our house was transformed by my Sweetie Pie's works or art/love. She even had games which were pretty complex. We had a scavenger hunt with clues she had written long ago. My favorite was a bag of hand cut confetti that she dropped down on us. Mixed in were little white hearts and whoever found the hear that said, "I love you," won the game. Creative! We had cake that evening by the light of the jar candle she crafted for a present. I got a book (because you love to read mommy) from the Dollar Store (she is economical too) and daddy received a hand made book called, "How to Draw." She took the time to illustrate each step of each thing she was drawing. You can kind of get the idea in the pictures below. Here we are being presented our gifts.  The last picture is of the cake she had for us.  Since I never blew out candles for my birthday, she felt it only appropriate to put them on our anniversary cake.

I have to say it was the best anniversary ever. Alex and I were both bleary eyed when roused from our beds early that morning by a very anxious and happy girl. Soon, we were in awe with teary eyes. Savannah is absolutely the most amazing, loving, and compassionate girl I know. I am so very lucky to live my life with her!  This will always be an anniversary to remember.