Break

We've had a good break.  Mike's had to work this week (poor him) and I've been grumpy the last two days (poor him again!) but feel better today.  We went out to dinner with friends last night (sans kids)... that may have helped!  Its been nice to have both kids home during the day.  And to hear their little voices in the house.

We went out for some errands on NYE.

One was buying paint to have two rooms painted on NYD.

 More fun in the cart.. 

 This was the extent of our NYE fun.  We were lame this year.  

 My parents were very generous and came up to paint with Mike on NYD.  

Its my first time to pick a color this "pale".  It does look pretty in this pic.  It feels cooler (and less homey) but I think it will just take getting used to, and rehanging a few things on the wall. 

I'd made a deal with the kids that if we did "school" every day this week, that I'd take them to see Frozen on Friday.  We decided to redeem that early on Wednesday so I could get out of the paint fumes. 

\

It was a lot of fun.  My cool kids...

Lily's been carrying around this purse (from Glenda) with her lip gloss and hair bows. :)

They have been good about doing school this week.  School with them is how I give myself a pep talk.  We've done journal drawings and sentences, sight words, reading practice, thank you notes, homework from when he was sick, counting, etc.

  Today I wanted to write one of those "dear younger me" letters but "Dear Mom to 3 year old Peter, who staggered down the hospital hall....  

Look at how he's rocking it as a 6 year old!!  His knights are fighting dragons!"

Meowy took a nap during school.

 There have been tea parties and lots of pretending.

Check out some of Peter's recent building projects here. 

Back to school and the routine next week!  It will be good, but we aren't looking forward to the early mornings!!

We Are Finished!

Otherwise titled "X stands for /ks/".  (I don't think I knew that before this week!)

On our to-do list this week before the end of school was to finish V, W, X, Y and Z!  We have been using this book and writing them too with worksheets I find online.  We are D.O.N.E!  We've done all our letters!

We've only finished 2 chapters of the book so we'll keep moving this summer!

WooHoo!

More Numbers

 After writing about numbers, it got me thinking of how we could to do more numbers with our easter eggs.  

So we headed out for a hunt. 

I wrote numbers on the eggs in a sharpie and then on the patio in chalk and told the kids they had to match them and say the number.  I told Peter he was a detective.  

 Then Daddy came home!

 But we kept going.... 

 And we added more numbers as we found more eggs that were still hidden from previous days.  ;)

Catch Up: Numbers

We did a sensory bin number activity.

I found lots of Moon Dough on clearance for 75% off 

(no wonder, I can't imagine moms like this stuff much!)

So I had the kids open all of the new packages and empty it into our bin.

 I wrote the number 1-20 on marbles and then made this number chart.
(We haven't worked a lot on numbers and need some practice, esp the teens.)

One of Peter's OTs recommended this stuff, so thus our motivation.  We squished it between our fingers to find all of the numbers.

 But clearly, some of the numbers came off.  ;)  We had fun anyway and hopefully learned a little something. 

Rewind: Valentines Day

We did lots of conversation heart activities. 

I think the sequencing was our favorite.  It was really fun for me to see the kids figure it out on their own.  

Pink, Green, Yellow, Pink, Green, Yellow, I don't know...

Say it again.  

Pink, Green, Yellow, Pink, Green, Yellow, PINK!

 The kids worked really hard on their Valentines.

Lily and I did hers one morning while Peter was at "work".

The teachers at his school told us to use the heart cutter in the teacher work room where we wait so Lily got fancy heart cut outs.  :)

Peter cut all of his hearts (I think I cut Lily's).

 It took us several days but we cut, glued (and flipped our hearts, which is tricky and helped him with crossing midline), flipped stickers, and wrote names (practice runs and the real thing).  I liked it b/c it made me work on a big project with him.  There were so many skills involved.  And we did the same thing over and over so I saw so much progress and improvement   Way to go, Pete!  

Lily doing a dance for us!

Peter sitting nearby and working on his book.  The boy loves some books.  
We got them this one for Christmas (its super cheap for so many stories!) and he LOVES it. 
Seriously, I love these CUTE kids. 

Quick Picture Dump

Lily started dance class!!  

To say she is excited would be an understatement.

Could you just die at the cuteness?  

(I know I say the same things over and over.  

Not real creative over here.  

Just love {and sometimes they drive me crazy} these little {growing!} ones.)

 We did a 10 day trial membership at an indoor pool.  The kids loved it.

 I could tell they got more and more comfortable in the water as the days went on.

 Mike always tried to convince me to get in.  I would {reluctantly, I know... no fun} and then just half heartedly enjoy it.  But finally on a week day I took the kids on my own.  There was NO ONE else there.  The kids swam.  I sat out (and was nice and WARM, not freezing in the water), loved watching them play, and we all had a good time.  

I think we may join.  But we haven't yet.

 Peter's final DTAP was delayed b/c of his (controlled) seizures.  The ped wanted us to check with neuro.  (We LOVE his ped.)  The neuro said it was fine.  So he just got it last week.  Final one... woohoo.  For a while at least.  He was nice and sore and a little lethargic.  Lily was sure to tell him that her shot didn't hurt (they both got flu shots too).  But I assured her that Peter got 2 and it wasn't just that she was tougher.  I didn't want Peter to think his little sister was tougher either.  ;)  She loves her bubby.  Her teacher just told me that she is quiet and smiley at school.  And the only time she makes a fuss is when she sees 'Pete' in the hallway... "Pete!!!!!!!!!!!"

 Enjoy seeing the gorgeous sunrises as we walk and on the way home.

 The kids stayed with Maw and Paw over the weekend.  
I sent to see Holly.  
Lily was sad to leave Maw.

 Mike is trying to read them all of the Jesus Story Book Bible in 2013.  I need to hear it too...

I've been trying to be there more and not running around the house straightening up/putting away laundry for the eve.  I've not had perfect attendance but have made it a little more.

 With our push for fine motor lately, Lily is digging it at all times and often crafting.  

Here she is making "cards" for everyone with little cut up paper colored with a blue pen.

 Self Portrait while Peter was at OT/ST.  We have started working on Lillian too.

 Dentist this morning.  

They said Lily has already changed the shape of her palate from thumb sucking and will need braces.  REALLY?!  They said it so matter of factly.  Thousands of dollars is literally the price we may pay for 3 years of soothing.  I had them both tell her she can't suck her thumb anymore (I'm not that concerned but I figured while we had the opportunity for someone else to say it).  At naptime today, she took it very seriously and didn't.  She kept telling me it was 'too hard to sleep' but then fell asleep without it.  I'm certainly not calling it but it was interesting to see that part of her personality, and wanting to be a big girl and do what they said.

 And this little man has a loose tooth!!!!

My intrigue with his fascination for vehicles continues... 

 Cutting off Daddy's cir-ca-lation before work.

 I just like this pic of Peter.  
It shows his highlighted blonde hair, brown eyes, and perfect skin so well.

We crafted a monster for our 'M' this week. 

 Daddy put on eye on his forehead and then moved his glasses to see with it.

The kids now think you are supposed to lick and stick the googly eyes everywhere.

 Thumbs up for his Monster.

This week I've found a new blog.   

http://www.rameelinlarson.com/

Her daughter has Batten Disease.  One of the things they tested for or were curious about when Peter was at the height of his seizure and low tone work up.  Though I don't want to pretend to really understand, I have a ever so slight idea of imagining that road.  She writes beautifully about their journey.  I've enjoyed reading, shuttered at the thought of it, and related to a lot of what she's said in processing grief.  She's helped me to trust God more with the path that he has laid out for both of us.  And she's been an advocate for rare and undiagnosed diseases, which I admire.

I'm off for coffee and to begin a 2 week class online.  

So probably won't be back for a little while.  :)