It's My Turn!!

Ryan's 1st day was today!! He was so excited. He seems to have had a great day despite the fact that biscuits and gravy were not on the menu for the day. I didn't have an opportunity to talk to the teacher as she was trying to manage several crying preschoolers and the mob of moms new to the program. Ryan got into the car laughing and was singing a song so, it appears that he had a great day!! Mike reported this morning that he did well with the change in drop-off routine, we will just pray that he continues to handle that situation well. Two down and one more to go...

Party Animals!

We have had a weekend of birthday parties. I must say that the Littles love, love, love parties!! Yesterday, we were at B*yds Orchard out in Versailles playing in their play area, going on a hayride, and partying. Ryan's buddy turned 3 (see picture below).

Afterward, we headed to a local Asian market to see what we could find. I was actually looking for bento boxes, but they were strictly a market and no boxes were to be found. Bummer! I'm thinking that will require a trip to the Walmart size Asian store in Cincinnati! For those wondering exactly what I am talking about, bento boxes are japanese style lunch boxes. Since the Littles love to eat small portions of lots of different things, I figured this would be right up their alley. I am all about being crafty, but I do not have time for creating the bento masterpieces that some people enjoy creating (bento box photos). The Littles might get a cute little treat from time-to-time if I get brave enough to try my hand at it. Until then, they will get lots of little finger foods. Back to the Asian store - Um... Let's just say it was very authentic. Rylee had to comment upon walking in about the smell. We could not read very many of the labels, but we did find a few finds - Shrimp chips that I used to eat in Okinawa, rice crackers that Mike brought back for Ryan from China, and hoisin sauce for a few recipes. If you need any duck eggs, roasted eel, dried squid, or instant jelly fish, just let us know - We know exactly where to find it!!












Today, it was another party. This one was at the local pool/water park. Rylee had a great time swimming, partying, and hanging out with other little girls!!

The People's Car

We have not spoken much about one member of our household in quite awhile... Let's just say it has been a sore subject. But, I am thrilled to announce that Herbie is still with us and that this week his tires hit the road.

Step #1: Get the poor fella running! CHECK!
Earlier this week, Ryan was sitting in the garage on a stool that he had pulled over next to Herbie stroking him with a weed. I believe he was talking to him, too. I wish I had gotten a picture of the moment. It was sweet and pathetic all at the same time.

Today, we took Herbie over to the man that is going to give him a full body makeover. Mike is like a little kid and is now counting the days until he is done. The man estimated about a month. He will do the painting, install seat belts in the back, replace the rubber trims, do some welding, etc.
Step #2: Body work. IN PROGRESS

Step #3: Get cat smell out of the car - Previous owner stored Herbie in his barn. MATERIALS ACQUIRED

Step #4: Take excited kids out for a spin. EXCITED KIDS CHECK!

It will take some time to get the inside cleaned up, but that is a mere technicality at this point.

The "before" pictures with "after" pictures to come :

Round and Round and Round

Yesterday, we headed up to Cincinnati Children's for the aural rehabilitation evaluation. Ryan has been progressing so well in his speech and language and things have been going along very smoothly since he received his BAHA. I really thought everything had been mapped out as to what decisions we needed to make, felt like we knew the timeline we were looking at for surgeries, all of our therapies were in place, etc. Even though we have still yet to make any decisions, we knew and understood the options available and felt as if we were in a holding pattern until decisions were made and he met the age requirements. According to the tests administered yesterday, he is doing well and his language is on target with his "typical" developing peers. However, The therapist did recommend that he receive 6 months to a year of aural rehabilitation. Yesterday, I was also told for the second time (two different audiologists) that he would benefit from a second BAHA - making it one for both sides. I do not know if this something that the main audiologist is going to start pushing for or not. It has just been brought up twice since June. I won't even go into the problems we went through to get BAHA #1 - I will , however, be shocked if insurance will support BAHA #2. Once Ryan returns to school next week, I will begin a new "To Do" list trying to figure out who can provide the aural rehabilitation services (school, private therapist, etc) , calls to the insurance company, yada yada yada. Although he behaves and functions like any other 4 year old, I know that I have a special needs child and that all of this is part of raising a child with a special needs. Like most moms I want to do everything that I can to get his needs met when it comes to getting him the services necessary to help build a strong foundation for learning and life. Because he is doing so well and is such a sharp lil' guy, I must admit that most days I do forget that he is classified as "special needs". I think that this is probably a good thing most of the time as he is treated the same and we have high yet, achievable/reasonable expectations for him just as we do for Morgan and Rylee. Yes, we do make some adaptations when it comes to language and hearing, but all-in-all he rolls right alongside us and has absolutely no problems doing so.
So, back onto the merry-go-round we go... (Insert carousel music here)

Sunflowers Baby!

There is excitement in the air. We have our first batch of sunflowers. We planted them right after our big family vacation and we have watched them grow all summer long. It was perfect timing as the first one bloomed yesterday, the 1st day of school. The Littles were so excited to see that precious flower and constantly go and visit the pots.

Today, after waving goodbye to the boys, we checked the sunflowers and another one had bloomed. I think God might have been whispering to me this morning as I noticed that the two flowers that had opened were both facing the morning sun. A few of them have leaves that have been attacked by some sort of bug, but despite the fact these sunflowers are standing proudly. It made me think that if we get up in the morning and face the Son, despite all the things that attempt to attack us throughout the day, we can stand firmly and proudly. Yes, we might have "blemishes", but God can draw attention away from that to the beauty that He creates within us! There you go, kiddos - A few thoughts from Mom via God's whispers!

The Last First Day of School at _______ Elementary!

This morning:

Today, was Morgan's last day of school at _______ Elementary. I would be extremely sad if it were our last year there, but with two more headed down their hallways we still have 7 more years to enjoy it! Oh my goodness! You know, that will make a total of 13 consecutive years having children in that school - As much as I hate to, I should put a disclaimer on this: Unless God calls us elsewhere. We love the elementary school and feel so fortunate to have been blessed with such wonderful teachers and experiences there!!

Morgan was quiet nervous this morning at the breakfast table. He was fidgety and kept asking me why I was "staring" at him. Let's just say, he was perched in his chair like a bird and constantly moving about... Ummm... Not sure why I was "staring" - You couldn't look anywhere, but at him because he was soo not himself!!

We took our annual "1st Day of School" picture out in front of the house. Once again, his clothing pick for the 1st day was his Phillies jersey. I swear the child has a closet full of clothes - You would not know it from the blog, however. I have realized that we get our monies worth when we do invest in the jerseys!! Mike also mentioned taking him to breakfast before school and Morgan chose not to go - Evidently, he suddenly does not care for McD*n*ld's breakfasts. So, he is there now and we are anxiously awaiting for his report on the 1st Day of School. This morning:

This afternoon:

He made it home and back. Our lil' guy of so many words didn't have much to say. I do know that one teacher is "strict" and that he changed classes with lots of different kids. Last year, the 4th graders went to homeroom and then got into different groups. The groups then traveled together throughout the day until homeroom at the end of the day. This year, it sounds as if they are getting them adjusted to the transition to middle school where they all move about to different classes and are not assigned to one travel group. He was bummed that his buddy wasn't with him the whole day, but I think he liked the fact that he was pretty much with every person in 5th grade at some point during the day. Other than the fact that he is tired, that is about all the scoop from the Big Guy!

Got Biscuits?

Last year, Ryan's teacher at school asked us during his parent/teacher conference whether or not it would be okay to limit his food at breakfast. We were a bit puzzled as he is not a big eater. She proceeded to tell us that he really loves Thursdays because they have biscuits. She then explained that she knew he was a child that was well fed, but was hesitant to put a limit on his intake. After finding out that he was eating 3-4 southern style biscuits in addition to the other food served on Thursdays, we encouraged her to cut him off at 3. So, that is the way it was. Ryan got 3 biscuits on Thursday mornings. To this day (even though he has not been in school for approximately 3 months), if the topic of school or Ms. Jill comes up he will go into this long story about how he eats 3 (fingers up and everything) biscuits at school. It is a little "Rain Man'ish". So, it has been a running joke for months and months!!

Well, the other day I took the kids to Cr*ck** B**rel for lunch and 3 or 4 of us decided to order breakfast. Rylee chose to have the chicken dumplings which she had never had because Kung Fu Panda loves dumplings. Ryan ordered a pancake and Morgan ordered his usual blueberry pancakes. I ordered one of the country breakfasts on the menu. Well, before I could get everyone settled, Ryan had scoffed down his huge pancake and Rylee was picking through the dumplings (which by the way we now know she does not like) for the chicken. Ryan then began checking out my meal. My meal came with grits and biscuits and gravy that I had no idea came with my breakfast and had absolutely no desire to eat - I have not totally submitted to southern living... So, I asked him if he wanted my grits and he downed the grits in no time. UGH! Then, he asked for a biscuit. I gave the biscuit to him and in true "Give A Mouse A Cookie" fashion, he requested the gravy. I gave it to him and wondered if he knew what to do with it. He yanked the bowl away from me and began dipping his big ole' biscuit into the bowl. Guess he was eating the biscuits at school with gravy... Who knew!! So, after another bisquit I cut the poor lil' fella off as we had no more biscuits. The waitress and I had a great laugh as every time she walked by he was finishing off something. Oh how I wish I had recorded his feeding frenzy!

I have since gone to the store and stocked up on some country gravy for biscuits - It is in a can, but hey it's gravy and this Mommy has no idea how to make gravy - Believe me, he is better off with it in a can! He has since had biscuits and gravy for breakfast and enjoyed every single morsel!! Here's to our little southerner - Now if I could only get him to eat okra with me!!