DANCE FEVER

The boys have been bugging to be in soccer for a year now. Unfortunately, I can't find any soccer, baseball, football leagues for under 4. Last year I tried gymnastics, but Jacob got hurt, and they just weren't ready. But today, we decided Malena was ready for dance classes. She LOVES to dance to songs in the car and on t.v. So we figured we'd throw the boys in for company. Both the boys were against it, until they saw their tap shoes. (It's tap and ballet. Real masculine, huh?) Once they got in there, they had a blast, and actually all three did very well. And Malena only wandered off twice. Of course it's enclosed, and I'm on the other side of the door, so she's not getting away! But I was impressed at how well she took directions and was able to do almost all of the dance steps! She is a born dancer!

When we got there, the class only had one other student. A cute little girl named Natalie, who's birthday was today! So the whole class is my three and Natalie. Two boys and two girls. I can't wait til the recital in June!


(please excuse the picture quality. They were taken with my picture phone. DH videographer, and Mommy photographer forgot our equipment at home!)

JACOB PRESCHOOL UPDATE

Well, today was the first day back at preschool after the long President's day weekend. I always tell the boys what we will be doing the following day when I put them to bed. I told them they would be going to school. This caused Jacob to go into a fit. He didn't want to go. I then had a long talk with him, and told him I would stay with him during the first part of school. So the next day, I stayed.

His day at school starts with the playground. On the playground, the entire school (ages 0-5, about 50 kids) are all on the playground. Even with me there, he began to cry and practically melt into my legs. He wanted to go back inside, so I decided that I would take him inside and try to find out what's going on. Though he was still VERY attached to me, he stopped crying. Another little boy was inside, too, and tried to play with Jacob, but Jacob would have nothing to do with him, and hid his face.

His teacher, Ms. Robin, arrived, and she suggested we go back outside, as class was going to begin soon. No sooner did we get outside, and Jacob was crying again. Ms. Robin tried, I tried, other children tried, but he was very upset. Then it was time to go in, and Ms. Robin assigned Jacob the "line leader." He still wasn't happy, but he stopped crying. Before they went in, I decided to go in and have a discussion about this with the direct, Ms. Cindy. After a very long conversation with Ms. Cindy, I went in to check on Jacob in his class, who were all coming into their class from "potty time". Jacob was in line going to class when he saw me. Oh darn, I thought. But he saw me, and he looked up and said, "Oh, that's my Mom. Hi Mom." No big deal! Back to the old, outgoing, happy, independent Jake I know and love. Then he said bye and went into his class with the other kids, as if he hadn't been freaking out for the past 45 minutes!

Obviously, this is a playground issue, though I can't get out of him, what. I'm not sure if it's a bully on the playground (I am thinking this may be part of it), or Jacob's Sensory issues (too overwhelming to have ALL those kids running around), or what. Ms. Cindy and I have decided that next school day, I will drop him off a little closer to class time, so he will have limited playground time. And it is just THIS playground, because he goes to the playground when I go to my gym, and he loves it! So I'm kind of leaning towards there being a bully amongst them. We'll figure this out for my poor baby. :(

JOSHUA POINDEXTER

Well, today was the day. We took Joshua to get his glasses. Doesn't he look handsome? I admit, I almost cried when they told me he needed glasses, even though I was forewarned six months ago. And even though I figured all my kids would need glasses at some point, because I am practically blind. I just didn't think it would be so young. :( But here he is, three years old, needing glasses. Fortunately, it's a very mild prescription for farsightedness and asitgmatism.

He was very excited to get them, and so far we have been very lucky, in that he actually LIKES wearing them, and hasn't really tried to take them off. Before the woman at the store put them on, she told Joshua the rules, that only Mommy and Daddy can take off his glasses. He seems to be abiding to those rules. Keep your fingers crossed, that all continues.

Jacob was a very good boy, waiting for Joshua to try on his new glasses while he played with the toys at the store. Malena was at school, but when she saw Joshua's glasses she pointed to them right away. Later, when Malena tried to grab Joshua's glasses, Jacob told her, "No Malena. Only Mommy and Daddy can take off Joshua's glasses." Oh boy! At least we know he was listening.

PROBLEM PRESCHOOL FOR JACOB

Jacob started pre-school off with a bang! He was so excited to have his very own school, and so happy to go every day. The first day, he could hardly wait to go inside. Well, he is now he opposite of that. He cries for days before he knows he will be going to school, and cries for an hour after I drop him off. He's turned from a very social, outgoing little boy, to very shy and withdrawn, not wanting to go anywhere, and not even wanting to go outside to play. It is so heartbreaking. I've asked him what is wrong, and I've gotten (by asking over and over) a couple things out of him. One is that another little friend hurt another little friend. Another one is that he doesn't like "the room with toys." and he wants to go to the other room with books and learning (he is currently in the 2 1/2 yr room, due to he is not yet potty trained), and also, he says he wants to be in with Miss Julie. His teacher is Miss Robin. Miss Julie does not have a class. I believe she is the director, but she did sub for Miss Robin once (actually, his first day). He also cries that he wants Joshua to stay with him. I'm not sure what's going on with him, but it's breaking my heart. I plan on talking with Miss Julie to try to get this sraightened out, and, perhaps, at least, get him in the 3 year old room. Perhaps, that would help.

SILLY

Here's the kids (mostly the boys who are feeling better) being silly with Mommy and Daddy.

'Tis the Season

No, not that season. The bad season. Sick season. I remember last year, the kids were pretty much sick from October through March, then came Joshua's surgery, then came Malena's surgery, and it wasn't until July/August 'til we were all well. Unfortunately, it seems this year is heading that way. I can't remember who was sick first, but we all got sick, then there was maybe a week of everyone starting to feel better. Then Josh got sick again, then Malena, then Jake, then Josh was well, then Jake was well. Now Malena's starting to get over it again, but now Josh is sick again! This is a big, never-ending circle. I clean, disinfect, but it's impossible with 3 constant runny noses (and other fluids) to keep up with.

Malena always seems to get it the worste (not surprising) and always seems to get weird breakouts on her face. This time she looks like she has two black eyes. And of course, her nose is raw from all the wiping. No medication stops this little girl's nose from running.



My poor little baby. I can't wait until summer so we can all be well!

IT'S OFF!

Jacob finally got his "Big Bandaid" off today! Yeah. Doctor said his finger is healed and will cause no more problems. Of course when the doctor came in to ask Jake how he was feeling, he got shy and hid his face in my shoulder. At first, he didn't want to take it off, but once it was off, he was happy. Then he didn't want to bend it, afraid that it would hurt. But once the doctor showed him he could bend it, he was amazed.

And no sooner was it off, then both the boys were at it again (not like the splint stopped them anyway). Uggghhhhhh! What's a Mom to do?

My Little Angel

Check out Malena's picture on the Band of Angels Website Gallery! Okay, so it wasn't that hard to get on the site. I just submitted a picture, but I'm so proud to share my gorgeous girl!

Somebody up there must not like me. Not a day after Alex left on his next business trip, and the kids are sick again! Ugggghhhh! This time it was Joshua who started it out with a fever, then Malena got croupe Sunday night with a slight fever. Now both Malena and Josh are fine, but Jake had a slight fever today. I swear, I don't think their schools even believe me anymore when I call in that they're sick again! Hopefully this won't wind up as bad as last time, and I don't get sick again, too!

Help Support as I walk for those with Intellectual Disabilities

People with developmental and intellectual disabilities are often overlooked in today’s society. With the efforts of Best Buddies, we hope to change society's view on this population. Best Buddies provides friendship to these people and through our efforts we are changing the world, one friendship at a time.

I've decided to participate in the Run for the Buds to fundraise on behalf of Best Buddies California as I train for my next running event. I'm challenging myself to run as well as raise significant money along the way.

I'm asking you to assist me in my mission; and ultimately help those who need it most. Please visit my fundraising website by clicking the link below. Anything you can contribute is greatly appreciated!

Thank you for all your support!

Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Best Buddies International