IEP meeting complete

The time had come for the dreaded IEP meeting. You know the one where they point out the obvious and tell you she qualifies for services. I know it is all standard but it was a meeting I wasn't excited about.

Brooke is at the same school that Lindsey will be attending. They have 4 preschool classrooms. Brooke LOVES preschool. She has two little friends she always talks about. Of course, they are both girls. I have no reason to think Lindsey won't enjoy it just as much. Her teacher will be Miss Jane.

So the meeting wasn't as bad as I thought. You can see they try and speak most about the positives and what she IS doing. As expected she scores the highest in social skills. She does qualify for all therapies. While the amount of time is just 80minutes a month per therapist we plan to continue private therapy and PMD.

Just a few highlights from her IEP.

1.Lindsey will express her wants and needs given adult facilitation.

2.Lindsey will follow one step directions to complete the daily routines with visual and verbal prompts.

3.Lindsey will be able to navigate play equipment with fading physical assistance.

Her PT also mentioned to us that she really thinks Lindsey will be walking by Christmas. C'mon Santa don't make me sit on your lap and tell you what I wish for. I am pretty sure you know. It would be the best Christmas present EVER!

Photo Dump

I cleared off my pictures on my cellphone so it is time for a photo dump post.

Race for the Cure 2011

I took part in my first 5K Sunday. Sure, I go to the gym a couple times a week but running was never something I preferred to do. Tim has done a few 5Ks and has run 2 half marathons. For some a 5K seems like an ordinary run. I didn't like that on any given day I couldn't just tie up tennis shoes and say I was heading out for a run. So I needed to fix it. What better 5K to complete than the Race for the Cure. To see all that pink and all those people there in support of one cause is amazing. I have been an oncology nurse for many years. I have administered many chemotherapy drugs, held many hands, and looked right in the eyes of so many scared faces on the first day of treatment and told them they could do it. It may be hard and you may want to give up at times but you can do it and you will do it! The same words I had to tell myself. Only my race lasted just 30minutes and their race is so much more. So this particular race was run for Lynne S., Cathy J., and everyone affected by cancer.

All the S. kids ran to show their support for their mom.

Sorry Kelly and Eric, we took the picture early on.

Sylvania Playland with Leah

Carrie and Leah spent the afternoon with us.

What better way to spend an afternoon than with ice cream, pizza, and playland.

Brooke insisted on plain vanilla with sprinkles. She said no to cookie dough, orange, and oreo. Girl just likes her some straight up vanilla.

Me? Well, I can never make a decision and opted for the 4 scoop sampler.

I ate it all!

The ver so magicalle playland. Where kids are so worn out they sleep on the way home. all that climbing and jumping makes the parents sleep pretty good too.

Not that I would EVER wish away nap time but Lindsey missed out again. She was home napping while Daddy painted another day away in the entry/hallway. Looks great by the way. We went with Behr's Toasted Wheat.

1st Day of Preschool 2011

Brooke had her first of preschool today. She is now going 4 days a week and has switched to mornings. She is going to preschool at Stranahan. She insisted on dressing herself and when your Mommy just came home from working a night shift you can get away with a lot more. Besides I think it is kinda funny to see what she comes up with. Brooke was around quite a few older girls over the weekend that had knee high socks on with shorts. That is all she wants to wear now. She gave us both a big hug and kiss before off she went.

Brooke was thrilled at pick up and only cared if her Daddy brought the van. She said she had lots of fun playing on the playground and has lots of friends. One of her favorite things about her new classroom is the guinea pig named Fergus.

Visit with the Chacks-and lots of pics

I decided to make a last minute trip up to see a dear friend before everyone starts preschool next week. The Chacks just recently moved closer and now it is a trip made in less than 3 hours. I wish we would have picked a day before the cool September air had set in. The beach is amazing considering it is one of the great lakes. Lindsey walking down to the beach playground. Slow and steady.

Brooke had her first sleepover at a friends house. Granted, Lindsey and I were there. They were just like little girls giggling and talking in bed. Until one passed out. To my surprise it was Brooke.

The next day it was back out for a short walk and to enjoy the beach playground.

Seriously, walking next to this the entire way? NICE!

Oh, the playground. A reminder of how much I would like Lindsey to start walking. I chased that crawling girly all around those kid size play areas and I am feeling it today. Those tunnels were not meant to be crawled through by the parent over and over. I went down the slide with a few times and she threw a fit once we were at the bottom. I mean a true 2 year old fit! The two days we had been there she never once would go down the little slides by herself. No matter how much coaxing I did. So as soon as I stop worrying she will go I realize, oh crap she is going head first. I tried my best to grab at her shirt or a foot but didn't make it in time. This was no kiddie slide. It was a giant tunnel slide. Thankfully they all end at the bottom straight in the sand. She wasn't pleased about the sand on her hands.

Little Stinker!

The afernoon ended with a picnic at the beach and back for naps.

Once naps were over the girls showed off their outfits.

and played a little before it was time for baths and home.

Girl's room and the pig

I thought I would share a few pictures of what we have been doing since moving in. The house is great. We have so much more room everywhere and we are in a way better school district.

We decided to stick with the same paint colors in Lindsey's room. Nothing but the room itself has really changed.

Behr Whispy pink on the top and winter cocoa on the bottom

Brooke's room was a glowing pink before. I loved it with her crib bedding but when she went to the big girl bed this bright pink quilt just made her room glow pink. We were able to tone it down with a pretty light purple. I also set up a little mirror with a shelf and a storage chair to hold all her dress up gear. It so cute to see her blow drying her hair and playing around in the mirror. For whatever reason she has to take the mirror down at night because she doesn't like to see herself in it. She even made Tim cover the little area on her CD player where she could see her reflection. Oh, the drama.

Behr Pixie Wing

The pig.

The previous owner really liked pigs. They left us their pig doormat, tea kettle, wind chimes, and this guy.
It has turned into a joke for Tim. He fixed Wilbur all up and put him in the back facing the field. I can't really argue or do anything about it considering I can lift the darn thing.

Pool

What kid doesn't like the pool? Brooke and Lindsey are no exception. They could play around in the pool all day. Their fingers and toes are all wrinkled like raisins when they do get out.

This is what usually happens to Tim. They climb all over him in the deep end while he tries to keep his head above water. Brooke loves jumping off the diving board but insists Daddy be there to catch her. Swimming with the two of them makes for a good night sleep for everyone.

Black Lake 2011

The summer has flown by. We are getting Brooke ready for her second year of preschool. We have started meetings and all the paperwork for Lindsey to start preschool. Most of the summer was spent packing, moving, and unpacking. We did take some time to enjoy the summer. Thanks to Jamie and her family we have enjoyed another mini vacation at Black Lake.

Brooke was over the top excited to see Kermit aka "Herman" was still there waiting for her.

Lindsey looked like such a big girl sitting in the Dora chair. That chair turned into being the hot seat to sit in.

Brooke had fun with the squirt guns.

Lindsey was playing around with Brooke and thinking this was great fun. She kept pinning er down. They were both laughing so hard no wonder she kept doing it.

You can pretty much guarantee there will be one cool day. Lindsey thought she had her own little play area inside the kiddie pool.

Brooke wasn't phased by a little chill in the air. The sun was out and she was ready to play.

There are no bath tubs just 2 stand up showers. Lindsey HATES water in her face. After the first shower I knew I wasn't going to be able to do it to her again. Brooke insisted that she could still fit in the sink for a bath. Brooke stuck with the shower the rest of the trip.

Brooke also had her very first glass of what she called little girl wine. Really just strawberry milk in a plastic wine cup.

Taking the pool back outside for some fun in the sun.

Taking both girls out for a paddle boat ride.

No lake trip is complete without smores.

This time we even tried campfire pies. Brooke preferred to eat the pie filling straight from the can.