I posted midweek, so that there isn't very much to say. But that said I have big news! At least I think it's big.
Beth has really improved her reading skills lately. Growing by leaps and bounds. And she is reading her first chapter book, completely independently. And she understands it and she sounds out the big hard words. And I'm so proud. In fact, she didn't want to go out and play until she finished her chapter. I've been waiting for this day to come!
Caleb did really well at Stake Conference today. I mean really well, he was quiet, and drew pictures and didn't run laps around the church, or act up for the whole two hours! Wish I could say the same about the other two, but it was better than I thought it would be overall! Yeah!
Jacob had his second speech evaluation. This is the first real test since he started speech therapy. They needed to document his progress. Great news is that he scored completely normal for his age. His speech comprehension perfectly matched his age. Normal scores go from 80-115 and he scored 98. His attempts at speech scored a bit lower, but still within normal range, but she gave him credits for his speech attempts. The pronunciation test he scored lowest on. She said that this was all in line with signs of Childhood Apraxia. So the diagnosis is still holding. What is most important to me is the progress that I'm seeing. It's awesome how much he is picking up and how fast he is doing it!
Rob and I are doing pretty well. Rob's the second counselor in the Elder's Quorum now, and he is going to be very busy! But I think it will be a great way to feel more involved in the ward. I think it will be good for him. So yeah him!
That's about it. Have a great week!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Free Cone Day
So quite honestly, I am only posting since I am procrastinating doing what I should be doing. But today was free cone day at Ben and Jerry's. We've attended every year since we moved to Cary. I wish we had a camera phone because the Jacob was so messy. So very, very messy. He wouldn't let me lick his drips. After I licked Caleb's drips for him, Jacob proceeded to lecture me for about five minutes on the fact that I shouldn't lick his cone. He consisted of grunts, stern looks, and the word mine intermingled with it all. In the mean time chocolate ran down is arm, and pooled on his knee. This mess upset Jacob and he smeared the it on his leg.
It was down his arm, and his leg, and the sidewalk where he was sitting was covered in chocolate drips. It also dripped on me, my arms and my pants. Somehow though, it didn't drip on his clothes. The entire time Jacob was eating he was scolding me--I think he could tell that I was cringing inside just thinking of picking him up.
As always there were the interestingly odd entertainers to help those who were standing in line. For some reason we didn't have to wait at all, we just walked in the door, but Caleb enjoyed watching the odd hula hoop dancer and the two jugglers after we had finished.
Gotta Love Free Cone Day!
It was down his arm, and his leg, and the sidewalk where he was sitting was covered in chocolate drips. It also dripped on me, my arms and my pants. Somehow though, it didn't drip on his clothes. The entire time Jacob was eating he was scolding me--I think he could tell that I was cringing inside just thinking of picking him up.
As always there were the interestingly odd entertainers to help those who were standing in line. For some reason we didn't have to wait at all, we just walked in the door, but Caleb enjoyed watching the odd hula hoop dancer and the two jugglers after we had finished.
Gotta Love Free Cone Day!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Earth Day Fun
So yesterday Rob and I were talking about what to do with the kids for the day. It had been awhile since we'd been to the Science museum and decided to take them there for a "quick trip."
Before we left Rob got online and it was the Earth Day Celebration weekend. There were celebrations all over in Cary, and at various locations in Raleigh. We decided to still hit celebration at the Science Museum. And Rob decided not to take the camera. So no photos documenting our day.
First we went and Beth made a binary birthday necklace. Not sure what that had to do with Earth Day, but she had fun.
Caleb made some 'noculars while Beth was doing that.
Then we headed over to the drum making area. The kids made some kind of shakers, and then we went to the trash band drum circle and joined in. It was a lot of fun. The kids really enjoyed it. There was a moment when everything just kind of took off and it sounded awesome, with everyone doing there own thing. I'd never been in a drum circle before and I can see the appeal.
Then there was a parade full of stuff made from Trash, and a Chinese Dragon made from trash and all these weird symbol people puppet things. Anyway the parade ended with some kind of political talk that everybody wandered away from before it was finished. The kids quit the parade before that because Caleb's sugar was low. And man he was in breakdown mode.
We fixed it with Locopops. They had Cookies and Cream, but we were out of money, so Rob and I didn't have one. Don't worry Rob stopped at the store on the way home and got himself a boisenberry and lemon one. (I don't know how to spell boisenberry, and I'm too lazy to figure it out right now.) There's a cool story behind these special pops, but I'll let Rob share it some other time.
After we had the pops, and Jacob got cleaned up. We went to the science museum, ate lunch there and took the tour again. Mostly just the dinosaurs. That's what we go for. There building a new bioscience museum that will open in 2011. I'm excited about it.
Then we wasted some time and ran into Jason Shin. He's an old friend of Rob's who doesn't live in Raleigh. So it was random, but nice.
The kids decided to go bowling with a big ball (bigger than Jacob big) made out of plastic balls. The pins were the big water bottles used in water coolers. They all did a great job and got cool free bags from the museum.
Then we killed a little more time, because once we were there, we realized that The Connells, play at 4:00. If we had known this before we went we would have come a bit later. Rob was really excited, and had fun. But the kids and I all decided that they played the music way too LOUD for the size of crowd there. Rob stood close to the stage and we went back about fifty yards. Jacob ran around in the dirt and his feet turned a dark black.
On the way home Rob made his stop at Locopops, and we also hit Sonic's for some slushes, corndogs and Cherry Limeades. Yum!
It was a fun day. Plus I think it is a good idea to have a day where we all think of things we can do to take better care of the Earth. It's our responsibility to do what we can to make a difference. Every little bit helps!
Before we left Rob got online and it was the Earth Day Celebration weekend. There were celebrations all over in Cary, and at various locations in Raleigh. We decided to still hit celebration at the Science Museum. And Rob decided not to take the camera. So no photos documenting our day.
First we went and Beth made a binary birthday necklace. Not sure what that had to do with Earth Day, but she had fun.
Caleb made some 'noculars while Beth was doing that.
Then we headed over to the drum making area. The kids made some kind of shakers, and then we went to the trash band drum circle and joined in. It was a lot of fun. The kids really enjoyed it. There was a moment when everything just kind of took off and it sounded awesome, with everyone doing there own thing. I'd never been in a drum circle before and I can see the appeal.
Then there was a parade full of stuff made from Trash, and a Chinese Dragon made from trash and all these weird symbol people puppet things. Anyway the parade ended with some kind of political talk that everybody wandered away from before it was finished. The kids quit the parade before that because Caleb's sugar was low. And man he was in breakdown mode.
We fixed it with Locopops. They had Cookies and Cream, but we were out of money, so Rob and I didn't have one. Don't worry Rob stopped at the store on the way home and got himself a boisenberry and lemon one. (I don't know how to spell boisenberry, and I'm too lazy to figure it out right now.) There's a cool story behind these special pops, but I'll let Rob share it some other time.
After we had the pops, and Jacob got cleaned up. We went to the science museum, ate lunch there and took the tour again. Mostly just the dinosaurs. That's what we go for. There building a new bioscience museum that will open in 2011. I'm excited about it.
Then we wasted some time and ran into Jason Shin. He's an old friend of Rob's who doesn't live in Raleigh. So it was random, but nice.
The kids decided to go bowling with a big ball (bigger than Jacob big) made out of plastic balls. The pins were the big water bottles used in water coolers. They all did a great job and got cool free bags from the museum.
Then we killed a little more time, because once we were there, we realized that The Connells, play at 4:00. If we had known this before we went we would have come a bit later. Rob was really excited, and had fun. But the kids and I all decided that they played the music way too LOUD for the size of crowd there. Rob stood close to the stage and we went back about fifty yards. Jacob ran around in the dirt and his feet turned a dark black.
On the way home Rob made his stop at Locopops, and we also hit Sonic's for some slushes, corndogs and Cherry Limeades. Yum!
It was a fun day. Plus I think it is a good idea to have a day where we all think of things we can do to take better care of the Earth. It's our responsibility to do what we can to make a difference. Every little bit helps!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Disneyworld and Other Adventures
Last weekend we had the opportunity to go down to Florida with Rob's family and visit family. We also went to Disneyworld for a day. It was a lot of fun. I know Rob's got photo's somewhere. It was great to see Rob's family in Florida. They are all so nice and welcoming.
Disneyworld was fun. Here are some highlights:
Beth riding Space Mountain (unfortunately she burst into tears at the end, refused to ride anything remotely scary)
Caleb riding the Barnstormer (kid rollercoaster) and crying out "Oh yeah! Oh baby!" He's ready for the big rollercoasters!
Jacob on the Teacups. Grinning and laughing and going fast, fast, fast!
It was a lot of fun. The kids played hard, and slept a lot on the way home.
The worst part of the whole thing was the drive. But the kids did surprisingly well! I'm very happy and pleased with how well they actually did.
On the ride home I was thinking of other road trip classics, mostly from my childhood:
1. Driving back to school with Suzanne, we were doing about ninety across the Nevada and Oregon border when a bee flew in our car window! We were both screaming and I climbed in the backseat really fast. Finally I managed to get it out the other window. But if you know Suzanne or I you should know how spazzy we both are around bees. It's a miracle we didn't wreck.
2. Driving out Yellowstone with very low visibility due to the forest fires. You could see the flames in the distance. They closed the exit we left through the next day.
3. The trip to Texas and New Mexico when I was six. Ruthann was miserable the whole time.
4. The time we got stuck in Snowville, Utah on the way to Burley. I was only four or five. I don't know why we were stuck, just that we were and it was so very, very hot!
That's it for road trip memories.
Have a great week!
Disneyworld was fun. Here are some highlights:
Beth riding Space Mountain (unfortunately she burst into tears at the end, refused to ride anything remotely scary)
Caleb riding the Barnstormer (kid rollercoaster) and crying out "Oh yeah! Oh baby!" He's ready for the big rollercoasters!
Jacob on the Teacups. Grinning and laughing and going fast, fast, fast!
It was a lot of fun. The kids played hard, and slept a lot on the way home.
The worst part of the whole thing was the drive. But the kids did surprisingly well! I'm very happy and pleased with how well they actually did.
On the ride home I was thinking of other road trip classics, mostly from my childhood:
1. Driving back to school with Suzanne, we were doing about ninety across the Nevada and Oregon border when a bee flew in our car window! We were both screaming and I climbed in the backseat really fast. Finally I managed to get it out the other window. But if you know Suzanne or I you should know how spazzy we both are around bees. It's a miracle we didn't wreck.
2. Driving out Yellowstone with very low visibility due to the forest fires. You could see the flames in the distance. They closed the exit we left through the next day.
3. The trip to Texas and New Mexico when I was six. Ruthann was miserable the whole time.
4. The time we got stuck in Snowville, Utah on the way to Burley. I was only four or five. I don't know why we were stuck, just that we were and it was so very, very hot!
That's it for road trip memories.
Have a great week!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
A Day of Words
Today we went to an Easter egg hunt at the Mordechai house. It was fun. Caleb did not have such a great time, since he currently has a fear (big, big fear) of anything dressed in a costume. He won't go within twenty feet of one. Obviously there was someone dressed up in a bunny costume. Unfortunately there was also some in a duck costume. So we were on constant watch. It was time to go and Caleb wasn't ready. I told Caleb we had to go and part of it was because he hadn't had much fun since he was scared of the bunny.
Caleb--I wasn't scared Mom.
Me--Okay
Caleb--No Mom, I'm allergic. I'm allergic to people in bunny costumes, and duck costumes. That's why I can't be around them.
Me--so you're not afraid?
Caleb--no I'm allergic.
Caleb has an "allergy" to dogs, kittens, bunny costumes, but not real bunnies, and a whole myriad of other things.
Jacob has begun speaking a lot more and using words that are relevant to the situation. Today Beth was hurt and bleeding. He marched into where I was and said "Bind ide." and shook his hand at me. "Boo boo."
I looked at him for a minute--"Band aid? Jacob.
Nodding his head "Bind ide." Then he walks to the closet, and points up "Bind ide high up"
"The band aid's up high?" I asked. I got the band aids out and gave one for him to give to Beth. And then because at our house if one person needs a band aid, everyone gets a band aid. I got one out for him.
"Where are you going to put the band aid?" I asked expecting him to point.
"Arm, Arm" Jacob said.
Wow! What a day--I'm so proud of him. He used three different words I'd never heard him used before in the right context for just this one little thing. The vowel sounds may be a little off, but that is to be expected. I'm just so thrilled and excited. I am also grateful that I have the opportunity to see the blessings of the little steps making a big difference.
Ciao!
Caleb--I wasn't scared Mom.
Me--Okay
Caleb--No Mom, I'm allergic. I'm allergic to people in bunny costumes, and duck costumes. That's why I can't be around them.
Me--so you're not afraid?
Caleb--no I'm allergic.
Caleb has an "allergy" to dogs, kittens, bunny costumes, but not real bunnies, and a whole myriad of other things.
Jacob has begun speaking a lot more and using words that are relevant to the situation. Today Beth was hurt and bleeding. He marched into where I was and said "Bind ide." and shook his hand at me. "Boo boo."
I looked at him for a minute--"Band aid? Jacob.
Nodding his head "Bind ide." Then he walks to the closet, and points up "Bind ide high up"
"The band aid's up high?" I asked. I got the band aids out and gave one for him to give to Beth. And then because at our house if one person needs a band aid, everyone gets a band aid. I got one out for him.
"Where are you going to put the band aid?" I asked expecting him to point.
"Arm, Arm" Jacob said.
Wow! What a day--I'm so proud of him. He used three different words I'd never heard him used before in the right context for just this one little thing. The vowel sounds may be a little off, but that is to be expected. I'm just so thrilled and excited. I am also grateful that I have the opportunity to see the blessings of the little steps making a big difference.
Ciao!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Weasels
So I was mean and woke the kids up on April Fools' Day by telling them it had snowed outside and that school was canceled (no points for creativity, I know). Don't worry, I didn't wait long to shout out "April Fools!" Beth was so excited about tricking her brother Caleb that she didn't even seem bothered that she would still need to go to school.
So she crept up to Caleb and after staring at his face for a moment, asked him why he had little pink dots all over his face. "Must be chicken pox," she said.
Caleb, unlike most kids, who would become rather troubled over the possibility of having such an ailment, instead continued to look unconcerned. He smiled and said, "No, Beth. The black marks are chicken pox. The little red ones are weasels." He looked up at me and sort of shrugged, "Yes. I have weasels."
Uh oh, I don't remember him getting a vaccine for that.
So she crept up to Caleb and after staring at his face for a moment, asked him why he had little pink dots all over his face. "Must be chicken pox," she said.
Caleb, unlike most kids, who would become rather troubled over the possibility of having such an ailment, instead continued to look unconcerned. He smiled and said, "No, Beth. The black marks are chicken pox. The little red ones are weasels." He looked up at me and sort of shrugged, "Yes. I have weasels."
Uh oh, I don't remember him getting a vaccine for that.