Saturday, February 23, 2013

snow day(s)

I think it's like Murphy's law or something that when my husband leaves to go out of town it's inevitable for something crazy to happen while he is away. Like the tallest fire alarm in our house deciding that it needs  a new battery at 3:00 in the morning or that the "Blizzard of Oz"(I honestly did not make that up) decides to roll through and not only cancel school for two days, but left us completely home bound too.

At least we made the best of it, and although we were all ready for a change of scenery and some new fun faces to see by Saturday, we still had a ton of fun and I so enjoyed creating these exciting and new memories with my four crazy kiddos.

Photobucket Wednesday night I got an email from the school district informing me that school was cancelled for Thursday. I was shocked, because it hadn't even started snowing yet and it sure didn't look like it was going to anytime soon, so I just thought they were crazy. To my surprise when when the kids finally convinced me to get out of bed I looked outside and saw nothing but white. It snowed and was still snowing like crazy and I am thankful that the weatherman predicted white. They even issued a State of Emergency and urged all business to close and people to stay off the roads. It definitely looked like it was going to be a snow day for us and the kids were super excited!
Photobucket So we spent the early part of our morning cuddling on the couch watching cartoons and putting puzzles together and playing games. It was nice and fun and so completely wonderful.
 Photobucket Even spiderman joined in on the fun! 
Photobucket After much begging from the kids to go outside and play, I finally got them all bundled up and ready to go. Only there was just one small problem. We were literally snowed in. We received most of the snow drift in our neighborhood and so much drifted in front of our front door that I couldn't get it open. Thankfully our amazing neighbor was out shoveling and he came to our rescue, even helping me shovel our driveway. He is a saint!! His whole family is amazing!
Photobucket My little helpers. They wanted so badly to help shovel the driveway with me even though it was super cold. 
Photobucket Photobucket Love this cute little peanut butter face! 
Photobucket After much time in the freezing cold I quickly bribed the kids to come inside with promises of a warm bath and yummy hot chocolate. 

It worked, thankfully.
 Photobucket Then of course we needed to slide down the stairs for a bit! 
Photobucket They loved it and I loved watching them laugh and giggle. So much fun. After a yummy dinner we cuddled once more to watch a movie before bed, Nightmare before Christmas, a favorite in our household. And then we soon learned that school was indeed canceled for Friday too. 
 Photobucket So of course we headed back outside to play in the snow once again! I love this pick of all three with their little shovels. They were such fun little helpers! 
Photobucket Photobucket And we made forts with pillows and blankets and christmas lights! It became the kids favorite place for the day and they were so fun to watch just being together.
 Photobucket And even Oliver loved the snow days too. He enjoyed his time in the exersaucer watching the snow fall through the window.
Photobucket I am not going to lie, solo-parenting is hard, and when you are home bound for two days it makes it a little harder. BUT, I did enjoy every minute spent with my kids. The new memories we created. The expression on their faces when I told them they could slide down the stairs on a mattress, the laughter I heard when they were all crammed in their little fort, those our experiences I never want to forget, that I hope they wont forget but will want to keep doing together. Those memories and wonderful moments help make the not so easy and the not so very fun times so very worth it. 

We are told that we are supposed to get another winter storm Sunday night and Monday. Wish us luck, hopefuly Wayne will make it home to join in all of our Winter fun! 

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Friday, February 22, 2013

Thursday, February 21, 2013

fisher

It's been awhile since I have updated y'all on Fisher and his progress. So much has happened in the few short months and it is just crazy that the school year is more than half-way done!

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Last week we had parent/teacher conferences and we quickly discussed the great progress Fisher has made. I can't even put into words or even begin to tell you how far Fisher has come along. I mean, this kid is a whole different kid from the beginning of the school year in terms of language skills and social skills and the progress he is making is just the greatest blessing. He is almost to where he needs to be language wise and I am so so grateful for this.
Photobucket We started to discuss our plans and ideas for what we want in terms of schooling for Fisher next year. He has the options of going to our neighborhood school's kindergarten class with help of aids, going to a special school that is catered to just kids with autism spectrum disorder, or hold him back one more year so that he can continue to work on his social skills. Since Fisher's first diagnosis at age two, our main goal was to get him mainstreamed and to attend a neo-typical class and now I can hardly believe that in just a few months that is where he will be.

And I am absolutely terrified.
Photobucket Don't get me wrong, I am still so happy and so proud of Fisher and I totally think that this is the best thing for him, but I am still scared. I am scared how the other kids are going to react and treat him. I am scared if he will have friends or if he will enjoy it. I know that the change alone is going to be so hard for him, but I have to let him grow up and I can't always protect him. 

But I am still so scared.
Photobucket In the meeting I broke down in tears.

I think I surprised everyone when I did, but I just want to protect him from everything and I know I can't. I love his teachers and his aids and the principal at his school already. I want them to be is teachers and aids forever... I just want it to be easy for him. 

I know we still have a very LONG road ahead of us and him going to kindergarten is just the beginning of many hard changes for both of us, but I don't think I will ever be completely ready.  But I am still so very excited for him too, because I know he is going to do great and awesome and continue to grow and shine.
Photobucket Our little guy has come so far. His social skills have grown so much. He has good friends at his school and he plays so well with Chase and Sabrina at home. He loves to put on dance shows for us on the fireplace and loves to make up songs about washing machines. Fisher also loves to take care of Oliver and cuddle with him in the morning before school. He truly has the sweetest soul.

I am so so proud of him and so blessed to be his mother. He teaches me so much and I can't express how much I love him.

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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

peaking in

Photobucket she tries so hard to keep up with the big boys by refusing naps and snuggle time with her mama. but some days it all catches up with her. 

love this sweet girl.

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Monday, February 18, 2013

Thursday, February 14, 2013

my funny valentines

Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket happy valentine's day!!

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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

oliver :: five months

I am starting to get behind on my blog. We have been so busy with traveling, parties, room mom activities, school meetings and the dreaded flu. But, amidst all the craziness this sweet and totally lovable guy is now five months! I can't believe that next month we will be halfway to being a one year old.

We are so completely in love with this guy.

Photobucket He is still rolling and talking and laughing and and smiling and doing all the cute cute stuff he always does. He hardly stays in one spot anymore which means no more couch time and he is beginning to start to sit on his own. It's just crazy to me how fast this time is flying by. But I love this stage when they start getting more independent. And I am just loving his little personality.
 Photobucket I just love when he plays with his feet. It's my favorite. 
Photobucket Photobucket Oliver also just started solid food. This is him eating cereal for the first time and he didn't do so bad. He is starting to like it more but he is just loving bananas and carrots. I haven't gone too crazy with food yet, chalk it up to fourth baby syndrome, but I think he is enjoying so far.
Photobucket Oliver loves chewing on his hands and is beginning to put toys and things into his mouth. It's funny to watch because the other kids didn't do this till later so we are kind of in panic mode around the big kids. It's amazing how you learn something new with each kid.
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Some Oliver Stats:

He is slowing down on the weight gain and just weighs a little over 14 pounds
Wears Size 2 diapers
Is in 6-9 month clothing - he is so long!!

Loving Him!

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