Preschool Musical

So I find this extremely funny. Probably because I have a preschooler and work with elementary age kids that carry around High School Musical book bags and wear their clothing. The over singing and comments at the end are my favorite!

This year Mandy and I decided not to take all the kids to the Knox County Fair at the same time. In part, because it’s too much of a handful to have all three there at the same time and in part because Mandy is not the biggest fan of going to the fair after years of making her getting season passes (though it was there where I told her I loved her for the first time). So, this year I decided to take Lucy one night and Simon another night all by myself (Ian will have to wait for another year or two).



Last night was Daddy’s night with Lucy. I asked if she wanted to go to the fair and she said, “Yes.” I then asked her if she wanted to see some horses and she said and even louder, “Yes.” On the way to the fair I asked if she wanted to go to the fair and she said, “No… horses.” I tried but couldn’t explain to her that the horses are at the fair.

So the first thing we did at the fair was go see the horses. She liked them a lot as long as we didn’t get too close. She’s not the biggest fan of petting animals, but she loves watching them. After that we went and watched the demolition derby, but both Lucy and I were bored after about two minutes. But then it was on to the fun stuff… the rides!

I got Lucy an armband so she could ride unlimited rides and all she said to me after we rode one was “more!” I was so proud of her as she rode some of them all by herself (after I buckled her in by myself very securely of course)! A few of the rides were way too big and fast for her so I was able to ride along with her, which was a treat. I thought for sure she would get scared on a few of the rides, but there was no fear in my little girl.

We finished off the night by sharing a piece of cheese pizza on a grassy hill overlooking the demolition derby as the sun set in the distance. It was a great night with my little girl!

Bee Stings

Simon and Kevin were supposed to have a little guy time at the Knox County Fair but a bee sting on the bottom of his right foot got in the way. Lucy has never been stung so this was a first for us. His foot swelled up but not too bad, and he limped around for the rest of the night. He was pretty bumbed about not going to the fair. Lucy took his turn and had her Daddy Date Night. Kev will probably take him later this week.

I'll try to encourage Kevin into write about their time at the fair.

Day 1

Today is our first attempt at getting Simon potty trained. He will be 2 1/2 on July 29th. I would rather wait. It can be such a pain taking kids to public restrooms but he is showing some signs of being ready. We don't have any big trips planned for this week and once August hits I have some things to do at work so this week is it. It's now or wait until I'm on Christmas break.

After the traditional breakfast of mini-wheat's. I rolled up the rug and keep the kids off the carpet. They changed into their clothes. Simon with just a shirt and his underwear. Then I loaded him up on juice and took him to the potty about every five minutes. We went through 3 pairs of underwear until he finally went on his potty. We jumped up and down, gave him some candy, and then he went on the floor.

I laid out a towel and said that I would turn on Cars if he went on the potty and would turn it off if he went on the floor again. That seemed to do the trick. He was even able to initiate going on his own. He went about 3 or 4 more times. This was all before lunch. He had about 3 cups of juice.

Hopefully success is on the horizon.

Sunscreen

We have searched and searched for sunblock for Lucy. Anytime we put sunblock near her face her eyes turn red, get puffy, and tear up. We have tried many different kinds. Even those that are "tear free" cause tears. She either had to suffer through the tears or we had to not protect her from the sun. We always felt so bad for her when we would go to the zoo or where ever and she was just all red and teary eyed.
Well we have finally found something that works- Neutrogena Pure and Free Baby. We are able to put it on her face and haven't had to worry about it irritating her eyes.
Just thought I would pass this along in case anyone else has a little one who seems to have really sensitive eyes.

Cute Pics

Wizard of Oz

On Sunday Lucy, Nana, Kelly, Halle, and me went to our local community theater to see the Wizard of Oz. It was amazing. So well done considering it was community theater. Even though the actors were great Lucy's enjoyment was even more fun to watch. She sat in full attention for the entire play. (3 hours) The people in front, behind, and beside us commented on how cute it was watching her enjoy the show. At intermission we almost had tears. She kept signing and saying more, more. We reassured her that it was just a break and that there would be more.

I wonder when she will be on stage? I think she was made to preform. We should get her in dance soon.

Lessons

As a mother you are always learning.
My daily lesson yesterday was that nasal aspirators are helpful when trying to get corn out of a little boy's nose.
I wonder what today will bring?

Summer Schedule

Our school district offers summer therapy. So Lucy has the opportunity to continue with one on one OT, PT, and speech. This may sound great but lugging three kids for 3 different half hour appointments in not easy.
Monday- We go to Joanne's (in Dublin- an hour to get there, she spends an hour with her, and then an hour back) The only plus about Mondays is that we often get to meet up with Aunt Jessica for shopping or lunch.
Tuesday- OT 11-11:30
Wednesday - PT 11:30-12
Thursday- Our Day Off!
Friday- Speech 9:30-10
The other day it took us a half hour to get in the car. We arrive and I get out the stroller to load up Ian and which ever kid isn't listening so well that day. (Usually Lucy) Then when we finally make it in the building. (for PT I have to unload the stroller because there are steps and they are just far enough apart that I can't just tip the stroller. Then I put them back in the stroller for the walk to the room.) While Lucy is working with her therapist I try to keep Simon entertained. My neighbor watched him once but her schedule doesn't always allow for that. Plus she has three of her own. (I miss Michaele a whole bunch!)
If I have Simon I can't be in the room for PT or OT. Today we had speech and it worked great with Simon in the room. When I'm not in the room Lucy spends the first 5-10 minutes crying.

So I'm thinking I'm not doing this another week! We'll go to Joanne's on Mondays. The OT let me borrow a scooter board to work on hand and arm strength, I got some 4 piece puzzles, and some silly putty and beads. In PT she's working on jumping, throwing, catching, and those sort or things. I'm thinking that while the boys nap I can have school with Lucy. We can work on our cards from Joanne, and them do some PT and OT activities. Right now she's working on a puzzle. She's gotten three out of the four pieces so far. (by herself)
I think we can still make it to speech since it works for all of us to be in there. Plus communication is so key. The down side of summer speech is that she is working with a different person. Knowing that she was going to be working with Lucy the therapist did stop by and see her in her classroom during preschool.
Within about 5 minutes of today's apt. the therapist looked at me and said she had no idea Lucy talked this much and that she's way beyond what she thought. She had to scrap what she planned for that day. She mentioned that she is pretty quiet in class. Sometimes I wonder if her teachers under estimate her abilities because she's quiet in a group of kids. Most of the time I under estimate her abilities.
As I wrote this she finished 2 puzzles and is now sitting at a table practicing making circles. We better do Ms. Joanne's homework before the boys wake up.

1,2,3,4

On June 12th Lucy turned 4. I've been wanting to post something about her birthday. We were traveling on her actual birthday so we didn't really celebrate until last week. We also decided to just celebrate as a family. No big party this year.

Before I started writing this post I looked back to the previous birthday posts. It's amazing how much she has change but what was even more stricking was that in every picture you can just see that spunky personality. She is so much fun.

We are so lucky to have her in our family. She has taught us so much! We are looking forward to growing with her.

Happy Birthday Lucy!