Caroline's Graduation

This past week was my girlie's pre-K graduation. I can't believe she'll be starting Kindergarten in the fall. Oh, how fast she is growing up! She and I had so much fun getting her all ready. She just giggled and stared at herself in the mirror as I curled her hair and put lip gloss on her. She was genuinely sweet all evening (which doesn't happen often-ha!), which made for a memorable night.
This was her before we left for the program. She's modeling her new graduation dress. Click here for the whole story behind the dress.

Singing on the stage at the program. She was a very serious and timid little singer, but did chime in on every word of every song. But I could tell it was kinda stressful for her. She had a solo (just a few words), and did AWESOME!!!

Ahh...now the fun part. Refreshments were served, and the stress just melted away!

She was so proud of her flowers I surprised her with. It was so cute to see how happy those silly flowers made her! I feel like she looks about 8 in this picture....definitely doesn't look like a fresh five year old.

Caroline and her BFF Sydney. These two are inseparable. I love to watch her chat and interact with her little friends. They all definitely act like they are five going on fifteen! It left a lump in my throat as I watched her playing with all of her little friends tonight. She has been in school with them since she was 18 months old....now they will all be going to different schools for kindergarten. There are a couple of her little friends that we will probably keep in touch with though.

I'm having problems trying to post the video of her singing, but I'll keep trying....she only sings a few words. But, those few words are absolutely adorable!! I was surprised and impressed with Caroline's sweet little voice. She sounded pretty good! Grammi says she thinks that she could be as good as cousin Mary someday if she'd break out of some of that shyness.

Anyway, we had a great time tonite, and we got a lot of mommy daughter bonding time in. Fun stuff!!

Will and Jack's Graduation

Today was the boy's preschool graduation program. It was great fun. Both of the boys One of the boys had a speaking part and they Will sang a few songs. Then they got diplomas and had refreshments at the reception. I just can't believe how big my babies are getting!! Can I just tell you, these two melt my heart!!

This was after the program was over. They gave the kids out candy for doing so well....I'm guessing Jack got candy for just being so dang cute.

This is Tommie, Will's girlfriend. They are absolutely smitten. She has him wrapped around her little finger. She says jump, and he says how high??

This first video clip is of Jack trying to explain to BOTH of his teachers that he had changed his mind, and would NOT like to talk in the microphone. The teachers spent about a minute or so (which seemed like FOREVER) trying to convince him, but he was having NO part of it. It just melted me, and at the same time it was gut wrenching....I could see the terror on his face, and his little lips were just quivering. I wanted to run up to that stage, scoop him up, and make it all better. Oh, and please watch Will (far right in blue shirt) at the end....he lifts up his shirt and shows his belly to everyone. Silly boy.

The next clip is of them Will singing. Please notice that Jack is still traumatized after the whole speaking part situation (which was at the beginning of the program). He turned around toward the teacher the rest of the time, while everyone else sang and carried on. He pretended like he wasn't there. It was precious......both of them. So fun to get to see them side by side in a situation like this, and look at how differently they react to the same situation.

The last video is of Will saying his speaking part. You can't hear him very well....I took the video with my point and shoot camera. But, he did the closing prayer, and a fabulous job I might add. It went something like this:

Let us pray (I didn't get that part on video). Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day and we love you. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen. It was the cutest, sweetest thing ever!

Only 7...

...more days until I get to hang out with these precious little faces all day every day for a couple months. I'm sooooooo ready!!!

I'm "that" Mother

Yep, I let Jacker wear THIS to school today. It was totally not worth the fight this morning...and really, he thought he was being quite fashion forward, and I didn't have time to argue with him!!!

Heavy Heart

There is a "situation" with one of my kiddos in my class that is weighing very heavy on my heart and mind right now. I can't go into details, but I can tell you that I've not experienced anything like this in education thus far.....and it's tearing me up.

So.....if you're reading this, and if you're the praying type......Please say a prayer for this child and their family.

C.E.L.E.B.R.A.T.E.

We are celebrating Will today, with a little trip to the ice cream shop....

because....after 3.5 years of hard work
....today marks a huge milestone for him/us.
My baby boy graduated from.....
physical therapy!!!!
Yay Will!!!!!!!!!!

I am teary eyed as I type this. For those of you who know us, know that little Willie has gone to physical therapy every week since he was three months old. He has mild cerebral palsy, and has always been developmentally behind his age group of peers. Well, not anymore (when it comes to gross motor skills)!!! Today was his yearly re-evaluation for P.T.....and he no longer qualifies. This is like a dream come true for me.

When we got the diagnosis of cerebral palsy (he was about 18 months old), I was filled with many emotions. I was crushed, of course. I wanted to have the ideal "perfect" child....and this made me admit that my baby wasn't "normal". On the flip side, I knew that it could be so much worse. I DO realize this, and thank God every day that he is able to run around and play. We have worked so hard, as a family, to help Will get stronger....and to be able to do all of the things his brother and sister do. Well, today was our payoff. He still will be seen by our physical therapist one time per month, and will still go and get fitted for the braces he wears on his feet. Once a month seems so refreshing!

Now our focus will be on Occupational therapy. We go every week to work on fine motor and sensory integration issues. We have a long way to go in both of those areas, but feel confident we will make progress.

We have decided to go ahead with the developmental evaluation in NW Arkansas. We were referred by our O.T. and Pediatrician. They will be conducting a series of screening inventories to determine the possible causes for some of Will's social, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive issues. I wasn't sure if I was going to go this route, but we decided that it was best for our family to move forward with the testing. I guess I am struggling with this decision because I just feel confused. I have a hard time articulating to others, the problems we are encountering. I often wonder if the brain injury he has is a factor. I have read some things about kids with PVL often have behavior and social issues. So, that may be just it, although I'm not sure. But at the same time, I need some help parenting. I need tools and strategies that will work for our family, and help me to be a better mother. But......more on that later, when I finish filling out the PAGES of paperwork for the appt.

Anyway, I'm so proud of my little boy.....and commend all of his hard work and always striving to be independent. Hopefully, this is the first of many huge accomplishments he will make in his lifetime!!!!

Mother's Day

I can't imagine my life without these children it it. So much of who I am is defined by being "mom". This Mother's Day I feel so blessed to have such beautiful, happy, and healthy children. I love you Caroline, Will, and Jack!