Happy Birthday Dave!!!

Happy first Birthday to Dave! Well, it was yesterday. But still. This picture was taken on the beach at Ghost Lake while we were in Dryden - about an hour before heading to the fair. His party has yet to take place. With permission from John, who was burned by the splitting of dates on his 5th..or was it his 6th, or maybe 55th, depending when you talked to him...it's being delayed until my parents return from their vacation in BC, sometime in the next few days.

Dave did something really sweet the other day. Mike had a hockey game, so he was catching a nap on the couch before heading out. The kids were horsing around, but Dave went up to his dad, and made little questioning tones to get his attention. After a minute, he seemed to figure out that he was asleep. So he left, found his favourite stuffed animal, and nestled it into mike's arm. I wish I had a picture, it was so cute. I also wish I had a picture of Mike's reaction to waking up snuggling a little stuffed dog!

a day at the fair - part one

Joan, beaming from the roller coaster at thefall fair! John wasright beside her. It was tons of fun, until she dinged her head on the bar during a ride that evening. Somehow not to fun after that.

This was taken the thursday night, and was coooold and raining the entire time. But we went, thinking it would rain all the days it was on. Thankfully, the next day was beautiful, so we went back and had a ton of fun. But isn't she so cute in her raincoat!? It was a gift from my parents, from thier shop. I can't wait for it to rain, so she can wear it to school. It's like it was designed just for her.

Mike had a lot of fun showing John the big kid rides he was old enough to ride - as long as an adult rode with him!

The Octopus was actually John's favourite ride!

a day at the fair...

John, Mike and Uncle Adrian shiver in line at the bumper cars. This ride definitely stuck out in John's memory. He rode with dad, and thought it was lots of fun to smash uncle Adrian.

John, Joan and Mike prepare for a whirl in a giant strawberry. the kids are at that magic size where they can go on lots of rides...but only if an adult comes on too. Mike had a blast going on all the rides with John - he even convinced him to go one one that twirls upside down!

John teaching his sister the ropes on the boat ride. Joan LOVED the rides - this was her first year being big enough to get on them! Her favourite was the merry-go-round. It was funny to see her huge smile, only to see it melt away as the ride came to an end. I lost count of how many times she went on.

My mom and dad, with David, and Joan, waiting to see John, Mike and Adrian on the bumper cars. The lines were long by that point, so we had actually taken the little two around to see the animals. Joan of course loved the horses. But I'll never forget her reaction to seeing the little ponies! She let out a gasp, and tore across the barn! Dave didn't come out with quite the same love in his heart for barnyard life. The pigs were in pens that had a circle cut out of the wood, at just about the right height for Dave to stand and look through, and see them close up. Unfortunately, it was also snout level. So Dave put his face up to peer at the pig, and out pops this ginormous twitching, grunting snout, snorting right into his face! I have never heard such blood-curdling screams from that poor kid! We hurried our way outta there, boy! After we got out of the barn, we stopped to watch some people riding their horses. Joan just loved that. Not sure my dad did - she was riding his shoulders at the time, and she started bopping up and down, pretending he was a horse!

I have a few minutes to kill, while I wait for Mike to be ready for timesheets, so thought I'd pop in and start posting some of the Dryden pictures - with more to come. I'll sort out the album and post it online as well, so you can see all the pics. Better late than never, I guess! It's been a whirlwind fall, but things are settling into a bit of a rhythm. I feel like I can breathe - and post - again.

Mike's reading up on converting his van Ruby to a diesel. We'll see if it even comes back from the shop. It's been there since we got home. Even the guru himself can't figure out why it's pumping out black smoke. He says he's just about out of ideas. But he doesn't want to see our van die, so the next step is to replace the fuel injector, which is causing all the problems with...a carburetor. Apparently, he did it on one of his own vans, and it did the trick. He's really a great mechanic. He's been tinkering with it for weeks now, but told Mike he wasn't charging him for very much of the work, because he loves our van, and just wants to see it back on the road. (that and he hasn't FIXED anything.) Anyhoo..

The kids are doing pretty well. Joan is in her first week of morning preschool. The administrators decided it would be best for her to endure one upheaval at a time, so they decided to move her as soon as they could, to get used to the new kids and the new morning routine. It has been a bit rough. She was a little spooked out by the whole thing on day 1. Mike stayed home with the sleeping boys, while I took Joan to school to settle her in. That alone threw her off. "Yaya seep?" (John's asleep), "Beebee seep?" (Baby asleep?) She seemed ok on the drive, and went for her class - but then stopped dead in her tracks when she discovered her room full of strangers! She spent a good 5 minutes just...staring. The teachers were great - they all made a point of coming to see her, to show her that they were all still there. Then her favourite teacher introduced her to a couple of girls, and another teacher lured her over to the art centre, which is her most favourite, to help her settle in. Today was day 3, and the fatigue was starting to show. In the lobby at pick-up time, she laid down on the floor and made pretend snoring noises. She thinks that's really funny, but she only does it when she's actually tired. I've also seen a lot more bum-scooting lately, which is also typically a sign that she's beat. We're trying to get her to bed earlier, but I think she needs to go earlier still - especially when she starts the full-day program in a few weeks.

I don't know if I've done a very good job in describing exactly what renfrew is, or how the programs in it work. I call it preschool, but that's not really accurate. The preschool program is called the PUF program - Program Unit Funding. It is funded by Alberta Learning, which is their ministry of education. But it's group therapy. the "teachers" are actually therapy aides, who are there to enact the prescribed goals of the resident OTs PTs and speech therapists. Everything in their day is geared to fulfill these goals. snack time isn't just about eating - it's a fine-motor activity, which they tweak to require two hands for Joan. Follow the leader isn't just about following rules, it's a gross-motor activity, usually involving an obstacle course of overs and unders and big steps and unusual textures. They play all the usual games just...tweaked, so that therapy is worked into the play. Now, the therapy program she's starting in October is a whole other ball of wax. It's sort of like 2.5 hours of gym class. It's Integrated Services for children with Motor Delays - ISMD. It's funded by the government through an agency called Services for families of children with Disabilities - FSCD. Part of what they are willing to fund is a personal aide, who comes to your home for 10 hours per week, for intense therapy. This program provides that, but in a social, school setting, which allows for group games and activities. It's often referred to as the Cerebral Palsy program. They all have it, to varying degrees. Typically, the kids who they think will see the greatest benefit, get access to it first. But everyone there has a completely unique set of goals. For some, it may just be to walk independently. Others, it may be to be able to feed themselves. Others are there to work on balance issues - they're running all the time, but fall constantly. All are there to build strength and flexibility. Both of these programs run 5 days a week. She'll have an hour and a half lunch in between, when she can relax, have a nap, read books, have some general down time. We've applied to have her bussed while she's in the program - they do door-to-door delivery, but it can't start until she's right in both programs - likely after thanksgiving. It sounds so harsh, but they've all assured us it's a great program, and we'll see results very quickly, and they take everything one day at a time, and she'll be fine.

As for John, he's doing...ok. We had our first parent teacher interview last week, and it went well. She says he's doing great, is listening well and following directions. But this week, things have gone a bit sour. Something happened today that he's really mad about. Something like he was at the magnetix centre, and a bunch of other boys came up too, and they were all talking loud, and the teacher thought he was the only one being loud, so she refused to give him a checkmark. But he maintains his innocence - he said he was being quiet, and the other boys were yelling. I'm going to ask about it tomorrow, just to get her side of what happened. It's hard to give him advice when things don't quite add up. And yesterday, something happened at snack - the floor was left messy - but that resulted in everybody losing a checkmark, which really upset him. But generally, he seems to be enjoying it still. He likes gym time, and music class - he got to play a drum! She said he's very supportive of his classmates - he cheers them on when they have to get up to speak in front of the class "great job, so and so!" That sounds like him. But I find with him, a little discipline goes a long way. I have a feeling he's blowing some relatively minor incidences out of proportion, and taking the refusal of checkmarks too personally.

Dave's doing awesome, too. He's so funny to watch. He picks up on everything. He's started to play with cars now, and he'll drive them along the floor, making the appropriate engine sounds. He takes probably a little too much delight in annoying his big sister. He really knows how to push her buttons, whether it's cuddling with her favourite toy, or taking something he knows she likes and crawling away really fast, with her running behind. It's really funny to watch him at work. I think them being away for those two weeks helped him - he's a lot feistier now, and will stick up for himself. Before he would just let them all take his toys, and do nothing but look sad and miserable. Now, he fights back, either verbally, or by chasing them down!

He's started walking! He can get about halfway across a room now, before falling. He still prefers to crawl, though - much faster. But he practices his walking more and more every day. Won't be long now before I have three walkers!

Oh - John started Beavers this week. That was really fun! We headed out to the Scout store first thing after dropping off Joan, to pick up his uniform, and that night, off he went. They just read stories and talked, which he found a little boring. But he did well - he did everything the leader told him to do, when he was told to do it. He was a great little Beaver! Sadly, our troupe doesn't have enough leaders to maintain it yet. But lots of parents took home the volunteer info, with the intention of joining as leaders, so hopefully, it will continue. Mike would be an awesome beaver leader, but he's not ready to sign up. His work is generally demanding, and he doesn't want to commit to something he can't completely commit to. But I'm sure it will work out fine. John would be devastated if he couldn't go.

One question - Joan has started calling John "Yaya". She came back from Dryden doing it, and no-one knows where it came from. It's starting to stick - now John even calls himself Yaya at home! Does anyone know why or when she started doing this?

Can't think of anything else. Things have generally been chugging along. I've been tired, with this new schedule and everything else and have tried to take it as easy as possible. Mike lets me catch naps where I can and stuff like that. But we're really all doing just great. I'll post up more pictures soon!

Joan's in!

We just finished round one of a great visit with my parents - they're coming back though in a couple weeks on their way home.

While they were here, we got word that Joan is officially IN the intensive therapy program at school! They switched her to a morning preschool class, so she's going to have to start over with all new kids. But they managed to keep her with the same teaching team, which I really appreciate. I like her teachers a lot - one in particular is very good with Joan, though they're all great, so I'm glad they did their best to create as little disruption as possible for her.

So she starts Monday in morning preschool. Should make life a little interesting, because the therapy program won't kick in for a few more weeks, while the funding gets lined up, and John is still of course in pm kindergarten. I think in many ways it will be better, because I can do more with 2 than three, and there are things I need to do with each older child, like clothes shopping, that would be easier with just Dave and the kid in question. So, it makes things a bit more complicated, but there's some good to it.

As for the funding, I can't get her assessed by the gov't worker until Oct 6, and the funding won't be released without it, obviously. But the school assured me they're willing to wait until everything is sorted out - the spot is Joan's.

She was put on a "waiting list" during the summer. It was already a long list, but I had been told by one administrator that they just call them waiting lists - they don't do ANTHING first come, first served. The kids who need it most, get it first. So I guess they looked at Joan's assessments, and moved her to the top of the priority list, because they said they started the year with one open spot, and it went to her.

Anyway, we're pretty excited. Not sure how she's going to fare in full-day school at the tender age of two. But she loves school, and that will help. We'll just have to be prepared not to see ehr during the week, because she'll need to get to bed so early.

Anyway, better go!

school updates...

John had his first Terry Fox run today, and in true John fashion, was quite moved by it. He got to go to a big assembly with the whole school and watch a film, followed by the run itself. When I went to pick him up, he excitedly announced that his school had raised $2500, and that he ran really fast. But he was so excited, by the time we arrived at home, the school had raised a whopping $30 million, and had found the cure to cancer! Hmmm. What other Walchuk male does that remind you of...

Joan also had a momentus day - she finally started speaking in class. They hadn't told me she had been completely mute until that point. Apparently, she smiles a lot, but says nothing. But today, she really opened up to her teacher by naming all of her body parts.

When we got home, we got some more exciting news - they have an opening in the intensive therapy program at Renfrew, and they'd like to give Joan the spot! It means a half day of therapy, followed by a half day of preschool. It's a lot for a little kid. But they're apparently sensitive to the fatigue until they adjust. The problem is, it's an afternoon opening, which is when she's in preschool, so it may not be able to happen. But the administrators will be meeting on Tuesday to see what they can work out for her. they may need to move her to a new class, or see if another family is willing to shift thier schedule. There's a funding issue as well - it's funded differently from school, and we're not completely through the intake process for the organization that pays the bill. But they figured it could all get worked out somehow. So please keep all your fingers crossed. It means a lot of work for Joan, but it's a great opportunity to help her reach her potential.

school daze

Both kids, ready for a fun afternoon at school in their awesome backpacks from Boffo Home and Cottage in beautiful Dryden ON.

I don't think I've felt more like a "mom" than I have this week, with two kids in school. Well, ok, one's in preschool. But it feels the same. The honeymoon is still in full swing for both of them, but so far, it looks like it could be a great year.

Joan is in Renfrew - an awesome little special needs preschool - she's been discharged from the hospital's infant program, so this is the next phase of her therapy. They mix preschool with therapy in a kindergarten-like setting. It reminds me a lot of John's Best Start program, where he went when he was 3. Very loosey-goosey, rule-wise. They have stations, but are allowed to move around them freely. The only formal thing is a circle time. But the rest of the day is spent in free play. After they get settled in, and the therapists get to know the kids, they'll be directed a little more into more therapeutic type of play, using the things they like to encourage development. But for now, they're just spending some quality bonding time.

I was really concerned about her starting school. But after seeing her at her staggered entry, I knew I'd have nothing to worry about. She's very shy, but when I went to pick her up, she was leading her teacher by hand to a bench. They sat down together, and Joan shimmied over to her, until they were cuddling. Then Joan took her by the hand,and they just sat cuddling, holding hands for a while, with Joan giggling away. She likes the baby station best apparently - she likes pushing the dolls around in strollers. And apparently, she loves the playground - it's a great design, with disabled kids in mind. The one at John's school is completely inaccessible to her - she has to climb a ladder or worse to get to a slide. Not even a set of steps! Joan's is filled with ramps and tunnels and stairs - she would be able to get everywhere on it, with effort.

I know they're working her hard, because she's completely fried when she comes home. She generally curls into a ball and screams for an hour or so. I'm assured this will pass as she gets used to it. I think the teacher is worried I think she's not liking it, because so far, she hasn't even made it out of the building before melting down. "She really had a wonderful time, I promise," she said emphatically on Friday. I assured her that I can tell she is from how excited she it to get there.

She was actually mad at me for the first couple days of the week - her school didn't start until Wednesday. But John started Monday, and I had to take all three right into the classroom to fill out paperwork, because he had missed his staggered entry. We walked in on a room filled with kids reading books on a carpet. John was instructed to find himself a book and join them. Joan was all set to get herself a book and join right in! She was not a happy camper when it was time for us to go - without John. It began a two-day funk. When her day finally came, she was so excited. She knew exactly what was happening, because I was packing her pink backpack. I said "ok Joan, let's get you to your school!" and she threw her arms up in the air and said "Woohoo!" She says that every day as we leave for her school now. This weekend, I've had to hide their backpacks, because she was following me around with it, chanting "School? School? School? School?..." So nothing to worry about there. And Tuesday is music therapy day, which I know she's going to love!

Then there's John. John, who we put in French Immersion, firmly against his will. We've been arguing with him about it all summer long. If we said the word French, whether it had to do with school or not, he would fly into a tantrum. He said he hated french, he just wants to speak English, that french was bad, that he wouldn't do it. He would refuse to speak in class, and just play with toys all day.

So, we get him there...and he LOVES it! He comes home every day all excited about the new words he's learned. He learned rouge, and goes around the house pointing out everything rouge he sees. He thinks his teacher is fun, and pretty. She's very young and energetic. Now, whenever he sees a brunette with long hair, he says she looks like his teacher. It seems to be just the challenge he needed to keep him focused. His preschool used the K curriculum, so now, they're starting with the same unit pre-K started with - I Am Unique. We think he would have been bored if we'd gone with English school, and he may have been up to his usual antics. So far, he seems to be listening and connected. One day, leaving school, he actually thanked me for putting him into french school! He seems to be really proud of it - he tells strangers in the street that he does french school, and will teach them a few words if they seem suitably impressed. I know he was nervous about not being able to handle it, so I think he's really proud of himself that he's able to keep up. It's mostly in english for now, but every day, they learn more words and phrases. It really moves quite quickly. The teacher uses quite a bit of conversational french with them, that they're just expected to pick up naturally. Then they learn vocabulary on a more formal basis, from a puppet named Sluggy. Once sluggy teaches them the french, though, the english equivalent "goes on vacation" and can't be used in the classroom again. So far, he can say hello, goodbye, pencil, September, yellow, red and backpack, and can tell you if the weather is either hot or nice. We were sent home an assignment to help them do about their likes and dislikes, all in english. But the note to us was that they will be repeating the exercise completely in french at the end of the year. I think that's pretty impressive.

We've also got him into scouts. That was a whole other battle. Ugh. The registration night was this week, and we wanted him to actually be there for it. So he and I went down after dinner. But up until we left, he was determined to stand at the door, yell "hate it hate it hate it!" and run home. Mike won him over by reminding him that he could earn badges. he has a check mark rewards system in school - they get a check mark for doing nice things to help classmates or working extra hard on projects. He responds really well to the system - it's always his goal to get a check mark that day, and only missed one day. So we compared badges to getting check marks in school, and he was all over it. Then once we got there, he met some other boys being registered, and he was completely sold. I'm surprised so few people brought their kids, but he was able to have an entertaining conversation with a Cub about what Beavers was like for him, and he assured John that it's lots of fun. But he warned him that the badges aren't very easy to get. We may have simplified the badge earning process slightly, to get him interested. "If I'm nice to a plant and give it water, or if I do something nice for someone else, I'll get a badge!" John tells the Cub. "Well, good luck with that," he replied. "It wasn't like that when I was there. The requirements were pretty insane." But John was not put off. In fact he was so excited, he insisted on registering himself, and made me give him all his forms and cheques so he could deal with the volunteers directly.

So it's been a busy week, all around. Even Dave had a little excitement. I took him in for a check-up on Wednesday, and brought up his habit of attacking his food like some starving, rabid dog. He eats like a horse, but never gets fat. He Doc laughed at me, and said that's a good thing. So he weighed and measured him, and sure enough, he's a great size. He's above the 98th percentile for the weight to height ratio. He's 30 inches and 21 pounds, which are both perfectly fine. He said third kids are often like that, because they have to keep up with the pack. They tend to be stronger, more advanced and more active than what their older siblings were at that age, and as a result, they often have much faster metabolisms, because they burn through calories like crazy. So he said we're doing great - just keep stuffing him up, as much as he'll eat. He said he looks beautiful and very healthy, and can't see anything to suggest anything is going wrong. He's always been very active. He's been climbing the stairs for months. And even with baby gateswe have to watch him - if he's in bare or socked feet, he can climb right over the gate! It's a game to him - he likes me to find him climbing, then have me chase him up. He's so close to walking. He can take a couple steps, but only if he has something to fall into. But it won't be long. Some scary days await.

Anyway, better go! it's getting late. Well, it's 10, but I'm beat, so it feels really late.

my birthday!

I usually like to ignore my birthdays, now that I'm quickly approaching middle age. But this one was really pretty funny, so I'm going to share.

Mike and I aren't big on birthdays, but John is. So Mike took him to the store to pick out gifts and a cake. He picked out a bouquet of sunflowers, which he's been marvelling over for weeks. I got a card, signed Mom + John. And then I got...a dinosoar cake. It's complete with two toy dinosoars, and an icing volcano, spewing red gel icing. How many 33-year-olds can boast a cake anywhere NEAR as awesome as that!? To top it off, he got a bulk bag of "giant candy sprinkles" - otherwise known as Mike and Ikes - something like jelly beans. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time.

My favourite part of the evening was watching each kid pretend to feed cake to their respective toy dinosoar. That and John dipping his finger in the volcano to show me it was safe to eat - "Look, Mom. It's not hot!"