Never A Dull Moment

Mason enjoying a nice day outside! He has been "talking" so much this week!

Ella loved the marshmallows! She was devastated when Brian and Haiden started a marshmallows fight. She was running around picking up the marshmallows and stuffing them in her mouth. I laughed so hard!

We had a great day on Sunday. We went to the library, played soccer, football, gold, roasted marshmallows, and had a marshmallows fight!

Our theme for this week was Jungle, the number 2, the color green, and the letter B. Since Haiden and Ella weren't feeling well this week we didn't get to do all of the activities.

Ella painting her elephant green.

Haiden and Ella were not feeling well so I made a pallet on the couch. My mom always did this when I was sick and I remember how much I liked it.

On Monday, I took Ella and Mason up to my school to visit my former co-workers. I had so much fun seeing everyone and miss them so much! On our way home I received a call from Haiden's school that he had a fever and needed to be picked up. Once I got there the nurse told me he had to "stay home for 24 hours especially with the H1N1 pandemic." She wanted to talk to me about the vaccine and I let her know that we didn't vaccinate. When Haiden returned back to school I had a letter in his folder requesting his immunization records. I proudly went upstairs, got Dr. Hulseman's letter, and put it in his backpack! Our poor guy was not feeling well and had a headache with a fever. He battled this on and off for two days but was able to go back to school on Wednesday. Ella also started showing signs that she wasn't feeling well. At night she couldn't sleep and she was very fussy. We thought her molars were coming in and causing her some pain but when she woke up Wednesday morning she had a ton of drainage coming out of her right ear. Our ped couldn't get her in so I took her to the minute clinic which needs to be called the hour clinic. After an hour and a half we finally made it out of there. I had all three kids with me and we only made a few scenes. The doctor could tell my nerves were wearing thin and as we left she said, "Things do get easier." On Saturday Haiden had a soccer game! We had a big talk about how he just needs to have fun and not worry about scoring. He scored 2 goals so he was excited!

What A Week!

Haiden warming up before his first soccer game of the season.

Ella looking at the cows at Trader's Point Creamery. She didn't want to get too close. I think she enjoyed the rooster more than the cows.

Cutting out squares with Play-doh. She loved it! It was her entertainment for 30 minutes.

Some of the thing we did this week from the Prepatory Curriculum! Even when I'm not working I still love to teach!

Our big man smiling. He is always smiling and "talking" to us!

We have had a very busy and exciting week. Haiden made it through his first day of Kindergarten. He doesn't like being there for "seven hours!" but he is slowly doing better with being away. On the first day of school he got upset and told his teacher "it is time for me to go home and see my mom." He loves PE and Music but doesn't really care for the "other stuff." Mrs. West, Haiden's teacher, will be going into the general ed. Kindergarten classes this week to determine what class will be best for Haiden. They will be slowly integrating him into the general education class, YEAH!!
I had a fun week at home with Ella and Mason while Haiden was at school. I am doing a Preparatory Curriculum from Letter of the Week with Ella! The theme this week was Cows. We did several activities including reading several books about cows, watching a movie about dairy farming (don't think I'll ever drink milk again), playing with toy cows, singing Old McDonald, pretending to be a cow (bet you wish you saw that one), learning what a square is and making a cow out of black and white squares, cutting squares out of play-doh, finding squares around the house, learning about the number 1, adding 1 sticker into the counting book, counting to 1, coloring a picture of the number 1, learning about the letter A, coloring a picture of the letter A, finding A's around the house, and going to Trader's Point Creamery. Mason would join in the activities, hang out, or sleep! He is such a good baby.

On Saturday we had our family pictures taken and it was almost a disaster but we made it through. Ella was freaked out by the wacky photographer, Mason kept trying to curl up in a ball, and Haiden was so excited and distracted that he kept making funny faces and wanted to touch everything! Haiden also had his first soccer game with the next age division. This division is much tougher than the spring division and Haiden was in tears because he didn't score a goal. I explained to him that it didn't matter if he scored, he just needed to have fun. He didn't buy it.

Haiden's First Day of Kindergarten

One very proud Daddy!

I can't believe my baby is in Kindergarten. Where has the time gone?

Ella really wanted to be in the pictures. Haiden is such a good big brother.

Ready for the first day of Kindergarten!

Haiden started Kindergarten today! We are very fortunate to live in Brownsburg because of there school corporation. Brownsburg is the only public school in the state that has a program for kids on the spectrum. Maria West, Haiden's teacher, runs the Bridge program. She is amazing! The program is very abstract and works towards meeting the goals of each individual. They have social skills lessons each morning and use a lot of hands on, visual learning. Haiden is starting out in a separate classroom, which I still have mixed emotions about, but he will gradually be placed into the general education Kindergarten class. He was exhausted after his first day. It didn't help that he was at his dad's this weekend and didn't get much sleep. Now that he is home I know he will get the proper rest and his needs will be met. It amazes me how far Haiden has come. Just two years ago Haiden couldn't communicate appropriately, he couldn't transition without a meltdown, he played with the same toy over and over, he didn't really want to interact with peers, he had trouble with his fine motor skills, and his sensory issues were still a huge problem. Now he doesn't stop talking and we have appropriate conversations, he transitions without a problem, he plays with a variety of toys, he loves to play with other kids, he can write his name, draw, and cut with scissors, and he has learned how to handle his sensory issues! Biomedical treatment, therapy, and developmental preschool has saved our son and given him a chance to be a normal little boy!

The Past 9 Weeks

The past nine weeks have been a roller coaster to say the least. There have been new challenges, lots of laughs, some tears, and a lot of self reflecting. Some days have been more challenging than others. Like the day Ella screamed all day. The day Mason spit up on me, peed on me, and pooped on me before lunch. The days Haiden talked non-stop about Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. The days I didn't eat or use the restroom until 2:00. The days I made lunch while holding Mason, talking to Haiden, and tried to interpret what Ella was saying all at the same time. The days I questioned my ability to be a good mother. Then there were the days that made me realize how blessed I am. Like the days Haiden tells me, "Mommy, I love you infinity." The days Ella gives me hugs and kisses. The days Mason's naps occur the same time I try to fix lunch, clean the house, and play with Haiden and Ella. The days I took the kids to the park. The days we went on playdates. The days we went to the library. The days Ella and Haiden just laughed and played with each other. The days Haiden watches Mason and tells him how much he loves him. The days Ella helps me with laundry, washing bottles, and emptying the dishwasher. The days Haiden has very interesting conversations with me. The days I am able to clean the house. The day I was able to mow the back yard while all three kidos played. The day Mason first smiled at me. The day Mason first cooed. The days when Ella says new words. The days I play dress up with the kids. The day I painted Ella's toes for the first time. The days Haiden helps me with everything. The day I was able to fix dinner for Brian instead of Brian always having to fix dinner for me. The days I see my kids eyes light up. The days when I am able to hold me three angels. Every challenging moment has been worth it because I have the most amazing children and husband in the world!

Our Little Man

Mason had his 8 week well baby visit this week. He already weighs 14 lbs. 8 oz. and is 24 1/2 inches long! He is such a healthy, happy baby. The past two weeks he has been smiling at us and started cooing recently. (He is my first one to coo.) We are also finally getting sleep. Mason has been sleeping 7 hours at night! At his well baby visit I encountered the vaccine issue with his ped. She informed me of her concerns of us not vaccinating Mason and stopping vaccinations with Ella. I informed her that Mason is my first healthy, happy baby and I am not going to jeopardize that. Many people may look down upon me for not vaccinating my children. Those people are misinformed and unaware of how corrupt our vaccine program is and how dangerous vaccines actually are. I truly believe that all of the vaccine injuries are going to catch up with the medical community. The newest data shows that 1 in 100 children are diagnosed with autism. If you included children who had autism but are recovered, the statistic is 1 in 63! I just encourage parents to become informed and I am going to continue to protect my children.

The Tell City Adventure

While in Tell City we were constantly on the go and up late. Needless to say the kids were exhausted.

Haiden took this picture of Ella!

Haiden also took this picture of Mason.

Last Wednesday I took the kids down to Tell City for the Switzerfest. About 5 hours later, we finally arrived at our desination. (It should only take 3 hours.) There was a lot of screaming, two stops, and road construction but we made it! We visited with family and friends and had a wonderful time!

Getting ready to go to the Dave concert!
Love my hubby ssssoooooooooooooo much!
Going golfing
My amazing, beautiful angels!
Capturing a moment while they like each other.
We had another fun and exciting week! My mom came up on Thursday and stayed until Saturday. We enjoyed her visit so much! I always hate it when she has to leave. Brian and I took Haiden to the Dave Matthew's Band concert on Friday. We didn't tell Haiden about it until it was time to leave, his reaction was priceless. We had so much fun!