Graduation

Things are a little different here (to say the least).  In the UK, I never "graduated."  Don't get me wrong, I finished "high school", but I never went to university, and if I recall correctly, that's the only time you get a graduation ceremony.  (And no proms at all!)

Not so here, in fact there seems to be a graduation for almost every year.  Today, Emma graduated from "pre-school".  She completed two years of schooling, and next year will begin public schooling in kindergarten.  (This is really different than the UK, where my niece who is the same age as Emma, has been in full day schooling since September!)

Of course, it's bitter sweet - my little girl will soon be too big to sit on my lap or get carried up to bed.  But on the whole I have learned to enjoy the amazing accomplishments she makes and look forward to a bright future.

Just Wednesday I had a final parent-teacher conference with her pre-school teacher.  (If you recall they were so nervous about taking Emma with her special needs.)  She let me know how great a pleasure Emma had been to teach these past two years.  She acknowledged their initial fears, but how much they were glad she came.

We discussed academics and she seemed to be hinting around something without wanting to say it.  I called her out and she confirmed her suspicion that Emma might be "gifted" - special needs at the other end of the spectrum!  She offered some advice on making sure she gets the approprate instruction to avoid boredom - when the other kids are getting help, she will pretend to struggle to get attention!

I also brought up the last report card comment about interrupting people.  I explained we are pretty strict at working on that.  Apparently they weren't - she said Emma is so funny and has such interesting things to say that they kind of let her get away with it!

Emma couldn't be anymore excited about kindergarten and thankfully did not seem to get the idea that she won't see most of her school friends again.  (Very thankful that she has lots of church friends that are around all year long!)

So today, Toby and I went to the show for the end of school.  It was great!

Ready for the show!  The shirt was worn by all the kids.

Toby got some drawing in as we waited for the show to start.  Good to see he has a good grasp of the pencil.  Not OT required!

In come the kids...

After performing a few songs, the kids were handed their "diploma"!

Emma with her two teachers.  She loves these guys!

Emma and her friend Abby.  I've become good friends with Abby's mom, so we are planning to keep them in contact.

Toby wanted to take a picture! 

Emma was allowed to pick a treat for graduating.  I thought she would go for dinner out somewhere, but no, she wanted a toy!  Then she said "and I want to pay for it with the money from my piggy bank!"  Sure!!  Not really, but it was cute that she wanted to use her money.

Off to Kohls, where we snagged a new princess doll we hadn't seen before.

 Here's the superstar.  I'm so proud of this girl, she's awesome.

Here's one of the songs Emma's class performed...

New school

Yesterday we picked Emma up from school early to take her to see her new school.  She was so excited about it, being very enthusiastic about starting kindergarten in the fall.

Our town has a nice new building for kindergarten and first grade, which I especially like, even if she doesn't notice!

I had the opportunity to meet some of the key staff a week ago when I attended a meeting there to discuss Emma's "special needs".  I met with her new physical therapist (who happens to have Melissa as her boss - funny how that worked out!) and her new occupational therapist.  Also there were her coordinator, the school counselor, a kindergarten teacher, the head of special needs for the district and the school principal!

Now having "special needs" is obviously not a bonus (unless it's giftedness, but we'll get to that later!), however, I have to say that although I think Emma is doing exceptionally well for a child of her age, with or without "S.N." if you are going to get assistance, then a meeting with all those individuals before school begins is quite literally a gift!  They spent an hour with me discussing her last evaluation from the current therapy team and how that translated into school.

I was pretty nervous about this meeting because I wasn't exactly sure of the purpose and Emma was not with me to dazzle them!  So I put on my best dress, practiced my British accent (always a winner, but very much only hints normally) and headed in!

I feel I was doing very well until they asked me what our concerns are for her school career. I didn't know how to answer at first, but they gave me a couple examples and I knew how to answer.  I couldn't though, because I was stifling some powerful sobs emerging from behind my wall of self-control!  Patiently they waited until I was able to utter a few words: "I don't want her to lose who she is."  Understood.

As I proceeded to explain how incredibly self-assured she is, not conceited, but loves herself and knows her limits, I was gripped with the emotion of the possibilities ahead.  I was relieved and pleased in the response from the team. Not only empathy, but also protectiveness over a child they had yet to meet.

I shared a story that a Moebius mom on Facebook had shared, where a teacher told her Moebius child to close her mouth while eating.  The child said that she couldn't.  The teacher told the child not to be silly, "everyone can close their mouth."  The counselor said she felt nauseous when she heard that.  That made me happy!

So when Scott and I took Emma to her "induction", there were already 3 staff members looking for her!  A head start most other kids don't get.  It was also cool that a little girl in Emma's ballet class was there and came bounding up to her, calling her name.  I didn't realize how popular she is!

Despite failing to connect with many of the mom's in her pre-school class on a social level, I have becomes friends with one mom, who says her daughter loves Emma to pieces.  It's great to hear, because I don't see the two of them interacting much before or after school!  Another mom said her little girl had never mentioned anything "different" about Emma, other than how smart she is!

While I'm sure I should be feeling sadness about my baby starting school, but I'm just to eager to see how it goes, to reduce my anxiety about the whole thing!  I guess that's a good thing in some ways.  I'll reserve the sadness for Toby starting school!!

Ballet Recital

After 6 months of 9am Saturday morning ballet practices, we finally reached recital weekend!

It started out with the dress rehearsal on Saturday...

Note the slightly red eyes because I touched her ear with the curling iron - not funny!  

Emma is on the far right.  The other girls are not watching her - the teacher is in the wings!

Then on Sunday at 1:30pm, we had the actual recital...

We went with the bun to avoid burns, but also because the other parents had done the same!  Much quicker and easier.

(A little more distracted than the rehearsal!)

She was the third dance in a 2 1/2 hour show!  At intermission she came and sat with us for the second half, until the last dance when she went backstage again to get her medal.

Aunt Kim (below) and Nanna also came to the recital again.  This year we brought Toby too - he came to almost every practice, and we thought it would be good for him to see what all the hard work was for.

Final bows on stage!  When I went back stage to collect her, all the older girls were saying goodbye to her and telling her how great she did.  She'd managed to win over the hearts of the other dancers in the short time she was backstage!

As soon as I collected Emma she told me she wanted to give the medal to Toby, who had been upset earlier that he wouldn't be getting a medal.  That's big sister love!

The super star took a little nap on the way home.

  

I'm looking forward to sleeping in a bit on Saturday mornings now, or just chilling at home.  As for the fall, I'm reluctant to do ballet again, mainly because of the commitment it requires.  That said, she has such confidence and energy that she enjoys the performing arts.  Plenty of girls in that recital were not Ginger Rogers, but they were up there doing it.  I don't want to take that away from her.  There may be some extra-curricular activities at school, so we'll see if that's an option.

No doubt, we are incredibly proud (as I'm sure you are) of this special little girls.  We've all watched her grow and persevere before our very eyes.  I've never met any child who displays such grace when her disabilities are apparent.  Deciding to either bow out gracefully or just keep trying her best.  She can teach me a lot.

Happy Anniversary

There are many anniversaries in our lives; birthdays, new starts, milestones.  A wedding anniversary is a big one!

Today is our 7th wedding anniversary.  7 years ago my life changed forever.  Neither of us had ever lived with anyone but our parents, so it was an adventure from day 1.  

We've been through some of the most challenging trials, from the usual house-buying and money issues, to being completely jobless and praying our child through incredible medical problems.  

Through it all there has been more joy than I could have imagined, not because we took it lightly, but because we focused on our shared faith and hope in Christ.  We have been best friends and faced problems together, not allowed them to come between us.

I am so thankful for my husband.  He stepped up to lead our family, and serve us tirelessly, which is not only an incredible blessing, but humbling.  Scott has my complete respect and devotion.  It may sound like I'm joking, but seriously - anyone who can love me unconditionally is really an amazing individual.

No matter what we will face in the future, I trust that we will strive to honor God, love and respect each other, and take joy in whatever trials may come.

Mother's Day Tea

I'm so far behind on posts!!

So, Friday, May 10, Emma had a Mother's Day tea at school, to which I was invited.  She was very excited and sang me a preview of the songs for the tea! 

Here's how it went...

Then we went to the playground!

When kids are able, and so inclined, to dress themselves, you have to release your control and let them find their independence - however crazy it looks!!

Not sure what's going on with the image quality on my posts!  I'll work on it!!

Emma and Nate (and Toby), through the years...

A little humor!

I'm feeling so blessed today!!

First church...

Lunch with the family!

Followed by fun in the yard.

Thank you Lord, for all that you have blessed me with!

Happy Mother's Day

For the past few years Mother's Day has been my favorite celebration, for largely selfish reasons!

I'm not sure what changed this year, so I'm going to assume it's me (and by that I mean God changing me).

As I think about tomorrow I realized I'm not seeking a day to be thanked for what I do as "Mom".  Tomorrow I plan to give thanks for the incredible privilege to love, serve and give my life for these amazing people.

Because of who they are, I am a better person, my world is a better place and my God has shown me how much love is possible.

When I lose my patience, get frustrated or seek escape, it is not because of them, but because they have revealed how deeply flawed I am, and my need for Jesus Christ to continue his work in me.

Thank you Emma and Toby, for loving me despite my failings, and forgiving me time and time again.  You inspire me.

Fancy Hair

Just finished Emma's hair.  Today there is a Mothers Day Tea Party at school, so she wanted "fancy" hair!!  This is what she asked for...

I think I've created a monster!!

Quote of the Day

Two, before 7am!

Em: Mom, can I bring my summer pajamas when we go on vacation this summer?

"When"?  Uh, where did that expectation come from, and oh how disappointed she's gonna be?!

Em: mom, did you sleep with your heart pillow [that I gave you] last night?

Me: uh, yeah?!

Em: did you like it?

Me: yes, it's my favorite pillow.

Em: I can see it was a wonderful gift!

So humble, lol!!

Perspective

I've had a pretty down day (my attitude, not circumstances!), but seeing this picture from the other day made me smile.  I hope it makes you smile too!

Tough Choice

Walking through Times Square yesterday we saw the theater where Rodgers & Hammersteins Cinderella is playing. We'd been talking about if there was a point to bringing the kids to New York, and I just found it!

I'm sure it wouldn't be cheap, but how much fun!! So next step: see if Emma would trade her entire birthday party for it...

Me: Emma, if you were going to the theater...
Scott: do you know what a theater is?
Em: yes, where you watch movies.
Me: No, a real theater where real people act.
Em: oh, ok.
Me: would you rather see Lion King or Cinderella?
Em: (squeal) I love Cinderella!
Me: ok, if you had a choice between having a birthday party and going to see Cinderella and the prince at the theater what would you choose?
Em: I want to see Cinderella and the prince come alive! Because I LOVE PRINCESSES!!

Well, that seems pretty straight forward!!

Now to think of an equivalent for Toby!!

Date Night

Since Scott and Toby went camping on my birthday(!) Scott wanted to take me out on a date the week after. I had that in mind as I shopped with my birthday money!!

I had no idea where he was planning to take me until Wednesday. He decided to tell me where we were going because Saturday was getting busier and I needed to plan.

So, to where? New York City!!

(Better make that my birthday, his birthday, our anniversary etc in one!)

There's a lot that I love about living here, and having NYC just a couple hour drive away is a big thing!!

The plan: head up for dinner on Saturday night, with friends that live in Brooklyn (the small town English girl in me finds even saying that so movie-esque!!). Stay over in a hotel (using a last-minute booking site!), and do some sight-seeing on Sunday.

I was really nervous about leaving the kids at first - in 5 1/2 years we've gone further than the beach together, without them.

Anyhow, when the time came to leave I was looking forward to a change of scene.

We didn't have many expectations for our time, but Scott had one. I first showed him around NYC 9 years ago when we were just friends. At the top of the Empire State Building Scott wanted to kiss me but didn't - or so he says! He wanted to right the wrong on this trip.

We had a great time, did a little shopping (had to get something for the kids!) and had lunch before heading home.

Here's the pictures I know you're dying to see!!!

The view from our room

Empire State Building

Nine years coming!

Central Park

The Hershey Store

 

Times Square

 

Lunch outside downtown