September Updates

I think we're going to have to go back to monthly updates. When Mommy goes back to work, she doesn't have the time to be as detailed on the blog as she wishes she could be. You know how it is.

***

Andrea

Andrea said farewell to summertime daycare on September 2. Actually, they had an end-of-summer Hawaiian luau throughout the daycare centre on September 1 to say goodbye to summer, and all the friends who would be leaving for elementary school soon. 

Andrea showed me some Hawaiian dance moves she had learned that day when she got home from daycare.

Andrea's first day of Grade 1 was September 6. She was very excited to finally be in a "grade," but a little nervous about who her friends and teacher would be.  As usual, she had a great first day, and has settled into first grade just fine.

She's all ready to start Grade 1!

She has already noticed the differences from kindergarten. She complains that they do work all the time and that they don't get to play as much ("We're always so busy doing crafts, crafts, crafts!").  She's also amazed that she has homework pretty much every night now (reading, writing, pattern activities, etc.), and that she has to study for tests! In fact, Andrea had her first spelling test yesterday.  She was very nervous about it, and was totally obsessed with getting perfect on it (wonder where she gets that from?). Thankfully, for her sake, she achieved her goal!

Andrea's first test:  SUCCESS! (just a little reminder about upper/lower case letters) 

In between school and homework, Andrea is a very busy little person.  She always needs to be doing "something fun today" or else it's "boring" and her "worst day ever!"  Needless to say, we do our best to keep her entertained.  We've been trying to the kids out playing in our yard a lot, and Andrea's all about computers and hand-held games. (She is desperate for a Nintendo DS. We'll see. Hopefully she can make it till Santa visits on Christmas Eve, and hopefully, he will bring her that most-desired item!) We have also decided to sign her up for some fun Mad Science classes, which will take place after school on Tuesdays in October.

A rare, cutesy moment: Andrea and Kevin snuggled in Andrea's bed, playing games on their Leapsters.

They still love their trampoline. On this particular fall-like day, there must have been a lot of static in the air!

Kevin

Kevin officially said good-bye to Daycare on September 9. Of course, he had participated in the end-of-summer-luau at the daycare the week before, too. The closest thing I had to Hawaiian wear for him (and Ryan) were his swim shorts, so that's what he wore to daycare that day. Plus, while he was at school, his class made flower leis for themselves.  

Kevin's so funny when he tries to dance. This was his attempt at "Hawaiian moves."

On Labour Day, Kevin had fun helping Daddy with his "labours" in our backyard: trimming trees, pulling weeds, mowing the lawn, etc.  Kevin adores his daddy, and loves to follow him around and watch/try to help with everything he does.

There . . . and back . . . patiently following along as Daddy mows the lawn.

Kevin's first day of Junior Kindergarten, at his new "big kid" school, was on September 12.  He didn't really want to go.  He kept saying, "I like my old school," and "I don't want to go to the new school." The pictures I took of him as he was getting ready for school that first morning show his feelings quite well.

In Kevin's own words: "I don't WANT to like my new school!"

"This bag is too HEAVY and I DON'T LIKE it!"

"Cheese!" (laughing, with his thumb in his mouth, and closing his eyes on purpose)

He told us for the first few days that he didn't like it, and he was tired and grumpy after school.  Then, a few days later, he said he liked it sometimes, and it was okay.  This week he admitted to having a few good days. Finally, last night, he randomly announced: "I like my new school!" We were glad to hear it.  Besides, his teacher told us he's doing fine. Also, a friend with a child in a nearby classroom peeked in one day, and said Kevin looked like he was happy and having fun. We do know that Kevin will soon be receiving Occupational Therapy through the school with an OT from the John McGivney Children's Centre (where his Gram used to work!), so that will help him with school skills like his pencil grasp/printing and using scissors.  We will also be receiving the results of Kevin's psychological assessment this coming Thursday, and that might reveal some areas of need/strategies for Kevin for his social interactions at school, too.

Kevin is starting to get like his big sister, in that he's always wanting to be on the go, and doing something fun.  Well, last night, he got to have a boys' night out with Daddy! It just so happened that Daddy got some pre-season Red Wings tickets at the last minute, and Mommy couldn't go, so Daddy decided to take Kevin! Kevin had never been to a professional sports event before.  Andrea had gone to a few Tigers' games and a Lions' game, but Kevin was too little. Daddy said it was time for Kevin to have a turn, so he got to go a Red Wings' game! (I think he was just excited to go somewhere special, all alone with Daddy, and get to stay up way past his bedtime!)

Daddy took these pictures of Kevin at the game.  That serious face is one of awe. 

Daddy said he liked watching the game, and especially enjoyed it when the Red Wings scored a goal, and the lights, music, and spectators went wild.  Of course, his first question was, "What happened?!" ;)  However, they barely made it through the end of the first period before Kevin got tired. Daddy said he didn't complain or cause trouble, but he looked like he was falling asleep, so they headed home. I guess maybe Daddy needs to take Kevin to an afternoon game next time, but we know he had a good time because he asked if they could go to the game again, today!

Ryan

The one thing  we've learned about Ryan is, as his OT put it, kids with SPD (sensory processing differences/difficulties/disorder) are "consistently inconsistent." They have great days, and they have days where everything irritates them. (I guess that could apply to anyone!) Most days, though, Ryan is happy little guy. It is interesting to watch how he reacts to different things in his environment. Let's take my camera, for example. Most days, he will look straight at it, but not at me.  Also, it's hard to get him to smile for the camera because he's either studying the camera intently, or the bright flash makes him frown. (Even when the flash is off, there's still this weird orange light that annoys him.)

Ryan's in his gear for the Hawaiian luau at Daycare.

This isn't a pose; he's busy studying the camera!

You would assume that a child who is sensitive to bright lights and loud sounds would be very upset during a thunderstorm, right?  Well, here's a great example of  our "consistently inconsistent" child. One night there was a severe thunderstorm raging outside: wind, rain, lightning, thunder, etc.  Suddenly, Ryan crawls up to the front window, grabs the ledge, and goes into high-kneeling position to peek outside.  His reaction to the storm amazed me; he was fascinated!  He was cooing, squealing, wiggling, and smiling at the chaos outdoors.  I said to myself, he must take after his Grama Marty because she's always loved to watch wild storms outside.

Although I took this picture after the worst part of the storm had gone by, you can still see the reflection of a lightning bolt in the window glass.

Look at that face! He's totally into this storm! :)

Ryan also had a big change in his world this week. He moved up to the Toddler Room at daycare! They have been excellent through this transition.  The daycare and Ryan's Children First team have been working hard to ensure a smooth, successful move from a small baby room with 6 kids to a crazy toddler room with 18 kids!   So far, things seem to be going well. Almost all of his days have been "happy days." He's had a little trouble adjusting to sleeping in a cot in a big room with 18 other kids, but even that's been okay; he's just sleeping a bit less, and it takes more time for him to settle to sleep some days.  He has a special chair to help him sit at the table with the other toddlers during lunch and snack time.  They are also trying to give him mashed up bits of their food, and sips of their juice, and then giving him his usual pureed food and milk when he gets fed up with their stuff (usually after only a couple of spoonfuls or sips).  When he seems a bit overwhelmed by the toddlers, they take him to a cozy, quiet spot for a few minutes, and then he's fine again. Generally, we've been getting positive feedback every day about Ryan having good days and seeming to enjoy himself.  They did ask permission to request a Program Support Worker to help out in their class. They told me they have two other little ones who have special needs, too. Quite frankly, I'm surprised they didn't request a PSW just for Ryan, with all his special needs, when they have 17 other toddlers to be chasing after and caring for!  I asked when they might get the extra support, and they said they aren't even sure if their request will be granted. Seriously?!  Anyway, the teachers in there seem great, and they are very supportive of Ryan.  We've already established a good line of communication between the daycare staff, Children First staff, and our family.

Ryan was stretched out, relaxing on the floor, after his big first day in the Toddler Room at daycare.



Then he noticed the camera, and he got the giggles because he was over-tired. Silly Guy!

Ryan has also become more curious lately. He likes our kitchen floor a lot. (?) A few other signs of development are that he is eating yogurt, and sometimes willing to try a few bites of a new food; he is making a bit more eye contact; he will take turns rolling a ball back and forth with me (albeit without eye contact); he is starting to push cars around a bit instead of just playing with the wheels; and he will sometimes lean in towards me or touch my hand gently if he wants more tickles.  There are a few more little things, but each bit of progress is important for Ryan. One thing that makes me really happy is that he seems to be trying to say "Mum" or "Mama" a few times lately.  If he could gain some speech, even a few words, that would be fantastic!

Finally, here's a fun video I made of Ryan on one of the first nights he explored the kitchen, and got all excited about it.

***

PS (added September 30):
Andrea was chosen "Student of the Month" for September!  The theme for this month was "Great Beginnings." Andrea has a great start to her Grade 1 year!