Almost time

for Christmas!  Is everyone ready?

We are!!!

Merry Christmas!

It's a Good Day

Finally got Jonathon better after he has been home with a bad cold and pink eye since last Tuesday.  I am happy to say that he was very excited to go back to school to see his friends and his teachers.

Now I just need to keep him healthy for the holidays.  This weekend we are celebrating his big brother Kenny's birthday.  Kenny is my middle child and I cannot believe he is turning 15.

Jonathon has been working on some Christmas projects for his teachers.  We will hopefully get them finished today.

Wordless Wednesday

Exciting stuff happening.....

over at an amazing community that I now belong too.  A4cwsn has been very very busy over on Facebook.  If you have a Facebook account look them up.....check it out...trust me you will not be disappointed.  


Gary James is one special person doing unbelievable things and changing the lives of many children.  I believe in him 100% and I am proud to be a part of all that is happening!


I have already tried to win an Ipad2 for Jonathon's teacher so she could use it in her classroom.  I received minimal support from our school and we did not win the Ipad2 for the class.  Jonathon did win an app though.  Which was great because it is an app that I could not afford to purchase at this time but had it on my wish list.  The app came from http://mobile-educationstore.com/.  This has not stopped me.  I am going to nominate our school system to win Ipads next.  Hopefully the second time around I will get more support.  I won't give up because I believe that our children will succeed with the use of an Ipad.  I cannot believe how much better Jonathon is talking and starting to form 3 word sentences and we just got our Ipad in October.


Gary started another campaign tonight and amazingly the campaign is still running but we met our goal within the first hour.  Phenomenal.........


Over on the right I have added some widgets of some campaigns happening right now.  Please help us out and our friends!  Even $1.00 will help!


Thank you........


Please pass on the information......check it out for yourself.........and take a look at http://mobile-educationstore.com/. and check out http://a4cwsn.com/.

No Swimming

for Jonathon this week.  I decided to not take Jonathon swimming on Monday.  I am glad that he did not remember.  Believe it or not he does ask me sometimes on a Monday "Maggie"  "Swim".  But this week he did not.

I left her a message about his rash and that we would hopefully see her next week.  I decided that I want his rash all gone first.  Then I will let him go back.  Then if he gets a rash again I will know 100% that its the pool water.

Today his rash looks good.  It is almost all gone.  This makes me happy.  I will just keep Eucerin on him daily and hope it works.

I hope that we can figure something out because I don't want him to miss 6 months of swimming.

Picky Picky Picky

eater is what I now have.  And I am not liking it.  I don't even want to cook dinner anymore.  It is so frustrating.

When Jonathon was around 2 he was a very picky eater.  I just kept trying to get him to eat all of the different foods that we eat and eventually he took off.  It was great.  I could get him to eat just about anything except burger.  To this day he hates any type of burger.  He will just gag.  So I don't push it.

But now he won't eat alot of food.

mashed potatoes...fried potatoes...hashbrowns...no potatoes
veggies....green beans...I have to fight with him and corn....goodness what a chore
soup and grill cheese....nope not happening
stew....not even a bite
I could go on and on....then I would have to cry again...

What does Jonathon eat.

Well he will eat pancakes.....waffles....cold cereal

pasta....spaghetti....ziti parmesan...macaroni n butter

hot dog... mac n cheese

bologna...cheese....goldfish - not a cracker

mini pop tarts

fruit snacks

ice cream

applesauce....chocolate pudding......pie

And he has won lately because I just don't want to deal with it so we eat and then he eats what is on his small list of items that he won't throw at me.

I need to get out of this funk and figure out how to get him eating good again.  I know he can because he was.

Alot to think about

Jonathon has been taking swim lessons every Monday evening since August 2011.  He has only missed a few Mondays because of him being sick once and then Andrew was sick and then teacher cancelled a couple of times for different reasons.

Now 2 weeks ago when he went swimming, he didn't have a nap that day.  I was worried he would be grumpy and I was correct.  He pulled the teachers glasses off and tried to throw them.  He decided to pull his ear plugs out of his ears.....figuring "I'll teach her, I will pull these out and then I can't swim"  He is very smart, but that didn't work, we just dried them and continued on.  He really enjoys swimming and Miss Maggie is great with him.

Now when we go at 5p.m. he is usually in the water by 5:10p.m. and he swims until about 5:45p.m.  The last time when he was getting out he was screaming, more than usual.....he always cries when he is done, because he doesn't want to be done, but this was different.  So at first I thought that he got water in his ears...but he didn't and then when I took him into locker room his back was really really red........

I dressed him and took him home.  The redness went away so I figured it was just chlorine, but it was ok.

Last week we didn't go, because Andrew was sick.  On Tuesday I noticed a rash on Jonathon.  On Wednesday it was all over his back and part of his front.  I called the dr.  They told me to give Benedryl and call back on friday if not better.  In the meantime I thought allergic reaction and what did I do different.  I bought a bounce dryer bar.  I bought Winnie the Pooh lotion.  Ok, lets throw the bounce bar out and rewash all the laundry.  And stop using lotion.  And give Benedryl.

On friday, a little better, but not better.  Took him into doctors.  As doctor was walking into the room to look at him it hit me.....and I said "Jonathon swims every Monday, I think this is rash from chlorine."  Doc says "yes it is"  to much chlorine.  (DANG IT).

He told me to make sure I wash him with soap and water when he gets out of pool.  And not too swim as long, but that he can still swim.  Put Eucerin on him.  Good to go.

So here is the deal.  Do I let Jonathon continue to swim?  He still has the rash....it looks alot better after I got the lotion on him, but do I want to put him through that anymore?  Is he going to cooperate with me to hurry and get in shower and was off?  This I already know is NOT going to happen.  He is going to scream his little head off.  Do I just cancel the rest of winter and hope summer will be better?
I hate that I have to make this decision....my son loves to swim..he loves the water and we were hoping that by spring he would be a full swimmer.  i am pissed.  I just want him to be able to spend time in the water.  We could go back to the Ymca, but he was too cold last winter and we quit and Miss Maggie is no longer there.  She is back at new swim place which is where the problem is.

I believe that I am burning him by letting him swim.  I noticed it the last time he got out of the water.(red back and crying).  I believe I already have my answer by just writing down my thoughts.

Is there anyone else that has had this problem?  Any input would be great.

Deep down.....I think swimming is done for now......Jonathon may be sad.....but he won't hurt......

Thanks for listening.

Saturday Fun

Jonathon is so funny lately!  He loves to play with Kenny.  When it was still warm enough to go outside he would wait for Kenny to get home and hurry and ask if he would go out and play "guys" and get the toy guns.

They would go out back and run around pretending to be people and zombies.......Doesn't every little boy run around and play zombies......well maybe it used to be cowboys and indians, but now its zombies!  It's so calming to watch.

Now it's cold and we are inside alot lately.  So tonight as I was folding laundry I look over and Jonathon is taking his tools and sliding them under Kenny's back....and quietly telling him "shhhh" and then grabbing Kenny's nose and then you hear Kenny say "please .....no more"....and then they both laugh!  So as I am watching I ask Jonathon "Are you a doctor?"  and he says "yes"  I then say are you a mad scientist?.....He stops....he thinks...and then says "YES"  and then continues to torture Kenny.  So I then ask Kenny what he has been watching or showing his little brother that he wants to be a mad scientist and torture him.  Kenny of course responds......"I didn't do anything mom"

Well my little boy is very smart!  And I am guessing its from watching Kenny play a zombie game on PS3.  No I am not worried.  He does not act out to other people.  It is some sort of bond that him and Kenny share.  If they are happy playing zombies.....then play zombies!  How many 14yr. old brothers would still want to play with their 4yr. old brother.  I too have a brother who is 10 years younger than me and you know what....we have an incredible bond....I wouldn't change anything!  And I hope Kenny remains this close with Jonathon forever!!!!!

An end to our simple, but fun Saturday!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Research Time

So now I have got to do some research.  The teachers are finally going to use p e c cards.  I started using those over 2 years ago and just took them down.

I think/thought we were done with those.

I think I can get an app for the Ipad to help Jonathon instead of investing in more p e c cards.

Research research research.........

Discouraged

I have not been blogging the last few days because I can't figure out how to add a widget and then the link posting isn't working for me either so I am a little discouraged.


Jonathon is doing well.  He is working very very hard on self feeding.  Cereal is going great in the morning and I would show the video but its on my phone and I can't figure out how to post that either so I guess when I find time to actually sit down and relax I will figure all this mess out.  Along with self feeding he has decided that he only likes a few items now.  He used to be a really good eater and now he is being very picky.


Chicken, stuffing, rice, green beans, corn.......likes, but not lately!
Spaghetti......likes and still likes!  He is my Italian guru!  When he refuses to eat anything I will give him cereal, waffle, pancake, but after a few days of that I can't take it so then I make something pasta and he eats......


I hope this is short term.  I do not want him to refuse to eat dinner.  It makes me sad.

wordless Wednesday

Fall Clean up

We spent some time outside last weekend putting away all the toys. We had to put all Jonathon's sand toys, playscape, trucks, wagon, and bikes away for winter. Basket ball hoops too.

We raked leaves, mowed the grass one more time and played.

Now we are ready for winter. I am really excited about Christmas this year. I think it's going to be great. Jonathon is older and I think he is going to be alot of fun. I am hoping that he likes the snow this year. So far he has not.

Time will tell.

Happy Holloween

There goes our friendly neighborhood Spidey......

Spiderman aka Jonathon......

Brothers.......

And he is off to save the world......

cool pumpkin spotted......

School bus.....

Jonathon's pumpkins.....

Jonathon's pumpkin.....

A boy and his pumpkin.....

Happy boy and his loot!

A Very Good Year Trick or Treating!

Working hard!

I had Jonathon 's IEP about 2 weeks ago.  We discussed some things that will need to be accomplished for him to be able to go to Kindergarten next fall.  We discussed how if I or them do not feel he is ready I have other options.

Over all Jonathon is doing well, but we still have things to work on.

The first important goal for me for him is back to potty training.....Jonathon has been toilet trained for some time now... Even though that is so there is still some areas that need to be tweaked a little.  For instance:  I used to have to check with him every 3 hours to make sure if he had to go or not.  As of this past summer I no longer have to do that.  He is fully potty trained.  But no I guess he is not "fully" yet.  Because I go with him....I help pull his pants down....I help him hop up if he needs to sit down....I help him down when he is finished....I help pull up his pants..well no one is going to do that in kindergarten.

So we went out to Kohls this morning and hit up a good deal and got 6 pairs of pull on pants/sweats.  No more jeans for now.  He had 2 pair of sweats that we have started working on him doing this on his own.  He doesn't do too bad.  He gets mad sometimes and wants mommy to just do it.  But overall he is doing great.  He just has a hard time pulling up the back of his pants.  I am sure he will figure it out before next fall.

I also had a new stool made again....actually this one is a platform for him.  It's about 2 inches off the floor and its square so its safe.  He is too tall for the plastic stool now, but not tall enough for nothing.  So we started out with daddy making one....which was nice....it just wasn't what I was talking about and it wasn't really safe....it kept sliding and it just wasn't big enough....sooooo.....Mr. Randy stopped by and we told him what we needed and.......when we got home today....we found a surprise!  He made Jonathon a platform....just right and Jonathon said "cool"  But then daddy got his feelings hurt and was going to take his outside and Jonathon stood up and said "NOOOOO"  He grabbed it and placed it on the carpet and started playing with his hot wheels on it.  A happy daddy then and a happy Jonathon.  It all worked out!!!

I will post pictures tomorrow of the new stuff!

Dental Appointment

Today we went and seen Dr. Dentist!

Last year when I took Jonathon to meet a pediatric dentist in the same office where my older boys go it was a complete disaster.  She did not take her time with Jonathon and he ended up screaming so bad that he had broken blood vessels in his face.  And I knew we did not want her.  And she said" I can't help you"  Really.......

We found a great dentist about 1 hour from our home.  We went and met with him and he set up a procedure at Childrens Hospital of Michigan to get xrays, teeth cleaning and anything else that needed to be done.

Jonathon went in April and had his xrays, teeth cleaned and a space added in between his two front teeth.  He had cavities in there because his teeth were too close together.  It was out patient and when he was finished we took him home.

When we went for our follow up visit Dr. Dentist gave me some ideas on what to do to get Jonathon to brush.

Over the past 6 months I have made sure that Jonathon has brushed his teeth in the morning and at night.  There have been times when I have said "Why bother"  He just doesn't like it and he is probably going to have a ton of cavities and have to be put under again!!  Plus it's very frustrating that I have to do this on my own. (sorry to say, but hubby is not much help)  But then I say to myself that would not be fair to Jonathon so we brush anyway.  Some days are good and some days are bad.  The good days are around more and more.

I was worried about our appointment today.  I have been telling Jonathon for 1 week now, getting him ready.  Hoping that he understood.  I was very very nervous on the way there today.  I couldn't even drink my coffee.  Then we were late, because I made a wrong turn.....OOPS.

We signed in at 8:33a.m.  We had a few minutes to wait so I got out Jonathon's IPAD.  He sat quietly and put some puzzles together on his Ipad.  Other kids looked from a distance.  I thought it was pretty cool.  Then we were called.  Okay here we go......Put the Ipad away and followed the nurse back.....got a few feet and then Jonathon noticed everyone in dr. gear and stopped.....and said "NO"  and turned around to leave.

I grabbed his hand and told him it was okay. That they were not doctors, that they were dentist helpers.  And the nurse helped confirm that with him.  I practically had to drag him back to the room and then he seen the "chair"  Oh my!!  He didn't want any part of that.

As I was putting him in the chair and getting out blue puppy.....Dr. Dentist was explaining what he was going to do and the staff was getting ready and as I am getting out blankie, headphones, they are starting and Jonathon begins to cry and scream......I quickly tell him "ok, let me get your music"  I grab my cell phone and quickly scroll through to find Elmo Lets go Tubbin.....This calms Jonathon down some where he at least is not screaming.  One Dr. Dentist.....3 staff members and mommy .....I just kept talking to Jonathon and telling him how proud I was and that he was doing great and that he had blue puppy and that he was almost done.  And before we knew it......we were done.

I spoke with Dr. Dentist quickly.  He told me that he was so proud of me..."me".....I even said "me"?  He reminded me how I came to him upset and looking for help.  And that he told me what I needed to do and I did it.  And that Jonathon would not be getting a good clean teeth report if I had not listened. WOW was all I could think!  And it made me proud.  Jonathon has no cavities! He was put into a drawing to win a $25.00 gift card.  And we will go back in 6 months.  And hopefully in 6 months it will be a little better for him.  We signed in at 8:33a.m. and we were back in the van at 9:03a.m.

So I took him to Walmart to pick out a new toy for being such a big boy and letting Dr. Dentist clean his teeth.  He picked 2 monster trucks....He is big into Monster Jam right now.  He now has Hot wheels and Grave Digger!!

I am so proud of Jonathon.  I know how much certain things scare him.  Like the noise of the dental tool to clean his teeth.  To sit there and let the dentist clean his teeth and not wear his headphones.  Phenomenal!  Amazing!  I will always do my best to make sure he is happy, safe, and protected!

I love you Jonathon Joseph!  Rest well, you did great today!!!!!!

wordless Wednesday

Challenges & Celebrations 2011 Conference

I went to this conference yesterday.  The conference was sponsored by St. Clair County Community Mental Health, St. Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency and St. Clair County Down Syndrome Support Group.

I went to "What your other Children without Disabilities are Thinking: Sibling Issues for Parents"
Keynote Speaker Brian Skotko.  I thought Brian was a very good speaker and I really enjoyed listening to him.  I was not able to stay until the very end to get my book signed, but I did purchase his book and cannot wait to read it.  Check it out and get yourself a copy.  If you ever hear his name go listen to him.  He is great!

I also attended Ipad = Ican  Keynote Speaker Ann Orr.  I enjoyed listening to Ann also.  But she was just an Ipod/Ipad geek.  She was not from Apple Company and I already learned about a whole bunch of apps, so I was not really impressed with her.  I went to listen to her thinking I would learn about the Ipad2 and how to use it and how to use the apps when you download them.  So I really could have skipped her.  Oh well.

Oh and I went and listened to an O.T.  Her name was Kim Perrin.  "Addressing Challenging Behaviors Through Sensory Strategies"  Now her I could have sat and listened to for a long time.  She was very informational.  I don't really have a lot of problems with Jonathon.  I was curious what it was all about and glad I went.  I learned that water is a good thing.  I learned that if you have a child that is really out of control.....ex: head banger ...to the point of dangerous..you could just give him/her some water to play with(like in a bucket in the middle of the kitchen floor) not worrying about the mess.  And it relaxes the child.  Water is calming.  I am so glad that I have Jonathon in swimming.  and of course he loves the shower and our pool and mud puddles etc.

Jonathon picks at his thumbs and peels the skin off to the point where it bleeds and I have to put a bandaid on(which he hates).  so she gave me some ideas to try out on him.  and to keep track of when it happens.  So I will.  She actually ran out of time talking to our group.

My sister and I then ate lunch and had to head for home.

During the conference I met up with the president of St. Clair County Down Syndrome Support Group...which is the group we belong too.  And she had a gift for me......well for Jonathon!

I had submitted a scholarship letter to her at the beginning of October asking for Jonathon to be a recipient of an Ipad2.  I explained about my research and why I felt that it would benefit him!  I am so happy that he was given this device!  It is going to help him so much with his learning!

So I loaded it up last night and showed him really quick!  Lets just say he loves it.  He was upset when he had to put it away to go to bed and he calls it his pad.....games mom!

I would have never known the world of opportunity for my son with an Ipad2 if it wasn't for me finding a4cwsn.com and reading and researching.  I joined a4cwsn.com on facebook.  It is a wonderful community and a person can learn so much.  I already have 123 apps on Jonathon's Ipad2. I have only paid $17.00 total.  Most of them were free and some of them I won.  Through a4cwsn.com.  I am so glad that I found Gary James..... Please go and check it out....You will not be disappointed!

I uploaded a video of him seeing his Ipad2 for the first time.  Learning video upload is confusing. sorry.  it posted all on its own.  Hope you enjoy.  That was his very first look at an Ipad2.  He thought the character Mongo was really funny.  You are supposed to eat the fruit not the junk food.  He was being silly last night and actually doing both, because Mongo will turn blue from a tummy ache.  But he knew how to operate it after a few seconds and with time he will be really good at this device.

Jonathon's Ipad2

Jonathon's Ipad2 a video by cmp1969 on Flickr.

Here is Jonathon seeing the Ipad2 for the very first time and he is playing Mongo.

Wordless Wednesday

Swimming cancelled

because someone used the pool as a toilet......I know TMI, but it is what it is......

So we came home and raked leaves into a big pile.  It was beautiful outside for October.  Around 80 degrees.  Ok, maybe little much. Jonathon was sweating so bad that we eventually gave up and came in. But he did enjoy himself.

I can remember a little boy who wouldn't go near the leaves let alone touch them and PLAY in them.  Now I have a brave big boy who love loves the leaves!!! Hooray!!!!

I am really liking fall this year!

Imagination

Imagination........is wonderful!

31 for 21

I am having a hard time blogging everyday for down syndrome awareness. I think it is because we are not having our buddy walk this year and I am very irritated about that.

I belong to St. Clair County Down Syndrome Support Group. We are putting on a conference this year. It will be this week.

I firmly believe that we should have still walked! I firmly believe it could have been done along with the conference.

I will try to be better!

Growing Every Day

Jonathon wears AFO braces.  During the summer months he does not wear his Shoes with braces very often.  It's just too hot.  So he wears sandals, which Cameron says is fine.


When school started this year Jonathon complained of his foot hurting and he actually limped around all weekend.  Got me to thinking, hmmm maybe something is wrong with the braces.


I kept an eye on him and at first just figured he had to get back into the routine of wearing them every day.....all day.....


Then we finally found some new socks....lets just say the new socks did not fit with the braces.  His foot was hanging over....and I couldn't get his shoe on.


We finally got in to see Mr. Cameron yesterday afternoon.  He confirmed......Yep he grew.  So he extended his brace out a little for him and fixed some hot spots on the ankles.


Good deal....except.....now his shoes do not fit.


I have to order his shoes online and cannot buy just any brand.  Jonathon has flat feet and wide feet.  He takes an EW.  I cannot find a store that carries EW.  So I search on line for the best deal.  I buy alot from shoebuy.com.  I usually buy him Stride Rite.


So I had to send him to school today without braces.  I told the teacher to just keep an eye on him because I really don't know how he is going to react to no braces.  In the meantime I have to get online this morning and order some shoes for him.


Yep he is growing!!!!




Please go vote!  It's for a great cause!


http://sunsuperdreams.com.au/dream/view/ipads-for-special-kids

31 for 21

Hi everybody!  I have been very busy over the past few days and didn't really get a chance to blog.  Oops.  Didn't start out Down syndrome awareness very good.  I am now ready to blog the rest of the days.....hopefully!


I found this great community!   I found lots of information!


There is a super dream going on!


Please go vote!


http://sunsuperdreams.com.au/dream/view/ipads-for-special-kids

Don't Miss Out Friends

My apologies that I did not get this post done before now.  I really did not know how to go about it and I still don't, but I don't want anyone to miss out.


There is a huge App Party going on this weekend.  It started yesterday and will go until Sunday evening.  There already have been brand new Ipods given away.  You can try to win an Ipad2.  And most of all lots of apps for your Iphone, Ipod and Ipad on sale.


I ran across this website about 1 week ago and it woke me up to alot of possibilities for Jonathon.  Any way it's very exciting.


http://www.a4cwsn.com/3rd-app-party-invitation/

And for those of you that don't think you qualify for such a thing.  You can still get in on the fun and purchase some apps for future use.  I do not own an Ipod, Iphone or Ipad, but after getting involved in all of this excitement I will find one way or another to get one for Jonathon.  I really really would love for him to have an Ipad.

You can just get your free apps - which there is lots and other purchased apps and it just stays in Itunes until you are ready.

I have never did anything like this so I don't know how or if I can upload anything.  Guess I need to learn all of that. lol.

Oh and most of all......You get to make some more friends!  Who wouldn't want that.

Good luck friends!

Wordless Wednesday

Happy 125 years Childrens of Michigan

Today we packed up and headed down to Jonathon's Hospital....well Children's Hospital of Michigan, but Jonathon's Hospital.  The hospital was having a birthday party to celebrate 125 yrs.  We signed a piece of paper and they are going to take the paper and make an origami butterfly.  Jonathon left a special message and I also left a message.  I can't wait to see the butterfly when it's all done.


We ate some ice cream, and then had some cake.  Jonathon really did not like his sponge bob ice cream stick, but he loved the birthday cake...especially the frosting!


He had fun running around and meeting the clowns, but would not get his face painted.  Oh well, he at least sat and talked to papa clown.


We also got to meet Jake and Ellie....at first Jonathon was afraid of them because they do not speak, but it wasn't long and he was best friends with them.  Thank you Jake and Ellie for making my son happy!

Talking to Jake and Ellie

Movie Day

We had a movie store open back up in our neighboring town about 1 month ago.  It is called Family Video.  For the first month you recieve 1/2 off of everything so we have been visiting once per week. We are able to rent 5 movies for about 3.50.  Pretty cool if you ask me.


This has become a weekly ritual for Jonathon and I.  Sometimes we take the big brothers along, but mostly its just us.  This has been a good time for some practice.  Jonathon has been practicing listening to mom and walking up and down the aisles with mom.  He has been learning not to touch all the movies and take them off of the shelf.  He has been learning that he may take a movie if he wants to rent it.


This video store has alot of older kid movies that you are able to rent for free.  It is so overwhelming to see so many movies.  But every week he is doing better and better.


When we first started there was a lot of yelling(on Jonathon's part) and tugging(holding hands) and running(Jonathon running away from me).  I stuck it out though even when we made a few scenes.  And it was well worth it because today we went after school and we had a very nice time looking at all the movies and deciding which ones to rent.


We rented Berenstein Bears, Franklin goes to school and Dumbo.  And Lynx.  not sure what that is, but it looks like it might be interesting.  Mommy got some movies for the big kids too.


Jonathon tried to escape one time, but I just explained that we would leave the store with nothing and he came back to me.  And then when we were leaving he told the lady good bye and thank you!  I am soo sooo proud of him.  And I made sure I told him just how proud I was and how polite that was to say Thank you and good bye.


I can honestly say that I have not touched the stroller since........ummm......since.....August.  Wow .....since August?  That's wonderful!


So we already watched Dumbo, which Jonathon really liked and now we are watching the Berenstein Bears.  He seems to like this movie too.

wordless Wednesday

Update

School is going great for Jonathon.  He is really enjoying school this year.  He wears his back pack out to the van in the morning and into school.  He has been walking from van into school.....last year I carried him ALOT.  He is happy to hug and kiss me good bye every day.


My little boy is growing up.  I am glad that he likes to go to school.  That is really important to me.


I picked up a leap frog dvd about learning the ABC's.  He watches it everyday...almost every day if we have time and he is doing great learning his ABC's.  He already knows most of them.  So now I am on a search for sight words - on 3 DVD's...just need to find the best deal.


We have been working on walking for everything.  I don't really use the stroller for anything anymore unless I am somewhere where I know its too much for him to walk or I need to contain him (LOL).


We have closed our pool for winter, but we have not had much time to play outside lately.  He has been tired and happy to stay in after school, and we have had lots of rain days.


We went to Detroit to see Dr. Cardiologist.  Good report.  Jonathon did not like the EKG this year. He really screamed his head off. so bad that he had broken blood vessels all over his head and face.....I felt so sorry for him.  So we came home with those nasty little stickies to help prepare him for next year.  


We have our appointments made for eye exam and dental cleaning.  Coming up in October.


Oh and there will not be a buddy walk this year for St. Clair County!!!! Very very disappointing.(another post .....another day)

Wordless Wednesday

Summer vacation winding down

I have been trying to stay home and relax with the boys this past week since it is their last week of summer vacation, but we also did some fun stuff too.


Jonathon had his last summer playdate with Rylee and her big brother Logan.  We all met up at the local water park in Goodells and had a blast.  This was Jonathon's first time doing the water without me holding his hand.  Just shows me how much he has grown over the summer and how much he is becoming a "big" boy.  My baby is growing up.....times it is sad, because Jonathon is my last baby, but then its overwhelming too, because he is reaching his milestones and I am so so happy and amazed at my strong little boy.

running through the water

Jonathon hanging out with Logan


On Friday afternoon we packed the boys up and headed uptown for some icecream and a little fun at the local park.  We were supposed to go with Rylee , Logan and Nik, but we missed each other.  We will catch up next time.  So Gilbert and I took the boys anyways.

enjoying our snack


After our ice cream we went and played on the merry go round.  I am having a problem posting anymore pictures so I will save them for another day.

We played at the park for awhile and then returned home.

And then today(Saturday) we packed everyone up at 9:15a.m. and headed out to catch the morning show - cars 2.  Jonathon really liked it.  He was so funny to watch his expressions during the movie.  It got a little loud at times, but he had his headphones and used them.  Cars is Jonathon's second time at the movie theater.  It is very fun taking him and I am glad he is finally able to go.  Can't wait for the next movie.

After the show we came home, grabbed our suits and jumped into our pool for awhile.  Jonathon is doing very well swimming around on his own - with his life jacket on.  I can't wait to continue his swim lessons with Miss Maggie, once school starts back up.

Sit and Wonder

Here it is Friday morning and Jonathon and I are the only ones up .....as usual......


And I just sit here drinking my coffee and wonder......


I wonder what this year will bring......at school......


I wonder if I did enough this summer with Jonathon........


I wonder did I not do enough this summer with Jonathon......


I wonder .......will the teachers be happy.....


I wonder......will Jonathon behave in school.......


I wonder.....will we ever get over our hump of not wanting to self feed......
(he is doing much much better than last year, but we still have some issues where he is not 100% eating on his own)


I wonder.....will Jonathon do okay with restroom breaks this year.......
(teachers are changing....we were told at end of year.....losing Miss Olley....and she was the helper teacher that helped the children with restroom breaks)


I wonder......do we still have Mrs. Rhodes.....she is Jonathon's teacher and I hope that they did not move her in the school system....


I wonder.......I wonder.......I wonder.......

will my preschooler and my freshman enjoy school this year........

will my junior be okay with his first year at "Tech"...........


One thing I do not need to wonder about......
is how proud I am of all three of my boys!!!!!
I am so so proud of all them!


Here's to a great school year boys......take your time......please don't get frustrated.....and most of all stay focused......

I love you all very very much!!!!

ENT appointment

This morning we headed out early to go see Dr. Ears.

We arrived 20 minutes ahead of schedule and got lucky and we were able to go right back and see the Dr.  He asked Jonathon how he was doing and if I had any concerns.  Nope, no concerns about his ears.

Then Dr. Ears looked into Jonathon's ears and found both tubes.  Yep, they are still there.  Asked to look into his throat.  No, this is not happening.  When we go see Dr. Pediatrician in the winter he always asks that questions and of course does it AND Jonathon does not like it.  So Dr. Ears passed.

Good report.  Nice visit.  See you in 6 months.  We were finished and back outside within 20 minutes.

I did pick up a swim band though.  Jonathon is going to continue to swim all winter with his lessons and I have been having a problem with the swim plugs popping out once in awhile.  I purchased the swim band thinking this will be really cool.  Ummm when I got Jonathon home and tried to show Kenny, he would not even put it on.  I know it's because it's new and he doesn't understand that its not going to hurt him.  Hopefully when we go see Miss Maggie for his next lesson he will cooperate and wear it for me.  Fingers crossed.

I am so glad that I found Dr. Ears.  I am so glad and thankful that Jonathon is doing so well with his tubes and his speech.

wordless Wednesday

wordless Wednesday

Missing Family

grandma Martindale, Jonathon, me, Kenny, Gil and Andrew in the back.

Doesn't seem like it has been over 1 week since my mom came to visit from Florida.  This was Jonathon's second time meeting her and this time he remembers grandma and has asked me where she is.
Now I have to figure out how to teach him that we live in Michigan and grandma Martindale lives in Florida.....which is very far away and we just cannot go visit.....

We had a busy weekend....On Saturday we went bowling...Jonathon had lots of fun.
On Sunday we had a birthday party to go too.. and once again Jonathon had a riot.

update

Wow!  It's been a while.  We have been having so much fun this summer and have been so busy that I just have not found the time to sit down and continue this blog.


Things will be slowing down a bit now that we are headed into August.  I can't believe it's almost August and then it will be time for school to start.  Summer is flying by, but we are making the best of it.


Jonathon has been a lot of fun this summer.  He really is a big boy now and has been able to do lots and has been practicing his listening skills and patience all summer.  Something that is so hard for a young boy to do.


We celebrated Jonathon's 4th birthday....had a surprise visit from Grandma Martindale(my mom) she lives in Florida...went to the beach....went to the local 4H fair....have been swimming practically every day....visited Aunt Sandra and her horses and cats....went to the local water splash pad and just playing in our own backyard.  I will try to post some pictures of all the fun soon.


We do have a busy weekend still.....Best friend Rylee - her big brother Logan is celebrating his 9th birthday on Sunday and on Saturday we have a bowling fundraiser for him for football.  Not sure how Jonathon will do going bowling at 7p.m. (bedtime is usually 8p.m.) but we will try it out .....it's for a good cause.


Oh and we had a surprise family of turkeys stop by for a few days....that ended up being a pain so we found them a good home.....away from us. 


And took our dog Scruffy to the vet to get groomed.  Busy busy busy!!!!


Hope everyone else is enjoying their summer.

went to book store and picked out 2 new books too!