Looooooong Time Coming!

I've been waiting a REALLY long time to say this but we have exciting news to share!  Kailey is OFFICIALLY potty trained!!!!!!!  Chris and I have to laugh when Chris mentioned tonight that it usually takes us hitting "rock bottom" for some skill before we finally see the light.  The light just turned on for Kailey the other day when she started going independently without resisting.  We put her in underwear all weekend (except for at night) which she successfully kept dry except for one poop accident each day.  Last night we decided to keep her in underwear which she kept dry until right when she woke up (I kept checking on her).  She stayed dry at school all day and then despite her crying for 2 hours that going poopies would hurt, she finally let it go in the good ole' froggy potty.  

 

 

I cannot even begin to describe my jubilance, excitement, joy, and happiness at the fact I finally have one of them fully potty trained. 

Now we just need to get Colin fully there too!  But woo hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WWE Superstars and the Special Olympics NJ

We were presented a really awesome opportunity this week when Colin was invited to be a part of a special photo/video shoot with the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) and the Special Olympics of NJ.  The WWE signed on to be a founding partner of the 2014 USA games for the Special Olympics and will serve as the Official Production Partner of the games which is being hosted in NJ this June.   We were told that there would be a few WWE superstars who would play with the developmental basketball athletes and would then serve as honorary coaches for Team NJ Unified soccer teams as they competed against each other.  

 

 

 

We were honored that Colin was asked to participate and excited at the opportunity (Chris has been a big fan of the WWE since he was a boy).  We found out that the WWE superstars that would be attending would be The Big Show, 

 

 

Diva Natalya, 

 

Stephanie McMahon (which we didn't know until we got there), 

 

and one of the announcers, Renee (pictured at left with Natalya).  

 

 

When we arrived, we were given a run down of the schedule for the day but then were headed with the president of the SONJ to be introduced to someone that was there.  On the way, we passed The Big Show in the hallway and Colin went right up to him and shook his hand and was chatting a bit with him.  We weren't sure what Colin's reaction would be because he is 7'0 and over 400 lbs so we were pleasantly surprised that Colin warmed right up to him.  

 

 

We were then brought to the gym where Colin participated in developmental basketball with the team that was there, Miss Andrea, Coach Greg, and a lot of the other volunteers that were there to help.  

 

 

Colin did REALLY well following directions but started to tire out a little bit more at the end (and everything sort of got a little bit off schedule).  The superstars came in the gym to play with the Young Athletes for a bit before participating in their soccer game.  

 

Colin immediately went right to Renee and gave her a big hug. 

 

For the beginning part, Colin actually did really well playing with some of the superstars.  

 

 

However, they attempted to get a shot of The Big Show lifting Colin up in the air to make a basket.  Unfortunately, Colin got a little nervous during that, kept dropping the ball and then ran off to us saying he was all done.  

After repeated attempts, we had a really hard time getting Colin to get involved again.  It was really cute because The Big Show even kept coming over to me and asking us if he was Ok, concerned that he really scared him.  I thought that was so sweet.  

 

 



 He sort of regrouped a bit at the end and gave some hugs and kisses to the girls again before heading outside. 

Once outside, we watched the presentation of the superstars and the first half of the unified soccer game.  It took Colin awhile to regroup but once he did, he finished out the day pretty strong.  At halftime, they had the Young Athletes out on the field to present the superstars with sweatshirts for the day and then had them participate in penalty kicks with The Big Show as goalie. 

When Colin saw who was in goal, he immediately started looking for us again, but Coach Greg (aka, the Miracle Worker), got Colin to start running to kick the ball and then let him finish on his own. 

 

Colin was so excited that he scored and then much to our surprise, turned around on his own and ran right over to the Big Show and gave him a big hug.  

 

He said his goodbyes and gave out hugs to Renee and Natalya before leaving...

All in all, it was a really awesome and exciting day (despite our disappointment at Colin's difficulties with the one "big shot" that they attempted).  We are even more excited at the fact that these superstars came out to support the Special Olympic athletes today. 

Much thanks to the Special Olympics of NJ, the 2014 USA games, WWE, The Big Show, Natalya, Renee and Stephanie!  We are grateful for all you do to support our Special Olympic athletes!



Baseball Season

When you have a spouse who works in Athletics, your life is sort of lived in seasons.  In our house because of Chris' job, we go from soccer season to basketball, lacrosse (that's a new one that was added) to finally baseball season.  Both of our kids have been raised so far in this atmosphere and both have adopted the 'love for the game' that Chris has to be doing his job.  In the spring and summer, Chris works an "extra" job at the local minor league baseball stadium that he has been doing for over 10 years now.  The kids have really taken a liking to visiting Daddy while he's working there and they are now at an age where it is "easier" (a very loose word to use) to bring them as they are following directions and really enjoying themselves.  The nice thing is that since it's essentially down the road, I can go for a little bit, get a little dessert, walk around and watch the game, and then head home as its nearing bedtime.  

 

Since the team started this spring, we have gone to two games and the kids are loving it. 

Just like she did with basketball, the first thing Kailey says when she walks into the stadium is "Mommy, can I have my popcorn please?". 

For the first game this year, I brought the wagon to get them into the stadium and to "control" them when I was concerned that they weren't listening.  However, they actually proved me wrong in showing me that they are REALLY good listeners and the wagon became more of a nuisance than the original purpose.  The second game I went sans wagon and it actually went REALLY well.  In order to walk through the parking lot, they must hold my hand and then they have a tiny bit more freedom once inside.  However, in busy areas of the concourse they have to stay with me and hold my hands. 

It's nice to have a local alternative for the summer AND to be able to hang out and visit Daddy!

Plus we even get some "special" privileges  as Daddy works up in the press box/production room. 

Looking forward to enjoying this season with the kids!

Potty Training...Nightmare

Those that have been following this blog know that we have been at this potty training business for a solid two years now.  There has been nothing in my now 5 years of being a mother that has been more trying and left me feeling like an utter failure more than potty training.  Granted, I have not yet gotten to the "heart" of placement for Colin for next year so maybe I will change my mind, but even with all that we have researched and discussed so far with that...potty training is DEFINITELY worse in this moment. 

 

 

Here's a recap:

 

Colin: we started with this when he was around 3 to first expose him to the potty and start discussing it.  He was not communicating anywhere near close to what he is now so we were missing a vital component in having him use the potty.  We had one really rough spot early on where we decided to back off for a bit but once we resumed we have been going ever since.  Through the past two years we have definitely made progress in that he is pretty much a scheduled potty user.  We have really great days where our schedule works and he stays dry all day and even communicates here and there when he has to go but then we have days like today where I feel like we have gone so far backwards.  He does pretty well on the schedule at both schools but if the schedule is slightly disrupted, so is the dry pull-up.  

Kailey: Her old daycare started for her right around the age of 2, maybe even earlier.  By the end of that school year, she was staying pretty dry and we were following through at home.  When the summer came, so did the accidents to the point it got so bad we had to go backwards and put her back in pull-ups (I know, this was probably really bad to do but the accidents were so bad!).  At the end of the summer, I did the 3-day potty training method with both kids and by the end of day 3, Kailey still wouldn't go poopies on the potty, but did really well independently with staying dry and going by herself.  However, even with our consistency, the same thing happened again.  She is so horribly stubborn right now so that half the time I want to cry or scream at her because I just don't get it.  When I ask her why she didn't go on the potty and instead had an accident, she will tell me "because I don't WANT to go on the potty". 

I'll be honest.  I am burnt.  I've been reading another book on potty training that was recommended to me and while there are lots of great valid points, I feel like a failure because the book basically told me I was.  There have been so many things we did wrong with this and it's so frustrating! I KNOW my children will not still be wearing pull-ups at 10, but getting there is a battle.  It's tough because I feel like it doesn't help that I can't be HOME every day to devote to this makes it very challenging.  Colin definitely has his issues as to why he's not there yet but I STILL don't fully understand why he's not doing better because he does get it for the most part.  Kailey is just plain stubborn and totally knows what she's doing.  I have so many great suggestions and at this point, I really need a nice stretch of days to devote.  I think that while I will keep the routine going, I am going to have to wait until I get out of school to do a "boot camp" again. 

THIS. IS. ROUGH!! 

Disclaimer: I chose beautiful, sweet photos of my children to look at while writing a post on a subject that has caused me more angst than ANYTHING else in raising children!

Take Your Child to Work Day!

At our last faculty meeting, some fellow teachers brought up the fact that April 24th was take your child to work day and asked permission from our principal to take advantage of the day.  I was excited at the possibility of bringing Colin in, especially because I talk about Colin all of the time (and Kailey too) in reference to respecting people's differences and why it's important to be careful of word choices.  My students love hearing about him and ask about him a lot.  While I was a little bit wary of him making it through the entire day, especially because at one point I have three classes in a row, I decided to give it our best shot and take my chances.  

 

 

I honestly can't say that Colin surprised me because I knew that he would enjoy the attention from the other kids and exploring a new place but I was so pleasantly surprised that we really had an AWESOME day together.  He was so great, so well behaved, so social, and gave the students exactly what they wanted....high-fives, hugs, pounds, and hand shakes. 

 



 

 Before the day started, he was very open to meeting my coworkers and shaking hands to introduce himself.  He didn't even need me to prompt to provide his name upon meeting new people.  Prior to the students arriving he kept asking me where the "kids" were and when they would be singing and dancing.  I don't think he quite got the fact that these were middle school "kids" that I had (and that I teach science and not music), but he had them wrapped around his finger anyway. 

During part of my day I have library duty and our friend Mer hung out with us (who Colin knows very well) and another friend's kids were there.  He snuggled right up on the couch while they were watching videos on Mer's phone. 

Coincidentally, I was starting my genetics unit today so I took some time to explain to my students the difference between a "normal" karyotype and one for someone with Trisomy 21.  They asked a lot of great questions and compared the difference between the two.  I should never have worried about keeping him occupied because during my classes that I was "lecturing" and then doing an activity, he literally sat there attentively listening to what I had to say.  If I would look at him he would point to me and tell me to keep talking.  The kids loved it because then he started making finger puppets on the screen at the end of their notes.  They certainly didn't mind the distraction.  At the end of each class, he would give everyone a high-five on their way out, which they loved. 

I wish I could have taken a picture during one of my class periods of 8th graders because at the beginning of the class, he went right over without me saying anything, and sat at this desk (above) with another girl).  I found it interesting because he was still a little shy and wasn't quite ready to do that in any other class.  He sat there with her for the whole 45 minute class and worked on using his scissors while she did her work.  Every once in awhile he would say something to her and then go back to work.  It was hysterical to see this little boy sitting in the middle of a class of 8th graders. 

He truly proved that he is an observer today when Mer came to visit us and he made her and I sit at the desks while he drew on the board and kept asking us to tell him what it was (he was drawing circles over and over).  He was essentially "teaching" us a lesson which was incredibly cute. 

I was so proud of him today for showing just how well behaved he can be, using language appropriately (I had to remind myself to stop jumping in for him to "translate" because a lot of the times he WAS understandable), socializing the right way by shaking hands and giving high-fives, and introducing himself.  He paid attention during class, whispered when he wanted to ask me a question, occupied himself when he was getting a little tired and was just really, really good. 

It truly was a GREAT experience having Colin there with me today.  He was so much fun! 

More Birthday Fun!

This year we decided to try a "friend" birthday party at an outside location.  After one of our numerous ice cream store visits, we learned that they host birthday parties and decided to give it a whirl since our kids love ice cream so much.  We figured it was a bigger year for Colin turning 5 and would be fun to try. 

 



 

We told the kids about it pretty far in advance to it was a hot topic in our house.  By the time the day actually got there, they were so excited and couldn't wait.  

 

 

 

The ice cream shop gave them the "special treatment" as their names were up on the sign when we pulled up.  

 

 

As can be expected with a group of 3-5 year olds, it was a little chaotic at the beginning of the party as they greeted their friends and then ran around together. 

 



 



 

Once we got them all settled, our "guy" for the day split the kids into two groups and gave them a tour of the back of the ice cream store and took them to see how where they store the ice cream and how it gets made.  

 

 

They even give the kids a little sample to try right out of the machine (which actually tastes the best then!).  

 



When the tour was over, the kids had pizza and then were served their own selection of ice cream which they were able to decorate with lots of different topping choices (I think they enjoyed that the best!).

 



 

 

 Overall, we had a really great time and the kids really enjoyed themselves!  It was definitely an experience!  Thanks to all of Colin and Kailey's friends for making it so much fun (and for all of the great gifts too!).  

 

 

 

And as always, thanks to Jorie for her photos!