The end of the 2017-2018 School Year

This week marked the end of the 2017-2018 school year and as I expected, it brought with it a lot of emotions for me. We are finishing up a truly phenomenal year and I am just so thankful for the truly amazing educators that all three of our kids were lucky to have worked with this year. It feels like just yesterday we were sending them all off with the hopes that they would have great years and they all exceeded our expectations. 

This was the BEST year we have had with Colin to date. Much like it is every time you go through something difficult in life, it is hard to imagine what it's like to be on the flipside. This year was the first year that there was not any litigation or difficult IEP meeting and for the most part, it was just a normal school year. In a meeting at the end of last school year, Colin's current general education teacher and I sat down to meet each other and talk about 2nd grade and she said to me "don't worry, I've got this" and she really did get it. She was the definition of inclusion in all of the ways she seamlessly made sure Colin was a part of all classroom activities and although we communicated throughout the school year when it was needed, it wasn't really needed a whole lot. Between Colin's general education teacher, special education teacher, and his paraprofessional (all women we are so incredibly grateful for), he made meaningful progress and was so incredibly happy. When I saw all 3 women on the last day of school, I couldn't help but cry with gratitude for all they did for Colin this year. 

First Day of School

Last Day of School

Last Day of School

Kailey had a great year as well. She really enjoyed her teacher and her class and made a lot of academic growth this year. She loves learning and took her homework very seriously this year (almost to a fault!). We watched her reading, and confidence in reading, take off as the year progressed as well as her writing. Although her spelling isn't always the best, she loves to write and we find her written notes all throughout the house. She is also very talented when it comes to drawing and particularly loves to draw unicorns and princesses. She is a far better artist then I can possibly manage! There are most times when she is the most doting, sweet, and loving sister but there are also times when her brothers pester her and she has little patience. We've been working really hard this year on the whining but I'm not sure that ever changes! Since this time last year, she has grown 3 1/4 inches and gained 8lbs (although I'm pretty sure the 8lbs must just be in her bones!). We were really proud of all that she was able to accomplish this year! 

1st Day of School

Last Day of School

Last Day of School

Cody made so many big changes this year although the growth happened very slowly. At the start of the year, the most difficult challenges we faced with him were the tantrums over every little thing. We have always felt that part of Cody's difficulties were due in part in trying to keep up with Colin and Kailey. While many times it seemed like he was older than his 3 years of age, he was only 3 and we were reminded of it in the ways he handled many things, especially when things didn't go the way he wanted or expected them to. We have felt that 3 has been VERY difficult, however, throughout this spring we have really started to see his maturity and ability to handle things far better when they don't go his way. The tantrums and lack of flexibility often come as a result of tiredness, lack of nap, or after a long weekend and/or busy few days in a row. He is otherwise, a very happy little boy who loves all things sports and Paw Patrol. After seeing all of the positive changes this spring, we can't wait to see what 4 will bring for him! 

1st Day of School

Last Day of School

The 2017-2018 really was a FANTASTIC school year and we are so very grateful to the wonderful educators all of our kids were blessed to be with this year!

1st Day of School

Last Day of School

Cody's End of Year Show

Last night was Cody's end of the year show that his daycare puts on every year. It is usually set to a theme and involves the oldest classes in the school. They spend many days practicing with the students to prepare for the night and always put on such a great night with all of the kids. We were SO PROUD of Cody for how great of a job that he did and once again were reminded of just how thankful we are to have found a place that cares for our kids the way they do. Last night was their 32nd time they put on an end of the year show! I was also reminded last night just how much Cody has grown and changed over the past school year. Ages 2-3 with him has been pretty challenging to say the least but we are very slowly seeing how much he is maturing and how much this added maturity is changing him into a different person. 

The show last night was an "I Love the 80s" theme with some of my favorite 80s songs. The kids came walking in and then started the show with the pledge, "Proud to be an American", "I Want Candy" and "Walking on Sunshine". We could tell right away how much Cody was into the show and his personality was shining through right from the beginning. I was honestly expecting more of a timid/shy Cody but he very pleasantly surprised me and he was so much fun to watch.

Cody's class then did their song to Flashdance "What a Feeling" and it was so much fun!

Cody also came out walking the sign to introduce one of the next classes that followed his group.

Finally, to end the night, each student in each class was announced and then they ended with "We are the World" which they exited the stage to. It really was a fun night and I greatly enjoyed watching Cody have his night to shine, especially since he is always attending everyone else's events. 

We were so proud of Cody and we celebrated him with ice cream!

A SURPRISE For Colin!

Last year for the spring musical production, my high school put on Shrek the Musical and we brought the kids to watch. Colin became so enamored with the show that very shortly after, we had the soundtrack from when it was on Broadway and he was requesting to sing and dance to the songs every day. In addition, we found the Broadway show on Netflix (we now actually own it, just in case it ever goes off!) and he has since received the lyrics book as well. We thought his obsession would eventually die off, and although he did take a slight break from it when the new Beauty and the Beast movie came out, his love of it has never truly gone away. Months ago, my sister in law shared with me an email in which the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown advertised their spring production was going to be Shrek the Musical. I was so excited that I checked regularly for the posting of the tickets and finally got them more recently. We didn't tell them until we got there and Colin was SO excited! 

Before the show started, we let Colin and Kailey take a peek down under the stage where the orchestra was going to be playing and we had to remind Colin several times that although he could recite the whole show, he was going to have to sing to himself. We even reminded him that he was going to have to stay in his seat and wouldn't be able to stand up to dance because he would be blocking people behind him. 

Leading up to the start of the show, Colin read the production book at least twice so that he could learn the names of the actors that were playing the parts of his favorite characters. At one point he even got up and hugged Chris and me to thank us for getting him tickets to the show. 

It was so much fun to watch him watch the show. He had so much fun and I think his favorite part was "Freak Flag" because the full ensemble is on the stage at that point. What I love the most about this show is the underlying message; acceptance, inclusion, tolerance and being happy with who you are! 

Dancing in the aisle at the end to "I'm a believer!"

We had SO MUCH fun! 

Colin at the Talent Show

Colin loves to read and reads everything he can these days. All of the flyers that go into the folders from school get read by him before they even make it home. This usually means he wants to participate in every sport sign up, PTA activity, town events, etc. When the flyer for the school's talent show first came home, he immediately asked if he could participate and I'll admit that I hesitated for a second. It was his idea to do something from Shrek the Musical and knowing that there was a 2 1/2 minute time limit, I looked at what song that was sung by Shrek would fit those guidelines. With the amount of times that he's watched the musical and sung the soundtrack, he already knew the song "Build a Wall" when I suggested it to him and he was excited. 

We continued to practice leading up to the talent show and explaining to Colin that it was an audition and there was a chance he might not make it. We told him that if that was the case, then we would go and watch his friends in the show. When the audition came, he was really excited and he ran right into the room when his name was called. I was so nervous for him and even more so when I realized that he was given a microphone and we didn't practice with one. It did throw him off because he ended up just standing there singing instead of doing the routine that went with it. However, all of the kids that auditioned made it and so we made sure to practice for the show using a microphone. 

This talent show was a major highlight of an already amazing year for Colin. We had had his IEP meeting just before the talent show and the positivity surrounding that meeting was so great. He continues to make meaningful progress in a classroom in which he is accepted for who he is, his teachers recognize his strengths and utilize them throughout his day, he has meaningful friendships, he transitions easily through all parts of his day, minimal to no behavior concerns (just typical 2nd grade boy ones) and our favorite part we love to listen to are all of the ways he is just a regular 2nd grade boy (those stories are the best!). To follow this meeting up with the talent show filled my heart with so much pride and love for this little school community who has truly embraced Colin and all contributed to his successes to date. 

I was so proud of Colin at that talent show for getting up in front of so many people and confidently singing his heart out. I am also so incredibly thankful for Colin's peers, his teachers and staff and the school community for demonstrating the true meaning of inclusion. THIS is what we have always wanted for him and our hearts are so happy for a fantastic year for Colin.

Happy 9th Birthday Colin!

It's so hard to believe that today will mark 9 years of life with this little man. He has made our life so filled with awesomeness and I can't imagine it any different. He's growing and changing every day in all ways but most especially, with his personality that becomes more fun every day. We are so blessed to call him ours and so proud of this handsome, funny, and amazing little boy. Happy 9th Birthday Colin! We love you so much! 

Daddy Daughter Date

It has become a tradition now for the past few years for Chris to take Kailey on a date around her birthday. It is something that she looks forward to every year and it is very clear to me that she recognizes how special it is. She talked about it for days leading up to it and then smiled so much following the night. 

This year, Chris came home from work and while he was getting ready Kailey told him she wanted to dress him for their date (this was after she picked out her outfit herself; she INSISTED on wearing high heels).  He had mentioned to her he already had an idea but she thought it would be best if he wore church pants, a church shirt, and a tie (all of which she then proceeded to pick out). 

He then snuck out of the house and came back around to ring the doorbell (which she loved) with the flowers he had picked up for her.

They had a  great night together and I love the fact that Chris is teaching her just how she should be treated...

Happy 7th Birthday Kailey!

Today we will celebrate our beautiful daughter Kailey on her 7th birthday. After we had tucked her in, I saw her come back out and said that she couldn't sleep because she was just so excited about her special day. We have enjoyed watching her grow and change so much over the past year in so many ways. She loves to be in charge (I think her brothers can attest to that) but she can also be incredibly accommodating to make sure that everyone is happy. She is so creative which we are seeing in all of the pictures that she draws. She loves to be active riding her bike, running around outside, participating in karate, basketball, soccer and dance. We are so proud of her in all that she is accomplishing academically in school and thankful that she has found a nice group of friends. 

We love you so much Kailey! Happy 7th Birthday!