Memorial Day 2013

I've had a really whirl wind weekend.  I was so honored to be a part of Kristin and Alec's wedding on Saturday.  Everything was gorgeous and simply so their style.  My mom and step-dad drove into town to watch Kolton while we attended all of the festivities.  And in the middle of everything I was also lucky enough to get to attend a beautiful baptism for my friend Amy's daughter, Ava.  I feel like I can't even form a complete thought because I'm just that wiped.  So here are a few pictures from the zoo today.  I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday weekend as much as I did!

Loving my new camera!

School Evaluation

Kolton had his school evaluation Friday.  This is used to determine if he should be placed in a special-ed environment for pre-school.  The only major concern I have is his speech delay.  I feel he has grown out of most of the other sensory issues.  At the evaluation he performed every task they put in front of him.  For two hours he stacked blocks, matched shapes, used both hands to play, crossed them over the mid line of his body, strung beads on a shoe lace, and so on.  Again, he did everything they wanted him to do.  But the one thing they didn't ask him to do was speak, or make any sounds at all.

I don't get it.

I understand that they are looking for indicators of a larger problem.  But what happens when it's just speech?  We will get their recommendation in a couple weeks.  I'm really curious to hear what they have to say.

Dictator

Sorry I have been MIA!  Bedtimes this week have been incredibly difficult.  So by the time its all over I'm exhausted.  Kolton seems to be going through some kind of phase where he is both clingy and rebellious at the same time.  Ugh!  After his bath I let him run around for a little bit.  Then he wants to read books, and more books, more books, books, books, books, book, book...you get the point.  I'm willing to read 3 books tops.  Anything more than that seems excessive.  But he demands it otherwise its all out screaming.  Tonight he screamed so hard he gagged and threw up a little bit!  Yup, its like that.  So where do you draw the line?  He's definitely got me wrapped around his little finger.  I just hate ending the day in a fight.

Tomorrow is his school evaluation.  I've pretty much come to peace with the fact that he will probably need to be in special pre-school classes.  I'm even getting to the point where I'm a little excited.  Anything that can help relieve some of this frustration we are both feeling is welcome in my book.

And stay tuned for better photos!  My mother's day present was a Nikon D3200!  Mommy like =)

Sophie is Six!

 Happy Birthday Sophie Pie!  I can't believe you are six years old!  To tell you the truth, I can hardly remember my life without you.  You are simply THE BEST little being.  I can't even say "dog" or "pet" because you mean so much more than that.  You are my heart, and my constant companion.

I feel so bad that a lot of your days are currently spent under the reign of my son.  He plays with you by sitting on you, poking your face, pulling your tail, and taking your bones.  I promise you its just his 2 year old way of telling you how much he loves you too.

You are still such a little star.  Just today a woman pulled her car over so she could say "Hi" to you.  And you still bring smiles and joy to everyone you meet.  Even if its just to see you walk by and strut your stuff.  You'll always be my baby girl!

Locked Up

I had one of those I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THAT moments on Friday.  I locked Kolton in my car with the keys!  We had just finished shopping at Homegoods.  I loaded Kolton in the car first then went to grab my bags out of the cart.  I parked close to the sidewalk so the cart was at the front of the car, which meant I had to close the car door to get to it.  Imagine my panic when I realized that somehow the door was locked.  Ugh!  I don't know if I did it on accident or maybe out of habit.  But, whatever the case, the doors were locked with my keys on the seat next to Kolton.  Thankfully I had my small purse with me that day.  I still had it on and was able to call a lock smith ASAP.  They told me it would be a 20 min wait!  Still panicked I shouted "grab my keys" to him through the window.  And wouldn't you know, he did!  It took a few minutes of him pushing the lock button, and the alarm button before I heard the sweet "click" of the doors unlocking.  Yeah!!!!!!

Its just one of those things that happens.  But I'm so thankful that it wasn't too hot outside that day or else I might have smashed a rock through the window!

Wisconsin

This photo was taken at my mom's house in Wisconsin today.  Yes, today!  Part of the reason Mike and I feel so unsettled in Richmond is because, in the back of our minds, we think we may want to move back to the Midwest to be close to our families.  They are making it VERY hard to entertain that thought any further!

YELLING!!!!!!!

Kolton has been doing a lot of YELLING! lately.  I still don't understand what he's trying to communicate but he YELLS!  the same thing over and over until I repeat what ever it is I think he saying.  Its lots of fun!  Especially in the car...remember my red light, green light game?  RED LIGHT! RED LIGHT! RED LIIIIIIIGHT!

Does anyone else have a toddler that doesn't want to wear clothes?  I really don't think this is an Autism symptom; the boy just does not enjoy having clothes on right now.  Putting them on and off in particular.  Every change is a fight.

The other thing Kolton has mastered this week is undoing his harness on his car seat.  He's still buckled in but if a little toddler can undo the 5 pt harness then how safe is it?