Pool Time!

We joined a local pool this summer. Unfortunately because of my work schedule, we do not get to go as much as Ashley would like. She loves the pool! It has been amazing to watch her transformation this summer. Back in May when we first joined, she would only go in the pool with her "floaty" (her pink ring she wears around her waist). She would only go under water if she was holding on to the side. Then she slowly would go in without her floaty and then she would go under water and hold her breath without holding on to the side. Now she is swimming! Swim lessons were a bit of disaster, so I have just let her take her time, get adjusted to the pool and she has really taken off. That girl likes to do things on her own time line! She is not a strong swimmer, but I am impressed and proud of what she has learned to do all on her own.

Peyton was not a fan of the pool AT ALL for the longest time. If I tried to carry him in and hold him, he would cry. In mid July, he finally started to let me carry him in without crying. On Saturday, he actually went in further on his own (still on the steps, but he was not just hanging around on the first step). The pool closes in mid September, while we are at Disney World, so we only have a few more weeks to enjoy it. I cannot wait to see how Ashley and Peyton are at the pool next summer!

First Day of School

Ashley started her new school last Wednesday, August 15th. She had a great first week. She really seems to like her new school and so far, has gotten a good report each day. Ashley works really well with positive reinforcement and rewards. Her new school has a rewards system. At the end of each day, if each student is good (listens, follows directions, etc), he/she gets to pick something from the "goody jar". This is perfect for Ashley, it really helps her behavior if she has something tangible to work towards. Last Wednesday and Thursday, she picked bouncy balls, Friday she picked silly bands and today she picked Skittles. There is a system in place, they get two "warnings" (or Popsicle sticks put in a pocket with their name) and if they get less than three of these in a day, they can pick out a prize. I really hope she continues to enjoy school and continues to listen and do well. It is a small class (12 students) and seems like a really great environment. Hopefully this will give Ashley the extra "help" she needs. She has been so sweet lately, I am really enjoying age 5.

Chhhhanges...........

You know when you think you have everything figured out and a great plan in place and then you are thrown a curve ball and everything changes? Yeah, that describes our past couple weeks to a tee.

It is no lie that Ashley had a rough start to her school year at Little People Loving and Learning last fall. She was defiant, would not pay attention, lose focus, struggled a bit socially (getting to close to peers, repeating their names, etc). We worked really hard with her as did her teacher and by the end of the year, she was like a different child. Yes, she still had her moments of defiance and not paying attention. But overall, she has improved dramatically, socially as well. I struggled with the decision to keep her at her current school for another year of preschool or move her to a new school and put her in a pre K program. Ultimately, I decided to keep her at her current school so she would have the same teacher again, the teacher who worked so much with her and really knew how to communicate with her.

Then two weeks ago I received an email she would not be returning to teach at her preschool in the fall. To make a long story short, I contacted the school with the pre K program I had been interested in and they had a spot for Ashley. We went and met the teacher and toured the classroom. I think it will be great for Ashley, it is a smaller class (12 students, one teacher and one assistant) and the majority of the students have summer or fall birthdays, so they are all around Ashley's age. I am nervous that she is going to have issues again (the defiance, not listening, focus) and in the back of my mind I am worried they will kick her out. But I know I am just being silly and they seem really great and will work with her if there are issues. She starts next Wednesday and I am hoping she has a great year and gains all the skills and confidence to have a successful transition to kindergarten next July.

That being said, I had to change schools for Peyton too. I just could not make the drop off and pick up times work with Ashley's new school and my work schedule. It was a very difficult decision for me, but I called the preschool Ashley had attended for the 2s and 3s and the director had a spot for Peyton. I really loved that school, my concern had been class size, but knowing Peyton, he will do great.

I really feel this is where they are supposed to be, everything fell into place perfectly and I feel that is God's hand in all this. It will be a lot on me each day, driving them to two different places and getting myself to work, but I know I can handle it. Ashley starts school next Wednesday, where did the summer go?

Growing Up So Fast..........

Just a short little post about Peyton. When we went to Carolina Beach, he learned to climb out of his pack and play. Then when we got home, he learned to climb out of his crib! I was laying in bed and heard him talking to himself over the monitor, like he does every morning. Then I heard some shuffling and then the distinct sound of a doorknob being turned and a door being moved. Yup, he was out!! When I went to get him, he said "I got out of crib" and was quite proud of himself. He has done it several times since then, but surprisingly, is quite graceful for a 34 pound toddler.

I am still laughing about this one. Last week I was fixing him a bowl of honey nut Cheerios. I ate a few of the Cheerios out of the bowl. I hear Peyton say "No Mommy, no eatin' Peyton's Cheerios". It was so funny!

He got his second hair cut this morning. I love his curls and cannot bear to cut them off quite yet. So he is rocking the shaggy surfer look.