so much....

There is so much going on around here that I thought I would post some updates. Our main thing right now is school for Noah. Just like every spring, the decisions need to be made for next year and the push-back from the school always occurs. Our big IEP meeting (I say big because we sure do have lots of little IEP meetings during the year) is April 13th. Noah's advocate can only be there by phone (frustrating). During this meeting we will be discussing goals for next year (academic, OT, PT, Speech and even social). We don't always agree on these goals so sometimes it becomes sort of a tug-o-war. And one thing is for certain. This yearly meeting is never short-- typically 3+ hours. I try to go in prepared, but there are always disagreements. One of the main topics of conversation this year will be where Noah belongs next year. I want him placed full-time in a typical classroom-- and I want him to remain in Kindergarten one more year. My thinking is that while his is academically holding his own with his peers (and above average in his IVE class) he still struggles with the social side of things. I want him to be successful and have confidence -- the big fish in the little sea, if you will. Not all agree with me keeping him back. Not all agree that he is ready to be with his typically developing peers. I am shutting out those opinions and pushing forward. I know what I know about my guy and I think he can do it. Time will tell. The other obstacle is, unlike the choice program in the past, the district is forcing all kids to go to their zoned school. I am okay with this (even though I hate moving him every year) because there is an amazing general education K teacher at our zoned school that I will push for him to have. What I always hated about our zoned school is the IVE K, 1, 2 teacher-- she is horrible. I would homeschool this child before I let him be placed with her. But hopefully we won't even have to worry about it.

Little Reese is growing and changing everyday. I am amazed by her words and thoughts. It's all new to me-- how she just picks things up. She is in a big girl bed now and doing just great. I am not sure why but when I put her up there at night she stays put. In the morning likes to get herself up. If I hear her in her room in the morning and open her door she yells, "no!" because she wants to get out herself. Very independent, that one. :) Reese is still carrying around multiple "babies" and purses and really, anything pink. I did not teach her this--I am not sure where it comes from. For example, when she plays farm, she only wants to play with the pigs because they are pink. When I change her diaper (potty training is not going as planned) and say "gosh, you are red (diaper rash)" she ALWAYS says, "no mommy, I'm pink." Let's just say she is very unique! :) I couldn't imagine my life without my Reese.

Joe has been out of town all week and returns today. It has been a whirlwind. Today, I catch up.