Multiple of 2

Monday, May 14, 2012

Good-bye Teacher Barb

For the past two years Isaac and I have been going to ECFE classes through the Roseville School District. Last year Isaac had a few separation issues but this year he AMAZED his teacher of two years with his growth and maturity. They seemed to have a special bond and there wasn't a day that went by that teacher Barb didn't tell me what an amazing boy Isaac was and how proud of him she was. Being a teacher, I know sometimes we say a lot of stuff to please parents, but I know she wasn't doing this. She always had concrete examples to share with me of how he impressed her and she said more than once how special Isaac was. The bond went both ways, Isaac adores her. Half way through this year we started Isaac in a Tuesday drop off class with Teacher Barb as well. The beginning was a little rocky, but after about three times he just said good-bye mom and off he went. All I would hear on Wednesdays at our regular school was how social, and outgoing Isaac was. What?! My Isaac, and Teacher Barb always said, "I know, he continues to grow, mature and amaze every time I see him." It is so heart warming to know that Isaac started off his school career with an amazing teacher who not only loves her job but she loves her students. Teacher Barb could be quoted saying,"yes, my parents spent a lot of money on schooling for me to learn how to read stories and mix red paint." We tried to tell her more than once the difference she was making in these kids, I hope she listened. I also hope next year Isaac will have the same relationship with a new teacher. He knows it is Addy's turn to learn from teacher Barb, and he told her,"please teach her to share."
Here are a few pictures from the last day and Isaac giving his special present to Teacher Barb. (vintage muppet cars, she loves the muppets and he loves cars. The perfect gift!)

walking down the hall to the classroom

showing off his batman shirt and waiting for teacher Barb

He made her a muppet's card

They were both very excited about the cars!

Big hugs!

They planted flowers on the last day

painting

car corner, we spent a lot of time in here.

The class organized to make her a little muppet thank you book. she is reading/showing it to the class

Teacher Barb and Isaac

Monday, May 7, 2012

Regular day at the Park turned EXTRAORDINARY!

I usually don't bring the camera with us to the park but today I decided too and what a good day it was to bring it with. It had rained the night before and there were puddles for the kids to play in....it was the highlight and what they both wanted to do most of the time. They are super super busy at the park so I will let the pictures speak for themselves. If anyone every wants to go with us, I would LOVE the help and company. We have been going to central park in roseville because there is a large park, (equipment is at good heights for the kids) a waterfall and lake bennet is right there to walk around. we usually go all the way around twice!
It is amazing what a little water can do to the fun factor at the park!!

Addy trying to climb the stairs

walking away mad

On the bridge

In the tunnel

all smiles because she finally made it up

He must have rode through this puddle 50 times

climbed up to see the waterfall

she didn't get to go

Then he had to walk through the puddle

taking a break on the hill

I couldn't get either one of them out of the water/mud

she climbed all by herself

throwing mud

And...This is when I said it was time to go!!

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Addy's first haircut

I really really didn't want to cut her hair but she left us with no choice. Lately, she is refusing to keep any binders, or any hair pieces in her hair. Resulting in her hair dangling so far into her eyes that I believe it was one of the reasons she was having accidents with the walls. So Nana cut her bangs,and a fine job she did and my baby doesn't look like a baby anymore. She really looks like a little girl!!
See for yourself.

The before

another before shot

half way done and she can see!!

Just a little more

she was being told how pretty she was

All done, wow she can see!

she has eyes!!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Choo Choo Bob premiere

If you know Isaac you know that his world revolves around two things, cars and trains! There is a local train tstore in st paul called Choo Choo Bob's that has a storytime a couple times a month and has 6 train tables for kids to play at. It is a HUGE hit and people who come drive quite the distance. We are lucky to be as close as we are. There is a one of a kind place, and trust me it would be worth the drive for a storytime with Engineer Paul. Isaac LOVES going and we go about twice a month. The owner of this store happens to be a local movie producer who has done work on local movies such as the grumpy old men. He started a show called the choo choo bob show and has several dvd's and cd's with the music. We are of course owners of a couple thanks to Grandpa David. Just recently they made and released 5 new shows and had a GRAND PREMIERE at the riverview theatre in Minneapolis.

Isaac had swim lessons that morning so we went after that and the place was packed to say the least. Good thing I bought tickets ahead of time because it was SOLD OUT, standing room only in the theatre. Not only did they show the new shows on the big screen but the band played live. Isaac called it the,"Choo choo Bob rock band concert." It was pretty amazing to see a local artist draw such a crowd and all the money was given to a local food shelf. Isaac had a blast not only was it his first movie experience but he also got to meet Choo Choo Bob!! He was on cloud nine that day! Thank you Choo Choo Bob for creating such an enriching and educational store, storytime and events for young children!

walking to the theatre.

outside by the sign

Isaac being shy with Choo Choo Bob

The band playing

sitting so cute in his seat.

oops you can slide back in these seats. we were lucky to even get seats!

Sunday, April 15, 2012

And here we go AGAIN

This past Friday we took Addy into Children's St Paul Emergency. Isaac and Addy were playing downstairs and Addy ran directly into the corner of the wall. Her little forehead instantly had a huge bump that was slowly turning various colors. I called Urgent Care (it was about 6:30) and they said no, she needed to go to the ER. Seth flew out the door with her while I stayed behind to put the worried Isaac to bed and follow his routine. Then...I flew out the door. When I got there she was doing well, the Dr. came in about 30 seconds after I got there and said Addy would be fine. No x-rays were taken because of the location of the bump and how she actually did it. However, when I got there Addy had a rash all over her body. I did not notice this prior to her leaving for the hospital. The dr. of course looked at it and believed it to be a allergic reaction to food. She was given medicine for that there because she was itching like crazy. Now, trying to figure out what the food allergy might be...as of now the best bets are either eggs or tofu. Please Please be tofu!! The Dr. at the ER also checked her ears since she was put on medicine again for an ear infection the week prior. This lead to the more great news. Her ears were still red and the dr. asked me why she had a second hole in one of her ears? what??? This was news to me and she wondered if it happened during the surgery for the tubes. NOTHING has ever been said to us about this and we were at the ENT this Tuesday!! She was fairly certain this would heal on its own, I am fairly certain someone better have some answers for me from the ENT on Monday! She also confirmed that the tubes are still in there but in her opinion were in a weird position. what?! We just saw an ENT on Tuesday did I mention that and NOTHING was said.

What started as going to the ER for her head injury, ended with knowing that she now has a food allergy and an extra hole in her right ear. Friday night I didn't sleep at all. They said to watch her for 72 hours because of her head bump. I had to cancel her one year old pictures for the 4th time and we have been to the ER now 3 times in four months. We deserve a break!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

I hang on...

Isaac met Addy on April 7, 2011 two days after she was born. Not the plan but that is what happened. I will NEVER forget what he said when he saw her or the look he had on his face. You could not wipe the grin off for starters, little did he know we were bringing her home. But he asked so softly and with one little finger, "I touch eyes, I touch nose, I touch mouth, I touch chin, I touch hands." Then when he was done with that he said, " I hang on." as he motioned to pick her up to hold her.

A whole year has passed and he has grown into an amazing BIG brother and LOVES her unconditionally. There have been so many times throughout the year that he has held her and mostly because he has asked and I will admit a couple where he has just grabbed. But I have never been prouder of my little boy! When Addy is sad and crying he runs to get me and tells me,"Addy needs you mommy, she is crying." When we go on outings he always sticks up for her and makes sure other kids play nice around her. OR he demands they give the toy back to his sista, as he says it. And today I had to take Addy back to the ENT. Isaac is aware that Addy's ears hurt and she was screaming at the dr's. Once when she needed to have a test and once when the dr. looked in her ears. Both times Isaac's eyes filled with tears, his lip quivered and he said,"Addy okay? Addy okay?" And in the waiting room when a little boy touched her, he got right off his chair and said, "NO, this is our baby."

Isaac loves his sister to pieces and pieces and more pieces as he says and he has never let go since the first time he asked to hang on! Keep hanging on Isaac, she loves you right back!

A year of hanging on in review