Two weeks later

There are so many great things to report about Owen's school experience.
He is settling into his routine. Still coming home tired but getting better and better with his behavior when we walk through the door at home.

I still get daily reports from his teacher and his para. They are both amazing and I can tell by their words that Owen is quickly stealing their hearts.
Not only is Owen stealing his teachers hearts but he is making friends in his kindergarten class. I ask his teachers to let me know who he plays with each day so I can be sure to mention those names to Owen. Just about every day I get the report that he played with Reece. I also get some notes about how he is with some of the girls. One day he pulled out a chair for a girl. Another day one girl said hello to him and he smiled turned and said "cute". And he is building a special relationship with a girl named Olivia.

Throughout the day he is pulled out of class to work on his goals. Each day his schedule is a little different and sometimes he misses an activity in the kindergarten class. His teacher doesn't miss a beat, she makes sure to send the project home so Owen still gets the opportunity to participate. It means a little more work for us at home but I actually really enjoy getting to experience that with Owen.

We not only get lots of reports, but we also get to see pictures of him throughout the day.

I could go on and on about how well things are going. The stories we get always make us smile. We are so proud of Owen. I know he is making the best of this experience and working hard.

We count our blessings every day that we were given this experience and Owen is in the place he is. We know of so many others who are struggling to get what their children need. They have to fight for everything.
And here we are fighting back tears of joy for Owen. We are so lucky.

Classes Begin

Two kids, one activity, same time. Yay!

Gymnastics class started 2 weeks ago.

Olivia is in a parent and me class and Owen is in the next class up for preschool age.

Olivia is LOVING it. I was suprised at quickly she caught on to the tasks and how well she did them. For being such a clutz, she can really show some gracefulness.

Owen does well with the tasks but he needs a lot of reminders. Here is an example of him playing around and he tried to jump backwards into the pit. We were all yelling "NOOOO" as he did it. (which explains why the camera is so blurry). I hope he learned his lesson and won't try this again. He snapped his neck on the end of the trampolene and scared himself pretty good.

Luckily his buddy Andrew is also in class with him. Showing Owen how to be a good listener. And always having a buddy to sit next to.

At the end of her first session, she was wiped out. So cute.

IGM is a fantastic place. I can't say enough good things about Owen's coach. They are very supportive and I am excited for both kiddos to get the chance to participate together.

First Day. Big Girl

It is a month of firsts. Last week Olivia had her VERY first day of preschool. We enrolled her in a Montessori school for Friday mornings. She was so excited to go.

Until we had to leave her there. Then she wanted nothing to do with it. BUT after a few tears she started to have fun. We left her there with her blankie so she had her comfort. When we picked her up and asked how it was, she said "I cried". When I asked her why, she said "Because I missed you".
She now has 2 days under her belt. When we pick her up she is beyond smiles. Seems to be really liking it. And one of her favorite things, they work on puzzles :) That's my girl.

The difference for us is she tells us what they did. She tells us what she liked. She tells us what she didn't like. I hope someday soon Owen will also be able to tell us this information.

Wisconsin Dells

We took a chance and planned a last minute trip to Wisconsin Dells as an end of the summer celebration. We were lucky enough to have the Thorsen's join us and Grandma and Grandpa made the trip for a few days as well.

The kids had a blast. I was so surprised with how they did. The resort was big enough to keep them entertained but also small enough that we felt that it was right for thier ages.

Olivia loved this slide. She went on it sooooo many times. The first thing she would say when she woke up in the morning was "I wanna go on the bird slide". I am pretty sure she was dreaming about it.

Owen has NO fear. He will try anything. And of course his dad always gives him the chance. He tried every slide he was tall enough for (even if he was only .5 inches over that line). He had a blast. But man did he climb a lot of stairs to get down those slides.

There was very little fighting. Which always a huge accomplishment. I hope this means they are growing out of this! I can hope right? This was the wave pool (with the waves on a break). And they decided to play the "pizza game" in the water. Could they get any cuter?

 Cousins!

They had all sorts of activities for the kids (and adults - who want to be kids), one of them included story time.

Just about every restaurant had some sort of hat for the kids. A little strange, yes.

But, it does make for good pictures!

State Fair

Ok. I realize the state fair was weeks ago. And there are things we did this weekend that may not be posted for a few weeks. But lots going on so you will have to bear with me on my lack of speediness.

We were lucky enough to have a few traveling companions. Grandma and Grandpa. The kids couldn't have been more excited.

We made our visits with the animals. Luckily it was a cold weekday and we were able to get up close this year.

 A trip to the fair wouldn't be complete without a walk through little farm hands. Maybe next year they will understand what the process is all about. For now it is just fun watching them go through the stations and fulfilling the tasks.

 

And then there is of course the corn roast. Erin and Matt weren't there yet but the kids still wanted to "work". They ended up throwing 3 full bags of corn down the shoot. One ear of corn at a time. There may have been some child labor laws broken here but they had fun and I didn't have to worry about running off anywhere!

What is their pay for all that hard work? An ear of corn of course!

Somehow Jason and I got out of the giant slide and Grandma and Grandpa took a trip down. I wonder when the last time was that they did this?

Dad, you are right, this may have to be your new facebook profile pic ;)

Each year it is always a fun adventure. The kids did really well even through a few rain sprinkles. Our adventures of new foods to try this year included a stuffed pepper. yup that was all that was new. Everything else was our oldies (but goodies), sweet corn, turkey sandwich (I crave these all year!), fried green tomatoes, corn fritters, pronto pups, more sweet corn. yum yum yum.

A day to remember. First day of Kindergarten

This is one of those posts that I have started and deleted, started and deleted, started and deleted. Trying to figure out how to get this out right. Kindergarten.
Three years ago we started preparing. I thought since we have had so much practice with sending him off for his first day, it would be like every other year. But this year it was different. This year things mean more. He is starting to build his school experience.

It didn't hit me until we were sitting in his Orientation program where his teacher was going over what they would be working on. I felt like we were unprepared. That there would be no way he would be able to keep up and this is just kindergarten. Like all the work we have been doing was not enough. We hadn't worked hard enough. Guilt Guilt Guilt. BUT this orientation was his typical classroom. It wasn't a review of the progress he has made over the last 3 years and all the goals he has mastered. And that is what we have to remember. It is these moments where things feel overwhelming and we try so hard to look past the gap and remember how proud we are of where he is.
We have chosen to push Owen hard this year and keep him in his typical class for AS MUCH as he can handle. He will have support for sure but it means he will be challenged and we will be challenged to not get overwhelmed.

We have been blessed with an amazing placement of teachers. Teachers who are so supportive and believe (like we do) that inclusion is what is best for Owen. Words can not express how impressed we have been with his kindergarten teacher, the special education staff, the principal and para. And it is ONLY day 1! One thing stood out to me yesterday, his kindy teacher said to me, Owen is my student not the paras, not the special ed teachers, my student. I will be here to help him through. This is so different from how preschool was. The special ed teachers drove everything and I had a real hard time getting the preschool teachers to engage. Mrs. Schnackenberg is not afraid. She is so willing to work with the team to figure out how to make this work for Owen and have him in her class. We believe this is very important at this age.
And what teacher calls a mom after the kids go to art to let them know how his day went? She does.

Another great thing is how excited Owen is about school. So excited he got VERY upset with me this morning when I brought him to daycare instead of school. He just didn't understand that the bus would pick him up at day care. He just kept saying teachers teachers teachers and cried and cried. He wanted to go to school. He wanted to see his teachers.

So how was his day? I was lucky enough to be able to pick him up from school and talk to some of his teachers (and I had that phone call from his kindy teacher). They all told me he did fantastic. I met his para. She will be with Owen in his typical class so he always has someone there if he needs any 1on1 assistance. She told me Art got a little long so they took a break outside for a few moments. But other than that he was able to participate with the rest of the class.

Mrs. Schnackenberg told me one of his classmates did ask about his hearing aids. So she took the opportunity to sit everyone down and share Owen's story. She made it a teachable moment talking about Owen's "Zebras" and why he wears them and how they help him. She could have just let it go and answer one little boys question but she is building acceptance for Owen and I truly appreciate that.

Day 1 a success. Now on to day 2!

Cabin Life

We had a weekend free so we took the opportunity to head up to Kirk's parents cabin in Wisconsin.
When we pulled up and opened the car doors to let the kids out the mosquitoes swarmed in and started attacking. We knew from that minute we wouldn't be able to spend too much time outdoors without being slathered with deet. However, we made the most of every minute with cousins and family time.

Everyone was trying to catch a fish with a net. only one person caught one. Owen. He was quite surprised to pull his net up and see that!

It would not be a complete trip without a trip to the ice cream shop. This year, Owen was brave enough to try some.

We don't keep strawberry ice cream in our house. But somehow Olivia knew exactly what it was and specifically asked for it. She ate and ate and ate her scoops until she got a taste of mine then she wanted both of ours.

We are always thankful to have the opportunity to visit with the Thorsens and spend time at their cabin.

I will get caught up, I promise!

I am so behind. I know. The wrap up of the summer has gotten the best of me. We have had quite a few adventures to tell you about. Said some goodbyes and are ready for our next adventure this week.
Hopefully tomorrow blogger will be cooperating and let me upload more than 1 picture in 10 minutes.
So for now here is a sneak peak at one of the adventures...

I know my grandpa would be so proud!