My Girls: April 2009

Super Jane

Jane is still going to physical therapy twice a week with her wonderful therapists Cassie and Rachel. I love them both. Cassie (her lead PT) had recommended Jane also be evaluated for speech and occupational therapy, so we've recently done both of those evals.

On speech, Jane rated above her age level in a couple areas, including inflection (the therapist noted that the tone of her babbling "conversation" is very adult sounding) and gestures. But she scored developmentally low on expressive language and play. The therapist thinks the deficits stem from her gross motor delay--in other words, being behind physically has had an effect on her language and play development. She's recommended for Jane to have a once-a-month session for six months, to monitor her development and train me in ways to help her.

Today she had her OT assessment. We won't get the report for a while, but I asked the therapist for her initial impressions and she said that Jane seems to have trouble with her motor planning (something we've been hearing from the PTs for a while now), and that she seems a little behind on how she's using her hands (using her entire hand for most motions rather than using fingers). I suspect she will end up recommending some OT for Jane.

The thought of fitting more appointments into our schedule and driving Jane around for more therapy makes me a little extra tired. Wondering if the regional center will agree to pay for the new therapies worries me. Admitting to myself that Jane needs even more help is hard.

But most of the time, like 99% of the time, she's just Jane and I'm just her mommy. People comment on how lovable she is, and I can't disagree. I'm smitten and I have a hard time disciplining her (not that she needs it much) because she holds my heart so completely.

Renaissance Faire

Audrey + Ladybug

Maggie's ambitions

The other day I was driving Maggie to a birthday party when we passed a church and saw seven or eight bridesmaids spilling out the doors. I pointed them out to Maggie, who admired their dresses and then said, "I thought there would be a limit on how many bridesmaids you can have." I told her the bride can usually have as many as she wants, and she replied, "I think I'll have about a hundred bridesmaids."

We talked some more about weddings and grown-ups, and then she announced, "Mommy, you know another thing I'm going to be when I grow up? FAMOUS. Like George Washington."

So then we talked about fame and ambition and the different things you could do in life.

She then said, "I'm also going to invent my own state. And I'll be the first girl president."

I told her that was all great, and that I'd have to tell Daddy all about it.

She said, "Okay, but don't laugh about it."

I promised her I wouldn't. Ambitions like these are not to be taken lightly.

Kidspace

Way back when I found out Maggie would be in half-day kindergarten (she gets out at 12:15 on Mondays and 12:45 the rest of the week), I envisioned many afternoon outings with the girls. Well, the reality is that most days we just hang out at home all afternoon, but occasionally we do manage something fun. Last Thursday, my mom and I took them to Kidspace Museum for a couple hours of exhibits, crafts, gardens and tricycles.

Chain of events

1. I'm slicing strawberries for the girls' breakfast. Although I'm diligent about serving them fruits and vegetables, I don't always eat enough myself. But today I slice up several more and put them in a bowl for my own breakfast.

Feeling: Smug

2. After the girls finish their healthy breakfasts, I get a second cup of tea brewing and figure out my own meal. I decide a whole wheat waffle would go great with my strawberries. No syrup or anything--just the waffle and strawberries with my tea. Healthy, yummy.

Feeling: Decisive

3. I look in the freezer and discover we're out of waffles. Oops. I quickly review my other options: whole wheat toast...Rice Chex...but as the freezer door swings shut I spy...Sara Lee pound cake.

Feeling: Gluttonous.

4. A bit of cake for breakfast isn't so bad, right? I mean really, what is cake? Flour, eggs, etc. Sure there's some sugar, but lots of people eat sugar for breakfast.

Feeling: Justified.

5. I cut a slice of cake into cubes and add them to my strawberries. Looks good, but seems to be missing something. Of course! Whipped cream! I add whipped cream on top and it looks perfect. It looks like......dessert.

Feeling: Sheepish.

6. I eat the dessert and drink my tea quickly, hoping none of the kids will catch me in the act. I don't feel like explaining why Mommy wouldn't give them dessert last night yet is eating it for breakfast. I gotta say, it was really good. But I'm not used to eating that much sugar first thing in the morning.

Feeling: Slightly sick.

Easter Sunday

The girls woke up bright and early and were delighted to find their Easter baskets waiting for them in the family room. Jane got a book, a plush bunny and a bunch of eggs full of marshmallows and M&Ms. The big girls got DVDs, Littlest Pet Shop, lip balm, and candy. They all got several plush bunnies and ducks as well (they looked suspiciously similar to the ones they received last year...that Easter Bunny sure is a great recycler, I think).

We went to the 11:00 service at our new church. We've been attending La Canada Presbyterian for the past few months (rather intermittently, I'm afraid). This church has a lot more young families than our previous church did, and the girls absolutely love their Sunday School classes.

After church (and a quick stop at McDonalds for snacks), we went to Robert's parents' house for the annual egg hunt and dinner.

Easter girls

Audrey's results on google

"DFGDBNDFGFHJJJMMJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJMVBGGKJHGIOVFHFJGJGYY
YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYFV7GDGFGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH"... is too long a word. Try using a shorter word.

Solvang (and Santa Barbara), day three

Maggie blow dried her hair to get started on the day:

First stop: a lookout point between Solvang and Santa Barbara:

Santa Barbara Zoo:

After that, we headed home. All the girls were very happy to be home again (even though they were only gone 52 hours). I was happy to sleep in my own bed--I never sleep well in hotels and those were two long, restless nights. I'm glad we went. It was a lot of fun, the hotel was an amazing deal (only $99 a night including breakfast), and it saved me from an entire spring break of entertaining three kids all day long at home. Now I only have to do that for the next few days.

Solvang, day two

We started the day with a short hike to Nojoqui Falls:

Then we discovered a wonderful playground at Sunny Field Park:

We followed that up with a quick stop at the Quicksilver Miniature Horse Ranch:

In the afternoon we went to the Bit O' Denmark Restaurant...

...where we sampled the famous aebleskivers (pancake-esque pastries with ice cream and strawberry preserves):

Back at our hotel, we went for a dip in the indoor pool and outdoor hot tub:

Saw a rainbow (can you see it?):

Finally...dinner. Maggie took this one:

Plus, my mom and I enjoyed some non-kid-accompanied shopping for chocolate and gifts.

Whew! Did we do all that in one day? No wonder we're tired.

Solvang trip, day one

We've come to Solvang for a short trip, just to get away during spring break and mix things up a little. I've only been to Solvang once before, when I was about 10 or 11 years old. I remembered it being cute streets full of cute shops and bakeries...and it turns out my memory was correct. The girls are enchanted and love this "Snow White" village.

Window shopping and wandering: