Nickle Pickle

It was 3rd grade parent night tonight.  A night to go to your child's class, get to know the teacher a bit better, and get necessary information for the school year.  I sat in Nick's desk amid other moms and a few dads and listened to the teacher.  She's new to our school this year but not new to teaching and she explained the new math curriculum, the process of learning spelling words, that the kids would be learning cursive, and how her discipline styles work. 

I'm always so grateful that I don't ever have to worry about discipline and behavior issues yet where my kids are concerned.  In a world full of autism, hyperactivity and emotional disabilities, my kids have always been remarkably even-tempered.  Nicholas has a bit of a shy side to him.  He's not one to pursue other friends, but once they approach Nicholas, he has no difficulties joining in the group.

At one point the teacher mentioned to the parents her obsessive organizational skills.  The mom next to me offered to bring in her label maker.  That was my cue to show off my newly labeled keys.  The dad across from me shook his head in disbelief.  I think I heard him utter the word "nuts". 

Label-making mom next to me, who looked familiar but I hadn't met before, startled me when she said that her son wanted to have Nicholas over.  I didn't realize that her son and Nick had been in the same class last year.  The mom went on to tell me that her son was really struggling last week when school started.  He had loved their 2nd grade teacher and was having a hard time adjusting to a new grade, a new class, and a new teacher.  The 3rd grade teacher talked to the 2nd grade teacher.  Nicholas's name came up.  This little boy was moved to sit next to Nicholas and it's been a big help to this child.  The mom was grateful.  I kept the tears at bay until I got to the car. 

I'm upping his allowance.

It's gonna be a good year!

I think it's going to be a very good year.  Last week the boys started school.  Lexi saw them off.  I'd met their teachers at the Ice Cream Social and they seemed like good fits for the boys.  Nick loves that his teacher played basketball for IU (she's in the Hall of Fame!) and Blake seems very happy with his teacher who seems to have the structure and kindness that he really needs.



Alexis had her Early Childhood orientation the next day.  She walked in the door and couldn't make her way around the room fast enough checking out all the toys.  Her teacher seems very nice and I'm thrilled that one of her aides is from her class last year.

Alexis has finally started outpatient therapy.  She still will receive PT, OT, and ST in school, but her geneticist recommended that we pursue therapies during the summer.  Hmmmm.  Technically, her PT did begin before her first official day of school.  So I am in compliance with doctor's orders.  (Not to make excuses, but being out of town for over 4 weeks of the summer, going to the pool and a tonsillectomy got in the way of our schedule.)

Outpatient therapy is so much more fun than therapy in our home.  Not as convenient obviously, but things like trampolines and bacteria pits ball pits make it all worth the drive.  OT will start this week.  We're on a waiting list for speech.



The weekend was full.  We attended the NICU reunion on Saturday.  After spending over 2 months in the newborn ICU, we will forever feel gratitude to these doctors and nurses that cared for Alexis.  And I was so pleasantly surprised to see almost all of the nurses that cared for Alexis on a regular basis, including our daytime primary and secondary nurse.  Even one of our favorite doctors was there who hadn't seen Alexis since she "graduated" over 3 years ago.  

Blake and Alexis toured the pediatric ambulance.  Safety first!

Alexis walked right up to Dora, calling out her name.  She was facinated!




On Sunday, Nicholas participated in his scout pack Rain gutter Regatta and came home with a blue ribbon in the "latecomer" category.  He missed out on competing against the boys in his 3rd grade den, but was able to beat those little first grade rookies with no problems at all.  Sometimes is does pay to show up late.



Alexis started school today.  Happy girl = happy mommy!

A purchase and some pictures.

I made an exciting purchase.  I've been wanting a label maker for a long time, but was always haunted by the Seinfeld episode where they label the moving boxes and the labels fall off in transit.  I finally got one.  And oh, the joy a label brings to my life!  Watch out, brand spankin' new school supplies.  I'm comin' for you!

We returned from Elkhart yesterday...one last jaunt up north to see Pop Pop and JoJo before school starts next week.  While I was there, I was putting some of their pics on my hard drive and I came across some wonderful pictures that my Dad got of Alexis back over the July 4th holiday. 

They make me melt.

Buddy Walk 2012!

Get out your Seuss hats!  It's that time of year again! The Buddy Walk will be held on October 13, 2012 and our team, Lexi Lou's Whos, will be walking in honor of Alexis.

The Buddy Walk® is a 2.6 mile no-fee walk along the canal beginning at Celebration Plaza in White River State Park. Proceeds from the walk help fund Down Syndrome Indiana programs and services that help individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

If you are able to make a donation, we are grateful! Donations can be made by going to this link: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/lexilouwho/15th-annual-buddy-walk-r or you can go to Firstgiving.com and search for our team.   (There's also the green "Donate" bar to the right side of the blog!  Fancy, huh?)

And whether you donate or not, we welcome anyone to walk with us! Let me know and I'd be happy to register you, or you can register yourself by going to www.dsindiana.org, click on the Buddy Walk tab on the left, click on Buddy Walk®, and then click on Join Now. (I'm guessing there's a more straightforward way that I just haven't discovered yet.)

Please don't feel any pressure to donate or walk, but know that we would love for you to join us!


**And now, for you viewing pleasure, and just in case it motivates you to come walk with us:



Lex with her Pop Pop.



At the South Bend Silverhawks game.

 


Fun with her brothers at the Lake



She's been watching the Olympics.  Her newest word:  "splits!"