Happy New Year

Merry Christmas

Someone has questions.....

After reading Holly Claus, A Christmas Princess, Gretchen asked me if she's real. I told her I don't really know but it's possible. She said well I guess that's one more question for tomorrow. I hope Santa's ready because I have a lot of questions that I need answers for! ..... Well I hope Santa is ready today to answer her questions!

No Common Decency

Evan has decided he is going to do the Advent calendar every day even though the kids are taking turns... Sean could care less but he's doing it because it's his turn.  Gretchen set her alarm clock early today to get up and do it BEFORE Evan could since it's her turn.  When Evan tried to do today (and it was already done), Gretchen declared Evan has "no common decency whatsoever"..... Sigh....  

She's being good Santa

New Beginings

We had our meeting today with the neuropsychologist regarding Gretchen's testing.  Apparently Gretchen is through the roof on the verbal components but equally and oppositely low on the non-verbal.  We got a lot of info that boils down to these labels:  non verbal learning disability, math learning disability and ADHD.  The doctor is still writing the report for us.  Once we have it we will see our pediatrician regarding the ADHD and what kinds of options there.  We are considering medication but will be watching that very carefully.  We obviously don't want it to change the essence of who she is but we really want to get some help with the ADHD component because it's likely affecting her behavior in class (and her grades in reading and math).  If some wins in the classroom result of better focus, it would really help her confidence. 

Once we have the report, we'll let the school review it in anticipation of the IEP meeting we have scheduled in January.  The doctor did not feel that she had dyslexia but rather spatial processing that had her flipping words, skipping lines and substituting.  Gretchen saw an opthamalogist in Sept for a thorough examination so we know it's not a vision issue.

So.....  oddly enough, I feel some peace now than before.  I guess because we have confirmation on what the issues are...  And hopefully very soon some strategies for how to help her at home.  I'm hoping that rather than walking aimlessly down roads that look like the "right" one, we can start on a path that will really help her! 

The Nutcracker

Last year we saw an interesting Nutcracker at CLC.  Gretchen knew the story but I think the ballet is kind of long for her.  This year the family and the girl scout troop saw a production done by the lovely Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre for Kids.  It has the ballet highlights in there since it was only an hour.  I think we all enjoyed that.... 

Butterflies

Steve and I have butterflies today and that sick feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you think something awful may be coming.  We made the decision to have Gretchen tested for dyslexia and ADD. She has a learning disability that she gets services for but we still feel like something is missing.  She's failing math right now even though we sit with her and go over homework and concepts.  Reading is better but still below. You think when your child goes through the IEP and the whole services thing that they are going to improve however slowly.  While we are afraid of the results, we think it's time to see if there is a medical issue.  At least we'll know what we need to do for her.......

Santa's Minion

G: Why won't Santa bring me an elf on the shelf? 
Me: You buy them at the store. Santa doesn't bring them. 
G: Why don't you believe it them? They're real you know. 
Me: We didn't have them when I grew up. 
G: Well, that's 'cause Santa hadn't thought of it yet!

She's got an answer for EVERYTHING!

Cowgirl Gretchen

Gretchen wanted to be a cow girl this year.  We didn't have the annual "how do you keep a child warm all night?" predicament we usually have.  This year it rained all night but it didn't stop us from going.  We went for the 90 minutes - not too bad in the rain....

Gretchen and our neighbor friend

Piano Lesson

She's only had a few lessons so this is a very simple song but getting here took some effort so it's worth celebrating!

Picture Day

Always a treacherous day for a parent.... did they mess up their hair, getting something on their clothes, smile nice (or did they use their fakey smile).  Steve always takes their picture at home when we know they look good.  He got some good shots this year!

Almost a forced smile but not quite

The big sister has it under control

Ready to go to school

First Day of School

Sigh.... The first day of school was mixed results.  We had to switch daycare providers so it was a lot of change for the whole family.  While Gretchen had a good day at school, she got in trouble at the new day care for doing something to her brothers.  When she came home, she was upset and felt like it was hard to be in a new place.  Evan was sad and upset when he came home.  He doesn't like school or the new daycare.  Sigh.  I couldn't get a good reason out of him but it seemed like something happened yesterday since he ate so very little for lunch which is not like him.  Oddly enough, the child who has the most problems with transitions had no issues.  Sean was happy.  School was fine.  The new daycare was fine.  I was worried the most about him and he was fine.  His lunch bag is missing.  The new one I just bought cannot be found at daycare so I was not happy but he was so that's what's important.  Hopefully it goes better tomorrow..... 

3rd Grader in our midst

Big sister has a tough job!