First Easter Egg Hunt

Today (Saturday) the children went on their first Easter egg hunt. In the snow -- a first for me, too, being that I'm from the South and all. Here are photos showing them before the hunt began and also gathering up the eggs, of course. We did a little practice run in the apartment yesterday. I wanted to make sure they knew what to do, but as it turned out there were tons of eggs lying around for little hunters and strict orders from organizers for parents not to let their children get more than six eggs so there would be enough for everyone. It was all fun until the end when we had to stand in a long line to break open our plastic eggs, pour the candies into our baskets and turn the eggs back in (presumably for next year's hunt) and also to get our prizes (big candy bars) since we found two eggs that were numbered. At least Mikel and I got to keep the loot for ourselves since the bubble gum, hard candy, caramels, etc. was definitely not fit for young children. They'll get theirs next week from the Easter bunny.

Snow Day

We've seen some extreme weather lately. Was it just last week that we broke a record high of 83 degrees? And now snow! Last night there was even some wicked lightning and thunder. This morning, I promised all three of my babies that we could play in the snow after breakfast. It really wasn't that cold out, but I still bundled them up good for just a few minutes outside. Everyone had fun, but I wonder what the neighbors must have thought if they saw us trying to go back in — me trudging through the snow holding a toddler on each hand and a dog clinging to my leg. Shreve really wanted to stay. He's a winter dog, for sure. Shoot, we might even have to consider shaving him once we get into 100-degree weather, which isn't at all uncommon here in the summer.

Tomorrow morning we're supposed to hunt for Easter eggs at a local park, so I hope the snow melts. If not, from what I hear this wouldn't be the first time this area has seen snowy Easters.

Library Day: Part 2

We tried out storytime at the library again today. This time the children seemed more interested, Anna even went up to pet the furry blue monster that was part of the story. Afterward, they pretended to be experts on computers set up for the kiddos and gazed at the birds in the aviary.

Yesterday morning, Miss Bridget with the Birth-to-Three (Early Childhood Education in some states) came to conduct a more formal screening to see where the children are developmentally. She had come just two weeks after the children arrived in the states with us. At that time she felt it was too early to give an accurate screening and wanted to see how much they could catch up after having been immersed in our environment.

She was very impressed with how far they’ve come in the five months that they’ve been with us. They are up to speed in every area except communication, which didn’t surprise me. I had spent the day before writing down all the words the children know. I think I came up with somewhere around 160 or so for Anna and 25 or so for Alexander. I’m sure I forgot some. Still, it’s not where they should be. So, with my permission she is going to line up for us more accurate or scientific testing, which is done through the school district. These scores will allow us to receive services in areas where needed. It all seems a bit complicated. Apparently, four professionals will come to our house and test the children in key developmental areas. They must test low enough on two of the four areas in order to receive services offered by the school district. Bridget is almost certain they will not test low enough to receive these services since she believes only their language skills need work. However, if they test below the standard even in just one area – language, for example – then they can receive professional help in that specific area through community-based services, which is basically through her office. Either way, they’ll still be able to work with a licensed speech therapist, as their expressive language skills apparently are what need the most attention. Their receptive language skills seem better, understandably, but I don’t know how those skills would test. I’ll be anxious to see just how they do get scored. I think these tests may be about three weeks out.

At the end of the session, she commented that the children seemed a bit “busy.” A decade or two ago, she might have used the word “hyper” instead. She said it wasn’t extreme and that I could help them in this area by making sure they finish a task they begin and not overstimulate them. For example, if they’re reading a book and want to be done with it, finish it out with them (or at least pretend like you are by getting to the last page, reading it and saying “The End”) before letting them move on to something else. I have never noticed anything remarkable about their attention spans. But then I don’t have much to compare them to and don’t know what’s typical. I know Alexander is very active but I figured that was normal, especially for a little boy. She asked me what Cindy (from the Parents as Teachers program) thought since she sees them every two weeks. Cindy has never mentioned anything about this before, but of course I will seek her opinion on this during her visit next week.

It Wasn't So Bad, Afterall

We finally took Alexander for his first haircut. I loved his curly mopped-head look and only wanted just a trim to get it out of his eyes. I thought the hairdresser understood. ... But I was so busy taking photos and video of little Alexander that when I took notice of just how short it had been cut above his eyes of course it was too late. You can't really notice so much in these photos but this morning I think I was able to put my finger on it. He has sort of a Shirley Jones haircut from the Patridge Family! The hairdresser left it longer behind his ears and in the back, and there are even some longer whispy strands that sort of came out in front of his ears where sideburns might grow some day.

Alexander had just a few tears at first, but then very quickly warmed up to getting his hair cut. He liked it so much he even smiled and giggled quite a bit. So darn cute! Mikel walked Anna around the downtown corner to the local greasy diner for lunch while I stayed with Alexander.

... And Then Daddy Took Us to Chuck E. Cheese

After all that shopping and trying on new clothes, Mikel suggested we take the children to Chuck E. Cheese for a fun pizza dinner. The children went wild over the rides and games and Papa got to eat his favorite food. I told Mikel it was a workout for us to take the children there, what with all the chasing after them from one ride to the next and making sure they didn't grab someone else's pizza from their table or hurt themselves trying to get up the big twisty slide and such.

First Mommy Went Shopping ...

I went shopping for Easter outfits Saturday and came back with a whole lot more. I found so many good deals out there that I got the children three full summer outfits each and few extra pants and/or tops. While I was out Mikel taught Anna how to say, "Mommy shopping." And she loved what I came back with. She was so excited to try on all her new clothes. Alexander's attitude was a bit more take-it-or-leave-it.

Self Medicating

Who needs doctors when you can self medicate? Anna and Alexander both have taken to giving their boo boos a kiss if I can't get there fast enough, you know to make it "all better." Sometimes Anna even lets her baby give the kiss.

I Know I Can, I Know I Can

Anna must have tried tying her pink sash belt for about 30 minutes before finally giving in and letting me help. She just kept twisting and twisting it. I even heard a few excited "Yeas!" as if she had succeeded. Meanwhile, Alexander, aka Mr. Preppy, was so laid back he didn't let her unyielding determination or squeals of delight bother him one way or another.

Shoe Box Wagons

Miss Cindy with the Parents as Teachers program helps the children make little wagon-like things to pull around during a recent visit. Old shoeboxes and yarn are all you need to make a toy that will keep the kids entertained for a while.

Beep Beep

Here's a cute photo of the children in their special car/shopping cart at the grocery store.

The Great Outdoors

Here are photos taken Saturday at our little playground/park area where we live. I've been trying to get the children out of the house as much as possible lately. Even though it's more work for me getting them up and down all the stairs and strapping them in and out of their car seats, somehow I feel they behave a little better when we have stuff going on. Maybe it's because they aren't so bored or stir crazy here in this apartment. I will say we had a pretty good day today, however, without ever leaving the place. They had baths in the late afternoon, and they love them so much that they cry. I mean really cry. Anna was all fussy and teary-eyed on me because I couldn't get the bath water drawn quickly enough. And when I put her in first ("because she's older"), Alexander starts with his Incredible Hulk crying like he does at the doctor's office and screaming "ba, ba" (Alex talk for "bath, bath").

That reminds me that last week we went to see our Realtor at her office. All was fine as we walked down the hall, but as soon as we turned into her office he started crying. I'm sure it was because he thought he was back at the doctor office! Must be something about smaller rooms off hallways. We have another big day tomorrow, with our twice-monthly MOPS meeting in the morning and a visit from Cindy with the Parents As Teachers program in the afternoon. Which means I have to dust and such while they're napping!

Quickie Park Stop

It's getting to be outdoor weather. After such a gorgeous day on Monday the temperatures did turn colder, with even drizzling rain and light snowflakes on Wednesday. But then it turned back to the good side. Friday still was not nearly as fabulous as Monday but good enough to stop by one of our local parks for a quick little stroll around the lake while we were out running errands. Anna and Alexander saw lots of ducks swimming, some birds flying and even some pet dogs. On the way home they saw seven or eight deer (almost as many deer as people in these parts). Today (Saturday) is much nicer so the whole family, including Shreve, went to our park/play area on the property here. We took tons of photos, some of which I'll post later.

I almost forgot that I also took the children to a different park maybe Tuesday after their naps. I learned that I won't be going there or probably most parks at that time of day for quite a while. All the big kids are out of school or daycare or wherever they go by then and overrun the playground equipment. One little boy, who maybe was only 5 or 6 (I'm not a very good judge of age), was a bit of a bully to poor little Alexander on the slide. It was a double slide with even a divider and the boy was sitting on his side but kept reaching over to Alexander's side to prevent him from sitting down and sliding. He even got up and sat on Alexander's side at one point, and when Alexander moved toward the other side the boy went back to his original place. It was all I could do to not to say something to the boy. Plus I didn't know if his mom was around or watching, and I'm not ready for all that just yet. I finally picked up Alexander and sat him down on the slide myself. We left soon after.

You Gotta Keep Them Happy

From tiny toy fire engines to snacks, my diaper bag is packed with all kinds of goodies to keep the children happy during our outings. I usually don't have to break out the toys, as the children are curious enough about whatever it is that's going on to keep them occupied. But they've come to expect snacks and juice during the car rides! (In fact, that reminder is how I can get them to come down the stairs just a few seconds quicker. Usually they tarry around the windows at the halfway point and scream "Hot!"at the floorboard heater.). Whatever it takes. Here are photos from two weeks ago during a trip to the office-supply store.

Must Be A Boy Thing

Here's Alexander doing his boy thing — just being very active. One of the photos shows him with his friend, Caleb, sticking their hands in a pan full of bubble slime.

Outdoor Fun

This morning we were invited to an outdoor playdate and potluck at the home of Miss Amy and Ben who live about 10 minutes out of town in the hills. In all, there were five moms, seven children ages 16 months to 4 years, another one in utero and a dog (not ours). The temperature was forecast for 70 degrees, but on the drive home around 1:30 p.m. the bank said it was 85. We even had to break out the sunscreen. The children had a blast playing on the swing set, in the sand box and just pushing around toy lawnmowers, wagons and trucks (Alexander). There were a few pushing and throwing-sand incidences (Anna, but at least she knows how to say "sorry"). We all had lunch outside before it was time to start the packing-up process. My contribution was deviled eggs, a good old Southern appetizer which I hadn't made in forever but which was so stinking yummy. We got home late for their naps, but the children were yawning so I thought for sure they'd go down easy. Who was I kidding. Alexander of course wasn't a problem. I think Anna may finally be asleep now after more than an hour of resistance, which included completely stripping her bed and pulling down the drapes. When they wake up it will be bathtime (a good hour between the two of them) and then dinner. In the meantime, here are some cute pictures of the children doing their jobs, in other words playing.

Are We Legal Yet?

On Thursday morning, Mikel informed me that a piece of mail from New York State told us we'd better get our new South Dakota driver's licenses by Saturday or else (I thought we had a few more weeks yet...or has it already been 30 days since I'd written the car registration post?). I knew I was facing a busy Friday, which meant I needed to get moving. So I threw on my face — I had to have my picture taken, you know — and packed up the kids. I wanted to get there as early as possible to avoid the lunch and after-school, after-work crowds. (But who am I kidding...we're in SD now. It's just not that populated.) Even with my rushing we didn't get there until 11:15 a.m. They were on No. 7. I pulled No. 21. We were still out of there within about 30 minutes. And thank goodness. As you can see from the photos, the kids were all too eager to break out of their constraints. I will add that getting legal in South Dakota has been a breeze compared to New York, where we had to produce our birth certificates, passports, Social Security cards and who knows what else. After standing in lines at the Auburn DMV office Mikel and I both had to go back home to fish out necessary documents before getting permission to drive there.