Woo-Hoo Collin!!!

Collin made his first official "out" at his tee ball game tonight! He was so excited that it just melted my heart. He was playing short stop. He caught the ball, ran and tagged 2nd base and beat the runner!!! We were so proud of him.

Coach Rod gives the kids a sticker to put on their batting helmet when they make an out. So, Collin's name was called in the after-game huddle and he was given his sticker. Check out the pics, they are of his "sticker" on his helmet! Go Collin!!

Super Bee

Reese was awarded the Super Bee bag yesterday at school for Super Bee-havior! We are so proud of her. She got to bring the stuffed bee home and he gets to spend the weekend with us. There is a bag with a notebook and the bee inside. We will include a sheet in the notebook that tells what the bee did with us this weekend. Reese was so excited and we are looking forward to a fun weekend with Super Bee!

Soccer--Go GLITTER GIRLS!!

Reese has started her first season of outdoor soccer. She is playing on the "Glitter Girls" and we are so thrilled to be a part of this team. The parents are all wonderful, the girls are sweet little girls and the coaches are GREAT with the kids! Reese is having so much fun. The first practice she was a little reluctant to get out there, so I ran beside her and helped her dribble the soccer ball, but very the quickly into that first practice, the coaches got the girls to playing games and having fun and Reese has been having a BLAST. Her first game was today (last week was cancelled b/c of rain) and she did such a good job. I am so proud of her, and ALL of the girls, for really listening to the coaches and showing off some of the good soccer skills they are learning. Looking forward to a fun season ahead!!

Tee Ball

Collin is on his first tee ball team this season--the Astros! He was so excited to play and go to his first practice, but that all changed VERY quickly. He was doing just fine that first practice, playing catch, practicing batting, but then they decided to have the players take the field and some of the kids have batting practice. Well, Collin was playing short stop and the ball was hit to him. Jeff told him to get it and "race the runner to 2nd base". Well, the runner beat him and that was it. A hysterical crying fit for the last 20-30 minutes of practice. After that, he did NOT want to go back to tee ball. The next week he cried for 20 minutes before practice, on the way to practice and 30 minutes AT practice so Jeff finally just brought him home. So, we started a "reward" program. IF Reese & Collin do certain chores/responsibilities (i.e. try hard at practice) they earn a sticker. IF they earn all their stickers at the end of the week, they get to draw something out of the treat box. Well, this seemed to turn things around for us. Collin started getting a much better attitude, although reluctantly, about tee ball.

He has been really excited to finally play their first game (last week was cancelled b/c of rain). He is most excited about wearing his hat, baseball pants and belt (that's my boy-HA!). In the middle of the night Collin woke me up and told me he was thirsty. I got him a cup of water, he chugged it, got back in bed and said, "That will help me run the bases at my game". I said--"It sure will!!" So, I felt he was a little anxious about the game. Well, we all get ready, get to the game and the flood gates start. Poor Collie, he was saying "he did not want to play". Well, we were like "ok, but you have to support your team". Reese and I had to leave to get to her soccer game, so we didn't even get to see one batter, and I hated to leave while Collin was upset. Reese and I LITERALLY prayed out loud, in the car, for her and Collin to have courage, be brave and just TRY at their games. We prayed aloud for Collin to know we loved him no matter what and we just wanted him to have fun and enjoy his game. Well, low and behold---HE DID!!!! He batted all 3 times, hit the ball, ran the bases and had fun!! He played in the outfield, so he saw no fielding action, but he tried...and had fun!! YAY!! or Collin. I love that kid to death and hope we can build some confidence so he can continue to enjoy himself at tee ball.

Eye Doctor Appointment

If you haven't caught up....go back and read "The Handwriting Clinic" post and that will lead you to this one. Collin went to the eye doctor Monday morning and he actually had fun! Dr. Kurtin was wonderful and so good with him. I would highly recommend him if anyone needs an eye doctor :) Anyways, they checked his visual acuity, his fine motor skills, checked to see how his eye muscles were working and to see if anything was indicative of a "processing" issue. As of right now, Dr. Kurtin believes that Collin is just fine and that those muscles will strenghten and become stronger over time, making it easier for him to write. He wants Collin to complete this session at The Handwriting Clinic and see how that comes along and then follow up in December. So, overall, I feel relieved that at least at this point in time that things look okay.

First Day of Transitional Kindergarten

Collin & Reese started back to school this last week and they had a wonderful week. The first day of school was emotional for ME. The kids were so excited and did so well, but it always makes me a little teary. As much as I am usually ready for them to go back, it makes me realize they are getting older and bigger and I really won't get this precious time back. My kids love and adore Kidzworld and I can't believe this is our last year there :( Ms. Chandee & Ms. Nancy are the teachers for TK and they both are so sweet. Reese and Collin had such a fun week and were so excited to go each day. I am looking forward to a fabulous year and can't wait to see how much they learn.

The Handwriting Clinic

Well, last year I knew Collin was struggling to write as much as his peers, but I pretty much chalked it up to immaturity and him being a boy. I knew this was something we could work on, so I decided I would watch and see how his writing progressed. Late spring and early summer, he got to where he didn't want to color or write at all, it was like he was embarrassed. So, in July, I decided we were going to have to start working on it, so he wasn't behind or "insecure" about this once school started. (Having a twin sister who is not struggling in this area, makes it blatantly obvious to Collin that it is harder for him--I hate this for him). So, we sat down one morning, I gave both the kids a sheet of writing tablet and was going to have them practice a few letters. Well, Reese breezed thru and Collin was still stuck on "A". He got so upset, he was throwing a total fit and had a complete melt down. I felt horrible that I hadn't really been on top of this before now, but I don't typically have my kids do "homework" type things at home. I tried my best to reassure him and help him, but he is so independent--he does not WANT help, plus he could see it was so easy for Reese. So, I made him an appoitment at The Handwriting Clinic and they couldn't get him in until September 1. So, we went and had him evaluated. They said this is NOT a fine motor issue--his grip is great, he is holding the pencil firmly, but he seems to have a visual motor delay. It is more of a "processing" issue. The definition is a difficulty with "the child's ability to accurately interpret and reproduce visually presented symbols". So, we are doing a class at The Handwriting Clinic--he goes once a week for an hour long class and then we practice each day at home for approx. 15 min. He loves the class, they make it lots of fun and they get rewarded with play time in this fun gym. I am hoping we have caught this pretty early and that Collin will be able to overcome this with maturity and practice. He has an eye doctor appointment tomorrow (Sept. 14) to screen for any other "visual" issues. Praying for a normal and good report. I love my sweet Collin to death and I just want him to feel confident and secure in everything he does.

Reese & Collin's Birthday

On Reese & Collin's actual birthday, I always try to make their day extra special. So, they woke up and I made them "Birthday" waffles. We were going to go to Hawaiian Falls, but it rained, so they decided they wanted to go to The Wiggly Play Center instead. After that, we headed to the mall, so they could use a little birthday money to pick out a toy at the Disney Store. We then ate lunch at Chic-fil-A. After a big morning and afternoon, we came home to rest until Jeff got home. Reese and Collin then opened presents and we went out for a dinner at Chuck E. Cheese. This was definitely the highlight of their birthday--the kids had such a fun time. There was NO ONE there, so we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves. Thanks to Uncle Russ for meeting us--the Reese and Collin love you!! I still can't believe that my babies are FIVE years old--where has the time gone?

Party Like A Rockstar

Reese and Collin had a "Rockstar" party this year. The party was a Powerkids and they had a great time. I can't believe they are 5!! Thank you to all of our sweet friends/family who helped us celebrate.

**I realize pictures are in the wrong order, so feel free to start with the last picture and scroll up--I am so far behind on blogging, just trying to get a few posts up quickly.