My little mini-might

Today we had Ella's gymnastics. Really the only reason we didn't leave sooner. She loves it so much so i hate for her to miss it. I am always so proud to see her. She gives 110% in class and at home. About a month ago they had "promotions" and the owner, Kristy, had mentioned that if Ella was doing well she might get moved up. I knew she wasn't ready but i still secretly hoped she would get to move up. Never heard anything so we continued just the same. Watching Ella put all the other girls to shame every Tuesday. HA! That is just a joke and a little Mother's bias. Anyway, after class is over we head down to pick up the stroller and Tina, Ella's teacher, follows me into the room. In her Elmo like voice, asks to speak to me about Ella. She feels like Ella has made such great progress and would benefit from moving up and working in a more advanced class!! YESSSSSSS!!! She would now be a mini-might and would have practice every Tuesday and Thursday for an hour and a half. Whoa. Fifty-five minutes a week to 3 hours. We are going to try it out when we get home and make a decision. I am okay with it as long as she is. We will see but the idea that she got the instructor placement into an advanced level is super exciting. She is still grinning from ear to ear. I look forward to watching her dominate.

Hair today...gone tomorrow.

As we prepare to leave for our trip i thought a haircuts would do us all good. This morning we went to try out a kids salon that we pass all the time, Pigtails and Crewcuts. I thought it would be fun for the kids plus i really didn't feel like trying to get them all trimmed up here. We got there around lunch and it was empty. Well, just two ladies waiting for us. Jack and John pick out their chairs. A firetruck and an airplane. They loved it. I am not quite sure they knew what to think. Ella enjoyed the playroom while she waited for her turn. Ben and i supervised and took some pictures. Finally Ella's turn. The lady cut a bit off and asked if it was short enough....Ella said shorter. Shorter she got! Nothing she can't rock anyway. By the time Ella was finishing kids were flooding the store. One woman was there inquiring about the Locks of Love program. Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides wigs to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. At this salon you had to have 10 inches of hair to donate in order for them to send it for you. So before we left i had them measure. 11 inches to the back of my head. I have never been squeamish about chopping all my hair off and i have settled into a pattern of growing my hair out for a few years and the whacking it all off so this seemed to be a good opportunity to do that. We grabbed lunch at McDonalds and went back for the "mommy do". She cut off ten inches. I was happy. My cousin also recently donated her beautiful hair to Locks of Love so if you have really long hair, be brave...go donate! After getting home and styling my hair i am beginning to think this is my most favorite haircut...ever. And it came from a kids salon, go figure! Here are the before and after pictures.

Ella's new bob

Jack went from shaggy to sliek

John. Looks about the same but she really cut a bit off.

My hair. Now it is some other little girls problem. :)

Attempt numero dos

Tonight we tried food, again. He seemed to like it better. Can you tell? Not real stoked about having to travel with baby food and all the necessary supplies but i will survive. Now getting him to take a bottle.....

Caught up

Finally i am caught up on all things recent here in the Brackin house. It is amazing how there are so many blogs in just one week. It is also amazing how i can't go 7 days without blogging. Eric sends me e-mails about how i haven't posted anything new. I think he should spend more time working. :) We had a quiet weekend. Eric worked Saturday and was home Sunday. He finished up the flower beds. A process that has been going on for a month now. I am sure the neighbors will appreciate that we put down the weed barrier under the mulch. Eric and i did steal some time after the kids were in bed for a nice chat and a movie. Back at it this morning. Eric's boss, Paul, is on vacation in South Dakota until August the 10th so Eric is the Big Man for a few weeks. He likes it. While he is here enjoying being the boss the kids and i are going to Mississippi for a week. Papa is having a knee replacement. We are leaving Wednesday morning. It should be a fun visit. Uncle Raymond, Vee, their daughters, Monika and Elizabeth made the trip from Cali as well as Aunt Sherri, Uncle Michael, Jordan and Jared from Canada. The last time i saw Uncle Raymond he only had one daughter and so did i. HA! I will return with Jordan and Jared. I love their yearly visits in the summer. There should be a lot of exciting things going on in the next month. The countdown for Kindergarten has begun. Four weeks until i send my big girl off to school. She is already asking what kind of treats they have there. :) Stay tuned.

* The picture has no relevance to this blog but it was cute. I was just happy he was dressed up as a man instead of in a dress. :)

Ben's first foods

Thursday was the first time we tried to feed Ben baby food. We got a new high chair that sits in one of the table chairs so we pulled it out of the box and got it set up. It really is a space saver. Anyway, i mix together a little rice cereal and then grab a jar of applesauce. I sit down and attempt to feed him some. More comes out than stays in. Wait what am i doing?? I am supposed to start with veggies first, right?? Yeah, veggies first. Eric hands me some peas. Yeah, No. Ben spit most of it out so at that moment i realized that Eric and I weren't really interested in him eating either so we played with the chair and called it a night. We will try again in a few weeks when we have to start feeding him solids. I like the whole nursing thing. So much easier this way. On another note....He doesn't like bottles. We have been trying water and apple juice mixed with water and nothing. He will chew it but when the juice or water comes out he acts like he is gagging. We will keep working on it. He is taking a pacifier occasionally. Right now he is just one big Momma's boy. :)

This is the look i got after we finished trying to feed him. I don't think he was happy.

Sports camp -Basketball Day 2

Wednesday was the last day of camp. Jack was once again stoked about playing. We are there right at start time and so we rush up to the gym where i expect everyone (by everyone i mean the coach and the one other little boy) to be waiting. We step off the elevator and no one. The mini-goal still pushed over in the corner. I give Eric the "oh, no i didn't come up here again and nobody show" eye. We go in and start unloading all our stuff and i check my phone. A call from E.J. that morning. You know "hi. this is E.J. please give me a call when you can". Great now this is my fault. About that time in walks E.J. Whew.. Turns our Wyatt couldn't make it so he was going to reschedule the class on Monday but since he was there and we were there it was the Brackin basketball camp. All the kids enjoyed playing. It was a nice way to end a camp that has been less than stellar. Soccer registration......we will see.

Papa and Nana visit

Mr. Mark and Mrs. Connie arrived last Saturday afternoon. This was their first visit to our house here in Statesville. The kids were so excited. Ella, Jack and John showed them to their room and then the rest of the house. Sunday i was off to Raleigh and they headed to the Science museum. Eric's work schedule had been changed and he was having to work midnight to noon for the entire visit. They were able to see Jack play basketball and Ella in her gymnastics. They headed out Wednesday morning to Georgia for a mini-vacation and then home. It was an enjoyable visit and i always get a lot done while they are here. Having them to occupy the four kids allows me to work uninterrupted. They took lots of walks and enjoyed a game of kickball. It looked like Nana and Papa were having more fun than the kids. :)Thanks for making the trip. We all had a wonderful time.

Ella's gymnastics

Tuesday is Ella's gymnastics class. I haven't posted on it in a while. Probably because i never have a chance to take pictures because i am occupying the three boys. Anyway, i had extra hands so i took some new pictures. Ella has been doing very well. She is working on her flexibility now. That means she is doing splits all over the place. She loves all the tumbling. She is constantly flipping over here and then over there and occasionally kicking people in the head while doing so. In class she works on handstands/ donkey kicks, jumps, high bar, cartwheels, bars and they are starting on the back flip (with a support). She loves it! Surprisingly she says that when we move she want to try ballet again. She says she want to try out everything. :) The owner of the gym had the opportunity to teach Ella's class a few weeks back and said that Ella was super tight in her form and that she was very strong just needed to work on the flexibility. That is just what she has done.

Sports camp - Basketball

Last Monday was Jack's first day of basketball. He had been begging to play basketball since camp began. E.J. had a shorter goal set up and was ready to start. They worked on passing, dribbling and shooting. Wyatt was all over the place and Jack tried. John and Ella both joined in and The rest of us gave it a go on the other side of the court. Eric and i played a game of HORSE and somehow i came up with the short end of the stick. That goal is a lot higher than i remember it being. Anyway, it was fun watching Jack and everyone else's attempt at basketball.

Museum + Kids = FUN

While i was off celebrating all things motherhood, everyone else took a trip to the Catawba Science Center over in Hickory. Mr. Mark, Mrs. Connie, Eric and all 4 kids spent a brief time trying to take it all in. I would give you all the details but the only thing the kids will tell me about is the shark that feels like rubber and when you put you finger in the tank he will suck on your finger. Ella was very happy that when she pulled her finger out it was not red. "There was no blood mommy, no blood." I was very happy that the kids came home with all their fingers. Eric said it was a very nice place but they only had two hours of time so we will be going back. They did run into Madelyn and Elijah, our old neighbours from Raleigh, and had a short playtime with them. Small world. It was a great day....i hear. :)

**This would be where i post all the pictures that Eric took but i have lost them. Yes... I, Whitney Brackin am admitting that i have made a mistake and lost the pictures. Sorry. **

Babies Everywhere

It seems like everywhere i turn there are people wanting to be pregnant, just got pregnant, trying to get pregnant, about to have a baby or just had a baby. I am so over all of that. HA! Can you blame me?? Despite my personal feelings I am so happy for all of my friends. Just as we were moving to Statesville, two of my neighbours/ friends found out they were both expecting and as time flies they are getting ready to deliver so i spent my Sunday in Raleigh hanging out at Stefanie's baby shower. I miss them. If i could pack them all in a box and carry them with me i would. Lynette is due to deliver Miss Juliet in 5 weeks and Stef will deliver baby Conrad in 10 weeks. I will respectfully refer to them as Jules and Rad. :) I expect neither will hold out till then. As long as Stef doesn't go into labor during the Gray's season premiere i think it will all be okay. I hope to see them both before we move again. Hands down, the best neighbors EVER!

Sports Camp - Flag Football Part 2

Last Wednesday was our last day of flag football. I can't say that i am said because it was pretty lame watching two kids try to play football. E.J. never explained the whole touchdown aspect of the game so i hope Jack doesn't think you are just supposed to get the ball and then run in circles while people chase you. John finally inched his way over and got in on some of the action. It was a beautiful day though. Basketball is this afternoon! Jack had been waiting for this. I hope it will be better than the other sports. :)

Sports Camp - Football

Yesterday was our first night of flag football. We thought it should be interesting to watch two three year olds learn to play flag football. We really wished there were more kids so they would get a better understanding but Jack and i did a dry run at home with his underwear and a flip flop. Hey, you work with what you have. Anyway, they start off with stretching and then put on the flags. All of E.J.'s attention was on the kids so it was a good day. I don't think three year olds are really his thing. It is like he doesn't quite know how to talk to them. It was really nothing more than throwing and chasing the others and grabbing their flags. It is always fun to watch Jack. He is always smiling. Even though this camp is the pits, seeing him have so much fun makes it worthwhile.

Vacation- Day 3 and 4

I fell a little behind in my vacation blogging. Our days were just as busy. Saturday the beaches were busy so we headed to the outlet mall. Ella and Jack rode with Mom and Dad. It wasn't until they arrived that Mom realized that Ella had been serious about not having any shoes. After Eric's many wrong turns (only one due to my navigating) we get there and head straight to Old Navy to get Ella a pair of flip flops. After that we were in and out of stores, had lunch, Uncle Wes paid for rides on the carousel and played in the water fountains. Mom and Dad took Ella and Jack back to the house while we waited on Eric to finish up his suit shopping. Eric, Wes, Ben, John and I stop at the grocery store on our way home to pick up some shrimp to boil. I think at this point every one's lack of sleep is getting to them. We were going to head to the beach but Eric took the kids to see the co-op who coincidentally lived down the street. They stayed longer then planned, probably because the kids were swimming in the pool, and as we went to put on the shrimp their was no hose to connect the propane tank. The mosquitoes were out in full force, Eric swears they are some crazy mega mosquitoes. Ella has bites all over. Anyway, we move the shrimp inside and then plan to go to the marina while Dad (and his cold) and Eric man the house. I go change out of my clothes that Ben has spit up on and go out front only to find they left me. What?? Whose mother leaves them. Mine. :) I just walked but didn't see them there but the marina was pretty. They got in about the same time i did. Since dinner still wasn't finished we took another ride. Got in, gave the kids a bath, and put them to bed. Finally dinner. I fell asleep on the couch. Sunday was the day i was dreading. I hate leaving. I was up bright and early. Trying to get everything rounded up and Eric was steady moving bags out before i was finished. Dad scrambled some eggs for breakfast and after some attempts at a family picture they leave. I am the queen of the self-timer. Eric and i finish up and head to Charleston to do some more sight seeing. We drove around and it was beautiful. Places to eat everywhere and the houses were just what you would expect. It is so nice to see those types of houses kept up. Eric and i were tired and hungry so neither of us felt like walking around so we head out of town with a promise to come back, just the two of us. No pictures from day 3. Those are on Mom and Dad's camera. It was beautiful weather and wonderful company. Another great family vacation.




Ella did leave the beach with a very important lesson. Never get to far away in the ocean because Thunder Tows will come up out of the bottom and pull you under. :) I think Mom explained the under tows.

Jack's Sports Camp T-Ball Part 2

Wednesday we were in for another riveting t-ball lesson. We arrived and it started to rain. Just a little but enough for us to be concerned that it would pour if we tempted Mother Nature by staying outside. So we moved into the gym. This was interesting in a lot of ways. The lighting was messing up my stellar photography skills and on the other half of the gym some old ladies were having a Zumba class. If you don't know what Zumba is, it is basically old ladies shaking their groove thangs. The music was blaring so Jack was having a hard time focusing on the ball. He wanted to jump around. Anyway, the coach's friend walked in about 15 minutes after it started and proceeded to stand there and talk to E.J. for the rest of the camp. E.J. would help Jack swing and then tell him to run the bases while he talked to his friend. I made note of it so when i write my evaluation letter i can tell them how awful this camp was. Why does Jack have to love it??? Anyway, he got to hit twice by himself so i was proud of him. Next week we are back outside for flag football. I hope this camp gets better. It can't get worse.

Vacation - Day Two

I had high hopes for today. It didn't turn out quite like i had imagined. Jack and Ella were up bright and early. Realizing the NEED for coffee we had to run to the grocery store to get some (Mom and I failed to get it yesterday). Dad calls and says to pick up a skillet for the pancakes. Do you think Target was open? Do you think the "pig" had a skillet? So around the world we drive looking for the elusive skillet. Half hour later Target was opening and i was waiting at the door. Get back and have a wonderful breakfast. We decide to go back to the beach. After getting everything together Eric realizes he can't find his wallet. NO! Anyway, we tear everything apart looking for it and finally Eric says it must have fallen out of the golf cart on the way home and lets just go. Then Dad goes to get his sunglasses and they too have disappeared. We look around frantically and finally just leave without the wallet and the sunglasses. The beach was sunny and windy. Just a breeze with the occasional hurricane gusts. The sand seemed to blow straight into Jack's eyes. Ella and John played in the water and Jack stuck to the sand. I attempted only once to take him in the water. He freaked out. He is terrified of going under. Anyway, he loved building sandcastles. The kids tried to ride the skim board. By kids i mean Wes, Eric, Ella and John. None were very successful. We packed up and came in for lunch. Got showered up and down for naps. After Eric got his shower he found his wallet under the suitcase. I was very happy. Then Eric and i cruised around on the golf cart. It was so nice just to have quiet with him. We ate out tonight. Hibachi. I love Japanese. Then out for a drive. It was late and the sun was setting but we did walk around part of Charleston. Everybody is in bed. I look forward to tomorrow and the weather is supposed to be beautiful again. God is good.

Vacation - Day One

Our intentions were to have the car loaded Wednesday night so we could get up and leave super early Thursday morning. That didn't happen. We slept in. Well, until 7. We were out of the house by 8:30. I thought we were doing well. It was a 4 hour drive so i was excited. Then came the stops. Stop for gas and doughnuts. Stop for Jack to potty. Stop for Ella to potty. False alarm. Stop for lunch and everybody to potty. Finally we arrived at the house about 1. Mom and Dad were still on the way so we unloaded the car and claimed the whole second floor. The house is huge and beautiful. Wooden floors, open kitchen, upstairs and downstairs living rooms, first and second floor balconies, rocking chairs, and a golf cart. Everything that would make you want to move in and stay for a very long time. A couple of minutes to drive the golf cart to the beach and a rooftop deck that overlooks part of a golf course and the intercoastal waterway. Basically the marsh. Yes, the mosquitoes are the only downfall. Dad and Mom arrived and we headed to the beach. The kids LOVED it. Jack played in the sand. Ella played in the water. John dabbled in both. It was overcast with a breeze. Couldn't have asked for a better day. Now to the grocery store. Mom, Ben and I found the Piggly Wiggly and did the shopping. It was the nicest "pig" i have ever been. We got home and Dad, Mom, Ella, and Jack headed to the airport to pick up Wes and Bristol. After a missed flight and missing luggage Wes finally made it in. We enjoyed fabulous hamburgers that Eric grilled and then it was time to settle in. Took a nice bike ride with Mom and Wes while the kids watched a new movie. It was a lovely day and i can't wait for tomorrow. I am praying the rain holds off.

Jack's Sport Camp T-Ball

We arrived today just like we have many times before (okay, just a few times before) and there was the coach waiting! YES! This was already starting off better than last week. I made a joke about how fun basketball was last week but he didn't think it was that funny. It was rainy off and on today but the sun was out, a bit cooler, and a slight breeze. Perfect t-ball weather. We sat up our chairs under the shade of a large tree and we were set. Jack was so excited. They started off stretching and then took a lap around the bases for a warm-up and a lesson in bases. Wyatt wasn't really into it this week. He said he was tired so Jack got lots of extra practice. Good thing, he needs it. :) They moved on to throwing. Jack would get it way back and splat! Right on the ground about 5 feet in front of him. We have to work on letting it go a little sooner. Then it was time to bat. E.J. got him all set up and he looked awkward but he got the job done. Then it was working on hitting and running. Well, i guess i should say hitting, dropping the bat and then running to first base. Jack carried the bat with him the first time. Jack got a good hit (with some help) and ran around all the bases, he got a little slow and wobbly between third and home. E.J. asked if he was tired but Jack said no he was ready to go again. A couple of more trips around the bases and it was time to go home. Ella and John had played by the tree and flipped around but were there waiting for Jack as he came running over and gave him a big group hug and high five. Eric asked Jack if he like t-ball and wanted a set. Jack said yes. Eric asked him if he liked t-ball better than soccer. Jack said yeah. Eric is sure it is because less running is involved in t-ball. HA! We got home and i asked Jack if he had fun and he said yes he was just "getting busy" and it was time to go. Wednesday should be fun.

John's Evaluation

John's had his evaluation by the clinical therapist today. She came at his nap time so i was worried about how cooperative he would be. I put Ella and Jack upstairs and Ben was hanging out so there weren't any distractions. I sat in the other room. She sat and played blocks, showed him pictures, asked him questions and had him perform tasks. He would complete each step and she would pencil on her paper. It wasn't until the end she started asking me questions. She asked how he tells me he is hungry and if he can tell me what he wants to eat. I never give them a chance. Oops. We eat at the same time almost everyday and they only get two choices for lunch and they don't have a choice when it comes to dinner. I did explain how he goes about getting things he wants. After many more pencil marks she told me where he fell on the scale. Gross motor, 24 months, Fine motor, 27 months, self-help, 27 months, receptive language, 30 months, expressive language, 22 months (i think there was one more but it was like 27 or 28 months too.). So our only area of delay is expressive language, speech. On two different scales it came out to be an 8% and 12% delay. Neither were significant enough to qualify for any of their services. In the wrap-up she said she feels like her only concern is his articulation. Even with that she said that therapist might not see him until he was two and a half because at his age they are still learning sounds and how to articulate words. I asked if it is a problem that might correct itself and she said it quite possible could. She was going to talk to the speech therapist for advice regarding John's case and get back to me on what they recommend as a course of action. Right now she says that the best thing to do is to repeat words he says correctly so he can hear it the right way. Other than that we will wait for word from the speech therapist and go from there. So glad we got good news. Another blessing.

Ben's 4 Month Check-up

Today was Ben's well baby check-up. We had a few concerns we wanted to ask the Doctor about. Mainly his funky smelling ears but Eric wanted to know why Ben spits up so much. He weighted in at 14 lbs. and 12 ounces ( i thought it would be more) and was 26 inches long. That 75% for height and 40ish% for weight. 2 inches and 2 and a half pounds in a few months. I would say he is doing great. He checked his stinky ears and they are fine, just a little stinky. He says it could be the wax. The spit up is a product of an underdeveloped esophagus that all babies have. Plus he eats A LOT! The Dr. said that he can start solids at anytime now. Funny, how two of our pediatricians say start between 4 and 5 months and two have said to wait until after 6 months. At this point we are kinda doing it our way so we will start him eventually. It is such a hassle i don't mind waiting a while. He is working on rolling over. He can roll from side to side. He has found his toes and loves to hold onto them. He was very happy and talkative to Dr. Gessler. He double checked his hips because babies that are born breach can have problems with hip development. He seems to be fine. He got two shots and it was over before he noticed. He thought about crying but we were out the door before he could start. I love when there is no crying when they get shots. It was a good appointment and we go back in September for his 6 month check-up.

Happy 4th of July

Our weekend has been fabulous. Friday, Eric was home early to start the holiday weekend. He showed up with a golf cart. Paul sent it home with him so we could ride the kids around. After a few trips around the neighborhood we headed down to Mooresville to pick up a few things and then home to prepare for our trip to Raleigh. Saturday, we were up bright and early and finally made it out the door about 9:30. The trip took about two hours and we stopped for lunch so we got to our old neighborhood about 12. Ella's friend, Madelyn, was waiting on her porch for us. All of the kids were so excited. It was non-stop from then on. We visited with all our old neighbors and their families and then grilled for dinner. It was such a wonderful day to sit and catch up with people i was accustomed to seeing daily. Two of them are expecting at the end of the summer so Ben got lots of lovin'. Ella gave gymnastic lessons and Elijah was giving basketball lessons. We also got a chance to meet the new neighbor that moved into our old home. I hoped they would be like Eric and I. No luck. She is a single mom and Lynette says she is my polar opposite. Very bad children. So sad. As the sun began to set we went to watch the fireworks at the Raleigh fairgrounds.. John fell asleep standing up and when he saw the fireworks decided he wasn't in the mood so he sat in Lynette's lap and covered his eyes for the entire show. We waited for about an hour before we got into the traffic so we started our trip home around 11. The kids slept. Eric couldn't wake them to put their p.j.s on so they woke up this morning still looking patriotic. :) Everyone slept in this morning and then took long naps. It was a dreary day so it was good for napping. We are getting everything ready for the busy day tomorrow. Ben has a doctor appointment, John has his evaluation, and Jack has sports camp (let's hope).



We were so busy visiting that we failed to take any family pictures. Sorry.

American Idol

This is the conversation with Ella about July 4th.

ME: Ella, when we get home i will paint your nails red.
ELLA: (ugly face) Why?
ME: Because tomorrow is Independence day, July 4th is the day we celebrate America....
ELLA: American Idol.....I know!

What a sad day. My child thinks we have a whole day to celebrate American Idol. We don't even watch that show. :)

________________________________________

A "that's not my child" moment:

We were waiting at the front of Old Navy as Eric checked on some jeans. The kids were wired and it was passed their dinnertime so in an effort to occupy them while Eric finished up i took them up to look at the mannequins at the front of the store. They all took note of the dog when they walked in so i thought it would keep them entertained. I watched the kids as they looked at the "people" Jack rubbed a boys arm and then stood in front of him to see if they were the same size. Ella found a "brown" girl and stood next to her. She then just stood there holding the brown mannequin's hand as if she had made a new friend. John tried to ride the dog and after i deterred him from that he went on to inspect the other mannequins. He found one a little larger than himself, a little brown girl. He begins to rub her face and then stands on his tip toes to kiss her. On one hand i am thinking that he is being so sweet and on the other i am thinking he is a little strange but then he starts pulling up her shirt so i decide we have had enough playtime with the mannequins. I gathered them up and took them to Eric. They could be his strange kids. :) Wish i had my camera.

We are headed to Raleigh for the 4th of July. I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday.

John's evaluation

I met with our case worker, Susan, this morning. We covered a lot of material. I felt like i was signing my life away. I answered the same questions twice maybe even three times. I think the questionnaires were for older children because answering the question "what is your child's favorite thing to do" is a little difficult. My only response was, well it depends on the day and John's mood. He is two. He is still working all that out. Through all the questioning and her observing John, she said she is almost positive that he is average or above average in all areas with the exception of his communication. Not anything we didn't already know and since she is just a case worker she didn't venture to guess where he would fall in the communication category. We have an appointment for the actual therapist to come and do a hands-on evaluation with John on Monday, July 6th at 1:30. Right at nap time but i don't think he will mind getting to stay up and "play" while the others have quiet time. This will be an overall evaluation and she will be able to tell us if we need to follow-up with a speech therapist for a more comprehensive evaluation of his speech. The earliest we could have an appointment with her would be August 12th. We have tentative long term plans if needed but will take it a step at a time.




Ella is enrolled in school at Troutman Elementary. She will begin on August 25th. She is really excited. I have started talking to Jack about her leaving. He says that big girls have to go to big school so we have to take her and leave her there. Obviously Ella has already been telling him about it too. :) We feel like this is the best decision for her and the boys. Eric and I still don't like it but it is for the best.




Jack is very interested in doing "school work" these days. I am having to find him worksheets to do while Ella is working in her workbook. I know it is awful, i don't give my kids the summer off. He is still the sweetest thing ever and the biggest baby when he is tired. :) I look forward to him becoming my right hand man when Ella is gone.

John is wild. Always pushing the limits just to see how far he can go. Loves to be the center of attention. Eric says that John is going to cause him to lose his sanity. He is a handful. We are going to have to bring the smack down. :)

Ben is 4-months now. He is working on rolling over. Loves to smile and eat. We go on Monday for his check-up. Starting to talk more and sleeping from about 8:30 to 4:30. Probably because Eric's alarm clock goes off at 4:30. If he continues to sleep like this we will move him up to his room in the next few weeks. Currently he is in his portable crib in our room. I am afraid if i had to get up and walk upstairs in the middle of the night i might hurt myself.


The kids are amazing beyond belief.