(part of) the week in review...

I don't care what my kids tell you, they don't lack for fun once in a while.  Last Saturday we went to a party for one of my co-worker's son's birthday at Jumpin' Jungle.  As usual, the kids had an absolute blast. For some reason, I had energy ranging in the negative amounts that day. I honestly had a hard time getting up to take the pictures.  So enjoy...they came at great effort on my part. :)

She learned something from t-ball this summer...

I wish this picture had turned out of Adelaide.  

These are some pretty dang cute sisters.

And Christian finally makes an appearance on the blog!!!

 The girls jousting.  Or Adelaide flashing her diaper, whatever you decide.

This was right before Adelaide's pull-up disintegrated on one of the slides.

Oops. I guess they aren't as absorbent as diapers? 

There was no warning on the label. 

Thanks, Emily, for cleaning up that mess 

(I was next door at the Dollar Tree 

conveniently when that happened...)

Anyway, great time had by all. 

Thanks Katy and Will for inviting us, and Mr. Sebastian for turning 2!

 

And in other weekly news...speech therapy with Susie Jones at the 

Elks Hearing & Balance Center in Nampa! Adelaide has been attending twice weekly since she was about one? Eighteen months? I can't remember how long, but a LONG time. For months and months, I was so discouraged because I felt like there was no progress being made.  But the last three or four months have been incredible! Adelaide continues to impress us each and every visit.  Her vocabulary is expanding by leaps and bounds, and each word she says (or signs) is so precious to my ears (or eyes).  

So, so grateful for technology and for the tremendous people that have been placed in our lives to help us; I know there is no conceivable way that she would be where she is without some very significant help.   Here's a shout-out to Susie Jones, Karrie Pargman, Tammy Wilhoite, and Dr. Beck....

The Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind (it used to be ISDB, and then they switched it to IESDB - Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind, hello cumbersome acronym!!) has had the greatest play groups this summer!  We have a mentor from IESDB that has come every week since Adelaide was about 2 months old. Her name is Tammy Jenks (Wilhoite now) and aside from the six months I lived in Meridian, she has been our consultant and really has been so awesome to us. During summer months she doesn't come, but we see her at most of the summer activities.  The activities are also a great time for me, because I get to meet other parents who have children with hearing loss. We compare histories and stories, and try and glean information from each other's experiences.   On Tuesday, we had an activity at Jabbers, which is an indoor play place they opened somewhat recently in Nampa. What a neat place! The co-owner was the principal at ISDB in Gooding about twenty years ago, fluent in sign, and had offered the play date free of charge for Regions III and IV (essentially the entire Treasure Valley).  How kind! And how fun for the kids! They LOVED it!  (Whew!! Sorry about the long paragraph! Did you make it???)

My kids have high aspirations...watch out Albertsons...

Something I love about Christian and Adelaide is that they are so willing to play with whoever they meet. They don't need me for anything...they're off like a rocket to play with whoever will tolerate them. Olivia is my shy child. She's glued to my side about 90% of the time.  Anyway, here is Adelaide, plunked down next to some total stranger, having an imaginary drink and some food. Actually, who are we kidding? It's Adelaide.  She's definitely having some imaginary candy.  I'll try and get a picture of her doing the sign for candy.  It's the index finger on your cheek, moving back and forth.  I'm surprised there isn't a dent in her cheek. 

It's by far the sign she uses most often. 

Chilling in a mini adirondack chair next to the BBQ...

Just a random side note....when did they start outfitting 

Barbie dolls with g-strings?

And in gardening news...yes, my corn row is still there. I had to borrow a long-sleeve flannel from Grandma Hyer on Tuesday night so I didn't break out in hives from the corn.  I'm not going to lie, I was hoping the remaining five rows would have been knocked out by this week, but no such luck...

Looking good...

And the apricots are on...

And in other random news...Andrew's birthday was this week! He gives me grief for being old all the time, and it's true, I am two months older than him....but we are now the same old age of 29!!  Yikes! Thirty is on the horizon and looking treacherous! I have some pictures from the week's festivities, but I think they'll have to wait for another post.  Until then (you few, few readers), have a wonderful weekend! I'm looking forward to a few runs, a little sleep, and the horse races!