Back to School

It's back to school time at our house!

Antalya had her first day of Kindergarten.
She was so excited when I woke her up this morning and told her it was finally the day she could go to Kindergarten school. Her smile lasted all morning!

Last Thursday I got a call from the charter school I have been hoping and praying for, that they just had a spot come available for Antalya if we wanted it. After meeting with the special ed director and finding out she would have a one-on-one aide in a mainstream classroom, I jumped on it. I think it will be an ideal set up for this year. The school is only two miles from our home. There are four other little kids with Down syndrome at the school, and two of those had her same teacher for Kindergarten the previous two years. 

I have a feeling it will be a great year for my little girl!

And today was my first day back at school. I graduated with a bachelors eight years ago, and have been wanting to go back to school ever since but couldn't decide what I wanted to do. These last few years had me thinking more and more seriously about becoming a speech therapist. I finally feel like the time is right for me to take some classes part time. 

After some research I realized that in order to apply to the Master's program I have to have a undergrad in communicative disorders. So, today, I began work on my 2nd Bachelor's degree. It will take a couple years of part time classes before I can apply to the Master's program, but that's alright. 

And Victoria starts preschool next week. I decided that if I was going back to school, I needed a few quiet hours a week to get my studying done, so I found a neighborhood preschool three days a week for Victoria to go to. She is so excited!

So, here's hoping it's a great school year for all us girls in the house!

Horses and Haircuts

Antalya has just completed her summer riding lessons. It's been a great experience for her, and I'm hoping we are able to do another session sometime in the near future.

Although there are many places near us that offer riding lessons, we opted to drive the extra distance to the National Ability Center since we had such an amazing experience with them last winter with Antalya's ski lessons (and did I mention they have scholarships available to help cover some or all of the cost?).

At each lesson, before she could mount her horse, she had to brush her, clean out her hooves, help get the reins and saddle, and lead the horse around the arena. I love that they teach about the whole experience, and make the kids participate in caring for the horse.

Once her horse was all ready Antalya would go for a short trail ride with her horse. She had to tell it when it to go, "walk on", and when to stop, "whoa", and listen for prompts to turn left or right.

On a completely different note, Victoria decided to give herself and Antalya haircuts on Sunday while I was busy doing the dishes. When she was finished she came to show me. She was so proud of herself that it helped distill most of my anger. Luckily she just cut a few inches from Antalya's hair, who is now sporting a cute little bob cut (pictures coming soon). But on her own hair, she had cut it clear to the scalp in several locations, and completely butchered everything on top from ear to ear. It was a true mullet! She is now sporting a modern chic look. I still think she is completely adorable, and in some ways, the short hair shows off her dark eyes more.

Splash!

The count down to school has begun.

Two weeks!

Just two more weeks until this house can get cleaned and organized again.

Just two weeks until we have a daily routine back.

 We've enjoyed the lazy mornings and late nights.

We enjoyed all the popsicles, splashing, campfires, and picnics.

 But I am feeling oh-so-ready for Fall!

Ready for structure.

Ready for busy mornings and early bedtimes.

Ready for whatever will come our way this next school year!

But for two more weeks we will soak up whatever summer is left!

Three

Happy 3rd Birthday to my Little Sunshine!

Just Go With It

Today we took an unexpected road trip from home and back again. 

Jason was supposed to catch a Greyhound bus to Las Vegas this morning, but due to some miscommunications we got him to the bus station just as the bus was pulling out. We were left with no choice but to drive him the extra 2 1/2 hours to the next stopping place along the route so he could hop on the bus there. And then the girls and I would have to drive the 3 hours back home again. Since we were already an 1/2 hour from our home, there was no time to turn back and get whatever distractions we would normally bring along for a day in the car.

Luckily the girls and I left the house this morning all wearing shoes (this doesn't always happen), and I had grabbed my purse and phone out of habit. But that was about all we had. No books, no coloring pads, no DVD's, no snacks, and with no radio signal across central Utah the only music option available was an old (and somewhat scratched) CD of Shakira.

But we did it. And we even smiled along the way!

It was nice to have a few extra hours with Jason before we had to part, and we got to stop in for a visit at Auntie Gayle's house. Uncle Steve and her live the home that my great-grandfather built with his own hands 60 years ago, in a town so small there isn't even a traffic light. If you ask me, it's like visiting a little piece of paradise. And the girls love visiting because they have what Antalya has named the "princess house" playground, and a little jeep the girls can drive by themselves. And in their eyes, the thirty minutes to play at Auntie Gayle's house was well worth the 3 hours in the car to get there.

(The old one room log cabin in the background is the home that my grandfather was raised in, the newer cinderblock home in the far right corner is the one my great-grandfather built for his family with the life insurance money he received when his son was killed in the Korean war).

And tonight my heart is full of gratitude that what could've been a long and frustrating day turned out to be a very pleasant one. I am grateful for two little girls that have learned to just go with the flow. They constantly remind me to live in the moment, and enjoy the moment you are living. They are my heroes!

The Beach

One of the highlights of our trip to California was the day we spent at the beach. It was the first time the girls have seen the ocean in a warm setting. Which, according to Jason is the only true way to experience the beach. 

The girls were in heaven!

The feel of the sand on our feet, the warm sun, the ocean breeze, and the waves crashing were enough for all of us to feel we had spent the morning in Paradise!

Disneyland

We're back from Disneyland!

It was everything we were hoping for and more!

Cars Land was as fun we imagined it to be.

We stumbled upon Aurora in front of her castle and didn't even have to wait in line to meet her.

My little princess waiting in line to meet Ariel and Tiana.

Teacup Smiles!

 Ariel was sweet.

 The Mickey Soundsational Parade was truly sensational! We watched it three times and could've watched it more if we had had more days.

My little Snow White got to give the real Snow White a hug!

And who doesn't love Goofy!

More to come...

The Pasta Jar

This jar may not look like much, but let me assure you - it is magic. As in "the-most-magical-place-on-earth" magic!

For the last two weeks the girls have been earning pasta for good behavior, good listening, good helping, and so on. At the end of the day, I hand out the pasta they earned that day and they excitedly place it in our "pasta jar".

In just a few more days the pasta will reach the top of the jar and we will be on our way to Disneyland!

I can hardly wait!

The End of Preschool

Antalya is officially done with preschool.

It always felt like I had so long before I needed to start worrying about IEP's, school transitions, inclusion issues, and so on. 

I thought I would be so prepared when the day came.

But now it's here. And I'm not.

But regardless, time moves on, preschool has come to an end, and ready or not, Antalya is headed to Kindergarten in the fall.

Antalya has thrived in all the different preschool settings she has been. 

And this year was no different. 

We will miss her wonderful teachers and all the sweet kids in her class (especially one little boy that would occasionally say, "Antalya come sit by me" when I dropped her off. And everytime he did my eyes would swell up and I have to resist the urge to run over and hug him).

On the last day of school, Victoria and I joined her class for a picnic and party outside. 

There are many opinions, and every child is different, but for Antalya, I feel a mainstream classroom is where she needs to be. 

And I am completely unwilling to bend on that issue. 

Here in Utah, that is not the general rule. And even though Antalya has always attended a mainstream classroom and has done really well, the concluding opinion at her transitional IEP meeting was to send her to a special ed kindergarten class. 

I saw it coming, and in my panic decided the best course of action would be to apply to every charter school within 20 miles in hopes that I would find one with a small class size and a willingness to help every child in the class succeed. 

Maybe it was luck, or chance, or an answer to prayers, but she got offered a spot at a Montessori school  for next year. We'll have a 25 min drive each way, but the school has small classes and has already been down the road of helping a kindergarten child with Down syndrome succeed in a regular classroom. 

We thought it over and over, and decided the only downside was the drive, and it was by far the best option we had available for next year. So come next fall, Antalya will start her elementary school experience in a mainstream classroom, where I know she needs to be. 

And I am so grateful!

A Very Merry Un-Birthday To You!

I picked up an old VHS copy of Disney's Alice in Wonderland at the goodwill shop a few weeks ago. It has become the movie of choice ever since.

Today I did a little un-birthday party for the girls. Every time I said "un-birthday" Antalya would quickly reply with, "No, it's MY birthday!"

And so, a very merry un-birthday to YOU!