First Day of School

Thank you to everyone that called and emailed yesterday to wish us "Happy First Day of School"... especially for Maggie! All of your prayers worked, and things went very smoothly!

Corbett went in to work late, so that he could participate in the monumental moment. We were up and ready, and we went in to wake up the kids. I turned on Maggie's light (she was sound asleep!), and she hopped up and said, "I'm ready for Kindergarten!" She went straight to her clothes we had set out, but I put her off from getting ready at least until she finished breakfast. She was soon ready to be excused from the table so that she could get ready. Everyone got dressed with their new "duds" and we stopped for a brief photo op! Unfortunately, my battery on my camera was running out, but I did manage to get a few pics before it went dead. (I know, Mom... you told me to make sure it was ready!)

We walked Maggie into her class (this is allowed the first 2 days - after that, she's on her own). We walked in, and her teacher remembered her name. She instructed Maggie to find a seat and begin coloring an apple. Maggie did just that, and smiled the entire time! Corbett and I stood at the door, waiting for her to look up so we could tell her bye. She finally did, and she just waved to us! Maggie did say on the way to school that she was scared yesterday, but today - she was excited! And it showed.

Then, as we drove to the boys new Mother's Day Out, Chap questioned: "You will play with me, Mommy?" He knew his worst fear was about to come true. He cried for a minute when we left him, but he contained it until that time. And, he didn't cry for long, I hear (thanks Brigette!). Whit was like a deer in headlights... not really sure what was happening, but knowing something was up and taking it all in.

All three were in one piece and excited at the school day's end! Maggie is ready to go back, Chap is not, and Whit couldn't care less - either way! All are in bed, and resting up for another day at it!

Excited and ready to go! The first shot w/ my camera! (whew, thank you battery!)

Chap and his puppy (with Corbett's phone) - he did manage to part with the puppy and leave it in my car with no fuss!

We didn't get a picture of just Whit... he wouldn't be still enough for a picture w/ our phone... and my camera had gone kaput.

They don't fit on the bench as well as they did last year!! - the second and last shot I got w/ my camera!

Corbett managed to snap a shot with his phone!

Finally!!

Have you ever been to a pharmacist, handed them a prescription, and then were turned away and said that you do not need it? Sounds kinda crazy, doesn't it?

That is the way it has been with Texas Children's Therapy services and Whit's developmental neuro-cognition prescription! (Wonder if we can say that five times fast?) I had to do some persuading to get PT services at TCH, and we were turned away from Speech services rather matter of factly.... even with the prescription in hand - a long story... with an evaluation that didn't show much validity! It has been a frustrating month dealing with them! Even as we went to schedule his PT sessions with TCH, they were not flexible with our schedule at all. However, in the mean-time, the idea of River Kids - a Home Health therapy provider located in Pearland was recommended. (Thanks Brigette!) Whit's pediatrician also said that she had heard good things about them, and had a few parents in the practice that use them. So, while being declined at TCH, we have been in the process of having him evaluated by River Kids.

YEAH!! Physical Therapy starts actual therapy tomorrow! YIPEE!! An Occupational Therapist came for the evaluation today, and evaluated him and talked with Corbett (yeah Daddy - even though he was sweating it, he did a GREAT job!). Both therapists at each evaluation reacted as if it was a done deal to provide services... no questions asked! Finally! They're reading and fulfilling our prescription!! We can have his Speech re-evaluated with River Kids, but for now we are going to continue working very diligently with him on his speech and language - and the OT and PT therapists are going to help with his overall development and cognition during their session times. Our insurance only allows a certain amount of outpatient therapy visits, so we are concentrating on his motor coordination with OT and PT right now. Finally! We're headed somewhere!

Another place we're headed.... Kindergarten and 5 days/week Mother's Day Out for the boys! Finally!? No, NOT FINALLY! Here is a picture of their first day of school last year...

You can betcha I'll have another one on Monday!

Change

My Dad's mother is one of the most steadfast, sweet, and sensitive ladies I know. Each time we go to her house, she prepares a spread of food for us - from appetizers, to the main course, to dessert. My grandfather passed away on November 14, 2005 and his funeral was held on November 17, 2005. She was determined amidst all of her grief and heartache to still provide a wonderful Thanksgiving meal for all of us. And she did! Her steadfastness showed! She followed with a wonderful Christmas for us as well that December. She loves holidays and makes a presentation that is hard to resist.

Memaw always greets with a strong smile. She just recently moved from her house in Silsbee, Texas to a new house in Liberty, Texas. She moved into her house in Silsbee in July of 1947 and moved out of her house last weekend. Boxes and boxes of memories to unpack and a new place to adjust to after 62 years. I went over to see her on Friday during the move, and of course - she smiled. It had been a long day, but she was still trudging along with things that needed to be done. She was even ready to cook my dad and uncle a meal on Saturday night (but they didn't let her)!

Here is a picture of her with her 6 great grandkids... and reading to Chap...