Three years...we've hit the mark

It's crazy to think we've had Mason for three years this Wednesday.  With this comes some new and exciting news for Mason.

Before I begin, I want to recount some of the milestones Mason has reached in the past years. Garrett and I both looked at many sites about Down syndrome during our pregnancy. We knew he would probably need therapies and we were on it. One month after he was born, we were in contact with the Child Development Services of Mecklenburg County.  Through them, we were able to get physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.  Mason learned to walk early for those with Down Syndrome and pretty much keep up with other kids his age. 

For the first two years our insurance was great and hardly any cost came out of pocket, but this last year we have had to pay for these services. This is when the CDSA comes in and helps pay a small percentage, but we have to still come out of pocket a lot. We've been told numerous times he should be able to get medicaid.  Apparently the county dropped the ball when he was born in the hospital.  I decided back in July I would try. Big mistake!!  DSS is not the place to be.  I applied for Medicaid and then applied for disability for Mason. As of right now, he was denied medicaid and was originally denied disability.  Someone called the other day and they are still trying to get him disability.  So much for he should get it right away, but there is still a chance. 

As we wait on hearing back, Mason will turn three and finally can enter the school system. When people think school, they think it begins at kindergarten. Really, it begins at three. The other week we began the process of an IEP for students with learning disabilities. Mason was evaluated and a plan put in place. After his evaluation, they placed him at a 30% delay (approximate age 24 months) for motor skills and psychological. As for speech and communication, which is our main concern, he has a 50-60% delay (15-18 months).

Last week I met and the school system has determined that we would keep him in his daycare environment instead of placing him in a preschool in the system. Also, a special education teacher will come two times a week for 45 minutes each time to work with him and the teacher. A speech therapist will come two times a week for thirty minutes each time and an occupational therapist will come once a week for thirty minutes. 

It's great and refreshing to know he is eligible for these services and they are all free. It is also great that they are able to serve him at daycare. Garrett and I are able to continue to work our jobs.  

Summer, School, Celebrations

Wow, June 30th, it's been a while. Since then, I've finished up summer school, we went to the beach, school started back, soccer began and all the kids had birthday parties. It's safe to say, we've been busy around here. 

Jay so wanted a party at Chuck E Cheese this year. Garrett and I aren't big on places like that, but we caved and decided that is what he wanted so we would do it.  After looking for the best deal and time, we met some of his church and school friends there for some fun on a Saturday at 10:00 in the mornings. Definitely the best time to be there. We beat the chaos of tons of kids. 

It was definitely a sixth birthday he couldn't forget. Since then, Jay started first grade at Bain. He is in the new building and seems to have picked up where he left off in June. He is reading well, knows how to add and somewhat subtract, and seems to be enjoying his friends. He has a real interest in everything Pokemon.  I think Garrett and I are Pokemoned out.

Jay also started his third season of soccer.  He has really improved and become a great defensive player. 

Our next birthday was little Taylor's first birthday. I know I could have gone all out making sure I had all the bells and whistles and everything to the tee, but really it is just a party. Parties nowadays we try to be easy on ourselves.  Pizza is the staple along with of course cake. Taylor seemed excited about the cake and enjoyed every minute of it. She was too cute the entire time. 

Our last party was this weekend, Mason. He turns three on Wednesday. He is such a funny kid, but don't let him fool you, he doesn't listen that well.  We are still potty training and most of the time we put him in underwear. He will have accidents, but we are really proud of him holding it and telling us when he needs to go. We still have a ways to go.

I think he is the only kid who has cheered for himself at their own party after Happy Birthday was sung. It was too funny.  He was so excited. 

Another year has gone and we have three older kids.  The last year with Taylor has flown by.  We are definitely staying busy with everything and look forward to what's ahead. 

Public, Private, Charter, Home????

This is the question of a lot of my friends these days.  We are in that time of our lives where are kids are starting school and what are we going to do?  Where are we going to send them?  What is the best choice?

Honestly, there isn't a good answer to the questions.  It all depends on where you live, who your child is, your own experiences, and life in general.  There are pros and cons to every choice.  My husband and I come from a background of public school.  We both excelled and did well and look now have become an architect and a teacher; a public school teacher at that. 

This year, we sent our son Jay to the public school, Bain, in our area.  We could not have asked for a better school, better teachers, better staff, and I could go on, especially since I went there.  Our decision was based on several things. 
     Our school system, although some may hate it, is one of the best. 
     The system can put tons of money into technology, books, resources, teachers, where the other choices can not.   
     Our kids can be exposed to others in the area around them where maybe in another setting they can not.
     We want to spend money on our kids college and not put all that money into grades K-12 when we have perfectly good, free schools.
     In public schools, most everyone is a certified teacher.  Although not everyone would agree, testing keeps teachers on track for what they are to be teaching in the classroom, whereas elsewhere that may not be the case and they can delete anything from the curriculum.

Being a public school teacher, I see the opportunities that are available in these schools that may not be available elsewhere.  Public schools can offer more advanced/AP classes later on down the line.  Or maybe your child is not as advanced.  Later on for our middle child who has down syndrome, we will be looking at Special Education classes, therapies and such to help him through school.  In other schools, these resources are very limited if they exist at all.

Public school isn't always the answer and most of the news everyone sees is the bad at the schools.  There are tons of bad kids, they've taken God out of school, and so on.  Honestly, it is all in how your child makes it out to be and you make it out to be.  Me as a teacher can not bring up the subject or subject your student to my religion, but if someone ask me a question, I can answer it.  Students can bring Bibles; we even have a Bible class taught at our school, (a plus is it is taught by a preacher).  We also have clubs associated with Christianity. Students can pray.  We haven't taken the pledge out of the school, we say it every day.  Jay's school had a moment of silence everyday where if they wanted, could pray.  As for bad kids, they are everywhere.  The only difference is, private and charter schools can kick them out.  (to be honest, is that the right thing to do or should we be helping them where they are).  We can't and we have to find alternative ways to deal with problems.  We can get creative as teachers.

Today, we see tons of charter schools and small private institutions pop up around us, but is this really the answer?  Some of them have little funds to put into the students textbooks, technology, and learning.  Their teachers may be qualified and are the best, but are we keeping our kids from certain things? 

However, we do have some private schools in the area that are excellent and have everything, but are you willing to pay the price?  The past nine summers I have taught at Providence Day school.  Although it isn't the full private school experience, I experience enough to know that this school and a few others do, do it right.  I not only teach their students, but others around the area from other schools, mainly other private schools.  Some students do well and are right on, while others seem behind in their math skills even though they may have made an awesome score at their school.  Some students seem really sheltered while others have experienced the world.

I just caution you to choose the best for you and your child as you start to look into schools.  Some things to consider and to look into when you are trying to decide:

1.  How much of the school day is school work and learning?  Or how much is play?  Sometimes schools look great because they go to this place and have this program and that, but is that program teaching your child something?  A lot of times I see half days at some schools.  Trust me, a half day is not always the most productive since kids know they are getting out early.

2.  How are YOU as a parent involved in your child's learning?  It doesn't matter what you choose, do you sit down and do homework with your child?  Are you asking them about their school day and interested in who they played with and talked to throughout the day?  Students need to learn at home as well.  Learning doesn't stop in the classroom.

3.  Does your child have time to interact with others?  This is a key component with kids.  This can be hard for home school parents, but are you involved with other families/churches/groups/sports teams where your child can play and interact?  All too often I see parents home school their child until 8th grade and all of a sudden in 9th grade they throw them into high school.  It is culture shock, unless they have had experiences outside of the home school experience.

4.  Is the curriculum challenging enough?  A lot of times smaller schools are not challenging enough for brighter learners or maybe they are not as equipped to handle the slower learners.  Decide for yourself who your child is.  Be honest with yourself, not everyone's child is the brightest and smartest.  Decide what school is the best fit for him/her.

5.  Realize summer isn't all fun and games and vacation. Please help your teachers out by working with your kids over the summer with their schooling.  This summer, Jay continues to read and expand his reading vocabulary.  I continue to make him write every so often in a journal as well as complete two books on reading and math.

Learning is an ongoing process.  Make sure you choose the best for your child and that you are apart of this process as well.  School isn't just about them, it is about you as a parent as well.

Growing up Olin

Time flies when you are having fun.  No one tells you it goes faster having three little ones instead of just two.  Everyone is thriving and growing.

Jay:  He closed out his first year of school. He had a blast in Kindergarten with Mrs. Kane this year.  Jay went in not knowing words or how to read (honestly he wasn't prepared by his daycare like we thought), but had an open mind each day and wanted to learn.  It was great to hear his stories, who he played with, what he learned each day when he got in the car.  Each afternoon we completed homework and I saw this little boy grow up right in front of me.  He can read books, sound out words, and our favorite, do math.  I think he is going to be a math person.  I bought him a reading and math book to work out of this summer and he enjoys the math better than the reading.  This summer since I'm working (or maybe I'm working so he can go), he attends a daycare called Sunny Days.  The second week, he had received student of the week.  He complains if I pick him up too early.  Some may think that is a bad thing, but we love it because we like that he has fun without us and is able to make friends on his own.  In the blink of our eye, Jay will be in first grade and that will almost be over.

Mason:  oh Mason!!  What else can we say?  He is basically the most lovable, happy little kid.  He still only has a few words, but we are hopeful he will expand his vocabulary this next year.  He enjoys playing with Taylor and Jay.  If you are around him, be ready for a hug.  He loves to pass them out to those around him.  He can be a sneaky kid though.  He knows who and what he can get away with.  So don't think he is too cute, or he will pull something over you.  

Taylor:  she is growing and doing it fast.  She is 9 months now only weighs right under 15 pounds.  She crawls everywhere.  Pulls up on everything, and may even walk in the next few weeks.  She is definitely going to be our talker.  She makes tons of sounds and giggles and laughs at Mason a lot.  She has started this past week to try table food.  She isn't a fan of a lot, but she loves Cheerios!!

Garrett:  he is planning to leave this week for his second mission trip to Mozambique. He and his team are excited.

Morgan:  I just finished my tenth year at Butler and am in my 9th summer school term at Providence Day.  The session is almost half over already.  Time is flying!!

Happy Mother's Day

Life hasn't stopped recently and I've had little time to update on our comings and goings.  Today is Mother's Day.  The day every mother waits for to be pampered and appreciated.  For us, I was just greatful for a slower weekend without as many places to go.  Although I cleaned the inside yesterday and Garrett worked outside, it still felt a little slower paced.

I wanted to share some of our Easter photos of our family.  We really got a good shot of us five.  Its hard now with three kids to get that perfect one.

For Easter, Jay and Mason each got bikes.  Mason's bike is a balance bike with no pedals.  He's so short, he can't reach the pedals, but it is another way for him to learn without training wheels.  Jay just needed a new bike because his was getting small.  I know they don't fit in an Easter basket, but instead of candy and such, a gift that they can get more use out of is better in the long run.

Today was not only Mother's Day, but Taylor's dedication day.  Our church has changed a few things and now they only do it twice a year, with at most 10 couples at a time.  This is the time we show the church that we are going to raise our kids in a Godly home.

The kids all did great.  Taylor jumped around in my arms and made noises the entire time and Mason stole the congregations heart when he wanted to hold her Bible.  All in all, it was a great time.

Last but not least, I'll leave off with a picture of Mason.  We had spaghetti the other night, and we've really been better about letting him feed himself.  He uses a spoon, but also uses his other hand to shovel it in,  he definitely created a mess.

Hopefully the next update won't be as long, but a few things coming up if I don't get to update.

Jay's finishing up Kindergarten and me my 10th school year.  Yikes!!  The time has flown by.

Garrett's preparing to go back to Mozambique this summer.

We are starting the transition for Mason to get therapies through the school system.

T-ball is ending soon.

And many more exciting things that will really need to be shared.

Until next time....

Carline thoughts

Wow, where do I start?  It has been a very busy month of January with school delays because of the cold and days off because of snow.  Being a mom of three, with a full time job isn't the easiest thing either.  You never know, what kid will be sick, whose diaper needs changing and what appointment will be next, but we make do.  Some days we just fly by the seat of our pants and go with the flow.  My routine this year after work has been to go to carline to get Jay from school then to head to the little one's daycare.  We do Jay's school work in the car and eventually make it in to get them.  Once we get home, my second job starts of washing bottles, getting dinner ready, straightening up anything that needs to be straightened and hoping no one hurts themselves.  Or cries hysterically for something.  Sometimes we have practice of some sorts to go to or we just hang around the house after that.  By 8:00, once the kids are in bed, I'm ready to relax on the couch.

As I look back and think about this last month, I think back about how far Jay had come with his reading and everything he is doing in school.  He is always excited about little things going on.  Just last night, Garrett was quizzing him on the kids in his class.  Each kid is associated with a number.  Garrett went through all twenty-two numbers and sure enough, Jay could tell us everyone, and even added in who was bad or good.  It's the crazy things kids remember.

Mason is thriving, although not really talking much, he is making more sounds.  He can say "no" and motion all done.  More exciting this past month, he has gone potty.  Both pee and poop on the potty.  We know potty training will be a process and will be more tricky since he can't really talk much, but we are up for the challenge.  My hope is by October when he is three, he is totally potty trained.  I think we have some time.

And my girl, Taylor.  Sometimes I think poor Taylor with all these boys.  Last month at her four month visit she rounded out at 11 pounds 6 ounces.  A tiny thing.  She has begun sleeping through the night with occasionally waking up at 4:00 to eat.  If she sleeps the whole night I usually feed her around 5:30 before I leave.  And in the last week, she had begun to really talk.  She laughs and giggles at her brothers and makes all sorts of noises.

It's crazy how fast time flies and how each one of them grows up.  I'm always looking forward to the next thing my kids learn how to do.

Been a while

So it's been quite a while since I've updated the blog, but I'm a mother of three with a full time job and am always on the go.  I last updated before thanksgiving when Taylor was two months old.  Two months later, I'm getting around to another update.  

Lots has happened since then .

1.  Mason got his third set a tubes the day before Thanksgiving.  He has become terrified of doctors and he really didn't want to be at the surgery center that morning.  Forget the gown, he did not like it so he got to wear his own clothes.  He did get through it and was easier when he woke up.  Later that day, he was Christmas shopping and acting normal.

This is his picture before surgery.

2.  We celebrated thanksgiving with each of our families.

3.  We celebrated Christmas with both of our families.  Jay received tons of Legos which he has now put together and they cover my buffet in the kitchen.

I don't think it will ever look the same again.

Mason got little people toys and Taylor, well, what do you get a three month old? Who knows??!!  She did end up with a shopping cart that Mason has played with a couple of times.

4.  Jay also started his first season of basketball.  We've had two games thus far and we can already tell he is awesome on defense.  Jay is very aggressive and goes after the ball.

Here's just a little bit of what we've done.   Hopefully I'll have time to update after Taylor's four month appointment Monday.