Recap: End of 6th grade and other stuff

Pretend it's April/May/June.

Right after Elena's Honor Choir field trip, she had a field trip to Shenandoah National Park (literally the next day). The weather was horrible (pouring rain), Elena got left behind on the hike (I was seriously pissed off, but things happen). She was with her aide and myself. Long story, lessons learned, etc. but in essence, just about everyone on that trip was pretty miserable. At any rate, it was *memorable*.

Just...horrible. (This was a short break in the pouring rain.)

We went to a friend's beach house (so lovely!). We played games, played in the ocean, E and Viv even got to kayak and paddleboard! We had such a GREAT TIME. Super fun, and the kids were pretty independent. As a matter of fact, their first move on the beach was to paddleboard out of sight (quickly followed by parents).

Paddleboarding!

How I like to kayak.

Elena had her 12th birthday. TWELVE. Honestly, there's so much to say, but as I'm still playing catch-up, I'll leave it at this: Elena is rocking it right now. She has a good sense of her disability, is very real about it, but tries very hard to not let it get in her way. She is growing more responsible and mature (but not too quickly!) and makes us proud every day. We love you E!

E at the school Track Meet. Her relay team was AWESOME. She is carrying her baton in her "pocket shirt".

May consisted of school SOLs (Standard of Learning) and Elena had goals to pass all of them, with an Advanced Pass in Language Arts (she has never had an advanced pass, and in the past these tests have been incredibly anxiety provoking and she has failed several). She only had two; she passed her Math SOL (solidly!) and was one point away from an Advanced Pass in LA. Wow!

June was the end of school wrap-up; concerts (Elena), performance (Vivian), sports (baseball for Viv), and a flurry of academic presentations to showcase the kids' achievements. Honestly, it felt like something was happening every evening for the first two weeks of June. I loved seeing what the kids (and their friends) had accomplished this year--impressive!

Vivian ended the school year with great grades (numbers, not letter grades or tests yet, much to her dismay) and Elena ended up with all As (including MATH!!!) with one high B (Language Arts). She worked HARD for those grades, I tell you. What a year. I can't believe I'm writing this, but 6th grade was a smash hit!!

Pre-Thanksgiving Round-Up

Life has been good here. Girls are busy with school (Elena is working hard, and getting great grades!) and Vivian has her own activities--gymnastics and violin. I knew she was getting weary of "going to all Elena's appointments", so I've managed to carve out some time by picking the kids up from school and by fitting in a few activities for Viv during E's therapy time. It's a constant but rewarding juggle.

Here is what we've been up to in the last month!

Graves Mountain Lodge

We met up with Grandma and Grandpa at Graves Mountain. It's a beautiful place, nestled in a beautiful valley that's absolutely breathtaking during Fall Foliage season. We missed the dazzling colors by a week--but it was still fun.

With Grandma at the booths

Dad and his girls

Models after chase in the grass

Hay Maze was great fun!

The best parts were the apples and the Hay Maze--it was the first maze the kids have been in that we didn't have to be with them. Most parents (not me) could see over the bales well and find their kids if they were gone for too long. The maze was challenging, the kids loved it, and they both eventually escaped!


Vivian's 7th Birthday

Vivian chose "Interstellar Cinderella" as her birthday party theme this year. It's a space-age, tinkering, empowered-girl spin on a Cinderella story. Her friends had lots of dress up options--princess, fairy, with some space-steampunk accessories to jazz things up. (I spent a lot of time making the Space Goggles...a lot of time.) They were tasked to work together to make a robot, then program the robot (Jason in the designed robot "suit") to rescue cupcakes abducted by rogue space aliens in their spacecraft (cardboard spaceship outside). Then it was fort-making, running around playtime. Elena did a fantastic job as a guide--she really helped the younger kids work collectively without giving them too much instruction--a very mature role that she did very well.

Assembling the Dad-Bot

Spaceship on the move!

Vivian enjoyed her party. Her big present, now that she is SEVEN, was she got her ears pierced! She loves them. She did have to get one ear re-peirced, as she ripped out an earring (just ripped the post off, did not rip her earlobe) while taking off a bike helmet. The other big deal about being seven is she has a mouthful of loose teeth...I expect most of them to be out by the end of the year!

Halloween

Viv's party was actually celebrated on Halloween, so it ended up being a pretty busy day. After the party we put together the kids' costumes. Vivian wanted to be "regular" Cinderella (using a dress-up we had) and Elena originally wanted to be Inspector Gadget, but I didn't have the time to put that together. Instead, she chose a minion--which was great, b/c we put a pair of Space Goggles to good use!

E as Minion

Bubble Adventure

I had an idea of making huge bubbles for a long while now, but haven't been able to walk well enough to try it. Now that I can, we set out on a Big Bubble Experiment before the weather turned really cold. We set out at a nearby park, mixed our ingredients, and voila!

Photo credit: Elena

Photo credit: Vivian

It was a little too windy for making huge bubbles--they could have been the size of cars, but I couldn't close the bubble in time. My arms/hands were exhausted after making bubbles for over an hour (the wands are huge poles)...I'll have to make some changes next time to try to conserve energy and lighten the weight. The kid not chasing bubbles was the photographer--Elena really enjoyed it!

Why am I always behind? October round-up

Life has certainly been busy here.  There is so much going on--school, drama, school volunteering (me), homework, therapy, doctors visits...and lots of fun.  October was a beautiful, fun month--so here's some of the things we did!

Random acts of Fall

We've been working hard on our Fall Bucket list.  Hot chocolate, stargazing, leaf raking/jumping, bike riding, making pumpkin treats, seeing friends...it's been great.  E can spend more time outside now that the mosquitos are gone for the season.

Leaf Pile Action!

Belvedere Plantation

When the girls were small, we'd bring the wagon and pull both.  Last year, they both walked the whole time--amazing!  This year, with Elena's crouch issues, I brought our double jogger stroller.  Not a great fit...but neither is her wheelchair.  If anyone has a good suggestion for a mobility solution when terrain is too challenging for a wheelchair, and can accommodate two small kids, please comment.  Both E and Viv are close to 40 lbs, FYI.

Anyway, we had an awesome time as usual!  Here are some of my favorite pictures!

Vivian insisted on standing on a little hill

Fam Sunflower picture!

We tried to do EVERYTHING this year--last year we ran out of steam for the corn maze.  With the stroller, Elena and Vivian lasted longer.  Elena had trouble in some of the same areas--keeping her feet on the tractor bike pedals, trying to get on the bouncing pillow.  We had some successes too, like navigating deep hay and getting a running start on the zipline.

Viv has a bit of a competitive streak

E loves the zipline

Ready Aim FIRE!

Both girls had a chance to fire the pumpkin cannon.  Vivian was the first one to hit the target!  She won a free bag of kettle corn!  Elena was chosen to fire the BIG cannon (they pick one child per hour)--and hit the target too, winning us another bag!  They were the only kids I saw there to win!

Falling off the ropeswing into the hay

 Vivian was chosen to be our guide for the corn maze.  She definitely got us lost.  Lucky for us, Elena thought it funny (instead of being too tired to see the humor) and we all had fun as evening came.

Where's Vivian?

My Pumpkins

Halloween

I let the kids pick their costumes.  Normally they pick ones that go together, and this year was no exception.  Even though I am a classic Star Wars Nerd, I had no influence in their choices.  Yes, they are homemade--Viv's is mostly cardboard and paint (she refused to model for me, so the headpiece didn't fit on quite right) and Elena's is recycled plastic and paint, put on like armor with painted duct tape.  It worked out better than I expected!  No headpiece on Elena--I figured it wouldn't work out with her glasses, and this took so long to put on I didn't have time to put gold makeup on her face and make her crutches black.  No big deal.

E is C-3PO and Viv is R2D2

I expected Elena to last about an hour (previous years it was 2 hours), and she surprised me.  Again, 2 hours, and again, no carrying!


Vivian's Birthday!  

Vivian had her 6th birthday (!) celebration!  She chose a Fairy theme, so we made Fairy houses, played outside, and had a mini scavenger hunt.  Everyone enjoyed good food and great company and lots of playtime.

Dear Vivian,

Happy 6th birthday to you, my little ball of entropy!  You love fairies, legos, Barbie, and computer learning games.  You love being in Kindergarten, even though you read like a second-grader!  You are so helpful at home, and patient with the rest of the family (most of the time!).  Your favorite colors are still purple, pink, and white (in that order) and you want to be a veterinarian when you grow up!  You love baby animals, especially four-legged furry ones of all types.  You can't wait to lose your first tooth, and are looking forward to the cold weather.  I promise I will get you into a dance class as soon as I can!

We love you to pieces, sweetie darling!

Love,
Mommy, Daddy, and Elena

Happy 9th Birthday Doodle!

Elena turned 9 years old April 30th.

NINE.  She is definitely growing up, my girl.

We did not have a party.  April was way too busy. Tutoring, test prep (SOLs), spring break, therapies, homework.  We (all of us) decided to postpone Elena's birthday party until next month (this month, May.  I'm late posting this).

Dear Elena,

Happy, happy, happy birthday my darling.  We have learned a lot together this year.  You love school, your friends, being outside, being active...even though you--and everyone around you--know this is a little different for you.  And it's fine.  With everyone. 

You picked a pretty grown-up restaurant for your birthday dinner.  You still love olives, don't like oysters-on-the-half-shell (neither do I!), enjoy trying new foods,  and love a good soda drink.

You love singing, art, and playing outside (which is newly independent for you).  You love school and your friends.  We (your family) are your biggest cheerleaders.  Your favorite colors are still pink, purple, and orange.  You love to read and "work out".   Your favorite subjects in school (in order, I think) are Music, Art, PE, and everything else.  You love electronics and swings, biking and iPad, American Girl and helping Mom.

I won't lie.  You are a high-maintenance kid.  And worth every minute, girl.  We love every thing, and everything, about you.

We love you always, and in all ways,

Mommy and Daddy and Vivian

Vivian's Witchy Fifth Birthday

Amidst all the Halloween drama, I was also planning Vivian's birthday party.  She chose her theme as "Witchy Party", so we decided on a dress-as-witchy-as-possible party, with some songs, broom games, and making a Witch's Brew!

***more pictures will be added as I get permission from parents to post***

We started off with the kids learning part of a song--Witches' Brew by Hap Palmer.  It was a great way to regroup the kids (using the chant from the song) and it kept the theme going.

Broom sweep game

I had decided to make a huge cauldron (out of cardboard, duct tape, black paint, a few trash bags for the liner--and a good amount of dry ice!) and have the kids add ingredients as we made the brew.  I had tubes containing ingredients (some same, some different) in a three decorated boxes.  I divided the kids into three groups and had them search their tubes to find the next ingredient--the brave ones stepped up to add it to the pot.  

I help Elena add "eye of newt"

Adding "crushed bones"

All but a few ingredients were common kitchen goods, with different names.  "Skin from a witch's nose" (bran flakes), "eye of newt" (cous cous with a black dot painted on each one), "crushed bones" (flour), "clay from the lost red temple" (crushed up red chewable vitamin), etc.  There was also purple pixie dust (glitter) and a fallen rainbow (nontoxic crayon shavings).  My personal favorite was "a dash of invisibility" (an empty tube).  The kids were confused.

"What does it look like?"  one child asked.

"I don't know, it's invisible!"  I answered.

Vivian finally found an empty tube.  "Is this it?"

I nodded.

"How much do I add?"

"Well, " I told her, "you don't want to add to much!"

Her action was priceless.  She cautiously approached the cauldron, and tipped it just a smidge.  I told her to put a little more in, and she shook it a bit.  The kids were spellbound.

Vivian making sure the "Ghost Juice" was "rat-infused"

After all the ingredients were added, we danced around the cauldron singing our silly song.  Then I removed the top from the secret pot inside (containing mostly Grape Fanta--some of the hot water and frost gatorade did creep in the pot, as well as a few crayon shavings) and ladled out some to taste.  No one was interested in trying any with me, until I told them how delicious it was.  Then everyone had some (even some parents).  I warned the kids to take it easy, as the brew might have too much invisibility in it.

Then the pizza arrived, and the kids played around the yard.  We sang to Vivian, and had birthday cupcakes.  I asked the kids what power they enjoyed most from the Brew, and it ranged from "super speed" to "invisibility" to "sparkle power" to my own, "extreme tiredness".

Huge thanks to Vivian's friends, Nana and PopPop, and especially Adam at asmphotography for the great pictures (you can find him and more of his work here) for coming out to celebrate Vivian!


My Dearest Vivian,

When you woke up the morning of your 5th birthday, you jumped in to show me how short your pajama sleeves had become overnight because you "turned into a five-year old".  You are inquisitive, hilarious, expressive, and emotional.  You're our little ball of entropy.  You love purple, dancing, being loud, and turning things into a competition--even though you argue it isn't.  You love, support, and look up to your big sister.  You love to catch and throw kisses, read, cuddle, and do our Fancy Five handshake.

I joke that I want you to "stop growing".  I'd be lying if I wish, only a little, this wasn't true.  If I could put this time in a bottle and savor it forever, I would.  You are a joy.

We love you to pieces, always and in all ways,

Mommy, Daddy, and Elena

Super 8

I'm just starting to plan Elena's Great 8 birthday party.

If you've been reading this blog, than you know that we tend to go a little crazy at birthday parties.

Elena chose her theme as "The Octothon".  There will be 8 silly games, played in teams.  If you have any game ideas, preferably that do not require amazing balance or athletic ability, please leave a comment!

If you'd like to send E a letter (snailmail)--SHE LOVES MAIL and it would be such a nice surprise!

Please email me at cpmom2009 AT yahoo DOT com if you're interested.

To our regular pen pals, thank you so much for your cards and letters.  We'd love more exchanges!

My Very Busy Vivian

Dear Vivian,

HAPPY FOURTH BIRTHDAY TO YOU, my little ball of entropy!

For your 4th birthday party, you chose the theme "Busytown" (Richard Scarry's Busytown).  We invited your friends and classmates (you are in preschool now!!) and everyone had a great time with the vehicles Mommy made, and playing in our little busy "town".  Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for helping, and taking so many great pictures! (It was hard for me to choose just a few...)

Viv driving the Apple car

Stop Apple!

E's Lowly hat

Viv fills up J's ride

E in the convertible

Z in the Pickle car

E speeds down the road

E in the convertible

Z peering through the Apple car

A and Viv find the leaf pile

Happy Bday Girl

A and J

J drives the Banana car

S working the local store

E scooted all by herself

Viv convertible

Z liked to talk and drive

Too young to drive

E works the "gas pump"

M liked the animal noses

O bikes

M in the Delivery Truck

S drives the Tow Truck

Z in the Race Car

"Moms at the shop"

The Busy Birthday in action!

 Thanks to all our friends who came to celebrate Viv's birthday with us!  We had such a great time!

We celebrated with a little cupcake on your actual birthday.  Your birthday wish was that Mommy and Daddy would always be there to take care of you.  OF COURSE.  :)

Making her wish

Vivian, you are such a bright girl who lights up our lives.  You're inquisitive, mischievous, creative, imaginative, and funny.  You love your big sister with all your heart.

We love you to pieces,

Mommy, Daddy, and Elena