Happy November!

Our 3rd Halloween!

How cute is this. Amelia was uspset that I forgot my Winnie-the-Pooh ears, which she insisted I wear tonight.

The Good, The Bad, and The Irritated (Me)

Well, last week was just sucky. But now that I look back on it, it was just one thing that was really sucky, but it destroyed any good mood that may have crept into my psyche.

Last week was evaluation week for Evan. Three of them done by his OT, his PT, and the Infant Toddler Program case managers, which is a developmental evaluation.  Can Evan do everything a toddler with two perfect arms can do at 3 years? Yes! Fine and Gross motor skills. He is awesome!!!

But as for the developmental aspect, well, he completed every skill test with flying colors. EXCEPT: he was supposed to stack blocks of the same color together. He stacked the yellow, then the red, then just started building a tower with the rest of the blocks, completely ignoring the lady. I giggled. The lady did not. She told me this was troublesome and that she would have to report it to the state. Everyone I tell this story to literally LOLs. But I was steaming!! Don't worry, I have written a letter... Apparently, according to his PT, the test is mandatory and they have to report everything and cannot take your word that they do something at home. She told me that they test until they can't do something, even if the test skill is for 48 months. She also said that the person doing the test should never have used that language with me. Don't worry, I have written a letter...

Also, recent events at school (aggressive behavioral issues don't mix with a kid with physical issues) have made me realize that I don't want to accept any help from the state regarding pre-school for kids with delays. We are parting ways.

The Good News:

1) Evan's heart is great! There is still a residual VSD of 2mm, which should close over the next few years. We don't go back to the cardiologist for two years.

2) Evan is 25lbs and Amelia is 22lbs! Still less than 3 percentile, but they are growing, and quite a bit lately. The doc said they should have a growth spurt soon. We'll see!

3) The kids are both talking away like mini-adults. Amelia is now using "phrases with 'tude", such as: "Yeah, Momma, that's right", "whatever you want", and "I'm pretty sure __" ("I'm pretty sure I'm right", "I'm pretty sure Evan needs to keep his hands to himself", etc.)

Here is a Flip video I took last night. It's supposed to be HD, but it doesn't look that great to me. I haven't been able to upload any because of our crappy internet, but now we have unlimited!

Loooong Week- Vacay in Mass

We are back from vacation so we can get back to normal again, whatever that is. Here are some pics from our fun with cousins. We went a lot of places, it was just so beautiful out the entire week. It would be so nice to live near them. At least on the same coast would be nice!

Frerich Farms, Warren, Rhode Island

Edaville USA (steam train and amusement rides), Cranberry Fest, Carver, MA

Public Gardens, Boston, MA

Buttonwood Park, New Bedford, MA

Dealing

I'm not sure if I don't have the time write, or if blogging is just low on my list right now. I don't have much to say. I have been dealing with staying at school to protect Evan from "the new kid". I have been dealing with people who insist on teaching my kids manners instead of letting them speak for themselves or having me do it. I have been dealing with tantrums. I have been dealing with the military health care system. I have been dealing with poop for 32 months and I'd like it to stop.

I have NOT been dealing with vacation preparations or cleaning the house. I sure would rather type this right now than do that, though!

Here is a funny video someone made that I wanted to share. I have dealt with almost all of the crazy things the blond mom is saying. I am going to make my own when I have a minute!

There Are No Playgounds At Nat'l Parks. Waa, waa...

Last week we took my dad and the kids on a short overnight road trip to different areas of the Olympic National Park. It was beautiful. We got amazing pictures. But it was not without whining, tears, and headaches.

The worst part of the trip was the overnight part. For some reason, this time at a hotel was a nightmare. A living nightmare since there was no sleep involved. Amelia would not sleep and John ended up in the van with her to not disturb others in the hotel. He figured she would fall asleep while driving around Forks for three hours. He was wrong. I have no idea how she kept going through the next day, but she did.

Somehow we made it through the second day, to the beach and up a 17 mile road to the top of the mountains.  This day was the hardest because the kids didn't understand that there are no playgrounds at national parks. The whole day they were saying, "Where's the playgound? I want to go to the park!"

It really was worth it for the pictures, though:
(Can you tell Evan didn't want to pose for pictures?)

Busy, Busy

Two weeks since I've posted?! We must have been busy... though I don't quite remember. One of the side effects of having twins. I do remember having issues with trying to get out of here next year. I do remember going to some parks. I had some friends visit. Yep, I think we were busy. Here is a recap of what the kids have been doing:

The Kitsap County Fair- Evan's Dopplebunny.

Painting Modern Art for the living room wall.

New school clothes shopping.

Playing dress-up.

Having Afternoon Tea at the Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC

(Oh wait, that was just me- without kids!!).

Exploring new parks (this is Gasworks Park in Seattle).

Running around giant silos that used to contain gas in the early 1900's.

Only Evan could pull off looking this cute while hugging a giant metal container. 
(Does he think it's a tree? They do hug those...)