Joel's Speech

A few weeks ago I started the process of getting Joel’s speech evaluated.  I thought he was behind, but I was worried that when I got him tested they would tell me I was crazy and he was fine and would have been a good thing.  In order to get qualified for speech therapy he needed to undergo an evaluation with a speech therapist and a developmental therapist.  They both came out to the house for the evaluation and overall Joel did well with them.  He lost complete interest with them both after a little while, but I expected that.   It is no secret that Joel is strong willed and doesn’t follow directions well unless he is interested in the activity or the reward for cooperating.

Joel wanted to hold Cecilia...all the pictures are blurry because neither one of them would stay still!

During the course of the evaluations I asked for help with some of the things Joel and I are struggling with: biting, effective time-outs, and following simple directions (like “pick up the food you just threw on the floor).   They had some very helpful suggestions like time-out strapped into the high chair and pushed in the corner.  Currently he gets them in the pack n play, but he can crawl out in 30 seconds or less and it just becomes a power struggle.  Also when Joel throws something make him pick it up.  It sounds easy but Joel and I have battles over this that have lasted 45+ minutes.  Their suggestion was to put my hand over his and help him pick it up and then tell him good job.  We also have to remember that just because he doesn’t talk very much it doesn’t mean he can’t understand us.

The boys in our bed in the RV.  They joined us early in the morning and kicked us out of bed.

We just received these recommendations the Friday before we left and so far they have been a lot more effective than I thought they would be.  Joel didn’t know it but when we are on vacation Joel was in boot camp (and so were we)!  On vacation Brad and I were with Joel 24/7 for 10 days.  Which meant one of us could correct his behavior when needed and the other person was free to watch Vince and Cecilia.  It made a huge difference in his behavior.  He still has meltdowns and he still doesn’t like to be told “no,” but he is following directions better and going to bed (and staying there) like a champ!

My sweet Joel

And yes, Joel is a little behind in his speech and I wasn’t crazy!

Joel was upset and he didn't want his picture taken!

Take me out to the ball game

Last Wednesday night we drove to my grandparents town to watch the Sycamore Liners play baseball.  That’s kind of a lie.  Brad watched the game, I mostly talked and made sure the boys didn’t run away.  It was all going well and the plan was to leave and go get ice cream part way through the game.  Then it started lightning, the sky was black and rumor had it a big storm with high winds was headed  our direction.   I was excited because we really could use the rain.  So we packed up and decided not to get ice cream right then.  

Group photo...Joel insisted on wearing his hat

The kids were not happy because I had promised ice cream.  The boys never forget when I say I am going to do something.  I learned early on with Vince how important it is to not agree to do something or tell him about any plans that might not happen.  He will remember.  It might not be right then, but a few days later he will bring it up.  So when I know something isn’t 100% going to occur I use the word maybe, but I told him we were getting ice cream, so I had to deliver.

Papa, Brad and Cecilia watching the game

On the way home we went a little out of our way to an ice cream shop/restaurant.   It was close to 9pm when we stopped for ice cream.  The kids were in really good moods and were excited to have so many choices of ice cream flavors.  We found out that Joel will be very quick to follow directions when chocolate ice cream is on the line.

How much rain did we get?  A few drops, literally! 

Cousin Date

Last Saturday morning while we were making slime I thought to myself "I wonder what my cousin Kristy is doing this afternoon."  So I sent her a text and invited her and her family over to hang out with the kids and I.  Brad was gone all day for a Nabor House function and I felt like having some adult conversation.

Luke and Cecilia

Brett learning how to use a water gun

Water fight!

Joel on the water slide

Brett making a sneak attack on his mommy

To my surprise Kristy had no plans!  Kristy and her boys came over and spent the evening with us.  They played with toys inside for awhile but we spent a majority of our time on the swing set and playing in the baby pool with water guns.  The water fight got a little out of control.

Vince getting ready to get me

Vince shooting me!

Vince shooting Kristy and Brett shooting Vince

More water fights

Brett getting Kristy after she helped him fill the water gun

Vince has good aim with the water gun and had more than 1 surprise attack on me!  There were only 3 water guns and I did not have one of them.  Kristy, Brett and Vince had the water guns and not one of them were close to being dry.  Kristy even chased Vince around the house trying to get him with the water gun!

Joel staying dry

While we were having fun with water guns the babies (Luke and Cecilia) were laying on a blanket and enjoying looking at the tree leaves blowing in the trees.  Brad joined us toward the end of the evening and preceded to play water guns with Brett and Vince.  Joel was around too, but he did not enjoy the water guns!

Attempting a picture

Love having my cousin close!

Probably the best cousin picture

Vince grabbing Brett's hand so he couldn't leave

Brett very unhappy Vince was preventing him from leaving the couch.

Sand and Colored Slime

We started with 3 colors of slime

So much fun!

As much fun as we have around here on a daily basis just playing with toys, playing outside and reading we still need a new activity once in awhile to entertain everyone.  So on Saturday morning the kids and I made colored slime (corn starch, water and food coloring).   It was a great messy project for outside!  The boys had a blast playing with it and Cecilia even tried to get in on the fun.  I am not sure who liked the slime more, me or the boys.

Mixing the colors

Joel wasn't so sure about it at first

Cecilia wanted in on the action

After a little while Joel decided he liked the slime

Eventually the colors all got mixed together and the kids ran off and found something else fun to do.  Then they realized I was using the hose to clean off the picnic table and soon they were back helping me clean up too.

It was 90 degrees out.  Vince insisted on wearing these pjs

We added another color and Joel starting to love the slime

Later we went to play in the sandbox and Cecilia really wanted to be in on the action, so I put her in her seat inside the sandbox.  Vince ended up building a tunnel under her seat for water.  He was having trouble so I helped.  I really didn't want her seat falling in the tunnel.  Cecilia was enjoying the sandbox and kept putting her hand in the sand, which was fine until she stuck her hand in her mouth.  Her sandbox privileges have been revoked indefinitely!

Cecilia sitting over the tunnel and sneaking some sand.

What do you mean I can't eat the sand?

Team work

Date Night!

There is something that Brad and I don't do often, we don't go on dates.  It's not that we don't want to, between a busy schedule and having to find a babysitter, we just don't go on dates.  We get a rare night out at weddings, conferences and such but a date for just the two of us is rare.  Actually the last time we had a date was in October for my birthday.

Brad was gone most of last week, he was spraying down south for a couple days and a conference in Chicago for 3 days at the end of the week.  I spent the week not getting very much sleep because Joel was learning how to sleep in a big boy bed.  It wasn't going very well, especially nap time!  Nap time was almost nonexistent and Joel was getting up at 5:40am instead of 6:40-7am.  On top of that I hardly got to talk to Brad when he was at his conference and that makes me miss him even more.

As I was driving home from work on Friday I was thinking to myself that I really wanted to go on a date with Brad.  Minutes later Brad called and asked me if I wanted to go on a date.  He had arranged a babysitter (Grandma Diane, Kristine and Karoline) and we just needed a plan of where to go.  I was thrilled even though my exhausted body just wanted to come home and sit on the couch.

We ended up going to a cute Mexican restaurant in the downtown area of a nearby town.  For some reason we never go to that town and I don't know why because it is really cute!  The food at the restaurant was decent, the entertainment was cute, and the margarita was delicious!  I drank mine and then offered to help Brad with his.  I rarely drink anymore and one margarita was more than enough, but it tasted so good!

After dinner we walked through a gorgeous city park and sat in the dark by a water fountain that had a statue of President Lincoln in the middle of it.  We talked, uninterrupted for a least an hour.  No, "mommy I got something to tell you" or small children trying to bite and pinch to get our attention.  It was a wonderful few hours together but alone.  Now to figure out how to make date nights happen more than once every 9 months.  

Another VBS

Vincent spend last week going to another VBS.  He loves Vacation Bible School and I couldn't resist sending him because it was at my brother and sister in laws across the field from us.  Nothing is ever less than a 20 minute drive, so I couldn't turn down a fun opportunity for him less than 5 minutes away.  Vince loves going to Uncle John's and idolizes him, so getting to spend 4 hours every day at Uncle John's was pretty special for Vince.

Vince only knew a few kids at VBS but he loved it and came home with great stories about what he did and what they learned.  It is still a little strange for me to send him somewhere with out me going too, but he is 4 and I better start getting used to it.  After all, school starts in about 1 month!

Joel at the children's museum

Vince being gone all morning at VBS gave Joel an opportunity to have a little more attention.  We spent time doing the activities Joel wanted to do, no one stole any toys from him and I was able to focus most of my attention on him, especially when Cecilia took a nap.

He loved watching the balls roll down the ramps

One day I took Joel and Cecilia to the children's museum!  It was so easy only having to keep an eye on where one kid was running off too.  Cecilia was in her pouch and we just followed Joel from activity to activity and back around again.  It was a lot of fun and I am hoping to go more with Joel once Vince starts preschool.

I'm going to pull this truck over...

On Wednesday the kids and I were heading to my sister in laws house to drop off Joel on our way to Vince's 4 year old checkup at the doctor's office.  The boys were bickering in the back seat of the pickup and I was ignoring the fighting.  Sometimes I just hope if I ignore it it will stop.  Rarely does that ever work!   

I was on the phone with Brad when I looked in the rear view mirror and saw exactly what was going on in the back seat.  The boys, while in their 5 point harness car seats, were having quite the fight.  Joel's car seat is on the driver's side and Vince's is in the middle.  Joel was using his right hand to hit, pinch and scratch Vince's leg because that is all he could reach.  Vince was using his left hand to hit Joel and attempt to grab Joel's arm to stop him.

From what I could gather Vince may have taken something from Joel, but Joel doesn't talk, I didn't see it and I only have Vince's version to go by.  The whole time this is going on Vince is yelling "Joel's trying to take my pants, Joel wants my pants, No Joel! You can't have my pants."  Vince thought that since Joel was pulling at his shorts that Joel wanted them.  He didn't realize Joel was just trying to hurt him and get back whatever it was that he thought was taken from him.  At one point as we were driving I looked in the rear view mirror, saw Vince trying to bit Joel's arm and when I said stop biting him Vince used his foot to try to smash Joel's hand against the car seat.

I was still on the phone with Brad trying to tell him what all the noise was about but I ended up telling him I had to go.  I was laughing so hard I was almost crying and I needed to get the situation under control before someone got hurt.  I said something I never thought I would say "stop fighting right now or I will pull this car over!"

It didn't stop.  I pulled the car over, turned around in my seat and yelled at both of them for fighting.  I said something to the effect of "We don't fight in the car, at the store, or at other people's houses.  You can only fight at home and I would rather you didn't fight there either.  If you need to stop fighting now and if you don't I will pull over again and spank you.  And if it happens again you will not watch any tv or movies all day!"  I said it all in as stern of a voice as I could muster because for some reason I found the whole thing hilarious.

They weren't taking me too serious until I threaten them with no movies.  Rarely do I ever spank them so they know that is a pretty empty threat.  Now I know their weak point!  That was really the first time they have fought like that in the car.  I doubt it is the last time.  It made me realize that my sweet little babies aren't so little any more.

Vince's 4th Birthday Party

On Vince's birthday we got home from our camping trip.  As we pulled into the driveway Grandma Pat and Papa called to see if they could come over with the baseball players they are hosting and join us for Vince's birthday dinner.   I said yes, but I did warn them that Vince was requesting daddy's special mac n cheese (mac n cheese with veggies and hotdogs mixed in).  I told them I also had spaghetti.

Vince on his 4th birthday

Per the usual Vince was instantly best friends with these college guys even though Vince couldn't remember their names.  He was showing them all his toys, having them play games and trying to convince them to run laps in the house with him.  He even took them outside to play on the swing set and they were really enjoying it!  Brad was really excited that college guys even thought the swing set was cool!  One of the guys even caught fireflies with Vince.  Unfortunately for me Vince kept bringing all the fireflies in the house and letting them go!

Joel spent most of the party with balloons tied to his pants.

Aunt Alyse and Dunkin

Cecilia and G.G.

Grandma Dawn, Aunt Alyse, Vincent and his cousins

Papa Razzi helping Joel play a guitar

Joel, my little hoarder, showing Papa Ron his collection

Joel and his collection for the night

Joel, his cape, guitar and Kristine!

We had Vince's big family birthday party this past Sunday.  Vince was very excited to have everyone over and so were we.  Brad's major concern was perfecting the water slide for "the kids".  The baby pool we were using got a hole in it when Brad was cleaning it.  With all the hot weather we have had all the stores were out of the type of baby pool we wanted.  So Brad went shopping early Sunday morning before church to go get a baby pool.

Version 3 of the water slide

Kristine helping Joel go down the slide with his balloons

Joel, his cape, balloons, and 2 trucks going down the water slide

After church my uncle and aunt arrived early to the party and my uncle (who is also a big kid just like my husband) was quick to jump in and help Brad make the water slide perfect.  All the effort was worth it because the kids had a blast on the water slide!  Well, with the water slide, water balloons and water balloon launcher.

Getting ready for the water balloon fight

Super Joel and Daddy taking a break and playing some music

Aunt Sarah and Cecilia

For Vince's birthday party we had told people they didn't need to bring a gift, but if they did bring a gift to please make it a homemade gift, something from your house or a garage sale.  The boys don't need much, Vince asks for very little and he really is just happy to have people over to play with him.  He had so much fun with his cousins! 

Joel checking out Vincent's gifts

Joel loved watching the flag blow in the wind

Joel playing with the flag from G.G.

Vince ended up with some really cool presents:  books, movies, shells (we have to listen to them several times a day to hear the ocean), a guitar (he has some great songs he sings), and a monster truck super hero cape, and a few other fun things!

Vincent and his tool set from Aunt Tina

Aunt Sarah reading one of the books she gave Vincent

Uncle Bob helping Vincent use the telescope from Grandma Pat and Papa Ron

Vince opening gifts from Grandma Dawn, Papa Razzi, Aunt Kasi and Aunt Kennidy

Vince with the guitar he got from Grandma Dawn and Papa Razzi

Grandma Diane wrapped Vince's gift in Grandpa Craig's old lunch box

Vince and the Monster Truck Super Hero Cape Grandma Diane made

During the party Kennidy got all the kids organized and ready to attack Brad.  They made several really good attempts and chased him all over the yard.  Unfortunately he managed to get a hold of the pressure washer and they chose to stop!  It was a good decision.  Later all the cousins turned on Kristine and went after her with water guns, buckets of water, water balloons, etc.  She ended up running around the horse pasture and from far away it looked like the little cousins were trying to take down a giant.  I tried to convince her to just give in but she wouldn't.  If I were her I wouldn't have either!  They got her a little wet, but it took a lot of effort on their part.

Kennidy organizing her troops

Keith trying to take Brad down while Maggie goes to throw a water balloon

Brad running from the attack

Maggie and Keith

At the end of the evening Diane suggested we get a picture of all the grandchildren together.  There aren't any pictures of the 9 of them.  Mary was there too and we wanted her in the picture too!  I made all the kids stand against the shed and pretend to take mug shots.  Then we tried pictures on the ground and the slide.  It took a lot of pictures to get some that are half way decent.

Mug shot!

Ellie, Vincent, Millie, Karoline, Mary, Cecilia, Keith, Maggie, Kristine and Joel

Another mug shot

Cousins...moments later Joel attacked Millie

Back to front: Joel, Vincent, Ellie, Maggie, Keith, Millie, Mary, Karoline, Kristine, and Cecilia

A side view of the cousins

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate Vince's birthday!

Grandpa Craig and Grandma Diane gave Millie, Maggie, Vincent, Ellie, and Joel a ride around the barnyard in the Model A