Photo overload

I have been MIA and my blog has been neglected these last few months.  I know it is ok because I started this blog as a type of scrapbook for my kids.  Lord knows, I am not crafty enough to actually do a scrapbook.  After finding out about Izzy, I took it to a more personal level.  Journaling became my therapy.  I figured it was cheaper than actual therapy.  But lately, I just didn't have it in me to write or share my feelings.  That is life for you!  Sometimes you get busy, sometimes you get down and sometimes you just have to focus on taking that next step on your journey to keep going.

But... life hasn't stopped or slowed down in the Holt household.  With three kids, I don't think I would be allowed to stop.

Here are some pictures of the kids doing their thing... having fun! 

My boys are growing up so fast.  Ethan just had a birthday- the big 11!  I can't believe it.  He is already acting more and more like a teenager everyday.  Lord help me!  Girls, attitude and developing his own sense of style.  He is growing up!

Aiden's birthday is coming up fast too.  He can't wait until October rolls around.  He will be 9.

All I know, is that I love these guys to pieces.  They give me gray hairs and heartache at times but they are all mine.

and then there is Izzy.  She is so full of personality.  This girl is into EVERYTHING. (not sure if this is a girl thing or just an Izzy thing) She has a nickname- Hurricane Izzy.  It fits her perfectly as she leaves a trail behind her wherever she goes.  This makes cleaning very difficult!  Which keeps Mommy stressed out and probably adds to the gray hairs.

Don't kids want to always be treated like grown ups until they are asked to walk around a fair or well any where??  Then, their legs hurt.  That would be Aiden...hence the ride in the stroller.

Izzy came with Mommy to find a dress for a wedding we were attending.  I haven't put a dress on in a very long time and now I remember why.  She thought the process was hilarious!!  Me... not so much!

and here we are at the beautiful wedding.  We all had a blast and were thankful to be apart of Jordan's big day.

Izzy loves taking selfies.  I figured I could use these pictures one day to track how we have both aged.  Silly faces are always fun, though.

Have I ever mentioned that Izzy loves chips?!?  She wakes up requesting chips.  She goes to sleep requesting chips.  I mean... I love chips but really??

Izzy started her new PreK program and we all participated in a Fun Run/Walk to raise money for their new playground.  It is getting set up right now and I know she is excited to play on it.

Like everyone else, I use my phone as my go to camera.  So now, whenever I am looking at my phone, Izzy automatically says "cheese".  Even her babies are saying cheese.

Milo, our dog, ran into the street and was hit by a car a few months back.  Don't worry... he is ok.  We thought it might knock some sense into him but it didn't.  He did get this nice care package from our neighbor though.

Izzy trying to get a tan.  We did make a few trips to the beach and our local water park this summer. This year was so much easier since Izzy is walking.

I don't think I ever posted pictures from Izzy's birthday party.  Sister was spoiled and ate lots of sugar.  No one offered to take her home with them that night so we stayed up late partying.

Our  little fish taking a break...

Izzy got some new DAFO's.  As you can see, she was very excited about it.

Milos' favorite place, the dog park.  The kids enjoy it too since they get to chase other dogs.

Anyone want to play fetch???

More pictures to come...

School 2014-2015

School started for all three kids the middle of August.  This is the only year that they will all be at the same school!  Ethan is in 5th, Aiden is in 3rd and Izzy is in PreK-D.  Everyone loves their teachers so far and are enjoying getting to make some new friends.

I love that all the kids are together this year.  It helps Mommy with Izzy's transition to PreK at the Elementary school.

Izzy loves her backpack.  Mrs. Angie embroidered her name so she shows it off to everyone that she passes.

The first day on the bus was hard for both of us.  Now... she is a champ.  She gets help with the first big step and then after that, Sister becomes Miss Independent.

 That first day, since she was upset on the bus, I stayed at the end of the hallway and watched her arrive to school.  She was smiling and waving at everyone down the hall.  This is the best picture I could get but I see her little piggies swinging in the wind.  She caught my eye and waved and that is when I knew she would be just fine.  Mommy on the other hand- cried all the way to work.  

 Then, when I got to work, I found this little treat at my desk.  Small gestures can sure turn your day around!

 Since Izzy has started school, we have seen a lot of this happening...

She no longer gets a nap since school goes until 2pm.  So she is one worn out little girl by the time I pick her up.  The first few nights were rough and she was a cranky pants but we have gotten into a little better routine which has helped.
Izzy is even trying to dress herself in the mornings...

We still have some work to do but this is progress.

We get a progress report each day- which I love- and from what I hear... Izzy is making a lot of friends at the school.  

Big brothers are doing great as well.  They are pros at the whole school thing now.  This is the last year for Ethan in Elementary school.  I can't believe he will be in Middle school next year.  Scary and exciting!  Aiden is trying the traditional classroom this year and so far, loving it.  We decided to pull him out of Gifted for now and figured we can always go that route again down the road.

It has only been a few weeks into the school year and I must say I would have been lost without Google. My kid's homework makes me feel so dumb!  I definitely will not be going on the show- Are you smarter than a fifth grader?  No sir, no I am not.

Where did my baby go???

Isabelle turned 3 in May, and on her birthday we celebrated big but we also said goodbye to all her therapists and coordinator.
The Early Steps program ends at 3 years old and the next day, she could have gone straight into the school system.  We decided to hold off until August since school only had a few more weeks.

and now... here is August.  August- you sure showed up fast!
Yesterday, we went to her PreK-D orientation.  She is ready... I am not.  Why you ask?!?  I know that she will do great, I know that she will own the room, I know that she will easily make friends.  What I won't know... is how her day was, did she fall down on the play ground, did she like the lunch we made for her, was someone mean to her?

You see, everyday that I pick up Izzy from daycare- I ask her how her day was and what she did.  Her reply is always- Yeah.  She isn't able to give me details or an explanation.  She's three and we haven't been able to have a true conversation yet.

Don't get me wrong, she makes herself known with what she wants.  Sister is smart but just can't verbalize completely with words yet.  I know she will get there with time and more therapy.  So right now, we communicate the way that works best for us- some signing, some talking, some pointing or pulling us by the hand.

The Elementary school is so big and she is so little.  I just want to protect her from the world but at the same time I want to see her soar high.  Soar as high as she could ever dream possible.

I know those two statements don't go together- me protecting her from the world but also letting her soar. This is where I have to learn to let go just a little bit.  Let her be the independent little girl she really wants to be.
I don't want to but I will... slowly.

Here's to taking baby steps towards this new adventure.  Watch out Bluewater... Miss Priss is heading your way!

Preparing...

Today, Izzy and I met with 2 of her soon-to-be therapists within the school system.  Her birthday is just around the corner- May- and she will be "aging" out of the Early Steps program.  How can my little baby be turning 3?!?

We have decided to wait on enrolling her for PreK-D until August since her birthday is so close to the end of the school year. 
We went to the Elementary school and met with two very nice ladies that watched her interact and do tasks in order to get a good feel of her needs and evaluate her for our upcoming IEP meeting. (it wasn't nearly as scary as I had anticipated.) 
She did great with threading beads, drawing circles/lines, kicking/throwing the ball, tearing up paper- girl can destroy some paper.  We also saw were she still need extra help in certain areas.       

Sister loves people and doesn't tend to be shy- so that has never been a worry of mine.  If she happens to get shy, it will only be for a few minutes and then she owns the room.  She took immediately to the ladies.  Holding their hands while walking down the hallway and then went right to work following their directions.  He favorite word when they asked her if she could do something- Yep!

I have never been worried about her doing well within the program.  She has been going to daycare since she was 6 weeks old so she is used to structure and playing with her peers.  So, I can't figure out why I am so sad today.   She did awesome and I couldn't be more proud... but my heart hurts.   

My heart hurts and it is heavy.  I didn't want to leave her today.  I felt like I needed to hold on to her a little longer than usual. 
I know she has been so protected by our family, friends and then daycare.  Being in the school system can be exciting yet scary.  Will she be accepted??  Will she get the attention she needs???  Will kids make fun of her??  Will she________??  It can just go on and on.

I guess this can really be a fear for all of my kids but so much more for Izzy.  I don't want her to struggle and I want to protect her.  But I know she will have struggles and I can't protect her from everything.  I know she is so much stronger than I ever imagined.  She has overcome so much already in her short little life.  But... knowing that I can't be there to protect her from the world is scary. 
I wish the world would learn that everyone is different and that is ok.  People have come so far and are so much more accepting of differences now than before but we still have so far to go. 

This little girl doesn't see differences... she just sees you!  I strive everyday to be more like her.

To dance or not dance- update

The Valentine's dance was a huge success.  The boys have now made me promise to take them next year and the year after that and so on.
I was able to get the boys into a button up shirt which is good since I, of course, was correct and everyone does dress up for the Valentine's dance.  I even saw a Dad in a tuxedo so the boys would have fit right in.

The boys didn't do any dancing but I enjoyed watching the interactions between everyone.  This was some ideal people watching.  Ethan is getting to the age where boys/girls "like" each other.  Aiden on the other hand, was just happy to eat popcorn and candy.  Which he I literally found him eating every.time.I.turned.around.    

Aiden was happy to be seen with Mommy... Ethan gave me the head nod when he passed.  Don't worry, I went and gave him a big hug when he was talking to his friends.  That will teach him to ignore me.

Overall, we had a great time.  The kids had a blast with their friends and left with their bellys full of junk food.  Maybe I can get them to dance next year. 

To dance or not to dance....

That is the question...
Tonight, the boys and I are going to the Valentine's dance at their school.  This is a popular event so this year we finally made the cut.  I didn't realize there were so many rules that came with going to a dance.  Ethan's rules... He has informed us- Aiden and I- there isn't actually dancing that happens.  What?!?  So, I can't do the Carlton, the running man or God forbid- the twerk???  Nope, no dancing!  .
I didn't go to many dances growing up but at what age do you actually start dancing at dances???  So I ask- what will we be doing??  Talking and hanging out with friends.  That sounds a little boring to us so Aiden and I are vetoing this rule and we will be cutting a rug tonight.  Don't worry Ethan, we will try not to embarrass you too much.
Another rule...
People don't dress up.  Ok, I guess I will put their tuxedos back in the closet.  Although, I am pretty sure this rule is false.  I am thinking the girls will be all dolled up!  Maybe I will be able to bribe them into a button up and pants. 
This all should be interesting and I am looking forward to a night out with my boys- even if they act like they don't know me and make me sit by the punch bowl in a corner.
And so no one feels left out, Daddy has promised Izzy a dance party of their very own at the house.  I am sure there will be lots of dancing going on and I bet she would let me dress her up like a princess!  I have to admit that I am a little jealous of Izzy's dance party.
Here's to a fun night of NOT dancing or dressing up for the Valentine's dance!!

Our night

Having to do this....

Makes us all feel like this at the end of the night...

Any one else having trouble keeping up with their kid's homework?  They sure are teaching things differently now from when I was in school.  I can come up with the correct answer but the steps aren't correct.  I think I have found a few new gray hairs and my kids are still only in Elementary school.  We still have a long ways to go.  I better go get another box of color to cover my grays!