School Daze

School is going well for Shea and Cooper and they really seem to be catching on. They love their teacher and love their aids and are getting smarter by the day. We went to their back to school night a few weeks ago and the whole pre-

k program their teacher is following is very interesting. It's like a whole program that is predetermined and literally walks the teacher through every day and what should be presented to the kids on that given day. She is sent boxes of tools to use every so often along with the next step of the course. Up until she receives that, she has no idea what is coming next. It seems very well designed and should prove very beneficial to their growth. We did go back to the teacher because we were concerned about Shea's speech and wanted to see what she thought. After all it was a large part of why we enrolled them since their is a speech teacher on site. To our shock, she said that Shea had not said a word and they thought she was just shy. Whenever they would ask her to share from her day or anything where she would speak, she puts the shy face on and turns away. We informed her of the speech issue and she said they would work with her and let us know what they think. Meanwhile we wrote some letters to try to get her evaluated so she could get some help with it. It just amazed us that she was so shy in school. She had gotten up in front of 300 people at church to sings songs with Tyler's class just last year. I think it may take a bit of time but she'll come out of it there. Of course Cooper has no issues sharing anything at all in class. they all get a big kick out of him and his big ideas. That one is going to be a real handful as he grows. All in all school has been great for them and they enjoy going everyday. They really haven't had any days where they give us a problem about going and they seem to be making friends. What more could you ask for.

Today the twins started their Pre K class in town. This was a lot tougher than sending Tyler to school because Tyler has been in some sort of structured program for a few years so it was old hat for him. These guys really haven't been in anything where they leave us and go learn in this type of environment. They looked so small going in there! I have to say Jenene did really well and hardly cried at all. All in all they did great and even went back for their second day. On the first day we brought them in and the teacher whom they had met and a bunch of aids came out to get them. We had been preparing them for this by telling them we would be taking them to school and they would stay there and we would be back and pick them up. I think Coop got thrown off because the aid he had never met before came to take him. He lost it and tried to cling on to me. Jenene and I knew what we had to do and we busted loose and left. I felt awful for poor Cooper as he was led away screaming and Shea had a look of horror. It wasn't until today we learned that Shea had consoled him and rubbed his arm telling him it was ok. Thank goodness Jenene said they were a lot better on day two and though they still had a bit of fear in their eyes, there were no tears. They seemed to enjoy it but I guess we'll know more in the next week or so. I just couldn't believe we were at a point where all three were in some sort of school. Where did the time go? Next thing I know we'll be at high school graduations.

Look at these faces! These two monsters are having a great Summer so far. They are in the pool almost every day and can swim any in the pool with their floaties on. Even the deep end! Cooper can even go in the shallow end without a floatie on. Shea is more cautious and doesn't like to go in without anything. They are getting ready for their school debut coming up this Fall. they are both really excited about starting in their pre school We even had a play date with a couple of kids in the neighborhood who will be in their class. For the fourth of July we went to the fireworks in town. Cooper loved them but they were too loud for Shea. She would rather hang out and watch TV with her Daddy. the house is definitely a busy place now as they all get bigger. There is a lot of rough play and a lot of tears shed. Shea can be a tough one. She hit her brothers often and doesn't like to get sent to timeout. I guess it will be that way for a long time though. She's just trying to hold her own.

The two monsters are ready for a fun filled Summer. We recently learned that both of them had also been picked in the lottery for the new pre school in town so both will be starting that in the Fall. Exciting stuff for them. It will be good for them socially and especially for Shea as there will be a speech therapist there all the time. They are extremely excited about it. They know they are going to school and they know Sito is buying their book bags. As for this Summer, a lot of time will probably be spent at Sito's pool. Cooper is like a little fish and Shea refuses to go in the water at all. She is content with playing in the baby pool that we set up on the side. I am sure by a few weeks into the Summer she will be in there. The other thing they have coming up is that they will most likely be moving into beds at some point this Summer. They are just getting too big for their cribs and we are going to break down here soon. We at least began the bed shopping a few weeks ago. The strange thing is though that they don't even climb out of their cribs and right now have no interest in going to a bed. I can't have them start school and still be in cribs. Other than that, they are both dealing with getting over colds right now and that hacking cough. T

he kids had a great time this weekend at the Memorial Day parade. It should be an interesting and long Summer for us all

These two are three years old and growing fast. There birthday was a success and Cooper is already asking for gifts that he can have for his next birthday. They had all of their cousins over for pizza and pasta and everyone sang Happy Birthday to each of them. They had a blast.
They have both also caught on like champs to potty training. They go on the potty all the time now and only wear a pull up to bed. They are saving Mommy and daddy a ton by not having to buy diapers anymore. the only problem is that they have to go every five minutes and as soon as one says they have to go, the other has to go too. Then they proceed to fight and push in the bathroom and by the sink to wash their hands. It's great fun.
Our next step to being a big boy and girl is coming out of the cribs. We have been putting it off for as long as possible but it is just about time. they are ready and have said so. We were just hoping to get Tyler to start sleeping in his bed all night before we put them in their beds.
Hopefully by my next update we will have made some progress on that one.

Birthday Month

Holiday season is over and the twins are recovered. Now comes an even more important season. Birthdays! Ty is up first followed a few weeks later by the twins. We will do a big celebration for all three and family around the twins birthday and do something with just our family for Tyler's this weekend. Though at this age and the size of our family it tends to become more of a week long celebration. Cooper has gotten the idea of gifts for his birthday this year. Everything he sees as far as toys in a magazine he tells us he wants to get for his "Birfday". Sometimes he even picks out a specific person that can get an item for him on his birthday.

It seems like just yesterday these two were born. It sounds like a lot to handle having 3 of them so young and it has been. I wouldn't change it for the world though. It's amazing these are the same kids as those tiny little babies we took home from the hospital 3 years ago. Now they are running around talking and getting into everything. They are even on the verge of being potty trained! Though Cooper sometimes firs off with his pants off and isn't sure where he is aiming.

It's one of the last baby steps, getting out of diapers. These monsters have come a long way and I can't wait to watch how much further they will go.

Holiday Hangover

Well Christmas is over and we have rang in the New Year. The kids had an unbelievable Christmas and got more gifts than any kids should ever get. We have piles up to our ceiling and still more at my in-laws. I hate to tell people not to get anything for them because they truly are so lucky to have so many people who adore them and want to buy them gifts for Christmas. They were a lot of fun too. they still had no interest in going anywhere near Santa though. If Shea even caught a glimpse of him, she got a look of terror in her eyes and went for the nearest adult. So now they have eaten all the sweets and unwrapped all the gifts and it's time to start the new year. I can't believe they turn 3 next month! They are talking and interacitng so much now it is amazing. It will be another year of changes. Hopefully they will be out of diapers soon and then shortly after that they will be going into beds of their own. It's moving fast now.