Learner's Permit

It took her 4 tries, but she finally passed and got her learner's permit. She would take it and miss by 1 or 2 questions, but she finally did it. I'm actually excited for the day when she can drive herself around. I think I spend a good amount of time in the care everyday driving her where she needs or wants to go. Good job Chloe...to bad it's not until next June when you can actually drive-now to get some lessons and time behind the wheel in. I'll probably mostly leave that up to Landon ;)

Shoes, Socks, and 504's

It was beginning to be a nightmare to get Bryce to school in the mornings, mainly because of his shoes and socks. He hates wearing either and especially for long periods of times-he struggles. Typically he wears only crocs with no socks, or no shoes at all. There are times-church, a sport, playing in the snow-when he will wear them but it usually takes time to get his socks just right and he wears them for an hour or two, sometimes with a lot of bribing and tears beforehand, and then immediately takes them off. So for him to wear shoes specific shoes and socks for a whole day was hard on him. 

Bryce has a SPD (sensory processing disorder) his official diagnosis right now is

OCD

Other Disturbances of Skin Sensation

Other Disturbances of Smell and Taste

Going to school with one sock an not the other because he hated how it felt

These things can make certain things hard for him-like wearing socks and athletic type shoes to school. (He goes to a charter school so they are pretty specific about the dress code). We dealt with the same issues last year. I finally decided it wasn't worth the fight anymore and called a meeting with the Special Ed Director. 

A typical morning trying to find a sock that fit and felt just right-it was so frustrating!

With his diagnosis and notes from his doctors we determined he qualified for a 504 plan. He now can wear crocs (black ones to match dress code) with or without socks to school. He also gets two sensory breaks during the day which help him regulate himself a little bit. Another thing that was determined was that Bryce is so smart -really off the charts in certain areas, and with his OCD that sometimes sitting for long periods of times, especially with kids who aren't always following directions or not quite at his level is really hard on him, so he gets sensory breaks to help him regulate and stay calm.

These two changes have made a huge difference. He never cries in the mornings anymore. I'm not fighting him and running late to get to work. He is just all around happier. 

Sometimes it's just the littlest change that can make the biggest difference you just have to be willing to ask for things and then be prepared to fight for them if you know that's what your child really needs. In Bryce's case I was super lucky the school was so accommodating and willing to make a change.  

Soup

One night I wasn't feeling the greatest and I asked Chloe if she would please make me some soup. I was expecting just a small bowl full but I guess she prepared me the family size and served it to me in this giant Tupperware. HAHA. I love her and even though it was way to much for me I appreciated her doing it. 

Lunchbox Jokes

Bryce has really been into jokes lately and loves to read joke books. I found a cute listing on Etsy that had lunch box jokes for an entire year. They are so cute! They have them for lots of different subjects and all the seasons and Holidays. I just cut one out and put it in his lunch everyday. It's fun for him and a cute way for me to say I Love You. 

Sandhallow Lake and a Sensory Victory

My sister Tiffanie and her family got a new boat. So it called for a day on the lake. WE had so much fun!!! Chloe would live on the lake if she could. The boat they got makes a surf wave, so Chloe and Taelor both tried wake surfing neither of them were able to quite get up and go but they both got so close. They are still trying to figure out everything with the boat and exactly how it all works so I think that contributed a little bit. I also tried but didn't even come close-haha! We will definitely be back to try again. 

The kids had fun taking a break and swimming in the lake. NOTE-Bryce does not do lakes, rivers, etc. He hates dirty water he can't see the bottom off. He freaks out if you try to get him in it and never optionally swims in it-although he has been thrown in a few times and he's usually okay on top of it as long as it doesn't touch him. However, look what happens in these pictures-it was definitely a sensory victory moment (and one that hasn't happened since)

Watching the others play...

 Still watching from the boat...

 Still there watchin...

 Taking a picture, but his feet our now wet...

Inching closer...

 And then there is the moment he's in the water with the others!

 YAY! Climbing out I was so happy. 

 Chloe loves being on the water or anywhere in the outdoors, it's her happy place

 We did a little tubing before heading home. Bryce and Chloe both to tube and enjoy going fast.

We had a fun day at the lake. Can't wait to go back.

First Day of School

The kids started back to school and I went back to work.

Bryce started 1st grade. His teacher is Mrs. Lam. His cousin, Preslie, also one of his very best friends is in his class this year. When he grows he wants to be a Farmer. He loves animals and anything to do with them. I love that I get to work at his school everyday, so I can walk in with him in the mornings and out with him at the end of the day.

Chloe started her Sophomore year at Dixie. She was not thrilled. She does not love school. She takes part of her classes online and that seems to work out pretty well for her, she is able to sleep in a little bit and work at her own pace.

Going back to school has been a hard adjustment a few nights the first week he was out by 5 with his bag of chips by his side.

I got a smiling picture of Chloe-picture day outfit :)

Bryce's School Pict-LOVE THAT LITTLE CUTIE!

Last Tournament of the Summer

Just after getting back from Arizona we traveled to Cedar City for the last tournament of the softball season. 

We took a bunch of stuff to keep Bryce occupied. He spent time hanging out in the wagon with his toys and catching some Pokemon when he had the opportunity. He is usually such a good boy through the long days at the ball fields.

 Chloe and her team played well. They ended up taking 2nd-Chloe was a little disappointed with that, but it is what it is. She hit well and pitched a little bit and then played out field. Things were different. For one thing this was a 16U tournament instead of 14 and there have also been some coaching changes and I think the coach is still trying to work out who the girls are and what they can all do. So things and positions were a little bit different than they normally are, and that can be a little frustrating for everyone, but overall I think Chloe had fun and that's what matters. I'm sure over time the kinks will get worked out and be back to normal.

#summit16U #chloeellison

Driving Home-Route 66

We got up early for the long drive home. The kids were pretty happy all things considered especially since we stopped off a Dunkin Donuts before hitting the road.

We made our traditional stop in Wikieup

Then we decided to hit some stops on Route 66 along the way to make the drive a little bit more fun and interesting. We also picked up our official Route 66 Passport and got our first stamp in it.

We visited the GIANT HEADICUS-the kids were quite intrigued with this interesting statue. #giantheadicus

And the kids all signed their names on an old car

Then we stopped in Kingman and walked around a bit to see the trains, check out some of the shops,  and have lunch at Mr. D's Diner.

First Official Stamp in our ARIZONA ROUTE 66 PASSPORT BOOK #Kingman #Route66

After that it was time to hit the road. We got stuck in some really bad traffic in the Mesquite gorge just before home, caused by road construction and a wreck. It ended up delaying us 2 hours!!! UGH it was horrible, but at least the older girls had fun and even made friends with a couple of guys their age who were walking along the road seeing what the hold up was. 

We finally made it home. It was so nice to walk into the house and find it sparkling clean-Landon had been busy while we were away. It's fun to travel, but it's always good to be back home.