Disney!

I love this picture....he loved his trip to Disney...what a great birthday!

DISNEYLAND!!!!

So here is Disneyland...out of order sadly...last to first! OH well...I tried and frankly I have too much to do to go back and redo it, so here it is...

Erin and I on the small world ride, her favorite...just like me she could have ridden only this ride the whole trip.

Happy Girl on her ride...

As usual, Zach is the opposite and loves the roller coasters...this was his favorite..road it 15 times.

Erin and I in front of the "SF" area of CA Adventure.

Zach in the water area at Bugs Life.

Daddy and Erin waiting in line...she was getting frustrated waiting so long for Mickey.

The wait is over and she was thrilled.

Roller Coaster with Daddy time...

They both love them...

We stopped at the ice cream shop...huge hit with Erin...Zach wanted none of course...she really enjoyed her ice cream!!! This gave every person that passed by a big smile!

Playing together....

Smiling!

More smiles...

At Minnie's House...Erin loves Minnie!

Watching the cake bake in Minnie's kitchen!

Zachary and I...

Lots of laughs....

The boys....

The ladies...

With Minnie....

Being shy at the parade...

Riding the jelly fish ride!

Serious!

Driving bumper cars...

Ellie (Christina and Chris's daughter) She and Zach are a few months apart and her little brother is a few months older than Erin...the kids haven't been together since they were babies...not babies anymore!

My friend Christina was also there with her family and we got the chance to see them for a little bit the first day...she lived in Abilene while we were there and has been at Travis the last few years...

The four of us with Minnie! Erin could have taken Minnie home....

This is him with his birth certificate...he was so proud of it...

Can you tell Zach was ready to go to the parks and start having fun!

Erin in shock at seeing the real Pluto!

Five Years Old...

I can't really wrap my brain around the fact that my baby is going to be five years old.  I have been thinking about it all day and not sure if it is normal for mom's to feel like this...a bit sad.  I am so proud of him for all he has done and his accomplishments this year...I have loved watching him grow and learn. He has become such a big boy in so many areas of his life.  

We moved here on his first birthday...now we will leave soon after his fifth.  I hate to think that I have spent so many of these four years wishing the time would go by faster so we could hurry up and move...that time would speed up so our time here was over sooner.  Sad, but true.  I didn't want to make him grow up faster and now that the time here is done I feel like it did go by too fast.  Even though I have been ready to move forever, I haven't been ready for him to be a big boy. I know I sound pathetic.  

Right now I am having a lot of growing pains with my little man.  He has is pushing back with some resistance to the new changes we are working on with him and I am the easy target since I am here all day.  I get it, but it still hurts.  The behaviorist is here daily and it cuts into a lot of alone time I usually have with him when Erin naps. He plays and does activities with her and we work on his behavior, attention span, attitude, etc.  I am the one here with him and trying to the implement things all day and therefor the bad guy.  It sucks that it works out that way as a mom sometimes.  

I am getting nervous about kindergarten...I know in my heart that he is ready academically...more than ready. I know if we hold him back he will be bored and then he will act out from that...but I am worried about him being able to do it.  To go from 8-3 in a classroom with 20 plus kids and hang in there all day.  To not melt down when he can't get it his way, take a break or quit when he is done.  That he will eat his lunch in the lunchroom...seriously my biggest fear.  That he can follow directions and be successful.  That he can make friends.  That it will be too much for him and he won't be able to say, instead he will just act out or new behaviors will come out. 

I am trying to get in touch with the school and their special ed department to get some ideas about the teachers, options to modify his day if needed, ways they can help him transition.  All of it is so scary....not to mention the fact that just taking him to kindergarten in itself scares the crap out of me.  A new school, new kids, new teacher....I am terrified.  But I am trying to not even let that enter my mind.  

So I sit here tonight and think about him...my beautiful, smart, loving, funny child.  I am so thankful for the five years I have had with him. He is amazing.  I know right now is a challenge for him and I, but I have to stick it out so we can see the pay off down the road.  I hope one day he will see how much I loved him and that all I am doing is coming from love. 

Happy Birthday Zachary...We are off to celebrate in Disneyland. I hope that he has a blast and that Erin enjoys it too...our last big hooray in CA before we move!

M-I-A

Sorry to be missing in action lately to those who check in here often...Life has been busy...my tooth issues are ongoing...back to a different dentist tomorrow...I know...I am hoping something will get resolved. We had a bust of a trip to SD which was a bummer since we love it there. NO one felt great and the weather was just yuck!
Busy all around...we have a behaviorist coming here daily now...she arrives right when Zach gets home from school and stays for about 2 hours working with him on a variety of things...mainly Kindergarten preparation...things like boundaries, transitioning to activities and willingness to do activities he doesn't want to do...without the whining and fits. So far I am impressed and happy. I got rid of the county person thankfully. This woman being her daily is great, but makes for busy and long days for us. Monday, Wednesday and Friday she is here right at 10:45 when he gets off the van...leaves around 12:30....Tuesday and Thursday she is here at 1 right when we walk in the door from preschool in town...so he has no down time from school. Nor do I. :) It has been hard on Erin who is losing some of her time and things she likes to do, but not much since it is falling close to or on nap times. Wednesday was hard with Miss Gerri's also that night...we leave for that at 3:15 and the therapist left at 3...LONG DAY! He is doing well and I am hopeful he will continue to learn and grow with each process. I have concerns about many things we are trying to implement, but I have to have faith and let him try.
We did get good news Friday. His IEP (Individual Education Plan) had an amendment to it...for all kids at kindergarten age they reviewed progress and gave assessments of what they thought for them. They said he would be eligible to go onto kindergarten in a mainstream class in general education only being pulled out for speech assistance during the week. I cried. Now, when we get to TX they have to by law follow his CA IEP for 30 days and then they can change it as they see fit...but for now this is huge. We have been back and forth about his school choice as well and after asking his special ed teacher, his preschool teacher in town and his speech therapist who also works in the public schools they all told me the same advice my mom and dad did...try the one in the neighborhood first. He will have more access to the kids and be able to be social which is what this is really about. He is smart and he is ready for Kindergarten in that way, the social stuff is what we are all worried about and what he needs the most...so that would make most sense. Plus they have to by law provide him with all he needs...so they would be able to do more than the other school since he is their district. I will be calling tomorrow and I am excited to see what they say...Zach in Kindergarten...Zach will be five in a few days...where has this time gone?
I can't believe he is going to be five...Erin will be two and we will be heading to Texas in a month...wow....so much! I am shocked that they are both so big already...seems like it went by too fast even though I have been ready to leave for a long time. Both have had colds this weekend and moodier than normal or than I like...but all in all I know how lucky I am each and every day. I am thankful and I am grateful.
We have so much to do this month, but I feel good about it. We have signed the rental agreement finally...sold our swing set today to a new couple in the squadron...we will have one at the rental and would have to have taken this down and paid to put it in storage for the time we are in TX...we cleaned out some garage items...well shall I say Brandon did and man am I proud of him. We are gathering up things to change, transfer...cleaning out, setting aside...all the final month type of things. The sick kids put a damper on it for sure, but hopefully by Friday when we head to Disney we will all be great!!!

Zach and Sally!

Just had to share some cute photos of Zach and Sally. He loves to feed her bones...he loves her in general. They really have such a sweet relationship. Since day one she has been so good with him and he simply adores her...she has always been able to make him smile! She has never growled at him or snapped at him...ever! And he has deserved it before. Anyhow...I taught him how to make Sally do some tricks (commands) and to give her bones and he loves it. His favorite is asking her to talk (Renee you are actually the one that taught her this one). Some cute pictures of them together....

Waterslide!

Well it is hotter than mid summer already here and no pool to go play at...today was 105! So two weeks ago I saw a sale add and jumped on an item I had thought about getting last year. Zach had one of these at his preschool in town...they would set it up at the summer program and the kids loved it. I figure with both kids not being swimmers yet...it would come in handy here and in TX. I will have a hard time taking both to the pool this summer without Brandon until one gets the swimming thing down...Zach has had tubes and been hesitant to put his head under...needless to say here in the vast wonderland of opportunities that is my home, we have not had options for him to learn. So...here is to hoping. But in the mean time, the kids seem to like the new waterslide and I think it is pretty cool too...blows up like a jumpy castle and is hours of fun...well more for Zach than Erin...she is easily frustrated that she can't climb all the way up alone, the water splashes her, etc...but Zach loves it!!!

Just keep swimming...

Okay...my title is my mantra right now...Just keep swimming...

For any of you that know the moving finding Nemo...Zachary's all time very favorite movie!  Dori, the fish that can't remember anything two seconds after it happens, chants this in the movie...I swear that movie hold all the answers and life lessons...I love it.

So, Just Keep Swimming it is...in other words, I got a lot on my plate and must just keep going, keep swimming, I will get there!

Today I am in town for preschool with Zach. Erin is at home with the other Erin and hopefully her antibiotics are kicking in and she is on her way to feeling better.  Zach has had two great weeks with little to no issues...I am knocking on wood as I type.   He has really been a rock star of all kinds.

This past weekend our trip to SD didn't go as planned...it was COLD, CLOUDY and WINDY.  Yes, all three.  We got there, I was on time and Brandon's flight was late, so we waited...kids did well.  Got to the hotel, got to the beach....played until the kids were purple and I was done feeling cold and seeing them shiver.  Then play at the park, dinner, bed...not a fun night, but it wasn't bad. Next day weather was the same...ugh.  So we flexed and tried the children's museum in SD.  We decided it would be fun, but it wasn't good.  Erin was upset the whole time and just didn't enjoy it.  Zach was great and handled it well, but in the end it was sad we had to leave early....luckily it was free admission that day. :)  Enjoyed other visits more, but it wasn't awful.  I had a horrible day with jaw pain, possibly a result from last week's dental work...went to the Dr. yesterday and got medicine...hopefully feeling better soon.  

So I have a lot on my plate today...County social worker coming out at 1:30 right when I get home to meet with me...plan to ask to close Zach's case and get transfer papers for TX. I am not happy with the behaviorist that the county has sent and that is why we have an open case...she is due Friday and I am hoping to cancel her services and have that off my plate....it is literally a waste of my time at this point, she does nothing that I can't get from books or internet information.  The other behaviorist is also due to come at 1:30...she is good and plays with Zach, shows interest in him...hey isn't that the point...plus their services are through our insurance and will transfer to TX with us, we will just have to find a new provider...but being that states are strapped for cash, the county services are not good, not at all...so the insurance ones are much better.  I feel like the county lady just is checking a box with us, okay, handed them a pamphlet, check!  So my big dilemma is how do I have them both at the house at the same time...I can't have both services at once, it isn't legal...so I am in a bind and hoping I can make the situation work. I just want to end the county stuff and be done with that...so that would cancel Friday with Laura and I am good with that...UGH...seriously stressing me out.

On the same front still having school stress with Zach, awaiting his IEP with his school in Boron...need that to see if he can go into Kinder next fall in TX and if so, at what level of assistance and help. That will also determine the school.  The one on base being a transfer for us, wouldn't be able to give him as much assistance...so how much they determine he needs is vital to where we place him. Honestly it is kindergarten.  I think he will be fine at either school...what matters is that he gets all he needs from the school, staff and assistance he deserves by law...and in the end his experience is the best it can be.  Fingers crossed.

I am starting to feel stress of the move...making my lists of things I must do and get done...scary to think of it all coming to an end soon...wow I can't believe how much I have wanted to move, how much I have hated these four years, but it is almost over...wow!  

Looks like we should have the rental agreement signed soon. So that is taken care of and one less thing to worry about. I am off to go and do...just keep swimming....just keep swimming!

San Diego!!

We are off to San Diego tomorrow....I am driving down with the kids and picking up Brandon and at the airport...he left on Tuesday and will be flying in to meet us.  We are staying at the North Island Naval Hotel again...it is on Coronado Island and is part of the navy base there....great rates for San Diego and right on the beach, which is private to the Navy, so very clean and nice.  I love it there.  I am so excited to have some beach time...nice weather, sun, waves, relaxing.  We have nothing planned as far as in the city...we have been there enough and done it all before. I had thought Legoland, but then decided that it isn't as fun for Erin since she is too little for a lot of things Zach is big enough for now....and she is not one to take to being left behind without a major meltdown.  So...better not to push my luck.  Zach loves the beach as do I and Brandon and Erin tolerate it for us. :)  We will get there tomorrow, spend the night and head back Sunday.  Then in two weeks we are off to Disneyland.  I am so excited.  We are actually going on Zach's birthday...the 22nd.  He wanted a big party like last year, the one at the jump place...that party was $350...no joke...add in the cake we supplied and it was a pricey night.  Disney is having great military promotions and it will work out to be the same for 2 days there as it was for 2 hours for that party.  We are lucky to go for 2 days, stay at a new hotel we haven't been to before and have some fun in a place I think both kids will like.  Erin loves Mickey Mouse and watches that show on TV like an addiction...We also have a big treat...our friends that live at Travis and we met back in Abilene are going to be there that first night.  They have kids almost the same age...their oldest Ellie is about 5 months older than Zach and their youngest Easton is about 6 months older than Erin, so they all should get along well and be interested in the same things.  Zach already saw a photo of Ellie and said, wow she is pretty.  She is!  So that will be great fun to see Christina and Chris and of course the kids...they are 7 hours north of us and we haven't had the chance with deployments, babies, etc to visit and now we are moving.  So...I am glad it worked out for us on this trip.  :) 

I have to get all of us packed tonight and loaded up early to get Brandon at the airport...I hate packing for everyone...including Brandon this go around...the shorter the trip the more I seem to take.  I do know the weather there is always way cooler than we are ready for, so I plan to remind myself of that again and bring clothes for that....last year we hit the mall!  

I have cleared out some more items in the garage thanks to pregnant friends...I am going to do a big Ebay push this month and close up shop on that in June...the packer man came to look at how much stuff we have...you could tell he was "impressed" at the amount of toys and clothes I have hiding in this house. :)  Ah sarcasm doesn't translate well on a blog. Anyhow...Brandon is in Abilene tonight and it makes me a bit homesick honestly...I am glad we are heading back to Texas...I think we will be happy there!  Please comment on the house, the link to it is in the blog below....I want feedback!

Off to pack!

Rental...

Lots of people have actually asked me about the rental...so here is a link so you can see it for yourself...
I am not crazy about a lot of the paint colors, but they are letting us paint as much as we want and they dropped the rent price for us by $50 and no security deposit, just a pet deposit. We met them when we lived in Enid, so they trust us a bit more than Joe off the street. The house is great for a rental for us...I am not sure I would consider it to buy, but to rent, it works fine for our needs and for this assignment. Some of the pictures, like the kitchen eating area, look funny and a lot smaller then they are. We will be using the room listed as a den (no photo shown) as our dinning room...first room when you walk in the house on the left...also room where two big windows are in front of the house. My buffet and table will fit in there. So...let me know what you think...we really weren't sure about renting, buying, waiting to see if they neighborhood we wanted would have a rental...but in the end this seemed like a good deal and we went with it...
http://www.militarybyowner.com/listings/tourplus.asp?F_BASE_ID=224&F_STATE=TX&LISTING_ID=100431

Smiling faces

Today didn't go exactly as planned, but that was okay, it was a good day. Zach was supposed to come home from school and have his new behaviorist meet him here, but I had gotten an email from her saying she has the flu...lets hope not the swine one since she was here Friday in my house! Anyhow, he handled it well and hopefully she will be able to start coming soon to work with us and get this ball rolling.

Waiting to hear from his Tricare (our insurance) caseworker about transferring his therapies to TX, behavioral being the biggest one. We just got it approved and we want to keep it for the move...as we transition to a new place we KNOW things will pop up...plus we have things to work on for school and need the help.

Speaking of school...waiting to hear about that...his IEP here is scheduled for next week and we can't enroll him in TX until they see a new IEP that shows where he is now. His teacher at his special ed school said that he is academically ready for first grade...socially she is more concerned. No shock for a child on the spectrum. He wants to be social, wants to interact and be friends, but often just goes about it wrong. So the big factor now is can he go into a mainstream classroom next year and be okay. We are very determined to get Zach into the mainstream class....period. I know he can do it...he is smart enough and capable of learning anything. I think putting him in a special ed room any longer will only continue to stifle him and cause behaviors to appear that he is learning from other kids with issues. I am not sure going into Pre K again will help either since he is already academically well above that. So...we need to hope that he is ready and able to go to school. The school that is associated with our rental house, Weiderstien (spelling) is a new school and we don't now much about it. The one thing we know is by law they have to provide Zachary whatever he needs to be in school in his least restrictive environment...meaning he can be mainstreamed, but might require help. We want to put him to school on base at Randolph ISD. It is a fantastic school that is a DOD instillation school...since he would be a transfer to the school and not a child that has to go there based on where he lives, they by law don't have to provide him with more than they have on hand...so if he needs an aide and they don't have one, they don't' get one. The other school would have to provide one. So...we are hopeful that the results come back that he isn't needing more than they have and that they have more than we think...Basically I want Zachary to get to go to school on time in a normal class with all the available help he needs. I am scared to death, but super hopeful.

That face makes me know he will be okay...he has a great spirit and anyone that gets to know him, really know him, loves him. I have faith the next teacher in his future will too.