Father's Day at the zoo

We spent Father's Day at the zoo, here are a few pics from the day. Check back for some video, I still need to upload it :-)

ETA: I have tried to upload the videos twice and both failed, I am sad but will keep trying. Anyone with youtube experience? LOL
ETA#2 Thanks Blogger!!



Chloe sliding at the zoo.




Chloe pulling the wagon up the BIG hill at the zoo.

Irish Fest Performance Schedule

I am SOOO excited to be performing at Irish Fest this year!!! I have been dancing with Glencastle for a year and a half now and LOVE IT! It is so fun. This will be my first Irish Fest and last night at practice we got the schudule thus far

Thursday, August 14th- 5pm Aer Lingus Stage
Friday, August 15th- 5:45pm Miller High Life Stage
Saturday, August 16th- 1pm Children's stage (no adults),
3:45 Aer Lingus Stage
Sunday, August 17th- Unknown at this time

If you have never been to Irish Fest in Milwaukee, I HIGHLY recommend it. It is SO much fun and I think one of the best ethnic festivals we have. Lots of great music and of course dancing :-)

See you there!!!

Chloe is doing it- IN THE TOILET!!!

Yeah,
We started potty training Chloe on Monday. She had a rough first day. Held it most of the day and the 3 times she let it go, it was on the floor. She was so upset (so was I, LOL) But she just didn't get how to "go" on the toilet. The second day was MUCH better. The first one of the day went on the floor, but the next one happened at a "scheduled potty break" once she went and realize it was OK to go there, she hasn't turned back. She is getting more and more comfortable at "letting go" and is walking over and asking me to "go potty on toilet" Then she praises herself when she is done "awesome" She hasn't had an accident since Tuesday morning and we have been done scheduling her potty visits since yesterday late morning. That means she has been going "on her own" since then.
What can I say, so happy to get rid of diapers and so proud of Chloe!!!

Last day of school

Chloe


Camryn and Mrs. Holland

Well, we survived another school year. We had some bumps along the way, but in the end the girls did very well!! Both of them improved in many areas this year and have worked very hard everyday.
Chloe fell and skinned her knees on her way out of school today, that is why there is no picture of her with Ms. Schieble. It wasn't the best photo opportunity.
Camryn is pictured with her special ed teacher Mrs. Holland (fitting isn't it?) Mrs. Holland went above the call of duty this year for Camryn and will remain her sp. ed. teacher next year. YEAH!!
We look forward to a busy and productive summer, those teachers are going to be shocked and amazed when they see the girls next year!!!

What we are up to....

Sorry, I haven't posted in a while, I guess some of you are actually reading my blog and coming here to see what we are up to (Thanks JOY!!)

This is the last week of school. I am so sad, funny I used to cry on the FIRST day of school, now I am more likely to cry on the LAST day. The girls have done GREAT this year. Camryn is beginning to show a strength in reading (seriously, who would have thought that from a child who couldn't speak for years?) She also greatly improved in art and gym class. She continues to struggle with writing, although it is coming along, and math (I can't help her there, LOL) She will continue to have 4 1/2 to 5 hours of therapy per day during the summer to work on all of these skills and many more, it is nice that she loves her therapists and they really make learning fun for her. She is going to repeat first grade next year, since she is SO close to actually participating in the regular ed. classwork. Her teachers are great and I have no doubt she will do well next year.

Chloe went to school 1/2 days this year. She did well too. She got used to the routine of school and has learned so much. She knows her ABC's and can count to 12, knows her shapes and her colors. She can also spell her name!! She is beginning to make shapes and the start of letters (mostly the letter C) when writing. Next year she will attend school ALL DAY!!!! Her autism waiver slot should open up around the new year. Then we will REALLY be busy. She continues to amaze us everyday with her spontanious language development and her adorable personality. She is going to have a busy summer. We will begin potty training her on Monday. Yep, the first day she doesn't have school. No time like the present. She is totally ready, she just doesn't know it yet :-)

Andrew isn't going to know what to do this summer. He has to WORK!! With his new job, he will no longer have summers off. Total bummer. But the upside is he will get paid through the summer, no longer pinching pennies come August. This will be an adjustment for us all, as I really enjoy the help around the house. Hope the summer goes quick!!

I am still enjoying my part time job at The Children's Place. It is a great break from my "home life" and I get a great discount on the clothes. My Irish dance classes start up again tonight. This will be my first year performing at Milwaukee's Irish Fest. It should be a blast. I love the dances, the exercise and the drinks that follow :-) I have met a nice group of people.

That really about sums it up. Hope you all are doing well!!!!
DJ