Here's to another school year!

I can't believe the summer is behind us and another school year has already started.  It was a fun summer but flew by with work being so busy this year.  We were so lucky to have my niece Allison staying with us to watch the kids.  They had SO much fun this summer going to the pool, swim team, playground and riding bikes.  We definitely wouldn't have had such a smooth summer without her!!  And I know the kids wouldn't have had so much fun!

The kids also wrapped up summer with a week of Grammy Camp!  I had to go to Seattle for work, my niece already left for college and Johnny had to go to Dallas to speak at a conference.  The kids hadn't stayed with my parents before but were very excited.  They literally talked about it daily for two weeks before they went.  The kids had a great time!  My parents bought them both little ceramic banks - a fire truck and a bunny.  Each day they got paid $.50 to do chores and clean up after themselves.  They were so excited to tell me all about their adventures.  They had a fun time reading every day, riding the tractor and golf cart, using their new bow and arrows, washing the car, weeding and working around the farm.  They thought it was so fun that they got paid every day!

After Grammy Camp we had Open House at school followed by Back to School Night and the first day of school.  Both kids have a new team of teachers this year.  Cole is going into first grade and has Mrs. Galvan.  We've heard really good things about her and Cole has come home every day very happy and sharing lots of stories.  After such a challenging end of the year last year this is such a huge relief.  His teacher had a lot of really good questions about Cole when we met at the Open House and I was glad she is so on top of his IEP and understanding the challenges ahead.  She sends regular email updates and is always at the school by 5:30am so her door is always open.  Hoping for a good year!  Cole also has a new TVI and a new occupational therapist.  His special education teacher is new, but Reagan had her last year and we are very thankful for that!  I think this will be a really big year in understanding what we are facing with his braille education and how much that will play into his curriculum.

Reagan is going into third grade and has Mrs. Sherry.  We've also heard amazing things about her and Reagan is already coming home with a big smile and very positive stories about school.  She was VERY nervous the night before school started and was worried about being ready for third grade.  One day in the class and all those worries are gone.  She's especially excited about the pom-pom jar. Once it has 50 pom-poms they get to plan a party!  I love created behavior plans !  Reagan also has a new occupational therapist but she has the same special education teacher from last year and the same one Cole has.  Reagan continues to express concerns about getting pulled out of class for reading.  We decided to work a little harder at home on reading and see if that helps.  We're hopeful that this year she will have a lot of her skills "click".

We recently got them both flash cards and they are helping each other practice.  Reagan quizzes the addition and subtraction for Cole and Cole shows the multiplication and division cards for Reagan.  We're trying to make it fun and luckily we found super big print cards so they are easy for Cole to see.  We also purchased a new series of books for Reagan called Critter Club.  We're hoping if we keep trying different books it will help peak her interest.

So we're off to another year of school and I'm off on another trip to Seattle.  One more after this and I'm done traveling for the year.  We're looking forward to a few camping trips this Fall in addition to several doctor appointments so updates will surely be coming!