Kids say the craziest things...

Claire has been so funny lately I can't help but write a few of her "moments" down.

So the other day she was telling me that tomorrow she would be going away to college. She was very adamant that this was going to happen and even packed a box with all the things she would need. Her pillow pet, her doll, some dishes from a tea set, her blanket and some clothes. She was then getting ready to go to bed and I told her I would miss her a lot while she was away and she told me "mom. I just received a text from my dear friend who told me that we are not going to college tomorrow. So I will be staying home!" It had me laughing so hard I couldn't say good night to her. Thank goodness she is not even going to preschool yet. I would miss her terribly!

She has also been watching a lot of this bear movie and they always ask the viewer "what do you like to practice every day?" and Claire's answer is, "Harp." Yep. Claire started harp lessons two weeks ago and has been such a joy to practice with. Whether or not it will last when the newness has worn off I don't know. I am just riding the good wave with this one.:)

Then today she had to get two shots. After the deed was done she told me with tears coming down her cheeks, "mom. Dad is going to hear it today. Shots are NOT fun and I am not having a good day!" Seriously. Where does she get these lines?!

I think the best news and biggest step for us is that this past week was her last speech therapy. Yes. She has officially caught up to her age group and our therapist told us she didn't need to come anymore. We are sad to see Jean go since she has been such a HUGE part of our lives but thrilled that we made it to this point. AMAZING!

Hope you have a great week! We are.:)

Memories

Kent put our Christmas card together this past Sunday. We are still planning on mailing the actual card but sometimes they don't always make it in the envelope and mail before the season is over. I can't believe this year has gone bye so fast. CRAZY!

Updates:
Morgan and Mack are now really walking all the time which means I am going slightly nuts chasing them around. They also have 3 official words. Sucker "gucker", car "ca" and cracker "gacker". Only the essentials. No mom or dad here!
Claire had her 4th birthday (pictures to follow) and also we found out that she has caught up with the typical 4 year old speech. That means we get to start to phase out speech. HAPPY DAY!:)
Emma is the best big sister! She has been such a great helper the past couple of months and I don't know what I would do without her. She is so mature for her age that I forget she is only 5. I guess that is the curse of being the oldest in the family!

Hope your having a great holiday season with plenty of Nutcrackers, snow, hot chocolate and lights!

Big Steps

This is a picture of the kids meeting Kent at the airport after his race. They were so excited!

Claire after she had a successful trip to the potty!

Mack taking his first steps!

Morgan clapping since Claire and I were freaking out after he just stood up and walked!

We have had big steps happening around here lately!

Mack and Morgan have started to take their first steps. In true twin/boy fashion Mack did it first and it seemed like Morgan was literally a step behind. Mack is such a physical kid who just tries and tries until he finally gets it. Morgan on the other hand seemed to study Mack trying and then just got up and did it. They are so darn cute I can't stand it!

Claire has finally got the hang of using the potty! It has truly been a miracle to watch how easy it has been for her. I am constantly amazed once again at how well her brain and body have worked together. AMAZING!

Emma had her first trip away from mom. This was more of a big step for me than her. She went with Kent last weekend to California to see Kent's brother bless their baby. I was so nervous and sad to think that I was missing out on things with her but the idea of driving to and from California with all the kids in one weekend was enough for me to miss those events in her life! She had a great time though and I am so proud of the girl she is becoming.

Kent had his first race in that he was in charge of in September. It was amazing for me to see how much work really goes into every single race at Ragnar! I had no idea and am happy to say that we survived as a family and he survived as the race director!

Me...well I am doing a first since I had kids which is perform solo in public. This has been a big stretching moment in my life this past year. I have loved reconnecting to performing and practicing. I am performing tonight at the Assembly Hall on Temple Square at 7:30 as part of the Temple Square Concert series. I am looking forward to it and hopefully enjoying the experience! All are welcome that are 8 years old and older!:)

Claire

(I am warning you now that this is a slightly long and rambled post. I have so much in my mind and heart at the moment I just can't seem to organize it into a nice short post.But since this is my best form of family journal I feel I need to get it out. Ever feel that way? Sorry!:) )

I am constantly amazed by this little girl. She is teaching me so much about life that I can't even begin to tell you. This past Monday she started her 3rd round of constraint therapy. That is where you cast the strong arm to force the weak arm to work. This time has been a bit rougher for her than other times. She is now pretty independent and I just took away her only form of independence. In short I suck as a mom. She hasn't said that but I think she feels a bit betrayed. Every day she asks me to take her back to Shriner's so that they can take her cast off. I keep telling her that she needs it on for 2 more weeks and she will get big tears in her eyes and say "OK mom. Just 2 more weeks!"

I am amazed at the wise and determined personality that is in this little girl. I feel like I am going to cry every time she falls or can't keep up with the other kids. My heart broke tonight when she started to cry and ask me to read her one more story. You see every night she "reads" to herself books until she falls asleep. Without the use of her right arm she can't hold the book up so she just waits in the dark until she can fall asleep.

I don't know how to be a parent to a child with special needs! I am trying to do what I think is right and trying my best to follow the advice from the professionals but sometimes I want to say to the therapists that work with us, "Can you tell me what I am supposed to say to my little girl when she comes in crying because she can't keep up with the other kids?" or what to say to my 5 year old who the other night told me, "Mom. Tomorrow I think we need to teach Claire how to walk normal. You know. Like not drag her feet anymore." None of them have covered these topics with me. I wish they would.

The thing is that I am learning, as I am stumbling along this road that I don't need someone to tell me how to respond. Because Claire is showing me how to respond. Daily.

This past Sunday was the Primary Program. She had one line and to be honest I didn't know if she was going to say it at all. As her class stood up and took turns to say their parts Claire got right up there and said her part loud and clear. She didn't even hesitate and didn't care that the others could not understand her as well. She was proud to do it and I was proud of her! My mom and I sat in the audience and both just about started to cry. I couldn't believe that my little girl who was not supposed to talk or walk just did both in front of an audience.
She had just taught me once again how determined and independent she is and will continue to be. I am so thankful for this little person who continues to teach me daily what I need to be grateful for and what I take for granted. Thanks Claire!

Pants are NOT leggings

I just had a phone call from my husband. He was taking Emma to school and on the way (the whole 2 min) she told Kent that she was supposed to wear pants today and not her beautiful fluffy pink skirt. Kent then called me and I ran upstairs and got what I thought were pants. Ones she would be thrilled about as well as her Twinkle Toes shoes since the sandals she was wearing were probably not right. (The Twinkle Toes are another story completely. Another blog another day!)

So I am thinking I am being the super mom and run out to meet them with the extremely cute pants and her twinkle toes expecting a huge "Thanks so much mom!" Instead I was greeted with a "Those aren't pants mom. They are leggings! I NEED pants." Stupid mom. What was I thinking?

Since when did my 5 year old become the authority on pants?


Emma with the infamous (at our house at least) Twinkle Toesalt="

Emma is in the system

Today Emma started Kindergarten. It is a big day for us as she is our first in the school system.

It was fun to see her pick out her clothes, tell me how her hair was to be done decide how to wear her backpack and realize the none of it would be what I would pick. She is our oldest and therefore we have had to learn through her how to parent. She has taught me over and over again that she has her own personality and her way of doing things and they don't coincide with mine most of the time.

With that said I was 100% proud of her this morning. She just stood in line waiting for her class to walk in and get going. Kent and I stood on the sidelines watching her with complete awe. We said good bye and she waved, blew me a kiss and walked away. Kent told me to run up and give her one last hug since in that moment we both realized that she is not a baby or toddler anymore. She is a grown little person who is now in the system. Ready to make friends, learn fun and hard lessons and a little bit out in the world now. Congratulations Emma! Good luck for a great year!

Sumer Catchup

Where did summer go? I can't believe it has come and gone and I didn't really post anything about it.

Here is a quick catchup.
June:
We went to Jackson Hole and spent the best few days at my Aunt's house. Their hospitality was so kind and the weather and animals we saw were AMAZING. The kids had a great time and the girls most favorite thing was having a sleepover together and being able to watch TV while eating breakfast in bed. Thanks so much Hokes! It was such a great trip!

July:
4th of July was great. Kent and Ragnar were in the Kaysville parade which was so long and hot. Claire and Kent sat on the semi and had fun tossing candy. Emma bailed once she saw me and the boys on the side. She wanted to get the candy not give it.:)
We also had harp camp in July. It was such a great week and so much fun to see how much Emma grew in just one week. Thanks to my brother Pete we were able to get great press coverage. The link from the Deseret News was especially fun since it gives those of you not familiar with harp camp an idea of what it was. A lot of work but seriously such a great week!




http://www.deseretnews.com/photo/slideshow/8046/Plucking-at-heart-strings.html

August:
The Watkins Family weekend. This year we did a "staycation" in Kaysville with track and field events at G & G Simmons house. It was so much fun to see the kids race against each other. My favorite moment was when Claire was struggling to finish the lap around the arena all the cousins and family starting to cheer her on. I about started to cry and was reminded once again how much our life is cheered on by our family and friends!




We had a lot of fun this summer and I can't believe it is over. Sad but so much fun! Here is onto the school year. Our first!:)