PTO and Dad's Club

Getting involved with the PTO at Hayden's school has been a lot of fun. I'm a true believer in parental involvement. I believe that having our hands in their education and activities, 'makes' the experience. I'd be involved with the girls' schools regardless, but with Hayden having learning challenges, it's even that more important to me to make my presence known. I feel my familiarity with the teachers and staff, and theirs with me, will just benefit her education immensely. Conal didn't quite understand this for awhile. As he said, he "knew I'd be involved, but had no idea at what lengths". We had some long and arduous talks about the girls futures and our place in them. I've always known that I wanted to give back to my kids what my parents gave to me. Love, attention, guidance, strength, confidence and good will. And my girls are at the ages that those calculated maneuvers come into play.
After about 3 days of questions, and solutions, frustration and understanding, we both came to an agreement that we were 100% comfortable with. I was going to opt in for the PTO board in the Vice President position, and he was going to attend a Dad's Club meeting to see if it was something he was interested in getting involved with. The Dad's Club came solely from the other school dads that he's become friends with, peer pressuring him! After his first Dad's Club meeting, he thought he'd go to one more and then take it from there. Well, after 2 meetings, beginning in February, he's gone every month. He's helped with set up and break down of a couple of events, and even managed the kids play station and the Spring bazaar!

We are conscientious about burn out...so, even as involved as I will be, the new President and I have already met and formed new committees and are delegating! We don't want to burn out our second year in school...but as I see it, and I think he is too, we are delighting in the fact that Hayden is having a ball getting to participate in so much, and she loves it that we're around! Gotta take it while we can! Apparently, we've decided to go big or go home! lol.

Mother's Day Tea(s)

Both of the girls' schools had really sweet Mother's Day Teas. This was the first and only program Hayden's class had all year long. So it was really special for all the Mommies that have been waiting all year to see their kids on stage!

The music director did an awesome job at putting their show together. They sang some very cute songs and raps, and finished in the dark with glow sticks singing in rounds "This Little Light of Mine". I've got to admit, I was in tears! It was beautiful! Hayden participated, and sang and smiled...she had a lot of fun and really enjoyed performing.

**********************************************


Taylor's Mothers Day tea was adorable, and hilarious! This was the first time Taylor has ever been in front of an audience. And she was literally in front...and center. And, not shy! She was loud, and animated and had A LOT of fun!

There's no doubt about it...this was, by far...THE BEST MOTHER'S DAY EVER!!!.

Pirate Day at St. Tims

Taylor really didn't want to dress up for pirate day because "Pirates are for boys". I told her we could make her into a girl pirate, but she wasn't up for that either! Needless to say, after a quick trip to Party City, I got her to wear a skull cap and an eye patch. And she actually liked had fun at school that day, all dressed up!

Sanborn Golf Tournament, Dinner and Auction

Way before Hayden ever even entered school, I knew I'd be an involved parent. I knew I'd be a member of the PTA...or PTO, as it is at our school. So when Kindergarten rolled around, I went to the first PTO mtg last August. I signed up to help with day-of set up on a few committees that night, but as the year rolled around, I changed my involvement a bit, and ended up on the planning committees. I helped in the execution of the first ever Holiday bazaar, which led me to help plan the Spring bazaar, and I helped with the final planning stages of the 4th annual golf tournament, dinner and auction, as I didn't push my way in until January! It was all a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. I love planning, staging, executing events. It was fun to see how others manage them, but also hard not taking control!

Becky and MeConal, Paul (Brian's brother) and Brian

Kindergarten Spring Party

While Conal was on vacation, Hayden's class had their Spring (Easter) party. He helped in the classroom that day! Actually, the whole family did. Tay kinda thinks she's the class mascot, as she's in there a lot with me, and Hayden was THRILLED that her daddy came. It was also worldwide Austism Awareness day, so notice the blue we're sportin'!

Taylor Update

Tay's about to turn 4 in just a few weeks. That meant that her IEP was due at her developmental preschool. I was pretty convinced that she wouldn't be approved for the program any longer, but wasn't quite sure if they'd keep her through her birthday, the end of the year, or what. The week before her IEP the school psych. told me that they would be releasing her on the last day before Spring break. That was music to my ears!!

On March 12, the last day before Spring break, I met with her teacher and the therapists at Erie school and we all signed off on Taylor's release from the developmental education program.

Taylor has done so well and is now mainstreamed! Her vocabulary, vocalization and socialization have exceeded far beyond the expectations and goals that were set for her a year ago. In fact, all of her educators and support staff involved recommended that I get her into a program or class that will allow her to express herself. They think a quiet dance class is too docile for her. She's been around quiet kids for awhile and they'd suggest I enroll her somewhere where talking, singing, and noise in encouraged. So, I did just that! I enrolled her in the summer Broadway Kids camp at the Chandler Center for the Arts. It's a bit pricey, but she's never done anything fun like that. By this age Hayden had participated in dance, gymnastics and soccer...now it's Tay's turn!

We also left her school that day after her IEP meeting, and went over to St. Tim's. I had spoken to Monica the week prior about enrolling her for next Fall. When we went in on Friday, Miss Terri took Tay into music class with the rest of the kids. Taylor had a ball! Miss Mary has a small class right now, only 6 kids in the afternoons, so they invited her to attend for the rest of the year. I'm not sending her until the week after Easter when they resume their schedule. I wanted her home while Hayden is off on Spring Break. Taylor is really excited to go to the "big kids school where Haynen went". She will only go for the remaining six weeks left in the school year, but will return in August.

Taylor is doing really well, it does my heart so good!

The social butterfly with Emme, Reagan and Jackson

Taylor goes to Kindie

Last Friday, Hayden's class had "Snowman Day". Just some fun activities revolving around snowmen. Pin the carrot nose on the snowman...make an edible snowman...and a 'snowball' (paper) fight in the courtyard, amongst a couple more stations.
I took Taylor along with me, and boy, did she have a blast! The kids were asking if she could come back on Monday! Only 18 more months and she may be able to call that classroom home for a whole school year!