Not sure what we're doin'....

But something's going right! I'm not one for counting my eggs before they've hatched, as I always feel like the other shoe is about to drop. A bit pessimistic, I know. But lately, I find myself at peace. This is a bit of a shocker to me, considering I was weaned off my meds a couple months back!

Hayden is doing great! Great in school, great at home, great on her meds. Now, don't get me wrong, her life is still a challenge..always will be, but I feel like we're finally getting the hang of it. Her moods swings are not as erratic. Well, maybe they are and I'm just handling them better? I feel like I'm more understanding, accepting and patient with her OCD. I feel like I'm starting to understand (although I really don't!) her fears, which are turning into phobias. I'm trying to be kinder and gentler with her. I've been taking her into great consideration when accepting invites to big functions that overwhelm her and give her anxiety. I know I can ask her to go to Target or San Tan Village with me, but Costco or an indoor mall is not preferrable for her. When she just really wants to stay home and stim, I allow that, instead of fight it.

We've realized that tag-teaming her homework is key to getting it finished with as few tears as possible. If one of us starts and we notice her get frustrated, and the one helping does too, the other is listening for cues to take over with a different approach. I think running club has completely boosted her self-confidence, which, I think was as about as low as one could get, at 7 years old.

I'm literally getting smiles when she gets out of the car in the mornings, instead of scowls. Even a a hug or two on slight occasion.

Her teacher even sent me an email this this morning saying that she is having an AMAZING week. That she understood her math and got 100% on an assessment. She's never received 100% on anything. And that was a non-modified assessment, at that! Her progress report came home with her lowest assesment being at 80%. That's above average people!! She even said that she wishes she could "package Hayden and clone her". That she's "such a sweet girl" and has "watched her come out of her shell and really blossom in such a short time".

Over Winter break, I heard in passing on a tv interview, someone say that you should talk to your kids like someone you respect is always listening. I've been really trying hard to be cognisant (sp?) of that. I can't help but wonder if that is where some of her happiness and confidence stem from too? I think our approaches around the house have really made a great difference in her disposition. It wasn't a mean and negative place before...but you could definately feel aggravation on all accounts.

Karate

Hayden started her very first day of Karate today. And loved it! Today was a private trial session, we'll see if she likes her second class next Monday!

Snow Day!

There's no place like snow! We went up to the cabin January 28-30th. We drove the girls up to Sunrise on Saturday, to play in the snow for their first time!

Race #2..a video, and pics from the 1st race!

Running club pictures from the 1st race and a video from the 2nd race!

The 2nd race was at Sanborn. This time, Hayden's cheering section multiplied! Memaw and Papa came (it was Papa's birthday, too!), Auntie, Uncle Bub, Cooper, Cash and Paisley were all there for her along the way cheering loudly!

It was announced that Hayden got 2nd place, but it seems there was a mix up and she got 3rd. So, not exactly sure where she ended up, but definately in the top 3 again!

She's been at home, sick, since last Friday. She has another race this Thursday and is very nervous about missing it. Not sure if she's going to be disappointed this week, but all we can do is encourage her to try her best!

She has the Sanborn ribbon run in another week or two, and she's going to participate in the 100 meter run at the Chandler Hershey Track Meet on 3/5!

Happy New Year

We rang in the new year with some of our greatest, most treasured friends!

Phone Call FROM Santa!

Santa called the kids on Christmas Eve. The memory of their priceless expressions will forever be etched in my mind. MAGICAL!

Such a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

We bucked our typical Christmas traditions this year, for something completely different! We all (The Coxes, Winnett's and us) went up to Show Low and spent a long weekend at my parents cabin. What an incredible time we had! The kids made decorations for the tree, we had lots of great meals together, went 'ice fishing' (Papa bought the kids fishing poles!), and just enjoyed celebrating the season with our families and my parents. If Christmas could always be on a Saturday, I think we'd adopt a new tradition...it was that good!

Christmas Caroling

The Moore's host an annual Christmas Caroling party in their end of the neighborhood, that we participated in, along with about 15'ish other families. Taylor had a blast running from house to house trying to ring the doorbells with the other kids. They have a list of sheet music, pre-rehearse and everything! Afterwards, we enjoyed cider, hot chocolate and yummy treats. Good family times!

A few of the families/kids

Tay Tay

Taylor: "Mommy, I don't wanna grow up to do anything. I just wanna live with you FOREVER and do NOTHING."

Umm...is there a such word for a daytime nightmare??!!

That's Taylor!

I'm still trying to figure out where she came from! She is pig-headed, strong willed, stubborn, defiant, determined.

She's cuddly, affectionate, humorous, bright.

She's very social, outgoing, independant. She's also a Mommy's girl, glued to my hip and lovingly manipulative.

Taylor is our walking contradiction!

She's antsy to go to Kindergarten with "all" her "friends". She's overcome most (if not all) of her food allergies! She still has mystery fevers, just not as often. She's sounding words out and trying to do Hayden's homework with us.

She loves to dance, sing and perform for anyone who'll watch. She's not into much that requires more effort than that! She refuses to wear jeans. Will only wear leggings with or without skirts. She loves accessories and hates her curly hair.

Her favorite color is pink. No blue. Maybe yellow. Or purple. It changes with her mood.

She prefers showers to baths, and finishes with scented lotion. Preferrably vanillas, not florals.

I enjoy our 'four year old' conversations! She's insightful and very attentive. She's got an opinion. About EVERYTHING.

I can't help but think that all of these traits, combined, help her overcome her early childhood developmental delays?!

She's almost 5! Where did the years go?

Adventures in.....

A whole lotta things I thought I'd NEVER. EVER. DO. AGAIN!
* And no, they're not teens. And I'm not Elisabeth Shue.*

Here's what I'm doing from day to day...

5 months old, it seems okay.

A 3 year old in

Hell No. Uh-Uh. NO WAY!

A little ambitious, I admit...but I'm REALLY not fond of cleaning big kid sh*t!

So if you happen upon me, don't judge, have a soul.

You do what you gotta for the good times to roll.

When 5:00 comes around and they're still on my time, please show up at my door with a bottle of

Wait, better yet....

THE END.

Well. Not really. It's kinda only the beginning!

Guess how much she loves me?

Sweet Hayden rushed my car one day this past week, as I was picking in her in the drive-thru, at school. She could not wait to climb inside and share a moment of her day. (Some days she doesn't talk at all, so this was a lovely surprise!)
She pulled this book out of her backpack and prefaced her conversation with "I know it's babyish, but guess what I thought"? She saw this book in the library and it made her think of me. She told me she stood there and thought how much she loves me and all the times we read this book. "I don't think about you at school sometimes, Mommy, but today I did. And it made me miss you. So I checked out the book from the library so we could read it together".

And that night, I sat in bed with her while she read it to me. For the very first time, while I just listened. If she only knew "to the moon and back" is a mere fraction of the distance of my love for her.

Whirlybird Wednesday

Fox 10 came out to Sanborn yesterday, with their helicopter, and Cory McCloskey..the weather guy. It was freezing out, but that didn't keep the crowd down! The helicopter landed in the field, and then they did three morning weather segments from Hayden's school. Fun, fun!

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/more_azam/hilites/Sanborn-Elementary-School-01262011

The Whirlybird Landing...

Speedy Marquette

Hayden wanted to join Sanborn's running club this year, solely for the purpose of getting to go to the swim party at the end of the school year! We decided to let her try, and set some very clear expectations. Since she was starting this, she was not allowed to quit. She needed to attend every practice, unless she was sick, and we would like for her to run in the races. I did not know you had to qualify, I just figured you could pick and choose.

Hayden qualified for her first race, which was held at Tumbleweed park. I had no idea what to expect. I definately didn't expect about 200 kids from grades K-6, lined up on a rolling start, running all at the same time! I didn't expect the course to be so expanse, and I had no idea, until the day of, that they run 1.5 miles in this race. I'm a very competitive girl, by nature, as I grew up, an athlete. I've released that competitive nature and lowered my expectations to just encourage my girls to just try and give things their all. OR SO I THOUGHT!

I had high anxiety with the course being so spread out, that my mom, Conal and I each ran to different spots around the park to a.) keep an eye on Hayden and b.) encourage her to keep running. As she rounded the turn to the first spot I was standing, I felt myself overcome with emotion. She was running. And participating. And trying her hardest. As I yelled in a crazy loud voice that Conal is convinced everyone heard, but Hayden, I found myself winding up even more. I could see her blonde braids from across the park, and she was still running. And as she approached another turn where we were standing and yelling, she was STILL RUNNING! She was passing kids...boys, girls, kids older than her! And once I realized her placement in this race, I felt this rush of competition come over me. O.M.G...she's fast! She's near the front of the pack and she's GOING TO FINISH!

As she rounded the last corner, I was screamin' my heart out and she glanced me a smirkish-smile. I felt tears well up in my eyes. Our baby girl was finishing her first race. She participated in a sport, where she was able to calm her own fears..panic..phobias, and succeed! To know the heartache she's been through trying to find "her thing"...this was a perfect boost of confidence on so many levels! We met her at the finish line, where she was given number 64. I had no idea what that meant. But we decided to stay for the awards ceremony to see how it works and what goes on. So glad we did....lo and behold, 1st grade girls, third place finisher...HAYDEN MARQUETTE!! 64th place overall...out of the 200-ish kids that ran, boys and girls alike. Holeeee, Moleee!

She went up for her ribbon clearly unphased by what was going on. We're thinking she thought everyone got one. But by the time we got home, it was sinking in. We were rounding the corner onto our street and she said "I did that for you, Mommy". I said, "What? What did you do for me"? She said, "I ran for you, Mommy. I heard you screaming HAYDEN...GO HAYDEN, GO HAYDEN, and I knew you would be proud". I literally had to pull my car over.

I was in tears. I told her that I'm just so proud that she ran in the race, and that she finished. That is what makes me proud. That she tried something new, and even though she was scared, she did it! By the end of the night, she totally understood what happened. She found a nice place on her wall for her ribbon that evening. Yet, when I went in to wake her up the next morning, I found it in bed with her!

Hayden's first Starbucks!

Hot Chocolate...YUM!

We shared Starbucks after a hard day shopping at Justice!

Santa!

Both of the girls decided to give Santa a try this year! And they both gave him, what seemed to be, a never ending list!

Taylor

Princess kitchen, Ariel salon, Ladybug Pillowpet, Justin Beiber doll, Barbie's

HaydenRainbow yarn, DS, pipe cleaners, (toy) horses, Unicorn Pillowpet, crayons, Moxie dolls

Media Award

During the 2nd quarter PRIDE assembly, Hayden was awarded with the Media Award. The library staff nominated her as one of the 1st grade recipients, as she's always prepared, quiet and helpful in the library and computer lab.