Thankful Thursday

Life holds so many simple blessings, each day bringing its own individual wonder.

~John McLeod

As we end 2010, we are truly thankful for all the blessings God has given us this year.

~We always have enough!! Our enough is so much more than 95% of the world. We are truly thankful for God's provision.

~A surprise, paid day off with Jason, especially after working so many late nights it was a true joy to have him home on Wednesday. Aidan seriously screamed with excitement when I told him Jason had called to say he had the day off.

~All church Sabbath - On Sunday our church held an all church sabbath and we thoroughly enjoyed the day by hanging out in our jammies and playing games all day.

~Family fun - Finger Painting, ooze making, Alayna being silly & pretending to sleep in her baby doll carrier, raspberries given by a sweet 2 year old and the belly giggles that follow, not having anywhere we have to be, board game marathons & daddy bringing Alayna's outdoor toys inside for the winter (who says you can't play at the park when it's cold outside?)!

~Operation underpants continues to be a big success.

~Our good health. As a cancer survivor, I don't take health for granted. I am thankful for each day that I get to spend with my family. I know that when we are dealing with a cold or fever there are so many out there that are fighting cancer or other diseases. We pray for those that are battling illness.

~We are truly thankful that several kids from Reece's Rainbow have found their forever families this Christmas season. However, there are still many more kids listed. Please consider a tax deductible donation and continue to pray for these children.

We hope you have a moment to reflect on your 2010 blessings (share a few please!)

We pray that you have a safe and happy New Year.

We look forward to sharing more thankfuls with you next year!

Potty training 101: Operation Underpants

Alayna continues to make super progress in potty training. If you want to read about how we started click here.

She has been doing really well letting us know when she has to use the toilet and is staying dry, even in diapers during the day (most of the time). So, I decided the few weeks off school during Christmas break would be a great time to test out her readiness to step into big girl panties.

She was super excited to put on underwear and sport them around. Her big brother was just as excited and was broadcasting the news to anyone who would listen! Really, he helped pick out her new undies and was telling the cashier at Target all about his sister being such a big girl. He was even excited for her when he found out that she is potty training a few months earlier than he did!

The first day I kept her in undies only a few hours. Each day I added a little more time until she is wearing big girls all day (besides nap time but, she is usually dry in her diaper after naps now too). She has only had 2 accidents.

I learned quickly the first couple days that she did NOT want to be put on the toilet every hour just to see if she needed to go. That was making her frustrated. So I backed off and have let her tell me when she needs to go. The only "scheduled" times are first thing in the morning, before and after nap and before bed.

I wasn't brave enough on Christmas Eve or day while we were traveling to church and other people's homes to not use a diaper. But, she again surprised me by signing potty when she needed to go both days and did not wet in her diaper.

We know there will be accidents and that nighttime training will come later as with all kids but, we are super proud of our big girl and the progress she continues to make.

Slow and steady wins the race, we introduced the potty about 6 months ago and are thankful that she took to it so well. Hopefully within a couple months our diaper bill will be greatly reduced.

We are working on her pulling up her pants and helping out with washing her hands (she is so little she can't reach the faucet yet though).

Are you working on potty training with your toddler? Any tips or tricks that you can share?

Christmas picture review for the grandparents

We had a wonderful Christmas. We were even blessed with Jason finishing early enough on Christmas Eve that he made it to church with us! After church we went to Elise's for dinner and present opening with Grace & Rayne, as we don't see them on Christmas day.

On Christmas morning Aidan actually slept in until 7:30 (which is unheard of). Then we lit our candle and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, put baby Jesus in the nativity scene, and then commenced to making a mess with unwrapping presents.

Aidan was thrilled with his Star Wars stuff and games. Alayna loved her finger paints, doll stuff and big drum.

Just a short respite before more playing with all their stuff.

And Alayna's all time favorite Christmas

present this year......

the empty boxes!

We had lunch at Uncle Ed & Aunt Jane's then we all went out and visited Great Grandma.

Finally, we ended the day with a game afternoon (just in case you are wondering...Kelli & I won pictionary.) Alayna was having so much fun she skipped her nap and fell asleep in the car on the way home at 5:30 and didn't wake up until 7:30 Sunday morning.

It was a wonderful Christmas.

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS

from our home

to yours.

For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Happy Birthday Jesus, you are the reason we celebrate Christmas!!!

Thankful Thursday

May peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!

Author unknown

Thankfuls...
~(From Alayna) That we will finally be able to OPEN these presents under the tree! She has been bothering one of Aidan's presents for weeks now, just that one! (Grandma it's the round one, go figure!)

~A first try at big girl panties for Alayna on Wednesday resulted in no accidents! She was in them for 3 1/2 hours until bedtime! WOO HOO! We are going to try a few hours a day.

~Last of the busy weeks for Jason, next week we can have daddy home in the evenings.

~Big brothers who play hide and seek over and over again with their 2 year old sister just because she asks him too. It has been so fun to have Aidan home all day!

~Lunch picnics on the living room floor with my two favorite kids.

~Tubes really do work..more words as of lately night, night (sounds like light, light), spider (pider), bubbles!

We hope your week has been blessed and that you celebrate the true meaning of Christmas! Please share a blessing from your week or your favorite Christmas tradition that your family has.

Here's a little finger play that Alayna's speech therapist taught her last week.

Quick Trip on the Santa train

Sunday afternoon was a fun, family adventure visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus and all the elves on the KC Southern Holiday express at Union Station.

The train was filled with holiday decorations from ceiling to floor. Alayna was in awe (as were we all).

The elves gave the kids coloring books, toys and loads of candy.

When we were finished we stayed around to see the model trains exhibit, the Polar Express is one of our favorites.

One last stop in front of the giant tree in the rotunda.

This was a nice way to enjoy a Sunday afternoon.

Lily is giving away an I PAD!

Our friends over at A perfect Lily have upped the ante. This week they gave away an I Pod to people who donated to Olga (and God answered big with generous people who gave over $11,000). Now this week Lily's family is raising the bar and offering an I PAD to one lucky commenter who donates either to Olga or Kareen or both.

Both these little girls have down syndrome just like Alayna, but because they have down syndrome they are in an orphanage in Eastern Europe awaiting their forever family through Reece's Rainbow.

When January comes and you are taking down your holiday decorations and deciding what to do with all those new toys your kids acquired these two sweethearts will turn 5 and be shuffled off to a mental institution to spend the rest of their lives UNLESS we pray and give and tell our friends about this.

I look at Alayna everyday and it breaks my heart that there is even one single child that would be locked away forever just because they have down syndrome.

I ask you to give up a few fancy coffees, or even a present or two this holiday season and give the gift of a life to these children.

International adoption costs around $25,000 so for these girls to have half their money raised makes it easier for a family to step in and fund their adoption.

God calls each of us to support orphans and Reece's Rainbow is a great Christian organization to accomplish that mission.

So what are you waiting for? Hurry over to Lily's and enter to win a new I Pad!

Thankful Thursday

Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.

This week I am thankful for...

~Alayna's great follow up check up with the ENT. Even though her hearing test in August was normal we can tell with the tubes she is hearing even better. She is using more language & many more words and sounds.

~We swapped cable companies and are going to save $600 this year (ooo how many orphans can we help with that?)

~Alayna & I were able to go back to BSF after being gone the past two weeks (one for her surgery recovery and one for my recovery from pink eye!) Thankful to be back in our normal routine.

~A warm home on these cold nights & a meal that is good enough, nothing ever fancy but, really how many people out there go without?

~Two very silly but, always entertaining kids and a sweet husband. Alayna's newest game is to pretend to sleep, she even has a cute little breathy "snore" that goes along with it. The other day I opened her car door and went to get her out and she was pretending to sleep, when I said, "oh no Alayna's asleep" she popped her eyes open and giggled heartily!

~That I finally figured out how to make our HD video on our new DSLR camera small enough to post on the blog. Here is Alayna being silly with Aunt Elise.

I am blessed.

How about you? What blessings were given to you this week?

Their light will always shine

Today at 7pm we lit a candle to join the Worldwide Candle lighting ceremony in remembrance for all the children who have died.

We especially remember Kristen Kirton , Carly, Sienna, Hannah, and their families.

As we lit our candle that Kristen's sweet mother, Polly sent us we prayed for this fantastic family and all the other families that are grieving the loss of their child.

We remember them~ their lights are still shining!!!

In the holiday spirit

Aidan's piano teacher, Ms. Nancy asked for volunteers to play accompaniment with Christmas carollers at the MLM Christmas store. Aidan has been super excited about this opportunity to go out in the community and serve, using his new piano skills.

Last year, we stocked shelves in the MLM food pantry to get ready for the 1200 families they serve so being the "entertainment" this year was a giant treat for him.


The kids did a great job playing, singing and having a little fun.




Alayna wasn't about to be left out and found her home right on top of the grand piano just perfect! She also added a little shaker beat to the songs too!












Just in case you aren't in the Christmas mood yet here is a little jingle bells for you.

Thankful Thursday

God will not permit any troubles to come upon us, unless he has a specific plan by which great blessing can come out of the difficulty. ~Peter Marshall

~I am extremely grateful for God answering my prayers for providing Maria with a forever family. Thankful for all the people who have stepped up especially Stephanie and Patti to raise money for Olga to find her forever family!

~Alayna's recovery went SO smoothly. Seriously, she was happily eating goldfish 4 (ok, maybe 3 days) after surgery. She didn't complain at all, she just would tire out more quickly and she had a couple nights where her sleep was restless but, overall she breezed through with flying colors.

~The past few weeks have been stressful for Aidan, with Jason working longer hours for the Christmas rush, Alayna's surgery and me not being home. I am thankful that he has continued to do well at school and praying that he continues.

~Thankful for a new DSLR camera. Our old point and shoot that we bought when Aidan was born died last week. Now to figure out how to use it...

~Thankful for Alayna's continued progress. She is standing more and walking more with her sure steps, she is using more sounds and words and is addicted to books even more than goldfish (seriously I love it but, where do you draw the line and make her go play with toys. LOL), she has a great sense of humor and finally she is doing great with using the potty.

Your turn...what are you thankful for this week?

I Pod touch giveaway at Lilys

Do you need or want an Ipod touch for Christmas? Do you have a heart to save orphans? Do you love doing kind things? Do you need another tax deduction this year?
If your answer is yes to any of these questions hurry over to Lily's blog and enter to win your very own brand new Ipod touch and help sweet Olga.

She has a forever family!

My heart skipped a beat or two today when I went online to check at Reece's Rainbow (International Down Syndrome Adoption website).

My sweet Maria, that I have been praying for over the past year has found her forever family. I couldn't be happier for this sweet girl who has been in my heart ever since I saw her face. I can't wait to follow her family's journey as they go to pick her up.

Maybe one day God will put it on our hearts that we are to adopt a child but, until then we will continue to do as God directs us to do in James 1:27 support others who are called to adopt and to pray fervently for them.

There are over 147 million orphans in the world. This Christmas I told Jason the only gift I wanted was to sponsor this sweet child so that someone could afford to bring her home! I urge you to forgo a couple Starbucks, skip that night out to dinner this season (or whatever your vice may be) and support an orphan.

Click here to donate to the Reece's Rainbow Angel tree OR,

One of my dear friends, Jenny & Cameron Wallace are in the final process of adopting a 15 month old little girl from Ethiopia, to add to their 3 biological children. Jenny was one of the special educators on my staff when I was an Asst Principal. This family is one of the best Christian families I have ever had the pleasure of being friends with. I urge you to hop over to their blog and donate via their donate link. They have been saving aluminum cans, selling t shirts and coffee to afford to add sweet Joleigh to their family.

Every penny you donate will forever change a life!!!

Thankful Thursday

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today,

and creates a vision for tomorrow.” —Melody Beattie

So many things to be thankful for...here are just a few of mine this week.

~I am very grateful that Alayna came through surgery so well and continues to make great progress at recovery without much pain. She definitely wears out quicker and wants to snuggle more but overall her recovery is going well. She is eating and drinking ok. The hardest part is trying to convince her that goldfish and cheerios are NOT on the soft diet. I gave in and soaked her cheerios until they were semi soft and she happily ate two bowls this morning. Praying that her recovery continues this well!

~Everyone who prayed for Alayna this week. We truly felt surrounded by love, peace and God's presence.

~Friends that, without being asked, offered to have Aidan spend the night with them on Sunday night so we didn't have to get him up at 5am and find some place for him to go before school. They also took care of our dogs, came to visit us in the hospital, brought Jason home from the hospital so we didn't have to drive 2 cars and finished our Christmas shopping for us and delivered it to our house. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

~Friends and family that stopped by or called "just because" bearing meals and/or gifts for Alayna that were unnecessary but, greatly appreciated.

What are you thankful for this week?

We're HOME!

Alayna had a great night last night at the hospital. Her pain is managed well with Tylenol every 4 hours.

She ate a little breakfast and a lot of ice cream and they declared us ready to come home.

She is still not drinking as much as I would like her to but, she is eating lots of jello and applesauce that count as liquid. Praying that she doesn't become dehydrated.

Here are a few pictures from the day. As I grabbed her out of bed at 5:30am she was all smiles and calling for Aidan! In the car on the way to the hospital she was making silly faces and noises and cracking us up.

We played with her baby doll until she was taken back into surgery. She was an immediate nurse's favorite in the surgery area with her giggles and happy go lucky attitude.

She looked so pitifully cute when they rolled her out to us from recovery. It only took her about 20 minutes before she gave us her first smile and giggles then we really knew she was ok.

We are both really tired (exhausted!). She is going on a 2 1/2 hour nap now, I even woke her up to give her the Tylenol and she went right back to sleep.


Hoping that her recovery continues to progress well and that we both get rested up. Thank you all for the prayers, we definitely felt them and know that God is answering them. Please continue to lift Alayna up for a quick and easy recovery.

I will leave you with a picture from this morning. When I opened up the windows we realized it was snowing. Alayna crawled up onto the couch and into the window to watch it snow and giggled.

Alayna after surgery

Alayna came through surgery like a champ. She was in the OR at 7:30 and we were talking with her Dr. by 8 am! She had terrible ear infections in both ears (Yeah for the tubes that we really didn't think we needed but were doing because we were in there anyway).

She came out of recovery at 8:45 and moved up to her room. She slept for a couple minutes then woke up and ate 2 cups of jello and drank a bunch of water and is asking for more.

Her IV failed so they had to take it out but, because she is already drinking and eating well they are going to leave it out. WOO HOO!

Thanks for the prayers, we felt them and God definitely responded.
Please pray for an easy, pain free recovery for her.

If she continues doing so well and has no problems tonight we will go home after morning rounds.

Prayers for Alayna

Please help us lift Alayna up in prayer for a successful tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy and ear tube surgery on Monday morning.

We also ask for prayers for a speedy, painfree recovery.

Thank you!!!!

Thankful Thursday and the leftover tradition

The things that we most of the time take for granted are always those that deserve our gratitude. Be thankful to that thing or person today and make every day of the year a personal Thanksgiving one.

~ Kurt Avish

Last year on Thanksgiving we had WAY too many leftovers and didn't know what to do with them. On the spur of the moment we decided to make plates and drive downtown and pass them out to the homeless (click here if you want to read that post).

This year we purposely decided to continue our new tradition so we bought a 20 pound turkey knowing that we didn't have but a few mouths to feed at our home.

Now don't get me wrong, all four of us are very big eaters and can put down some food but, I think we will still have way more than we need.

After dinner we will make up plates and deliver them to the men and women who are homeless in our area. We celebrate the blessings that have been given to us by giving back to others as God commands us to do.

My thankfulness this week is all for God. I am blessed beyond measure and know that my life and all that is in it is a beautiful gift from Him.

We pray for a wonderful Thanksgiving for you. Safe travels to those of you who are traveling.

May you spend a few minutes and reflect on the blessings you have been given this year.

Thankful Thursday

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.

~Henry Ward Beecher

I truly am grateful for all we have been given, we are beyond blessed. However, I think these three are what I am most grateful for on a daily basis...

~Bedtime stories and snuggles. Aidan reads to Alayna then she wants to go lay down in his bed and snuggle with him. Melt your heart cute!

~Alayna continuing to drop signs and add more verbal words (potty is her new fav!) also, that she is answering yes/no questions on a regular basis.

~Sure step success - We picked up her Sure steps on Tuesday morning. It is taking her a little bit to become accustomed to them but, we definitely see a steadier girl while in standing.

~Alayna saving us money on diapers. She continues to do well on potty training. She always lets us know when she needs to poop (Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi is one of her favorite books now, go figure it was one of Aidan's favs during potty training too), and she is starting to have dry diapers, even after naps!

~My parents left last Friday for Brownsville for the winter and made it safely. Have a great, warm winter Grandma & Pop Pop!

Only one more week until Thanksgiving, can you believe it? What are you thankful for?

Foreshadowing of preschool to come

Today at BSF I volunteered in the children's department and was blessed to be able to be in the under 2 classroom with Alayna (they usually don't put you with your own kids).

The program is fantastic. There is lots of playtime, but a definite Bible lesson and song time, quiet prayer time, snack time etc. It really was a glimpse of what a preschool environment will be like for Alayna with typical peers all around her.

I was one happy mama after spending the morning playing and watching Alayna interact with the other kids and teachers. She was the only child that sat and listened to the whole Bible story (my girl LOVES her books). She participated in music time, sat down on her mat for snack time, politely asked for more cheerios when she finished her first round, and laid down quietly on her pillowcase for quiet prayer time.

One of my jobs as a parent is to prepare Aidan & Alayna for independent lives beyond us.

It was nice to see how well Alayna interacted in this social situation and handled the routine and direction of a classroom setting.

I can breathe a little sigh of relief that she is on her way to becoming prepared to be a preschooler next fall. Now the hard part...getting ME ready for that transition.

Serving in the city

On Sunday, Jason, Aidan & I and about 150 buddies from our church spent the afternoon volunteering here in the city. Last year we stocked food at a food pantry and cleaned up an older church.

This year our small group chose to work cleaning up the yards at two safe houses.

After a few hours of gutter cleaning, raking and bagging we had cleaned up the yards with over 50 huge leaf bags!

The director of the safe house program said as soon as we get finished (we also had a crew inside repainting) that they were moving a family into these homes.

Last year, I equated volunteering as that ripple effect you see when you throw a pebble into water.

Even though we may never see the ripples our pebble of service will have on this family or the families to come, the fun, fellowship and life changing effects that volunteerism has on our hearts keeps us serving.

Where have you served lately?

Thankful Thursday

Each day offers us the gift of being a special occasion if we can simply learn

that as well as giving, it is blessed to receive with grace and a grateful heart.

~Sarah Ban Breathnach


~Big brothers who play ring around the rosie over and over with their sister just because it makes her giggle.

~Celebrating 97 years with my grandmother.

~Sunny fall days that Alayna and I soaked up at the park. Swinging, sliding, stomping on crunchy leaves...

~Sweet kindergarten neighbors who come and read to Alayna.

~Our insurance is covering Alayna's Sure Steps at 100%! Woot, Woot (they are over $1000) Can you see me doing my happy dance?

~Jason's new route gets him home by 5:30 everyday! Blessings, blessings, blessings! (I know that in a few weeks his workload will triple and he will probably be out late so I am truly enjoying every minute we have with him in the evenings).

As Thanksgiving gets closer I hope you are contemplating what you are truly grateful for today, this week, this month or even this year...there has to be at least one, what is it?

I will leave you with a video of our silly girl after she got up from her nap yesterday.

Celebrating 97 years...

My grandmother turned 97 on Saturday. To celebrate we gathered around her, showered her with flowers and cards and a great ice cream cake.

Aidan played her happy birthday on the piano (then had to play all his whole repertoire of songs he has learned so far). Great grandma and the rest of the nursing home folks loved it!

Alayna had a few smiles for great grandma and a few giggles (note she was laughing in the picture with her eyes closed) then she was off to enjoy some ice cream cake with Pop Pop (a girl after my own heart =)!

Happy birthday Grandma, we love you!

Thankful Thursday

How many times do we miss God's blessings

because they are not packaged as we expected?

Anonymous


This week I am thankful for...

~Autumn. I truly love all the seasons and enjoy living in the middle of the country where we can enjoy a bit of each season. This week I am enjoying the crisp mornings, warm mugs of hot chocolate, the crunchy leaves and the need for an extra blanket on the bed at night to stay cozy.

~My neighbor who came over and jump started my van when my sweet 7 year old left the keys in the ignition in the on position (he was watching his piano DVD). I was running out the door to get to Alayna's orthotic appointment and realized I had no battery.

~Alayna's happy go lucky attitude - Wherever we go people always comment on her happy nature. I am sure we are only adding to the stereotype ...all kids with ds are SO happy! LOL

This is how she greets me when she gets up from her nap, legs out of the crib, kicking in rhythm to whatever song she happens to be singing. Sweet, sweet, sweet!

~Finally, I am very grateful to the ladies that teach Alayna at our Bible study on Wednesday mornings. Instead of babysitting they have a 2 hour curriculum for these kids where they learn songs, learn a Bible story and have tons of fun. It truly is a blessing.

What are you thankful for this week?

Sure Steps

Alayna started cruising at 13 months, could get into standing without holding onto anything at 19 months, and took her first baby steps at 20 months. Over the summer she has continued to take 5-8 steps at a time but, we haven't progressed much further than that.

She has a mild pronation (her ankles turn inward and her arch collapses) causing her to use more energy each time she gets up into standing and tries to walk than a child who does not pronate. She isn't able to build up her endurance for walking because she is using up all her energy to maintain her balance.

Her PT and we were hoping that the pronation would correct itself with her spending more time up on her feet but, giving it the summer to test that out it really hasn't so we have moved on to needing & wanting orthotics to give her a little extra support.

Today, Alayna was measured (yeah NO casting) for Sure Steps a small orthotic (created especially for children with down syndrome) that will go around her foot, inside her shoe that will help keep her ankles aligned. These Sure Steps will allow her to gain stability while allowing normal movement and function.

Sorry, I didn't get any pictures of her getting measured. She looked like such a big girl sitting in a cube chair on top of the exam table.

She has an appointment on November 16th to pick them up! We will let you know how she progresses.

Halloween weekend in pictures

We have had so much Halloween fun we had to stretch it out for the whole weekend. On Friday, Alayna's toddler class dressed up. It was funny to watch them check each other out. There were dragons, butterflies, winnie the pooh, of course and even an adorable peacock.

Aidan had his class party and parade that day too. After a sugary good time at school he went straight to my sister's work party that evening. Needless to say my little Obi Wan was one tired boy that evening.




On Saturday, we went to our church's Fall festival. The kids had a great time. Aidan loved the treat walk, hayrack ride and the pumpkin launch.

Alayna loved the monster toss.



We carved our pumpkins on Saturday night and both kids had fun cleaning out all the seeds.

I love how the kids are intently watching Jason do the carving! I can almost hear them giving him specific directions on how to make it look just right LOL!

Finally, Halloween night and after several dress rehearsals, my little goblins were prepared to take on the neighborhood for some trick or treating.

Aidan lost his loose tooth (with a little help from me, it has been hanging on for weeks!) just in time to indulge in some sugary snacks.


A ton of candy and a fun time was had by all...Happy Halloween!!!

I can ride my bike...(a little Alayna video)

Thankful Thursday

Take 5 minutes and sit quietly and reflect on all the blessings in your life.
~Catherine Pulsifer

~Jason bid for a permanent route (up until now he has been a cover driver, covering for other drivers who were on vacation, so his end times always varied) and started that route this week. It is a great route for him, closest to home in his area and no late pick ups so he is able to be home around 5ish each day which is such a huge blessing to me and the kids.

~My quality time day with Aidan last Friday was awesome and something that we both needed. We are going to make this a regular attraction at our home.

~My sweet boy and his fantastic smile (that is minus another tooth this week). He had his end of the year soccer pizza party and earned this medal, which as you can tell he was SUPER proud of.

~Alayna figured out how to make her bicycle go forward by alternating her feet. It was fun to sit back and watch her go.

~Alayna's IFSP review was this week, it went well. Based on tests the SLP gave her she didn't qualify for speech services due to her large sign vocabulary, which was definitely a positive for us. She still qualifies based on her verbal skills not being commensurate with her signing skills so we will continue with all her services as they are now.

Hope you take a few minutes to reflect on your blessings, feel free to share one or two...

Individual Quality time...

Aidan was out of school on Thursday and Friday due to parent teacher conferences. As Jason was on vacation this week too it allowed us to split up and have quality time alone with each one of the kids.

On Thursday, I took Alayna to her individual therapies and had some mommy time with just her.

Aidan had requested to volunteer at one of the local homeless shelters, so he and Jason got up and headed out after breakfast to serve.

They had a great time, they cleaned out a donation closet and organized the supplies that were donated. They were able to go out and have lunch together and later that evening they still had the energy to have yet another fun kickball game with the neighborhood kids.

On Friday, it was my turn for time with Aidan. Jason took Alayna to her toddler class while Aidan and I made a quick stop at the library for new books then off to Union Station and Science City for a day of fun.

It is an amazing hands on science museum.

We nearly opened and closed the place and were both exhausted when we got home. It was a great day!

I know that both the kids as well as us enjoyed their personal time alone with each of us. We will definitely have to do that more often.