Summer Time

 

 

We've spent one day this summer painting because it was so hot out.  Otherwise, we've spent most of our time playing outside.  I don't have as many opportunities to take pictures at the park because the girls are both learning so many new skills and need me to "spot" them so they don't fall!  Mena is learning to do the balance beam and Maggie is learning to climb ladders and stairs up to the big slides. 

Children's Story

 

Summer Sunday School started in June. Instead of going to her class before church starts, she now comes with me to church. She goes up for the children's story and then she goes to class with her teacher. The first Sunday of this I walked up to the front with her and then went back to my seat. When the story was done, she tried to come sit back with me and I had to explain to her that she was going to Sunday School with Ellen now. She seemed hesitant, but went. The next Sunday, I thought I'd have to walk her through things again, but she went up for the story all by herself and she followed Ellen without me telling her to. She is getting so confident in herself!

Joslyn Art Museum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On June 2nd, we met my friend Briget and her daughter Sami at Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha.  On the inside of the museum, the girls' favorite place was the water fountain.  For those of you who knew Briget and I when we were growing up, you'll be able to tell that Sami is her daughter!  The art work was a bit boring for the kids; Briget and I agreed that's why it was best to go when entrance was free!!  We then went outside where Joslyn had a kids area set up with artworks that the kids could run around inside of.  The girls were much more excited for this! 

After the museum we went to McDonald's for lunch and then to a park to play.  Mena and Maggie crashed on the way home!

Memorial Weekend

 

 

 

 

Thursday night the girls were at their dad's house and I was able to get the truck packed.  Friday, as soon as I got off work, I picked up the girls from daycare and we drove to Yutan.  We spent Friday through Monday at my parent's house.  On Saturday we went to Fremont with my mom to see Grandma and Grandpa Olson.  On Sunday Beth's family and Peg's family came to celebrate Mom's birthday with us.  Mena and Maggie had a great time with their cousins. 

ExCITE End of the Year Program

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On May 22nd, Mena's class had their end of the year program.  We started in her classroom where the kids sang some songs for us.  Mena was singing and doing the actions.  Then we went outside for the obstacle course.  Mena did great on all the activities.  It was funny when she tried to do the hopscotch and the wind blew the hopscotch away!  I had to put it back together before she could hop on it!

I started grad school on May 14th so I had to get permission from my professor to cut out of class 25 minutes early so I could make it to her program.  School has started well for me.  I am earning my K-6 SPED teaching certificate.  Mena was a little confused at first about my going back to school.  For some reason she thought I was leaving.  I drove her past my school and explained that I go to school and come home each night, just like she does. 

In May, we increased the amount of time that the girls spend at their dad's house.  Gene said they both did just fine at his house with the increased time.  I had behavior issues with Mena when she started getting less time with me.  We now have emotional faces on her bedroom door to help us communicate our feelings.  I also created a picture schedule that I hung on the wall in the hallway so she can see what is going to happen at each part of the day.  These have helped her in the adjustment between houses so this last time Mena came home, I had no temper tantrums to deal with from her!

Another new thing for Mena was that she got to try roller skating for the first time.  On April 26th, her school had a function at Skate Zone.  Maggie stayed home with Gene and I took Mena to the skate party.  I stayed in my tennis shoes so I could help her learn to balance.  She put her skates on and made it one time around the floor and then declared she was done.  We rested for a bit and I asked if she wanted to go skating again; she said, "I done." 

18 Months Old

 

On May 21st, Maggie turned 18 months old!  Her height is 32.5" (73%), her weight is 27 pounds (92%), and her head is 19.5" (98%).  The only health concern that came up is that she is anemic.  She's now on iron supplements.  The strawberry on her hip is continuing to decrease in size.

Maggie sleeps well at night in her crib and naps well during the day for Heather.  She is wearing size 2 tops and bottoms.  Her shoes are size 5.  On her 18 month birthday, she had all but 4 of her baby teeth.  On June 11th, the gap you see on the bottom right had a tooth break through.  Maybe soon we'll be done with all these bibs for drooling?!?

Maggie talks up a storm.  Her first complete sentence was, "I want crack!"  She repeated this over and over very loudly in public, until I found a cracker for her!  I remember with other kids getting very frustrated between 18 and 20 months because I couldn't communicate with them.  Maggie communicates so much verbally that I have totally skipped that frustrating stage with her--Yea!