Success--It Feels Good

I had a phone conference with Everett's preschool teacher today, and I hung up the phone feeling pretty upbeat. She had many good things to say about Everett, some of which were:

He is always happy and willing to do what he is asked.

He gets along well with everyone.

He always has lots of fun.

But the best thing she told me was Everett's score on the same articulation test he took before he entered the program. His initial score indicated that he could say very few sounds and was performing far below age level (this was at his third birthday). His score, as of this week, indicates that he has not only improved enormously, but that he is at age level as far as the sounds he is able to produce. His ability to produce the correct sounds decreases the faster he talks, but Everett's teacher doesn't think this is a problem. In fact, she is certain that he will be 100% on track by kindergarten, no matter how fast he is talking.

What a relief! Kindergarten was my goal. When I think that a year ago he couldn't even say more than one syllable in succession, I am amazed at the amount of improvement he has made. We've worked hard to get to this point. We still have more work to do, but it feels good to know that Everett has increased his abilities. I know without a doubt Heavenly Father has blessed all of us.

I'm going to look forward to hearing more and more thoughts from his interesting little mind.

Just Keep Running, Running, Running. . .

The other day I left William sleeping contentedly at home with Joel while I decided to get ambitious and take the older kids jogging with me (they were in the double stroller). I ran with them pretty frequently last summer before my pregnancy but it has been almost a year since I have tried it. I have to get back into shape sometime; it might as well be now.

I decided that since I don't have the distraction of an ipod or anyone to talk to, I'd take advantage of having the kids with me. I made a deal with Everett and Ashley at the beginning of our trip that if I ever stop to walk, they are to tell me "Go faster, Mom!" They thought this was a good idea, but of course they never did it.

"Everett! We're going slower now. Why aren't you telling me to speed up?"

" 'Cause. . ." he'd half-heartedly reply.

" 'Cause. . ." Ashley would chime in cheerfully.

I quickly realized I was on my own. Sometimes I would try to involve them in conversation to get my mind off the plodding (yes, plodding) sound my feet made when they hit the gravel path.

"Hey Ashley and Everett, do you think you can see any ducks?"

"DUCKS!" Ashley would squeal.

"When can we get out? Why we keep going around? Why we going this way?" Everett would say.

(a few minutes later:)

"Wow, look at all those butterflies over there!" I desperately heaved the words out of my mouth.

"Butterflies!" Ashley would squeal.

"When can we get out? Why we keep going around? Why we going this way?" Everett would say.

If they would reciprocate with more conversation, even a little, I might have thought it was worth it to keep talking. As it was, I couldn't help but feel that it took me more effort to think of a conversation starter and to speak through breathy gasps than it did to keep my feet moving along the path. So I gave up, except to answer Everett's many unhappy "why"questions involving our purpose in going around the lake.

Generally I have two rules for myself when I go running:

1) Take it easy! Don't push it; you want be able to get back out here and go again.

2) Come on! GO! Push it! You can do it! You'll never get better if you don't get sore after this! When I feel I can't go any farther, I always pick a landmark a little ways in front of me and tell myself I have to make it to that spot. Then I reward myself with a very short walk.

As you can see, I frequently feel very conflicted.

A few times as I was huffing and puffing around the lake I would feel my muscles start to give out on me. Then, looking for a good reason to keep my muscles burning in protestation, I would gasp, "Look at that tree, Everett. I'm going to run all the way to that tree. Do you think I can make it?"

"No." He'd reply, matter-of-factly.

"No!" Ashley would chime in.

Whether he was using reverse psychology, challenging me, or simply was a defeatist, the most important thing was that he was right. Every stinkin' time, he was right.

That boy is just lucky he's too young for real smugness. I am just lucky I could run at all; next time I'll come closer to claiming the entire 2.5 miles. To my father-in-law, who has run many marathons, that distance is probably laughable. To my legs, it's almost reachable.

Firsts

Number one first this week: William has smiled! I have been working on him for a long time, since he has pleasantly been cooing for a good while, but I didn't have any luck. Joel gets to claim William's very first smile (to my disappointment--he wasn't even trying to get one!), but I get to claim the majority of them.

Yesterday we went to a carnival on campus that was hosted by one of the residence halls as their yearly service project. It was great! Among other things, they had a miniature petting zoo, three inflatable bounce houses, lots of food, face painting, and balloon animals.

Ashley enjoyed her very first pony ride. She had no fear and happily sat on the animal while it was led around the grass, even though Joel and I remained at the starting point.

Everett, though, was not so interested in riding the horses. He was much more interested in the activities of the other animals "the Llama is looking at me, Mommy!" Also, I think he was a little scared of getting up on the horse.

The kids also enjoyed their first taste of cotton candy. I love cotton candy--don't ask me why. Everett seemed to agree with me and downed his (fortunately the people operating the machine gave the kids small amounts).

Ashley, though, was not so impressed.

I guess I don't blame her. It is kind of strange stuff, isn't it?

(As a side note, this week has been Ashley's first week in a ponytail. I'm really liking the simplicity and practicality of it.)

William enjoyed the carnival as well. . .from the safety of our homemade moby wrap. I love this thing. I have his head popped out of the wrap in this picture, but usually it is like swaddling him to my chest, which means he'll contentedly sleep whenever he's in it. I can do anything, even make beds, with him in this and he doesn't flop around at all.

When we got home from the carnival, I was exhausted and sick, so I decided to give the kids "paint" to use in the bathtub so they would stay in there for a little while and let me have a few minutes to put my feet up.

It wasn't really paint. It was two drops of food coloring in a little water I had put in cups, but the paintbrushes must have made it feel authentic. The whole thing kept them entertained for a while and there was no clean-up. And yes, I let them paint each other as well as the bathtub.

BUT, the "first" that happened this week I'm the happiest about is this:

Everett has finally learned how to ride a tricyle!

(Ashley has claimed this green tricycle as her own--they are all up for grabs around here--but she can't reach the pedals quite yet. Everett has claimed this tiny red one because there is a place in the back to carry his extensive rock collection. There are "cooler" looking tricycles around here, but Everett doesn't care about that yet.)

Everett's legs have been too short to reach the pedals until recently, and he has also had a lot of trouble getting everything coordinated (plus, the tricycles around here are a little rusty and some are hard to pedal), but he is now riding like a champ. I think he'll be ready for a little bike this summer.

It's a little thing, and it is something most older two-year-olds can figure out easily, but it has been hard for him. Everett was always on track (or early) with physical development as a baby, but as he has gotten older, he has been a little behind. He couldn't jump off the floor until he was almost three, and Ashley can do that now. I think this is all related to his delayed speech; I think his muscle tone is somewhat immature.

But, we play outside for two or three hours every day (partially to get the kids stronger) and I am happy that now he spends a good amount of that time riding around like a little racer. So far, so good.

Look If You Dare

The Johnson women first thing in the morning. . .

Hey, at least we're smiling!

Storytelling

When I was growing up, my Mother used to tell great stories. She gave each of us an important role in the story--we were princesses, princes, and knights--and we each had a special horse with a special name. Courage and bravery and intelligence were our characteristics; swords and shields were our weapons. We loved it. I have great memories of listening to her spin tales all about us. I have, as I have mentioned before, a Supermom. She did everything, and she did everything well.

Today I decided to tell stories with Everett. I have always wondered if he would sit still for a story without pictures, but apparently he can if I include the right things.

The stories began with Everett running outside to meet a giant red robot that just landed in the sandbox. Everett pushed a green button on the Robot's stomach (here is where we would add sound effects and hand motions) and open a door, also on its stomach, revealing a special chair inside for Everett to sit in, and a window to the outside world.

You can guess what would happen next. They went on adventures together--to the moon, to a candy factory, to the forest--and the story would always end with the robot bringing Everett home as it was getting dark. Of course, Everett always had to ask his mother for permission to leave the house, and she always granted it.

It was really fun to stop during the story and say, ". . .and what do you think he said?" or ". . .what did he do next?" to see Everett working out some problem-solving ideas. This child has a great imagination. He also enjoyed participating in all the sound effects and hand gestures, the dimple in his cheek making an appearance with each one. Everett was captivated for a half hour and still begged me for more. Maybe we'll have to make this a consistent thing.

So thanks, Mom, for showing me how fun it can be to make up stories. You're the best!

An Apple a Day

The kids love to eat apples. Everett likes to eat the apple right down to the core, and Ashley likes it when I make one into an "apple boat" by cutting it in half and de-coreing it. I like doing that as well, because if I just give her a whole apple she'll just nibble off the peel and, like a little Gretel, leave a trail of peel scraps all over my floor.

Today they came into my room with their apples while I was feeding William, so I snapped some pictures. It's times like these that make me wish I had a good camera and the know-how to use it. There are a lot of pictures but you can sure see their personalities--this post is for the Grandparents.

On the Road

Everett goes to preschool twice a week at a school near by. He loves going to school, and I love that he is improving his speech and articulation while I am getting two hours of peace and quiet. I also love that he gets to take the bus--his class runs during nap time and this way I don't have to worry about packing sleepy kids in the car.

(not his usual expression)

Putting Everett on the bus is always fun. He is thrilled to see it coming for him and happily climbs up the steps while the bus driver is getting his special car seat ready for him. He and I have a little ritual: when he sits on his seat, I stand back on the curb a few feet from his window. Everett cranes his little neck and angles his head just right so he can see me standing there. Then he waves and grins at me while the driver straps him in, he waves and grins while she gets the bus going again, and he waves and grins until they round the corner and are out of my sight. I stand out there and wave back until he is gone; I can't help but smile, myself.

I don't think I will ever tire of meeting Everett at the bus. According to his regular bus driver, as soon as the bus pulls into our complex and circles back around to our building, Everett begins to excitedly anticipate meeting me.

"Mommy! Mommy!" He'll declare, over and over again. When he can actually see me, he grows even more excited.

When the bus stops, the doors open, and the assistant driver unbuckles him from his seat, Everett bounds down the steps and bursts out with an exuberant "Hi Mommy!" The assistant driver hands me his backpack while Everett turns around and happily says goodbye and thank-you to the drivers.

I take Everett's hand while we walk inside and he chatters excitedly about his day. When we get inside, Everett invites me to sit on the couch with him while he pulls out his latest projects from his backpack. "Let me show you, Mommy!" he says. I ooh and ahh, and occasionally tape something up on our door at his request, then I offer him a snack.

As much as I sometimes wish my two hours of peace and quiet could be extended a little, I love getting my Everett from the bus and hearing all about what he did at school. It is fun to experience a little of his delight, and it is fun to greet a boy who is still excited to see me. Someday I'll read this again and maybe it will bring back some of these memories. Until then, I get to live them!