AVT activites completely filled the crafting void.....

in my life. At one point in life I had a crafty, artistic side- and then I had child 1. I still managed to do a few things here and there, but by the time 2, 3, and 4 came along, I was both too tired and too busy.

Today I got back in touch with my crafty side. I discovered the Hearing Journey website, www.hearingjourney.com, (through Advanced Bionics), and printed out all of the weekly activities (and cut, and pasted, and colored). I was so proud of my accomplishment and couldn't wait to test out the activites, but by the time I was done with it, my guinea pig fell asleep. All I can say is he better LOVE my camping 'lift the flap' poster and much as I do :)


I'll try to add the link later tonight.....I'll also try to take a picture of my masterpiece so everyone can ooh and aah over it (o.k., not really, but for those who like a visual description, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Weekend In Pictures....

What's better than a soccer tourament where both girls bring home medals? One where there is also a water play area for the boys......No complaints this weekend :)

Trey had so much fun running through the water playground


As did Jake


Delaney's team won the Championship

While Emily's came home w/ the silver....

My son- the giver

All of my children are special and unique (as I'm sure are yours, or children you all know), but Trey has one habit that just KILLS (in an endearing way) me. He has become an early riser, and typically he will come and order me out of my spot on the bed, so I'm sandwiched between him, and my husband, who both lay there w/ elbows behind heads, leaving me no bedspace. That is not the one that endears him to me :)

He will also (on occasion), collect things and place them in front of everyone's doors. One time it was a fruit snack: neatly placed right outside of all of his sibling's doors, so they were sure to see them as soon as they awakened. Another time it was all of Emily's speech homework- staple removed, two sheets placed in front of each door. Just a little somethin' somethin' once a week to show he is thinking of everyone. It is such a thoughtful (hysterically funny at times) thing to do. I just want to kiss him for his sweetness :)

Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting.........

well, not really 'fighting'. Because "we use our Kung Fu for self-defense", or at least that's part of Jake's pledge he's supposed to be memorizing, along w/ the phrase near and dear to my heart "I will respect my parents, my teacher, and my elders". Any class that teaches kids to listen and respect their parents (and others) is o.k. in my book. More importantly, it is a sport that, so far, allows Trey's cochlear implant to stay firmly on his head.

Both boys are in the same class, along with their cousin Connor. They seem to really be enjoying it, although Trey tends to make several water runs, and bathroom trips during the warm-up. However, as soon as the gloves come out, he's totally engaged. Who wouldn't welcome the chance to punch his brother, and have it be o.k. The sparring is actually quite tame. No actual punches are thrown (except for the occassional overzealous participant), and there is direct supervision- unlike the sparring that occurs at our house. All in all, a great activity for two active little boys. And, much better than the gymnastics that Emily did at a young age, where her cochlear implant was always flying off somewhere in the dusty gym. I used to cringe when the class would get to jump off of the balance beam into the foam pit- I had visions of me up to my eyeballs in foam blocks, looking for her implant.

It is also another sport we can check off our list as having experienced. Between all four kids we have now participated in: gymnastics, ballet, creative dance, tap dancing (that one was painful), swimming (including swim meets- Delaney was always a bit late off the block- we needed to work on that one), basketball, baseball/softball, kung fu/karate, volleyball, track, and of course, soccer. Throw in the guitar lessons that Emily will be taking soon, and my kids will never be able to complain that we didn't let them try something-LOL.

Trey has another ear infection......

Big bummer, as it means he can't wear his hearing aid. He still has an ear tube in that ear (clearly still open as there is visible 'goop'- gross, I know), so we've been using our in-home supply of Floxin to try to eradicate it. I was trying to avoid our Pediatrician, because of summer school, and my mom being here, etc., but our Audiologist asked our implant doctor/ENT what he recommended. Yes, you guessed it- in light of the horrible Mastoiditis incident (still LAME at linking, but check out the archives from November if interested), we need to get in and get a prescription for oral antibiotics.

Not a huge deal, and certainly better than potentially spending a week in the children's hospital with a protruding ear (and warnings of brain infection, meningitis, etc.) Rare I know, and probably more rare to have a second infection, but obviously no one wants to chance it at this point, especially me.

** On a sidenote, the little girls lost their game this morning 9-0.....ouch. Fortunately, they rebounded nicely and the game is not even a memory, I'm sure. I'll keep everyone posted on the game this afternoon- I'm hoping for 2 things: they score their first goal of the tournament, and Emily manages to keep her implant on her head for at least 1/2 of the game.

Soccer Game #4 and #5 today....

Sometimes you get MORE than your money's worth. Emily's U9 team is playing in a tournament in the U10 division. Needless to say, they are getting clobbered in every game. We originally thought we'd be done this morning at 8:00 am, but no- the tournament folks felt the need to give the 5th place team an extra game later today. Typically the coach and parents would be happy to get as many games as possible for their entry fee, but when you just keep losing- by a lot- a 5th game is really not so appealing. I don't think the girls mind *losing* per se, but its the huge amount of goals being scored, w/ none on their side. Let's just say they are all experiencing

"The agony of defeat".

Nothing some ice cream or a sno-cone won't cure after the last game - LOL!

Two more weeks of summer school.....

As nice as it has been having Trey entertained for 1/2 of the day, and knowing that he is (hopefully) not regressing over the course of the summer, I am really looking forward to having a month of 'real' summer. Nowhere specific to be, no wake-up time- lazy, lazy days. Of course, I'm sure after a week or so of that I'll be thinking back fondly on these days of being on the go.

I haven't heard as many "I'm boreds" so far this summer, but the expression has been replaced by "do we *have* to go with you take/pick-up Trey?" -LOL! Seeing as the only one who is close to being at an age where the can babysit/stay home by themselves, is away at camp, they have been hauled off to Trey's school twice a day, every day.
Fun times...

Major Withdrawal......

We've had NO internet since basically last Thursday (if you don't count the hour I was able to pop on Saturday morning). I had no idea how dependent I was on it. I needed mapquest for directions to the soccer tournament, I needed email information such as last minute schedule changes, etc., I needed to pay bills.....I could go on and on but I think you get the picture- I just *needed*.

So nice to be back w/ you all. Now I just need to come up with something outstanding to share to make up for the lack of posts lately.

Trey broke his implant yesterday (keep in mind this was Emily's old implant that is no longer under warranty), but I got a call from our Audiologist that his second implant finally came in (what??? I had no idea he qualified for the 2nd implant). So, one is gone, and one has returned.....I'm not sure whether you choose to see it as karma, or 'the lord giveth, and taketh away', but it sure made my day :) And, now I have the internet back- WOOH HOOH!)

Ta ta for now

Leaving, On A Jet Plane.....

Delaney has left for camp: I had to set the alarm for 4:50 am in order to get Delaney up, fed, and out the door to catch her flight this morning. This will be the first time she has flown without us- kind of a weird feeling. I think she might have been a bit nervous as well. That said, I think this trip is going to be fantastic for her. A week away from home (which she did last year as well), but also a week *far* away from home. She will have to rely on herself and her teammates to get through the week of soccer camp, and the fun days (amusement park trip). I sent her off w/ tons of clothes, lots of snacks, and *lots* of batteries :)

Since I was up anyway I crammed a quick workout in, and decided my poor, lonely, blog needed some attention :)

Emily has day two of her soccer tournament. They won their first game by a lot, which makes the game not quite as enjoyable to watch. Hopefully today's games will be better match-ups. She wanted to go to the airport this morning but I decided she really needed the extra sleep. She ended up waking up anyway, and is now CRANKY. I'm hoping she's gone back to sleep by now.

Titles, Shmitles (a.k.a. I'm not creative enough right now to come up w/ a good one)

Same ol' Summer thing here. No new water running down our hill, still lots of sleepovers, mosquitos, and summer school. But, I forgot to share some good news. For those who remember, my newest neice Leah was born at 28 wks of age. She was in the hospital until last Monday (right about 2 months). She is home, and doing awesome! She is keeping her parents awake (as she should...), and is now up to 6 lbs 3 oz. Considering she was 2 ish when she was born, that's pretty spectacular. And, since I know many of you who read this blog hold hearing-issues near and dear, she appears to hear just fine. Although I was totally prepared to help on that one- I think at this point I've 'been there, done that'-LOL.

Hope you're all too busy to read this due to cookouts and family vacations (or kids stealing your computers, ha ha), but if not, I'll hopefully pop on tomorrow!

Now I know how my children might sound to those who...

don't live with them. I've never really had that experience. My only chance to interact w/ young deaf/HOH kids came at the preschool level, and either at the private school my children have attended here, or at the public school system we left that had an outstanding oral/AVT program. Those kids for the most part have been implanted/aided at a very young age, and received intensive therapy early on. There were a few exceptions (where conversation was very difficult for someone not familiar w/ the child on a day-in, day-out basis) but I think those examples tend to fade over time. In addition, one of those exceptions made a change prior to Kindergarten and pursued a different path, which is great that he had parents open to looking at where he was at, and what he most comfortable w/ communication-wise.

We are now carpooling with an awesome family whose child is a year older than Trey. He has been at a total communication school, and is aided but his parents would like him to be a CI candidate. That said, he is profound in one ear, and moderate-severe in the other, so I'm not sure where the issue lies (in terms of implantation- they were told he wasn't really a candidate which I SO dont' get, if it is what is desired by the family? I drove him home today and he is just the cutest child. He really doesn't know me well, so I tried to engage him in conversation early and often (w/ lots of smiles in between). It was really hard- I probably understood about 50-60%...... But, I'm so glad to get the opportunity to chat w/ him. Trey is every bit as hard to understand (I'm sure!!!) but being his mom, I get 90% of it. When you're not around the child enough to learn the lingo, it's harder. Totally worthwhile, but difficult. I am thankful that there were teachers, therapists, FRIENDS, and parents of friends who were (and are) willing to make a bit of extra effort early on w/ my children. The effort definitely pays off, but it's definitely more work to try to engage.

My kids (especially the girls) had a large group of friends to draw from, whose parents made every effort w/out mentioning the times they just didn't get it. And I know there were those times!

Thanks to all for investing in my children, and for the willingness to 'guess' some of the time. I guarantee the kids did not notice when you missed what was said, but they definitely noticed that someone was listening :)

There's something rotting somewhere......

in my house (yes, I know this is gross.....but try smelling it all day). Any great ideas on how to locate the object behind the stench? I've cleaned out the fridge, checked under beds, I'm tackling the pantry next (maybe an oldish potato?). Anyway- I'd love an easy way to find the offending object. Wish me luck!
Problem solved- not sure how???? but between the fish bowls, the trash which was overflowing in the main can, and a small pile of laundry, the smell is gone!

Quick Update: Summer is flying by

I can't believe we're already well into July. We've been busy with houseguests, soccer tournaments, sleepovers, lots of outside time, etc. Delaney leaves for camp this Saturday for a week (in California), which means I'm trying to get all the laundry done so I'm not up until midnight on Friday night. Emily has another tournament this weekend, so Friday through Sunday we'll be running around from field to field. Our next four weekends are taken up with soccer tournaments, which means we'll use the week itself for 'catch-up'.

We're back down to two batteries for four cochlear implants. You don't need to be a math genius to figure out that that just doesn't compute. I'm beyond annoyed at how breakable cochlear implant batteries are- And how expensive! Anyway- I'm going to have to bite the bullet and just order 3 or 4 more (there goes my new computer- between the broken pipe, and the batteries).

I've been way behind on blog posts, but I seriously have to fight to get two minutes online right now. All four of the kids use my computer for various activities (usually revolving around dressable penguins, or a famous mouse we all know and love). Our internet service has also been horrendous lately. We either can't connect or it is so slow it isn't usable, at least when I finally get my two minutes to connect :) It must be in 'summer mode'.......

Happy (Belated) 4th of July

We now own riverfront property

We have a broken pipe somewhere in our water system. The water was just flowing down our hillside into our lower lawn. While normally I find the sound of rushing water soothing, all I can think of is the future water bill.

We have been waterless since yesterday afternoon, so we are all sitting here, waiting for the plumber so we can shower, etc.
I'll keep everyone posted :)