Last Day of First Grade

Today was the last day of first grade for Rex and Emilia.  I probably should have been doing more productive things, but I decided to do something special for this afternoon instead.  I decorated our driveway and...

... I made four strawberry pies, one for each family (including ours) that uses the bus stop which is right at the top of our driveway.

I hope it's a sweet way to kick off summer for the friends we have on our little street.

The Cat In The Hat

Yesterday was "Dress Like a Character from a Book" Day at school.  Surprisingly, we already had all the ingredients at home to make a pretty decent Cat in the Hat out of Emilia.  And she loved it.

“Look at me!

Look at me!

Look at me NOW!

It is fun to have fun

But you have to know how.” 

~ Dr. Seuss 

Photo Of The Day

Fifteen thank you gifts for the staff that works directly with Emilia and Rex at the school are complete with 40 hours to spare.

Home School Year 1 Is Done

As of Friday, Ella and I have completed the required 900 hours of home school and finished her third grade year.  The decision to home school was agonizing for Craig and me on various levels, but we have never once regretted it.  Ella had a great school year and learned more than ever before.  Among other accomplishments she

1) Completed and comprehended two years of math in less than 12 months

2) Went on 35 field trips

3) Read 122 books

4) Took several courses in the community, including 16 weeks of rock climbing and 12 weeks of art

5) Worked with her academic tutor twice per week

6) Participated in extra-curricular enrichment activities at the school, including the Wonder book club, International Night, and the Kids Home Alone classes

7) Worked as a Mother's Helper earning her first pay

8) Continued daily neurological reorganization therapy

9) Learned how to make jello and banana bread and how to clean a toilet

Even though we had many challenging days, we stayed on track and on target with our curriculum and will pick right back up where we left off on July 1 when our fourth grade home school year begins.

Apraxia of Speech

May is Apraxia Awareness Month.  People with apraxia of speech understand what is said to them, but find it difficult to produce sounds, syllables, words, and sentences in response.  Imagine what this feels like for children like our Emilia.

Emilia's First Grade Year

In just a few days, our Emilia will finish her first grade year.  She completed it under an IEP and with the help of a dedicated team of specialists has made good progress academically.  However, this year has really been about growth in other areas for our girl.  She has come so far socially and emotionally, with expressive language, and with her self help skills.  We're so proud of her accomplishments which include learning to ride a bike, potty-training, and having friends.

Yesterday, during the first grade award ceremony, Emilia received the Sunshine Committee honors as the student who always had a smile on her face, always had a celebratory word to share with others, and lifted the spirits of the entire class every single day by bringing her infectious brand of sunshine to the group.

Emilia, we are so very proud of you.  In the face of a mountain of obstacles, you continue to make your own path which can be slow and rocky and ever-winding, but always is filled with your laughter, your affection, your sense of humor, your genuine encouragement of yourself and others, and your love.  We're so thankful to call you our daughter.

IAC Results 422-424

The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 422 which was held on March 1, 2018:

1) Spanish dossier from December 2011 referred a female child aged 2 years and 3 months

2) Spanish dossier from June 2012 referred a male child aged 6 years and 11 months

3) Italian dossier from February 2014 referred a male child aged 10 years and 5 months

4) Canadian dossier from July 2014 referred a female child aged 1 year and 7 months with features in health status and a family history

5) Spanish dossier from September 2014 referred a female child aged 1 year and 10 months with features in health status

6) Italian dossier from September 2017 referred two brothers aged 13 years and 9 months & 12 years and 4 months

7) French dossier from December 2017 referred a female child aged 9 years and 7 months with features in health status and a family history

8) US dossier from December 2017 referred a female child aged 1 year and 9 months with features in health status

9) US dossier from February 2018 referred a waiting child (#657) with a profile on the MOJ site

10) US dossier from February 2018 referred a waiting child (#3324) with a profile on the MOJ site

11) US dossier from February 2018 referred a waiting child (#3483) with a profile on the MOJ site
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The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 423 which was held on March 15, 2018:

1) Italian dossier from August 2013 referred brothers aged 6 years and 8 months with features in health status

2) Italian dossier from April 2014 referred a male child aged 3 years and 5 months with features in health status

3) Canadian dossier from April 2014 referred a female child aged 2 years and 4 months with features in health status and a family history

4) Italian dossier from December 2015 referred two sisters aged  9 years and 11 months & 6 years and 2 months

5) French dossier from January 2018 referred a male child aged 10 years and 11 months

6) US dossier from March 2018 referred a waiting child (#1828) with a profile on the MOJ site

7) US dossier from March 2018 referred a waiting child (#3087) with a profile on the MOJ site

8) US dossier from March 2018 referred a waiting child (#3309) with a profile on the MOJ site

9) US dossier from March 2018 referred a waiting child (#3441) with a profile on the MOJ site

10) US dossier from March 2018 referred a waiting child (#3419) with a profile on the MOJ site

11) US dossier from March 2018 referred a waiting child (#3284) with a profile on the MOJ site

12) One referral to the US for a biological niece

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The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 424 which was held on March 22, 2018:

1) Canadian dossier from January 2012 referred a female child aged 1 year and 10 months

2) Norwegian dossier from February 2012 referred a female child aged 1 year and 8 months

3) French dossier from December 2013 referred a female child aged 1 year with features in health status

4) US dossier from July 2015 referred a male child aged 1 year and 10 months with features in health status

5) Luxembourg dossier from August 2017 referred a make child aged 1 year and 10 months with features in health status

6) US dossier from March 2018 referred a waiting child (#3490) with a profile on the MOJ site

7) US dossier from March 2018 referred two waiting children (#3294 & #3295) with profiles on the MOJ site

8) US dossier from March 2018 referred a waiting child (#3432) with a profile on the MOJ site

9) US dossier from March 2018 referred two brothers aged 10 years 11 months & 14 years and 8 months with features in health status