Opps!

I promise a real post tomorrow with vacation pictures but in the meantime it was recently brought to my attention that I made a mistake when I embedded the video of Cate's kindergarten performance so no one could see it.  I tried to embed a YouTube video because my aunts can't see the regular embedded videos.  Most likely no cares about these videos except my family but just in case you were wishing you could see them and you were just too afraid of me to ask if I could fix the problem here are the two kindergarten performance videos as YouTube videos - so hopefully everyone can see them if they feel like listening too 100 6 year olds sing out of tune for 4 minutes!

Last Day of Kindergarten

This post is a little late but I'm still have trouble believing Cate finished her first year of elementary school!  I don't think I ever told the full story but in August last year when it was time for Cate to start kindergarten, was probably the hardest time of my life after her birth and heart surgery.  Cate went to a little two day "Kindergarten Camp" before school started and it was a disaster.  She had multiple potty accidents, hid under things, walked out of rooms and scared all the teachers I'm sure.  Unknown to any of us at the time, those two days were a worst case scenario for Cate.  The kids were just "tasting" everything they would see in the coming year.  They spent half an hour or less in each room doing one activity then moved on to the next room with a new teacher and activity.  Cate just doesn't function well with that many transitions.  That experience prompted a meeting with the teachers and admin where I'm sure the expected result was for Cate to be moved to a self-contained special needs class.  Luckily for us, after some persuasion and the help of Cate's Pre-K teacher they agreed to give general education kindergarten a try.  Unluckily for us, the first 10 days didn't go much better.  Cate had potty accidents, she refused to do activies, she didn't demonstrate any skills, and was just plain stubborn.  Another meeting was scheduled and after I just about had a complete breakdown over the weekend, Ric & I sat down with a team of teachers, admin, and a resource representative.  The school explained the "safety concerns" and classroom issues in great detail while I tried hard not to cry.  I wasn't upset with them, no one could blame them for doubting Cate could handle this.  I was just frustrated because I knew she could do this but didn't know how to help her.  Her teacher had her best interested at heart - I mean when you look at it as a logical basic choice, putting a child in a class with one teacher and 20 kids or a class where there are only 6 kids a teacher and a para-pro, the decision of which is best for any kid seems to be the small group, right?  They wanted to move her to special need small group for kindergarten with the hope that she would be able to transition back into a gen ed classroom after she got the basics.  But I knew in my heart that Cate needed that gen ed kindergarten class and Ms. E was the right teacher for her - I was so sure.  My straightforward appeal that this was Cate's best chance at a general ed classroom experience and to make friends was listened to thoughtfully.  I told them that we felt that our expectation were realistic - general ed was probably not going to last forever for Cate, at some point she will most likely fall too far behind - and that is OK.  But that was not the situation in Aug 2011 - Cate had sight words, knew her letters, could count to 10 and knew all her colors and shapes.  The team agreed in the end to make some accommodations but not to pull Cate out of Ms. E's room.  We compromised and added para-pro level support for the full day.  In the end Cate spent the first unit of the in the small group classroom due to resource restrictions, then had a para-pro in the classroom for all academic classes but attended specials, lunch and recess unassisted.  It was so hard to make these decisions back then, I was going on feelings, the school on experience and facts.  I know how lucky we are that our school didn't put up a fight about  allowing Cate to participate in the least restrictive environment.  I am so thankful that the fight was worth it and that Ric  & I made the right decisions and compromises.   I cannot thank Cate's school and teachers enough for taking our wishes into consideration, not holding grudges for the fights and making her Kindergarten experience an amazing one.


1st day of kindergarten

last day of kindergarten

  

waiting with Lucy - how little they both look!

A note from Cate's para-pro
"Dear Lisa & Rick,  Thank you so much for the gift you gave me this year - Cate!!  She has touched each and everyone of us in so many ways.  I can't imagine not having her in my day.  Have a wonderful summer. "  Ms. L

They are both growing up so fast!

Cate gained more than just reading and math skills this year. She gained confidence and spunk. She isn't the little girl I sent to kindergarten anymore, she is a true "big girl" with her own ideas and attitudes. 

 

Note from Cate's teacher
Dear Cate and Family,
... I have so enjoyed having Cate this year. She is a special little girl who has brightened so many lives at Hickory Hills. Thanks for all that you have done for me, our class, and Hickory Hills. But mostly, thanks for sharing Cate with me this year. Ms. E

These two notes made every tear and every fear worth it.  As much as I want a high school diploma for Cate some day - this is what I really strive for, that Cate affects peoples lives for the better and makes some else sun shine a little brighter.

Quotes of the last couple months

In the car after school/babysitter pickups:
Cate - "my plan is we go home watch Tinkerbell Lost Treasure, eat dinner, play, take a bath, then watch monkey and go to bed"  (Cate's "plans" are a common theme in the car - not all are so realistic, "monkey" = an episode of Curious George which has been in the bed time routine since way before Lucy was born)
Lucy - "Cate you are a genuis" (genius???)
Cate - "not I'm not"
Mommy - "its ok Cate, genius is a good thing, it means a really smart person"
Lucy "ohhhhhh Cate you ARE a genius"  (couldn't you just melt?)
Cate "Ok - yep I am"
Lucy "so am I"  (and sometimes I have to agree they both are!)

In the car after school;
Lucy "mommy did you know I have Jesus in my heart?"
Mommy "yes baby that is great"
Lucy "i can really feel him, he is right here in the middle" (awwwww)


At carpool:
Ms. L (parapro) "see you tomorrow Cate"
Cate "I AM coming back tomorrow" with a big smile!!!  It just figures there are 17 days of school left and she changes from "I'm not coming back" to "I am coming back" - that kid.

On Vacation:
Cate spent our vacation playing with her cousins every available minute.  At one point when we had dragged her away so they could have some time -
Daddy:  "But Cate I missed you, I haven't seen much of you"
Cate:  "Daddy it has been a very busy day"

Mommy Time

Wow - just writing the title I had conflicting emotions of guilt and pleasure!  The things we moms do to ourselves.  I'm smart enough to know that I need a break from the kids I love more than life itself but not smart enough to do it guilt free.   This past weekend my best friend and I took an overnight trip to a fabulous Inn & Spa.  We ate lunch (with a glass of wine), sat in the sun, had facials, used the steam room, had high tea, read and ate dinner (with a bottle of wine) while it was hot without having to cut anything up into tiny pieces or make any trips to the restroom during dinner.   I had the best time just talking & living responsibility free for 24 hours.  It was heaven.  But even this small piece heaven comes with a price, guilt.  I feel bad that my girls weren't perfect angels for my husband, I feel bad I missed a cookout at another friends house, I feel bad I didn't get laundry done.  I logically know its crazy, it is not just OK but very good for me to get away for a short time.  I just wish my mommy guilt gene would learn the lesson.  The girls were not upset at all by my absence and had a fabulous time on their "Daddy Weekend".  Ric has recovered from the ordeal and might even let me do it again soon next year.    And my guilt for only blogging once this week - well it will just have to ride out a few more days because we are headed to the beach for my brother-in-laws wedding and since I can't upload pictures to the blog from my iPad, it is going to be Monday before you see another post from me.  I will try to forgive myself if you promise to forgive me under the compromise that I post a bunch of beach pictures of the two most adorable kids on the planet early next week, DEAL?

Just like riding a bike

Well exactly like riding a bike!  Grandma & Grandpa found a great new to us bike for Cate at a garage sale so we finally got up the nerve to give it a try.  Our neighborhood is not a good place to learn to ride a bike - very hilly and quite a few cars.  We had been meaning to take the girls and the bikes to the park to learn but just haven't gotten it down.  So finally we pushed the bikes down to the only tiny cul-de-sac  in our neighborhood and gave it a try.  The girls did exactly the opposite as we'd expected.  Lucy tried pedaling a couple times and gave up completely!  She was not a fan - and I'm not sure if it was the pedalling action itself or her first time really having to practice something instead of just knowing what to do.  Cate LOVED it.  She practiced and practiced until she was doing it herself (with the training wheels).  She even rode home making Ric's trip easier - mine not so much since I still had to push the tiny bike up a hill while keeping Lucy from wandering into the road.  Next time we are packing up for the park.

So a successful first bike experience for Cate!  I should have never doubted she'd take to it so easily.

Lucy likes the new accessories!

Cate's new bike!  Thanks grandma & grandpa

At the start of the lesson for Lucy - still happy here!

pedaling is hard to teach then it looks

gotta love the concentration & determination here as she figures out her feet

check me out!!!

Pictures from Kindy graduation

Thank you to everyone who made such awesome comments on facebook or here and shared the video of Cate's "speech".  It was great to see the outpouring of support for her success.  I know that Ric & I are incredibly proud of her but it is so amazing to see how easily she can affect other people.

Here are some photos and a sampling of the songs from the performance.

grandpa's girls

1ST GRADE!!!

proud little sis

my girls

when did I become a crier?

The title should probably be "Kindergarten Graduation of a child with Down Syndrome" so I'd fall into the blog search land and get more hits but the fact that Cate has DS had absolutely nothing to do with today.    She graduated kindergarten with a regular class just like all the other 5/6 year olds.  Not one of them cared she was born with a diagnosis - they only care she is their friend Cate.  Don't you love that???

I guess I shouldn't ask a question I know the answer to - I became a crier on 12/22/2005.  I never cried in public much before Cate was born.  Not at weddings, even my own wedding, barely at the very few funerals I'd been too - I guess tears were just not me.  Then came Cate and a diagnosis of Down Syndrome.  Those first days included a lot of tears, but ones of sorrow I hate to admit.  I had no idea then that I was opening the flood gates to so many episodes of happy tears.  I still don't think of myself as a crier so today I went to Cate's kindergarten graduation without a Kleenex or even a napkin.  Of course Cate had to show me - she had me all but sobbing!  I promise photos & maybe some more video tomorrow but I can't wait to show you a tiny bit of the video right now. 

Cate's school is amazing!  I have no idea how those kindergarten teachers did it but they had a perfect performance of 100 kids. Not one ran off the stage, no one cried, everyone seemed to know the words & motions.  Now this isn't just for one song - it was 5 songs, like I said AMAZING.  The kids were so adorable as they sang "I will Survive", "Kindergarten Rap" & "1st Grade Here I come".  These brave teachers even did something very special.  All the kindergartners walk across a little bridge to symbolized their crossing to 1st grade.  As they got to the middle each one stopped at a microphone, said their name and what they learned in kindergarten before finishing the crossing - and they did it, every single one of them.  They said things like "I learned to read", "I learned math", "I learned to make friends".  Cate never did it once in practice over the last month.  Her para-pro, Ms L, said she was still refusing when they were lined up on stage today, saying "I'm not talking".  So when it was Cate's turn, Ms L walked with Cate to the microphone prepared to say her name when she froze.  Cate of course changed her mind as usual - instead of freezing she turned to Ms. L and said "I don't need you" and pointed to the side of the stage.  Well, I'll let you see the rest for yourself - turn up the volume on this one and I'll get my tissue ready this time.

Cate's speech was perfectly clear in person but in case you had trouble on the recording she said "Hello, my name is Cate and I love my family, my mommy, my daddy, my grandma, my grandpa and my sister.  I love them and my grandparents." 
OK so she didn't do what she was suppose to and say what she learned in kindergarten but as she always does - she spoke from her heart.  I am not ashamed to admit I had tears streaming down my face (thank you to the lady next to me who handed me a napkin - bless you)  but our family wasn't the only one shedding a tear, there were many misty eyes in that room.

How can you not love this girl?  She is just the BEST!!!