Birthday Dinner at Pinnocchios

And to bed with his very own new Phillies hat--what a proud boy.

This is a local joint to which we can walk.  On the night of Josiah's actual birthday we ate there and celebrated with a piece of lemon meringue cake.  The men behind us were celebrating a fellow's birthday, too.  They sang resoundingly for Jed--perhaps with the help of some Yingling.  Then one even sampled his cake and quite a few of the guys leaned over and gave him two dollars for reaching such a milestone.  It was a rousing evening and a lucrative one. I've tucked the money into his college fund.

Our "baby" Turns Two

With all of the preparations for our trip, we also knew a milestone was looming when we came home.  Our little Josiah William Paul would say goodbye to official babyhood and become an official toddler.  I can't say how much I missed him when we were in Italy.  Of course, I wondered about Elias and Adelaide, but I had quite a visceral longing for the pats on the shoulder that he so freely gives me and the sweet, sweet smiles.  I have always written about my kids on their birthday and I'll attempt to keep the tradition here as long as I can.
Jed is a happy boy.  People have been saying that since he was born--what an easy baby and what a happy boy.  He still carries that temperament.  He waves at people and smiles at them surely expecting that they will respond and admire him as well. While he has always been of a happy temperament he is not afraid to tell you when he is upset.  But, usually this is short and typical of his age.
 Josiah is certainly an athlete.  He throws a ball with force and precision and upon seeing his new tee-ball set exclaimed, "Outside."  Even though he is athletic and co-ordinated, the kid also falls and bangs his head more than any of our children did at that age.  He has already beaten both of them with major trips to the ER and I won't be surprised if the trend continues.  I attribute this to some of his determination to do "everything" that his older siblings can do. 
One of my challenges this year has been watching the kids at the playground.  We can't go to the Tot Lot unless it is just Jed and me because the first-time moms throw goldfish and hand sanitizer if bigger kids legs' swing near their "babies."  On the few occasions when Josiah and I ventured to the Tot Lot together he took the opportunity to try out his World Wrestling Federation skills and pushed unknowing toddlers down.  So, we gather at the Elementary School playground with our friends after we pick Elias up from school.  This habit works very well for the older two, but it has left Josiah with a huge egg on his head and many a scraped knee. Nonetheless, our boy is an outdoorsy, ball-loving, scooter riding, creature.
While his language has never been his strongsuit, he communicates.  By now, he is repeating almost everything we say and putting together simple sentences.  This has been a joy to hear after a long period of a very limited vocabulary.  Once again, I suspect he might not be much of a talker because of the lugubrious talkers in this family.

Josiah is our simple, uncomplicated, loving--and cute--little boy. The other day, I heard him singing something that sounded a lot like the ABC song.  I suddenly realized he had picked that up either on his own or at his Mothers' Morning Out.  He just hummed along and added hand gestures.  It occurred to me that I had probably never sung the ABC's to him--let alone counted with him.  With that epiphany, I was reassured that he would pick-up what he needs and even if we forget to "teach" him his ABCs or 123's his role in our family seems to be to remind us to play and savor.  For some day, even he, will leave the nest--ABC's and all.
We love you Jedster!

Back at the Ranch

How many kids can you spy in this tree?

Many moons ago, this young couple cared for two energetic boys every day.  They were sometime known as Batman and Robin.)  That same couple agreed to be Superheros and care for the Kradelkids for a whole week while their dad (aka Batman) and Mom celebrated ten whole years of marriage.  We were told that much fun was had by all--and we, in turn, had a terrifc break from the routines here.  Our heartfelt thanks go out to Gaga and Pop-pop.  I bet you won't read this until a few days from now after you wake-up from your naps!  Thanks again!

Time to Play at Theraplay

For those who follow this blog with special-needs kiddos, I thought I would update you on the continued process of getting Elias the services he needs.  I had been referred to Theraplay by our pediatrician after Elias finished his intensive OT at a Total Approach.  The advantage to Theraplay is that they accept our insurance.  The disadvantage is I called back in February and he was placed on a waiting list.  He finally got seen last week and was evaluated by them.  For insurance purposes, they had to document that he needed OT.  So, they were readily able to do this.  I now have him slated to go there every Monday for an indefinite period of time.  (Our insurance allows 60 visits in a calendar year.)

He is quite excited about going back to "occupational therapy."  He loves trying to say these words.  Theraplay is much more of a business than the last place in the sense that they employ many therapists and you don't get the same one every time.  The rooms are very small for small-motor work and then there is a large open space which is used by many kids.  The former place just had one child and one therapist in it at a time.  The environment afforded a sense of calm that was certainly needed for Elias.  But, I'm quite pleased he's heading forward with Theraplay and I liked the therapist who evaluated him there.  In fact, they even recommended therapy twice a week.  But, in keeping with my "Simplicity Parenting"  I just couldn't fathom how we would get there twice a week.  It will work out nicely that I will take him right after school on Monday and Adam will take Addie and Jed to the Y while Addie has a swim lesson.  I know that we can't always have the luxury of having something for Adelaide to do when Elias has to go to an appointment, but it's helpful when we can.  It's also good just to spend time apart like that every once in a while.

On the IEP front, I made real progress.  I played phone tag for a while with the Teaching & Learning department, but eventually spoke to the district school psychologist.  We had a good conversation and we both determined it would be good for Elias to have a full evaluation--not just a n OT/PT one.  So, I filled out the release forms for that process.  I received in the mail on Friday all the paperwork for his I.E.P.  I filled out a few behavior scales, identified some of his strengths and weaknesses, and made sure that all the paperwork to his teacher was filled out as well.  His school will submit two reports from teachers, do an observation, submit his progress reports, and a summary of the school environment by the principal.  Once all of these forms are completed, we are entitled to an evaluation in the following 60 days.  Once that evaluation takes place and is scored, we will meet with the district to see what kind of support services Elias is entitled to receive.

However, in the meantime, we have been thrown for a loop.  The public school which Elias was supposed to attend for next year is going to be closed for roof repairs all next year.  This was announced about three weeks ago.  That news was so upsetting to me, I couldn't sleep the whole night after I heard this.  I just couldn't fathom Elias trying to negotiate another school with all different kids and then coming back to another school the following year.  So, he would have attended 4 different schools in four years.  Not such a great idea for a child who is very sensitive and has a difficult time following routines.  So, with some ambivalence, we applied for financial aid and put down a deposit for him to continue at his present school for one more year.

We have been thrilled with his teacher and his class.  Afterall, he is one of ten kids in the class.  But, kids come from all over and it's hard to get to know the families.  I was really anticipating meeting Elias at our public school, which is downtown, and heading over to the playground with all the other moms after school.   I was looking forward to feeling more involved in the "Borough".  However, all of that can wait until Addie starts kindergarten and Elias begins second grade there.

I did learn, however, that even children who are in private school are entitled by federal law to receive special services.  So, next year Elias will probably receive services after school that will be funded by the state of Pennsylvania.  This certainly has been a learning process, but now at least I can help someone else who is navigating this path.

Our Easter Feast

Since I started working outside the home, we have not cooked an Easter dinner on Easter day.  Typically, we all climb into bed for two hours and sleep on Easter afternoon. This year we made our way to our local brewpub and celebrated eating meat after a vegetarian Lent.  We got in some good play time on the front lawn and at the local park as well.  Today we will prepare a proper Easter dinner complete with our china, silver, and a good ham, lamb, scalloped potatoes, brussell sprouts, and green beans.

Easter Day: A Flop

So, once again Holy Week was as invigorating and life-giving as it could be.  We executed some wonderful liturgies and I even got to attend the Great Vigil at Christ Church.  The vigil was sublime; the priest sang the Exsultet beautifully, the thurifer was beyond graceful, and I got to hear my son sing.  What joy.

Easter morning before I left for church

                                            Trying to recreate Easter after I got home

The next morning I donned my clerical collar under my Boden spring dress and zipped off in the dark to arrive at Redeemer at 7am.  The nave was looking fabulous as our Easter flowers are incomparable.  Unfortunately, a text at 7:40 am told me "No babysitter."  I was about to go in as celebrant of the first liturgy at 7:45, but my mind was racing.  Where was she?  How is Adam going to get the kids dressed and over to church by 8?  Who will watch them?  What about their cute outfits I picked-out, purchased, and laid out so carefully the night before?  And their teeth...All that sugar and I can be sure those teeth won't get brushed before they head off to church.  I wasn't sure if bad breath was worse than sugar or not.

As I reached down into my calm part of my self, I was able to lead the congregation in worship, but again during the sermon and the prayers my wandered to distress.  "How can I be a priest? How can I be a mother?  How can I leave my kids to fend for themselves on Easter?"  As I finished shaking hands with the last of the 7:45 crowd, reset the altar book, I called my sitter.  It turned out she thought I didn't need her on Easter.  She thought we were going away.  Now, I know it's not fair to be angry with people when they do not understand your life's work because it is so removed from them, but away at Easter?  And she comes here at 7:30 every other Sunday and stays to 1pm and goes to church with my kids.  I would think she would get that Easter is not a holiday for us.  I asked her if she could head over to our house even though the morning was half over.

My mood darkened as we made our way through the third liturgy of the day.  All these people here who I had never seen before.  Tourists.  Religious tourists.  On a good day, I pray the Holy Spirit opens them to the fire and hunger of God on Easter--and Christmas.  On a bad day, I feel like I am a paid docent showing them around a beautiful museum exhibit.  They were between me and my kids and I was one tired and frustrated mama bear. 

I raced home to find everyone alive and well.  Adam stood at the door and handed out our children, like door prizes, to lucky families as they entered the church.  Josiah even served as an official greeter at the 10 am welcoming all the religious tourists at Christ Church--a really good prop indeed.  After all, who can't resist a little boy in a pink checkered church waving you in the red doors of an Episcopal Church?

As for now, I pray that God will help me decide whether to continue to serve in a paid capacity or go back to being a full-time at home priest in residence.

Holy Saturday

We dyed eggs and made a resurrection cake for the Easter Vigil agape feast.  Both were a resounding success.

Passion Sunday at the Van Gogh Exhibit

After a very full Passion Sunday, we headed to the Van Gogh exhibit.  Because we are going on our trip soon, we were afraid we were going to miss the exhibit.  The only day we could get tickets was for Passion Sunday, so we headed into Center City.  There was quite a crowd and I was expecting that I might only get a cursory look at the paintings.  We had all three kids and strollers were not allowed.

However, by the grace of God, the kids did extremely well.  We all got the tapes and they enjoyed putting on the headphones and listening to the stories about the paintings.  Eli and I listened to every one.  Addie got in a few and Daddy was good enough to hold Josiah, who was very compliant and sweet.

After the exhibit, the kids rolled down the hills outside of the Museum with a bunch of other children.  It was a good end to a busy work day for both parents.

A Visit from Madeline--and her Mommy

It was such a joy for us to see and reconnect with our friends from Madison.  We had only 24 hours, but we made use of them with the Holy Week Walk, going swimming at the new pool at the Y, playing a few fun board games, building Legos, and just visiting.  Boy, do we miss them, but it was terrific to see the kids hit it off again.  And we grown-ups had fun reconnecting and sharing the joys and tribulations of our respective lives.  Please come back soon!