Getting the most out of our taxes...

010, originally uploaded by megan bauer.

Henry turned 2 years and 3 months last week, and a couple of weeks ago I had his speech evaluated. One of the things New York is really good at, and I'm assuming where the great majority of my obscene real estate taxes go (we pay even more then Illinois!!!) is for special services intervention i.e., speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc. They have a great set up for those that need interventions or wonder if your child needs interventions. You simply request to be evaluated, and then a whole slew of people come to your house to evaluate your child. Then, if your child qualifies, specialists come to your house (this is all free of charge...well, not free, TAXES!), and work with your child until they deem it's no longer necessary.
So, anyway, I decided to have Henry evaluated for speech. His speech has increased many, many times over since he turned 2, and I'm not necessarily considered about the quantity of words. I was worried about the clarity of his speech. At 2, he's supposed to be 50% intelligible, and I'm not sure he was at that level. I figured it couldn't hurt, so I had him evaluated. The morning of his evaluation, two speech therapists, a medical student and case worker showed up at my door to play with him. They sat and played w/ him for about 2 hours, asking him questions, and showing him pictures in books, and asking him to repeat words. He had a blast. Needless to say, he didn't qualify. He was low average with his speech quality, but not enough to qualify for intervention. And, (and this part would not be a shock to anyone who knows him) but he was above average in social skills :). I'm sure he did well in this section, because he was very, very interactive with them and not at all shy or concerned with a group of people - that he's never met before - being in his house. He greeted them all at the door when they arrived, and gave them all hugs when they left. He's such a social butterfly!
We can have him re-evaluated in a couple of months if we're still concerned, but his speech has gotten clearer even in the last week. He likes to say "almost" to a lot of things. "Henry - are you done eating?" ALMOST. "Henry - are you ready to go?" ALMOST. He also likes to hold up one teeny tiny finger and say, "One minute?" when I ask him to go. "Henry - it's bed time?" One minute. He also is saying, "What was that sound?" and, "Where did Emmett go?" (or Owen or mommy).

The Tortoise and the Hare

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One of the reasons my mom came when she did (she left Saturday) was to see Owen's performance in his third grade musical. The whole third grade participated in the musical, The Tortoise and the Hare, and the kids had to audition for the part they wanted and rehearse tons! Owen had one of the leads, The Tortoise. He had a small solo and a duet w/ the Hare (pictured here). It was such a great performance. All the kids did wonderfully, and Owen never ceases to amaze me. The child had no anxiety. He was thrilled to be the star!

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Owen's performance as a tortoise

Mirbeau Inn and Spa

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Eddie and I escaped for 2 days and 1 night a few days ago - left my mom w/ the boys and went off on our own. To say it was the most wonderful 48 hours we've had together in a long time would be a gross understatement. We went to the nationally recognized Mirbeau Inn and Spa in Skaneateles, NY. We had a couples massage. I got a pedicure. I almost finished a whole book. We relaxed in a outdoor hot tub while snowflakes landed on our heads. We ate in a 4 star restaurant. We ate ice cream in bed. I took a bath w/ rose petals in it. The spa turned down our bed at night when we were out eating. We drank mimosas for lunch. It was so, so wonderful. And, if we can talk my mom into coming back same time next year - we're going to do it again.

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066, originally uploaded by megan bauer.

The cottage we stayed in.

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Warm water foot pool. We went to the spa Tuesday/Wednesday and it was really, really quiet there - hardly any people around. That helped. It was awesome!

Enjoying the spa experience

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We had a great time, but Eddie decided that the spa experience itself wasn't really for him. He didn't love our couples massage and he didn't really "get" what we were supposed to be doing - relaxing! - I kept telling him. He spent a lot of time in the gym. :) Everyone wore these robes (w/ nothing underneath...wink..wink...) around. It was really weird. We even went to lunch in their 4 star restaurant in robes.

Wow! It's been a long winter....

My mom has been here for a total of 10 days today, and I think we have all been healthy for a grand total of 2 of them. Henry puked Sunday night twice, midnight and 3 AM. I was frantic, because Eddie and I had overnight reservations for a spa nearby on Tuesday night and I was determined for our plans to NOT be foiled. When I said my prayers that night, I begged to please, please not let anyone else get sick. God must have listened, because we went and had a super fabulous time. But I should have clarified when I prayed. I should have asked that no one else get sick at all. But, I didn't. And now, Owen's puking and I have laid on the couch all day. Not puking. But, certainly not well. Henry has not left our house since Friday. Literally. 6 days worth. But, he's coughing again tonight. UGH!

Grandma's here!!!

And, I don't have a single photo of her yet :(. We've got a list a mile long of things to accomplish in her 2 weeks time. Can't wait to share everything we've done w/ you all!!!