December Review (Long - sorry)
First, we want to wish you all a Happy New Year! We hope 2011 brings great things for ALL of our friends out there.
December was crazy busy! Big Chris had a couple of 70 + hour work weeks. We have the usual holiday "stuff" and Christopher's birthday on the 19th (I STILL cannot believe he is 7 already!). We have been travelling to Chicago at least once a week for therapy(ies), and an occasional doctor appointment. Can I say again how much we LOVE our therapists?
We are really starting over from the beginning. Most of Christopher's life up to now has been getting him to the next month alive. I hope I don't jinx it, but he is finally healthy enough to concentrate on much of what he has missed out on. We have also picked up quite a few sensory issues along the way. So our therapy sessions are geared toward "waking up" those muscles that haven't been used, or were too floppy/loose to be useful, overcoming our multitude of sensory issues, and attempt to get the kid up and moving!
Here are a few pics of therapy fun:
One the home school front, we worked on lots of things this month.
We had books:
And a big hit was the sticker sheets from Oriental Trading. If you are looking for something fun (and a fine motor activity) these are fairly inexpensive. They are sold in packs of 12 and average about $3.00. Christopher really likes them, as long as he can do the ones with the larger stickers. Something we will continue to work on:
We worked on 4 piece puzzles. These are from a teacher's group that I belong to. Elaine made these. Lots of talent there!
We did worksheets. Again working on larger vs smaller concepts. He did really well with these! From Preschool Printable of the Day from Preschool Palace:
He worked on matching like items with these flashcards. I am not sure where I got them from (If you recognize them, please let me know so I can credit properly). However, they were from the UK so some of the items were not familiar to him. He did VERY well with these.
He LOVED doing various Do-A-Dot worksheets (which we gave to Grandparents as gifts this year). Definitely see more of those in our future. This one is from Making Learning Fun:
We also did various parts and pieces from Nativity and Christmas Tot packs at 1+1+1=1 and the Christmas pack at Confessions of a Homeschooler. Go on over and check them out! Great resources.
We also had a Christmas themed sensory bin that I forgot to get a picture of. It had silver tinsel, plastic red and green ornaments, sparkly red and green pom poms, a dozen Christmas erasers in pairs, and jingle bells. He hated it. LOL! We will try again in January.
I was feeling bad that we didn't get all of the things done that I wanted to do during December, but in posting it I think we did enough.
Not sure what my issue was, be we didn't get the tree up until the 23rd. I am not sure we even HAD one last year. Here is a picture to prove we made it and Santa visited:
This Christmas marked the FIRST Christmas that Christopher was able to go to midnight mass at our church. (Father frowns on pictures in church). We decided to try it because the "weather was frightful" and we knew there wouldn't be too many people there. We also heard rumors that the incense was going to be kept at a minimum. Plus, Aunt T was singing and Christopher and Big Chris have never heard her sing! He did VERY well. We sat away from the rest of the congregation (all 20 of em). He absolutely LOVED the organ music. Guess Mommy will have to get busy with some lessons soon.
Looking out our front door Christmas Day. We didn't get the snow that the East Coast did, but it was pretty snow.
Since this is so long, our next post will be our goals. Thanks for sticking with us!
Hugs!~
Steph
December was crazy busy! Big Chris had a couple of 70 + hour work weeks. We have the usual holiday "stuff" and Christopher's birthday on the 19th (I STILL cannot believe he is 7 already!). We have been travelling to Chicago at least once a week for therapy(ies), and an occasional doctor appointment. Can I say again how much we LOVE our therapists?
 |
| Obligatory Birthday Picture! |
Here are a few pics of therapy fun:
 |
| Swinging in OT with Theratogs to "wake-up" those muscles! |
 |
| PT Pool Therapy - First time in the pool! |
One the home school front, we worked on lots of things this month.
We had books:
And a big hit was the sticker sheets from Oriental Trading. If you are looking for something fun (and a fine motor activity) these are fairly inexpensive. They are sold in packs of 12 and average about $3.00. Christopher really likes them, as long as he can do the ones with the larger stickers. Something we will continue to work on:
We worked on 4 piece puzzles. These are from a teacher's group that I belong to. Elaine made these. Lots of talent there!
We did worksheets. Again working on larger vs smaller concepts. He did really well with these! From Preschool Printable of the Day from Preschool Palace:
He worked on matching like items with these flashcards. I am not sure where I got them from (If you recognize them, please let me know so I can credit properly). However, they were from the UK so some of the items were not familiar to him. He did VERY well with these.
He LOVED doing various Do-A-Dot worksheets (which we gave to Grandparents as gifts this year). Definitely see more of those in our future. This one is from Making Learning Fun:
We also did various parts and pieces from Nativity and Christmas Tot packs at 1+1+1=1 and the Christmas pack at Confessions of a Homeschooler. Go on over and check them out! Great resources.
We also had a Christmas themed sensory bin that I forgot to get a picture of. It had silver tinsel, plastic red and green ornaments, sparkly red and green pom poms, a dozen Christmas erasers in pairs, and jingle bells. He hated it. LOL! We will try again in January.
I was feeling bad that we didn't get all of the things done that I wanted to do during December, but in posting it I think we did enough.
Not sure what my issue was, be we didn't get the tree up until the 23rd. I am not sure we even HAD one last year. Here is a picture to prove we made it and Santa visited:
This Christmas marked the FIRST Christmas that Christopher was able to go to midnight mass at our church. (Father frowns on pictures in church). We decided to try it because the "weather was frightful" and we knew there wouldn't be too many people there. We also heard rumors that the incense was going to be kept at a minimum. Plus, Aunt T was singing and Christopher and Big Chris have never heard her sing! He did VERY well. We sat away from the rest of the congregation (all 20 of em). He absolutely LOVED the organ music. Guess Mommy will have to get busy with some lessons soon.
Soon it was Christmas morning, and what would Christmas be without Occupational Therapy - eerrrr, I mean presents! LOL!
 |
| More gifts at Gama & Papa's House! |
Since this is so long, our next post will be our goals. Thanks for sticking with us!
Hugs!~
Steph
Labels: Christmas, fun, homeschool, La Rabida, therapy
posted by Stephanie at
6:07 AM
4 Comments:
Wow seven, thats worse than Jax being 5! Wow how time flies! I think the pool is a great therapy tool, Jax loves it!
Aww... he's so sweet. He just strikes me as younger-looking than 7. Maybe it's the little cheeks. :)
Hi, Steph. I came here to tell you that you won one of the $50 gift cards from Staples (I emailed you--check your spam?), but I am so thrilled to meet you and Christopher. I wanted to reach through the screen and kiss his cheeks, he is SO cute! I loved how much great stuff happened in December, and all the awesome activities he's been enjoying. Max used to wear Theratogs, too--stylin', aren't they?
Email me at love that max [at] gmail [dot] com about the gift card!
Ellen
Hello! I am your newest follower (Kerri). I came across your blog when I saw your profile pic on a giveaway. The picture of your son reminded me of my nephew. So, I thought I would stop by your blog. You have a great blog and a very sweet and handsome son. My little one's favorite book this Christmas was the Charlie Brown one too. She wore out the buttons. I will need to check out the Sesame Street Sound Book too!
Blessings to you!
Kerri
Post a Comment
Let us know you were here! Thanks!
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home