Seems like the busyness of the last couple of weeks is dying down.  The two math programs at the library that B has been participating in end next week.  So looks like the month of August will be only speech therapies for JB and hitting the pool.

The other day we were at a friend's house and JB was trying to say 'chip'.  Instead he would say 'bip'.  We would get him to say 'ch', then ask him to say 'chip'...he would say 'bip', repeatedly.  This so describes apraxia.  He can often say things in isolation, but as he puts it all together, it falls apart.  He is struggling with putting two words together at therapy.  So it goes, make some headway then regress.  Overall though, still very excited for his progress.

B has taken a liking to the game Mancala.  Boy, he sure gives me a run for my money.  He beat me the first couple of times we played until everything started coming back to me.  He will probably be my fiercest competitor.  He also loves Math Whiz.  Just amazed at how much he enjoys that game.  When the cousins were here, they spent a lot of time on the floor playing.  Anyone wanting to increase mental math for their kids, check it out...phenomenal game and really a lot of fun.  I even stumped my brother-in-law with a math equation...I was excited.

With family recently being here, I had bought several cases of water bottles to have on hand.  My precious Jbird has taken it upon himself to personally try to mutilate every empty bottle he can find.  He will squeeze it, twist it, step on it, bang it...whatever he can think of.  The constant noise around the house is like nails on a chalkboard.

While the family was here we also went tubing - or should I say floated the local river.  The first time I had ever done it in my 13 years living here.  Had a lot of fun but nothing I am brave enough to attempt by myself with the kiddos.  Tied up all the tubes.  Once you got in, the water was not too bad, until you got splashed.  Floated 6 miles in just under 2 hours, so a perfect speed.  I think the boys enjoyed it, even if they acted bored.  JR had a hard time staying in his tube.  He kept falling out.  One time he fell out and could not get to his feet quick enough to catch up with us...so we floated away.  Just after that, B was 'bored' and untied Jbird and my sister from the group.  Jbird did not like that.  We could hear him wailing across the river.  We were going just fast enough that it was not too safe to drag your feet, so I could not stop us.  JR finally got to the side of the bank of the river, he figured it would be quicker to catch up with us on foot than being in the river.  Then he found a tube on the bank.  He jumped back in and was able to get over to Jbird and calm him down.  We all made it out in one piece and no one really got sunburned, even though the sky was beautiful.

JR has been staying very busy with work.  He has even turned down a few side jobs.  When the time is right, I don't think he will have a problem launching a full time business.  I got a speeding ticket the other day...the first one in many years.  I thought I was in a 35 mph zone but it was 25.  I was in my own little world and the motorcycle cop caught me doing 39.  Fortunately he was very nice and knocked it down to 35 mph for the ticket.  He told me 10 miles over will cut the fine in half and it will not go on my driving record (thankful for that).  I was scared to find out the fine...I called today to pay it and it was only $20!!

Off to go play with the boys!