It is that time of year where my boys love to pick me flowers.....

This kiddo has officially graduated from speech services from the school district. His therapist gave him a certificate and this hat! He was quite pleased.

Joseph did see the occupational therapist recently. She did not see anything huge going on with his visual perception. She did give me one integrated exercise to do with him based on one thing he struggled with when she tested him. It is a particular pose he has to hold, while holding his breath. We have had a hard time working on the pose because it turns out he is having a hard time 'properly' holding his breath. Instead of immediately breathing out, after he holds his breath, he opens his mouth, takes a breath in and then breaths out. Just really interesting to watch the motor planning.

Yesterday I took Benjamin and Joseph to a drumming workshop but an award winning drummer, whose mentor lives in Africa. There were about 20 kids there and they all had a drum. It was so much fun (of course I forgot the camera). Some of the adults, including me, got in on the action. Learning different rhythms, history behind the drums and culture. I might have to invest in a drum soon. I am looking into a week long drum workshop that this teacher does in the summers. I know Jacob would enjoy it too.

Speaking of, this was Jacob's mother's day present recently...something he completed at school.

JR and the boys are heading down to Miami the end of the month. JR's parents have never met Joseph and have not seen the other 2 boys since summer of 2008. So the 4 of them are heading south and mom will stay home and hold down the fort. I am compiling a list of movies and books that I hope to read, as well as a few projects, sewing, hiking and biking. Jacob will miss a week of school, but will be back for the last 3 days of school.

I finally decided to buy some 'all natural' products and have spent the last 2 days making tooth paste, tooth powder, sunscreen, lotion, salves and body scrubs. I think I even have the boys on board to try some of them. One thing that motivated me was a trip to the dentist for the boys. Two of them were cavity free ~ yay! Poor Jacob...I think he will be our high maintenance dental kid. I can't even remember when he lost his 2 front teeth. However, only one of them has started to come in. The dentist can feel the other in the top of the palate, but he is not real sure if it is on track to come in at the proper place. We might be getting an early referral to the ortho. They will give it another 6 months and then re-evaluate. He also have very weak enamel. So, I came home and researched some things and now have him on a supplement regime, as well as homemade tooth paste and powder. I want to see if we can turn things around in the next 6 months.

We are trying to stay motivated with the homeschooling. Sure is hard! I have told Benjamin that if he focuses 110% next week, that he won't have to do anything those few days after Miami.

Jacob told me today that he ran 1/2 a mile at school in 3.05 minutes!

Today Joseph came in and announced "I keep thinking when I don't want to!" We looked at him and started laughing. Then he had to think about his words and corrected himself and said 'keep blinking'.

Another quiet weekend in store. About the only commitment we have is a 4-H field trip to Domino's Pizza. We played laser tag this past week with 4-H. The kids had fun!