Early Learning Screening

So I had been putting off early learning screening for Mykaela. Maybe because I knew getting her to participate would be difficult. Well today was the day. Of course she is all excited about it until we actually get there and have to do what is asked of her. I even offered up the option of stopping over to say hi to Maria and give her well wishes to get well soon because Maria has been sick for the last few days.

She started off ok with doing matching game and vision but then we get to the hearing test and she won't put the head phones on so we defer that action and she needs to go to an audiologist or check back with the pediatrician. She does ok with the height and weight. Then we go to the next station. Here is where we go downhill. She refuses to participate. Won't sit in the chair to do the activities with the tester. I ask her why and she won't tell me. So instead of doing the assessment I get to talk to the tester about the next options and Mykaela's behaviour patterns. The plan is for me to call the behaviour specialist tomorrow to figure out if we should do the testing with them or attempt the early learning test again. Also get some suggestions to help with getting Mykaela to know that there are some activities that are not optional and ways that I don't always have to come up with a reward (if you do it you get the reward, if not you don't get the reward) basically so that she knows there are just some things you have to do because we say so. Mykaela wants power over every situation. They are also going to talk her preschool teacher Miss Angie to get her observations of Mykaela in class and possibly observe Mykaela in class and at home

I hope we have been doing the right thing  :( and that we can find a solution soon.

Going Ons

Mallory:
Has been having fun with girl scout activities and can't wait to start selling cookies.
Has started to enjoy having her hair braided like Olivia.
Not sure what to do about the occasional nightmares but recently seems to be happening at least once a week. Still won't tell what they are about but they make her very upset.
Is doing wonderful at skating and swimming. Last Saturday at ice skating she was able to do multiple swizzles in a row, 'my teacher told me to bend my knees'
Watched Bolt last night and was one of the first times I saw a movie affect her so emotionally. She had all kinds of questions ... I had a hard time explaining that Bolt was a movie dog that thought he had super powers but was really just a regular dog. How to explain a movie inside of a movie to a 6 year old??

Mykaela:
Love the personality but the temper that comes with it at times is what I am not sure what to do with. Listening ... how to get one to listen and follow through with what she is asked.
Loves to talk to people. Always has some random thing to ask or a silly face to make at them.
Continue to struggle with her staying in her classes. I never had that problem with Mallory. Mykaela finds excuses or just plain says she doesn't want to do it. Might just have to hold of on the activities for awhile. Even though I know she will be upset when Mallory gets to go and she doesn't
Is doing fantastic with her glasses and did a wonderful job at her check up
Has an imaginary friend named Mallory and has at least one story about her a day. "Mallory" was sick again today. My friend "Mallory" is 4 and in second grade. She doesn't pretend to talk to her just talks about her a lot.

Marshall:
8 months old tomorrow. The first year really does go fast. Keep waiting for those top two teeth to pop through but nothing. Wants to crawl which makes him frustrated when he can't figure out how.  Loves standing and tries to pull himself up to standing any chance he gets. Wants everything he isn't suppose to have. Has a great smile and laugh. Loves his sister and will start laughing if they are laughing.

Falling Behind

I am already falling behind and it isn't even February yet. I will have to make a note to myself to post something tonight ...

I haven't even been bringing my camera places ... yikes

Back to things as usual

Vacation ended on Monday and everything was back to the usual schedule. Monday night swimming, Tuesday night we headed to Kirk's parents to celebrate his mom's birthday ... not sure if you call a bunch of crabby kids a celebration :). Wednesday I came home early from work (the start of my turn being sick) Kirk brought the girls to dance that evening. Thursday I was home again. Friday was Kirks turn and he was home with us which ended up making things a lot easier for me getting Mykaela to/from preschool and Mallory to the bus stop on time. Hoping the kids don't catch anything Kirk or I had. Saturday the girls started their next round of ice skating lessons. They are both doing great ... only problem is I can see Mykaela misbehaving but can't do anything about it since she can't hear me. The funny thing is she gets the other kids to do the same thing she is doing ... the little stinker.
The rest of the weekend was pretty low key. Brought the girls to their new favorite place, Build a Bear. They managed to spend the rest of their birthday and Christmas money.
Marshall has developed a rash so will keep an eye on it tomorrow and if there is no improvement looks like a trip to the doctor will be next. Marshall continues to be a happy baby a majority of the time. Definately wants me over others (Ashely is probably my closest competion :) ) He is definately trying to explore new things and will be a much happier and into more trouble when he can crawl. I guess that is enough randomness for one post. Here are a few pictures from the last week.

Mykaela and Ma"ria" playing dress up