Luke and School

So, this school year hasn't gone quite as I expected.  We were expecting a rough start for our shy guy, but - as Luke is celebrating his 100th day of school this week - that makes for 100 days of Luke not speaking at school.  We've been working with a few specialists in the school district, and he apparently has "selective mutism". This is a fancy way of saying what we already know:  he doesn't speak in certain situations where he feels severe anxiety, aka: school, church, or any other public place or with anyone unfamiliar.  I felt relieved to at least have a name for it and know that he wasn't the only one (apparently there are 8 children in our school district with this particular issue).  Also, it was nice to know that there are specific strategies to help overcome the anxiety.  So, we've been trying really hard.  It's a difficult thing, because any pressure, bribing, etc. just make things worse and up the anxiety.  So, we've been having lots of play-dates (at least 2 a week - which may not seem like much to you, but it is a lot to me!), we come before or stay after school twice a week to practice speaking with each other with less pressure, and we've been making videos for Show & Tell with Luke speaking that the teacher shows on the t.v. to the class.  Although Luke hasn't felt comfortable enough to speak in the classroom yet, he has improved immensely.  He is much more comfortable having friends over to play at our house and going to others' houses.  He participates in class non-verbally with head shakes and smiles.  He says that he loves school, and he interacts with the other kids, speaking quietly to a few of them.  It is hard for me when I see some of the other kids making fun of him, but I'm proud of him with how well he's handling things.  My goal is to have him speaking to his teacher, at least in a whisper, by the end of the school year, but we'll see how things go.  

The first time his teacher saw him speaking on video, she started crying.  "I have never heard his voice before!  He is such a sweet boy."  We think he's pretty great as well!  P.S. The joke about "Don" he made up himself.  :)

Snow, Snow, and more SNOW!

Our Funny Little Performer

Audrey is hilarious.  Her little body is filled with buckets of personality, and we love it.  I am going to really miss it when she's a little bit older and doesn't wear dress-ups and tutus everywhere we go.  Sometimes I'm wondering what's on my face the way people at the store or school are smiling and looking at me, and then I remember that Audrey is wearing some kind of fancy ensemble.  Although she is somewhat shy in public, she adores to dance and sing.  She was born to perform!  One of her very favorite things to do is dance to the music videos in the Bonus Features of her Disney princess movies.  That girl loves to shake her booty.

I also have to include a few of her funny little sayings.  

• She loves grilled cheese sandwiches, but a lot of it, I think, is that she thinks they are called "girl" cheese sandwiches.  The other day Clayton surprised us and took us to Five Guys Burgers and Fries for dinner.  When we asked Audrey what she wanted, she didn't hesitate, "A hambur-girl." 

• She was squeezing around Max's car seat in the van, and I told her she should just go around to her side.  "No, mom.  I'm a bounty hunter."  

• I gave her a hug and kiss, and she told me afterward, "Mom, you are a really great kisser!"

• I think she must be watching a little too much Disney princess, because she asked me the other day "Who do you think will steal my heart? [insert dramatic sigh here]" Oh brother.

We're All Together in Primary

Audrey is the newest Sunbeam in the family, so we are now all in Primary together!  Clayton teaches CTR 4 class, Luke is in CTR 5, and Max and I make up one secretary.  Call me crazy, but I sometimes feel like I'm busier now than when I was the Relief Society Presidency.  I can't complain too much, though, because I have learned a lot.  This calling has helped me become more organized, taught me about spreadsheets and how to make a killer newsletter, how to hold my tongue in meetings, and a whole lot more.  As Clayton tells me, "Your job is to record what the rest of the presidency decides, and then carry it out."  It is a lot of work, but the rest of the presidency is amazing, and everyone pulls their share of the load.  Plus, with the whole family essentially learning the same things every Sunday, we practice songs, scriptures, and Articles of Faith together.  Primary rocks!

Max Hates Sweet Potatoes