Wow! Yesterday was four weeks since we've been home with Justus Derero....Sometimes it seems like we just got him yesterday and other times it seems like he's been with us forever. We have all grown so much as a family over the last four weeks and I have to say....thank goodness...It IS getting easier. We are all beginning to settle in to our new "normal".
The weather has been very cooperative this week as well, so that's made for a lot of fun times. This past Sunday, we all went to the greenway again and we all rode our bikes. Except for Justus' initial runaway on the first hill, everything went real smoothly. He learned how to use those brakes in a jiffy. Now, he's an expert. It is really amazing b/c he's only 4 and can pedal up the steepest inclines on the trail without help...(I, on the other hand, was pushing my cruiser up the hill). After the greenway, we went to a local elementary school playground. My bigger kids thought they would be bored, but they found something where they could spin themselves around super fast and were entertained for a long time as well....It was good to see them laughing like that and having such a great time. This was Justus' first playground, so of course, it was a hit....He loved everything about it.
On Monday, Natalie and Justus played on the school playground after school. It truly melted this mama's heart b/c Justus would say, "Natalie, c'mon!" He was finally all about her. They played and played and she was such a good big sister.
I got together with a teacher friend on Tuesday night for dessert at Cracker Barrel and can I just say, "It is SO refreshing to get out, talk, and laugh with a good friend". I thoroughly enjoyed our time together and I felt so refreshed when I got back home.
On Wednesday, the kids had early dismissal, so we headed to the library and played on another playground. Justus Derero picked out some "George" and "Doda de Esploda" books (Curious George and Dora).
Thursday, I took Natalie to the orthodontist to be fitted for her retainer. Justus was very intrigued by the hygenists putting on braces on other kidddos and the big fish tank in the middle of the room. He was equally as intrigued when Trevis grilled out on Thursday night. We had steaks (yummo) and we have a charcoal grill, so Justus was very interested in that.....
Yesterday, he and Natalie got to feed the ducks...I'll try to include some pics of that later this weekend. I've been trying to explain the difference between a goose and a duck to him so maybe now after seeing them both...he kind of gets it.
For the last two weeks, I have implemented a picture schedule. That works really great for Justus Derero so he can see what is coming next. Part of that is working through activities in a bucket that are educational. I am amazed at the rate at which he is picking up new skills and vocabulary.:-)
Things Justus Derero is doing well now:
The weather has been very cooperative this week as well, so that's made for a lot of fun times. This past Sunday, we all went to the greenway again and we all rode our bikes. Except for Justus' initial runaway on the first hill, everything went real smoothly. He learned how to use those brakes in a jiffy. Now, he's an expert. It is really amazing b/c he's only 4 and can pedal up the steepest inclines on the trail without help...(I, on the other hand, was pushing my cruiser up the hill). After the greenway, we went to a local elementary school playground. My bigger kids thought they would be bored, but they found something where they could spin themselves around super fast and were entertained for a long time as well....It was good to see them laughing like that and having such a great time. This was Justus' first playground, so of course, it was a hit....He loved everything about it.
On Monday, Natalie and Justus played on the school playground after school. It truly melted this mama's heart b/c Justus would say, "Natalie, c'mon!" He was finally all about her. They played and played and she was such a good big sister.
I got together with a teacher friend on Tuesday night for dessert at Cracker Barrel and can I just say, "It is SO refreshing to get out, talk, and laugh with a good friend". I thoroughly enjoyed our time together and I felt so refreshed when I got back home.
On Wednesday, the kids had early dismissal, so we headed to the library and played on another playground. Justus Derero picked out some "George" and "Doda de Esploda" books (Curious George and Dora).
Thursday, I took Natalie to the orthodontist to be fitted for her retainer. Justus was very intrigued by the hygenists putting on braces on other kidddos and the big fish tank in the middle of the room. He was equally as intrigued when Trevis grilled out on Thursday night. We had steaks (yummo) and we have a charcoal grill, so Justus was very interested in that.....
Yesterday, he and Natalie got to feed the ducks...I'll try to include some pics of that later this weekend. I've been trying to explain the difference between a goose and a duck to him so maybe now after seeing them both...he kind of gets it.
For the last two weeks, I have implemented a picture schedule. That works really great for Justus Derero so he can see what is coming next. Part of that is working through activities in a bucket that are educational. I am amazed at the rate at which he is picking up new skills and vocabulary.:-)
Things Justus Derero is doing well now:
- sorting red, purple, yellow, green, blue, and orange correctly
- counting from 1-5 (he's remembering 4 pretty consistently)
- 5 & 6 piece wood board puzzles
- 4-5 words phrases (ex...Mama, be right back!, "Mama, look, BIG dump truck"
- beginning to use the pronoun "I"
- making lots of eye contact
- hugging mama more randomly (YEA!)
- learned the letter "c" this week and how to write it.
- stopping at the stop signs when riding bikes in the neighborhood
- saying please and thank you
- playing Candyland
Firsts for this week:
- went to church...sat through whole service...very fidgety but he made it
- had ice cream
In addition, I have been playing these games lately....
So much has been going on....I'm going to try to update more this week, b/c I have lots of things rolling around in my brain. I'm just hoping I'll have the time....Mom did take a pic of the five of us last night so Hooray! I'll post that soon as well.
Have a wonderful weekend. Looks like the sun is shining this morning!
Praise the LORD! Come on Spring! I love this weather!
With much love,
Hi Melanie,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you all have had a great week. It sounds like you had so much fun! Thank God for Springtime weather. I loved the
Valentine pictures, and can't wait to get together with you all!
Hope you have a nice weekend.
Angela