Long time since my last post. I’ve been trying to journal more, but why not occassionally double-dip? So here’s a long one from today's entry...
This has been a week of extreme acts of cuteness. This is just a tiny portion of what my sleep deprived brain can recall:
Friday- Elisabeth saw Santa Claus at school. She told me she requested “UP!” (Disney Pixar movie). I asked if she was sure that was the one thing she wanted… that if she could ask for only one thing that would be it. She replied that she really wanted it for Benjo because he had been asking to watch it again (Ben rented it the night before) all morning. One must understand that Benjo still has to be economical with his speech. It’s becoming easier for him to communicate his desires, but it still must be really important for him to articulate something so carefully – “U”--- “P!” was what we heard all morning. Apparently, she was more attentive to his pleas that I.
Me: “Well, how will Santa know what you want?”
E: [Thinking for a while in the back seat. Suddenly, lots of whispers between she and Benjo.]
M: “What’s going on?”
[Dubious glances my way.]
M: “Were you and Benjo making a plan?”
E: [Resolved] “Yes, Benjo’s going to ask for Barbie and the Three Musketeers.”
I laughed and cried all at once.
When we got home, Benjo and E were snacking at the bar. I heard her asking if he wanted, “three, four, or five.”
Benjo: “Five.” [In Benjo-ese]
Me: “Of what?”
E: “Kisses.” [Kisses B's his forehead, eye, ear, check, and arm.] “I want five too.”
B: [Not missing a beat returns the sweetness.]
Thursday- Ben and I got to go to “Benjo School” (school districts speech intestive preschool) for a program. His sweet, graying, hippy-ish teacher led the five boys in several darling songs. None of them did much more than hum, catch the occasional consonant, and hand motions, but it was wonderful. I am biased, but Benjo stole the show. He was so animated and focused. As I watched a couple of the very withdrawn children, I had a sudden, strong impression that this program is great for Benjo for so many reasons, but that he is also there to help draw the others out. He loves people so much and shows such a great interest, concern, and empathy for others (especially children). Unfortunately, in his animation, he also smacked the most reserved of the boys in the forehead. I’m sure he’ll make up for it later though ; ).
Wednesday – Though Benjamin graduated from Early Intervention last month, they had official graduation Wednesday night… great dinner spread, children “singing,” “graduation” style presentation of diplomas (complete with cap and gown), and Santa. Elisabeth came along to support Benjo. They were both so sweet and Benjo was stunning in his blue gown. Santa's line was too long though.
This has been a week of extreme acts of cuteness. This is just a tiny portion of what my sleep deprived brain can recall:
Friday- Elisabeth saw Santa Claus at school. She told me she requested “UP!” (Disney Pixar movie). I asked if she was sure that was the one thing she wanted… that if she could ask for only one thing that would be it. She replied that she really wanted it for Benjo because he had been asking to watch it again (Ben rented it the night before) all morning. One must understand that Benjo still has to be economical with his speech. It’s becoming easier for him to communicate his desires, but it still must be really important for him to articulate something so carefully – “U”--- “P!” was what we heard all morning. Apparently, she was more attentive to his pleas that I.
Me: “Well, how will Santa know what you want?”
E: [Thinking for a while in the back seat. Suddenly, lots of whispers between she and Benjo.]
M: “What’s going on?”
[Dubious glances my way.]
M: “Were you and Benjo making a plan?”
E: [Resolved] “Yes, Benjo’s going to ask for Barbie and the Three Musketeers.”
I laughed and cried all at once.
When we got home, Benjo and E were snacking at the bar. I heard her asking if he wanted, “three, four, or five.”
Benjo: “Five.” [In Benjo-ese]
Me: “Of what?”
E: “Kisses.” [Kisses B's his forehead, eye, ear, check, and arm.] “I want five too.”
B: [Not missing a beat returns the sweetness.]
Thursday- Ben and I got to go to “Benjo School” (school districts speech intestive preschool) for a program. His sweet, graying, hippy-ish teacher led the five boys in several darling songs. None of them did much more than hum, catch the occasional consonant, and hand motions, but it was wonderful. I am biased, but Benjo stole the show. He was so animated and focused. As I watched a couple of the very withdrawn children, I had a sudden, strong impression that this program is great for Benjo for so many reasons, but that he is also there to help draw the others out. He loves people so much and shows such a great interest, concern, and empathy for others (especially children). Unfortunately, in his animation, he also smacked the most reserved of the boys in the forehead. I’m sure he’ll make up for it later though ; ).
Wednesday – Though Benjamin graduated from Early Intervention last month, they had official graduation Wednesday night… great dinner spread, children “singing,” “graduation” style presentation of diplomas (complete with cap and gown), and Santa. Elisabeth came along to support Benjo. They were both so sweet and Benjo was stunning in his blue gown. Santa's line was too long though.
Back to today – Ben’s working out of town, so I am trying to use some of the “extra” time to interact more with each child. Gave them each their own baths and tried to really focus on talking with them (not thinking about Christmas preps or any of the other crazy projects I have taken on) while getting them dressed. I decided to try to help Sam learn his name – he’s mastered “apple,” so why not. Worked on “S” for a while (not an expected sound for this age, but why not start him thinking about it now?). He did really well and looked like a little snake. Couldn’t link it to “am” though. Gabe was only willing to say, “No, no, no,” in his amazingly cute way. His voice is a tiny bit gruff and I detect a tiny bit of a lisp. They both have such darling personalities.
I couldn’t feel more blessed.
I couldn’t feel more blessed.
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