Schools out EARLY

Well... we had a negative experience with the girls' 'inclusive preschool' program yesterday and have kept them at home today. We do not intend to send them back at this point. I have not spoken to the director of the program yet, but honestly do not think they can pacify me enough at this point to take the girls back. This is the scenario... Rita (from RR) was taking Bella down the hall to join the rest of the kids in the class they are integrated with when she witnessed Anastasia being taken to the restroom by another preschooler. Taken out of the class, down the hall, into the restroom and back again without adult supervision. This is a safety concern big time! Anastasia could have easily bolted and gone further down the hall and right out the front door. Also, Anastasia is still being potty trained. She needs help going to the restroom and obviously NO ONE was there to help her. Who checked to make sure the seat was clean? Who made sure she didn't need a new pull up? Who made sure she had toilet paper and that she used it? NO ONE. Needless to say, I was not happy when Rita told me what she had witnessed. I expressed my opinion to another of the staff members so they would be fully aware of our dissatisfaction with that scenario. I planned to discuss this at length with their teacher when I picked the girls back up (she was with the kids in the integrated class already). When I went to pick them up, Anastasia was not with the other children. Their teacher approached me saying she had been told by the other staff member that we were not happy about this morning's scenario. I let her know we were not happy at all and prepared to begin my discussion with her about this. Before I could get started she went on to say "and I just sent her to the restroom again". What? That is why Anastasia wasn't with the others... she was down the hall in the restroom with another preschooler again! This is AFTER the teacher was already aware of our concerns/dissatisfaction. I went into great length with her about my opinion. She tried to reassure me that it would not happen anymore, but honestly... it shouldn't have ever happened. The fact that she did it AGAIN after KNOWING we were not happy about it was the deal breaker for us. I don't know how you trust your kids with someone that has told you that they went against your wishes regarding the care of your children. I hate that they will miss out on going to preschool because they were really enjoying themselves. I was enjoying having the 3 mornings without all 4 little ones! Abby and I enjoyed having a couple of 'just us' dates. Oh well... summer was just around the corner anyway! :)

Things are going pretty good around here. The kids are enjoying outside time now that it has warmed up! Both girls seem to be adjusting rather well and we love seeing smiles on their faces more and more!

Sophia has her heart cath coming up soon. May 5th. Please remember her in your prayers. Thank you!

Another holiday at home!

The girls both enjoyed their first Easter at home. They always love dressing up and felt beautiful in their dresses and sandals. We went to church and then enjoyed time with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins later. Sophia and Anastasia seem to embrace all the special occasions we celebrate here. They appreciated their treats from the Easter bunny and had a good time hunting eggs with their cousins. It is so easy to forget they have only been home eight months now.

Things are settling down a good bit for us. The girls still enjoy their preschool mornings (3x week). I went last Thursday to register all 3 girls for K-5. Hard to believe that we will have 3 starting school in 4 months! We are not sure how this will work out for Anastasia. She seems so 'young' still. We are going to try and adjust as needed. I did request Abby and Anastasia to be in the same class. With Anastasia being non-verbal, I prefer to have Abby assigned to the same class so she can help interpret sign for the teacher/aide if needed. Also, we will have daily feedback on how things are going! Abby will be our little 'spy'. :) We requested all 3 girls be assigned to the same 'pod' (group of classes). This should help me with any field trips, parties, etc... since the 'pods' stick together!

We are all grateful for the improved weather since the kids get to go out and play now! :) Sophia and Anastasia are healed up nicely from their surgeries. We are looking forward to making less trips to doctors! We do have Sophia's heart cath scheduled... May 5th. After that, maybe we will have a better estimate on when they want to schedule her open heart surgery. We are not looking forward to it at all, but are also ready to have it behind us!

Again... sorry for the lack of updates. I will most likely only update here randomly for now. I appreciate all of your concern for our girls' adjustment home! We are very thankful for all of the support and prayers! :)