But I'll try.
First Stella has been doing really well with her potty-training. She recently started going to the bathroom on her own, without anyone telling her to. Accidents are still common, but as long as she's showing some independence in this area, we don't mind.
Even though progress is slow with regard to speech, pretty much everyone who works with her has noticed a lot of improvement. She gets private speech therapy twice a week, which is made possible in part by her loving grandparents. We also recently got a grant for some of the cost through a local organization called the Hayley's Ride Foundation, which was started by a local mom (a friend of mine too). It started as an event for motorcycle riders, but they have events throughout the year. The money goes to help pay for local kids to get speech and occupational therapy. I never thought we would need it, but the insurance company denied us this therapy ... so I'm glad it's there. The extra day a week (2 days/wk) really seems to be helping Stella, and the therapy center is only about 2 miles from our house, making it easier for me to run her over there after school.
A.J. is still crazy boy. He gets faster and sneakier every day. . He still loves to be mischievous and then run away laughing. Catching him is like trying to catch a field mouse with your bare hands. He's low to the ground and he can pivot like KU point guard.
Here's the little guy enjoying some time outside. I'm so glad he doesn't seem to mind the hat and mittens as much as his sister does.
It's been really cool here. Fall pretty much came right on schedule. It got cool and rainy right about the first day of fall, and October has been totally chilly. Last Halloween, it was nice and warm. This year, October feels like late November. Even the colds have been coming around early (fingers crossed no H1N1). Both kids have had runny noses and their poor dad had a cold and now a sinus infection.
Last, please someone take my water bath canner away from me. I'm like a hoarder of canned goods. Today I made another batch of salsa (not as good as the first - the peppers weren't hot enough). A few weeks ago, I made blueberry jam (jam is a skill I have clearly not mastered). Now that the growing season is done, though, I guess I will stop. I did pretty good for my first year, though.
In the basement
Take care, everyone!
