Imagination (and some cool props) makes a dream a reality...

Dress up RULES.............


What a looooooooooooong week! We had a lot of fun, but it just seemed to drag on and on.

Monday I had an appointment with my early interventionist up at the therapy center. Saf and I had a great time.

Tuesday Saf had school....enter, speed bump. Ok, so last week was the fair. It was great and exciting...also overwhelming and a bit confusing. So, this week Saf struggled with going to school. Once she was in class and into the routine, she did great. She just had a hard time getting through those doors. Lots of crying, screaming, some kicking...it was rough. Mom, me, and Teacher Jenn just helped her through it...and she went all three days. Hoping she doesn't have as hard of a time this week. Either way, we'll just work through it and move on.

Really exciting...Saf got her artwork back from the fair and her and her whole class got 1st Prize blue ribbons! So neat!

We went to the doctor on Friday because we just can't seem to shake the runny noses. Saf did AMAZING...even better than last time. She didn't even sit on mom's lap, and let the doctor check her ears, lungs, etc. I did super great, clapping for myself after every portion of the exam! Turns out we both just have really bad allergies. Living in this dusty valley surely isn't helping much. So, runny noses it is...at least until wetter weather.

We want to wish our Cousin Matt Marapese a wonderful life with his new beautiful bride. Mom is so very happy for you and we just think it's the coolest, too!

Had some great park days, and some not so great ones. It was a mixed bag this week. Can't wait to see what next week brings!

Peace
Nixi

The fair RULES! Wow, what a week! Let's get right into it!

We started the week with Nixi getting to go to the therapy center where we used to do speech/OT. We had super fun and Nixi did a great job of asking her Early Interventionist for help! It's what mom calls a "door open" kinda day. Nixi was feeling good and acting very comfortable for most of the day..open to trying new things and exploring. It was great! We still both have runny noses, but other than that we seem to be getting better.

I got to go to school on Tuesday...still LOVE it! I got to finger paint a pig, 'cuz this month we're learning all about farms. On Wednesday I didn't have school, but that was ok 'cuz we our Nana came to visit. We went to the pet store and looked at all the animals, topping the day off with some park time. It was awesome!

Thursday....the big day...FAIR DAY! Ok, so I'll give you a blow by blow. We got to school, and it was so cool because everyone's parents were there and stuff. Kind of confusing....teacher Jenn said we had to leave to get on the bus. I thought we had to go home and got really upset. Teacher Jenn carried me out to the bus and tried to help me understand what we were doing. I wasn't buying it....until we got on the bus! WOW! Buses are SO COOL! They made everyone do an evacuation drill...so after getting on, we had to get back off?!?! The bus driver let me stay on...'cuz I think he knew I probably wouldn't have made it back on. Off we went! We sang "the wheels on the bus" and just had super fun. Mom, Nana, and Nixi followed in their car. We all got to tour the fair and see all of the animals. Mom and Nana hung back with Nixi and I got to walk with teacher Jenn and Teacher Allison. We saw cows, sheep being sheered, pigs, chickens...you name it, we saw it. We also toured the art pavilion....and low and behold, teacher Jenn had submitted our art and it was there hanging for everyone to see! Mine looked great and mom was SO PROUD! What a neat surprise. An even neater surprise, dad got out of jury duty and surprised us all by finding us at the fair and finishing the morning off with us. It was just the greatest day ever! I loved it!

We had a great visit with Nana. I read a book with her and Nixi looked at her a lot. It was fun...I even gave a her a hug and a kiss when she had to leave!

It was just a great week. We had so many huge events and we handled them all pretty darn well. Don't suppose this week will be nearly as exciting....but you never can tell in this house!

xoxo
Saf

Getting on the bus was rough, and confusing.......


Nixi got right into the spirit and became a member of the "choir"...

Out sick......come back later!

What a miserable week! We all got sick, again! Our internet went down, hence the late post. One thing after another.

Ok, so maybe I'm being a bit dramatic. The week was actually pretty good, other than us all feeling a little out of sorts.

Mom, however, isn't feeling great so I'll keep this post short....'cuz she helps us with the computer.

This week I get to go to school, our Nana is coming for a visit, AND I get to go on my first fieldtrip! My class is getting a special, private tour of the Tulare County Fair! We get to ride on a school bus to go there, and everything! I'm nervous........but oh so excited!

So, check back in next Monday...I can't guarantee weather it'll be good news or bad, but I can definitely guarantee it'll be interesting!

xoxo
Saf

What a week! My favorite day was today, so I'm gonna go backwards 'cuz I can hardly contain myself!

So, mom and dad took us to J&K Farley Farm to go grape and tomato picking and to see all the neat farm animals! It was SOOOOO cool! We saw goats, a cow, turkeys, a llama, emu, a donkey, a sheep, and a pygmy horse! Ok, so maybe the emu and llama aren't your typical farm animals....but, boy, are they cool! I liked the cow the best because it kept sticking its crazy tongue out and trying to kiss me. I think Saf liked them all...but maybe the goats were her favorite...or maybe the emu? Mom was a little freaked out by the emu...you'll see on the video that mom had to stop rolling abruptly because Saf was about to take one massive peck to the head! Saf thought it was hysterical! I got to ride in a the wagon while mom, dad, and Saf picked the grapes...bumpy ride, but super fun! Saf picked grapes one by one...mom and dad grabbed 'em by the bunch. While I think their method was more about volume, Saf's seemed to be more about the quality...meticulously studying each one before deciding weather it could go in the box. You gotta love attention to detail! It was just a great time!

The rest of the week....pretty ok. We went to the doctor on Monday. Before we went mom played us youtube videos of kids going to the doctor, and she downloaded a picture of our pediatrician so we could see him in between the clips. Whatever it was, we had a great visit. I cried a lot, but that's just how I roll. The real shocker was how amazing Saf did. She wasn't pleased about it, but she walked in on her own two feet and even got her ears examined without mom having to restrain her. The best visit ever, or all time! Our doc was amazed and mom was just plain proud. It was AWESOME! The bummer, we both had sinus infections...but with some meds we're all better now.

Saf still loves school. She went to class 3 times this week and LOVED IT! She also got a big girl backpack...check out the video of her going to class! Mom and I even left and went home because she was doing so great! Very cool. She didn't shed a tear when we left her, but she cried like no tomorrow when we picked her up and she had to go home! She just loves it so much! Mom also figured out how to help Saf decompress...we come home and eat lunch then play outside and swing for a half an hour before starting the 45 min. lead up to nap. So far she's been feeling much better and we haven't had any major overloads!

I got to meet my new Early Intervention "teacher"...she's like a case manager. She seemed nice, but I decided I wasn't in the mood and checked out. I went totally floppy, mouth open, dead asleep. Literally the minute she was gone I was running down the hall laughing and screaming. HA! Fooled you!

So, just a neat week. Hope yours was just a great!

Peace
Nixi

At the farm....watch out for those emu!


More fun at the farm......


Saf on her way to class.......

SCHOOL RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big week this week...I went to SCHOOL! I mean real deal school, not just hanging out outside with teachers. I hung out with my new classmates, and I stayed for the whole class. It was so awesome! I loved it all, storytime...snack time...but most of all, I just loved being there and being a part of it all! I had so much fun and loved it so much that I got a little overstimulated.

For the rest of the week I've been struggling to come down off of my school high. See, when I get overstimulated its like I'm electric. Unless mom and dad can find some way to "plug me in" so I can release it, I implode. Unfortunately, this time was the most overstimulated I've ever been so mom and dad's usual stuff didn't have much effect. So, I did a lot of crying, some hitting and kicking, and was just generally on a rampage. I'm coming down a little bit, so hopefully school this week will be a little less stimulating and I'll cope a little better.

Nixi and I are still sick so looks like we have to go the doctor. Now, that's never a good time. Mom's optimistic...poor soul. I'm thinking its gonna be like usual, CHAOS! Hopefully they'll be ready for me!

Nixi had a pretty good week, despite being super sick. She got to go to school with me and she thought it was pretty cool, too. This week mom and her are gonna try hanging out outside class to see how that goes. They were in class with me for my first day, and I liked that pretty good. Nixi got to jump on a trampoline and play with the toys and stuff. She's a pretty cool little sister.

Mom and dad are sick, too....so I'm keeping the blog short so I can go take care of 'em.

Have a great week and will talk to you soon.

xoxo
Saf

Us goofing off on the patio today, check out my fabulous articulation!


Dueling horns......and this is when we're sick...imagine when we're 100%!

A Hop, skip, and a Goat..what a week!

Ok, so we've had a heck of a week. Saf is still cycling...pretty typical for kiddos on the spectrum. She cycles, or has a rough patch, about every 3-4months. The last one was in April, so she's pretty much due for it. To complicate things, she's getting a cold. Whenever she's sick and her immune system is compromised she tends to really struggle. Her sensory issues become more acute and her obsessive stuff amps up. She's slowly coming out of it, but mom's afraid the cold will put her right back where she was a week ago. My poor big sis!

We got to go to the therapy center for my Early Intervention, and that was really cool. We love Teacher Lorene and had a great time playing with all of the equipment.

Saf had speech and OT at her new school, but we only made it one session. The other session was missed because Saf didn't want to go, and she was really dysregulated. That's ok, though, because when we went on Friday it was AMAZING! I got to walk around with mom and say "hi" to all of the birds in the aviary...again, and again, and again! Saf met a little girl from one of the ""typical classes" and they totally hit it off. They played on the seesaw, chased after each other, and really had a fun time. Saf loved it, and she was so happy. It was super cool.

Also very exciting, Saf jumped for the very first time ever with both feet off the floor! She did it first with mom, and now she can do it all by herself. She's been working on that for over a year! She's soooooo cool!!!! I try, but I have a ways to go. That's ok, I know she'll help me figure it out.

Dad set up our big play structure in our enclosed patio and we got to hang out in our own little park! He also set up our bouncer so we can bounce, roll, and just have a blast in the living room.

Today we got to go to Bravo Farms and see the animals. That's the place Saf went to for her 3rd birthday. Now, I've slowly been getting comfortable with the animals. At first, I'd shake and scream when I saw them. The next time we went, it was a little better. Today, I am SUPER proud to report, not only did I not shake or scream...I pet the very animal that terrified me the most...the goat! It has huge horns, weird yellow eyes, and crazy hair....but I pet it on top of its head while Saf fed it. I RULE!!! It was just a great ending to a week full of ups and downs. Definitely titled to the scales to more up than down!

Big week ahead full of activities. Saf has her first day of school on Tuesday, I have my well baby visit on Wednesday (I have to get shots!), and mom meets with the nutritionist from Regional center...on top of all of our regular stuff. Busy and full of exciting opportunities. Make sure to check back next week to see how it all went! We'll also have some new video for you, promise!

Last, we'd like to send our friends Jonna and Pablo the most magical and wonderful wishes for an amazing wedding and a life filled with nothing but love, laughter, and ice cream...and maybe a pony! Hey, we're kids, give us a break! And, if you get the pony, can we come over and play with it? Anyways, Happy Wedding Day!!

Peace
Nixi

Are you ready for some football...and school!

Those are pictures of us at Saf's new school. It's so awesome! It looks like a park, and it even has an aviary. There's pigeons, a cockatoo, and some finches! How cool is that?

Saf had her first speech and occupational therapy sessions there this week. It was really exciting, but also really new. With all things new, comes excitement tempered by anxiety and struggle. So, while Saf loves her new digs, she's been super disregulated since we went on Wednesday. We had a long break with no programming so its rough getting back into the swing of things, not to mention the change of locale. The result has been lots of screaming and crying and just overall spilling over of emotions and energy. So, the past several naps and bedtimes have been filled with hours of screaming. As I sit here and type, Saf is screaming at the top of her lungs. She very well may continue to do so until mom and dad go to bed at 11PM. Luckily, I sleep right through it. But it makes us all real sad. Contributing to the chaos is that she is preoccupied with a few items that she would like to play with in bed. That's fine, she can take stuff into to bed to read or play with. The only problem is, she's been asking for the same thing for 2 weeks and mom and dad don't know what it is. She only uses two words to describe it and that's just not enough info. Some nights she'll get distracted and ask for something else...something else described by a few cryptic words that leave mom and dad baffled. Sadly, she can't move on from it and its a viscious cycle..day after day.

Mom and dad figured out the logistics and Saf will have her first day of real-deal, big girl school on the 24th. I think she'll love it...and I'm secretly jealous. Mom and I get to go with her for awhile, so that'll be cool.

This week my programming starts back up, so there's even more changes to come. Saf also starts her ABA consult service. At this point, with Saf going to preschool on Tuesdays, our whole week is booked. I'm not sure how having something everyday is gonna work out. It may be a bit much. We've always had one free day in the week to just take a breather. You know, sometimes the best therapy is a good day at the park and some french fries. I'm just sayin'.......

So, looks like this week is going to be interesting. Make sure to check back next week to see how it all went down!

Peace
Nixi