December Update

I haven't posted in quite a while, so I figured I had better write a bit for all of our faithful readers!! The time is chugging along, and we are staying pretty busy.  The kids are making progress in school. We are still having some issues with the level of school work Zhenya is given.  I had to have yet another conversation about it.  Both of my kiddos are definitely coming to my school next year.  It will just be easier having them in the same building in the classrooms that my assistants or I go to each day.    After a couple of meetings, Leeza is getting speech services and occupational therapy services.  I really wanted her to get help with her writing because I don't want to see her having major struggles when she gets into the upper grades.  I have worked with enough students who just struggle with writing, and it can be miserable for them.  She didn't qualify for physical therapy, but I was not surprised.  This girl is really doing well in her gross motor skills.  Academically, both my kiddos are doing great.  Zhenya is a reading machine, and he has surpassed the words per minute level for kids in 4th grade.  I am very proud of him, but he still needs to improve his reading comprehension. 
On the physical level,  Leeza is growing like crazy.  I seriously can't keep pants that will fit her.  She is a long legged skinny thing...if it fits her leg it is way too big for her waist.  Her hair is really growing, and she gets prettier everyday.  Zhenya still isn't growing much, but so far he is still taller than Leeza.  Though I am concerned that she will outgrown him at the rate she is growing. 
Since we couldn't get Kristin Amaro from AFH to come to Colorado to take our family pictures for our Christmas cards, I had to do it myself.  The cards actually turned out cute...now I have to get them in the mail.  At the rate I am going they may arrive to their destinations by New Year's!  Here are a few of the shots I took.  They are no comparison with the photos Kristin did last year, but they turned out okay for my amateur self using only my cell phone!!!   I may have to invest in an actual camera one day. It was kind of fun taking the picture.  Though the day was EXTREMELY cold, and the kids fussed every time I made them take their coats off the pictures.  

Leeza is suppose to have surgery on her eyes some time in the next couple of months.  First, I have to come up with $1200 to cover our deductible...ughh...I really miss my Tennessee health insurance.  Ours here is just not worth much...  Anyway, the pediatric opthamologist here said the same thing the opthamologist at Vanderbilt said.  Leeza has exotropic strabismus...in which her eyes turn outward.  He said that glasses won't help because it may make her eyes turn out more.  Patching won't work because she doesn't have one eye that are significantly stronger than the others.  Her vision is 20/20 near point in both eyes and 20/30  20/40 far points. So the previous vision exam from the optometrist was WAY off and they were just going to throw glasses on her that possibly could have cause harm.  Vision therapy seems to be a highly used treatment here, but none of the insurance companies will pay for it and it is not cheap.  I am not excited about surgery, but this doctor is highly recommended by numerous people with kiddos with vision problems much more extensive than Leeza's.  Also, as I mentioned the opthamologist at Vanderbilt said she was going to need surgery at some point.  I think it is the best option...once we come up with the money.   

Starting Friday, we are off school for two weeks.  Yay! I am so ready for the break, and getting to spend time with my kiddos!  Jeff will also be out of school, so we will get to all spend time together. Woo Hoo!  Looks like we are KC bound for the Christmas weekend.  We can't stay long because Jeff has to work, but we are going for just a couple of days.  The kids are so excited to see their Tetya (Aunt) Susie and baby Logan, the newest family member.
Guess that is all for now!!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!