School Girl Hailey

Today was the big day! Hailey was so excited about getting dressed in her school clothes and wearing her backpack. We waited a long time for the bus (it was a little late) and she was as happy as can be.

But.... when the bus showed up, she quickly figured out what was really going on. One look at that bus driver and she turned around and started running in the other direction! I had to grab her and take her onto the bus. She screamed and clung to me for her life, to no avail. As the bus pulled away I could see the little girl Hailey was seated next to staring at me with a pleading look and covering her ears with her hands. Poor little thing. I cried off and on the whole time she was at school. It was just heartbreaking! When she came home she was calling for me from her seat on the bus but not crying. Hooray! Hopefully today was the hardest day.

After school Hailey got a My Little Pony as a "first day of school present." She has been waiting for months for a pony of her own, so she was quite pleased.

I think we're all relieved we got through the first day. Soon she will be waving goodbye and hopping on the bus like she owns it. Right?

Nelson Family

At Christmas time my whole family got together for a little reunion and to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday. It was wonderful to have everyone together and we got some great family pictures!

(I know it's hard to tell, so, Jackson left, Brandon right)

The whole Nelson Family. Two parents, six children, twelve grandchildren!
The 8 of us. Oldest to youngest: Ryan, Jill, Amy, Lisa, Devin, Marianne

Blog Blah

I don't know why it has been so hard to update my blog lately. Sorry guys. I am still not sure when I will get any more pictures up here. I'm kind of in a blog blah. But I thought I'd at least give an update. Hailey is all set to start preschool on Monday. I am so nervous! We met her teacher yesterday, and I am sure she will love it, but I feel bad that she is going to be put on a bus and taken away without her mommy all of a sudden. The teacher said most kids cry the first few days but she will start to like it. *Cringe*!!! I'll be glad when the first few days are over.

Jackson will be done with his DOC Band on April 1st. I can't believe it has already been almost 5 months.

Ian has been doing very well in school. He is getting so good at reading! It's amazing how young they get started these days.

My little baby Brandon is becoming a full blown toddler. He is walking all over the place and eating everything in sight. The twins are starting to play together more which is so fun to watch. And they are even starting to have little fights about toys. Oh boy!

Eggs, Anyone?

My daughter is so thoughtful. She always helps remind me that it's time to clean the kitchen floor. And she's teaching her brother how to be thoughtful too!

Finally, All of a Sudden

Yesterday I had a meeting with a team of educators to make a plan for Hailey. This process began December 2nd, so it has seemed to take forever. She was tested by a psychologist, a speech therapist, and a nurse to evaluate her speech delay and other aspects of her development. I have been frustrated that it has taken so long, but the wait is finally over. The meeting took over an hour, but then all of a sudden they said "alright, well we're finished here, you'll get a call within a week and she'll start school right away." What??? I guess I don't know what I expected but I was a little caught off guard that she would be in preschool within a couple weeks! She just seems too little. I am so happy that she is finally going to get the help she needs and thankful that the school district provides this free program. Hooray! I am very nervous about her riding the bus though, while Ian is green with jealousy. You wouldn't believe the fit that boy threw over it. I told him he gets to ride the "Clayton bus" (the family that takes him to school) but he quickly shot back "no mom, that's a van!!" Oh well, he'll get over it. Someday he'll realize that taking the "short bus" to school isn't exactly the coolest.

Another thing that caught me off guard recently, Jackson only has 3-5 weeks left with the helmet! We have gotten so used to his "hat" that he looks weird to me when he doesn't have it on. I can't believe he is almost done and his head is looking so much better. These kids are growing too fast!