Just Joey!

                                                A Joey sandwich!  Joey's idea, of course!

Joey, Papa, and Nana (not shown) battling tops.  "One, two, three, let it rip!" is what Joey said to begin the battle.  Our dear neighbor gave Joey the light up top this morning.  He wanted to go visit her since 7:30 am - she is almost 16 - I explained that she would be sleeping.  He told me that he thinks she is his girlfriend, and she confirmed it later.  So glad for that relationship!

Joey continues to love water - he has since he was a baby.  Dad is always the one who gets coerced into the task of entertaining Joey with water.  I heard him tonite, "Pleeeeease, Papa?". . . . "OK, Joey." 

                                         Joey being his goofy, entertaining self after waterplay!

                                           Joey loves his Papa!  It's a very special relationship!

Joey brings out the child in each of my parents.  This is a routine that occurs every time Joey and I leave my parents.  Tag in the front yard.  I'm not always up for the chase - Joey is finally faster than me!  Luckily, mom and dad are always willing.

                                      Kathy's cute Oreo in action.  She adds to the entertainment.

Oreo striking a pose.



Oh, the fun we are having!  Joey is at a wonderful stage.  Just over the last week, the progress he has made in different areas has been amazing!  In swimming, he can float better.  In bike riding, Wow!  His feet are staying on the pedals.  He yelled out, "Mom, I've got this under control!"  He is also interested in drawing, coloring, and cutting!  All this success is driving him to be even more successful.  His self-esteem is growing.  I attribute all these successes to Busy Bodies, an exceptional preschool classroom, and his loving family, of course.  It is such a gift to see your child progress and succeed.

The title, "Just Joey!" is something he used to say when he was younger.  We would ask him questions, "Are you a robot/superhero/alien?"  And, he would respond, "No, just Joey!"  He is a creative and inquisitive child.  He brings happiness to so many. 

The Smiles Joey Provides! Don't Glitter!

I've mentioned it before, but I love the grammar mistakes and especially mispronunciations.  I really find humor in words - even patient/student names.  Anyway, this morning when I was taking Joey to school, he dropped a piece of paper out of the car into the school parking lot.  I asked him to please place it back into the car.  He did and said, "That's glitter."  I corrected him with "litter." :)  One of the playgrounds at Joey's school is concrete - so the students can play ball and ride tricycles.  They recently painted designs, but soon after powerwashed it.  The paint became faded.  He asked the teacher, "Why is the paint fainted?"  She laughed.

Gooder (better), a fly slapper (a fly swatter), losed (lost), winned (won), made up it (made it up), maskes (masks).  It's so fun!

Joey's class has a behavior plan that consists of making it up to level 5 to receive a treasure of your choice.  The teachers introduced it last Friday, but did not start until Monday this week.  Joey told me how he couldn't sleep during nap time because he was thinking about the new system.  Yesterday, he was concerned that he was only on level 2.  When I asked him for more information, only one student was on level 3 - all the others were on 1 or 2.  When I dropped him off this morning, he asked me if I could get them to move his marker up.  He is a problem solver - always finding different strategies to get his way. 

Joey is such a love.  He still enjoys cuddling - I hope it never stops!

Just for fun!

This blog has inspired me to take more pictures.  I have always been a person who documents by photos, but have fallen out of the habit.  I love photos - must be from my dad!  I'm enjoying the increase in photos - I just hope Joey starts enjoying it more.  He likes to make faces or turn away.  I helped Kathy with her "Meet the Teacher" night tonite.  As I took pictures of all of the studens, I realized that a few of the students were in the same stage - a mother stated, "She always makes a pirate eye for the camera."  It's nice to know you aren't alone!



Joey on his rock in front of my parents house.  I think this photo will be one of my favorites.



Mom and Dad AKA Nana and Papa in front of their house.

Me - trying, once again, to get a good picture with Joey - this one was the best.

My sweet boy - sleeping!  Just for memory's sake. 

Abuela's Birthday Celebration

We celebrated Nina's birthday this last weekend.  Here's some photos.

Chano (Abuelo), Tia Karina, Nina (Abuela), Joey, and Jose

The beautiful couple!



Call me the master of ideas for restaurant entertainment.  I do not know another mom prepared with so many activities.  I guess I just don't know another child who requires it.  Gotta love him, but gotta keep him entertained.



Boys having fun!

 

 

Joey went to a birthday party this past weekend.  They had water guns, water balloons, a tree house and a trampoline.  It was a definite boy party.  He had a blast.

Busy Bodies

As many of you know, I have had a few concerns about Joey for awhile. Although he is a smart, social, loving child, he also exhibits low frustration tolerance and below-age coordination and balance. On my recent trip to Indiana, my friend Barb was able to determine that he hadn’t fully integrated his primitive reflexes. I decided to seek further professional advice. I began looking for an OT that could assist me in problem solving a way to facilitate Joey developmentally so he didn’t have the challenges that weren’t necessary (and that may affect his self-esteem). I looked specifically for OTs that had special training in this area, but I had not been successful in my search. However, a few colleagues recommended "Busy Bodies." I reviewed the website and called to ask questions. The man who answered was helpful and so knowledgeable – I, then, realized that he was the founder (of this program that has been in existence since 1970). After my questions were answered, I realized that I had been guided right to where I needed to be.

Joey completed his evaluation today for about an hour and a half. Then, Dr. Strauss reviewed the results (and their meanings) with me for about 2 ½ to 3 hours. Wow! A new set of lenses to see my child has opened my eyes to some of the struggles Joey has been challenged with. As an OT, I am embarrassed for not noticing some of the challenges sooner, although I am also so careful not to look at my child too quickly with "OT eyes." However, my guilt is overridden with gratefulness for seeking this assistance before Joey has fallen too far behind to not catch up as easily. Specialists in this area are few and far between. And, so far, I have only had good experiences at Busy Bodies. More on this journey to come. . .

(Just one more thought – I feel validated today. I strive to not be the overreactive mom. I shared with the doctor how many times I have shared my concerns of Joey in confidence with others – only to hear, "He’s just a boy.")

Joey's First Day of Pre-Kindergarten

Joey was excited about school. He woke up at 6:00 a.m. and asked if it was time to go to school yet. He had been hesitant on the "Meet the Teacher" day so I didn’t know what to expect. Joey had a bounce in his step as we headed on our new adventure.  He was so excited to make new friends.

Joey has been avoiding pictures lately so I wasn’t sure how he would respond to the first day of school photos. But, after I explained that we would be doing this every year so we could look back and remember, he was happy to participate.

　
Joey with his Spiderman backpack and lunch box. He also has his Scooby Doo lunch box from last year (since he also has to take breakfast, too).
　

                                                 Joey in front of the school he’s attending.

　

　
                                                             Joey exploring the room.

                                                                      Joey and his mommy.

Joey and his teachers – Mrs. McMannus and Mrs. Henry.

Joey is in a Pre-K setting, but this program is designated for employees. Only 12 three and four- year-olds are in the class with one teacher and one assistant. His class will also be integrated with the preschool students within the special education setting. (This class will also have its own teacher and assistant/s.) So, I will be spending some time in his class. Anyway, I couldn’t have picked better teachers. I am so lucky to have such positive, energetic, amazing teachers for my son.

Our Trip to Indiana

Joey and I took a week long trip to Indiana to see a few special friends.  He was very excited to fly in a plane.  Anytime the plane made a new noise or when it began rolling, Joey yelled out in delight, "We're flying."  It was such a precious moment.  He did well overall.  We had a layover in Dallas where he enjoyed the playground - he didn't understand the urgency of getting to the next flight.  We made it just in time - as they were announcing a last call for "Passenger Jose Soria."

Joey's comforting habit - so cute, but he is getting older. . . .

We visited my friend Cindy.  We've been friends for 23 years - wow!  She's like a sister to me.  She welcomed us into her home.   Joey had a blast with non-stop playmates, Cindy's daughters - Emily is 8 years old and Katie is 5.  Joey joined right in the girl fun and played Powerpuff Girls, Littlest Pet Shop, and Barbie movies.  Cindy and I encouraged him to learn a cheer from the girls (specifically to present to Jose when we came home), but that's where Joey drew the line.  (The cheer we were hoping for was, "Totally, For Sure, I just got a manicure, The sun, I swear, Is bleaching out my hair, 38, 24, who knows the score, Go, Go, Fight, Fight, Tell me, Do I look alright?")

We had such a nice time, just like visiting family.  We mainly visited at home and went out here and there.  Joey was able to pick his birthday present early - he chose a Spiderman web shooter (battery operated) and a ninja on a horse with weapons.  He takes a long time to chose his toys, but he really likes them and continues to play with them. 

                    Joey enjoying Brady's drum set.  Katie, not pictured, was the guitarist for the band. 

The kids watching Phineas and Ferb movie.  During the commercials, Joey and Brady would wrestle.  Joey squealed and screamed out of excitement.

 Another high school and college friend who I have stayed in contact with is Julie.  She also lives in Indianapolis now.  She came over for the evening.  It was great to visit with her.  She is a newlywed, and was heading to our 20th class reunion the next day. 

On to Louisville - really Hannover, Indiana.  We visited a good friend from college Barb.  We met at an outlet mall just outside of Indy.  Here, Joey got his first pair of Crocs.  He was really excited about the large Croc in the store. 

                                                      One last picture with Cindy!               

Barb has three girls - Elle, 7, and Sophie and Annie, 2 1/2.  They are all beautiful.  Joey being 4 1/2 was right in the middle.  He varied from playing pretend with Elle to chasing/or being chased by the little ones.  Elle is adventurous and acts so grown up, and the twins are active and full of life.  

Visiting Indianapolis was nice, but the scenery outside didn't feel like home.  At Barb's house, we were right on the Ohio River - just a couple hours down the river from where I grew up.  This was just as a pictured it.  Oh, it's so pretty compared to the "shrubs" we have in San Antonio.  We played on the swing set.

 Look at that view!  Love it!

We didn't get any fireworks in San Antonio this year for the 4th of July.  Luckily, Josh and Barb had a small stash for us.  The first picture is the kids excited about the fireworks.  Joey had his first sparkler.  He was a little intimidated, but enjoyed it.

                                                       Oh!  The joy of fireworks!

The twins were absolutely great, and they were two beauties.  They are very active girls, but so lovable.  Not shy, just enjoying life.

Barb doesn't see obstacles.  She just pulled this awesome waterslide out and got it together one afternoon for the kids to enjoy.  They all had so much fun.  I followed Barb's example of experiencing life and went down it a few times myself.  

 Doesn't Joey look big in this picture!

 We visited the local park.

 This is a lake by their house.  You can see Barb's neighborhood in the distance.  Anyone can stop by the barn and get a cup of food for the ducks, chickens, and the goose.  Although I didn't realize it until I was there - oh, how I miss the corn fields, the roads where the sky is covered in trees (like a tunnel), the lush lawns, the backroads where you can only see the road ahead of you because of the crops on both sides.

Josh treated Joey as one of his own.  What a great daddy!

The twins climb anything!  They even climbed up the small circular knobs on the kitchen drawers to get on top of the counter tops!

Joey's first cookout over an open fire.  He enjoyed it and asked if we could do it again the next night.

                                             The official cookout spot in Barb's backyard.     

SMORES!  Although Joey preferred the uncooked marshmallows, I really enjoyed it!

The treasure hunt!  My dear college friend, Heather, spent the day with us.  We first went to a small cafe in Madison; then, we went swimming at a local park with a couple waterslides.  Later, we returned to Barb's house.  All the kids went on a treasure hunt following a map.  Notice Olivia holding the shovel.  They found the treasure in the back yard full of large coins - pretty exciting.  

                          Me, Barb, and Heather after a day of swimming and water slides!

                                       Maria, Elle, Olivia, and Joey playing the basement.

Barb set up this "mountain" of pillows and blankets for the kids to climb.  They were searching for items and playing games.  She was demonstrating some activities for me to do with Joey.  She found some of his primitive reflexes to not be fully integrated - maybe another piece of my Joey puzzle.  More to come on that.  The Indiana trip was wonderful - really, it couldn't have been much better.  What wonderful friends I have been blessed with!