Memorial Day Weekend

The first day of our Memorial Day weekend was spent at doctor's appointments and then off to check into our hotel (Double Tree at Downtown Disney). First I had my ob/gyn yearly visit, then allergy shots, and then off to Ashlyn's ENT. Great news is that she can get her ear wet again...bad news is there's not much hearing improvement...some, but not much. The graph showed what her ear nerve is capable of and there was a big gap between that and her actual hearing. We'll see what the ear doctor in Tampa says. So the first day was spent at Downtown Disney, where we went to the AMC Theatres and saw Kung Fu Panda 2 in 3D in their new dine-in theatre section (way expensive). Then we went to Disney Quest and played a few games. It got to be late, so we went back to the hotel after trying to catch a bus in the rain for an hour and a half. Wasn't too thrilled about the non-Disney hotel buses! Do not recommend staying off property unless you drive everywhere. No pictures from the first evening.

The second day we went to Magic Kingdom. Kaylyn loves Space Mountain now and says she will ride next to Ashlyn next time because she doesn't need me to hold her anymore! We forced her to go on Splash Mountain this time and she actually enjoyed it saying it wasn't too bad and she liked it a little. We did a lot this day...almost everything except Tomorrowland.




















Day 3 of our vacation we went to Animal Kingdom. We did everything in Animal Kingdom except a Bug's Life and the Lion King show. Kaylyn actually semi enjoyed Mount Everest this time, so I think she's starting to get used to roller coasters now. She even said she wanted to try the Rockin Rollercoaster at Hollywood Studios the next time we went! We'll see if she actually does, but we are one step closer to be able to go to roller coaster theme parks like Islands of Adventure and such.













The fourth day we went over to the Outlet Mall near International Drive and got the girls some new shoes, Kaylyn some new shorts, me some new shoes and a few new clothes for Jason and I. Pretty good deals, but we spent too much money. It was time to head home! Great, tiring Memorial Day weekend vacation.

Final T-ball Game

May 20th, Ashlyn played her last T-ball game. They did a Friday Nights Under the Lights game where they got to play on the big field with the lights turned on and an announcer. The kids really enjoy this, even though it goes way past their bedtimes.

CCA's Award Ceremony

Today was the award ceremony for each of the classes. Ashlyn of course strutted across the stage, while Kaylyn was shy walking across the stage. We are so proud of our little girls. Kaylyn is graduating 3rd grade with straight A's for the year yet again. Ashlyn is graduating 1st grade with Honor Roll, making all A's and B's all year except one C. We are amazed at how far Ashlyn has come with never having attended a school before a year and a half ago and now making Honor Roll. This would definitely be thanks to all the people around her that have helped her make these great strides (Her 1st grade teacher Mrs. Smith and her assistant Mrs. Rosborough, her tutor Mrs. Lucas, and her speech therapists Mrs. Janelle and Mrs. Kristin).

Ashlyn got the award for Determination

Kaylyn got the award for Sincerity

Talent Show & Father Daughter Dance

On April 29th, Calvary Chapel Academy had their talent show. Kaylyn and Vivian sang again this year. They sang Our God (Is Greater) by Chris Tomlin. They were so cute! Kaylyn said she wanted to do a solo next year and Ashlyn definitely wants to either sing or dance next year. We only have pictures before they sang since we video taped the actual singing. Here they are (including Ashlyn pretending to sing a solo).



On Friday May 13th, Jason took the girls to a Father Daughter dance hosted by Calvary Chapel. It was held at a hotel on the beach and included a formal dinner. The girls danced a lot and sat near friends. They had a blast and didn't even get home until almost 10:00 pm. If anyone knows my kids, they don't usually last past 8:30 with a usual bedtime between 7:30 and 8:30.

Adoption

I just saw this video and wanted to share. I really, really want a little boy...but alas, our two girls are a handful right now. Just found out that Kaylyn might have thyroid issues already, so we have to go see a pediatric endocronologist for her. I'll save that until I actually get some real results and answers (blood work shows high TSH levels). And, Ashlyn's ear is still healing from the first surgery and will need another at the end of the year.

I really feel that our family is not complete yet, but God will have to open doors and open Jason's heart for another.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ijggNs2Ask&feature=youtu.be

Ashlyn and I Are Recovering & Easter

First of all, let's talk about Ashlyn's ear recovery. She had her ear doctor appointment in Tampa on Monday. He took the inner ear packing out and was ready to put more in and decided that it looked good enough to keep it out. He suctioned out the remains of the skin graft and other stuff. We have to blow dry her ear 3 times a day (using a tiny funnel and blow dryer). It still cannot get wet. We have an appointment with her ENT here to do a hearing test and check-up on Friday May 27th and if everything looks good we will start flushing it out with a solution three times a day. When this occurs, she can start getting it wet again then. We have another appointment scheduled near the end of June if the hearing test isn't any better to discuss options we can do during the next surgery at the end of the year. So we’re one step closer ;-)

Now let's talk about my recovery. Let's just say, adults better be prepared for some serious pain when getting a tonsillectomy. This Thursday will be four weeks since the surgery. My throat only hurts now when I yawn, and it's not an excruciating hurt anymore. My nose is still a little stuffy, but is slowly getting drier and drier and hurting less and less when knocked into (kids & dog giving kisses). I would hope that in another week, I should be fully recovered, if I'm guestimating my body correctly ;-)

I never got around to posting Easter pictures. We went to Daytona Beach Shores to visit with Nana & Papa at there condo on the river/beach. We had a nice time. On the way home, we stopped at Wai-po and Wai-gongs house to see Aunt Kara one last time before they headed back over to Clearwater. Here are some pictures.