We experimented with Bug shopping. I can't remember why or how, but Sissy was down for a nap. Bug's pants kept falling down so we needed a solution. We found a one piece that looks cute as well as a pair of shoes for Sissy. It was a little challenging in the store. I'm not sure she is used to not running around. Her little fingers wanted to touch everything. The little toy aisle in the Dollar Store was okay once we started to help put all the balls away other kids had left, but on the way out the candy and the balloons were what we really wanted.
Our real adventure was to visit "school". Wow, we know where we are going. The dynamic duo responded beautifully when in the classrooms. There also doesn't seem to be separation issues there. They both played independently and responded well to the teachers. Even though DHS will probably only pick up half the cost we are going to go there. The great calm environment will help them be good at home. Squirrel and I also seemed to pick up some good cues from them and have started really lowering our voices, giving choices, and watching them learn through play. The school is not overly concerned that Sissy is not toilet trained and believes that just being in an environment of peers who are trained will help her want to as well. At one point during our visit (we stayed 2 hours) Sissy even went to check out the bathroom in the classroom. We also found that Sissy may be eligible for GSRP - a preK program for at risk kids. It is hard not knowing what risk factors our kids have, but at a minimum we can say neglect. It is interesting though how well they are doing at the same time.
There are points that you really don't know what you are doing. When we find people like at the school it is a relief for us and the kids. Not only do the kids feel at ease, but we do too. The paperwork for school requires things that we don't have, and they were completely understanding. They even gave us some information on potential grants that can help offset the remaining cost of the school. It isn't that we aren't able to afford it, it is that we are doing this for little ones that may be here 3 months, maybe 2 years, it is all a guess.
When we went to the foster closet last week we got all 2T and 4T clothes. Well, Bug seems to be smaller than we thought so we were really lucky yesterday when a neighbor (that we didn't know) posted that she had little girl clothes available. She even delivered! Bug now has pants that fit and we don't have to visit the closet yet. We don't mind going, it just is an inconvenience and we must go without the kids as it is too much stimulus. After dropping off the clothes the neighbor went next door as they are good friends, so through this we made a new adult friend!
This morning we split the girls for a little bit more. Yesterday I took Bug to the store without Sissy, but Sissy was having a nap so she didn't notice. This morning I took Sissy to take the dogs to the Vet so she learned more about the Dr. and Dentist. Bug was already awake and she was frantic that her sister left her. We may need to practice this and make it common that there is time apart every day. School will also help this. I was also brave and after dropping the dogs off we took a visit to a grocery store together (Gordon's). While I would love to be able to cook everything from scratch it isn't going to be possible so we cheated and bought some trays for the week. Gordon's was a good start. The only thing we were grabby on was bananas... so we got some. Sissy was really good at remembering the items I told her we needed.
After Gordon's we all ventured out to the park. We saw superhero dad with his two kids again. He must think we are stalking him. The park wasn't as exciting to the girls today, but we experienced our first skinned knee which promptly followed by a request to go home.
Today was our first day that we were nap successful for everyone. First Sissy and I curled up with a book and then Squirrel sat by us and then we heard a clink from the dining room. Bug had poured herself a bowl of ketchup and had eaten it. We aren't sure how much. Oops! Bug and Squirrel then both went upstairs for a nap.
After naps I picked up the dogs. Poor little guy needed 13 teeth pulled. How do I think I can care for toddlers when my dog needs 13 teeth pulled? Well, good thing is the girl needed none pulled. Poor dog now has to deal with feeling crummy with two toddlers.
Squirrel tried shopping for some items by herself today. The girls have stolen her heart as she wanted to buy them lots of stuff!
For now it is time for dinner... we will see how this goes not serving hot dogs.
No comments:
Post a Comment