Milestone

Courtney takes a small handful (I think there are 10-12) of pills twice a day and two pills at night. We call them her "yummies". Now that she is getting a little older, we sometimes call them "medicine" or "meds". She eats them in spoonfuls of applesauce. We put 2 pills on a spoon with some applesauce and she is able to swallow them. Just recently, she learned how to swallow them with just water and can do it all on her own. Yippee! She puts the pill (or sometimes two) in her mouth, moves it to the back and then takes a big drink of water. I am amazed that she has taught herself how to do this at such a young age! She is so proud of herself when she does it all on her own!

**These "pills" are a combination of vitamins, minerals ,herbs, and medication that help boost her immune system and keep her functioning and digesting well. They help to give her the best chance possible to be as healthy as possible so we find it completely worth it to have her take them daily.

Little Dancer

Courtney took a dance class this last school year. She learned tap and ballet. She recently had the end of year recital. She looked beautiful and did an amazing job. She danced in 3 different dances and the finale. One was a tap number that they also sang the song with (an adorable Bumblebee song). One was a fast tap number to Supercalifragalisticexbealidocious! The last one was a ballet number that was a lullaby. For that one each girl had a baby doll that they danced with. Courtney was truely great. She memorized the steps for all three dances. It was amazing to watch her talent of music shine. She would memorize the steps by remembering which step to do with which notes. Even if she got off in steps, when the music changed, she could switch her steps to be on the right step with the right notes. She got right up there on stage and really enjoyed the performance. When I asked her what her favorite part of the recital was she didn't hesitate to say...going to In-and-Out afterward for hamburgers!
I'm so proud of the hard work she put into learning her dances and I'm proud of her wonderful performance.

Big Sister

Courtney has recently become a big sister again. She is holding Brooklynn when she was just a few days old.
Megan, Brooklynn and Courtney

Courtney has been an amazing and wonderful big sister to both Megan and Brooklynn. Adjusting to another sibling can be hard for anyone. Add that to the fact that Courtney is not a big fan of change. Well, Courtney had no ill-effects. She has just LOVED having the new baby around. She did spent the first few days with her hands covering her ears when Brooklynn would cry (or sometimes would cry herself-she has such a tender heart)...but I found that to be endearing. She loves to help with Brooklynn whenever she can. She loves to hold her when she is happy and loves to talk to her. She has also been wonderful with Megan. She keeps Megan very entertained when I need to be with the baby. She plays wonderfully with her and is so imaginative. She is kind to her and helps her when I have my hands full with the baby.

So Silly, So Sensitive

Today for dance class Courtney forgot to bring her dance bag that has her dance shoes and supplies in it. Right now they are learning a ballet dance in which they dance with a baby doll. Courtney's baby doll was at home in her bag. Luckily her teacher had some shoes that she could borrow. Megan had brought some My Little Pony's to play with while Courtney danced. When it was time to dance with their baby dolls I tried to convince Courtney that she could use the little pony. She was upset about not having her doll. I told her all I had was the little pony. Then I jokingly said, you can use the little pony or this shoe (an extra ballet shoe). She reluctantly took the pony and got back in line. Then before the dance began she came back over and said that she wanted the shoe. She took the shoe, cuddled it in her arms just like a baby and did the whole dance with the shoe! I was giggling so hard! When she was done, she brought it back over to me laughing and said "I used the shoe!"...she new how silly she had been!
Today is also horse riding day. She road a horse that she has ridden several times over the 3+ years that she has been riding. His name is Moonie. The weather was so wonderful today that they decided to ride the outside trail. I heard Courtney cry several times and wondered what could be wrong. When they got back, her instructor informed me of what had happened. Apparently Moonie kept trying to eat the grass. The leader was trying to NOT get the horse to eat the grass because they had sprayed for weeds. They explained to Courtney that if he ate the grass, he would get a stomach ache. Every time Moonie tried to eat the grass Courtney would burst into tears and try to tell him not to eat the grass...she really has a sensitive heart to others in pain or trouble or discomfort. Anytime Megan is hurt (or other friends), or Courtney feels like they are being treated unfairly...she usually cries for them or right along with them.

Cooking Class Update!

Today in class, Courtney got to "play" with eggs! They had hard-boiled eggs and talked about how some people have sculpted them. They had a book that had examples and then they had a variety of vegetables for the the kids to create a face with. Courtney had a great time.
The face on the left she did all on her own. Including putting the "glue" (mayonaise) in place and then putting the veggies on. She did ask the teacher to help her put the hair in, but the rest she did on her own. I wasn't there when she made the "chick" on the right-but it sure turned out cute.
When they were done, Courtney asked if she could eat a tomato. The teacher sliced her up one and she ate the whole thing-she really does LOVE tomatoes!

Full of Love

Today is Courtney's sister, Megan's Birthday. I had Courtney dictate what she wanted it to say on Megan's present and this is what she said:
Dear Megan,
I love you so much.
You're such a sweetheart.
Happy Birthday!
Love,
Courtney
She loves her sister so much and she was so excited to get her roller-skates. Megan wanted roller-skates because that is what Courtney got for her Birthday in December. Courtney picked them out at the store, wrapped them and loved helping her open them. They are two sisters that get along so great, play so wonderfully together and truly love each other.

Chef Courtney

Courtney is enrolled in a cooking class through her school. I have been so impressed watching her with the other kids. One week, they were all taking a turn stirring the dough. When it came to Courtney, I worried that she would try to lick the spoon or not want to pass it to the next kid and want to keep it. I watched on the edge of my seat refraining from saying anything to see how she would do and how the teacher would handle it. She got the bowl, stirred it a few times around with the spoon and then passed it to the girl sitting next to her! She did wonderful without having to be reminded or told anything. I really am impressed with how she listens to the instructions her teacher gives her and then really tries her best to do them. And I worried that she might let the other kids boss her around-boy was I wrong to worry about that. Even the bigger boys in the class, she is not afraid to work with or even stand up to when she needs to. Watching without getting involved has been a big lesson for me and a great opportunity for Courtney to grow.