oliver.

So...
This blog was originally started as a carry-over from a Facebook Page that I write called Amazing Ollie. I started the page to keep our friends and family updated on Oliver's medical issues and progress. (There is so much back-story to Ollie that this would be a very long post if I were to really get into it- I think at some point in the near future I will give him his own tab under our header to explain everything... But briefly: Oliver has neurological condition called Hemimegalencephaly. In addition to epilepsy, this condition has also caused him to have several delays and challenges. And yet...he frequently exceeds our expectations and he really does amaze me every day)



Anyway, I decided to switch over to a blog format because with a Facebook page, I am quite limited as far as photos and linking, etc. And also, to be honest, I started to wonder if the page made it seemed like his condition was the only thing I thought about (because it was the only thing I wrote about...). As you can probably tell from his beautiful smile, Ollie doesn't let too much get him down, even with all of his challenges. That said, I will continue to give updates on Ollie, but it's going to be nestled among all of the other stuff- the fun and silly and wonderful stuff- that happens over here in Frucceville.

And now that that's all out of the way...

Yesterday we had Oliver's PPT meeting, where we were updated on his progress given a little outlook as far as what Kindergarten (!) will look like next year. My favorite part was when the vice-principal said that Ollie is like "the Mayor" around school- everybody knows him :) His teachers also conducted several studies to gauge how well his speech is coming along and the results are that he can be understood by "strangers" (or in this case, teachers who don't know him as well) 82% of the time! I cannot believe that our little boy who we thought would be using sign language and a iPad speech augmentation program to communicate can now be understood nearly all of the time!

I was thinking about the day Ollie started at his school: he had just turned three. He had learned to walk 8 months before and the extent of his "talking" was about 6 or 7 letter sounds.
And now: Working on hopping on one foot and asking me to play "follow the weeder" (Oh, and in the car today, he tucked his bowl of crackers into his car seat and told me he was going to "save it for wayder" I could hardly stand the cuteness)

He has grown so much this year: physically (I can't wait to do his First/Last Day of School comparison picture!), academically, socially... you name it! Now too long ago, Ollie didn't want much to do with other kids. He either preferred adults or to play alone. Yesterday at the park, I watched him play with a group of boys- some of them were from his class- for almost an hour.  He engaged with them and, more importantly, he kept up with them (when they climbed over the fence, he found his way around the long way and met back up with them). Such an incredible change!

Next year it's on to the big leagues: Kindergarten. After quite a bit of discussion, it looks like he will have an aide in the classroom and to assist him in Specials (like Gym and Art). Also, as much as I want him to ride the big yellow bus, the safest decision for him at this time is for him to continue taking the van where he can be seat-belted and assisted off (with his gross motor deficiencies, staying on those slippery bus seats is one thing... but getting down the big steps with a line of kids behind him is quite another.) That doesn't mean that it won't change- we are always doing strength-building exercises (and I have scouted out the perfect stairs to practice on this summer).

Until then, he has a Summer School Program (4 days a week) in July and we are sure to do some traveling in August. He has already asked me if we can go to New York City (his favorite place in the world) so I'm sure we'll be doing that... And we have a surprise trip planned to North Conway to see Thomas the Tank Engine! Other than that, you can probably find Ollie draining our well with his most favorite pastime: spraying Zoe with the hose.

Here's to many incredible summer adventures... And to my seriously awesome kid!

dinner: ratatouille

Every time the kids and I watch Disney's Ratatouille, when it gets to the scene where Remy places the plate of the movie's namesake down on the table in front of Ego, I seriously always think to myself, "Man, that looks delicious!" But until tonight, I had never actually tried the dish.

I don't know why: maybe the eggplants were looking particularly shiny and beautiful at the market, maybe one of the kids quoted the movie (I love when Ollie says, "I'm HUNGRY!" just like the rat) and subconsciously I decided it was time, but suddenly I was standing there in the grocery store and I decided to look the recipe up and voila (you see what I did there?)... the dinner decision was made!

*Before I go any further, I have to admit that this recipe was not quick or particularly easy. If you follow my link, you'll see that the preparation time is three hours (one of which is hands-on- I had well over an hour of hands-on time... but maybe I'm just a slow chopper? And believe me, there's a lot of chopping involved.)*

That said, it was kind of fun blanching tomatoes and roasting red peppers. Sure, you can always take a shortcut but getting canned tomatoes and jarred red peppers, but doing it yourself always tastes so much better.

My official "Cheese Tester"

The end result was so, so good! The only problem is, now when we watch Ratatouille I'm gonna have a mean hankering! (It would be so much easier if I had an army of rats to make it for me...)

 Bon Appetit!

beating the heat, splash pad style.

Earlier this Spring, we took the kids to The Dinosaur Place, figuring that at least Peyton would love it, as the child is OB-SESSED with dinos. We had heard that it was more geared toward older kids... but both Ollie and Peyton loved the place. So much so that we decided to get a season pass! 

The forecast was to be in the high 80's on Memorial Day, so we knew we were heading to The Dinosaur Place because- in addition to a kick ass playground and a bouncy house- they have a Splash Pad. 

 We didn't go on the playscape this time, but the kids actually did want to walk the trails, which they haven't been interested in since the first time we visited. There are life-size dinosaurs all along the trail- O and P love to point out the ones hidden in the trees. When we first started walking, Ollie asked me for the map...and then proceeded to be our trail guide for the entirety of the walk. I was pretty impressed- he actually did know where we were on the map! At the end of the trail, there is a volcano which erupts on the hour. We just happened to make it there just in time for the show (probably for the last time too- Peyton was terrified!)

Waiting for the Volcano to erupt!

After moving from Burlington, VT (where there is so much to do, especially outside!)

 I had such a hard time really loving Connecticut. But once I had the kids, I was able to discover that there really are so many great places to go and things to do here. The Dinosaur Place was a truly great discovery and I'm so glad that we live less than a half hour away. I'm sure we'll be spending a lot of time here!

ollie's closet | spring

Ollie is jussssst getting into the stage where he actually cares about what I dress him in. If he had his way, he'd wear his Tom Brady Jersey every day. Like, every day. Fortunately (for me) I have him believing that the turnaround time on my laundry is about a week or so... So on the off-days, he will (maybe a bit reluctantly) put on whatever I pick out for him. Like Peyton, he's not married to any specific style. And like Peyton, he can pull anything off. 

Models, I tell you!

Anyway, Ollie is a little tough to get a picture of because we're almost always late for the school van, leaving us no time for a picture in the morning, and by the afternoon when the van drops him off, he's usually covered in marker, paint, grass-stains, etc. {And plus, the second he gets home, he usually says, "Mommy, I want sweats!" Ahhh, truly a boy after my own heart!} 

Here are some of my favorites from O's closet this Spring that I was able to get a picture of (I've provided a link to anything that is still available):

We call this one: Casual Friday
Gingham Shirt: Crewcuts | Cords: Crewcuts (old) | Down Vest: Patagonia | Shoes: Keen

Vermont State of Mind Shirt | Jeans: Gap | Shoes: Converse

Hoodie and Cords: CrewCuts (old) | Shoes: Converse

Always with the hood up. Cool beyond his years....
Hoodie: Target | Shorts: H&M | Shoes: Adidas

Polo: Lacoste (similar)

Shirt: Gap | Shorts: H&M | Shoes: Converse | Hat: Target

Shirt: Eleventy-Five | Cords: Crewcuts (old) | Moccasins: Freshly Picked

This was his Easter outfit- I never got a greta photo of it, but the suspenders made me swoon.
V-neck tee: Gap | Suspender Jeans: H&M | Shoes: Keen

Madras Shirt: Gap | Shorts: H&M | Shoes: Toms

These last three actually were Spring (very early Spring, but still...) We had so many cold days, it seemed like Winter would never be over!

Jacket: The NorthFace | Cords: CrewCuts

Mustard cords: Target (old) | Jacket: The NorthFace

Okay, maybe this one was Winter...
Jacket: LLBean | Shoes: Converse

Just wait until we switch out to Summer clothes- Ollie has decided this year that the only shirts worth wearing are SURF SHIRTS. Love that kid more than anything!

fun in rhody.

Every Memorial Day Weekend, we go to Jon's parents' beach house in Rhode Island. This year, it was pretty dreary and a bit chilly, so while we did make it to the beach for a bit of sand play, the highlight of the weekend was our trip to the Roger Williams Zoo in Providence.
When we pulled into the park, Peyton screamed: "My tummy is tickling cause I'm so 'cited for the ZOO!"

We discovered a super cool playground there (called Our Big Backyard) which had- in addition to many other fun things- several water-play stations there, so... you know, the actual zoo animals didn't really have a chance. 

This hungry giraffe is the only animal picture that I took at the zoo! Well, if you count this beautiful butterfly that Peyton was obsessed with, then it was one of two: 

Ollie loved being the Commander of the Fountains. He was giggling almost the whole time.

But he did relinquish control to (a very diabolical!) Peyton and take a run through a time or two. 

When we were able to get them away from the water, we found a really neat cave (which was Ollie's second favorite activity!), and a Treehouse with lots more activities, like this super cool wheel-driven kaleidoscope.

I have always loved taking the kids to Roger Williams, but the discovery of this new playground took it to another level... I know we will be back more than once this summer!

Even though the weather wasn't perfect "beach" weather, it was actually pretty great "photos on the beach" weather! Because I rarely get the two kids in the same shot, I get overly excited when I do (seriously, just ask Jon). Here are a few of my favorites from when we went to play in the sand:

Tomorrow is supposed to be beautiful, so even though we are back in Connecticut, I foresee more water-play in our very near future! 

I am thinking about- and so grateful for!- the people who are serving and have served our country ... and happy that summer has finally arrived! 

Happy Memorial Day!