While in Savannah, we stopped at Chuck E Cheese. 
We all played games and earned tickets. I am proud to say that we walked out with only spending $10. We spent $5 on tokens and the other $5 was for cotton candy and a drink.
Not bad, I'm sure this is a record, right mom?
Who remembers Duchess? Duchess was
our first cocker and we loved her so much. We adopted her and had her for about 3 years.
When Mallory was about 1 1/2-2 years old, Duchess moved out. She moved in with a neighbor that lives two houses down. Obviously they have taken great care of her. Duchess is about 14 years old and deaf. She is also FAT! We saw her on Halloween and I swear she is heavier.
She really reminded me of a manatee, a sea cow. She is completely round.
Mallory's doctor's appointment went very well. We couldn't have asked for better results. Both ears have healed well. We have been reduced to annual visits to monitor her hearing. We are celebrating tomorrow by going swimming at the YMCA.
After swimming we both have nail appointments. Daniel will pick Mallory up and I will stay to have my massage! I can't wait.
We will probably skip our Saturday trip to Jerry J's. We ate there this morning and Daniel was our special guest.
I also saw a certain person at Jerry J's this morning. She didn't see me and I didn't see her until she was leaving. Perhaps we can catch up soon????
While in Atlanta, I met up with my older 
cousin, Dan, and his son Matthew. I haven't seen Dan since 2005 and I had never met Matthew before. We enjoyed a dinner together and discussed all of the family business.
Tomorrow we are going to Savannah for Mallory's last post op appointment. She will have another hearing exam and a simple check up. This appointment was originally scheduled for 12/22 but as you recall, I was in the hospital that day.
I have hired a tutor for Mallory. Mallory will receive 2 thirty minute sessions per week. I was hoping for 3 but was only offered 2. The tutor is a reading specialist at another local elementary school and she is (or was, I can't remember) the Student Support Team Coordinator as well as the RTI director of the school. She seems very experienced and qualified. Keep your fingers crossed, pray, send good vibes, etc.!
Well I survived my Atlanta training--barely. We had terrible weather on Sunday but I managed to drive us to safety. The training itself was boring and I didn't learn a thing. The end result: my program can bill medicaid for my services!!!
I took a couple of pictures but my camera batteries are dead. I will leave you with 2 snippets regarding the next posts.
1) guess which cousin I caught up with? He asked about the Yeagers.
2) On Saturday we had an extra visitor (besides Daniel's dad and step mom). Here is a hint: I thought she looked like a cow!
Mallory had a great time visiting with her 
Papa Don and Grandma Ann. They went to breakfast with us and stayed all day Saturday.
This picture was taken right before we left for dinner. Papa Don treated us to a meal at Wong's Palace. This was Mallory's first time at a Chinese restaurant but she adjusted well. She liked the decorations and ate some sweet and sour chicken.
Right now she is at church with them.
I guess I will be leaving soon to go to Atlanta for a 2 day training event. I will see you on Wednesday night!
The Hamilton Hotel has re-opened. Don and Ann (Papa Don and Grandma Ann, Daniel's dad and step mom) are visiting!!
Tonight we celebrated Christmas. Mallory received some new books, a special baby that cries, giggles, and eats, a matching baby bag and other important accessories, and a flying Tinkerbell. 
Tomorrow we are all eating at Jerry J's-except for Daniel-he has to work! Mal and I might even go to the bakery.
Mallory gets it honest. She loves to eat! She eats as much as I do and at times more than I do. She also likes to snack. This picture was taken during family lunch this past Sunday. 
I will be leaving Sunday, 1/24/10, to go to a training in Atlanta. I am scheduled to return LATE Tuesday night. I'm dreading it. It is a mandatory training and all of co-workers had negative things to say about it.
Since Daniel has to get up very early for work, Mallory will be staying with her Nana and Pappy.
I had a video to show but I couldn't get it to work. Maybe tomorrow night.
Please explore the new blogs and think about how they can help us. I will want to discuss them further.
Yep, another Christmas present. This one was from mom and Steve. Mallory loves it and often puts make up on before school.
And yes, the make up is real. She has several lip glosses, PURPLE blush, PINK powder, and various bright shades of eye shadow. ALL from mom.
After playing with my new camera, I realized that I have not shown a picture of Mallory on her new trampoline. The trampoline was a gift from Santa. Mallory loves it! In fact, she doesn't even care if its wet. She just wants to jump!
Mallory never gets tired. She is the busiest person I know. How I wished I had her energy!
I have set a new rule: NO little hands can touch mommy's new red camera. Besides, I gave Mallory mom's old camera=), which she has already misplaced.
Today was a busy day. Last night I went out with my friends and returned at a very late hour. Therefore, I especially wasn't ready to get up at 6:12 am, like Mallory was.
I managed to stay in bed till 7:00. We started on the massive pile of laundry, did some initial house keeping duties and at 9 we headed to Jerry J's. It has been several weeks since we've been there so Mallory was excited. Her appetite was strong. She hate all of her cheese grits, an entire order of hash browns, and a sausage patty. She also had a medium sized sprite!
We went to Wal-Mart. I have a new camera! Mallory had a small meltdown when she realized I was not getting the pink camera on display but recovered well--after all she wanted to pick out a snack for this week.
After Wal-Mart we went to the mall and Mallory chose a new pair of black flats. We saved the best stop for last. We went to DeDe's Bakery. The dough nut holes were so fresh they literally melted in our mouths--mostly mine because I ate 10 out of the 12 we bought.
We came home, put away our groceries, chugged milk to chase the dough nut holes, and took a good 2 hour nap. Since we were refreshed, I mopped all of the floors and finished laundry and some other nasty house hold chores
At around 4:30, Mallory packed her suitcase and is right now spending the night with her Nana and Pappy.
I celebrated silence with a pizza, bread sticks, coke (and not the diet version), and candy. Running will be nearly impossible tomorrow but so worth it.
Yay, I have 2 more days to be off from work!!!!!
It has been a long time since I posted anything. I've been busy. I have cooked dinner every night this week--except for tonight. Mallory's gymnastics is on Thursdays now. As you know, when you cook, there is cleaning to be done.
I've decided to stop trying not to be the pain in the a$$ parent. I told Mallory's teachers that she is capable of learning. I reminded them that they should be able to develop alternative teaching methods so that my child could reach her full potential. Jeez, I get tired of their "concerns" and the famous question, "did Mallory take her medicine today." In other words, I asked them to concentrate on resolving the problems not dwelling on them. I really wish I could home school her.
The sad thing: I have money for a new camera but haven't found the time to go to Wal-Mart and purchase one. I also need to have my car cleaned, go to the dry cleaners, go to the post office, pick up meds at the pharmacy, schedule a doctor's appointment, and do laundry. Oh yeah, I need to do some cleaning. I've been so busy that I haven't lifted weights this week and have barely gotten my cardio in.
Tomorrow night I will be going out to dinner with my friends (Lealane, Krystial, and Kristina). We go out every year for my birthday. I am really excited. It has been a long time.
Kristy is taking her girls to see mom this weekend. I know that they are excited. I'm sure Grandma will show them a good time.
Danny went to the er last night. He had a terrible seizure but is fine now. Apparently they kept him long enough to do several tests. He left with a script and Melissa said he went to work today.
Our county's board of education made additional cuts today. Teachers are furloughing again, each school has been asked to slash expenses, and summer school has been cancelled--all to save money. This news is devasting to me. I went to a school meeting last week. Currently, at Mal's elementary school, 1st grade has one teacher with 20-23 students. Next year's class sizes are projected to be 23-25 (this # may be bigger if teachers are going to be laid off--again). Not to mention the kids who rely on summer school to stay caught up. Projected date for recovery: 2015.
I guess I will stop complaining now. I hope everyone has a great weekend. I should have my new camera soon.
Becky, let me know if you want to meet us for dinner.
I had a great birthday. In fact, I almost forgot that I turned another year older! Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes.
Tomorrow is another work day=( Our secretary will be out so I will be answering the phones while working on some evaluations. At least I have a job and my job could be a lot worse.
The meeting at school was like the others. Nothing too bad but still depressing. Mallory still refuses to do her work and still requires a lot of redirection. I will be talking some more with the special ed. coordinator because I am still a little confused regarding future action. I know they want a copy of her recent hearing and vision exams but I am not 100% certain about current services and future accommodations. I really wish I could home school her.
We celebrated my birthday tonight. We had Domino's Pizza (our new favorite pizza place). Daniel also brought home an ice cream cake. He and Mallory sang happy birthday to me. It was a really nice surprise. I also got a new pair of running shoes.
It has been a great birthday. Family and friends do make life more tolerable. Thank you to everyone!
p.s. check out my new shoes (click on the link). Mine are in hot pink.
Birthday surprises are still coming! Krystial (BFF) gave me a gift certificate for a free massage and pedi. I am so excited. I can't wait!
Plus my mom sent me a check. Will probably use it to buy a new camera!
On Thursdays everyone in my program comes to the office and we have an "eligibility meeting." At this meeting, we decide which children qualify for our services. Today they surprised me by having a birthday cake and lemon cupcakes. The cake was key lime--my FAV-- and the lemon cupcakes were awesome too. They also took me to lunch. I was really touched by this gesture and it reaffirmed my decision to leave my old job.
Not a lot to report. Tomorrow I am scheduled to attend another school meeting. I would rather stick needles in my eyes, pull out all of my hair, and rip my fingernails off.
Daniel is excited about the weather. He is hoping to see some snow. I enjoy the cool weather. To me, it is a lot better than the heat! Mallory is enjoying wearing all of her different jackets. She has 3 big jackets, a scarf, mittens, and a special hood. She reminds me of the kid in the Christmas Story who falls and can't get up.
I am hoping to get a new camera this weekend. My old one has vanished and the one mom gave me is not working well. I am torn between buying a camera that I really want (more money) or settling for a cheap one (since we always mess them up).
Mallory came running to me yelling, "mama, mama." She just wanted to let me know that she has a loose tooth. I guess the tooth fairy will be coming soon. She has already asked for tootise rolls.
Tonight Mallory said, "I'm six, I will lay in my bed by myself." She did and fell asleep. I am stunned and am hoping she will continue!
Love this bag. Prefer the blue color--in case someone is wondering what to buy for my birthday.
http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=48848&vid=1&pid=715364&scid=715364022
Unfortunately there isn't a lot to report. Thursday night I had intended to go out but couldn't because I didn't have a baby sitter. Instead we went out to eat and was home by 7 and in bed by 10:30. Very boring.
Friday I cleaned all of our floors, washed dishes and ran 6 miles. Afterward, I met Lealane in town and we went to Valdosta, sadly this was the highlight of my weekend. We had a good time puttering around town and buying semi-useful stuff.
On Saturday morning, it was really cold and I was really tired from the day before. As usual, Mallory awoke early. She got up and washed more dishes (all by herself) and she fixed us breakfast. When I got up, Mallory had the dishes neatly stacked on the counter and bowls of cheerios set out. She also folded some laundry and had placed clothes hangers in several of Daniel's shirts. We ate our cereal and skipped our usual breakfast at Jerry J's. We stayed at home all morning and kept busy cleaning.
On Saturday afternoon Mallory spent the night with her Nana and Pappy. The house was peaceful and quiet. I went to the gym, attended spin class, hiked on a mean incline, and did a lower body workout. My legs are so sore that I couldn't run today.
Ate Sunday lunch with Daniel's family, napped with Mallory and have prepared a crock pot dinner for tomorrow. Dreading another work week and a busy Monday but no matter how bad tomorrow will be, it can't be as bad as being in the hospital.
I hope everyone had a good weekend.
