Flower Girls

Alexa and Addison were asked to be flower girls in Justin's cousins wedding over Memorial Day weekend. We were very excited and eagerly said yes. In February we went dress shopping. Caitlin gave her opinion on dresses and we all agreed on which one looked the best on the girls. The girls waited patiently for over a month for the dresses to arrive. Next we picked out mini high heals, hair pieces and rehearsal dresses.

The weekend for the wedding arrived quickly. We packed up and traveled on a red eye. Luckily both girls got a lot of sleep between napping after school, sleeping on the plane and then in the car on the way to the hotel. Alexa fell asleep before we even boarded the plane. Addison fell asleep after take off and slept on the floor on Alexa's nap mat.

Once we arrived we hurried to the rehearsal. The girls looked adorable in their dresses and fancy hair. They did everything they were asked and had a good time. Afterwards we went to the rehearsal dinner. The girls enjoyed playing with their cousins and coloring pictures with the junior bridesmaid.

The next morning we were all up early for wedding events. The girls delivered flowers to the bride and then off we went to get ready. We had lots of time so run around and use up some energy before they got their hair and make up done. The girls looked and felt like princesses in their dresses. They took lots of pictures before the ceremony. The both walked down the aisle perfectly. Neither wanted to stand up front. The both sat with us and then went back up when it ended. They walked into the reception as they were asked. Then danced for hours!!! Addy cried when it was over because she wanted to go to a second party.

All in all it was a great weekend.

Speech Graduation

Addison started speech therapy in October of 2015. She tested about 4-5 months behind in her speech at the age two. We were told she could benefit from 12 sessions with the therapist.  She went weekly for 7 months to Katie. She worked on action words and generally sounds. Then she progressed to group sessions with a boy named Andre for a few months. Andre and Addy learned to engage with each other and use their words to communicate. In September of 2016, Addy went back to individual sessions with Katie. She focused on a few specific sounds. Around the same time, Addy was evaluated through our school district for therapy. She qualified for speech and started immediately. The school set up is very different from Katie's office. At school she goes twice a week with a group of 10 kids and 3-4 teachers.

Around March of 2017, Justin and I noticed that Addy was accomplishing all her goals. We knew our sessions were scheduled to end with Katie in May. Katie gave us the option of continuing through the summer or finishing. After a few weeks of testing, it was confirmed that Addy was speaking above her age level. We felt it was time to "graduate." Addy's last day of speech was last week. It was a bitter sweet moment. Katie did so much to change Addy's path and we are forever grateful.

The school district is also graduating Addy. We decided for her personally it was best for her to finish the school year. So she is still going twice a week for a few more weeks, even though they aren't working on age appropriate sounds. We are all so proud and excited for Addy.