Update and pics

It is sad how neglected this blog is. Below is an update I sent for the Baldwin news letter. For as much writing as I do you would think I could get on here more but obviously I just don't. I'll try to make it up to you by dispersing some pictures throughout. :)

Q the ninja, Ian the lion, Ryanna the cupcake
at the library parade

Our fall has been busy and full of new adventures. We decided to have Ryanna go to preschool this year and she has loved every minute. I taught her in a small group last year and she did love it but informed me that this year she wanted to be big and have a real teacher, not a mom teacher. :)

The head teacher at the preschool is our Bishop's wife and is amazing. She even lives up to my high(perhaps too high) expectations for education and structure in the learning setting. Quinten had a hard time with sister being in school 2 days a week. In fact, the first day he cried from the time we dropped her off until the time we picked her up. It was heartbreaking but now after 2 months he is used to the new routine and enjoying mom time.

A few months ago we decided to have Quinten tested at an early intervention program here for his speech. Though we understood a lot of what he said, most people told us they could not understand even one word. His assessment showed that he is not significantly behind but enough so that he qualifies for services such as speech therapy/play and kindermusic. When he turns 3 he will be considered for an excellent preschool here with certified speech therapists as the teachers. Don't mistake this to mean that he is seriously delayed or considered at risk of any long term delays. This is a proactive option we have and so far are pleased with the progress he is making in annuciating words instead of just blurring them all together.

Also new this fall, I've started writing news from home for the radio station Brian works for. They have been short handed and pay me per story I email to the news director. So far it has gone well. Little extra income without too much pressure or added stress. I usually do my writing after the kids are in bed and a radio news story is a pretty basic and cut down version of news. It's been nice to exercise my mind and put my writing background to use.

A good witch who was sad after
not getting to ride the bus home
from preschool

eating snow after our first snow a few
weeks ago

Visit to the newly opened Dinosaur quarry
with our buddy Dylan

excited to show mom all the bones

Of course with the school year Brian has been busy as usual. Some days he feels frustrated by his school district job and all it entails but he does great and we appreciate his hard work. He also holds an important place at the radio station as a second job and is considered the production manager. If and when the owner gets another studio built, he will also have a morning show on a country music station. We'll see how life balances out when that happens but it is exciting to look forward to.