Calvin home 8 months

This week we have noticed a difference in Calvin towards mommy. He wants to sit by me, hug me, wants mommy to do it and asks for skin on skin (which we don't do anymore). He couldn't get enough of me in church yesterday. He was snuggling his head into my neck and squeezing me. It was great! He is still doing swimming with daddy on Saturday mornings, and his new excitement is the jumping castle we put up for Cathryn's birthday party. I actually bought this for the kids xmas gift and was hoping to put it in out basement for the winter but it was too big for our basement. Calvin loves the air pump (machine he calls it) and jumping. He tires easily, but at least he is using his muscles.
Today we met with the school district to discuss their findings and to see whether Calvin would qualify for physical and occupational therapy. He does! I am so glad they see what I see. They both say he is behind his peers, he is at a 24 month age for physical therapy (that is jumping, balance, throwing, walking etc). For occupational therapy (fine motor skills, like drawing, puzzles, scissors etc) he is between 21-23 month old. He doesn't qualify for speech (but they will re-evaluate once he is in preschool, probably in December) as he seems to be progressing well.
We are all getting a bit excited around here, with spring break coming. We are going on a Disney Cruise.  Calvin loves Mickey Mouse and swimming so I hope he enjoys it.  I am sure we will all have a ball. The weather is fantastic these past few weeks, so we have gone on bicycle rides. We take Calvin with us in a bike trailer, and he has enjoyed that. He has improved so much since he came home with his abilities to climb a ladder, run in the back yard and not falling as much. He was a scared little boy who is now a happy little boy full of laughter. I love it when he says, mommy, Calvin happy! He loves me tickling him now, he asks to read books before bed, he wants to rock and sing songs, he is finally sure of himself and his place in our family. He is very outgoing (his personality) so he still likes to chat with people, give high fives, but he knows at the end of the day where his family and home are.
The next adventure after Disney for our family will be getting a puppy. Another new for Calvin. Stay tuned.

Pleven Orphanage Cry Out for HELP

http://www.only1mom.com/2012/03/update-on-pleven-medical-fund.html

PLEASE check out the above blog. Shelley is in Bulgaria now visiting with doctors who have heard about the abuse the children in Pleven have undergone. The doctors are wanting to help these children but money is needed. Pleven is under investigation for abuse of these children, I know personally of a couple of families who have adopted from this orphanage and it is disgraceful how these children have been treated. Can you imagine a 14 yr old weighing 14 pds? Yes it is sin and we live in a sinful world, but we can help and be light in this world. IF you can help in anyway please CHIP in on Shelley's blog. Thank you.
Let's help the helpless that can not speak up for themselves.

Cathryn's 7th party

              Jumping castle for Cathryn's Rainbow party

   Cathryn ready for her party to start....my sweet little girl

 Rainbow cake and chocolate covered pretzels

Goody bottles for the kids to take home....the theme was rainbows.
I got all my ideas from Pinterest. We had a rainbow cake (white cake with different color layers), rainbow drinks (coolaid), we had a rainbow pinata (homemade, from Pinterest), a game called place the pot of gold under the rainbow. A fun time was had by all 17 girls and 1 boy.