The nurse from Anthony's school called and said he wasn't feeling well so I picked him up on the way to taking Aubrey to get her one year shots. Aubrey did not like getting her shots at all. My poor little baby cried and cried. The nurse gave her a sticker that said I got a shot. She calmed down as soon as I put it on her shirt. The nurse even gave us an extra one for her scrapbook. Aubrey fell asleep on the way home while holding on to her car seat handles. Anthony took a picture for me.
When we got home, Carmel had died. She hasn't had anything to eat or drink in days. We knew it was just a matter of time. Anthony slept on the couch with her last night and got to pet her and say goodbye. I've been keeping an eye on the cat so I could make sure when it happened, I was the one to find her and not the kids. Today I dropped the kids off with Daddy so I could pick Emily up, so Anthony ended up finding her first. Poor little guy is devastated. He knew it wouldn't be much longer, but he really loved Carmel. The last few years they've gotten close. Anthony was Carmel's favorite and would sit with him while he pet her for hours. He would pet her until his arm got tired because he knew how much she liked it. Emily's taking it well but we're not sure she understands.
When I picked Emily up from school she was standing with her arms at her side looking miserable. Her cheeks were pink and her skin was warm. It looked like she had been crying. She said she had been but just for a minute, but her teacher said she hadn't cried since I dropped her off. (I don't know how long that lasted because I when I dropped her off, a lady name Ms. Christy was there. But Ms. Celeste was her teacher today. She has Ms. Rachel Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and Ms. Celeste on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Ms. Celeste said, again she wouldn't lay down at naptime and stood the entire day. Right after I got there, I took her to the bathroom since she never went all day. She cheered up a lot once we were alone, but was very upset that her ponytail had broken and Dora (the explore) had fallen off. When she was done in the bathroom the other kids were having snack time. Addison had a pack of Dora gummies and Emily said she wanted one too. So I had her sit down and gave her the Mickey Mouse gummies Grandma put in her lunch box for her this morning. She ate them and then asked for some more things from her lunchbox. While she ate I talked with Ms. Celeste. She said that Emily spoke to her a few times but not much. When she asked what happened to her ponytail, Emily told her it broke. And when she asked her a question, Emily said no. The teacher also said that Emily spoke to Addison a few times today. I guess that's progress. I hate dropping her off in the morning. Emily is too sweet and loving of a girl to have to see her so sad and miserable. I love her so much and hope she learns to love going to school. I know this has to be done to help get her ready for kindergarten, but I wish she could stay home with me. I can't wait to pick her up everyday. It's my favorite part of the day. I hate seeing her so sad, but I love seeing how happy it makes her when I get there. Again, once I got there she wanted to stay. I told her we were only staying for the rest of snack time and then we had to go.
We stopped at Grandma and Grandpas on the way home so she could visit them. She did her homework there so they could see. (her school work she wouldn't do again) Homework was practicing cutting with scissors again, only this time it was harder. Instead of cutting straight lines, she had to cut curves and zig zags. She was very proud of her work, as she should be. I made her a snowball to go with the rest of her lunch and then we came back home for a bath and to get ready for dance class.
Anthony asked if he could come with us to get out of the house and help take his mind off the cat. We got there early so we could go upstairs where Emily's new tumble class is and play. Emily said the reason she wouldn't do her tumbling last week is because she doesn't like doing it upstairs. Anthony and Emily played and she practiced her backflips, her tumblesaults, and the balance beam. Then we went downstairs for her tap and ballet class. Grandma came to help. It's mentally exhausting watching Emily not participating so it's nice to have Grandma there for help and moral support. I wasn't always appreciative of Grandma's help and ideas, but now I'm realizing we need to work together as a team to best help Emily. I know it's hard on us both watching Emily go thru this each week. We both want what's best for her and have the same goal. We just have different ways and ideas for how to help her. I really appreciate all Grandma has done for her. Grandma has been paying for all of Emily's dance and tumble classes, and her costumes and dance clothes. I hope Grandma comes to the next class too. If it wasn't for her being there, I probably would not have mustered the courage to go in the room and dance with her. Ok, I didn't dance, but I did a couple shuffle steps and tried to help her with her other moves.
Grandma and I took turns today. We're trying really hard be supportive and help her overcome her shyness, but we also want to enncourage her independence. Grandma agreed to stay in the room with her if she sat with the kids and did what she was told. Emily got clingy so Grandma held her ground and left the room. Emily stood in the corner and watched. She looked happy when ballet was over and it was time to put on her tap shoes, but she never participated. I couldn't take it anymore and agreed to stay in the room with her during tap. I told her I would stay if she stayed on a certain spot on the floor and at least watched Ms. Dee Dee's feet to see what moves she did. She did do some of the moves, except half of the moves she did during her tap class were the ballet moves they had just done in the first half of class. But at least she is paying attention. We're going to have to practice with her. The names of the moves I remember are, the buffalo, and suzy q's. I can' t remember the rest of the names so we'll have to practice those two for now. She was smiling by the end of class. She wouldn't high five the teacher, but she did smile and giggle when Ms. Dee Dee tickled her.
Emily's been wanting to sleep next to Aubrey lately. Even when Anthony offers to let her have a sleepover in his room, she wants to sleep next to Aubrey. So far, other then a little late night giggling, they've gone to bed pretty good. We moved her extra mattress (she has 2) off her bed a couple nights ago and put it next to Aubrey, but tonight I rearranged their furniture so their beds are next to each other. Now they can see each other better. Anthony came in the room to be with me and sat on Emily's bed and cried. He can't help thinking about the cat. He's so sad and is going to miss her. Emily was mad at him for messing up her covers and wanted him to get out. I explained to Emily that Anthony was sad because Carmel died. I suggested we pretend that Anthony was sick and that she was his nurse. She loved this idea and called it, "playing hospital." She brought him friends (stuffed animals) and covered him with blankets, and towels. She made him a little table and brought him flowers and insisted he needed lotion. Anthony said this game was fun and didn't want to stop when it was time for the girls to go to bed.
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| Emily was actually happy when these photos were taken. She wanted to do a mad I don't want to go to school face like Anthony did on his second day of school |
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| With her "I got a shot" sticker |
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| On the car ride home. Anthony said she fell asleep holding the handles and took a picture for me. |
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| proud of her homework |
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| Grandma in ballet class |
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| tap |
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| Nurse Emily taking care of patient, Mr. Bryant |
