Were did the month go ?

Seriously, I would not be surprised if no one reads here anymore because I have become the person I loath.  You know the one that has a blog and only updates it every few weeks.  But I'm not going to apologize this time for not posting I am just not going to because we have been busy living life.  I find as the kids are getting older life is getting busier.  By the end of the day I just don't have the energy for anything other then throwing myself in bed and trying to read a few chapters in whatever book I'm reading

So let's see what we have been up to for the last few weeks....

We had Hayden's birthday party yesterday and I think everyone had a great time.  After 8 years of parties I have it down to a fine art on how to do a pretty good party (or so I think).

Our party was at one of the local art studios and the kids got to create a painting and a little clay "yoda" to go with the painting.  This was the first hour of the party and for the 2nd hour we had a snack and opened presents.  It went surprisingly quick which was a bonus because kids can get bored really fast.

Getting ready to start creating !

Hayden and his guests.

Of course, guess who had to get in on the action.  

God... I seriously love this kid.

Even dad got to do a little creating.

We had a snack and then it was time for cake ! 

Here's the birthday boy with his super cool cake !  

I know I earned a few points for this one.  

 

I had planned on doing a totally different cake but found this post via Pinterest and knew I had to make it for Hayden.  It was actually much easier then it looks to make (but we won't tell anyone else that) and the result was totally worth it.  The kids thought it was "super cool".

It wouldn't be a party without a little dancing !

I decided last week to make the loot bags for the guests (because you know I have all this spare time).  I really debated on whether we would actually even do them for this party.  As the kids get older they just aren't interested in the little trashy trinkets you would normally put in them.  But I figured at least the girls would like the reusable bags and they did love them.

I was so fortunate to find an amazing pattern from this talented lady 

and I know I will make this bag many many times again !

I picked up lots of great things at the Dollarama for both the girls and boys bags.
I so love that store ! (Sadly, I didn't take a picture of the boys stash).  

I always breath a sigh of relief when Hayden's party is over because I know I don't have to start planning another one until November when we will celebrate Laila and Sophie's birthdays in December.

I have lots of other little things to chat about but I will save them for another post.

Weekly Update (May 4th)

Gosh I haven't done one of these in a long long time.

• Faurq is finding a good balance between home and work.  He still has to work the occasional crazy schedule but has really made an effort to be home by suppertime.  It definitely makes for a more enjoyable evening.
• It's hard to believe that next month will mark Faruq's one year anniversary with Cenovus.
• Hayden is busy at school and they are preparing for their Provincial exams to be written shortly.  He isn't worried so neither are we.  The school has done a great job preparing them.  He has done really well all year with his studies and I know he is just waiting for the summer break to arrive as we all are.
• We have scheduled his birthday party for the end of May again so he is helping with those preparations.  He chose to go to one of the local art studios (which didn't surprise us) so they will take care of the majority of the party.  We are just working on the "take home" bag and trying to figure out what he wants for his cake.
• Laila is thoroughly enjoying school and I think will be really sad when the school year ends but is excited to be going back in the fall.  She loves her teachers and classmates and the feeling is mutual.   
• She is really enjoying ballet so I'm sure that will be an activity continued in the fall.
• I gave Sophie's update in the previous post but I didn't mention that she is loving gymnastics.  Although I think in the fall we may have to look for a class that is a bit later as she finds it tough getting up early to get there.
• As for me I'm doing really well on a personal level.  My belief has always been slow and steady will be my success.  I'm working out (although not quite as much as I want to but it will come) and have been mostly injury free for almost 6 months which is really good.  My achilles has been flaring a bit so that has hampered my exercise plans.  
• I have been using Isagenix products since February and I love them.  I'm not really doing their cleanses but I do using their protein shakes in the morning and evening.  I feel good and have lots of energy (except when we have been sick).  I haven't weight myself but I'm down a pant size so I know it's working.
• I'm loving learning how to sew and it has been a great hobby for me to pick up.  I already have a ton of projects lined up I want to tackle but it's just to find the time to get them done.  I still have 5 weeks left in my sewing class so still hoping to learn more there as well.
• I'm starting a Professional Organizing class in September which I'm really excited about and hope that when I'm done can possibly have a part time career come out of it.
• Everyone is eagerly awaiting the end of the school year.  7 weeks and it will all be done for another year.  We have commitments in Calgary for the first two weeks in July then we are off to my parents place in BC for almost 6 weeks this summer.  Faruq and the cat will be in Calgary for most of that time which I'm sure both will secretly enjoy the peace and quiet.

I think that covers most of what we have been up to the last few months.  Life is busy for sure but is really, really good for the Suleman's. 

Sophie

Sophie had her speech assessment done on Wednesday and it was confirmed what her dad and I already knew.  She is in fact severely speech delayed and moderately delayed but leaning more to severe on the comprehension side as well.

While I'm sadden by these results I'm not frightened the way I was a year ago with Laila.   Everything was so unknown at that time but we have had wonderful success with Laila so I'm much calmer with the whole situation.

It was actually Laila's SLP that did Sophie's assessment so that helped greatly with the nerves side of things.  We know her so well and both girls really like her.  It also helps that we are already in the school so they are doing everything possible to secure funding and a place for her.

The one thing that the SLP mentioned was that Sophie is very good at telling us what she wants without actually using words which is very common for the youngest child in a multi-child family.  She feels her issues are different then Laila's so is encouraged that her progress will be as quick or quicker then Laila's.  Sophie does have about 15 words she uses where Laila basically had 3 or 4.  The other thing she noted was Sophie is a whole year younger so it is the ideal time for early intervention.

Now all that we need to pray for is that a spot opens up at the school Laila goes to for September so that Sophie may start attending as well.  When I spoke to the Admissions director last week she explained that their 9 locations had waiting lists and they can't quite understand where all the kids are coming from.  But I got the feeling that Sophie is at the top of the waiting list with have Laila already there.

We are presently looking for a SLP to come into our home for private therapy sessions until September so I'm hoping we start that process soon but nothing compares to the 5 days a week intense therapy she would receive at Providence.

I'm not going to lie and say I haven't asked the question over and over again "Why has this happened to both girls ?" but I try to really focus on the present and just deal with the issues today.  We may never know the reason and I also know that there are parents faced with much bigger life threatening  issues everyday so our problems are small compared to many.  For that I am thankful.

~ Sweet Sophie ~