First day of school

Met with Brennyn's teacher in the morning, who happens to be Avery's teacher from last year. She figured out that the girls were polar opposites in the first 5 minutes. Avery never said a word about our family all last year (she didn't say much of anything), Brennyn told her every little thing we did over the summer in a 5 minute conversation!
Avery was happy to say hello to her old teacher though, and to show Brennyn around the classroom.

Got home from that meeting just in time to put Avery on the bus for her first day. Yes, I could have just hung around the school for another hour, but I really wanted Avery to get the bus on her first day back. It's a new bus driver since Avery is going in the afternoons this year.
Brennyn doesn't officially start until the 19th, and she'll be in the morning class.

Been at the beach, trying to cram as much fun time into this summer as possible. Tuesday is the big day, the end of summer, back to school!

Anyway, been doing more chatting on QQ with Avery's birth cousin. He was able to visit with Avery's family a few weeks ago and took a picture of the whole family. We are forever grateful to this young man, who I'm sure has better things to do than chat with a middle aged Canadian woman (he's in university and says that he is happy to correspond with me so he can practise his english). Still, he doesn't have to take pictures to Avery's family for me, or ask my 500 questions!

I'm trying to decide if I should send a package of some Canadian goodies to him and to Avery's family. I don't want to be pushy. I do know how happy that Avery's birth mom and dad are to get regular pictures.
I know how happy we are to get pictures of them. Avery's sisters are gorgeous, I must add. Avery looks so much like her one sister. It gives me an idea of what Avery will look like in 15 years! Honestly, it's uncanny how much they look alike.

Weekend full of soccer

I think the girls may be exhausted! Avery played 5 games of soccer in two days. Brennyn played 2 games, and she actually played this time. It took her all season to get on that field and actually kick the ball, but she did it. Sadly, she was also involved in a collision with another little boy and has a huge bruise on her temple (I'd hate to see the other boy's bump, because I am not exaggerating when I say Brennyn has an extra hard skull). Luckily, that was at the end of the game and her coach asked her team to give her a big hug (after we held her for 5 minutes while she screamed at the top of her lungs) and she was so happy!

Avery played in goal for all 5 games. She was amazing. Her team was in third last place at the start of the tournament (only won 2 games all season) but they came together and ended up in the final game. They won 4 out of 5 games and came in second place.
Like I said on facebook, Avery may be small, but she is mighty! Those big girls come running at her with the ball and Avery has no fear, she dives for the ball every time. I was starting to feel stressed for her, but she was awesome!
Most of the girls on her team, aren't really into soccer. There were 3 other girls who had the same love for the game as Avery and they really tried. Trust me, I would have been like the other girls, picking flowers, or daydreaming and kicking the ball the wrong way. It's just nice to see kids having fun and getting some fresh air.
It was also nice to see a team, who was just as happy to come in second place (actually, they would have been just as happy to come in last, the girls just wanted to have fun).

Avery never smiles while in net, so she looks unhappy, but she claims she must concentrate!

Blair and Avery are at the Science Fiction Convention (just can't make myself go, it's not my thing, although, I do love Star Wars and Dr. Who, Star Trek conventions just don't do it for me) today in Toronto, so it's just Brennyn and I hanging out.

Let's see, so far we've walked to Dairy Queen for a blizzard, hit up the local dollar store for a treat and bought some fresh corn and a giant steak for dinner. We've also ran up and down some hills for fun and now are going to hang around in the back yard and maybe blow some bubbles.

How quickly buildings can be destroyed

The beautiful town that we always visit when staying at the trailer has been damaged. A tornado ripped through the town of Goderich yesterday afternoon, destroying large parts of the downtown circle. I am in shock, looking at the pictures of the devastation. Just a month ago we were sitting in the park eating our ice cream cones, now that park is covered by tree limbs, cars and other debris.

I just can't believe how quickly a storm can blow in and destroy everything. We've often watched the clouds building over the lake, and I'm sure everyone thought it was once again, just blowing over. Not this time, unfortunately.

My thoughts go out to the people of Goderich Ontario and to your beautiful town.

2 weeks until school starts

Both girls will be in school this year. Avery seems excited about going back, I just hope we've worked enough on the talking to other kids situation. She's had a few playdates over the summer and she's had no problems, she's even said hello to a little girl at the park (trust me, this is huge).

Brennyn, well, she won't have any problems in the speaking department, it's the sitting still and listening area that has me concerned.
I'm really starting to get worried. I know teachers are used to dealing with children who may have learning/behavioural issues (not saying Brennyn has this, but we are starting to wonder).
She just has a difficult time doing what someone asks (I know, what child doesn't). With Brennyn, she gets distracted and curious about everything else she honestly can't stay still (unless it's to eat).
I love my daughter and I really do love this about her personality. It's who she is. She is the most loving, funny, outgoing kid but it can be frustrating.
Time outs don't work, taking toys/privilages away doesn't work (she just forgets about the toy and moves on to something else, bribery doesn't work (not that I ever bribe my children, never, okay, maybe once or twice), consequences don't work. She just gets into the moment of an act and it's like she can't help herself (for example she ripped up a book, and when we asked why she would do that she said "I wanted to").

Let's just say it's going to be a very interesting year!!

My new favourite Doctor

Love, love, love Brennyn's new dermatologist. Yes, we only saw her for 5 minutes but she was so down to earth and very knowledgeable. We always spend most of out doctor visit with the residents/med students, Sick Kids is a teaching hospital after all. In our case, the actual doctor always corrects the resident because nobody has ever seen a case like Brennyn's so the poor residents have no chance.

This doctor actually knew so much about Ectodermal Dysplasias and even seemed to have an understanding of what Brennyn has. Honestly, she spelled more out for us than anyone has thus far. I almost had tears come to my eyes, I just finally felt like someone understood.

Of course, as usual, all the doctors working in the dermatology department came in to take a look at Brennyn when we were finished the appointment. Our doctor asked our permission and explained how unique Brennyn's syndrome is.
I still feel kind of weird about this, but I also understand that this is how the medical profession teaches and learns. I just hope Brennyn won't feel like some kind of circus side show, with everyone wanting to look at her hands, teeth and skin.

Oh, and Brennyn was her usual charming self. Although, she did ask one doctor "why are you so dark, and black". I think I kept calm, trying to explain that everyone has different skin colours, you know like we've talked about".
The doctor kindly explained the same thing to Brennyn and the two of them talked forever. Brennyn has a new best friend (seriously, the doctor thought Brennyn was hillarious).
One thing about Brennyn, she says it like it is, and really does not have a filter. I really don't think this will change either. She is who she is!