Merry Christmas To All!

Love,

Mike, Kerilyn & Phoenix Blackburn

Santa 2010

Phoenix's 3 year old school pictures!!!

Our little cutie!!!

Phoenix's First Day of School

Phoenix's Birthday is coming up Wednesday and today we celebrated his birthday with friends and family! The Theme... Disney Cars... Everything was cars, the decor, cake, the shirt and presents from mommy and daddy were Cars. I love Phoenix's birthday! We eat Phoenix's favorite foods (hotdogs, cheese and crackers, grapes, bananas, etc.), we watch him blow out his candle, and I love to see year to year how he comprehends his birthday and enjoys the fun (balloons and presents).

Thanks to mom and dad for coming and giving Phoenix his WHEELies tower (which he played with all night) and Fisher Price Nativity. Thanks to Renae and Brian who came up to celebrate. Phoenix will love his cozy warm outfit.

We are so thankful to have Phoenix in our life and to have his sweet spirit touch us and teach us daily. We love our little boy and can't wait to see what the future holds.

Presents!!!!

Pumpkin Carving

PUMPKINS!!! This year was fun. I carved Phoenix's pumpkin as Muno from Yo Gabba Gabba! My pumpkin is Jack from Nightmare before Christmas. Mike made his pumpkin as a pumpkin that vomited it's guts out. I must say that I am quite proud of myself... I did Phoenix and my pumpkins freehand because our printer wasn't working to get a stencil. LOVE IT!! Happy Halloween!

Scarecrow Fest 2010

This year our annual trip down to Illinois for Scarecrow fest was great! Ted Eynik made a mechanical scarecrow of Noah's Ark. It was great. He was so detailed. He of course recieved 1st place. We were able to have fun as well on amusement park rides and just strolling along the Fox River.

Phoenix's 2010 Halloween Costume

Phoenix is going to be a racecar driver this Halloween. So... Mike is going to be his pit crew guy and I am going to be Phoenix's #1 fan.

Weekend in Wisconsin Dells

We were able to go visit my mom and dad while they were RVing in Wisconsin Dells. By staying at the campground, they got free admission to Chula Vista!!!! We went and had a great time. Phoenix was in Heaven. After a very active afternoon we went back to the RV and roasted marshmellows. We had a great little visit. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Grandma Betty's Visit: Balloon Rally

Hartford Balloon Rally, August 14th, 2010


Mike and his mother Betty from Oklahoma


Ian, Jessi, Rubie, and Claire Gronbeck


Phoenix after eating cheesecake on a stick

Phoenix's New Daycare!!!!!

Who knew a week ago, our little man's little life experiences would call for a change... Phoenix was attending a daycare that terminated him for biting, but also without being mentioned, was also terminated due to his mild sensory disorder. Some aggressive behavior started shining thru from Phoenix about a month ago. I really think Phoenix did not care for his teacher much and would act out, wouldn't nap, eat well, and bite. There is more to the story, but we won't go there now.

However, after calling Phoenix's therapist, Ashley, and calling around to different agencies that could help find a facility that would love Phoenix for who he is and work with some of his unique needs, we found Willow Creek Childcare. It is FABULOUS!!

First, each parent is given a key fob to allow you to get in. Second,he is in the Sea Turtle room or 2 1/2 year old room where Miss Donna is his teacher. She has had children with autism in her room and really cares about how she will help your child to fit in and adjust. She is currently getting certified to help those with special needs and the other teacher is getting her Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. I made Miss Donna a binder that included 5 things she should know for Phoenix's first day, a letter from Gammy, Sensory Processing Disorder Info and Checklist, and how to help Phoenix with certain things. The facility has separate classrooms and each room is big with separate areas.

So, Phoenix's first day was GREAT! I got a sheet from Miss Donna that stated that Phoenix ate ALL his lunch, slept for an hour and a half without his NUK(which never happened at the other daycare), and didn't bite!!! I could tell right away when I dropped him off that he would do fine. He listened to the teacher and even held her hand as they went outside. Upon picking him up, he wanted to watch the teacher vaccum more than come to Mommy to say Hi.

This place is going to be just what Phoenix needs. Miss Donna said, upon me telling her of the other daycare facility, that it is their responsibility to educate themselves on how to help each child at Willow Creek and not that the daycare is not a good fit for the child. I love her already. She said that the NUK and blanket are there just in case, but that she is there to help them to progress and learn how to use a cup or sleep without a NUK or have the desire to go potty.

Thank you Ashley at Birth to 3. Thank you to those agencies that helped me on this short journey. And, Thank you Mom for taking care of Phoenix extra this past week. I can't wait to see what the future holds!!!