Research study and swimming

Andrew and I were out the door by 8:15 this morning to drive to Children's Hospital so we could participate in a research study about autism.  We don't suspect Andrew has autism at all, they just needed a range of 4 year olds.  So, since we get paid $200, I signed us up.  The girls stayed home with Grandma and completed their schoolwork.

First, Andrew spent 2 hours with a research assistant who did the education assessment.  They tested his language - expressive and receptive, ability to copy both with drawing and recreating with blocks, matching shapes, letters and words, identifying colors and concepts such as if I hide this ball under the cup where will you find the ball?  He tested out of all the tests.  Then they did a folding test which they said they never do with the 4 year olds but she was curious how he would do since he did so well with everything else.  She folded a piece of paper 3 times and then Andrew copied it perfectly.  The tester was impressed and then the person who was video taping mentioned his folding ability too.  I was a proud mama all around.  I was able to observe all the testing.  Even his speech therapist would be impressed with his speech - he did such a nice job of speaking clearly even with a complete stranger.

After our marathon testing session, we walked over to the hospital to get our heights, weights and head circumferences and they drew blood and we spit.

Before they drew blood, they put "magic lotion" on his arm.

 They brought in extra people to help with the blood draw but didn't we didn't need any extra people.  Andrew sat perfectly still and observed everything.  They were impressed.

As soon as we were finished, we hopped into the car to pick up the girls so we could meet a homeschool group for swimming.  The kids had a blast.

After swimming, we were all ready to go home and get something to eat.  None of us had eaten lunch and one of us had not eaten all day.  The kids ate and crashed out.

Swimming and the park

Today, we had N and C so we decided to head over to the inside pool.  We didn't get there as early as I wanted because we couldn't find the swimsuits.  I texted Uncle Mait...we had left the bathing suits in the dryer at his house.  

So we had to find alternative suits but we finally got out the door.  With 5 kids and a busy pool I don't swim, I just supervise.

The boys jumped into the lazy river right away and N took Andrew around.  Within a few minutes, Andrew was swimming on his own.

 There's Cairn, chasing the boys.

 C and Skylar went off to a different side of the pool and played in the shallow end.

 The boys wanted to get into the hot tub but it was adult swim only so they sat on the edge and looked miserably cold.

 The big kids wanted to go across the log rope.

 Andrew and Skylar wanted to try it too.  So we found out what they had to do - either be tall enough - they weren't, pass the swim test - they didn't want to or wear a life jacket.  Skylar got her's on and off they went.

 Check out the videos of Andrew and Skylar crossing the logs.

 After we swam for 2 1/2 hours, we went home for lunch.  I remembered I had to renew my driver's license since it had expired on my birthday so I headed off to do that and Dad took the kids to the park.

They had to return home because C had to go home to leave for her weekend trip.  So we all decided to go to another park - the library park - good excuse for Cairn to check out a couple more books.

 Dad had to play on the equipment too.

 Cairn found a warm, quiet place to read.

Finally, the sun starting setting and it cooled down so we went home for dinner and baths.  What a great day to be outside and active.  Gorgeous 65 degree day.  Tomorrow the snow comes though.