Apps for Apraxia

A few months ago, we decided to get an IPAD 2.  We had heard there were great apps for kids with Apraxia and we decided to invest in Caitlin's future.  Rob and I suffer now and have to use the IPAD, which happens to be the greatest thing we've bought in a long time!  :)

I've been meaning to post about some of the apps that Caitlin uses for speech.  She doesn't use the IPAD during therapy.  However, we've been using it as a supplement. We used to sit at the table and do flashcard and games..and we still do this...but it's great to have another option for her.  The more she practices, the better.

We spoke with her speech therapist and she said that they do not recommend kids using an IPAD under the age of 3 because of child's brain development.  However, she said if it's used in the right way, it's a great additional tool.  To be used correctly, Caitlin has to be verbally interacting with it.  She can't just sit and push buttons.  How do we do this?  Simple...when we teach her a new game, we teach her that the only way it moves to the next page is by her talking.  Is it true?  Not in most cases.  But she doesn't know that! 

It's adorable to watch her practice and yell so loud at the IPAD!  :)  I should add I am always supervising her and we are working together when she's on my IPAD.  It's not a babysitter...it's therapy supplement!  :)

Now, when we got the IPAD and I started researching apps, I was SHOCKED.  The prices of apps that are helping kids is RIDICULOUS!  Kids can play Angry Bird for free...but to buy the speech app I had heard about was $299.99.  That's right, some of the speech apps are $300 bucks!  Such a shame!  And a majority are between $19.99-$199.99. CRAZY, I know!

But with A LOT of research and little luck, we have a found a few apps in our price range that are helping Caitlin!  Also, a lot of the apps can be used on both the IPAD and my IPHONE, but you only have to pay for it once and it downloads on both devices!!!!

So, here are a few of the apps we are using that we like:


Tiga Talk:  In Tiga Talk, they give a letter sound and Caitlin has to practice.  Then, they have fun games to practice her sounds...like everytime she makes the "d" sound, a ballon pops and eventually she gets to see a picture behind the balloons.  It's been really great to practice her individual sounds.  I can also adapt the app to only work on the sounds she needs.  There is a microphone so the child has to make a sound to get "credit" for the sound.  The only downfall is that it doesn't have to be the correct sounds, just any sound...but it's great practice and she doesn't get frustrated if it's wrong! :)  We love this app and have it on both devices!!!!

Speech for Apraxia:  This is a new one I just found and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!  It comes from the NACD (National Academy for Child Development).  For this app, I pick the sounds we are working on (and they are in order the same way she follows her sounds in speech, starting with BPM first, then DNT, etc).  Then, I can pick up to 8 levels.  You start at level one with one sound (bay).   Then you  move to new levels like level 2 (bay,bay, bay), level 3 (bay, bay, bay, bay, bay), level 4 (bay, bay, bay, bay, be), level 5 (bay, bee, bay, bee, bay), level 6 (bay, bay, bee, bee, bye), level 7 (bay, bee, bay, pa, pa), and level 8 (bay, pa, tuh, nuh, nye).  For any children in speech therapy, it really mimics what Caitlin does in speech.  The pictures are easy for kids as young as 2 to understand and you can touch each picture and it makes the sounds. 

I LOVE this app so much...and the best reason is that it was only $4.99!  When I bought it, it said $4.99 this week only as an introductory special..so the price may go up, but for 5 bucks, it's the best app we've used yet!!!!

Articulation Station:  This is a good app for word practice.  The downside of it is you have to pay $1.99 for each sound.  We've only invested in the p and the b so far.  You can pick words that have the sound at the beginning, middle, or end.  You can also pick the letter combos you want.  It's been good for extra practice, but would cost almost $45.00 to buy all the letters.  :(  So I recommend it if you have a few letters you want to really work on!

Starfall ABC:  We actually bought this one for our 4 year old daughter because it's great for letter practice.  (If you go to their website, they have phonics practice and Abigail was learning a lot of reading skills there, but it's not available for IPAD yet).  I want to make sure we are still working on all the other skills Caitlin needs for preschool next year. For Abigail who developed typically in terms of speech, by 2 1/2, we were really practicing letters and their sounds. With Caitlin, we have put those things on the backburner, but I want to keep up all her other skills because the words will come..and the skills have to be there too.  So this great to practice letters.  Not to mention sounds.  For example, for the letter b, it makes the "b" sound everytime you change the page, so she's constantly practicing that sound.  We love this app..and have it on my phone too!

Monkey Lunchbox: My sister introduced us to this on her Iphone a few years ago..and it's still a favorite.  I know lots of kids love this one.  Again, we don't use this for "speech" as much, but more to continue to build all her other skills like colors, matching, counting, etc.  It's a fun but educational app...my favorite!

Those are a few of our favorite apps!!!  We are very grateful that we were able to get an IPAD and give Caitlin one more outlet for practice.  With apraxia, it's practice, practice, practice!!!!!

In other "All Things Apraxia" news..in 2 weeks I'm attending a free parent webinar on successfully transitioning kids from an IFSP (what Caitlin has now in the early intervention system) to an IEP (what Caitlin will get when she turns 3 and transitions into speech in school, etc).  I have heard I'm in for quite a battle (and I've sat in may IEP meetings as teacher so I know how frustrating they can be for parents) so I figured I'd better start preparing, even though I have a few more months.  It's being sponsored by CASANA (Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America) and I'm looking forward to getting more information.  If anyone wants more info, let me know!!!!

Keep Calm...and Talk on!  ;)

Two. Point. Five

This little bug turned 2 1/2 yesterday!!!

Remember when I only had one kid and didn't work..and I would make my child half a cake on their 1/2 birthday???  Well...that didn't happen yesterday!  And it has nothing to do with her being the second...and everything to do with this this busy normal life!

But we did tell Caitlin she's 2 1/2 now...and Daddy gave her a special treat after dinner to celebrate (Mommy was working) and even let the girls watch a movie after baths...so I know she had a fun day nevertheless.

We also spent the afternoon at Cosley Zoo...and Caitlin was very talkative. She was naming all the animals and imitating their sounds.  It was a wonderful day.

A letter to Caitlin:

Dear Caitlin,

I can't believe you are 2 1/2 now.  I feel like it was just yesterday that we were rocking to sleep for your last night as a 1 year old..and now we are half way to 3.  You continue to make us smile and laugh on a constant basis..and you know it!  ;)  You love all things Elmo, Trains, Babies, or Sunglasses!!!!  You love your sister, "Abbi", but also like to talk about all the things "Abbi" didn't do with you while she was in school!  You shine in dance class and library class!  We are so excited for the summer because you are going to be so much fun to watch swimming!!!  Sometimes you forget you are only 2 and play with all the 4 and 5 year olds...and for some reason Mommy worries less with you so you get to do lots more fun things!!!  We love you so much.  We are so proud of all you have accomplished in the past 6 months since we learned about your Apraxia.  We are so proud of all the hours you spend working on speech, and how you never get mad or frustrated.  We are so proud of the way you just figure things out even if you can't say it yet...but soon!  And we are so proud of the sweet, funny girl you are growing into.  We have loved you so much for the past 2.5 years...and life's only just beginning!  Happy half birthday, Bug!  We love you!

Love, Mommy, Daddy, and "Abbi"...and Kramer too!

What happened to April?

I'm not sure where the time is going???  Is it really May already?  Because when I downloaded pictures for the blog today, I put them under my March folder. 

I'm not sure where the time is going...but I do know it's going FAST!

Abigail has 2 weeks left of school...Crazy!

And Caitlin is only a few months away from starting school!!!!

We are definitely looking forward to the summer and having some more down time.  I've been working lots the last few months, and Rob's work schedule has been rough.  But summer will soon be here, which means the sun will stay out longer and we can soak in the evenings!!!!!  Not to mention days spent at the pool...my favorite part of summer!!!!

Here are a few pictures I grabbed off my phone from the past few weeks.  We've been busy, but apparently my camera's already on summer vacation!

Heading out one day with babies and jelly fish in tow!    The girls really do EVERYTHING together.  As you can see in this picture.  "Dance" shirts (that's what they call shirts with a "skirt" on the bottom), leggings, flip flops, bows in hair, 1 doll, and 1 jellyfish.  They are in such a cute, fun, best-friend stage.  They hold hands everywhere they go and worry about each other!

The girls have ballet back to back, which means a lot of being a "Dance Mom" for me...and I wouldn't trade it for the world.  Well, I'd trade it for a soccer field...but that'll come with time!

Caitlin's "self-portrait"..she's a little ghost apparently!!!

I should use this as a Caitlin catch-up.

*I feel like I never posted that Caitlin is fully potty-trained.  She's been potty trained for about a month or so.  She pretty much did it herself without a lot of help...just some friendly reminders!  ;)  She never needed a pull-up at night, which is WONDERFUL!

*Caitlin's been talking SO MUCH MORE.  All these hours and hours of speech are beginning to pay off.  I think know my FAVORITE thing she says right now is "Abbi". Even though it drives me BONKERS when people call Abigail Abbi, it's the sweetest thing I've ever heard from Caitlin and I've even started calling her Abbi.  When we drive to pick her up from preschool, Caitlin yells in the car "Hi, Abbi!  Hi Abbi!"  Melt.  My.  Heart.

*This girl can dance!!!!  I've really never seen anything like it.  She can dance on her toes like she's been trained in ballet.  And she loves it.  As much as I can't wait to get on a soccer field, I have a feeling a dance studio is where Caitlin will spend her time.  When she is 3 1/2 we can start Irish Dancing...I can't wait!!!!

Abigail's "self-portrait"..I love all her toes!  :)

*Abigail continues to be self-motivated.  We bought her a reading series to begin to read, and she loves to practice her sight words.  She also loves to practice her phonics on our Ipad.  She can probably read 10-20 sight words...and has a year of preschool left.  We really aren't pushing her at all..in fact, I kind of want her to slow down and enjoy being a preschooler...but she's so self-motivated and wants to read everything!  She also learned how to write her whole name, which is a BIG accomplishment!  ;)

*Abigail has her 1st (and last I think) dance recital in 2 weeks.  While she loves her dance class, she can't wait to do gymnastics this summer.  I'm a happy mommy!

*Abigail's drawings are so adorable.  I need to post some on here.  She always draws the whole family..and she's very observant and notices/draws things I don't even notice.

Moving on..here was my view from a walk a few weeks ago...I love my view: 

And last but not least..here's a sneak preview of Miss Pinkalicious:

and my "baby" who's not looking like a baby anymore!!!!!

Sorry for the long gaps between posts...I'll try to get better!  ;)

Making Sausages

(I'm working hard to catch up.  We got an Ipad which is AWESOME, but you can't "blog" from it so we had to fix our computer.  We are up and working again...and I have A LOT to catch up on!)

Rob has always talked about how much he used to love making Italian sausage with his grandparents when he was growing up.  It's one of his favorite memories...

So he was very excited when we decided to head up to the cabin to make sausage with his grandparents.  He learned the "art" of making Italian Sausage from his grandparents using his great-grandpa's grinder...talk about pretty cool!

We have a deep freezer full of Italian Sausage...come on over!!!!

Nana blowing the stundeens (which are casings but we have no idea how to spell it...but that's what they called it).  It's rather disgusting, but everyone took their turn, even the girls.  It's "tradition"..and I love myself a good tradition!

Lots of Grinding

Rob with his dad and grandpa making the sausage. 

Enjoying outside time with Great-Nani

This girl makes me smile!!!!

Great-Papa teaching the girls some Italian! I think they learned "head".

It was a great weekend in Indiana!!!!!  And we've been enjoying the fruits of our labor!  :)

More "catch up" coming soon!!!!

Happy Birthday, Kate!!!!

Happy birthday to the best sister and aunt!!!!!

I wish I could post a video do Caitlin singing happy birthday, it so cute!!!!!

Sorry there are no pictures.... Apparently this blog site is not "Apple-friendly" but I'm working on it!!!

We hope you have the best day and can't wait to celebrate!!!!

Go Dad!!!!

I'm so proud of my dad!!!! As I type, he is headed to the starting line of the prestigious Boston Marathon!!! It is something most runners only dream of... And he's there right now!!! It's going to be a HOT one today with temps in the mid 80's...so we will be hoping that everyone is safe, hydrated, and cool today! Unless you have been to Boston during marathon weekend or run Boston, it's hard to explain what an amazing experience it is!!! From heartbreak hill to the Wesley girls to Fenway, it's amazing!!! Good luck dad, we are cheering for you and trying to send you some of this chilly Midwest weather!!!!!

Easter Weekend

Easter Weekend came and went...in a whirlwind!  But a great, fun whirlwind!!!!!

On Friday, we decorated eggs!

Saturday Morning we had our traditional "friends" brunch at a local golf course (which Rob somehow managed to stay and golf after...funny how that worked).

Family Picture!

Rosie was such a  ham and was going get those girls to dance whether they wanted to or not..she was adorable and had us all laughing! 

Daddy and his girls during the "Father/Daughter" dance.

Auntie Nay Nay and one of her 4 favorite men, Jake!

What Moves!!!!

The whole group!  We sure have come a long way since the days of high school...or even our first brunch here with 5 kids total!

Saturday evening, my dad and Rob made a Muskovich tradition...horseradish! 

It was hilarious to watch.  They would make a batch...literally start crying from how strong the smell was...and do it again!!!!!  My mom's definition of "insanity".  But a really great night!!!!

Sunday morning started off at home with a visit from the Easter Bunny and an egg hunt.

It was so cute because Abigail would always give Caitlin one to make sure they were even!

Counting their loot before heading to the bank...literally!!!!

Funny Story:  After our Easter morning at home, we did quick baths and breakfast (and I'm not saying this happened...but we MAY have fed the girls scrambled eggs in the bath to kill 2 birds with 1 stone...but I'm not saying we did that), the girls and I headed to church while Daddy made the food and packed us up for the day.  While at church (which again, I'm not saying this happened, but we may have gotten to church at 9:00 to learn it started at 8:30), we went up for communion.  The priest went to make the sign of the cross on Abigail's head, and as his hand came towards her head, she HIGH FIVED him!!!!!  OMG!!!!  I was dying.  Everyone started laughing so hard (except the priest) and we decided to make a quick getaway before we get kicked out of the school there before kindergarten even starts!  It was classic!!!!

After church, we headed to my parents for Easter Part 1.  It was great!  Brunch (which includes lots of polish food, I LOVE it) and drinks!!!!  It was so fun watching the girls together because they are becoming best friends!!!!  They also got LOTS of gifts and went on an egg hunt!

The 3 girls

The girls were hilarious because they were all in "character" on Easter:

Lucy:  The little ham.  Cracking everyone up.  She kept putting her animals on her head and laughing...adorable!  Oh, my favorite part was the egg hunt.  Lucy was the smartest one of all.  She let the other girls find the eggs, and when they turned around to get a new egg, she just took their eggs out of their basket.  Too Smart!!!!!

Caitlin:  Drama Queen.  She decided she wasn't going to smile or have any fun.  She wanted to just cuddle and get hugs!!!  (She snapped out of it by "present" time).

Abigail:  The Diva.  Posing for every camera that she could find!  Also, taking such good care of Caitlin and Lucy, making sure they had eggs, food, etc.

The Chaos that was Easter.  Wouldn't want it any other way!

After Easter Part 1, it was time to head to Easter Part 2 at Rob's grandparents house.  As always, the food was AMAZING!  And the laughter even more AMAZING!  I didn't get any pictures because the afternoon started with the chaos of an "accident"...but luckily we were outside so it kept the cleaning to a minimum.  Unfortunately, I left my camera outside in the mist of the choas and forget to get it until we were leaving.   But it was so fun to be with the whole family!!!!   The girls had so much fun sitting on everyone's lap..and eating everyone's treats!  They also spent a long time picking flowers outside for EVERYONE!  They love being with the family!!!!  And this mommy loved the Sangria!  ;)

Now, we have to work on this "girls' trip" away!!!!!  ;)

So, that was our Easter. It was great!

Happy Easter!!!!