Allie as the Sun

I am constantly amazed by how much both girls have learned this year. At the beginning of the year, Allie's work was so messy. She went from not knowing how to read or write anything other than her name to writing in paragraphs. I am so impressed with the work she brought home today.
Encase you need help: This is me the sun. I am a star. The sun is hot when you look up at the sun. It would take 1,000,000 earths to fill the sun. The sun is yellow.

And Down It Went

I want to try a medicine with Jaelyn, but can only get it in pill form which she needs to be able to swallow. I spent some time googling how to teach her today before heading to the store for supplies. My plan was to put a mini M&M in jello and let it slide down her throat, but alas, mini M&M were not meant to be. I went to two stores and no one had them. It made me kind of sad...I wanted a treat too! In their place, I bought tic tacs. I was anticipating sputtering and spitting and general uncooperativeness.

So, when Jaelyn got home from school, I told her about my plans. She was excited. We got out the supplies (tic tacs and jello) and made the first spoonful.



The first bite got spit across the counter as she tried to swallow (not sure how that happened, but at least it didn't hit me). The second and third tries went down without any problems. Next she asked for water and that tic tac went down like she's been swallowing pills her whole life. Yea Jaelyn!!!!

Tonight, we try the real thing!

In the Spirit of Staying Caught Up

Today was a pretty good day. The day started at our usual 6 (I'm sooo ready for the kids to be older and start sleeping in just a little...well, I don't really want them to be older, I just want them to sleep in). Anyway, the kids played and water colored until it was time for Caden's class. He started basketball today. It was so funny watching 3 and 4 year olds trying to dribble. They'd bounce the ball once and then chase after it and then repeat the whole process 6 or 7 times down the court. Caden scored a couple of baskets in the "game" they played at the end. I'm glad he's being exposed to different games, but Caden is going to be a shorty. I don't think basketball will be prominent in his future. While Caden played, I occupied the girls with games of uno. It's my new take anywhere waiting game. Lucky Allie won twice, I won once, and sad Jaelyn didn't win at all.

After class, we went with Kelley and Company to Freddies. It's a truly awesome place. They have an outside courtyard to eat at and just off the courtyard is a huge pirate ship complete with a slide, a fireman's pole, and trapeze swings. Even better than all of that...it has waitresses and grown up food!!! Anyone who isn't still in the "little kid" mode probably wouldn't appreciate a play area and "real" food, but we sure do! Kelley and I smuggled McDonald's chicken nuggets and cheeseburgers in the kids (I am not paying $5 for a corn dog). Aren't we bad??? We did order a platter of fries for the kids so it's not like we brought in all their food. I had the biggest philly cheese steak I've ever seen. It was WONDERFUL and I got to eat it in peace with grown up conversation for the most part.

To top lunch, I let the kids change into bathing suits and I set up our new slip 'n slide in the back yard. If you've seen our yard, you know it's smaller than a postage stamp. I pulled the swings up and the kids had to slide under their swing set. They had a great time. Did I mention how thankful I am to finally have warm weather?!?!??!

I haven't updated on Dan is a while....he's doing good. It's gotten hot over there so they are getting up early to get work done. He sounds busy, but is as anxious as we are to have our last 3 months over with. The internet connection is so much better than it was, but still hit or miss. We've managed to webcam a couple times in the last few weeks. Getting to see each other doesn't make it all better, but it does help!

Jaelyn's Artwork

Jaelyn loves to color and paint. She painted this picture today and I think it's my favorite piece of artwork she's done to date. I might even frame it.

Allie also loves to color and her skill level has improved drastically since the beginning of the school year when she was still basically scribbling over everything. Now her people really look like people. Her artwork is still care-free and messy, kind of like her. She adds so many details that by the time she's done, you can't really tell what she's drawn. Her latest favorite things to draw are her and Alex holding hands surrounded by hearts...oh my!

Caden could care less about coloring or trying to draw pictures. By 3+, I remember Allie drawing people with arms and legs attached directly to their heads. She wasn't too far behind Jaelyn, who must have been around 4 when she started drawing people. Caden is 4 1/2 (how did that happen?). Maybe it's a boy thing. My goal for the summer is to teach him to write his name!

And Since I'm Catching Up

Since I'm catching up on everything, I should write about yesterday! It was a horrible morning. Friday night was Jaelyn's big tantrum and the girls didn't get to sleep until 9. Caden woke everyone up at 5:45 Saturday morning. That's less than 9 hours of sleep - they need 11 to be functioning normally. By 9, Jaelyn and Caden were both in time-out for hitting each other. Then mild mannered Caden stuck his tongue out at me. I don't do rude well, especially when I'm tired. He earned himself a drop of vinegar on his tongue. By 11, Caden and Jaelyn had destroyed the playroom, literally, while I was IMing with Dan. They kept coming up and telling me it was a mess while laughing. I kept telling them to pick it up or I would. Oh my goodness. I don't know what got into them (other than the previously mentioned junk Jaelyn filled up on during week and the lack of sleep), but they were wild. Every toy, book, dress, pillow, cushion, toy bucket, bench, fan, stuffed animal and game were thrown, scattered or knocked over. The crazy thing is they weren't really loud or really quiet where I would have wondered what they were doing. When I went down, they were jumping on the bare couch laughing in the middle of the chaos. I think it's the first time I've ever literally seen red. I can empathize with bulls now. Allie was not involved and was good all day long so she kept her toys, but everything else in the room is now locked in the blue room. Jaelyn and Caden only have whatever toys happened to be in their rooms. They each spent about 2 hours in their rooms until lunch. Caden did get to come down twice to sit on the step and get 2 more drops of vinegar on his tongue for calling Jaelyn names (those lovely private and potty words - one of the disadvantages of teaching your kids correct names for their anatomy). Things settled after lunch and a long movie they'd never seen. I hope we don't have another day like that in a long time. I don't think I could take it.

In A Nutshell

Once again I feel the need to apologize for neglecting my blog. I haven't even opened it to get to my friends' blogs. Bad Kelly. I've just felt blah. Warm weather has finally returned along with sun and blue skies. My mood has improved drastically. I could never live anywhere where it was cold or rainy or dark for long periods of time.

So the last few weeks in a nutshell...

Jaelyn finally settled back into our routine after Dan's visit. She made it 3 weeks without a major explosion. She had one minor one that she got control of almost immediately. In time-out, she asked for paper and was able to write what she did and what she was feeling when she did it (I was angry when you wouldn't help me, I was sad when I hit you, etc). Real progress. She did have an ugly explosion Friday night that lasted a REALLY long time, but she'd had 2 birthdays at school I didn't know about and I'd given her a cupcake left over from Caden's end of the year picnic. I think the extra sugar, food coloring and artificial flavoring finally caught up with her.

Allie-Cat is doing so well. She loves the warmer weather now that she can wear her skirts, dresses and sandals (finally made that trip to Lancaster and the shoe store). I can't believe the school year is almost over for them and she'll be a big 1st grader. We got off to a rocky start, but she has really excelled at school. Miss B has been awesome for her!!!

Caden finished his first year of school last week. I can't believe how big he's gotten. This year started with him crying to go in the room and Heather having to physically pull him off me. This year ended with a happy, confidant Caden who would go into his class without a backwards glance. We had a picnic at a park with a playground, a lake, and geese for feeding. It was a lot of fun.

The park also had a huge open field and Caden and I had a blast kicking a soccer ball around. He's taking a sports mix class at the YMCA. So far, he's done 2 weeks of soccer and 2 weeks of T-ball. Caden is going to be a ball player for sure. I took him up to the ball field near our house the other day and he must have run around the bases 10 times with me chasing him with a ball. Totally wore me out.

One of the moms in the class is a quilter. 4 of us got together to make quilts for both of the teachers. They are beautiful! I pieced the top of this one together. We made both teachers cry :p. Heather's mom taught at the preschool before her and she said her mom had a quilt like that and she'd always wanted one. We will truly miss having her as a teacher next year. The co-teacher, Patty, co-teaches with the 3 and 4 year olds so we'll see her bunches next year.

Now that's it's finally warmer, my flowers are growing. Working in the yard makes me heart happy. It's the truth. There's just something about starting with a tiny plant, nurturing it, and watching it grow, thrive and be beautiful. How can anybody look around them at the beauty in nature and not believe in God? Speaking of God, we are back to attending our mega-church and Caden's doing great. I "rewarded" him the first few weeks with things like bakugans and matchbox cars. Today was the first non-reward day. He looked a little sad when I dropped him off, but he didn't cry. He was playing happily when I picked him up. I told you...he's becoming so confidant! My little man is growing up!

And since I think they are so pretty...pictures of my flowers:

My Tangerine Vine

My iris in my backyard that look totally different from the ones in front even though they came from the same bunch from my friend's yard.

Our green beans - Allie is going to be beyond thrilled this summer while she "snacks" in the backyard. We have about 12 green bean plants, 1 cherry tomato and 3 roma tomatoes, 3 zucchini and 3 yellow squash, 1 watermelon and 1 cantaloupe.

One of my flower beds with our peach tree at the back. I pulled all the peaches off the lower branches because I want the plant's energy going to making it taller and fuller for shade, but the upper branches I can't reach are covered. If they do well, I bet we'll get plenty of peaches to share with anyone who'll take them.

I Want To Be Like Annie When I Grow Up

I am so proud of my friend, Annie. I want to be like her when I grow up!!!! (sorry about the commercial - it's worth watching past it.)



Encase the video doesn't load for you, here's the link to the article and video...
http://www.wlfi.com/dpp/news/local_wlfi_attica_womansaves15000usingcoupons_20090508

Mother's Day

Yesterday was Mother's Day. It snuck right up on me. I actually called our moms and told them I was moving it 2 weeks :p. My kids did know it was Mother's Day so while I knew I wouldn't be lavished with presents and have breakfast delivered to bed, I was hoping for a little peace, maybe some cooperation. I didn't think it was asking for much. The kids woke me at 6 and were downstairs playing by 6:30. I begged them to play quietly so I could lay in bed until 7. I was up by 6:40 because I couldn't take the screaming anymore. The day, thankfully didn't continue that way. We did have a nice day. We played outside, painted, played a few games of uno. Dan even managed a phone call to wish me a happy Mother's Day.

Today, I decided to treat myself. After Caden's T-ball (where he did awesome, btw), I got him a happy meal and headed to PF Changs. I got a look, but no one said anything as Caden ate his happy meal while I had their spicy chicken with rice. It was so good and I have enough left over for dinner. Caden and I shared a tiramisu parfait cup for dessert that was wonderful. So I got lunch served to me...by a waiter...with someone else to do the dishes...in relative peace...without saying "sit down," "eat your dinner," "don't hit your sister" or "stop playing with the table cloth." It was a pretty good Mother's Day lunch one day late!

Spring Pics

It's so nice to finally be able to get out. The creek pictures are from a few weeks ago - I finally pulled them off my camera.

It's rained for almost a month. The grass was so tall and thick from the rain and fertilizer that I thought I was going to break the lawn mower I finally got the grass cut. The benefit of the rain is that my flowers are growing. So far, I only have 2 things blooming. My clematis...

...and my iris. I missed the iris last year because we were in St. Lucia. Last year, I think we only had one bloom, but we are going to have lots this year. They are beautiful.

Soccer

I signed Caden up for a sports mix class at the Y. He started 2 weeks ago so I'm a little late posting about it. Sorry...life keeps getting in the way. Anyway, he's only been to one class because I was sick last week, but he had a blast. He was pretty good with the soccer ball and had fun playing with Alyssa.

It was a hot day. We went home and cut Caden's hair to help him keep cooler.
Chatting with Lyssie waiting fo rhis turn to score a goal.

Allie's Love Life

Allie has continued to have quite the crush on her friend Alex. She writes him notes and draw him pictures. Well, Thursday, she brought home a note from him in a sealed envelope. Inside, it said "Allie sure (sorry) Allie i am not yur fren" followed by lots of faces (happy, sad, mad). He crossed out all of the faces except the sad one. It might have upset a lesser child, but Allie sat down and wrote her own note to get to the bottom of it. "Alex, why did you write me that note? Why don't you like me?"

Yesterday was the final day of their construction unit and all the moms were in the classroom for a project. Alex is in another room, but his twin brother, Jack, is in Allie's room so their Mom and Alex were there. I asked Allie what Alex said to her note and she hadn't had a chance to give it to him so she did. There was lots of whispering going back and forth between the kids about it. In the end, Alex wrote Allie a note and said "sorry, he wanted to be her friend." I talked to Alex's mom and she said he's always talking about Allie. She loves the little notes he brings home from her. She couldn't believe Alex had written Allie the note and said when she asked him and his lip quivered a little. It had something to do with his brother Jack, but she couldn't get it out of him. Oh well, all is well in the Allie/Alex world again.

13 Years Together and Apart

I love you, Dan and wish you were here to celebrate with me or at least keep the kids and wash the dishes so I could rest!

Like I'd Been Hit By a Truck

I started feeling bad on Friday. I even took a nap Friday afternoon and that's something I never do. By Saturday, I felt like I'd been hit be a truck. Every joint and muscle in my body ached. My throat hurt so bad I could hardly talk. I do pretty well on my own until I'm sick and then everything falls apart. I hate asking for help so I was determined to make it until Monday to go to the doctor even though I was pretty sure I had strep. Sunday morning, I couldn't take it another minute and called our friends Chris and Angie to see if Chris would come watch the kids will I went to the ER. Thank you Chris!!!! I got right in, they started an IV for fluids and did a strep culture. The first one came back negative so the doctor ordered a CT scan of my throat looking for an abscess. That was negative as well. I been there about 3 1/2 hours when I asked the nurse if she'd do a second strep culture since the first nurse was concerned she hadn't gotten it back far enough. After gagging me and getting all the way to the back of my throat, the second strep culture came back positive. I've been on antibiotics for 24 hours now and it feels so good to not hurt all over. I still feel bad and my throat hurts. My goals for today are to get clothes washed (the girls have run out of dresses) and get the dishes done (I've run out of bowls for ice cream). Other than those 2 things, I plan to lay on the couch all day and rest.

Jaelyn deserves big praises for being a wonderful helper to me. We haven't had one explosion. She taken care of the other kids, fixing them waffles and playing games with them. We've gone through a huge box of waffles this weekend. I think that's all the kids have eaten. She's also worked as my translator. It hurts to move my tongue when I talk so it's been hard to understand me. She has patiently listened, read the notes I've written and interpreted my hand signals. She even told me "It's okay, mommy. You dont' have to rock me to sleep tonight" last night at bedtime and I didn't. I think I was asleep before the kids last night.