The Birthday Party and Presents

Happy 5th Birthday Alex & Chelsea!!!

Wow! I can hardly believe my babies are 5 years old. Seriously, 5 years ago I could't imagine this. But then again, 5 years ago, I couldn't think. I just prayed for the first 3 months to go well. I was way more scared than when I had TJ...way more! But just look at them now, happy and healthy. Well...almost healthy; they both have had fevers and a rash. Our Doc says it's a virus and to just treat it the way we would a cold; for us that means going on with life as usual.

After school (Chel came home early due to not feeling well) and a couple of errands, we came home so they could get their birthday presents from us. Perry made Chelsea the table and chairs they are using here. It was a big hit. Alex got 2 hockey sticks, a goalie stick, and 2 nets. Another BIG hit. Woohoo! Love it when the kidos are happy.

Below are some pics of the day...

Alex & Chelsea enjoying Chelsea's new table & Chairs that her daddy made for her

Watercolour Painting requires really wet brushes

The first strokes

Alex's new Hockey sticks and net


Time for mommy to take some pictures of the not so happy and happy kidos



Opening their birthday cards

...and he's a pic of TJ, because who could forget such a sweet little guy like him

Happy "Heart" Day

Valentines Day has a whole new meaning for me. It changed 5 years ago. I went into labor with twins. Yep, I remember that day as if it were only last year. Hard to believe it's been 5 years already.

Today Alex & Chelsea were going to have their first valentines day at school. Their first big celebration of the Halmark Holiday; however, they stayed home with fevers instead. Chelsea's was mild and didn't require any meds. Alex was a little worse off and did need some fever control. Perry stayed home with them so I could go to work. It felt a bit weird leaving them though. Just before I got home from work Alex's fever started to go up again but came down quickly with more Motrin. I gave them their chocolate hearts and the cards Nanny and poppy sent them. They were delighted. TJ's so sweet, as soon as he opened his he said "Here mommy, you can have one." How thoughtful to give me one before he even had one himself. He is such an amazing child. So loveable and has such a positive outlook on life. I think he has a gift of natural positive outllok. How many people would love to be like that! I hope it stays with him always.

My comment about his positive attitude came about because it struck me earlier today as I was thinking about our dental appointments this evening. He deson't do well at the dentist, never did, yet he always looks forward to going. He likes to pick a prize from the treasure chest once his visit is through. He looks past all the negative stuff and focus on the positive end result. Cool dude, that's awesome positive thinking!

My check-up went very well, his not so much. He needs x-rays and a filling and our dentist recomends a specialist as it will be difficult. I'm hopeful that it will go well though. (gotta try to have some of that TJ positive thinking myself!)

Tomorrow is the big birthday day. Hopefully the kids feel good and we can carry out with our celebrations as planned.

Todays almost done

I've been nervous about today for a week now. Our meeting with the school board for TJ's IPRC (Identification, Placement, & Review Committee) was today. All these type things make me nervous. I wonder when I'll get used to it...We have many, many years of this stuff ahead of us so I better get used to is sooner rather than later. It turned out to be pretty good. The school principal was there and presented TJ's case. She was wonderful! She did a great job of speaking on his behalf. Perry or I didn't have to add anything. The board identified him as exception in regards to communication and his placement is to remain at Northwood. Just what we wanted. The next step is to work with the school to develop his IEP (Individualized Education Plan) so he receives schooling that is appropriate to his strengths and weakness. One of the boad members was surprised to hear that Math is one of his strengths as children on the Spectrum usually don't. That's one thing about ASD, the children are like snowflakes, no two are alike...which is another reason an IEP will be highly beneficial for TJ. I feel very lucky to have Mrs. Dowling as his principal. She is truly wonderful in how she looks out for all her students.I'm impressed with how she puts the kids ahead of what is easy for the school and really looks after their needs.

On a lighter note...tonight the kids made out their valentines for their class friends. We signed, folded, and stickered shut 20 valentines each...yep 60 in total. That's a lot of valentines! They had a great time doing it. TJ agreed that it was even more fun than watching TV.

Alex and Chelsea each have slight temps tonight, but nothing to serious. I sure hope it stays that way. We don't want any sickies for the big birthday weekend.

Sorry no pics today, but don't worry, lots will be coming in the next few days.

Chelsea skated!

Chelsea finally got to go skating today for her first time. She did fabulous! She steped on the ice and didn't fall. She took a step over to the edge and held on the side just as her brothers had done moments before her. Today was the first time we all skated together. It was about 20 years since Perry had been on skates. This winter we all went onto the ice. Huraahhh! for us!!! I hope next winter we all get in lots of fun skating. At least this year the kids got an introduction to it. Here's some pics of Chelsea on the ice...

See Me!

I created this scrapbook layout today in celebration of my new glasses.

Ain't She Sweet

I caught a few shots of Chelsea when she came into my office just after I had finished uploading pictures to my computer and had the camera right beside me. I love when moments (opportunities) like this present themselves.

Isn't that the biggest brightest smile you've ever seen! I just love her smile.

She has always been a girl of many expressions. I sure hope hat never changes, and, that they are always as cute.

This one is just because I think she so dang cute.

Saturday Afternoon Fun

To keep the kids occupied this afternoon Perry set up a tent in the rec room. The kids quickly devised a plan that involved having a secret snack, ALL of their bedding, and PJ's. I'm not sure what was so scretive about the snack because they told TJ what they wanted and he informed me.

The secret snack...

...Apples and Goldfish

Scenes from inside the tent...

Saturday Morning Swimming

The kids had their lessons again. I set the alarm for 8:00 but got up at about 7:45 on my own. Nice!

Today is the mid semester lesson which meant we were allowed to bring our cameras and the kids got reports. Their teachers said...

TJ
Thomas is a pleasure to have in class. He needs to work on his flutter kick to ensure he can perform his skills to the best of his ability. Thomas is encouraged to continue his hard work in order to acheive success. Good Job :)

Chelsea
Great Swimming. You have done a great job on your knowledge of the pool. You can always answer any questions about the pool I ask. You should keep working on your front and back floats as they are the biggest part to this level. Try to work on putting your head back in the water and keeping your chin up. Keep working hard.

Alex
Alex you have been doing a good job. Your good on things like trying your front float as well as your back float. However I would like you to work on paying attention while I am trying to show you things and also while I am teaching the class. You have great abilities in the water you just need to work on it.

Friday Night Releif

Last night my friend Kelly and her family came over to play. Our kids played together, our husbands hung out in the garage, we sat and talked and drank 1 1/2 BIG bottles of wine. It was great! I don't drink often and didn't have supper so I really felt all that wine. I figured for sure I was going to regret it the next morning when I had to get up early to take the kids for swimming lessons. I didn't feel it at all! Woohoo! Drinking all that water afterwards payed off. I think I fell asleep in less than 2 seconds after my head hit the pillow. It was the best nights sleep I had in a while.

Toothless Wonder

TJ lost his 5th tooth tonight.

His bottom one to the right of the middle set fell out as I was brushing his teeth. It went in the sink but luckily didn't fall down the drain. Whew! I couldn't believe how excited he got. He was completely stoked. He's going to save the money the tooth fairy brings to get an MP3 player. It's something he really really wants.

It's a pretty cool feeling to see my kid so happy. I love this side of being a mom.

I'll try to take a pic to post tomorrow.

***Updated with pic as promised, just 1 day late***

yawbuS

Today I worked late and was almost out of gas, and still had to pick up the kids. There was no time left for cooking so I picked up the kids and headed to Subway. They had never been there before but it was one of the very few places to eat on the way home, and, the gas station is right next to it. Perfect!

I wasn't sure if the kids would like it or even if they would eat anything but figured it was a good time to try. Luckily it wasn't busy when we arrived. The kids sat at a booth and talked quite noisely while I ordered. When the sandwhiches were almost ready I dared to ask if they wanted to eat there or take the food home. The unanimously agreed that they wanted to eat there. I advised them that they had to be quiter. I wasn't sure that would happen and was waiting for disaster to strike. It didn't! Insert big sigh of releif and a Woot here!

Chelsea had a wrap with chicken pieces, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and green peppers with sub sauce. The boys shared a foot long sub on brown with the same type chicken as Chel, with lettuce, tomato, pickels, and sub sauce. When I sat down Chel almost started to cry because she wanted to sit on the outside. So I moved to the inside.

I overheard a guy in the ordering line up say to his other half that he can't wait for "the day". At first I thought he meant kids but then quickly though "can't be after how loud mine were". I was wrong, his partner said, "not yet, there's no bun in the oven." Wow! Usually that's not the reaction I get from people when I'm out in public with the 3 kids. It felt nice. Perhaps, we are doing some good stuff. Well, I know we are but it's nice it looks that way to others. I'm not sure anyone else in the joint shared his sentiment though. lol

So anyway, after all that the kids were quiet and very well behaved. No one cried about bits falling out of their sandwhich, there were no tears, no tantrums, and no picking someone off the floor. Whew! They were all happy and excited to be eating out. It was special for them. Chelsea surprised me first when I noticed she ate every last bit of her wrap. Then TJ finished of his sanwhcih. He has hardly eaten anything for days. Alex ate about hald of his so that's not too bad either, especially since it had yucky vegtable type stuff on it. He picked the chicken out of the other half and ate it.

So all in all it was a good experience. I'm glad we went. Too bad I didn't have my camera.

Oh, did you notice the subject line? It is Subway spelt backwards, and it is what TJ started calling it. The wrapper has the name all over it and was inside out so it read backwards. He said "We're at Yaw Bus, that's SubWay spelled backwards!". He was so proud of himself for being so smart to pick that up. I'm really proud of how well his reading is coming along...but that's another post for another day.

Alex's first skate

For the last two months Alex has been telling me he wants to go skating. I've been with TJ on his school trips 3 times already and he is really improving. I thought it was time to give Alex a try. Today Alex and I headed out to the arena alone. Before we left we had a conversation that went like this...

Alex: I can skate now.

Me: Oh yeah, have you been skating before.

Alex: Nope, but I can skate now.

Me: Oh, ok.

I thought to myself, I hope he's not to diappointed the first time he steps on the ice.

So we get to the arena a bit early so we don't have to struggle with putting on skates in the crowd. That worked out good! Then we waited for the gates to be opened. Alex was anxious to get out there but I held him back and asked him to let me go out first. Then he stepped out and fell, he crawled back in and got up, stepped out holding my hand, and fell. This repeated a couple of times. T got him to try getting up, with my assistance, and let me tell you, that was not easy on either of us. He could not stand up, even holding onto the sides or me. His feet kept going out from under him. In about 4 minutes he was ready to call it quits and go in and be done. It was tempting for me too. BUT, this was not going to help him so I told him, "No Way! We are gonna keep trying". About 15 minutes later he was doing a bit better. We took a break and had a snack and headed back out onto the ice again. We are both glad we stuck with it.

In the end, he sort of did skate...at least he could stand on his own.

Crop at Kim's

Last night, February 2nd, 2008, I held a small scrapbooking crop at my home. We had a group of 4, there was lots of talking and laughing, but verry little scrapbooking got done. It was fun!