Shepherd's Pie

My kids absolutely love this recipe. So I thought I would share.

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/easy_shepherds_pie/

I add fresh rosemary to the meat as it's cooking. I really like rosemary, if you don't like it, don't add it! =)

Firehouse Fitness

Our fitness trainer Jason took this lovely post workout picture and posted it on Facebook.....rude!!!

Of course now I'm posting it on my blog so how can I complain. I told him I'd only allow it if he'd replace it ever two weeks or so! =P

Jason

Jason had speech therapy yesterday. I got him there right as the therapist was getting ready to leave, because I was fifteen minutes late. Since she was keeping him in the class room I decided to film a little of it.

Hunter's Safety

Duncan's friend Curtis somehow had a hunter's safety class scheduled at his house. Of course Duncan had to go!!! He was psyched and had to tell me all about every class when he got home. He went for about 3 hours a day, for about 6 days, and then had to go shooting.

They took a written test at the end of the class and my smart little bugger, tied for the highest score. 49/50. He tied with one adult for the highest, and got a higher score than the other adult taking the class. Ya that's right......I've got a pretty smart kid!!! =)

Brett took Duncan out to the shooting range on Saturday, and apparently it was FREEZING!!! Brett came home ready to jump under the covers, and that is not like my husband.

Getting ready.......
Firing.....
And of course he was so proud of his shooting ability. I think this bunny is dead!!!

Crazy

I'm trying to figure out how to settle down my life. Is that ever going to be possible? Probably not until I'm old a gray. Brett and I joined a gym, Fire House Fitness. It's a boot camp type class, where you do rounds of different exercises, so you can "trick" your body into working out better. This is something that needs to be done. Who knows if Jason will ever be able to be independent??? If not, then I have to be physically fit enough to help him as long as I can. Right now, I wouldn't even remotely say I'm fit.......So again, we have added to our schedule. Right now Duncan doesn't have soccer, so that is at least a good thing. Tori has swimming lessons twice a week, we are trying to get her ready to join the swim team. Samantha has swimming once a week, and when she finally decides to buckle down and pay attention we will look into the swim team for her as well. Jason never stops!! So with the new job and the new gym, I swear I'm losing my mind! My schedule is completely thrown off, and I can't even seem to figure out when to cook dinner. Sigh..... Another unknown is the fact the the principal was in to see me working with T yesterday, and to see if I can sign enough to be his signing person. I'm friends with his Aunt, and I know his Mother. I love these kids, and I would LOVE to work with T. So if that comes through I'll go from working in the afternoon to working mornings. This will be good in the long run but I REALLY hate not having my life nailed down!!!! Oh Well......

The Game

Today was quite a busy one. When I was growing up my parents thought up "The Game". To this day they argue over who thought it up, but it's a good idea none the less.

You put everyone in different rooms, set the timer for ten minutes and clean until the timer goes off. When the timer goes off you rotate rooms and continue until the house is clean. I think what makes it successful, is that everyone is in separate rooms, so they can't argue about who's doing what. Brilliant!

The kids worked hard, so we took them to Neilsen's Frozen Custard for a Concrete. They were awesome!!!

Moose and Zee

Jason loves Nick Jr. He quite enjoys the "Host's" of the show. They have some fun craft ideas and two of them were to make these cute little felt pillows. The felt at Joann's was 4 for a dollar so I figured I would make them and see how Jason reacted.

The girls helped me. Samantha helped me finish Moose and Tori helped me finish Zee. They had fun, even though I planned them for Jason.

I gave them to him this morning, and he smiled and covered his eyes. Then after a minute he pulled one of Zee's eyes off. I think these will end up in Samantha's room, but it was worth a try.

Duncan at the Dentist

Duncan had to get drilled again today. He's a tough kid, but I'd prefer him to NOT need to have cavities filled. =P

EEEEWWWWW!!!!!!

I'm so glad I wasn't home during this time on Saturday!!!! I went to Zumba for my sister Kristen's birthday. When I got home my poor husband was a little ticked off!!!

He was in the kitchen eating breakfast when Samantha yelled down the hall that Jason was taking off his diaper. So Brett told Sam to stop him and he'd be right in. When he got back Jason was naked, and the room smelled like poop.

He searched for his diaper which was clean when found, and Jason was clean????????? So he looked around on the floor and still couldn't find anything. Jason was standing on the heater vent........so Brett moved him and lifted up the vent cover.

AAAAAHHHHAAAA!!!!

Yes......Jason had taken off the vent cover, pooped in the vent, and put the vent cover back on.

I'm SOOOOOOO glad I wasn't home!!!!!

Wow

Having a job outside of the house has been really weird!!

I'm organizationally challenged right now.

I'm so absorbed that I can't remember half the stuff I'm supposed to do.

There are still 24 hours in the day, and I still only work 3 1/2 but I'm amazed at how fast the days are speeding by.

What has been going on lately????????

Duncan: is taking Hunters Safety. He thinks he is going to "kill himself a bear.." (or a deer). What ever.....

Tori: is taking swimming lessons twice a week. I'm hopeful this will help her get the strokes down better.

Samantha: is also taking swimming lessons but it's only 1 a week right now.

Jason: is spending a lot of time with his best-est friend Grandpa Siddoway. I'm so happy he has an appreciation for Papa. It does my heart good to see him connect with others.

Brett: has been sewing me a new vest. He's really enjoying the idea of being a taylor

Melanie: Having a ball with my kids and some very sweet kids in my class.

Well, that's about it for now. =)

New Job

We went to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate my new job on Tuesday. This job literally dropped into my lap. I was on Facebook one day and a friend of mine put that there was a job available at my kids school that needed someone who knew beginning sign language. So I looked into it. It has been a piece of cake to get.

I am now the T.A. for the Special Ed class at my kids school. These kids have some pretty intense disabilities, but I've enjoyed working with him this last week. They are such sweet kids, and they have been so good to accept me into their class. I enjoy working again! It's been 10 years since I worked outside of the house. I only have to work 3 1/2 hours a day, and I get off when the kids do.

Jason spends the time I'm at work with Grandma and Grandpa Siddoway. He doesn't even miss me. Although I do miss him!!!

Jason's Latest Hearing Test

We took Jason to the Audiologist yesterday. He did REALLY well! He gave her about 15 good minutes of listening. My baby worked really hard!!!

The final findings looked about the same as before. His hearing loss in his right ear seems to be about 25-30 DB's and it looks like he is having an issue with his left right now. I don't know if it's temporary or not.

The Audiologist suggested we fit him with two mild hearing aids. Now is the fun part. We'll see how long it takes us to save up for them. We'll probably have to get them one at a time. Keep your fingers crossed for us!!! =)

Playing with Papa

Jason LOVES Papa Siddoway.

Sledding in the new year!!