Wednesday

Today was pretty cool. Jason usually throws a huge fit if you turn of his "stories". I started getting him dressed and told him about 3 times we were getting ready to go to preschool. When it was actually time to leave, I turned off the t.v. and said, "It's time to go to Pre-school. Come on." Believe it or not, he walked to the door without a hassle! It was priceless!!!

I started out on the wrong side of the bed, but my SWEET BABY BOY let me take a nap. Well, he took a nap, so I got to. So when the kids got home I was amazingly well rested.

Brett got home from work, and we ran to soccer practice. After the last soccer game, I told Brett I'd be happy to coach the goalies a little. At least, I would be happy if their wasn't anyone else to help them. It was quite fun. The little goalie I worked with first came out of his shell pretty quick. Then, one of the other kids that wants to be goalie started begging for his chance to be trained. It was kind of cute. Duncan seems to be picking up on defense quite well. If he really wants to continue, I think he has a future.

We finished up and got home for dinner and homework. Duncan practiced his violin. He's only on lessons 3-6 right now, but he was keeping time and everything. The book comes with a CD, that they can play along with, so I think he might end up being able to play. Way to go Duncan.

Samantha and Tori did their Braille homework. Marcia has started the girls bringing home actual readers and stories. Samantha told me she had to read the book with her eyes before she used her fingers. I smiled and told her we needed to try it with just her fingers first. I told her she could see the pictures when she was finished reading the pages. She was so proud of herself. She got a big grin on her face.

Tori is AMAZING! She just shocks me with how she is picking this up. She reads beautifully. I also love that I don't have to watch her eyes getting visibly exhausted as she reads. She is so AWESOME!!!!

Tuesday & Wednesday

The kids have had a fun couple of days. The only thing I can think for Tuesday was Duncan got to go with the scouts to a zip line. He had a lot of fun, and wanted t go again. His buddy Curtis slept over and stayed at our house just about all day. He then slept over again Wednesday night. He is becoming a permanent fixture in our home.

Tori and Sam went to my sister Leslie's house to help out with her kids. Tori can be quite helpful when she has the mind to be. I threatened them to get along or I wouldn't let Sam go back. And if Tori started it just to get Sam in trouble I wouldn't let her help Leslie anymore. They came home and Leslie said they got along the whole time. They are back there again today.

Jason has actually been playing with his toys in his room. He hasn't been interested in his toys much until the last couple weeks. Another fun bit of progress.This is what I endure all day long. Yesterday he actually put his feet up against the wall and I couldn't get him off me. He's a strong little bugger.
Brett made ribs yesterday. I got them for really cheep! He did a good job! Especially considering they were the first ribs he's ever cooked. He already has some ideas to make them better, but even the kids cleaned there plates.

Wednesday

Yesterday was Samantha's school celebration of her birthday. She told me she wanted to bring donuts. I forgot!! Until about 1:30pm. I ran to Dick's Market, which have the best glazed donuts in my opinion, and dropped off the donuts right as they were finishing up talking about what Samantha's favorite things were. She was VERY excited to see me.

I looked out my window about 4:00pm, and the awesome neighbor boys were working on getting the last stump out. Again, very sweet boys.

Brett is almost done with the fire pit. I'm excited to try it out. We will be able to grill on it as well as do dutch oven cooking or just plain roasting marshmallows. Hopefully we'll be able to do a lot of cooking outside this summer, since cooking inside always heats the house up so much!

Joel watched Jason draw the other day and thinks he is getting visual stimulation with his drawing. He's just to intricate in his drawing, as well as the fact that he will not draw without having his nose to the paper.

I gave Jason a bath yesterday and I got him out, put his diaper on and before I could blink he was running into the bathroom and head diving into the water. He's also figured out how to turn on the water. So I think he was in the tub about 7 times yesterday.

Tuesday

Yesterday was quite the day. We had Jean, Paula, and one more lady come over to the house for Jason's transition from early intervention to the preschool program. It was quick and to the point. I can go see the preschool class in action, it should be at Bountiful Elementary. We will start assessments and IEP's in August.

I'm struggling with Jason's intensity, so Brett came home and took me to lunch. It was a much needed break!! Of course in the midst of eating Jason took a bite out of my arm. So that's another thing I have to get him something to salve it. I've gotta buy him some chewlery. they sell it on amazon so I'll be ordering that soon.

Then Joel came over with another guy Brett. Brett wanted to observe. Jason loves to be brushed. Yesterday, it kind of put him to sleep. It was quite entertaining. I told him about the biting as well as his pinching, and he gave me some ideas to help there.

I couldn't take Samantha to dance because Joel came over at 4:00pm. Which is the time that Samantha had to be to dance class. Then Brett got home and started to dig another stump. We have some really sweet teenagers in our area. They'd probably die if they knew I thought they were sweet. They were armed with shovel, pick-ax, and Axe. They helped Brett remove another stump. There is only one more to take out and then maybe we can get this thing figured out.

I took Tori to dance. When it was time to pick her up I brought Jason with me because Brett was still digging. When we got home Brett was gone. I wasn't sure what was going on since Duncan and Samantha were still home, but I called Brett instead of asking the kids. He was over giving on of the guys in our ward a blessing, because he is starting school again. I'm glad my husband can do those types of things. It sure makes you feel good.

Then we went to dinner. Yes, we ate out twice in one day. Something we don't do. But, it was so nice!!! Now back to normal life.

Sunday

Sunday was a joint Relief Society and Priesthood meeting. We discussed emergency preparedness, and self reliance. I'm going to try and figure out a good menu that my family likes and stock up on those things.

Then of course we went and ate dinner with my folks. Still feels really weird, to not visit the in-laws.

Thursday

My 2:00am bedtime is really not working for me. I'm trying to just take care of the kids and be a Mom because Jason doesn't like me to work. However I've gone to bed every night at 2:00am. Then I'm not able to move in the morning. I did get up to do hair and then promptly fell back to sleep. Thank goodness no destruction occurred this morning. Jason mainly sat on top of me. It's amazing how I can sleep through just about anything.

There was a very long train that ran by the house today. I checked on Jason and he was looking out his window. I'm glad it was a long train or I wouldn't have got this picture.

Duncan and Tori had their water fight at school today. If they meet their AR goal they get to have a water fight during PE. Samantha will get to have hers tomorrow.

Tori had her 4th grade program. She did AWESOME!!! She sang a solo and also sang in the a small choir. She was so relaxed during her solo, I was quite impressed. She sounded beautiful. She hit every note right on, and didn't seem to even care that she was singing to a huge room full of people. I think she has a future. We'll have to get her to sing a solo or two in church. The kids favorite part of the program was 3 boys lip syncing "16 tons". Tori has talking about that all week. Here are the videos. I hope you enjoy!!

As a side note, I ended up with a stow away in my van on the way to the program. I told the kids to hurry and get in the car, I wanted to get good seats so that I could record Tori's solo. Tori giggled all the way to school. I asked her if she was nervous. To which she promptly replied, "No!" I assumed she was just dealing with the butterfly's in her stomach. I stopped at a stop sign and Curtis, Duncan's friend, popped up out from behind the back seats. He ended up staying and helping Duncan torment Tori. They just couldn't resist making her laugh.

Wednesday

I had a physical this morning. Always nice. I got blood drawn, a tetanus shot and all sorts of stuff. So far so good, my blood pressure is way below what it usually is, and now I just have to wait for the lovely news about my cholesterol.

Jaosn's black eye is coming along nicely.
Samantha had ballet and tap tonight. I told her that Duncan had scouts and I was going to have to pick her up a little early tonight. She asked me if I could pick her up before they started tap dance. I asked her why? She said, "Mom, we have to practice over and over and over again, and it just hurts my feet." That's my girl.

Tori took Jason into the back yard for me for that hour, I got a little work done thank goodness. Jason really just wants my attention every minute of every day.

Duncan received his Scout badge at the Court of Honor tonight. He also led the Scout Law. He was very excited and he loves being a scout!!

Jason was so excited that while Duncan was pinning me with the mother's pin he got up on the piano and did a little serenading for him. Nothing is more respectful then a two year old pounding on the piano. That was just AWESOME!!

Tuesday

I stayed up until 2am last night getting work done. Jason really doesn't like me to work. Then I woke up at 5:30am with Jason crying. He wasn't ready to get up so we got him to go back to sleep. The problem is I have an ear infection. I know because I couldn't lie down, it hurt too much. That and the fact that there is a continuous buzzing in my ears. Poor Jason, it's been a while since I've had an ear infection but I'm now very empathetic to what he goes through. I took some motrine and thank goodness it kicked in pretty quick. I've been groggy and tired the rest of the morning, but no pain yet. Just uncomfortable pressure. I have a doctors appointment tomorrow so I'm going to wait until then to get a prescription.

I lounged around today. I don't know if it's been the ear infection or just plain exhaustion. The kids are home from school, and I haven't done anything. What a non-productive day.

I did however make ice cream. You know, it's like sitting around all day eating bon bon's. Lazy equals the need for ice cream. OK actually, I did buy the ingredients on Friday. I just thought I'd do it today. I found a recipe for Dole Pineapple Whip, and I wanted to try it. My one downfall is I used a can of pineapple juice that I already had in the freezer, and it was not Dole. I'll have to remember that for next time. However, Duncan licked the mixer attachment clean and Tori finished off the last bit in the bowl. It's not too bad.

Duncan had try-outs again. Brett picked up Samantha on the way home and then changed and took Duncan out the door. I might see him around 7:30pm.

My sister Traci bought Sam this cute outfit. I wanted to take a picture of it before she ran outside to play in the sand box.

Tori got her leg stuck in the couch yesterday. Yes, the couch. I heard her screaming from downstairs, "Help ME!" I ran downstairs and she had stood up on the couch and her leg had slipped behind on of the wooden cross pieces. She thinks it's bruised so she had to put some ice on it today.
I took this picture right before bed time. Isn't his eye turning a beautiful shade of purple.
****Note to self, do not buy Jordan Almonds to have around the house. Candy + Crunchy=Jason's favorite. Sweet, and some intense sensory input means he climbs up on my desk to get them out of my cupboard, and then of course they aren't exactly the safest candy for a 2 year old to eat. They are however, my favorite candy.****

Monday

It snowed this morning. Isn't summer supposed to be here soon? Please???? I'm begging!

Jason and I took a nap today! Lovely!! It was not intended but, he takes so long to fall asleep that most of the time, I'm not far behind him.

Tori and Samantha had Hip-Hop. They only have one more Hip-Hop practice before the recital. Strange, the days just seemed to be whizzing by.

Tori is the student of the week this week in her class. She said, "Mom, there are lots of people who like me. A lot of them said they'd like to get to know me better." Her teacher has everyone write a nice letter about the student of the week. I'm pretty sure all of Tori's issues are in her head. Counseling here we come.....

Samantha was ready to run and play as soon as we got home from dance. I ended up with a bunch of kids from the neighborhood at my house while Samantha was over at a friends house.

Jason was swinging in his swing, in his room, and smacked his head on the shelf. He's got a HUGE goose egg. He cried for about 2 minutes, and then was back to normal. That's my boy!

Duncan had try-outs for soccer. I think this year will be a positive one. Hopefully it won't take too much of our time!!!!

Sunday

Sunday was a day of exhaustion and attempting to stay awake. Jason didn't sleep well Saturday night so Brett and I struggled with our energy level. We went to church, and enjoyed the lessons. We had some really good speakers too.

Brett is conducting the ward choir so we all had to stay. Brett is running a little short on singers. Tori was a big help and kept an eye on Jason. Samantha also helped a little. Duncan is my little tenor. He's trying.

We ran up to Grandma and Grandpa Siddoway's house to get some brick for a project that we are going to be doing for the summer. I dropped Brett and Duncan off and then pulled out of the drive way to go to my Mom's house. Jason cried for 40 minutes. He was ticked!!!! We went to Grandma and Grandpa's house and didn't go inside!!! I think he is really missing them.

Then we ate dinner and had birthday cake for my Grandma and Brett. I owe Brett a chocolate cake. One year grandma bought carrot cake, this year it was spice cake. Not Brett's favorite. I will have to get on making him a good one!

Friday

It's been a while since I posted anything. This weekend has been a little crazy! Jason didn't sleep well last week, but he's finally seeming to be back on a routine.

Friday was pretty mild, other then my crazy boy never sits still.

The kids got out of school early, and then the girls had to go to a big Jazz practice with the rest of the girls in Jazz. All students that are in Jazz class are in this one number. The girls had fun and they got their pictures taken with the group as well.

Brett had a meeting with a couple other couches to discuss what will be coming next year. I think they have come up with a good way to have a successful year, that won't cost as much. There also should be 4 coaches total so maybe their will be less stress for Brett.

Play Group, Painting, Neighbors, Music, and Dance

Jason and I had a hard time waking up yesterday morning. I wasn't really sure we were going to make it to Playgroup on time but we were successful. Jason does really good with the schedule strip. He really understanding what they want him to do. He sat through circle time pretty well. He really likes the train song. He smiles every time we do the actions to that one. They have a bubble machine and instead of jumping up and running through them as the other kids do, he lays down and lets them fall on top of him. Kind of a funny reaction if you ask me.

We then played with the play dough. Jason is my artsy boy. He loves anything that he can create with.

I love the look on his face here.
Then Kerianne pulled out a tent and tunnel. He wanted to just sit in the tunnel and hang out. Of course there were three other kids there so that wasn't quite as successful as he wanted it to be. He actually participated in his own way though. The last time he wouldn't even look at the kids.
We got home and Mom came over to do some more painting. She isn't liking the way the backward sunflower is looking so she will repaint that to be a forward facing sunflower. The girls get excited everytime they come home and it's been added to. Jason and I sat on the girls beds and watched Mom paint. Jason was enthralled, and then he wanted to help. He was so cute, he kept crinkling his eye brows and bighting his lip as he watched Grandma paint.

I finally got Jason down for a nap, and the kids were home from school. Our new neighbor came over and we talked on the front porch until Brett came home from work.

Brett let me jump back into working at this point and made dinner. Right before he had to run to a stake music meeting. The poor guy has had more stuff to do after work this week then ever. He wants me to go to the Organ lessons. Ya, right!!!!

Tori had Ballet and Tap while Brett was at his meeting. I'll be glad when we finally get a good break.

Tori, Dance, Scouts, and Soccer

Jason hasn't been sleeping very well, so I'm really sorry if this entry makes no sense.

Tori has been struggling at school lately. She tells me she has no friends. I asked her how many she has and she said, 5 or 6. I'm not sure if this is really Tori's way of looking at the bad side of things or if she is really feeling alone. We'll be working on that and hopefully she'll be happier.

Samantha had ballet last night. She played with her friends until about 15 minutes before we had to leave. Some days it's like pulling teeth to get her inside to change for dance.

Duncan had scouts last night. He will be earning his first merit badge next week. I'm not sure what it is, but he's very excited.

Brett had a coaches meeting last night. It was for the upcoming tryouts and next years fees. If Duncan really decides to continue it will cost us $1,200.00 for him to play next year. Thank goodness it won't be all at the same time!!!!!

Rain, Jean, Joel, Dance, and Achievement Days

Yesterday was nothing but appointments and running around. That and the rain. I'm not sure that I can be too upset about this since we really can always use the rain.

Jean Fowles came to see Jason yesterday morning. She brought a questionnaire to fill out for his transition meeting. I asked her where he would most likely be going to preschool, and she said that would be determined at the meeting. More info to come on that.

Then the kids got home from school and Samantha had Jazz and Tori had Achievement days. I ran them to their respective places and then ran home to do a bit of cleaning. It always feels like I just get started on something and I have to go back and get them again. Cleaning is something I can drop without having to finish the next thing. I know I'm pathetic.

I knew that Joel was going to be there very soon to see Jason so I left Duncan home and told him not to let Joel leave I'd be back soon. Tori, being herself was the only girl to not come out and see if her mother was there to get her. I had to go knock on the door and get her out of the house. I swear she senses when I need her to hurry and slows down. Then I got stopped by a train on the way to the dance studio. Finally I got there and Samantha was absorbed in something so I had to go inside and get her as well.

I finally got home and yes Joel's car was parked outside. Brett's was there as well, thank goodness. I got Jason inside and they got to work with the occupational therapy. He said that Duncan was very cute when he knocked on the door. He had his hands up and said, "My mom told me not to let you leave, she will be back in a few minutes. Come inside and sit down." That's my boy. Jason is getting very good with the routine that Joel has. He knows whats coming next and what Joel wants to do. He's also making some really good eye contact, and he's anticipating what Joel is going to do next.

After Joel left, I laid down on my bed. WHEW running is over. Then at 6:15pm Tori comes upstairs and says I need to go to Dance. She was already 15 minutes late. So I ran out the door, got her to the studio as quickly as I could. Then I went to pick up some pizza at Little Ceasars, by the time they were done with our food, it was time to go get Tori again. I think I drove for over an hour. Sigh.....Isn't that life?

Painting, Dance, Missing Tooth, Cleaning, and Tired boy.

My Mom got a new shift so she is working 4am-12:30pm. I would hate it but she is sooooo excited. She came down around 2:00pm and started painting the girls mural again. It will get done someday.

The girls had Hip Hop yesterday. I went to pick them up and Tori had a cup of water, and asked if I wanted a drink. Of course I was VERY suspicious. I looked in the cup and there was a little tooth in the bottom of the cup. I looked at Tori and asked her if it was her tooth. Then Samantha smiled and I could see that it was her tooth. As you can see she is still missing a lot of teeth. Will they ever grow back???

I asked the kids to clean the frontroom for me. Tori was sweet and put on an apron and went to town.

Duncan tried to find any excuse possible to not clean. I even had to show him how the cushions went on the couch. He makes me laugh, he'll mow the lawn with out balking but ask him to pick up the house and it's like pulling teeth.

Samantha advised me more then once that she was like a maid. This was said with a big smile on her face so I didn't feel too bad about it.

Jason was on his mattress by our bed until he was almost asleep. He stood up with his eyes not quite being able to stay open and whined until I picked him up. This boy has me wrapped around his little finger. He's such a cute little thing though.

Church and Grandma Childs

Not too much occurred yesterday. Jason got up at his usual time. The other kids were downstairs watching t.v. The only difference is I got up to take care of Jason instead of Brett. He slept until about 10:30am. He never sleeps this late so I'm sure he needed it. Probably spawned from sleeping on the ground Friday night.

We went to church and had a great lesson on the prophets out of the gospel principles book. Our teacher is very good and always prepared. Then during Sunday School Brett decided he needed to meet with the pianist for the choir and discuss the practice that would be after church. Neither one of them really knows the music that they are supposed to be performing soon. In the middle of class Samantha's teacher poked his head in and there was Sam tears in her eyes. Sadly I knew it was nothing. So I got up and asked what was going on. She got her feelings hurt. Her poor teacher said they hadn't been doing anything that should have gotten her feelings hurt. They were just playing Simon Says. She has two men teachers. They really don't know how to deal with my Samantha. So I asked her what was going on after her teacher left her with me. She explained they had been playing Simon Says and Olivia was talking so she couldn't hear very well, so she got out. So Olivia hurt her feelings. REALLY?????? I told her she could go back to class or sit with me. She chose to sit with me. Then during sacrament Jason decided that he really didn't want to be there so we spent the first 10 minutes in the foyer. Brett of course was up on the stand to lead the music so the other kids were by themselves on the bench. Samantha was on one so she was under the bench playing with a 1 year old that had climbed under there too. The problem with that is Samantha CANNOT be quiet. So I went back to sit down hoping that Jason would be good. I did remember some snacks in the diaper bag so that helped him behave. Samantha however wanted to get up and run around. So she had to sit next to me in hopes that she would behave there. She was only slightly better. Brett had choir practice after church so I left Duncan with him and went home to fix rice for dinner.

We went to my Mom's for tacos. Within five minutes of us being there, Jason had dumped red punch on his new white shirt. I knew I should have changed his clothes. He went shirtless after that. Everything else was pretty uneventful. We played a little soccer, and I got to hold some babies. Gotta love holding babies.

Laundry, Yard Work, Showers, and Soccer

Yesterday was Laundry day. It will probably continue through today as well. I'm trying to get caught up so MAYBE I don't have to spend all my free time folding clothes. wish me luck.

Duncan got home from camping and I sent him right back outside to mow the lawn. Mean huh? He did a good job! We even moved the tramp and swing set so he could get under those. Then Brett got out the weed eater and finished it off. I'm excited for my back yard this summer. It should be a lot of fun.

My cousin Lisa is having a baby. This will be her first and it's a little boy. We're so excited for her! She had her baby shower yesterday so we made brownies and headed over to my Aunts house. The girls had fun playing with their cousins and it was nice to just sit down and not worry about Jason.

Duncan had his final soccer game of the season. They got spanked. However, they played really well! The only reason they lost as much as they did was because they were asleep for about the first 15 minutes. I swear that is the biggest problem with our team. Once they realize that they are out on the soccer field they play really well!!! I think Brett will end up coaching again.....which means another year of putting up with crappy Refs and wanting to punch crappy parents. But Duncan really wants to do it again, so it will probably happen.

Dance pictures and the Fathers and Son's

Jason and I pretty much hung out on Friday. I took this picture as proof that I do give him a bath.

Then the girls had dance pictures. That was quite the trial. I forgot Tori's Jazz paints, and Samantha's shoes. I had to run home after dropping them off, so that they'd be there if I missed anything. Then when I got back to the school I realized Jason was stinky. I didn't bring the diaper bag. So Brett had to come pick up Jason bring him home to be changed, and get ready for the father's and sons.

I gave Duncan the Flip camera so he could take pictures. Brett is not very good at taking pictures. He forgets. So the video that is uploaded to Photobucket is all Duncan's doing. It's quite entertaining.

Soccer and Hair

Duncan had another soccer game tonight. Thank goodness the season is almost over!!! They didn't have refs because it was a make-up from a preseason game. According to Brett and Duncan the score was 3-2 for them. If you asked the other coach it was 2-1 for them. From the sounds of it I'd say it was for Duncan's team. Of course I'm biased.

The girls have dance pictures today so I gave the girls corn rows so their hair will be crazy wavy. We'll see what I can do with them after they get home from school.

Grounding, Dance, and Scouts

Yesterday I woke up to Duncan in my room in pain. Samantha had decided it was a good idea to kick him in the goods. She was cooking her pancake on a stick, in the microwave. There was 1 second left before it beeped and Duncan opened the door. Samantha decided that was rude and kicked him. Then when I got mad at her she punched Duncan because he told on her. We had a nice talk and she was grounded for the day. I'm not sure it even made a difference though. The girl can decide anything is what she wanted.

Sam had Ballet & Tap. I'd have kept her home if it wasn't so close to the recital. She is quite the monkey.

Tori played with Jason in the back yard for a while. She pushes him on the swing, and he doesn't let go for anything. If she tells him it's time to get off and go inside he holds on tighter and leans back. So she pushes him some more. He is starting to wrap her around his finger too.

Duncan had scouts. The did service projects. The help our neighbor finish laying sod, and then had cookies down at one of the leaders houses. He's quite enjoying scouts!!!