I had a pile of sand in a bowl that I was going to take a picture of and title it "The Sand From One Shoe On Any Given School Day" and post it on the blog. But my husband saw sand in a bowl and of course dumped it out so it wouldn't spill all over. Not that it really matters...there is sand all over my house (of mostly wood floors) from the school playground. So I have no picture to go with this post. I haven't dumped any sand out of shoes today.
Speaking of shoes, Andy lost his Sunday shoes at my sister's house. They were found eventually but we forgot to get them before Sunday. He wore his school shoes to church.
On Monday morning we could not find one of his school shoes. He had to settle with wearing old shoes he doesn't like because he can't run in them because the backs are broken down. (Can you imagine Andy not running? didn't think so).
Tuesday was soccer practice. We could only find one cleat. (Note: this is the last week of soccer and most of this spring I have been very good at keeping the socks, shin guards, cleats, shirts, for two kids in one place. But at the end I fell down on the job). However, we did find his other school shoe! It was between the mattress and the footboard of Cameron's bed. So he wore his 'skate' school shoes to soccer practice. Later (after he was at practice) we found his other cleat in the van.
On Wednesday morning, the shoes he had worn to soccer practice (and wears everyday to school) came up missing. They are still missing. He has had to wear the shoes he can't run in to school all week.
April 30, 2010
April 26, 2010
The BFG (Big Friendly Giant)
I found The BGF by Roald Dahl at the thrift store and remembered how much my oldest son liked it. So I bought it for 99 cents and have been reading it to my younger kids. We have been enjoying it, though I have to say that it is a bit hard to read out loud as the giants talk very oddly and mix up words and such. Brennen remembers reading it too in elementary and has been sitting in on our reading sessions occasionally.
The other thing that is fun is that Dustin and the little kids talk about it with each other--the part the little kids just read, funny parts, the biggest giant, etc.
How to connect teenagers to little kids? Read a favorite book.
The other thing that is fun is that Dustin and the little kids talk about it with each other--the part the little kids just read, funny parts, the biggest giant, etc.
How to connect teenagers to little kids? Read a favorite book.
April 23, 2010
Frustrations
from a website I was reading:
"(Washington, D.C.) April 17, 2006 - Parents of children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) express frustration when their children experience emotional meltdowns for seemingly no reason. "
So I am expressing my frustration. AAHHHH!!!
Meltdowns at our house by our 8-year-old are quite frequent. And usually unpredictable "seemingly for no reason."
The other day he got it in his head that he wanted to buy a kite. We got in the car after Brennen's baseball game. Andy said "Now we can go get my kite." I said "No we can't. It is almost 8:00, time to go home and get ready for bed". Major meltdown time. In the car.
He won't quit the 10 to 15 minute ride. I took away computer time for the next day. More meltdown.
I know. You are thinking, "Just do (whatever)". "Just stop the car and (whatever)." If you haven't experienced these kind of irrational meltdowns you just don't get it. (I don't get it either actually). I have four other children and they don't have meltdowns, like this. Yes, there have been typical childhood tantrums, but not like child #3. Believe me, this is different, and very frustrating. (Child #2 had some pretty good ones, but only when he was younger).
We have had these battles and meltdowns for years, but as he gets older they seem to be getting worse. I just haven't found any answers yet. Stay calm? Don't fight back? Ignore it? Easier said than done.
I know he needs to learn how to calm himself down . . . If only I could figure out a way to teach that to him.
"(Washington, D.C.) April 17, 2006 - Parents of children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) express frustration when their children experience emotional meltdowns for seemingly no reason. "
So I am expressing my frustration. AAHHHH!!!
Meltdowns at our house by our 8-year-old are quite frequent. And usually unpredictable "seemingly for no reason."
The other day he got it in his head that he wanted to buy a kite. We got in the car after Brennen's baseball game. Andy said "Now we can go get my kite." I said "No we can't. It is almost 8:00, time to go home and get ready for bed". Major meltdown time. In the car.
He won't quit the 10 to 15 minute ride. I took away computer time for the next day. More meltdown.
I know. You are thinking, "Just do (whatever)". "Just stop the car and (whatever)." If you haven't experienced these kind of irrational meltdowns you just don't get it. (I don't get it either actually). I have four other children and they don't have meltdowns, like this. Yes, there have been typical childhood tantrums, but not like child #3. Believe me, this is different, and very frustrating. (Child #2 had some pretty good ones, but only when he was younger).
We have had these battles and meltdowns for years, but as he gets older they seem to be getting worse. I just haven't found any answers yet. Stay calm? Don't fight back? Ignore it? Easier said than done.
I know he needs to learn how to calm himself down . . . If only I could figure out a way to teach that to him.
April 15, 2010
Contagious
We are contagious. Pink eye and impetigo.
Cameron has been to the doctor for pink eye. (some complaining: It took two and a half hours from the time I left home, saw the doctor, and picked up the prescription. I knew he had pink eye. I know how to treat it. Why can't I just buy some eye drops?!?) So pink eye is very contagious and I got it too, and used Cameron's drops. Then Andy woke up with a little bit of goop in his eye. I wasn't taking any chances so I put drops in his eye. But I had to take him down to do it. Great wrestling moves I have, even though he is 8 now and weighs more than 50 pounds. After the take down, I sat on his chest pinning his arms down between my legs (more like kneeling over his chest--not crushing him or anything) and put a drop in his eye. If you haven't learned this move yet and you are a parent of children who resist taking medicine or eye-drops, you should because it is very useful. I learned it with my oldest son. Anyway, so far no one else in the house has gotten it. Cameron can go back to preschool and church and playing with friends in a day or so as his eyes are pretty clear now.
Janessa had what I thought was a cold sore on the side of her mouth. But it never really went away and then flaired up again. So my mom and I think it is impetigo, which is an infection of the skin. However, it isn't spreading and she only has the one sore so I am not positive. Impetigo is contagious too, but she as she is not a baby putting toys in her mouth, it is okay to send her to school. I am treating it with antiboitic cream. If it doesn't get better soon, I will make another trip to the doctor.
Cameron has been to the doctor for pink eye. (some complaining: It took two and a half hours from the time I left home, saw the doctor, and picked up the prescription. I knew he had pink eye. I know how to treat it. Why can't I just buy some eye drops?!?) So pink eye is very contagious and I got it too, and used Cameron's drops. Then Andy woke up with a little bit of goop in his eye. I wasn't taking any chances so I put drops in his eye. But I had to take him down to do it. Great wrestling moves I have, even though he is 8 now and weighs more than 50 pounds. After the take down, I sat on his chest pinning his arms down between my legs (more like kneeling over his chest--not crushing him or anything) and put a drop in his eye. If you haven't learned this move yet and you are a parent of children who resist taking medicine or eye-drops, you should because it is very useful. I learned it with my oldest son. Anyway, so far no one else in the house has gotten it. Cameron can go back to preschool and church and playing with friends in a day or so as his eyes are pretty clear now.
Janessa had what I thought was a cold sore on the side of her mouth. But it never really went away and then flaired up again. So my mom and I think it is impetigo, which is an infection of the skin. However, it isn't spreading and she only has the one sore so I am not positive. Impetigo is contagious too, but she as she is not a baby putting toys in her mouth, it is okay to send her to school. I am treating it with antiboitic cream. If it doesn't get better soon, I will make another trip to the doctor.
April 14, 2010
A "Sister" for Janessa
Her name is Echo. Janessa wanted to name her Snowball but was out voted. She is half chihuahua and half pomeranian. Cute, fun, but doesn't know how to potty outside. She just plays with and eats the weeds and rocks. And I thought I was done potty training!
April 7, 2010
Another Andy Story
Andy got a new wallet. In fact he bought it from Brennen, who is making and selling duct tape wallets. So far Bren has made about $15 I think. (Well, he spent $25 on colored duct tape so he hasn't cleared a profit yet).
Andy was excited to put his money in his wallet. He got out his coins and asked his dad to change it into dollars. Then he got his library card out of his Dad's wallet and put it in his new wallet. Then he asked his dad "Now, how do I get credit cards?"
Andy was excited to put his money in his wallet. He got out his coins and asked his dad to change it into dollars. Then he got his library card out of his Dad's wallet and put it in his new wallet. Then he asked his dad "Now, how do I get credit cards?"
Memories and Healing
I wanted to post a little about our vacation to Utah. But we have been home two weeks now so it is old news. And I have never downloaded the pictures to the computer. I will mention it though. Two days after Scott was home from the hospital with his broken arm we packed the van, packed up our dad and headed to Utah for our spring break. We enjoyed seeing family and friends and the most important thing, and the reason we went, is the kids made memories with cousins (and aunts and uncles).
I should post about Easter and conference. Despite fighting a cold, I had a great weekend. My sister and my brother and his family were in town and it was fun to all be together. Conference was enjoyable and relaxing. We had a small Easter party at my house Saturday late afternoon and celebrated my mom's birthday on Sunday. Again, cousins enjoyed being together and made great memories.
The last few weeks have been busy, and we have had to make a few adjustments. Scott is healing nicely and got his heavy splint off last week. He is now wearing a 'high tech' brace that allows his elbow a little bit of movement. Every few weeks the brace will be adjusted to allow more and more movement until he has full range of motion again. He is excited to see daily progress. Though it is his elbow that broke into pieces, it effected his whole arm including his hand and finger and wrist movements, and also lifting his shoulder. He was pretty excited that other day when he was able to lift his arm high enough to reach the light switch. And he can turn his wrist enough now to type (as long as his arm is propped up). And he no longer needs the sling as he can hold his arm without it. And big progess is that he can now take a shower all by himself! He needs us less and less...
I had to do a lot of his computer work the first week and a half or so. But now we are pretty much back to normal--he is in the office and me back trying to keep up with housework, kids and laundry.
He has a great attitude about it all. I know he is discouraged a bit about the things he can't do and that it will take a while, probably through the summer, before he is back to 'normal'. However, he doesn't show it and makes jokes and laughs at himself, which makes it easier for all of us.
I should post about Easter and conference. Despite fighting a cold, I had a great weekend. My sister and my brother and his family were in town and it was fun to all be together. Conference was enjoyable and relaxing. We had a small Easter party at my house Saturday late afternoon and celebrated my mom's birthday on Sunday. Again, cousins enjoyed being together and made great memories.
The last few weeks have been busy, and we have had to make a few adjustments. Scott is healing nicely and got his heavy splint off last week. He is now wearing a 'high tech' brace that allows his elbow a little bit of movement. Every few weeks the brace will be adjusted to allow more and more movement until he has full range of motion again. He is excited to see daily progress. Though it is his elbow that broke into pieces, it effected his whole arm including his hand and finger and wrist movements, and also lifting his shoulder. He was pretty excited that other day when he was able to lift his arm high enough to reach the light switch. And he can turn his wrist enough now to type (as long as his arm is propped up). And he no longer needs the sling as he can hold his arm without it. And big progess is that he can now take a shower all by himself! He needs us less and less...
I had to do a lot of his computer work the first week and a half or so. But now we are pretty much back to normal--he is in the office and me back trying to keep up with housework, kids and laundry.
He has a great attitude about it all. I know he is discouraged a bit about the things he can't do and that it will take a while, probably through the summer, before he is back to 'normal'. However, he doesn't show it and makes jokes and laughs at himself, which makes it easier for all of us.
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