by Sarah | Jan 15, 2009 | All About Denver, Crap
I would homeschool Brandon. Because nights like tonight I think he really NEEDS it.
I don’t know where the boy gets it from. But tonight he cried for an hour because we told him he would NOT be going to school tomorrow. There is only a two hour delay (I’m sure because of the temperatures) – but we’ll be keeping him home the full day. We’re doing this mainly because, although he’s 11 (almost), we aren’t comfortable with him staying by himself for two hours and getting on the bus.Â
Somewhere along the line in the years he’s been in school he’s become obsessed with his attendance. I know it’s not our fault – but I wonder if it’s the schools. I’ve seen notes from them on occassion on how some funding can depend on the amount of unexcused absences – and how we all need to work toward perfect attendance.
Tonight he got so upset that I came to the conclusion that I need to keep him out of school more often. He is far too obsessed over it. He will not go without some learning tomorrow…I found some science stuff I had buried that we can do together…but he wont’ go to school. I’ll do it again next month if I have to.Â
I would love to homeschool for his middle school years…I don’t want him to have to face the horrendously cruel nature of the middle school children – he’s far too sensitive, they’ll rip him apart…but I don’t think I have the discipline…and I’d really have no clue where to begin…
Even Archie said (and you can ask him, cuz he reads this blog :P) – “You’re smart enough…I just don’t think you have the discipline.” I’m not in the least bit offended, because I agree *lol* But it doesn’t make me stop WANTING to (really…I do). I have wanted to since 2nd grade-ish – and he’s in 5th now *sigh*. I think my recent foray into doing exercises daily has given me more ideas that it could be possible…but then I think I’m wrong…
Advice…thoughts? Should I start keeping him out more? I won’t ignore his education on those days…but the kid is sooo sensitive and he’s like insanely focused on his perfect attendance. I need to shake it up or something.
by Sarah | Jan 14, 2009 | All About Kennedy, Hypotonia
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Today I have a valid reason for my complaining and picking at my Angel’s faults…so does that make it complaining and picking? I’ll pretend it doesn’t (don’t tell me otherwise if it isn’t…I’m feeling so good about this *G*).
Tomorrow (Thursday) is Angel’s appointment with her new Orthopaedist at the children’s hospital where her pulm is located. I’m excited, and anxious…worried that I’ll be let down again. So, in preparation I’m making a list (of compaints) to present to the doctor. You get the privilege of reading that list ;) Lucky you, right?
So here’s my best compilation, hopefully I won’t forget anything…
- PT notes state her spatial awareness is still off – making her a possible danger to herself.
- PT notes also state she still prefers her right side for balance and strength.
- PT notes lastly state that she demonstrates bilateral hip weakness.
- At home we’ve noticed a visible difference in the length/size of her legs. It used to be minor and you really had to look and get her lying perfectly straight – now we can see it from across the room – and her feet are officially different sizes.
- Could this be causing scoliosis? It’s genetic in the family, I’m worried that this can make it come on sooner and stronger for her. My mother has a hump in her back hers is so severe (mine is more minor – thank goodness for dance).
- Changing her diaper has always been a nightmare, she hates having her legs/hips bent.
- Now pushing her knees to her chest causes complaint/full blown fit. It appears like her hips make her uncomfortable.
- She is showing improvements, but is it compensating improvements or actual improvements?
I’m sure I’m forgetting something…I’ll update as I go…if I remember, or Archie reminds me of something.  Wish us luck tomorrow…we’re going to need it! I was so disappointed in the last ortho, I’m afraid I’m a bit negatively biased ahead of time.
by Sarah | Jan 10, 2009 | All About Kennedy, All About Molly, Crap
Because I missed yesterday’s post because of my FANTABULOUS* webhost – you get a twofer today!Â
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First an update on Hell (or potty training).
Yesterday I leared that the secret of potty training is in the underwear. When I went grocery shopping on Thursday night I swung by Wally’s baby dept to pick up some diapers and big girl underwear. At home I knew we had Dora and generics…but I was prepared to get the same – until I saw them. “My Little Pony” underwear. The girls have recently gotten into their ponies so I snatched up a set of them.
Yesterday morning I started. I showed them to Angel and got her on the potty. After a while she went and we got up. She started walking around pinching her knees together within about 10 minutes and went back on. It was on and off for a few hours….but she had no accidents at all yesterday. She went on the potty several times. She hasn’t learned to cue me, we’re still going on on my determination, but she’s on the right track.
To add to the mix, Riley decided she REALLY wanted in on those pony panties…and started sitting on the potty, too! We talked Daddy into going to Wally’s and picking up some for her…and he found TINKERBELL! Riley’s new PJ’s are Tinkerbell, so she’s all over that.Â
So Daddy came home with Tinkerbell panties and a new potty chair so we could do both girls at once. Riley had two accidents yesterday, but overall did well- and Angel had no accidents. We’re going to stick with it over the weekend and pray for the best!
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A brief update here on what’s going on with this.Â
1. For Body Image I managed to work out 3X (so far) this week. I’m heading down to the gym in a couple of hours. I learned that I can do yoga, pilates and the ball alternating here at home, but I crap out on cardio. Going to the gym gives me a way to do that AWAY from here (i.e. an excuse to get away) – without being annoyed by too peppy hosts. Give me an elliptical!
2. For Finances: First week of living on a budget was tough. We aren’t used to saying “No, can’t buy it I have $5 left.” The end result was happy, though. It looks like at the end of the month we’ll have a little cash in savings.
3. For Home & Family: We had sit down dinners I think 3 times this week (I didn’t keep track). I made dinner (taking pics of some of it) and cleaned as I went – the kitchen stayed mostly clean 3 out of 5 days. We had family game night just last night. For the cleaning portion, I found and adjusted for myself a chore list. I haven’t fully put it into effect, but I had Archie laminate it so I can reuse it. It will become a habit eventually, but it’s something I’m working toward.
That’s it for the week. Overall I’m very happy with the baby steps I’ve taken. Hopefully they will continue on.Â
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*And by FANTABULOUS I mean awful, horrible, no good, very bad…I’m very unhappy with them at the moment…and unless I’m granted a free year I’ll be taking the terrifying leap of trying a new host.Â
by Sarah | Jan 7, 2009 | All About Kennedy, All About Molly, Crap
Thus is where we are.
Riley -Â our beautiful, bright, intelligent, STUBBORN almost-4-year-old absolutely refuses to potty train.
Does she know what she’s doing and when she’s doing it? YOU BETCHA.
Does she do anything about it? HELL NO.
So…figuring that her stubborness combined with everything else would keep her refusing until she was darn good and ready we gave up (all except to ask if she’s going – to which she ALWAYS replies “no”)…which leaves me changing wet and poopy pull-ups 5-6 times a day – not to mention paying for them (Oy).
In turn, I look to my youngest. Angel – almost 3 now. We’ve had more on and off success with her than with Riley. We can catch her w/ a dry diaper and toss her on the potty and she’ll go.Â
So this week, amidst all of my other personal goals and challenges I decided that she would get trained – SOON. I’m sick of changing (and paying for) TWO kids in diapers. I’m so over them.
*Archie, honey, this is where you cover your eyes and ignore the rest of the post*
Today I decided to try the no diaper tactic. We’ve tried it before with an epic fail…so today I attempted again with just one kid – Angel.
In return we have ended up spending 90% of the day on the potty – I swear the kid pees every five minutes. We’ve had only two accidents – but I credit that her being on the toilet SO much.
By lunchtime she’d been on the potty most of the morning and gone about 15 times there (but no #2), twice on my floor (I was ready with the mop bucket and a towel).Â
They will retire to “nap time” (i.e. playing in their bedroom) so that I can have a “break” and get some cleaning done…and then I’ll return to it after nap until Archie returns from work.
Tomorrow Angel has school, and I’ll have them start her in school training as well. But I’ll probably be VERY sore and cranky tomorrow (dental work being done) so I doubt I’ll do this tomorrow – but I will return to it on Friday.Â
Oy.
P.S. Keep my BFF Jess in your thoughts today. She goes in for knee surgery at 2:45 and is VERY nervous and scared.
by Sarah | Jan 6, 2009 | Personal
Goal #1 was Body Image
Goal #2 was Finances
Goal #3 was Home and Family
 My last goals are egocentric, for me and me alone (okay, not completely…but mostly). There are dreams I have…and other silly guilty (or not-so) pleasures that I’d like to indulge and include in my goals. They are few, but I felt I had to include them.
Big Dreams
1. Publish my novel
2. Be able to make clothes and crafts quickly.
3. Never have to wonder ‘what should I make for dinner?’
4. Teach my daughters dance.
Baby Steps
1. Start writing at least 2 nights/wk
2. Re-open my writing blog to track progress and goals.
3. Continue working on all crafting skills (knitting and sewing first)
4. Make menu plans weekly
5. Keep finding new recipes (I’ve found some great ones recently)
6. Work on my Body Image goals to get back in shape so I feel capable of achieving BD#4
7. A little side goal is to get back into blogging. I’m challenging myself to post every other day here, and every other day at TwoBroomsUp.
And thus ends my list of goals (FINALLY). I’m excited to do my first update this coming Saturday. But until then, we’ll return to regular random posting.
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by Sarah | Dec 28, 2008 | Holidays, Weekly Winners
For the week of 12/21-12/27/08
Weekly Winners is the brainchild of the wonderfully Sarcastic Mom, Lotus
I’m going to be a wee bit egotistical and ask you to pay attention to the girls’ skirts (& pettiskirts) – they were handmade by me and delivered by Santa!
Getting ‘into’ the spirit
Joy
Box of Wonders
Puddle of Skirt
Little Drummer Boy
(This is my nephew – unnamed and unseen w/o permission)
Action Shot
Opening Carefully
