Our Week in Phone Pics

Last weekend... 

New Purple Skinny Pants for the Girl

Sunny Breakfast Date with my Man on MLK Day. 

 

The boy had a fever for 5 days this week.  
It didn't seem like a big deal.  No other real symptoms.  
But then on the 5th day, plus the FREEZING weather, the Jan darkness, cancelling all activities, being inside all week, we were both just done.

{I can't even fathom what its like to be 50 degrees colder for you CO folks.}

 This was Day 5.  

I thought he was finally getting better.  

But then I found Goldilocks asleep in baby bear's bed.

Nope, another day of a fever.

 Lily celebrated her half birthday this week in her preschool class.  

I forgot to get pics of the actual party.  This was after drop off.

But aren't they cute?!  

4 boys and 4 girls.

 Thankfully, since Peter didn't get to go to school (or anywhere) this week, Goo took him on Friday morning for Goo's school (and so I could do Clothes Closet).  
Then Lily and I had a lunch date afterwards.  

She's such a delight, joy flows out of her.

Whew.  Glad this week is over.  Looking forward to warmer weather and brighter days.

Five Thirty on a Thursday

This isn't typical for us.  Its usually the witching hour, like I think it is for lots of moms.  When Mike gets home from work b/t 6 & 7 and asks how the day was, I usually say "It was good but now its the end of the day and I'm d.o.n.e."  Some switch takes place and I just hit done and have nothing left.  

I think because I had an extra cup of coffee (didn't do my chemo course b/c there were children to attend to and dinner to make) AND because snow was coming down, there was a little more excitement in the air and it made this eve a little sweeter and less grumpy.

Peter found The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe on our bed that he'd been wanting to read.

My little Picasso is at work

 Peter finishes his reading and comes in to make some guys.... 

knights, heroes, and fire fighters.

 Tomato Soup is on the Stove

Favorite Tomato Soup

¼ cup olive oil

1 onion, diced or sliced

baby carrots, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced (or more!) (I use the garlic in a jar.)

¼ cup all-purpose flour

3lb can of diced tomatoes

¼ cup tomato paste

3 cups chicken broth (or something similar)

¼ cup finely chopped fresh basil (or dried, to taste)

1 tsp sugar

1 c milk

salt & ground pepper

cheese or garlic croutons

Grated Parmesan cheese

In a soup pot over medium heat, heat the oil, then add the onion & cook about 3 mins.  Add the carrot & celery & cook until the veggies begin to soften, about 4 mins.  Add the garlic & cook one minute longer.

Sprinkle flour over veggies, reduce heat to low & cook about 1-2 mins longer until flour is incorporated. 

Add the tomatoes, broth, tomato paste, basil, and sugar.  Raise heat to medium, partially cover & cook until veggies are tender & flavors are blended, about 20 mins.

(I don't do this part-->) Transfer the soup to a blender & process to puree, leaving a little texture.  Return to pan over medium heat.  

Add the milk & stir.  Season to taste w/ salt & pepper.   

After serving, garnish with croutons & Parmesan cheese.  

Enjoy!!

Quick Picture Dump

Lily started dance class!!  

To say she is excited would be an understatement.

Could you just die at the cuteness?  

(I know I say the same things over and over.  

Not real creative over here.  

Just love {and sometimes they drive me crazy} these little {growing!} ones.)

 We did a 10 day trial membership at an indoor pool.  The kids loved it.

 I could tell they got more and more comfortable in the water as the days went on.

 Mike always tried to convince me to get in.  I would {reluctantly, I know... no fun} and then just half heartedly enjoy it.  But finally on a week day I took the kids on my own.  There was NO ONE else there.  The kids swam.  I sat out (and was nice and WARM, not freezing in the water), loved watching them play, and we all had a good time.  

I think we may join.  But we haven't yet.

 Peter's final DTAP was delayed b/c of his (controlled) seizures.  The ped wanted us to check with neuro.  (We LOVE his ped.)  The neuro said it was fine.  So he just got it last week.  Final one... woohoo.  For a while at least.  He was nice and sore and a little lethargic.  Lily was sure to tell him that her shot didn't hurt (they both got flu shots too).  But I assured her that Peter got 2 and it wasn't just that she was tougher.  I didn't want Peter to think his little sister was tougher either.  ;)  She loves her bubby.  Her teacher just told me that she is quiet and smiley at school.  And the only time she makes a fuss is when she sees 'Pete' in the hallway... "Pete!!!!!!!!!!!"

 Enjoy seeing the gorgeous sunrises as we walk and on the way home.

 The kids stayed with Maw and Paw over the weekend.  
I sent to see Holly.  
Lily was sad to leave Maw.

 Mike is trying to read them all of the Jesus Story Book Bible in 2013.  I need to hear it too...

I've been trying to be there more and not running around the house straightening up/putting away laundry for the eve.  I've not had perfect attendance but have made it a little more.

 With our push for fine motor lately, Lily is digging it at all times and often crafting.  

Here she is making "cards" for everyone with little cut up paper colored with a blue pen.

 Self Portrait while Peter was at OT/ST.  We have started working on Lillian too.

 Dentist this morning.  

They said Lily has already changed the shape of her palate from thumb sucking and will need braces.  REALLY?!  They said it so matter of factly.  Thousands of dollars is literally the price we may pay for 3 years of soothing.  I had them both tell her she can't suck her thumb anymore (I'm not that concerned but I figured while we had the opportunity for someone else to say it).  At naptime today, she took it very seriously and didn't.  She kept telling me it was 'too hard to sleep' but then fell asleep without it.  I'm certainly not calling it but it was interesting to see that part of her personality, and wanting to be a big girl and do what they said.

 And this little man has a loose tooth!!!!

My intrigue with his fascination for vehicles continues... 

 Cutting off Daddy's cir-ca-lation before work.

 I just like this pic of Peter.  
It shows his highlighted blonde hair, brown eyes, and perfect skin so well.

We crafted a monster for our 'M' this week. 

 Daddy put on eye on his forehead and then moved his glasses to see with it.

The kids now think you are supposed to lick and stick the googly eyes everywhere.

 Thumbs up for his Monster.

This week I've found a new blog.   

http://www.rameelinlarson.com/

Her daughter has Batten Disease.  One of the things they tested for or were curious about when Peter was at the height of his seizure and low tone work up.  Though I don't want to pretend to really understand, I have a ever so slight idea of imagining that road.  She writes beautifully about their journey.  I've enjoyed reading, shuttered at the thought of it, and related to a lot of what she's said in processing grief.  She's helped me to trust God more with the path that he has laid out for both of us.  And she's been an advocate for rare and undiagnosed diseases, which I admire.

I'm off for coffee and to begin a 2 week class online.  

So probably won't be back for a little while.  :)

quote of the day

"WHY do you think Paw cut off Nubby and Copper's tails?!?!  

When we go there, I'm gonna ask him not to do that again!!!"  

-Lily, age 3

I did explain that Nubby was born like that. :)

the scene on my couch

~ Sweet snuggles ~

~ Laughs at Wacky Wednesday! ~

 Happy to have an extra morning this week that we don't have to rush off to preschool!

YAY!!!

If you know me, you know that I often cycle through worry about whether Peter is doing OK, whether we are doing enough, whether he is making enough progress, watching my own attitude and frustration with behavior, being creative with how we motivate him to want to do things that aren't naturally easy for him.  Usually this ends with a vent session to Mike and then a good pep talk from him about all of the wonderful qualities in Peter and a renewed motivation and focus on my part.  And much needed prayers for patience and understanding (why do I so quickly forget that?).  So that happened recently, and we've been working hard.... esp trying to sit down and do fine motor things...  

 I decided we were just going to start writing. 

 LOOK AT THAT GRIP!!!  

I feel like its finally clicking.  

We have worked on correct grip, correct hand, and crossing midline for years.

They've been excited about this!!  Which is so amazing!!!  I think its finally starting to click with Peter that he is going to be able to learn to sound things out and read.  He is getting excited about it.  And trying to sound things out during the day.  I've just let them tell me words that they want to write.  Lily is a little Re-Pete, choosing words that Peter's wanted to do.  I love it.  
I love Peter's choice of words. 
rocket.
battery.
sneeze. 
(can you tell he's been sick?)
cheetah.  
(they found a yellow and black rope and like to pretend its their "cheetah tail")

 So we did this for a couple days and then on Friday when we went to get the pizza, I let them each pick out a car.  I told them that if they wrote their words for two days this weekend that they could have the car after the second day.  They finished tonight and were so proud.     

I think I was as excited as they were!!!

 YEAH!!!

My Little Helper

She is so focused.  So helpful.  Like, for reals, helpful.  And sweet.  

Her little spirit fills my tank.

And after about four days on the couch, we decided to pack them up.  

I helped at the beginning to have some order to it.  But then in the end, she did it all on her own.  She took it SO seriously.  She kept asking me for every ornament, "Is this one special, Mommy?  REALLY, REALLY special?" in her precious 3 year old voice.  And then she'd wrap it with SUCH care.  Seriously, I think she'll be able to do it all on her own next year.  

This is a dream come true!

"Is this one really, really special, Mom?"

And it should be noted that she was wearing different pants than earlier in the day but went and put these on all by herself.  She is able to be so independent.  This is new to us and awesome.  

All done and packed up.  She's almost strong enough to take it upstairs by herself.

 QUEEN of the ORNAMENTS!!

HAPPY HALF BIRTHDAY to the Bug!!