Baseball Night in America

I was given great seats at tonight’s Padres v Cardinals game. Donn was so excited to see these two teams play and me & the kids haven’t been to a game in Petco Park.  

The energy was great and Owen was engaged the entire time.  He asked questions and learned stats. What a good time.

San Dimas Rodeo

To say that the start of 5th grade was rough for Owen would be a very big understatement. But I was fortunate to have the support of my parents and a great teacher in Mrs. Garber.  It was important that I had great support because Owen needed every ounce of energy and support that I had so needed someone to hold me up. 

Summer of swimming

Everyone who knows my family knows that swimming at my house has been delayed. When we moved to California over this past summer it was my first goal for Brooklynn to learn to swim.  My secondary goal would be for her to learn to enjoy swimming.  Having grown up in California with a pool in my backyard I remember spending every extra moment in the pool and was hoping my kids would begin to build those same memories.  As luck would have it we live just a few houses down from my dad and he has a pool.  I get the luxury of regular access to a pool without the anxiety of drowning children in my backyard.  My dad LOVED the idea of regular swimmers in his pool and he took full advantage.  One of our first weekends in California I sent the kids over to hang out with Papa Scott while I unpacked and I got a call to come over ASAP.  

These videos show the results made in the few hours dad worked with her.  Loved it.

http://youtu.be/nw73xFet4mc

http://youtu.be/ARU_p1z0ZSs

Back in the saddle

So, I've been on what I guess you can only consider a hiatus for several years.  There is no reason for the lack of posts other then time restrictions but the other day I looked back at the memories that I documented and realized I needed to get back to it, if for no other reason then for me to look back at years from now and appreciate the moments that I had with the great kids I have. 

Here are a few current pics of the family.

To catch you up on the big life changing events: we have moved from Missouri to California. The growing pains were at times severe but I think for the most part we are thru the worst of it. 

We have new pets! Mudkip, a toy Yorkie joined our family in May 2012. We rescued Starley, a Terrier Mix from the pound in October 2013. It is amazing the change that these two little creatures made in our daily lives. 

Sunday dinner conversation

This was the conversation over Sunday dinner last night (Sunday dinner includes the Donaldsons):

B&C: We saw pictures of Jessica’s boyfriend today

A: Oh yeah?

C: He looks light Jack Black

D: No he doesn’t!

Me: Well they were more referring to his hair style in the pictures, I saw the photos I can see where they were coming from.

B: He is a GIANT! He could almost hit is head on our doorway.

Me (to Angel): He is like 6’4-6’5

O: He’s as tall as Abraham.

LONG PAUSE FROM EVERYONE!

Me: Abraham who (My immediate thought was religion figure …. No clue why I went that direction)?

O: Abraham Lincoln!

A: I knew who you meant (She gave him a knowing smile, it was so cute)

D: Is that with or without the hat?

O: (Looked at Donn inquisitively) I don’t know!?

I'm pathetic

Every other Sunday I cook for the next 2 weeks. I’ve been doing this for about 6-8 months and it works well for our family. I spend one full day (with lots of Donn’s help) cooking to have great home cooked meals for the next two weeks. Some are casseroles and are frozen, some are just chopped veggies and seared meats and sauces or broths that are combined into 1 bag then frozen until the day they get put into the crock pot. Whatever the meal is, it totally works for our family. There is no standing around the night of “what do you want for dinner?” We buy meat when it’s on sale and tailor the menu around what we have or what works for the budget that 2 week period. SUPER SYSTEM for our family.

All that said, this Sunday was a “cooking day”. We woke up and I told Owen that he was going to cook with us. He didn’t argue (yeah!) and we got started. He opened seasoning packets and measured out sauces. Then he did some stirring. We were on recipe 3 (out of 12) and I told him that for each recipe that he helped complete I would pay him an allowance. He asked how much and I told him I would tell him at the end of the day. I wanted to keep him motivated but if it wasn’t enough I didn’t want him to quit. I then walked over to Donn and whispered “YES, I’m paying him to hang out with me” I walked to the sink and said “Yeah, I’m pathetic.” Owen heard the ‘I’m pathetic’ comment and loudly said “NO YOU’RE NOT!” It made me very happy that he defended me.

About 30 minutes later a friends mom called and he was invited to have a playdate (second of the weekend – I’m bragging) so I let him off of kitchen duty. He had a great time on his play date and I loved getting to spend the time with him that I did.

Cost per meal:
Ingredients: $10.00 (approximately)
Labor: $1.00 (cost to have it prepped with Owen)
Time spent with family having home cooked meal each night: PRICELESS!

Hair Cut

So Donn gets mad that Brooklynn is a rag-a-muffin. Me, not so much. I was a total rag-a-muffin as a kid and rocked the sloppy look. Some days Brooklynn spends the time to put her hair in a pony tail but some days she halfway combs it and rolls out the door. DONN HATES THIS! She leaves without tangles but because she has a funky little curl in front on both sides she looks sloppy. I have let her keep her hair long because that is what she wanted, but Monday he said he wanted her to get a hair cut and she agreed so I CUT IT!!! YES I (ME) (SARAH) Cut her hair. I think I did a pretty good job. She lost about 9-10 inches.

iCarly

Donn: (calling me at work) "hey, I share a birthday with iCarly"

Me: "really that's cool"

Donn: "I heard it on Disney Radio on my to work this morning"

Me: "you shouldn't admit that you listen to Disney radio in the car by yourself"

I figured this was a better forum to blab that information. So next time he says he listens to the NFL channel in the morning.... Know it is really Disney Radio.

Homemade Cards

So Owen went to a birthday party today. And call me cheap but we rarely by cards we have the kids make them. Here is what Owen came up with. I laughed so hard!

Brooklynn is so Funny

This morning Brooklynn came into our room all proud of herself that she woke up to my alarm. Donn was still sleeping mad at the world because my alarm is so loud. Brooklynn offered to Donn:

"Do you want to trade rooms? You can put all your stuff in my room and I'll share a room with mommy"

Donn's response "negative".

Importance of friends

Per Owen: Having friends will prevent stress. Stress can lead to health problems. So having a friend can keep you healthy.

Art Fair

Last Night was the BTE Art Fair. This has always been one of my favorite school events and this year was no different. This year, like last, I played a different role, FACE PAINTER. I have lots of fun, mostly because I interact in some small way with about half of the BTE students. It is great because I get to see them all and say hi. I just love my girl scouts! My face just lights up when I see them. Angel paints faces with me. Yesterday was her first day at a new job so she was a trooper for doing it.

Brooklynn had lot of fun running around school talking to her friends and playing. Owen huddled in a corner with 2 friends playing a game (fine by me since he was with people!).

Here is my face painted, I thought my mustache would inspire others and it did!:

Here is Brooklynn’s art work:

I do not have a photo of Owen’s work. By the time I was done painting I could barely make it to the car I was so hungry.

"Fix Him"

I have a friend that continues to mention a “treatment” that they think I should try on Owen. They think it will “fix him”. It takes every ounce of composer I have not to, well, RIP THEIR FACE OFF. I think the first time it was mentioned I politely explained “there is nothing to fix” my job as his mom is to give him the tools to work with what he has (or find those that can) and I feel that I am doing that. I explained I do not feel that aspergers is a “disease” that needs to be cured.

It has been mentioned about 4 times since that first time. All with a hint of “it’s your job as his parent”. So much of me wants to unleash an arsenal of profanity. I haven’t yet (please, all be very proud, but also note the YET!)

*GIANT CAVEAT – This does not mean that I think I am above parenting advice or advice in general. BUT if it is to “CURE” something that I don’t think needs curing, keep that to yourself.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Grateful to other moms!

Brooklynn has a very full social schedule.  VERY full, we have several birthday parties each month and I am grateful that she has so many friends.  I would like to add that she has good taste in friends also, I have yet to worry about the kids she hangs out with.  She has a wide variety and they are all very well-mannered and friendly.   Owen on the other hand doesn’t have the social schedule that Brooklynn has.  I think it is partially by choice.  He prefers quiet conversation and doesn’t like to go outside (this crosses off 75% of most boys his age) and since he doesn’t usually initiate conversations he is held back a bit in the “making friends” department.  I remind him that it is QUALITY of FRIENDS not the QUANITY of FRIENDS.  He is smart enough to understand and so far this is good enough for him.  He values the friends he has and he’s good with it.   This past weekend Owen was invited to his first birthday party of 3rd grade (yep , his first, kind of sad, but I’m hoping that there are just less boy birthday parties – PLEASE DO NOT CORRECT ME, my gentle heart cannot take it).  Owen was invited to this same boys birthday last year (a sleepover and made it to about 2:30AM before I was called to come get him “he just wanted to come home, he didn’t feel good”.  This didn’t upset me, I was more worried that the parents were never going to let him cover over again).  So when we got the invitation again this year I WAS SO THANKFUL! And OWEN WAS SO EXCITED.  All week he talked about how it was going to be “Epic” and “How he was so excited”.  He gave serious consideration to the gift that he got him, it was very wonderful to watch him think of someone else.   Time came to go to the party.  I dropped him off and gave the mom my cell phone and home phone numbers just in case and thanked her for inviting him.  All night I checked my phone waiting for a call.  Hoping that he would either make the whole night (or call before I fell asleep).  NOPE! 2:30 I got the call, “Owen is ready to come home”.  The best part and what I am so thankful for, not even a hint of judgment in this mom’s voice.  No “it’s 2:30 and your son is keeping me awake” it was one mom talking to another mom with only caring in her voice and I was so so grateful, I’m sure a houseful of nine year old boys is exhausting and add a needy one to the mix can’t help!  When I got there, Owen bolted to the car, I collected his things and I thanked her for trying, and her response, “We’ll try again!”   If my arms weren’t loaded down with his backpack and sleeping bag I think I would have hugged her.   Thank you God for people like her!  

Do you have a disability?

Friday night we did our bi-weekly grocery shopping (just with Owen Brooklynn was chilling with the Donaldsons at movie night). We were about half way thru when Owen and Donn had to take a bathroom break. I could tell that donn racing to make it in time. Donn came back laughing because he said that Owen asked him why he took the short urinal and left him the tall one. Donn said he was rushing because he really had to go and just went for the first one he got to, Owens next question "what are you disabled or something?". He cracks me up!

Confidence

Over the past Two weeks the 3rd-5th grade has endured what is called MAP Testing. It is a grade level aptitude test (Missouri Assessment Program) that for Owen, and all other Missouri 3rd Graders, tests them on Communication Arts and Mathematics. Early in the school year Donn & I met with his education team to update his IEP and decide what if any modifications or allowances needed to be made for Owen to take this test. i.e. extra time, possibly allow him to type his work rather then write with a pencil, or someone to take his dictation. We ended with no modifications and rolled the dice, crossed our fingers and hoped for the best. I looked at it as learning experience, this is his first time taking the test and if ANY modifications were made his scores would be excluded from the school average. I had faith that Owen’s grade would help the average not hurt the average.

It is preached to parents “make sure your kids get a good night sleep, have a healthy breakfast, ‘BEST FOOT FORWARD’ type of stuff”. Each day during the testing cycle, I would pick Owen up and ask him how testing was and he would say “good” or “fine”. At the end of week two when it was all over he said “I don’t think I missed any”. No anxiety there…. I’m glad we decided for the no modification. Regardless of how he did, I’m proud of his confidence. The feeling of leaving a test and feeling good about it – THAT is a great feeling.

Picky Eaters

I cook 99% of the meals my family eats from scratch. No boxes. I plan the menu out at least a week in advance there is a good balance of lean proteins and veggies and just enough bacon to say I made it. There is no 'alternate' meal option, they know they are going to eat what I've made or go hungry (do not comment on the malnourished size of my children, they are meant to be skinny) anyway, at dinner last night Owen is making random commentary about how he likes all foods (as a comeback to Brooklynn's complaint about the onions in my cobb meatloaf) "everything except yogurt".

Me: why don't you like yogurt? Is it the texture?
Owen: no, yogurt is for females.
Me: what?
Owen: mostly females eat yogurt, not males.

What kind of twisted kid am I raising?

You Are A Monkey

Brooklynn has a sacral tumor at the base of her spine. She was born with it and they told us not to worry so we don't. The way I deal with things like this is to mock them (it's my way of coping - go ahead judge me). Since Brooklynn was old enough to remember we told her that she had a tail (yes, I am very cruel) Owen knows and says the same thing, we call her a monkey because monkeys have tails and apes don't, things like that.

Fast forward to tonight when we are telling the kids about an the plans for the cruise we may be taking. It will include a stop in Honduras and an excursion to visit monkeys. Brooklynn says she doesn't want to visit monkeys because she is afraid of them and Owen flatly says, "you shouldn't be afraid, you are one of them". Brooklynn was less then pleased when we laughed.

I don't know if Owen was joking or if he thinks she actually has a tail and is a monkey. If he was joking I am filled with pride that my Aspy is so quick witted and funny. If he really thinks it is a tail and she is part monkey I have failed as a parent and have some serious correcting to do... Shoot!

Never Ask A Question You Don't Know The Answer To

During dinner the conversation went like this:

Me: Owen, when I get old will you take care of me?

Owen: (really long pause) well?

Me: OWEN!

Owen: (another really long pause) If you call me first, and you reeeaallyy need it and you need food I'll give it to you.

....so if I was counting on Owen taking care of me in my retirement I need a stronger plan B.

Earn It Back

Over something ridiculous, Brooklynns favorite toys of the moment have been ‘put on restriction’ (the toy – her Littlest Pet Shop figurines). I was very upset with her so I probably gave her toys a harsher punishment then Brooklynn deserved but they are banished to a box in the basement for three weeks. It was that or the trash can so Brooklynn was just fine with restriction. We are 4 days into the incarceration and last night I asked Brooklynn to sort some laundry (at this point in the blog I wound completely understand if everyone pictured me napping all the time and my kids as slave laborer, it is true, they probably do more chores then most kids their age, but I had to and I think I am better for it, I have a strong work ethic and I am bound and determined to instill the same in my kids – I digress) and fold a load of kitchen towels and put them away and empty the dishwasher. There was only a small amount of “but, mmmoommm” involved and at the end of it she was allowed to select ONE pet to be set free. She was SO excited. I explained to her that her hard work was ‘earned’ this pets freedom. I saw her wheels turning, I think if we had a fence she would be painting it right now in an attempt to free them all.

So – the ‘something ridiculous’ that she did to land her pets in jail. Saturday morning she got down the donut holes and Owen asked her for one (this is a stray from his normal breakfast routine, and she darn well knew it) and she quickly shoved all FOUR of them in her mouth so he couldn’t have any. I lost my mind! ONE, he asked for ONE! Her justification for making a greedy piglet of herself “Four is the number that I eat for breakfast so I couldn’t share”.

One thing that I can say about both of my kids – neither of them like seeing the other one being punished. I think it was as hard on Owen to see me almost throw away the Littlest Pet Shops as it was for Brooklynn. She threw herself on the ground begging me not to do it, so restriction it was. Brooklynn would have done the same thing, and pleaded for leniency for Owen. Sweet kids, I hope the protection lasts a lifetime!