365/304 Trick or Treat

The kids had a great time this evening; well, maybe not JD. He decided he was too cool  to go with us so he stayed home and was annoyed by the trick or treaters that rang our bell even though the light was off.

He did however help MJ take the girls down our street before we were heading out with our friends for the real event. They looked so cute and I thought it was sign that tonight would go better than last year with Syd.

Syd was better, I only had to carry her  part of the time and she did walk up to most of the houses that the other kids stopped at. She got the hang of what to do.  Next year will be Syd’s year for sure, I just know it!

I know I now have weeks of listening to CJ begging for candy, and finding wrappers from the pieces that were snuck from the bucket.

Happy Halloween all!!

365/303 shaving can be dangerous

JD has now shaved twice and I have warned him of the dangers of nicking or getting cuts on his face. I however never once though to warn him not to run his thumb across the blades! {ouch!}

That is what he did tonight. He took a razor that he has only used one other time and thought it was not “working” so he rubbed his  thumb across it to “unclog” it.  He bled through the first band-aid he  put on so he wrapped it with gauze and medical tape and went to bed.

I was already asleep when this all happened, but when Hubby woke me up to tell me, I sent him down there to get a picture of it. {I know, what a caring mom; but Hubby told me he was fine and I was already asleep and all…}

Happy 42nd Birthday Hubby

We had a busy day and I’m sorry that day was not focused around you more. But we did spend the evening with friends and had plenty of treats to eat and I know how much you enjoyed that.

This is the only photo of just Hubby I took today:

it was him testing out his birthday gift; A new IlluminNITE Jacket for running {I could not find the exact jacket I bought him but all their products are amazing}.

This Jacket is awesome.  It is an all black jacket but when light hits it, it turns almost all white and reflective. The best way to run at night is to make yourself visible to cars and that is why I see this as a gift of love. He loves to run in the early mornings when it is still dark (5:00 am on the weekdays) and we want him to return from each run safe and sound. Love you babe.

365/302 Season PR Set!

JD’s 2011 XC season ended today with a season PR of 18:31. And he was not alone in running great at this meet.  Every one of the Varsity team members set new PRs and they were all under 18:00! One of the Varsity squad is even going on to the state finals!  Good luck Justin!

JD’s lofty goal for this race was 17:54 and he started off right on track.  However, he just could not keep up the pace for the entire race. He was a bit disappointed with his time as he wanted to be the 2nd fastest freshman that his coach has ever coached (coach has a top 10 list).  But he is still the 5th fastest freshman with times ranging from #1 at 16:38 to #10 at 19:42. We think being in the middle of that pack is still something to be proud of!

He has now set his sites on the Sophomore top ten list and those time go from 16:55-18:08. He just needs to get faster if he wants to make that list next year.

And he also let me know today that he loves track better that XC and has started setting his goal for the spring season already.

365/301 Tuckered out

What a day… Syd has been just going, going and going. She was running on fumes and fussy. Hubby and I had two last minute things to pick up for tomorrow’s party and Syd just would not let us leave her home with the kids.

We thought she just might fall asleep in the cart.

365/300 Wound right up

This afternoon these two were wound right up. I could not get them to sit still for 2 seconds. I’m not sure what caused it; the Smarties that was given to Syd at school or that fact that we have been able to sleep most all night these last few nights. Syd had a bout of insomnia last week that sent those of us that sleep on the second story into a tailspin. Thankful it seems to have past for now.

Oh, on a much more exciting note…. Syd has started the transition to a new classroom at school. It is a more Preschoolish room with the 11 other students all being talkers. She has been going to this class for 1-2 hours everyday since the beginning of school with her Para. This week she has stayed in the class without her Para and seems to be getting along very well. The Paras, teachers and Speech therapist tell me she is like a different child in this new classroom. Participates more, plays with other students and even ate vanilla pudding!  She will be fully transitioned into this class by the new year, they don’t to move her too fast and frighten her into silence.

I can’t say it enough ESA is great for Syd!

365/299 Her laughter

School mornings are a bit crazy for me. I try to get up before the girls and shower and get mostly ready. But usually they wake up during my shower and, before I can get ready, they are demanding breakfast. So they eat breakfast in the bathroom with me {don’t judge me, it works} or in CJ’s room {which is worse because the dog stalks them for the food and then gets a nasty ear infection which costs about $100 to cure each time}.

This morning, they were performing in front of the mirror while they ate and Syd kept covering her mouth and giggling at the things CJ was doing. It was cute to hear her responding this way to a funny situation. {thank you BAHA}

3365/298 monster munch

I am making batches and batches of Monster Munch for the girls teachers and para’s. It is so tasty.

We got it as a Christmas treat from some friends {minus the candy corn} and it was called Snowflake mix. I begged her for the recipe because I could not keep my hands out of it.

snowflake mix:
3 cups rice Chex
3 cups corn Chex
1 cup small pretzel twists or sticks
1 cup honey roasted peanuts
2 -12 ounce packages of white baking pieces
1- 12 ounce package of M&M’s
In a large bowl, combine cereals, pretzels and peanuts. Melt baking pieces according to package directions. Pour melted baking pieces over cereal mixture and stir gently to coat. Spread on waxed paper, sprinkle with M&M’s. Cool 1 hour and break into pieces. Store in airtight container for up to 1 week or in freezer for 1 month.

I used Bakers White Chocolate and added Candy corn {not my favorite but the kids love them} And called it monster munch to fit my needs.

365/297 My Grandma’s trunk

I got a special delivery today from my Mom’s house via Brent’s delivery service. {thank you much dear brother} It is my Grandma Bennett’s trunk.

I don’t know yet where I’m going to keep it as I really don’t want the girls climbing on it.  MJ  volunteered to keep it at the end of her bed but is unwilling to rearrange her room to make the necessary space.

For right now it is in our living room and the girls are trying to figure out what it is.  They were talking about it when I took this photo.  CJ decided it was a kid sized countertop for her.

Mom I need to get more back story on this trunk and I want a copy of the diploma you found in it please!

365/296 If the ears fit…

We went to G-town this afternoon to visit the grandmas, eat homemade chicken noodle soup, and carve pumpkins. CJ wore her Minnie Mouse costume. {Syd on the other hand refuses to wear her costume at all so I have an alternative that might work.}

CJ asked to borrow Aunt Heather’s sparkly Minnie ears but look who I snapped wearing them…

our two goofballs, Uncle Brent and JD. It must run in their blood; my dad was a goofball as well {note: the term “Goofball” is used in the most loving way as these two make us laugh every time they get together}.

365/295 spreading the light

We were having an issue with the one and only can light in our hallway. It was only coming on sometimes and JD has resorted to jumping up and banging on the ceiling to get it to turn on.

We were looking at lights in Lowes when the helpful lighting expert took Hubby off to show him the low cost fix {$2}. I, on the other hand, was thinking of something else… like track lighting to get more lights down the hall without rewiring and cutting holes in the plaster.

I found one light that would work. Though I envisioned it going further down the hall, the light it throws off is just what I wanted.

365/294 Barbie invasion revisited

CJ is in Barbie heaven! She told me today that her one and only Barbie wanted friends to play with. So I took her to the basement and opened MJ's old Barbie tote. CJ's eyes got big, “thanks Mom, now my Barbie has friends and I did not have to wait for Santa!”

MJ is only dressing them for CJ. She is NOT "playing" with them (she wanted me to let everyone know that

365/293 Flower model

This evening I created a flower from an old t-shirt for CJ to wear in her hair. I followed this tutorial but I used a pearlized button for the center and I hand stitched mine on a circle of burlap. 

She loves it.. She told me if anyone at school asked her about it she would tell them “my mommy made it for me”. We will see if any of her classmates ask her.

365/292 “2 out of 3 ain’t bad”

JD had his last regular season race this afternoon. He finished 18:52.14 a great time for this course and the windy conditions.

He finished 6th on his team. Most times this would allow him to run Varsity for the next race.  However, the next race is Regionals and the Coach makes the call as to who the top 7 runners are, across the entire season. JD hasn’t been top 7 enough this year, even though he has run very well, especially for a freshman.  So, he didn’t make the Varsity for Regionals but he has been named as an alternate.  If he is not needed, he will run in the Open race after the Varsity race.

I was talking with the team parent at the meet and he told me that at XC camp this summer JD made 3 goals:

1) Beat AW {Fleet feet team mate}

2) Run an 18:30

3) Earn a varsity letter

Well, he has beaten AW twice and earned 4 varsity points which got him a Varsity letter. He has not ran a 18:30 yet but his PR is 18:34.24.  And he still has this one race remaining.

Not a bad season I would say.

365/291 a month of Halloween clothes?

I had to laugh, when I took Syd to school today her teacher asked me if we had a Halloween outfit for the whole month of October!  Probably not but close is what I told her.

I figure we have a dozen or so shirts, 5-6 leggings and enough skirts that I could dress the girls just about everyday in a Halloween outfit and not repeat a combo or at least the days they go to school. They only get to wear these in October so why not?

This is not the greatest photo but it was the best of the bunch, CJ would not stop the forced smile and Syd kept creeping closer to the camera or turning to CJ. It just how it goes around here, I take 30 photos in hopes to get a few usable ones!

365/290 our laundress

Just like our “yard boy”, JD, our “laundress”, MJ, can not keep up either. We were away all weekend and that is when she normally does the bulk of the laundry. After school today she started folding about 4 loads that I washed this afternoon, I say started as she only got 2.5 done before she wanted to go to bed and left the folded and unfolded laundry all over my dining room table. I think she may have went to bed to read instead of sleeping but that is just a guess on my part.

With homework and her quest to read 150 book this school year the laundry is proving to be a hard task to keep up with, I wonder if a cell phone is worth it to her now?

I am thankful Week 36–Week 41

With the MotherLOAD class I got behind in posting the pages from my Thankful book so here are the weeks I missed

365/289 It took just a weekend

To lay Grammie’s new floor. What a difference it makes; everything looks bigger and wider. Now if my knees would stop hurting, I could enjoy the job well done.

I can’t wait to see it when the trim gets put back on.

365/288 “I’m not running today”

That is what he said from the time he got up this morning until he talked with his coaches. Mrs. coach told him  “you just need to run”  But he did not argue with her, he just nodded his head and ran.

He was off his PR by 2 seconds; not bad for thinking he could not run on his hurting ankle!

Official time is 18:36.1 {7th on his team, 20th overall} He earned another Varsity point {his 3rd point} and has now officially earned his Varsity letter as a Freshman.  We’re very proud of you JD!!

Another noteworthy item…one of his Fleet Feet teammates from last year goes to the “other high school” in town.  JD and he have been racing each other tough this year with the other boy usually out-kicking JD at the end and winning by 2-3 seconds.  Today, JD won by 10 seconds.  Not too bad for running on one good leg.

365/287 Overnight guests

JD hobbled around this morning but by the afternoon he was walking normally so I think he will be running tomorrow.

We have the cousin dogs for the night and the kids are enjoying cuddling with them. For some reason, the cousin dogs seem more cuddle-able than our dogs to the kids.

365/286 Maybe he is out of this weekend’s race

JD hopped through the front door after practice this afternoon with this large bag of ice Saran wrapped to his foot.

He was messing around after practice and was trying to jump over the parking lot island at the high school. He landed funny on his foot and hurt his ankle.

His first words to me were “I don’t think I’ll be racing on Saturday” We will have to see….

Needless to say…Hubby had some words of wisdom for our young son about messing around at practice.

365/285 The queens’ thrones

Aunt Heather has passed down Lu Bean’s booster seats to the girls. They are not big enough just yet for the booster seats so we have them in CJ’s room.  The girls have decided that they are Queen’s thrones.

This morning they ate their breakfast in the “thrones” while I finished getting ready to take CJ to school.

365/284 Yard boy needs help

JD has been less than enthusiastic about his yard boy job. {I thought this would happen}. The leaves are piling up faster than he can clear them right now.

He blew some of the leaves into piles tonight and Hubby and I raked them onto the tarp and hauled them to the curb.

But his attention span for this task is less than desirable and though “the after” is better, it is just not what we consider a complete job. And tomorrow the yard will look just about like “the before” shot again.

365/283 “Smooth now”

JD shaved his “mustache” last night. It was just peach fuzz but he just had to do it.

He tells me that he likes the smooth feel of his lip now. I told him that once he starts shaving, his hair will only get coarser and that shaving will be something that he will have to do the rest of his life if he wants to keep that smooth upper lip.

He was so thrilled with himself that I did not want to tell him that I saw not much of a difference {if he had not told me he shaved I might have never known}.

365/282 Creative time revisited

While Hubby and CJ were up at the blue house working, I took JD to his Uncle’s “job site” for a clean up job he had taken on. I stopped at a garage sale on the way back and picked up this awesome frame for $3!

I painted the inner frame black {it was cream colored and stained}. I also put a backer board on that I had covered in burlap {from the laundry room ceiling that we removed}. I hung the “Anywhere you are is home to me” artwork I had created a while back.  I love it!

365/281 Homecoming

Homecoming is finally here... After running around finding the right shirt, pants, shoes, tie and ordering the flowers, he finally is dressed properly and ready to go. The group of them all met at the Country Club to eat dinner before the dance. It was all very nice and exciting for JD. He and his date went as friends but they made a cute couple tonight.  He is a good looking kid {but I’m very biased}.

He also ran earlier today at Wickes park. His time was 18:39.9, not a PR but he earned a Varsity point {that makes 2} because one of the Varsity members was sick and couldn’t run. We think he may have earned his Varsity Letter if the coach lets him run the next race on the Varsity squad {the sick kid may automatically get his spot back}.

365/280 A new book lover in the house

The book bug has bitten the youngest member of the house. CJ’s latest book order came in today and the long awaited Strawberry Shortcake Halloween book was brought home from school. I read it  after lunch to two excited girls.

Syd bided her time while CJ horded the book all afternoon but as soon as CJ put it down for few seconds, Syd scooped it up and sat down.  She flipped through it for a good 30 minutes before bedtime. Gotta love books!

365/279 CJ thinks she found a cure for Syd

We watched Little Man for a hour this morning. I say “we” because the girls were hovering so much that I was only needed to supervise the girls while they watched Little Man

Syd said his name today for the first time, she normal just calls him “Baby”. I squealed with delight and got really excited when she said it and CJ said “We need to get a baby mom”. I asked why and she said “a baby will fix Syd’s hearing problem” I told her “I would have 10 more my dear, if that were true.” She got a chuckle out that.

365/278 Homework overload?

We are trying to decide if MJ has homework overload or just time management issues. I guess it could be a combination of both, plus a bit of household/sibling distractions.

She got home at 3:15 and worked on homework until 9ish. She had work in 5 of her 6 classes. I can’t complain; she is getting all A’s and has not been frustrated by much of the work load. She did complain of a sore back; I pointed out that she was doing her homework hunched over a diaper box most the evening and that could be the issue.

365/277 New words today

I got a report from the Para this afternoon that Syd has been chatting up a storm today. She also said yellow and green while sitting on the colorful bench outside her class room. Her actual words were “Lellow” and “Geen” but I will count them as two  more words she can say.

It is amazing to hear her talk after so many months of silence from her. Thank you EAS and Speech therapy!

365/276 In the Halloween spirit

I have been bitten by the Halloween bug. We’ve got our costumes {Hubby, I and the girls that is} so we are set for the Halloween party and for trick or treating. I have Meg’s treats for her pals completed (glittery boxes filled with girly goodies and candy}. CJ’s and Syd’s class treats {homemade play dough} are ready to finish. I also did some decorating…

I put up 140 bats down the length of the hall, 20 or so mice on the stairs, and put a large witch silhouette in the front kitchen window (that’s my favorite). And yet I don’t think I’m done, I still think I have more Halloween spirit left.

MJ thinks I have lost my mind {this is the first time I have decorated for Halloween past putting Jack-o-lanterns out on the porch}.

The bats and mice were cut on my Cricut from black cardstock and the witch I cut out of black poster board.

365/275 Extreme Dodge ball

JD was invited to play extreme dodge ball this afternoon. He was part of the Extreme Panda’s team.

Since moving here, JD has participated in many activities that he would never have done back in G-town.  There are a couple of reasons.  There were not as many activities  for the teen set and he has become more social since joining the high school XC team. I think if you were to ask him if he wants to move back “home” now he would say no. How things change in 1 year’s time.

365/274 A new PR was set

JD raced again today and set a new PR again! The official time is 18:35.24 and  he missed a varsity spot by less than 2 seconds this time.  

Coach and Mrs. Coach are pulling for him to get his varsity points. Coach and Hubby were positioned just before the last curve in the course and Coach told JD when he ran by that he had to finish in less than a minute to make varsity. I remember Mrs. Coach telling JD that, at the Holly race, he missed varsity by just one tenth of a second and she look pained to have to tell him.

Hubby and I were volunteers and helped out at this race.  We handed out numbers and ribbons to the finishers of the open race  and collected the bib rip off tabs for 3 of the 4 high school races. We laughed because we picked the coldest day so far the volunteer; the wind was awful today.  The highlight of our effort was when one of the girls, after just vomiting, wiped her mouth with her bib tag in her hand and then proceeded to hand it to us.  Luckily, Hubby had his gloves on because of the cold.  No harm done.