E-I-G-H-T... how?

She is kind, sweet, silly, funny, loving, trusting, hard working, creative, and just an all around awesome kid.  I'm proud to be her mama.  And I'm hoping she has the best 8th year ever!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LILY GWEN!

Decorated!

We decorated the tree last night.  Lily, Lucy and I (Lincoln handed me the ornaments, but I'm guessing didn't like how pokey the branches were, since he had zero interest in touching them.)... Most of the ornaments are side-by-side, some actually sharing the same branch, mainly around the bottom, in the front.  I love it. There aren't any pictures of Lincoln or Luce, though -- because those turkey birds decided to take their clothes off to decorate.  *actually, Lily did too, but put them back on so I could take a couple pictures.

Lily also made a special picture for Santa, and asked if I could hand deliver her envelope to him at the mall -- clarifying she has no intention to get that close, she wants ME to hand it to him.  :)  I'll do it.  I know it's something she colored, but I'm not sure exactly what it is... it's sealed, and meant exclusively for him... Gotta respect that.  My girl LOVES telling me that Santa is coming in XX days -- she is SO excited.




Hard to believe on Friday, our big girl is turning EIGHT!  She hasn't mentioned anything about bringing a treat into school, but we're going to pick something out on Thursday night and Brandon will bring it in for her class.  We're having a pool party at our local hotel's indoor pool, and there are half a dozen little girls going to be there... but the coolest part of this... the first girl Lily asked if she could invite, was Avery.  Avery is in Lily class, and is in a wheelchair.  She doesn't speak at all, she uses her iPad to speak for her.  Lily asked Avery's mom (who regularly volunteers in the class) if she thought Avery would be able to come, because she'd really like her to be there... Avery's mom said that Avery can swim and just will need help in and out of the pool, so yes, she will be there!  YIPPEE!!  I have a lot to get done between now and then, but I work best under pressure.  A peace sign cake, and a 'rockin' birthday theme... butterflies, guitars, and peace signs, in tie dye.  **Thanks, Cindy - for your help again this year with the girls and the party... I really appreciate you.

Well, it's time to get to bed.  I have an almost eight year old that has to read her mama a book.   :)

It has been a long, long time...

How is it possible that I haven't blogged ANYTHING since June?!?  Um, my only (lame) excuse is starting a new job, working 5 days a week now, and just the busy life we lead....  so I'm not going to play 'catch up', since most of you are also my FB friends... and so you're up to date.  ;)

It is the holiday season and my kids are EX-CITED!  We have our tree up (no decorations on it yet), and a few sparse decorations here and there throughout the house... hoping this weekend will provide the time (and energy) to get those all out and up!  Also planning to bring all three of my kiddos to "Christmas in Kasson" - where they haul Santa from the City Hall to the cinnema in Kasson's finest, shiniest Fire Truck... there are 'reindeer' in a cage by the liquor store and most of the businesses downtown do some kind of cookie decorating / ornament making / coloring contest and at the end, every child is given a small stuffed animal...  I'm sure it will be a great time for the kids... and since we aren't going to be anywhere else, how can we not go?!  *though, honestly -- I am dreading trying to load them all up, get them all in snowpants / mittens / hats / boots / etc... bundled into the stroller -- because Lucy and Lincoln both are getting sick of riding and want to walk (in opposite directions of each other) -- think I'll need to stop in the liquor store, while visiting the reindeer, to purchase some patience.  :)

My Lucy is in LOVE with all the pretty lights... on the trees, in the windows, on the streets - Kasson has them hung on every street light on the main roads... I'm hoping that Brandon will string the lights on the house this weekend too -- so our house can be a part of the "Ooooooo, mama... look!"

Our bell ringer

The downside to this, is she thinks she's big enough to plug in and unplug the lights to our tree and I'm a little stressed about that.... she's quick, so by the time I'm correcting it, she's already plugged in or unplugged.... and oiy.


Lily was ringing the Salvation Army bell ... so proud of the sweet, kind hearted girl she is.

We've been coloring lots of Christmas pictures and hanging them on the cupboards in the kitchen, preparing for a beautiful display of art for Santa, when he comes to deliver all the goodies to our house... I have to say this is probably one of their favorite things to do... they love to sit at the table together and color... and it is a proud moment for me, to watch them together, sharing the crayons, complimenting each other's pictures... ♥

Promise to myself to start blogging again... so much to write, share, and reflect on.  

Fired up!

The last few days, I've been feeling really edgy... anxious.... like there's something I want to say, but I'm not sure exactly what it is... there's a feeling of despair almost... and I know it's boiling down to this 'issue' we're having with Lincoln's preschool...

So this is what's going on:

Lincoln does better with older, bigger (in size) kids.  He can be aggressive to smaller, weaker kids.  We're working on this, but we know with a year under our belts at school, this is a fact.  He also is still taking naps, so we (and by we, I mean at his IEP meeting, we: his special ed teacher, his typical class teacher, his OT therapist, his speech therapist, and me, along with our social worker and the school's district manager for special education) decided it would be best for him to attend morning classes, since that wouldn't overlap his nap time, encouraging further potential behavioral issues....

So when they told me, "The morning class for 4-5 year olds is full, sorry.  He'll have to be in the afternoon class if you want him with the bigger kids, or we can get him in the morning class, but it'll be with the 3-4 year olds."  -- delivered just as simply as, "The sky is blue today." -- I felt my heart sink.

We aren't able to register him for classes, like we are responsible to do for Lily and will be for Lucy.  This is the schools responsibility to arrange on our behalf.  What we experienced initially, with getting him enrolled in the morning 3-4 class last year, was easy / simple / mindless.... I really wasn't expecting the transition to the 4-5 year old class to be any different.... hmpf.

Initially, when they told me that, I just said, you know -- I'll have to discuss this with Brandon, this isn't really what we were expecting and I'd like the opportunity to get my husband's input and get back to you.  In speaking with Brandon, we both felt this really was setting Lincoln up for failure.  This was NOT the best environment FOR HIM.  It was the best for the school.  -- about that time, with that realization - is when my Lincoln's Mama role kicked in...

My response was simple, respectful, just saying that while I understand what's being said, this is not what was discussed for Lincoln's best interest, and I was really disappointed that this was even being suggested that we consider anything but what was best for him.

Her response again was, I'm sorry.  The class is full.

I called my brother in law (who is a social worker) to find out that unless the morning class is FULL of students, every one of them with an IEPs, he has to be put into that class. The school HAS to give him the best circumstance for his education opportunities. Keep pushing and don't give up, was his advice.  He said the school was hoping I would just cave and said, "Oh, ok."  And let it go.

Um, hello -- do you know me?  Apparently not.

So yesterday, I called for a personal meeting with the special ed teacher.  Asked her to our home.  Wanted to discuss this with her in person.

I told her that I appreciated that she was on our team and understood that all we ALL want is whats best for my son.  It was such a comfort to know that she agrees with this.  So clearly, after all of our discussions, she would understand why it's imperative that Lincoln is in the 4-5 year old morning class.

This is when the truth was divulged.  There was a little girl in his 3-4 yr old class, that Lincoln targeted.  Not sure why -- smaller, weaker... yes.  But he would zone in on her.  She's already scheduled for the 4-5 morning class and they were trying to keep her and Lincoln separate.  She has a little brother (who also has an IEP / special needs) that is starting the 3-4 yr preschool morning class, and their parents were hoping  both their children could go at the same time.

Not. My. Problem.

Sorry -- heartless?  No.  I want what's best for MY CHILD.  It is the school's responsibility to provide enough staff to assist with the needs of the children in the class.  It is my responsibility to keep Lincoln and Lucy and Lily in line at home.  Somehow, I manage - most of the time.

I guess through all of this - all I can say is -- that saying that "God only gives you what he knows you can handle" is true to some extent.  I am a bit feisty.  I realized this would be in our favor eventually, but didn't realize that it would start at preschool.

Sigh.... this too shall pass, right?  Just like a kidney stone.  ;)

Summer's here!

Rainbow girl ♥

My girl has been outside every day.  It is hot and she is in her glory! It's summer, and she is taking full advantage of these beautiful days.  We are going through sidewalk chalk like nobody's business.  She LOVES to color, and is so creative... and I must admit I LOVE seeing her drawing all over our sidewalks; at the bottom of the driveway, the sidewalk up to the house from the street, the sidewalk in front of the house, to the breezeway door, the back patio, the deck, her swingset... she colors on EVERYTHING.  And I love it.  Then it will rain, and it's like a big eraser, and she's out there ready to recreate.

Lincoln and Lucy also like to use sidewalk chalk, but someone's always trying to color over / on Lily's creations *ugh.  Or eventually, one of them will have to try to take a bite of the chalk, or throw a piece under the deck, or some other impulsive action on how we're not supposed to use sidewalk chalk.  So then, I'll open the sand box and they happily start playing there, and Lily is left at peace...  Win-win!

This was a loud moment.  Everyone was making noise of some kind. :)

Lincoln drying off with Lily

Goose!

We've had the pool out several times already -- in fact we already need new swim diapers.  (*which truly are worthless at holding anything but poop in, --TMI?-- they more are just so they don't swell up and hold water equivalent to their body weights, like a normal diaper would).  Oh, my kids love to swim.  Who can blame them -- isn't this what summer's all about?

LOVES the water

And when we're not swimming, or doing sidwalk chalk, or going for walks to the park, or playing on the backyard swing set, then we're back to the crayons.  

Whatever we're doing, it's bound to be outside, and together.  Because that's the way we like it!

Coloring on the deck

Summer school (boo!) starts next week for Lily -- three weeks of 1/2 days -- and the following week for Lincoln -- 2 weeks of 1/2 days.  She will be done then for the summer, and he will have two more weeks at the end of July.  To help retain all that fabulous stuff they learned this year.  And to get them back together with some of their school friends.  I know Lily's not excited about it now, but she'll be happy to see those girls again.  I'm sure of it.  :)) 

Get outside!  Enjoy this weather!

School's out!

1st day of First Grade

My girl is done with FIRST GRADE.  Wow.
                          DONE.

She learned SO much this year.

- Reading.
- Spelling.  *which has limited what we talk about in front of her now.  :)  No more spelling things out!
- Telling time
- Counting money
- Fractions *yeah, in 1st grade
- Spanish
- the list goes on and on....

She's such a cool kid.  I am proud to be her mama.

Last day of First Grade

She'll have a week off, but then back for three weeks of summer school.  To make sure she maintains all the great stuff she's learned.  She's not excited to go back, but it's only 1/2 days -- and that will give her more time around her friends from school, so I'm sure that will make it a little easier to accept.

And next year.... a second grader.  I'm already looking forward to the school shopping... new clothes, new pencils and markers... wonder what she'll be studying next year...  what she'll learn...

I'm sure she's looking forward to the summer break.

It's going to be a summer full of back yard pools, dinner on the deck, corn on the cob, family gatherings, bonfires, and every parade we can hit!

BRING IT!  :))

Tomorrow, Lucy's TWO!

Can I believe she's already two?  What mama can believe her baby is growing up?

Seems like this was two days ago, not years:                            And now look at her:

           
She is our little spit fire.  Full of love, full of opinion.  She let us know she no longer preferred to eat in a highchair, rather at the big girl table with her sister.  She is very independent.  Sister wants to be in control.  She is a Daddy's girl without doubt.  She will tell me numerous times through out the day, when I'm home with her and Brandon's at work, that "Dayee, ba-bye"

We play the "Say XX" game in the car all the time, and she cracks us up by saying:
"Lucy, say 'Mommy'!"
She'll say: "Mommy!"
"Say, Daddy!",
"Daddy!"
"Say Lily"
"Lihee"
"Say Lincoln"
"Buddy!"
"Say Lucy"
"Su-cee"
"Say Milli"
"Ana" (Milli's middle name)
"Say Connie"
"Mick" (Connie's husband)
"Say Grandpa"
"Ba-ba"

She keeps us entertained.  She is a little shy, very inquisitive, loves to be loved, amazes us daily. She's helping Lincoln learn new words, and he's been putting two word sentences together (NO, Mama!)  :)  Which is cool...

She brought much chaos and craziness to our family, *I think that was just being the 3rd child, not HER specifically.... but we couldn't imagine life without her.... we love that little girl... with all of our hearts.  ♥

Movin' on...

There is just a lot going on in my life right now.... and you know when you get to the point where you're just done?  I'm there.  I think I've cried all the tears I have.... reacted with anger, let my emotions get the best of my actions.... and then rescinded.   I've crossed the line and I'm not looking back.

There was a post of FB recently that said, "Cutting people out of my life does not mean I hate them, it means I respect me."   It couldn't have been more timely -- to remind myself it's not time to react, it's time to collect myself and move on.  You can't change the world, but you can change yourself.  Work in progress.

So last night, I was laying in bed with Lily, talking to her about everything and nothing... and she kept blowing her nose.  I thought she was getting over her cold, but I started to wonder if we were headed to round two...and that triggered the thought that her teacher had sent out an email the week before asking if anyone could send in more kleenex boxes -- the year end colds have struck the classroom and they were out of tissues... so I said, "Oh - did anyone bring tissues in to your classroom?"  -- Lily said "No, no one did.  The teacher told us to use our shirts."  I said, "WHAT????! Mrs. Wally said that????"  She said, "Yeah mom -- Mrs. Wally said we had to wipe our noses on our shirts.  I feel really bad for Henry -- he has really icky boogers and he has to wipe them on his shirt."    I sent a box of Kleenex in, and it's ALL I can do not to send  an email and say -- making sure you got the box of tissue?  So the kids don't have to use their shirts anymore?   UGH.  So thankful this year is almost over.

I'm working today, then off the next four days.  Most of our laundry is caught up, have some light house cleaning to do (typical) -- but otherwise, hoping we have some great weather to get outside and enjoy with the kids!

Completely unneccessary

There was a death in Kasson last night.  A 13 year old girl hung herself in her home, and her family found her 20 minutes too late.  13 years old.  Can you imagine what her family is going through?  I can't.  I don't even want to put myself in their shoes.... and it's all over bullying at school.

It's different when it happens at the school your child goes to.  You hear about it on the news.  You see it on the 20/20 shows, and how there's a "No Tolerance for Bullying" campaign going on everywhere.  Our school has a "Komet Pride" day, almost every Wednesday, when the entire school wears their blue Komet Pride shirts and it's all about "Stomping out Bullying".  And even though there is all kinds of zero tolerance, and assemblies that talk about how wrong it is, and how much it hurts, it continues to happen.

Every morning, I wake up my girl with, "Good morning, Beautiful!".  When I get her off the bus home from school, I greet her with, "Hello, Beautiful!  How was your day?"  I try to make sure she knows how much I love her and how important she is to us and our family.  But it's day like today that I wonder, am I doing enough?  Does she know without a doubt how awesome she is?  Because I can't imagine one day of my life without her.  Or any of my kids.

I remember growing up, and how mean girls can be.  I remember crying and thinking how horrible life was when I was 14.  I remember how I questioned at that time if life was worth living.  Really.  When I was 14.  Look at all I would have missed.

We can only imagine what this girl and her family will miss... how tragic.  How terribly tragic.

10 years

10 years ago, I was 29... I was a smoker... I was in Vegas and I was just about to become a wife... we had NEVER had an argument... *hahahaha... that was true until the 1st day of marriage when we argued about what pool belonged to our hotel.  10 years later, I can finally admit, I was right... you were right.  :)

wow... how things have changed.  For the good.

10 years, three kids, a bunch of fish, two dogs... a house we've outgrown... it's been a beautiful ride.

Here's to the next 10.  You'll be up for re-evaluate then.  *just kidding.  I love you, babe.  Thanks for all you do for me, and for us.  ♥

Um, no, you're not immune.

I have always thought I was immune to strep throat...I'm almost 40 years old, and I've never had it.  Um, the mystery is solved, I am not immune.  I'm not, but I wish I was, now that I know what strep feels like.  Holy mother of God.  I went in Monday to be swabbed and confirmed positive the middle of that night (which I knew, before the results even came back...)  I have NEVER had a sore throat like this.  Monday night, I woke myself many times, gasping for air because my tonsils were so swollen... scary.  My glands are still swollen up to my ear.  If I NEVER get strep throat again, it will be too soon.  My poor boy, Lincoln, has had it 3 times this winter.  He is much stronger and more tolerate for discomfort than his mama... that's for sure.  So far, Lily, Brandon, and Lucy have avoided this *thank goodness*... Today, 3 doses into Penicillin, it still hurts like hell to swallow and my voice sounds like I have laryngitis. I have been keeping my talking to an absolute minimum.  *difficult to do at work.  I'm not running a temp today though, so that's good.  Ok, I'm done complaining.  *on my blog.  About that.  :)

Sunday I took Lily to the movies.  Did you know that you can get a combo deal of 2 medium sodas and a medium bag of popcorn for only $14.75?  Holy killing.  I think they should take the word "deal" right out of the picture.  Fountain drinks and popcorn?  About the two CHEAPEST things you could serve at a theater and they're charging $15?!?  No wonder we NEVER go to the movies.  We watched the Lorax, a Dr. Seuss story, one that we pretty regularly read to her at bedtime.  The movie did not disappoint.  For any of you that have read the book, in the movie, you SEE THE ONCE-LER'S FACE!!!!  "*Gasp!* Oh. My. Gosh... Mom!!!! LOOK!!!!  That's the Once-ler!!!"  That in itself more than made up for paying almost $15 for popcorn and 2 sodas... *(insert eye roll with a shake of head.)  Lily did say that she wanted to buy the movie when it comes out in the stores... which we will... it was good.  But I'm totally smuggling in my own snacks if we go again.  That's RIDICULOUS.

So I've been trying to expand my horizons and reach way out to prove to myself that you can do anything if you set your mind to it.  When I was little, my Grandma Olson (my mom's, mom) made me my favorite blanket, and to this day, I still really remember it.... I loved it.  It was yellow, with little white kitties all over it.  So... I've decided since we needed lighter blankets for the cooler, but not cold spring nights... and air conditioned summer nights, I was going to make them.  The last time I had my sewing machine out, I put it away smoking... but when there's a will... there's always a new machine at Walmart.  :)

Lucy's new blanket. The red side is the back .   :)

              Lincoln's new blanket.  The brown side is the back.                       

I must admit, I'm pretty proud of myself.  The machine wasn't smoking when I was done.  And the blankets turned out pretty cute, if I can reach over and pat myself on the back!  :)  I have two more to make.  Lucy's has stuffing and I'm going to make her another one that doesn't.  Lincoln's doesn't, and I'm going to make him one that does.  I hope they like these, like I liked mine.  ♥

Sunday, we also went to Milli's house to play.... or as Lucy calls her, "Ana" (her middle name)... Lucy proudly says it, while walking around their house.... and Milli says, "I'm right here!"  *it is adorable.  :)  They were playing dress up and Mills was a princess (naturally).... she is the cutest.... headband and all.  Little diva.


Tomorrow, we pick up my ring.... had the 10 year anniversary band made to match the engagement ring.  Can't wait to get it back... was missing it for the last 2 weeks.  I know it's going to be worth it though... I know I'm going to love it.  Brandon and I also decided that we're going to go away for a weekend in April.  Leave on a Friday night, come back on Sunday, just us.  Thanks to Grandma Sandee for watching babies so the trip can happen.  :)   Can't wait!!

We've been hard at work this week in the Buckingham Palace...

The crayons have been worked hard.... they were dropped on the floor multiple times (only the first few times were accident), the table was inadvertently involved... but I'm proud to proclaim, not one was eaten.

This silly girl might be an artist, like her big sister.  Her creation was intentional and she was proud.  We have it hanging on the cabinet in the kitchen currently -- our fridge is full of big girl art.

The boy, he was online for a couple hours this week.  He was researching (with his assistant, Lucy) ways to avoid 'Corner Time'.  Mom and Dad were both pleased to see this interest, and hope there is a light at the end of the naughty tunnel.... *Please, dear Lord.*   The rest of his browsing included accepting multiple friend requests on FB, which was a task in itself.  The boy is popular.  (hahahahah.... well, he is, but the FB thing, no.  He doesn't have an account.  I'm a firm believer they should be able to maintain it themselves, and they're age appropriate before they have one.... maybe next year, Buddy.)  Oh, and speaking of "Buddy", that is how Lucy now addresses him.  For a while, she was saying, "Boy."  Now, it's evolved: "Buddy".  ♥

We have been going on walks/bike rides, around town -- to the park, getting out and enjoying the beautiful, unseasonably warm weather... the kids are going to be SO disappointed, if our typical weather returns... I heard on the news this morning our average last frost is MAY 7.  I admit, I told the weatherman to bite his tongue.   The other night, Aunt Connie called and asked if she could take the kids for a walk, I told her we'd all go and so we loaded up.  Lily had already had a bath that night, so she was in her jammas, but happily ran back to her room to change.  Without any concern, returned in the following outfit claiming she was R-E-A-D-Y.....  It was all that I could do not to help her change into something that matched... but she's seven and she just doesn't care about that stuff yet.  Why should I?

I'm off this weekend... thinking a date night might be on the horizon.  If not this weekend, definitely by next.  I'm looking for a new reason to show off my new hair.  Oh, I'm a blond.  :)

10 years and counting....

Feels like we blew by spring and were slammed into summer.... I was seriously contemplating turning my air conditioner on yesterday.  See, we live in this old house, that you physically have to take the storm windows off the window and replace all with the screen windows, so we weren't of the lucky ones that were able to open the windows and have this lovely breeze going through the house.  -for the record, I didn't turn it on.  Our house was a balmy 79 degrees.  *insert several beads of sweat*.  On the bright side of the weather, my kids have been outside everyday... getting their clothes, hands, and knees as dirty as they can.  And have been LOVING it.  Do you remember when your kids were little (or maybe you're still in this stage too) when you have to drag them inside kicking and screaming, because they don't want to come in yet.... yet.  Every. Single. Day.  :)

Lincoln is such a better listener this year outside, than he was last year.  When I call his name, he will stop, turn around and say, "What?"  Enough time for me to catch up with him, or clearly tell him to come back to where we're playing.... and so far, he's been pretty good about coming back.  Once, he realized I was after him and he took off running down our gravel driveway... which you know the mom in me was like, "Oh, holy crap.... please don't fall."  He didn't.  But we went inside until after nap time because we don't run away.  Period.  And talked about it all the way into the house and for a good 5 minutes inside.  I love when he intently listens and then will point his very flexible little finger bent so far it looks double jointed, into the air and will say, "no, no, no!"  Sternly.  He knows what I'm telling him.

Lucy... that girl has one speed... mama's term for it is "HEART ATTACK".  :)  She doesn't walk anywhere... she is running from the moment her feet hit the earth.  She is my independent child... she wants help with NOTHING.  "Lucy, do you want mama to help you?"  "NO!"  :)  So this is the result of her independence... She is pretty good about staying with the group (me, Lincoln and Lily) outside too.  She LOVES to follow Lily around the yard and try to do all the stuff Lily does.  Lily is forever saying, LUCY!  Stop following me!.... and I can only chuckle knowing this is just the beginning of that complete adoration. Lily would probably insert "annoying" before adoration... but that's what being a little sister (or brother) is all about.  ♥

And Lily....  we had the "Locks of Love" talk again last night... there are a few kids in her school that have been diagnosed with cancer, and I was trying to tell her how they would love to have pretty hair like hers made into a wig, so they didn't have to go to school bald, but my big girl isn't down with cutting her hair... She keeps telling me she's going to grow it as long as Rupunzel's.  I'm going to buy stock in Biolage Conditioner. I remember when I was little and my mom would comb the snarls out of my long hair and how much it hurt and how much I hated it... but like Lily, I did not want to cut it off.  Not sure how long we're going to grow it out, but I told her last night we could talk about it again some other night... girl had big tears welled up at the thought of cutting those beautiful long locks...

Brandon and I are good.... we'll be celebrating 10 years (!!) of marriage in April.  We're having my original wedding band melted into a new anniversary band that has a row of channel set diamonds - I can't wait to get it back... I keep thinking, "MY RING IS GONE!" and have that moment of panic... only to remember oh, yeah -- it's at the jeweler's getting magnificent.   Brandon asked me what do guys get for anniversary gifts.  I told him I thought they got cards, but I would poll my friends to make sure.  ;)  I told him to start thinking of what he'd like.   10 years... wow.   Love you, babe.  Here's to many more!

I got this...

"I got this" has kind of become my 'slogan' lately... my funny colleague, on his day off, sent an email to the front desk girls at work, letting them know I'd be right down to pick up a box they emailed our group, alerting us it was delivered, and my response: "Dude, I got this."  When Brandon was FED UP with Lincoln's intentional pushing of the buttons, and needed a break... "Daddy, I got this."  When Lily was sternly correcting Lucy for stealing her food, right off of her plate.... "Lily, I got this."....  When the school delivered my kid to the wrong place again, after I called and alerted the bus director of the change... that's when I asked, "Who's got this???"  Who is watching out for the safety of my child?  When my kid TELLS YOU, "No, there's a change and my dad's home.  I'm supposed to go home today." And you, as the adult tell her no, that's not what the schedule says.  First of all, wouldn't her use of the word "change" indicate it won't be on the schedule?  And 2ndly, why would you completely disregard what she is saying, when she says, "But...."  And you rudely interrupt that with, "Lily... there are no buts."  and put her on the wrong bus. 

This morning, I got a note from her teacher saying she forwarded my email on to the principal and would email me her response, so she's sure I'm getting the latest.  The principals response was it is the mom's responsibility to alert the teacher, since at the end of the day, it's the teacher's responsibility to get the child on the right bus.

So my original instructions of calling the bus director, apparently, that is no longer applicable.  Since "he would not be able to take time to contact" the teacher.  Are you kidding?  I called him at 3:19p on Thursday regarding a change for 24 hours later.  He had a full school day to alert the teacher of the change and it didn't happen.  Because he didn't have time?!?!?  Really?  That's what you've got?  LAME.

I sent her teacher a note back and said, "To clarify, I no longer need to call Larry (bus director), instead I only need to alert you of any changes?"  Her response, "That's my understanding."

So at the end of the day... my kid better not get put on the wrong bus again. 

And please know, I'm not going to just let it rest.  There was still a mistake made.  There was still an event that potentially endangered my child's safety.  I still fully intend on writing the Superintendent a letter, alerting him/her of the situation, the multiple recurrences and the complete disregard of my child's voice.  How at least the last TWO times, she's tried to tell the adult in the situation that there was a change and she was disregarded, and put on a bus that potentially was dropping her off at a empty house.  At seven years old.  I have a problem with that.  Because it's happened FIVE times, I'm not letting it rest.  I got this.

Lincoln has a OT appointment tomorrow morning with a Food Therapist.. We have a county appointed one, and frankly, I'm not her biggest fan.  If you aren't willing to step up for my son, I got this.  Moving on.  He turns 4 in August and he's still not eating table food.  I don't know what the reasoning is behind it, but just waiting to see when he is ready to do it, isn't working for me anymore.  All it's seeming to encourage is a continued stubbornness to oppose.  Dude, you need to eat.  4 yr olds aren't supposed to be wearing 2T pants.  And I don't want this to become anymore of a health concern than it is.

The weather is changing... Spring is in the air... we have been going for walks and playing outside... looking forward to getting the kids outside more and more.... I've already seen the "I don't want to go inside" meltdown, a few times... ♥

I'm on call tonight, then off the rest of the week.  Getting my Easter shirts finished up for the kids... laundry up the wazoo.  House cleaning.  Sounds like a great week ahead.  Looking forward to being just a wife and mom for a few days. 

Yeah, that scared me

Glad to be through the last week.  That's all I got to say about that.

Lily had a scrapping party (scrap book) the day of our polar plunge -- she made 2 or 3 pages, and I seriously was impressed...my girl has some mad skills with scrap booking... way better than me... and I'm proud to say that.  She has been studying hard in school... and you know -- I'm going to just exhale this and be done with it... I am totally going to be ok with whatever grades she brings home, as long as I know she's trying her best.  I love how she loves going to school now.  I love how she comes home and tells me little snapshots of her day... and it's like a puzzle for me to put together and see the whole picture... she's a happy girl.. and I love that.

Lincoln... oh, my poor boy -- as you probably read on FB, I totally nailed him with the harmonica... *sigh.  He still loves me and was completely over it minutes after it happened, but I'm still holding myself a hostage of guilt.  It was unintentional (for him to get hit), but completely intentionally thrown (on my part) .... and that was just a bad choice.  Need to work on walking the walk.  Otherwise, I think we're FINALLY getting over the crud... strep, cold symptoms, snotty nose galore... ugh.     I'm looking forward to spring / summer / fall -- when he seems SO much healthier... and I also think we're on the brink of transitioning to table food... 2012, baby... *please!

Lucy -- whew!  That girl is COMPLETELY in the, 'Pushing your buttons to the limit' stage right now.  Oh. My. God.  I swear she KNOWS she's being naughty and she's going from one 'NO!" to the next... testing to make sure it's still a 'No!', ??  I don't know... and I'm sure I won't remember this when she's bigger, like I don't remember Lily ever going through this -- but right now... ugh... most of our days are guarding the time out corner, to ensure time is fully served and not cut short by (her) choice...  All I can say is, it's a good thing she's so cute.  :)

One additional comment (again, that I shouldn't even be blogging about... but -- since we're coming clean).... we recently received a letter in the mail from a relative that sent a obit clipping of a guy that had DS that had died... ok... completely sent with good intentions, the man was 68, which is fairly old for an individual to live with DS, and the eulogy was very touching, saying that how in 1943 when this person was born, it was typically recommended to put children born with DS in a home, to be with someone that could properly care for them, but this individuals parents were told by their doctor to take him home and treat him like their other children.  Which they did.  And how "most would think that having DS is a challenge.  Being different, slow, it would be a struggle his whole life.  Well, those of us who loved him know differently."  It was touching... but creepy to get a obit.  I probably won't make a habit of sending obits to anyone, especially if they have a disease, genetic disorder, illness, or anything else - that someone else in my friend/family might have... just sayin...

*breathe.

Ok.  Move on.

Freezin BUTT, baby!

Saturday we are Polar Plunging.... jumping into a frozen lake, and wading out, all for Special Olympics... and you know what the coolest part of it is?  The National Anthem.  Because, it's belted out with heart felt passion by someone that has Down Syndrome. Cool?  Cooler than cool.  WAY cool.  I wish more people knew how cool it really is, to watch someone that has put that kind of time and dedication to learn an ENTIRE song... and sing it with pride.  The kind of pride that makes your eyes water.... because he (or she) did it! 

The most daunting moment is standing on the dock, looking down at the lake you're about to jump into, but it's also the most exhilarating.  I NEVER thought I would be one of those people that jump into a frozen lake.... but like many times true in my life.... NEVER SAY NEVER.

My husband, (allow me to brag for a minute) is the THIRD highest fund raiser, in the STATE of Minnesota.  In the state.  I'm not talking just our event... I mean like, 3rd in the S-T-A-T-E.  Proud of you, Love.  Bringing recognition and understanding to more and more... one day / one year at a time.  ♥

Cindy B.... thank you for watching our babies and making sure Lily gets to her scrap book party... means a lot to us to have friends that help us, so we can help others.  I know you're going to do great... and if you need a color on Sunday, I know this guy David, that does an EXCELLENT job.  I'll hook you up.  :)

In other Buckingham news, Sunday Lily and I will be making a trip to the mall.  Just the two of us.  And she's looking forward to it.  I think I might do a little pampering on my girl... she needs to know that I appreciate all the hard work she's been doing in school, improving her reading and math last quarter, and just generally being a mature, respectful little girl.  We're definitely hitting Claire's... and then ??  get our toes painted?  I'm not sure she's ready for that *she has a little bit of a shy streak* -- but if not, that's cool... this mom is game for whateva that girl is ready for.

I'll make sure to post some pictures of the plunge.  Think warm thoughts for us on Saturday!

Hot Mess

He was hot and I was a mess.... when I took his temp and it was 104.9.... holy crap... all I could think of was he's going to start seizing... *what I found out at the ER: febrile seizures usually happen when the fever is rising, not after it's peaked.  I called the Ask Mayo Clinic nurse line and also the Kasson Clinic, and they both said go to the ER, after I told them his fever was 104.9. 



"Mamaaaa?  Boo!"

When we got to the ER, the waiting room was pretty full... but when I told the receptionist that he was strep positive confirmed that morning and he'd only had one dose of antibiotics, that granted us a room in isolation -- no waiting. *The silver lining in this whole thing? We were seen almost immediately after being roomed and they gave him (gave me) a syringe of Motrin to give him, to help comfort his symptoms associated with the fever. Within 30 minutes, he was playing 'Boo' with the curtain and mama... telling the doctors and nurses 'Baaaaa-bye!' as they came and went to check on us...

And this morning, when I got him up, I could tell in his eyes... the second I walked into his room... my boy was back.  And he's been playing all morning. 





Tomorrow, we have conferences with Lily's teacher to hear how our girl is doing in school... we're working on math and reading both at home and after school tutoring, and I know it's paying off... I'm looking forward to talking to the teacher and hearing how awesome my kid is.  She loves school.  She strives to be a good girl and respectful of others.  She makes a mama proud.  She told me last night that tomorrow 2/1, starts "I love to read" month.  We have a separate calendar to document our reading minutes and there are all new incentives for meeting your reading goals, including watching their school principal play basketball against two other kids in the gym, in high heels.  :)  Lily thought that was going to be pretty funny to watch.

10 days and we're plunging.  I'm still trying to figure out what we're going to do with the kids... our regular babysitters are going to be out of town, and Brandon's mom is already watching Mills, while Chris and Fal jump with us....  if anyone is interested in tackling a day full of three kids.... let me know.  :)  Lily's also supposed to be going to a scrap booking party that day, and I have to try to figure getting her there too.  The mom was kind enough to say if Lily needed to hang out there for a while after the party, she could - they didn't have anything else going on... but I'm not sure what time our closing celebrations will conclude... maybe this year, we'll have to come home earlier...

Lincoln's little hand keeping extending toward the keyboard... he's trying desperately to interject his opinions here... I think it's time to call it a wrap and go play.  :)

Hopefully, the next 2 days off will be a little less stressful.  <3

Hi, this is your butt, let me hand it to you. :) Have a great day....

Hahahaha -- the title is a mixed message -- between being completely exhausted and the way I assume the Principal of Lily's school might have felt a little bit, this morning.

Yep, as suspected, I'm dragging.  4 days, 48 hours. Those are the 'in-office' hours.. I also was on-call those four nights (tonight, included) and I've said it before, I just never really sleep well when I'm on-call.  I'm waiting for the phone to ring.  I'm afraid I'm not going to hear it, though I have the volume set to the equivalent of the siren of a firetruck.  Ok, maybe not that loud.  But it's loud.  And it would wake me up.

The worst part of working these hours?  Arriving before the people you watch leave at the end of the night.  The best part of these hours?  I'm off ALL OF next week.  I have Saturday through Friday off.  My next day to work is Saturday, February 4th.  Doesn't that just sound awesome?  Totally did the "I'll see you in February!" to my supervisor.  Lame, but true.  :)

Another not-so-great part of working these hours:  the cleanup crew has been sick / working / exhausted / confirmed strep positive / working / sick / etc.... so our house suffered this insane hurricane season for the past four days.  Last night, I finally attacked the kitchen.  The dishwasher was full of clean dishes, and Brandon wasn't well enough to stand vertically long enough to unload it, so it didn't get done.  I just wasn't home, and by the time I was... I was EXHAUSTED.  So I unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher and started that.  That cleaned up most of the chaos.  The rest just was relocate toys.  *how do toys end up on our kitchen counters? And then the MOUNTAIN of school papers.  I pulled Lincoln's backpack out and took out about 6 pages of beautiful art that he has done over (at least) the last four days.  Checked his communication log -- which is how his teacher tells us the highlights of his days and any additional information.  I just keep writing - "My kid is awesome", and leave it at that.  (j/k. -- well, he is, but I don't write that in the book. I just assume she already knows that.)  I started a couple loads of laundry last night... trying to put a dent in that, but it was barely noticeable that I touched it.

These are all things that will be properly addressed on my 7-day reprieve.   Home made dinners every night... laundry caught up, house clean, toys put away, closets sorted and organized for matching outfits (yeah, I do like to do that.  I might have a touch of OCD.)  And I'm going to enjoy doing all of that.  As stressful as parenting can be some days, I'd take being a stay at home mom, any day.

So, Lily's bus incident is pretty much resolved in my mind.  The school apologized profusely -- which was nice, but also said they would start taking Lily's word more seriously -- she KNOWS where she's supposed to be.  She will (and did) tell the bus driver if she is supposed to go to daycare and they're taking her home instead - or the other way around.  My kid is smart.  She made me so proud.  When she did get home and was locked out.  She didn't sit in the breezeway and cry, she went out and shoveled the deck and the back patio.  Then she decided to start building a snowman... and made a HUGE base snowball.  We're SO finishing that this weekend... and tie-dying it with our food coloring spray bottles.  Gotta get it moved out to the front yard though, to proudly put it on display!  :)  I think we're going to get together with Brandon's little sister and our niece Mills Lane this weekend.  Will be fun to see and play with them.

Monday, I'm sending the kids to daycare and will be helping my bro with some paperwork.  He told me 'probably my only fault is forcing myself to fill out paperwork.'  Yeah, Michael.  :)  It will be cool to hang out for a little bit.... then the rest of the day is Michelle time.  Recharge.  Rejuvenate.  Not sure what I'll do, but something fun.

Have a great weekend ~

Our story....Lincoln's birth day....

Some have asked... some know.... some don't... some have wondered.... here's our story.

Lincoln would be his name...

I remember so clearly, doing the early screening for Downs... because I was considered 'advanced maternal age'.  I was 34, but would be a month into 35 by the time he was due.... I remember sitting in the Genetics Counselor's office... watching her map out our family... using shapes, circles - squares - triangles... and drawing them to perfection... with some stupid little tool... and she was nice, don't get me wrong... but I sat there thinking... I. don't. need. this.  Just give me the test, the results and let's move on.

I remember going in for the blood draw, and being a little nervous about it... the thought of having a baby with a disability scared me.  But I've ALWAYS been one of those who thinks, "it'll never happen to me."  Nah.  What am I so stressed about, waiting for these results?

I remember sitting at work, knowing that I was getting the call at work, with the results -- and I seriously contemplated taking the day off... just to guard myself.  But totally reconsidered that morning... knowing 'we'd be fine.'  The genetics counselor called, introduced herself to me and where she was calling from... and the next thing I heard was 'positive'.  and '1 in 262' .... what ???  what did you just say?   Positive?  yeah.  that is correct.  Positive.  I thanked her.  Hung up and couldn't even begin to hold back the tears.  I went and told my supervisor that I needed to go home.  And left.  Everyone knew we were expecting the results.  And everyone knew they weren't the ones we expected.

Brandon and my dad were both -- 1 in 262??  PPSsssshhhhh!  That's like less than a 1% chance.  I remember my dad saying, "I have a better chance of growing all my hair back.".... and the rest of the next few days were just a blur.

I remember the conversations prior to the results, with the counselor, about all the false positives, and the only true way to know was through an amnio, which I wasn't willing to do.  I just told myself, you know -- it was probably a false positive... and it'll never happen to me...

We went to our 18 week ultrasound... and you know, I'm SO naive.  With our first baby -- literally -- the only thing we were there for, was to find out if she was a boy or girl.  Everything else... what do you mean, everything else is ok?  What else were you looking at?  The only reason we were here was to know if we needed pink or blue clothing.  Oiy.  So we go in for our 2nd baby's ultrasound....and we know, there's going to be further scrutiny.  We know, they're going to be 'looking'.  To see if they can find anything pointing towards - yep, he has Downs.

We walked out with, everything looked 'normal' and it's a boy!  We both were relieved.  Normal.  No indicators pointing towards a confirmed DS diagnosis.  Whew.  At that point, and for the next 20ish weeks... we swallowed our fears and presumed we were in the 'false positive' results.

Fast forward... contractions... come in to the hospital... monitoring.... labor stopped by next morning.  Induction.  For anyone that hasn't had a baby - or experience with induction, it's not a quick process... I was checked, checked, and rechecked.  As I was progressing, we were told it would still probably be a while -- if Brandon wanted to get something to eat, now was probably the best time to do it.... he called, ordered a pizza... I called the nurse back in and said, you better check me again... I think it's time.  She said, well, I'll check you, but I don't think ... OH.  Yes, it is... on your next contraction, we'll start pushing.... *2 or 3 more nurses filed in... and in literally minutes, Lincoln was born.

We were taking pictures, he was perfect, we were so happy.... and oh, Brandon ordered that pizza... after getting baby Lincoln weighed and a few more pictures, he went to get his pizza.

While he was gone, more doctors, nurses, doctors, more nurses.... kept coming in, looking at my baby... I said -- what?  Is everything ok?  Oh, yeah -- we're just checking him out, he was born really quickly and his Apgar scores are a little low.  More doctors... more in and out.  No.  This is not normal.  I've had a baby already... something was not right.  I said, "Mary (our midwife), what?  Please tell me.  What are they all looking at?"  She came over and sat on the edge of my birthing bed, and said, "Michelle, we suspect he may have Down Syndrome."

WHAT?   Everything was in slow motion.  I don't think I asked another question.  I just sat there.  And cried.

Brandon came back with his pizza... walked in -- and all I could say was, "They think Lincoln has Down Syndrome."  And Brandon's response, "Well, that sucks."

The doctors came in, there was a Cardiologist, a Geneticist, all kinds of residents, nurses, our midwife... they were going to do some further tests and exams... they took him.  The doctor came back and said they were going to do a blood test that would identify the marker for Downs, a 3rd copy of Chromosome 21.  And I remember Brandon asking him if they were just doing it as a formality, and the doctor said yes.  They were pretty certain he had Downs.

I remember when they moved us from the birthing room and took us to the postpartum floor, and placed my new baby on my lap, and I cried.... the whole way to the new room.  I remember having a conversation with our midwife, who knew we planned on 3 kids... that we were done.  I didn't think it was a good idea to have anymore.  And she said... "Michelle, don't make your decision yet.  Give yourself time to figure out this new journey."  And with that, she handed me the poem, "Welcome to Holland" by Emily Perl Kingsley.

When we were in the hospital, we had to stay a little longer, Lincoln needed oxygen and he was being fed through a tube in his nose.  He wouldn't latch and wasn't 'organized' as they called it, in the Level 2 Nursery, to coordinate his 'suck, swallow, breathe' pattern.  I ended up experiencing some abdominal pain about 2 days after he was born, and by day 3, I seriously was doubling over.... it hurt so bad... and it would come in waves of cramping.  I had an uterine infection.  Really?  As if coping with everything else, now I'm getting re-admitted to the hospital and being put on an I.V. with antibiotics that were so strong, they made my mouth taste metallic.  I remember laying in bed, sleeping as much as I could and rocking back and forth when I was awake... because it hurt so much.  The nurses would come in and check on me and all I could say was, Yeah, I'm ok.  While I was thinking GET OUT!!!  *when I'm sick, I like to be left alone.

Finally, I got better, was released and was able to go back to the Level 2 nursery and touch my baby's arm through his little enclosed bassinet.

I remember finally getting to go home... with the horrendous mountain of papers, books, pamphlets, phone numbers and instructions on what to do if he stops breathing and turns blue.  O. M. G.  are you kidding me?

The Community Health Nurse came over to our house probably about a week after we were home... to make sure we were doing ok.  She came in, sat down at my kitchen table and everything was going fine, until she started telling me that my baby would probably never drive, never have a real job, never .... never....

WHAT?  I stood up, Lincoln was in the other room, in his bassinet, and I remember standing up and looking at her dead in the eye, and said, HOW DARE YOU ?!?  which was followed with get the f(*k out of my house.  *I was still very hormonal, but seriously?!?  We're going to have this conversation of all the things you don't think he'll be able to do?  Who the hell are you!??!  I don't think she was even turned around in our street to leave, and I was calling her supervisor... I won't repeat the conversation she listened to, but I was thankful she was silent and just listened.  And then the apologies started.  No.  I don't need an apology.  Just make sure it doesn't ever happen again, to any other new mother.

I remember coming home with so many more papers of informative pamphlets to read 'when you're ready.'  Starting to read it and putting it down, because I couldn't read two sentences without crying.

I was grieving.  And I grieved for probably the next 4-6 months.  I couldn't talk about it.  I went from sad, to angry, to sad, to ok, to ANGRY, to sad.... and it took a LONG time before I wouldn't cry when I talked about him... a long time....

On his first birthday, I made him a book -- which ended with, "And I promise... I will never cry again, on your birthday. Only happy tears."

Work, work, work, work, work....

The title gives it away... what am I doing this week??  In 4 days, I'll have clocked 96 hours.  (*includes on-call time)...  I work the next four days and am on call those evenings.  I'm sure by Friday, I'm going to be DRAGGING butt... but the pay off:  I will be off Saturday - Friday next week ... all of next week!  That is going to be nice.  :)

Lily and her friend played outside yesterday... they were making snow angels, then we took some spray bottles filled with water and a few drops of food coloring and 'painted' the angels.  They turned out super cute.  I'll get those pictures posted soon... they also were excited to model our new sun catcher that Lily and I made... I was pretty pleased with the way it turned out... and Lily thought it was cool.  :)

Lily's friend that came to play, was happy to help model the new sun catcher.  :)                                                                  

Yesterday, the kids didn't have school.  An in-service day - end of the quarter, whatever they called it.  I forgot about it.  So, because the weather wasn't great, and we were watching the cancellations happen all around us, I figured I'd just drive her to school... and, we were running a little late, getting Lincoln and Lucy up and ready.  So.... we come pulling into the school parking lot and there are four cars.  The lot is being plowed, and I'm thinking... did school get canceled and KTTC (news) didn't put it on their website?  UGH.  So I called Sarah - our daycare mom and asked her what was up.  After I explained that we're in the school parking lot... all she could do was laugh.  Yeah, I'm that mom.  Oiy.  *rolling my eyes.

Lily was happy to have the day off though, but made sure to tell me that she "...could have slept in this morning, mom!"  :)  Yeah, we all could have.  Oops.

Here's to the next four days flying by!  And the bliss of a week off!

Is your bum warm enough??

We are a three-car family, even though we only own two... and even that isn't real, we own the van... we lease Brandon's.  I never thought I'd ever lease a car, but we're on our second leased vehicle and it seems like it's been a good choice for us.  We had our blue Camry, that we returned with less mileage than the lease was for... increased the equity we owned in it, and made for a larger down payment on our current leased car.

We leave the van at home every day.  Since I work 12 hour shifts and have to be to work by 6:30 a.m., Brandon drives the kids to daycare at 7.  He takes them there in the van, brings it home, drops it off and goes to work in his work car.  He has to be to work by 8, so after he's dropped the kids off,  he drops the van off at home and still is able to get to work on time.  That leaves me driving our leased car to and from work every day.  When I get home I drop it off, pick up the van, and go get the kids.  It works well for us.

So the third car that comes into play is part of Brandon's job, he is test driving used vehicles nightly, that are traded in,  to make sure they are in good working order... that the options / features in the cars are all in working order.  I'm sure by now our neighbors are used to seeing a new car in our driveway every night, but initially, I wonder what they thought...  :)

The car we rented is a reddish/orangeish Rav4.  Four wheel drive, which was my only request when he selected our next car.  He brought it home, I drove it said it was fine with me.  We signed the papers, it was ours.  So about a week after driving it, he asked me again what I thought of it, and I said there were only a few things I would change if I could... and he said, like what?  Well, let me preface this with my van is LOADED.  I have EVERY feature that was available to the van, when it was new.  Granted, newer vans have more features, but it's not staring me in the face, in my van, like that big dash area that really looks weird, that's where (if you had it) the GPS system would go.  I have it, in the van.  That space below the shifter, that's where your seat heater controls would be... if you had them.  I have it, in the van.  So I said the one thing I really miss are seat heaters... yeah.  Lame.  I know.  But you get spoiled.  Seat heaters.  He said, "Suck it up."  *GASP, what did you say to me?!?!?  Suck it up????? Really??!!  He watched and let me react... and I'm pretty sure he enjoyed it all.  Then he said, "Your seat heaters are getting installed on January 4th."  He spoils me.  :)

So our after-market seat heaters were installed.  And let me tell you something about after-market seat heaters... holy burn your ass hot, on the high setting.... I swear, it's impossible to sit the entire trip (20 mins) from my house to work, with the seat heater on high.  Brandon said they are warm, "they work fast and the high position is just used to warm up the chair initially, you're supposed to turn the setting to low."  Oh.  Didn't know that.  Because in my van, I have it on high setting all the time... and it's the perfect temp... unless you're on a long trip (over an hour) -- then it gets you a little warm -- all over though, not just on the bum....

All this said, don't get me wrong... I'm NOT complaining... I've learned how to use these new seat heaters and they're fabulous.

The only other thing I wanted was leather seats.  They haven't gotten installed yet.  I'm pretty sure, they're not coming.  But I do have them in my van.  ;)

So, I have a four wheel drive vehicle, with no snow in Minnesota.  Well, we have a dusting, but nothing major.  It was 20 degrees when I came into work this morning... chilly, but not a typical Minnesota January morning.  I'm waiting for it to snow... we have some fun ideas to make some colorful snow creations that I read about in my new Disney Family Fun magazine... if and when we get some snow, and we're able to play... I'll post the pictures.

A week off - well almost...

Yesterday was the first day that I didn't lay there and think of all the things I should be doing, after I crawled in Lily's bed to take a nap.  It has been a busy week and I was exhausted.  I think I laid there for maybe a minute, before I could feel myself starting to snore.  Three hours later, I felt SO much better.  Recharged.

Also yesterday, Lily had state testing at school.  I wanted her to have a hot breakfast, so my girl chose a Soup at Hand... chicken and stars it was.  :)  When she came home from school, I asked her how she did on her testing and she said, "I did awesome, Mom."  How cool is that? I don't know if she'll always think she's that awesome, or if she'll always think her school work is that easy peasy... but I hope so.

Lily and I had a DS conversation last night... right before bed.  Lincoln was laying on his changing table, I was getting his jammies on and changing his pants... getting him ready for bed... and Lily asked why his face looks different from hers.  I said, like what do you mean?  He has ears, nose, eyes, mouth -- just like you... how is it different?  She said his eyes look different.  He has a big tongue ... those were the only two things she pointed out, but she was spot on... I told her it was because he has Down Syndrome.  I said, "See how his eyes are slanted a little like this?" *and I showed her with my fingers.  She said yes... and I said -- that is because he has DS.  His tongue is bigger than ours... because he has DS...  she said is he really flexible in his legs because of DS?  I said, yes.  She said, Mom, that's really cool... he can be a good gymnastics person.  :)  It is really cool, you're right Lily... *as I was trying not to cry.

He is normal to us.  His eating problems, delayed speech, his amazing flexibility... along with the extended time it's taking to teach him not to hit, push, pull hair, etc... it's our normal.  And I'm glad that my family is exposed to this... it's an exposure to acceptance and inclusion, that I probably wouldn't have known otherwise... it's different when it's your family.  You see the people walking around, with DS... you understand their learning disabled, and different in other ways... but until those people, are your people... it doesn't really affect you.  The inclusion in regular school.. it's not just for him, it's for the other kids too... do you know my boy?  He's pretty awesome.  *and my girls are too.  -- just ask Lily.  She'll tell you she is.  As I know Lincoln will... and Lucy will... and they'll be right.  They are.

I'm making a chicken wild rice soup for dinner tonight in the crock pot... hoping it turns out... it's a new recipe... Lily will let me know if it's awesome or not. She's my most honest critic.  :) 

Slumber parties ROCK

You know what's cool?  When you pick your kid up from her first slumber party... and she's sad that you're already there.

I remember when she was a baby, she would cry when I dropped her off at daycare... not that she didn't like it there, but that I was leaving her... *and it would b.r.e.a.k. m.y. h.e.a.r.t.  Then she got a little older, and she would cry because I was already there to pick her up, at the end of the day.  *and it would b.r.e.a.k. m.y. h.e.a.r.t.  :)  But now, (probably also has something to do with three kids later) I am happy to know that she's perfectly fine without me being right by her side.  She still can be shy.  If we're in an environment that she's not sure of... she wants me to stay with her... but for the most part, when she's with her friends... she's in her comfort zone.  And that's cool.

I'm planning a Valentine's party for Lily and her friends... nothing major -- going to set up a long table in our living room, plant some chairs around it and load it up with crafts... then have some cookies or cupcakes... and call it a party.  Mostly, it's just about having friends over... I can't wait until we live in a bigger, nicer house, so that we can entertain all the time.  Until then, they're only little once... I'm not letting excuses get in the way of creating memories for my kids...

The Polar Plunge is coming up fast... I just registered, and I'm hoping to raise $400 this year... it's for a good cause - near and dear to our hearts - Special Olympics.  I'm pretty certain, my boy is going to be playing some type of ball for them... if I had to guess, it's probably going to be basketball.  He LOVES to shoot baskets.  This will be my 2nd year jumping, and Brandon's 5th.  Never thought I'd be a Polar Plunger.... Never say never.  What you won't do for your kids.... if you're interested in donating, follow this link: https://www.plungemn.org/index.php?page=pledge&pledge_reg_id=4206

And lastly, it's official.  Lucy is a Daddy's girl.  She was all kinds of mad at her mama tonight, for changing her diaper... and Daddy rescued her, just as soon as she was all done.  I went to pick her back up from his arms to hug and kiss her to tell her I love her, and she just reached back for her Daddy and cried harder.  She wanted her Dad.  :)  I'm ok with that.  My girls love their daddy.  That's the way it's supposed to be.  *and a funny side note, Lucy calls Lincoln, "Boy".  Pretty sure she's heard him called "The boy" a few times.  Love that girl. :)

To disassemble, or not to disassemble... that is the question.

Our Christmas Tree is STILL up.  I keep passing the aisle at Walmart that has those great containers that put each one of your ornaments (or two) in a little sectioned dip, so they aren't crushed or broken next year when you pull them out.  That looks like a great idea... the problem is where / how to store those great containers... somehow, I think because I don't own any of those, I can't get our tree undecorated and put away.  Well, I'm going to give it another shot tomorrow.  It's a new day.  We'll see how it goes.  :)

It's 11:30 and Lucy is crying herself to sleep again... did I mention I'm looking forward to moving?  So that child can have her own room, and doesn't have to be moved from her pack and play in our room, out to the front living room, which doubles as her make-shift bedroom, every night when we're ready to go to bed.... yeah, I'm looking forward to moving. 

Lily's at her sleepover tonight... we walked up to the door at her friend's house, when I was dropping her off and they were already at the front door, the greeting committee... jumping up and down with excitement... and my girl was trying to be all cool, and act like she didn't want to jump up and down too... She's funny.  I KNOW they had a great time tonight and will have more fun tomorrow.  I have to pick her up around 3. 

Tonight, we rented the movie, "The Help".... it was good.  If you haven't already seen it, I'd totally recommend it.  Hard to believe people were really treated like that because of the color of their skin.  We also rented (and by we, I mean I), "Bridesmaids"... heard some good feedback on that one too -- hope it doesn't disappoint.

I'm thinking about a Valentine's party for Lily and some friends... at our place, make some 'heart' bead necklaces... decorate some cookies... punch... we'll have to see what other fun ideas I can come up with... I bought the plates, napkins and invites (blank Valentine cards)... I know they'll love it no matter what we do... I don't remember going to any parties I didn't love... *not when I was their age, anyway.  :)

Ok... the Goose is done crying... this mama is going to bed.  Big day tomorrow.... lots to do.

Content

I don't know what's causing this overwhelming feeling of contentment, but it's cool.  I love feeling like everything's right in my world... like there's not one thing that I would change -- (or very few -- mostly just that my kids would make it through the rest of this winter without the colds, coughs, and snotty noses....)

Lily's headed to her first overnight slumber party this weekend.  Oh, she's excited.  :)   We bought a new sleeping bag, (she outgrew the kids one we had before) and for Christmas, she got a great 'overnight bag', that we'll pack her stuff in.... they're going to tie dye t-shirts... sounds like a ton of fun... and I know my girl is going to love it.  There is a ((tiny)) part of me wondering if she'll be ok and stay there all night, or get homesick and want me to come get her.... I remember my first sleep over, at Julia Munson's house... middle of the night, my dad had to come pick me up -- I was in tears and needed to come home.  Needed.  Key word.  :)  So there's a baby shower this weekend that I was supposed to go to -- but because Lily's going to this sleep over, I'm sending my present and won't be attending, because I need to be home.  Need to be... in case my girl decides to bail.

Lincoln's catching and throwing a ball like a pro.  Please consider this a pre-warning: if there is a ball and Lincoln in the same room... most of the time without warning, you will be included in a game of catch..  My boy throws overhand, and aims at your head.  Just so you know.  :)

I think we're going to start potty training Lucy sooner than later.... she will tell me when she poops, and she will also tell me "potty" and point to the toilet, when she's accompanied you in the bathroom.  I wonder if this will also spark an interest in Lincoln... I'm not sure how I would react if I was done buying diapers.  Probably would feel similar to winning the lottery.

2012 is starting off to be a good year... loving life and everything about it right now.