Costumes

We didn't do Halloween growing up. So I have mixed feelings about it. I want my kids to enjoy trunk-or-treat at the church. I want them to have a blast dressing up. But ... I can't imagine buying costumes. They just seem so expensive. This (or something similar) is what my girls want:

I however, think I could probably manage something like this . . .

Or this . . .

Aren't those more fun? Sheesh. Who wants to dress up like a princess every year? So I don't know what we'll do this year. I don't even know if we'll go to the church as a family because it's usually fairly difficult with Ryan. He doesn't do so well in big crowds. Maybe he could be a hamster in a cage, and that way wherever he goes he can just mow anyone down around him. He'd love that! ;) We'll see . . .

In the Midst Of It All

This has been a particularly trying week. We had family pictures done on Tuesday night by the lovely and talented Andrea F! That was actually the highlight of the week. Now Samantha and I both have pinkeye, although we have been using the eyedrops since Wednesday so I think we're on the mend. (Giving eyedrops to an 8-month-old is NOT on my list of fun things to do!) Ryan crashed into our fireplace Wednesday night and cut his head open. There was blood spurting everywhere. I thought for sure a visit to the ER was in order but luckily it didn't need stitches. Oh, and I learned a GREAT tip from my neighbor, a former nurse. She said if you ever need stitches like that on a little girl, take the strands of hair on either side of the wound and knot them so they hold the wound together. Makes sense, right?

Ryan has not stopped this phase he's going through, or whatever you want to call it. He has been screaming several hours of the day and has gone back to biting anyone close by. The dr. couldn't find anything wrong so we are going to try to get into the specialist next week. His occupational therapist gave us a small brush and an instruction sheet on how to use it with him. It's supposed to help kids who are "tactically defensive". It makes him giggle, so at least that's a positive step. I think (hope) I am learning to be a better mom to him and the others throughout all of this.

Pillow Pet for President

This week we have been touching on the history of governments around the world. The kids are starting to learn the various functions of the government and responsibilities of the people. After some discussion on the topic, I let them form a mock government with their pillow pets (their new favorite stuffed animals). They decided to have an election for president. (Oh Boy!) I had them plan and present a speech of what their pillow pet would accomplish as president. Here's what they had to say . . .

Allie (2nd grade) "I will lower taxes and fix the mistakes that Obama made!" (uh, oh . . . guess we have some listening ears around our house)

Emily (1st grade) "I will protect the people and give them places to hide from danger and make our military strong!"

M. (kindergarten) "I will make up the rules and SMOOSH anyone who disagrees!"

So, basically M. plans to be a dictator. :) What kindergartner doesn't, right?

Can't wait to hear their opinions on the same topic in a few years!

Autism Trials

Ryan has an appointment with the doctor today to see if we can figure out what has been going on with him lately. The last couple of weeks he seems to have been sleeping less, had a poor appetite, and crying more. I feel so bad when he tells me "owie, owie!" and I don't know how to help him. The problem is he usually sleeps poorly, doesn't have much of an appetite, and cries. It's hard to know when it's more severe than usual, but I hope the dr. will be able to shed some light on his recent behaviour. His terrific therapist, Julie, told me today that she once worked with a little girl with mental retardation who had blown out her eardrums on both sides. It had been that way for a couple of weeks before her parents caught on. :( Poor little thing. But I can understand how that happens.

Last night I tried sleeping on the floor of his bedroom to see if it would comfort him. He is usually such a good boy; even when he doesn't sleep he'll lay in bed and sing and squeal happily. (We can sometimes sleep through it but not always.) He usually knows we are just across the hall and is just fine. But last night he really wanted mama nearby. I used to be able to sleep on the floor all the time, but I think that ability has gone the way of my eagerness with rollercoasters! It has been lost somewhere over the last ten years of marriage and children. :) Hope he's okay.

Mama's Little Helper

I have a horrible habit of running a sink full of hot water to soak dishes . . . and then leaving it alone forever. I guess I just really hate washing dishes. So God, in His wisdom, has given me a little boy who loves playing in soapy water. And that little boy can NOT leave the a sink full of soapy water alone. He pulls the ottoman right up to the sink area and starts washing! It has made me kind of crazy to have him do this, but the dishes are getting done. :) Grateful to have a little motivater in my life!

Teaching Character to Kids

Reading, writing, and 'rithmatic are hugely important in our school, but we have been trying to teach character to our kids as well. I came across a website that isn't flashy or exciting, but it does have some basic ideas for teaching character. You can find it here. We have been working on obedience, self-control and patience in the last five weeks. The best part of all? It's helping me too! :)

One Great Vacation

We have been back almost a week now from our family vacation to Lagoon. The best thing we did on this vacation was take Grandpa and Grandma with us. It was so wonderful to let Ryan and Samantha hang with them sometimes so Ethan and I could spend time with the big girls. (One memorable moment: going to Target and not having to carry or push anybody in a cart!) We are so thankful that we were able to get away from it all for a few days. One thing I learned on this trip was that either rollercoasters have gotten scarier or I have become a wimp over the last decade! Either way, it's fun to try doing something you used to love. Sometimes you find yourself loving it all over again!