More Christmas pictures

OK, like I said, I wasn't going to post tons of Christmas pictures. This will be the last of them.

Ike

JoeSam

Max

Really, who needs clothes in the winter??

Each kid got a pillowpet. Joe wanted the ladybug.

It's Woody! I wasn't sure if the kids would like this but Ike Loves him.

Sam wanted the unicorn pillowpet. OK, really she wants all of them. Has anyone seen the Valentine's pillowpet? It is a dog.

Max (and Ike) got dog pillowpets

Max is the best person watching him open gifts. He is SO excited about every single thing he opens. He usually says, "WOW!" every time he opens something. It is pretty funny. However, Max is not the type of kid who really 'plays' that much. Most of his presents are still untouched. He liked his electronic ATM piggy bank and a DS game case I got him. Some of the other stuff I opened just because the other kids were dying to play with it. I made them wait for a few days to see if Max would ever show interest but he never really does. In fact, most of his stocking stuffers are still sitting on the fireplace where he opened them at. Oh well, he was happy when he opened them!

About a month ago...

...We celebrated Christmas at my parents house. Yeah, I may be a tad bit late getting Christmas pictures up! I won't post too many. Promise!

My sweeties...

Ike got some hex bugs. They are kinda neat. However, they do not turn off by themselves if left on, in case anyone is wondering! One bug already had a dead battery by the next weekend. And for some reason I hate buying those batteries. They are the little watch/button/cell battery. Plus they are usually expensive batteries. I have tried once at Target but nobody ever came to the counter so I said screw it. It's on my list of items to buy.


We got hit with a ton of snow Weds. afternoon and night. Snow day on Thursday! I did have the dog and cats yearly appointment at the vet Thursday. We all went. The roads were all clear but ours. And ours was deep! They finally plowed it Thursday late afternoon and then again during the night. Which means we then had a huge mountain on snow at the end of our driveway. I was just out there this morning moving some of that snow. The sun is out today and it really does not feel that cold out. I just looked it up, it's 30.8 degrees with a windchill of 22. Maybe is sounds cold but really compared to what it has been, it feels nice out there! The downside of all this snow? It is too fluffy and dry to build snowmen. Maybe the sun will melt it just enough.

The last snow we got was the same way. There was only one good day to build with it. On Saturday. We were all busy that day. I knew it was good because while we waited for everyone to get ready and out to the car I made one big huge ball of snow within a minute. It was gonna be for our snowman. We got back late in the afternoon and it was getting too cold by that time so our poor snowman never got built. The kids are really, really wanting to build one. Just need the snow to cooperate with me!

More Christmas pics to come.

our week in review and homeschooling

This week went fast. Wednesday was back to school for us. We enjoyed our long Christmas break. We were staying up very late (OK, Pete, me and the 2 little boys do this anyway) and getting to sleep in. There were days I got to sleep in till 10:30, I think once it was even 11!! It was very nice. But the harsh world of bedtimes and alarms hit us this week. And in reality it went much smoother than I thought it would.

Wednesday also marked my first day of homeschooling Sam. It went pretty smoothly really. On Wednesday we did all our work then met Pete for lunch and did a couple errands before picking up Max and Joe from school. Thursday took longer but it was still smooth. Friday took even longer. I forgot to give Sam her medicine for her attentive deficit with breakfast. I could really tell! Thankfully, it didn't take me long to realize this and I gave it to her right away. Things got better after that. But she still wasn't really into sitting around and writing anything today. So we worked on the white board and verbally did work, at least on most of it.

I am starting at a level I believe is right below her level to hopefully build her confidence and to make sure she really knows this stuff. So far it's been smooth sailing and we double up on some of the lessons. We are using All About Spelling (AAS) (level 1) for her spelling and although the beginning of this curriculum is fairly easy it does get harder. Spelling is a struggle for her. I tested her spelling with about the first 30 spelling words about a month ago (because she wanted a spelling test) and got all those right. However, I gave her a few words randomly yesterday and she struggled with some of those. The beginning of AAS focuses on sounds. She knows those, as those are all taught in Kindergarten. However, she does not know all the vowels proficiently. Today we reviewed short sounds of the vowels. I admit I suck at vowel sounds! I'm glad AAS came with a CD that produces all sounds. I personally don't hear a difference between some of them, especially short e and i. So that makes it hard to 'quiz' Sam on those sounds. My mom was told when I was little I would never talk correctly and that I don't hear certain sounds correctly. I DO talk just fine but I guess the person was right about me now hearing different sounds! I stink at spelling by the way. Thank goodness for spell check! I hope to really focus on the rules of spelling (which AAS does) and go faster once we establish those. I don't think it will be much of a problem to move quickly once she really understands some of the rules.

I bought 2 of the chapter books from AAS and have her read those to me. They really don't start reading with AAS yet but since she is above this level of spelling I have started it already. Plus she really needs to work on reading. I like the books. The stories are short and simple. They get harder as they go along. We have read the first 6-7 stories already. Today was the first day I really saw her struggling with some of the words, and trust me they were pretty simple ones.

Other stuff... Sam's ankle is now fine. Yay! Max's cholesterol is still high. 215. Should be under 200. I'm almost positive this is all hereditary. Mine was really high, and yes I mean that!! In the 400's. The meds I am on have bought that down to around 200. That was only after a short period of time. I am hoping it is even lower now. I am also on a low dose. Pete also had high cholesterol prior to medicines. My mom has high cholesterol and so does both my father-in-law and mother-in-law. My doctor told me I was just born to the wrong parents! Anyway, back to Max... The Dr office gave me a number to the nutritionist. I asked if they had an eating specialist since Max is SO insanely picky. She said they do have a separate clinic for feeding issues and just to let them know what is going on and hopefully they can choose which would be best for him to see. I have not called yet though. Mainly because I am dreading this appointment. Why? Because I am pretty sure it will entitle change for Max. I see some struggles ahead with food. Hopefully I am seeing the struggles all wrong and everything will go smoothly.

Joe refused to go to school Wednesday. First words out of his mouth Wednesday morning were, "I don't want to go to school!" Sorry Joe, you're going! Once it was time to go he wouldn't go out to the van. I had to carry him out there and buckle him up. Then at school he would not get out. We sat there for over 5 minutes. He would not get out no matter what. I got him out but he got right back in. I got him out again and walked (as in holding his arm and marching him) up to the doors. Opened the doors, pushed him in and held the door shut. I am sure the office thinks highly of me! Once I moved my foot he tired escaping. So I held the door again and at that time one of the office ladies grabbed him and told him it was time for school. He was screaming and crying. I told him bye and left, thinking he would calm down after I left.

I called the principal later that afternoon. Told him Joe does not like school and talked about some other stuff (don't want to get into details just by the slight chance the teacher hears/reads this). The principal told me it took about an hour to get Joe to class! An HOUR!! The teacher told me it took about 30 minutes (she didn't know I had talked to principal at this point). So either way you look at it, it took a long time. I let the principal know Joe thinks school is boring. We were trying to think of something that would let Joe want to come to school. I had already came up with an idea but just had to make a call still. Joe really likes a girl down 2 houses from us who is in his class. Joe calls her his girlfriend! I called and talked to her mom about carpooling. The girl rides a bus Monday and Tuesday b/c she is in a daycare on those days. But Wednesday-Friday would work. So Thursday and Friday Joe rode with them to school. Joe and his 'girlfriend' walked up to school and to class holding hands the whole way, with NO problems. Next week will be my turn to take them. Monday and Tuesday I am guessing will be a struggle again. Wednesday I am hoping goes smooth. I hope he wants to get out of the car with her and walk up.

Still, what the heck is going on? Why does he hate school SO much? I haven't figured it out yet. I have a few ideas. If things don't improve soon I think I will ask for a meeting with school. Not just the teacher but other officials as well. Get more people involved so hopefully someone can figure it out.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Max, just because

I feel like I have not talked a lot about Max lately. So here he is....

He is doing great. His ears were clear at the ENT appointment a couple weeks ago. His hearing was normal or at least close to it. He still only has 1 tube. So that is great news! Clear ears in the winter? A first for him I think.

His eyes still doing fine as well.

I am trying to get his cholesterol re-checked since it was high 6 months ago.

He is a big pain in the butt to his siblings but isn't that what big brothers do?

Reindeer hat

These lovely reindeer hat caused much drama. This is Joe at his class party (separate from the gingerbread house party). It was on Friday, before school got out for Christmas. It was also Sam's last day. I went to Sam's party first, hung out, helped, etc... Then hopped across the hall to peek in Max's class. I didn't see him but planned on coming back after I visited Joe. Max saw me because as I was walking down the hall Max went to his door, yelled my name and waved for me to come back. I went and visited him for only a couple minutes. I feel bad because I never did make it back to his class. I went to Joe's class and never made it back out! Nothing big, just got busy helping and such.

I had told Sam's teacher I would come to her class after school to help pack her stuff up. However, ALL her stuff was already packed up before the parties. I did leave my stuff and Ike's coat in her classroom because I still planned on helping her carry her stuff and making sure she got everything.

So school was over. Max was already in Joe's class with me (dropped off by his para). We were getting packed up in Joe's room and started walking towards Sam's class. We met her and her friend half way there. Her friend carried all my stuff (it was stuff for their party and never got around to using). I asked them if they grabbed Ike's coat. No. At that time, Joe announced he forgot his reindeer hat. Instead of dragging 4 kids and ALL of our stuff down the hall to Sam's class, fighting the huge crowds, then turning around and going back to Joe's class I came up with a plan. Sam could grab Ike's coat for me, Joe could go grab his reindeer hat while me, Max and Ike waited in the middle. They went on their ways. Sam got back first. We waited on Joe. He wasn't coming.

I looked down the hall for Joe but did not see him walking down. I decided we would walk on down to his class. I had all his stuff (coat, backpack, craft and goodies, etc). We walk into his class but there was no Joe. I am wondering if it was possible to have missed him in the hall. We step back out and here comes his teacher, holding his hand, coming in from outside. She walked other kids outside to meet their parents. She decided she would take Joe for some reason. I have NO idea why. It was cold and I had his coat. She knew I had him and we were good to go.

So here she comes holding onto Joe with a death grip because he was kicking at her, screaming, falling to ground, anything trying to get away from her. She hands him over to me and then asks, "is there anything I can do to help?" Oh my goodness I was pissed. Joe was just fine by himself. I sent him to get his hat and that was it. Joe is capable of getting his hat and walking down the hallway by himself!! He was fine, he was happy, just missing his reindeer hat.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" I replied, "no, I'm guessing Joe is mad because I sent him to get his reindeer hat and then come back to me but I'm guessing somebody grabbed him and wouldn't let him do it!" She was quite. Joe was pissed. He was now in a huge fit. He didn't want to walk, stand up, or do ANYTHING! "Well, let me know if there is anything I can help with." We all start walking towards the door. Joe wasn't moving. However, I had my hands completely full of stuff so he was going to have to walk out by himself. We all go outside while Joe lays on the floor. He finally gets up and follows. We get to the car and he would not get in. He would not talk to me either. I was asking him what happened, why did his teacher have him, etc.. nothing. The same time Sam remembers something she forgot. She went back in to get it. Joe still trowing a huge fit. I decide to ignore him since trying to talk to him was getting me nowhere. Sam gets back and I am still waiting on Joe to get in the car. I finally get him in and buckled but he was SO not happy!

I never found out what happened. All I know is that the reindeer hat ended up causing a lot of drama. This is the teacher we are having issues with this year. I don't think I ever blogged this but one day she came out with the students, and handed me Joe. She said, in front of the other kiddos as well, "today was a good day. He only did a few of his little quirks. But then I told him how odd he was being and made him cry." Seriously, you are telling me it was a good day because you made my child cry!? I asked Joe about it later. He said another boy blamed him for something he did not do and that is why he cried. I will never know the straight story. I did talk to the principal about it though.

It all makes me wonder, is this just the teacher or is there seriously something different about Joe? She has told me all year long about how "atypical" and "odd" he is for being a 5 year old. I can't say I see it. I'm I letting her get to me? Is there something going on? I guess only time will tell.

Tough guys

Remember Ike vs the glass coffee table? He fell asleep on our way to get ice cream. I blogged while he slept. I never got this picture up so I decided to go ahead and do it now. I saved his ice cream for him and this is what he looked like after he woke up...
a little beat up!! However, by the next day he looked fine.

The day of our Gingerbread House Party at school the 2 little boys wanted mohawks. I was fine with it because they both had some serious bed head hair.

I'd think sporting the tough guy mohawks, all would be good. Apparently not when your 3 and 5 and something doesn't go your way. I don't even remember why they were crying. I think this was the day they were fighting over who got to push the button to open the garage vs who got to close it once in the car. Anyway, here are my 2 tough little guys....

Gingerbread houses and goose eggs

Every year in Kindergarten the kids have made gingerbread houses. The parents/siblings are invited in to help their child. When it was Max's turn to make a gingerbread house Sam got to join in. If I remember correctly, Sam made her own. I let them keep them for a little while. I get pictures but they end up in the trash eventually. Joe got to make one when Sam was in Kindergarten and now that is was Joe's turn, Ike also made one.

However, this year Joe got cheated. The gingerbread house party lasts for one hour. He only got to stay for about 30 minutes. Max had an ENT appointment making us leave early from school that day. Ike threw a fit the entire 30 minutes. Why? Because he is 3 and he was mad because mean mommy put icing on the house to hep him build it. So I gathered a few of the different candies when it was time to go. They finished them at home later on. SO much more peaceful!!

I still have the gingerbread houses but they are about a day from the trash can. The kids have been ripping into them over the weekend.

We all know the best part of making a gingerbread house is the frosting....

Joe with his creation

Ike and his creation

Sam and her friend saw these lovely houses and decided they want to attempt to make a "bread house." "All we need is some bread and peanut better!" I'm a sucker and let them try it out. It failed. That and they realized we had graham crackers and frosting. So they attempted another house. I should also say, they told me they were going to eat their creation when done.

They used about 2 packages of graham crackers, all the frosting we had left and a lot of peanut butter. It looked nothing like a house. It was more like graham cracker stacked on graham cracker with frosting or peanut butter between them. Needless to say they never ate it. I threw it out without even getting pictures.

Speaking of Sam, my ever so graceful child.... she ran right into a wall yesterday. She is now sporting a nice bruised goose egg on her forehead. She also had a bloody nose. How fast was she going to hit the wall that hard?? Pete is teasing her and asking if she thought she had super powers and could run right through the walls! She has her follow up for her broken ankle this afternoon. Hopefully she is good to go, considering she has been going without her boot almost the entire time these last 2 weeks!