and Im truly enjoying watching him. For anyone who dosent know he is nonverbal and severly autistic.
My mom just spent a few days visiting. When she visits she cleans like crazy lol. She means to help and I appreciate her desire to help but she manages to drive herself and Nate crazy.
I cant be too negative about her "help". We are both slow learners ;) A year ( ok ok I still occasionaly feel discouraged even now) ago I would have been steaming about the fact that he was destroying the house faster than I could clean it and ruining all my hard work.
Ive come to realize that as much ...More! than I *need* the house to be clean he needs the chaos. He needs to feel all the different tetures of clothing while emptying out my dirty clothes hamper. He needs to bang things and make different sounds. and he needs to be allowed to do for himself even when doing for himself looks like doing nothing but making a huge mess.
Most days there has to be a compromise. The rest of the family does deserve a somewhat sanitary environment to live in. Today though is Nates day :)
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Ok sooo I havent posted in forever ........
I'm trying to get back in the swing of things with blogging and all. Ive just been so busy and distracted today. For now I leave you with an article that was linked to at another blog but is a great read esp if you say unschooling cant possibly work. What about science, what about math?
so here ya go ...
http://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/commentary/games/2008/09/gamesfrontiers_0908
so here ya go ...
http://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/commentary/games/2008/09/gamesfrontiers_0908
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Earrings, kittens and other fine things
Alyssa wanted her ears pierced before she starts school.Dh authorized the deal so I decided to go ahead and get it done tonight. So i have her on the bed and Im unwrapping the needle and tell her to lay her head down in my lap. Poor thing starts crying before I even touch her! So I calm her down and give her the option of not doing it ...she still wants it done. First one is through and she says oww! Then I get ready for the second one and she just lays there and giggles throughout the whole thing.
She looks very pretty. I'll have to post a picture soon :).
Mil, Sil, and her baby came down to visit today. It has been to long. I wish we could see them more often but we sure are cherishing their time here.
I went outside a minute tonight and momma cat has moved the kittens to the porch 9 they were under the next door neighbor's house ) . Courtney is going to be thrilled when she finds them in the morning .
She looks very pretty. I'll have to post a picture soon :).
Mil, Sil, and her baby came down to visit today. It has been to long. I wish we could see them more often but we sure are cherishing their time here.
I went outside a minute tonight and momma cat has moved the kittens to the porch 9 they were under the next door neighbor's house ) . Courtney is going to be thrilled when she finds them in the morning .
Monday, July 14, 2008
Obituary of Sense, Common
OBITUARY OF THE LATE MR. COMMON SENSE
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
Why the early bird gets the worm;
Life isn't always fair;
Maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple sound financial policies:
Don't spend more than you can earn.
And reliable strategies:
Adults, not children, are in charge.
His health began to deteriorate when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Tylenol, sun lotion or a band-aid to a student but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when it became punishable for you to defend yourself from a burglar in your own home but the burglar could sue you for assault. He began to lose ground rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his Daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 3 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To blame, and I'm A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
Why the early bird gets the worm;
Life isn't always fair;
Maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple sound financial policies:
Don't spend more than you can earn.
And reliable strategies:
Adults, not children, are in charge.
His health began to deteriorate when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Tylenol, sun lotion or a band-aid to a student but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when it became punishable for you to defend yourself from a burglar in your own home but the burglar could sue you for assault. He began to lose ground rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his Daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 3 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To blame, and I'm A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
I feel all happy inside :)
Alyssa had her tonsils out Friday and she is doing well. Poor kid is hungry and popsicles and ice cream arent filling her up . She has taken on a pbj sandwich and spaghettios tonight and is doing quite well with them.
This afternoon she came and gave me a hug and said youre so nice to me momma.
Courtney was very upset . She had been waiting all weekend to play with friends and none of them were available to play with today. She was so angry she was in tears over it and I had to tell her there wasnt anything I could do to fix it. Then I got her a piece of cake and asked if she wanted to play cards. A few minutes later we were laughing and she was kicking my bootie at go fish. I think the girlie is psychic. Everytime Id pick a card up from the go fish pile she was asking for it .
She decided to go lay down for bed a few minutes ago and came , gave me a hug, and said thanks for trying so hard to cheer me up mom.
Nicole
This afternoon she came and gave me a hug and said youre so nice to me momma.
Courtney was very upset . She had been waiting all weekend to play with friends and none of them were available to play with today. She was so angry she was in tears over it and I had to tell her there wasnt anything I could do to fix it. Then I got her a piece of cake and asked if she wanted to play cards. A few minutes later we were laughing and she was kicking my bootie at go fish. I think the girlie is psychic. Everytime Id pick a card up from the go fish pile she was asking for it .
She decided to go lay down for bed a few minutes ago and came , gave me a hug, and said thanks for trying so hard to cheer me up mom.
Nicole
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Lets Ride!
More proof that kids will do things when they are ready...not a moment before and not a moment later. Courtney didnt ride on her own untill nearly 7. No big deal ...there are training wheels and other outside toys to play with. Alyssa just turned 5 and I was a bit suprised when she came to me and demanded her training wheels be taken off. You want me to take them off right now? yes! Ummm ok let me get tools.
Silly me gave her this pep talk about how she might not be able to do it right away, some things take practice, thats ok blah blah . She was very polite and patient with me . Then she hopped on her bike and took off
Nicole
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Catching up
Alyssa's surgery is Friday. She is excited and telling everyone she is going to have to get "flu" in her arm. I'm getting nervous. I know it will be fine...but she is still so little.
I get to go through it again the 24Th for Nate's colonoscopy. I'm looking forward to that being over and getting him back on his diet.
Today my arthritis is flaring up something awful and I hurt so Ive been kinda lazy.
Courtney spent a lot of the day with her microscope. First we looked at apple slices , then onion, then she went outside getting dirt and a flower petal. Then I pricked my finger and we had fun looking at that.
I think my laziness was contagious because even barometer boy laid down for a while.
Very uncharacteristic of him but I enjoyed the break.
Alyssa spent a lot of time coloring and working in her ABC book. I had to chuckle at one of the pictures she brought to me . It was the family and everyone had clothes on except Nate. He , like many autistic kids loves to strip and run around naked. I'm just wondering what her teacher is going to say when she goes to kindergarten next year drawing pictures of her naked brother......
I get to go through it again the 24Th for Nate's colonoscopy. I'm looking forward to that being over and getting him back on his diet.
Today my arthritis is flaring up something awful and I hurt so Ive been kinda lazy.
Courtney spent a lot of the day with her microscope. First we looked at apple slices , then onion, then she went outside getting dirt and a flower petal. Then I pricked my finger and we had fun looking at that.
I think my laziness was contagious because even barometer boy laid down for a while.
Very uncharacteristic of him but I enjoyed the break.
Alyssa spent a lot of time coloring and working in her ABC book. I had to chuckle at one of the pictures she brought to me . It was the family and everyone had clothes on except Nate. He , like many autistic kids loves to strip and run around naked. I'm just wondering what her teacher is going to say when she goes to kindergarten next year drawing pictures of her naked brother......
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Barometer boy's new tricks
I ran outside to take the last bag of trash to the curb before the truck got to my house. When I get back inside I find Nate standing in the kitchen licking the last single serve ice cream from the carton. He is getting a little too good at using the stool. Guess its time to put a lock on the freezer too.
He is diagnosed as both autistic and MR ......but Im not so sure about the mr. He is able to plan a bit.
He isnt supposed to have dairy or gluten but he wants it. So he will go make a mess ( like spilling vanilla on the carpet ) then while Im distracted with cleaning it up he runs and gets the bread.
He is diagnosed as both autistic and MR ......but Im not so sure about the mr. He is able to plan a bit.
He isnt supposed to have dairy or gluten but he wants it. So he will go make a mess ( like spilling vanilla on the carpet ) then while Im distracted with cleaning it up he runs and gets the bread.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Branches
Courtney and I were driving down the road and she told me her eyes were playing tricks on her. She was seeing "water puddles" then when we got close to where they were they wernt there.
I assured her that I saw them too. I havent really found a good scientific explination for this. If anyone has one please post in comments.
Then we start asking each other sill questions and I asked her whats the square root of 4. She went huh? I explained that a square root of a number is a number that when multiplied by itself equals that number. Oh she says ! Its 2 .......and the square root of 25 thats 5. ( why did I spend 6 weeks in 8th grade learning this? )
Well we get home and I was looking on the net to show her what square roots look like on paper.
While we are surfing we find Square Root of Margaret
I assured her that I saw them too. I havent really found a good scientific explination for this. If anyone has one please post in comments.
Then we start asking each other sill questions and I asked her whats the square root of 4. She went huh? I explained that a square root of a number is a number that when multiplied by itself equals that number. Oh she says ! Its 2 .......and the square root of 25 thats 5. ( why did I spend 6 weeks in 8th grade learning this? )
Well we get home and I was looking on the net to show her what square roots look like on paper.
While we are surfing we find Square Root of Margaret
Saturday, June 14, 2008
We have been running like crazy all week with Dr's appointments and such so my first thought was go drive in a non air conditioned van for an hour and a half to take the kids swimming..eek I dunno.
We all really needed to get out of the house though. After a quick vote that ended in a unanimous yes!, we packed up the van and headed to Leslie's house. Since we live so far from most of the others in the unschool group, this was the first time we got to visit her house. The backyard is amazing!
We had a great time swimming and playing and visiting and the girls were really mad about having to leave . Shame on me for not making daddy walk 12 miles home!
The younger 2 had a nice nap on the way home. We got dad and the girls headed off to vbs .
It was a great day. :)
We all really needed to get out of the house though. After a quick vote that ended in a unanimous yes!, we packed up the van and headed to Leslie's house. Since we live so far from most of the others in the unschool group, this was the first time we got to visit her house. The backyard is amazing!
We had a great time swimming and playing and visiting and the girls were really mad about having to leave . Shame on me for not making daddy walk 12 miles home!
The younger 2 had a nice nap on the way home. We got dad and the girls headed off to vbs .
It was a great day. :)
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