Cookies and Milk

Jeff is known around work as the "snack shack" or "special events coordinator." He is always putting together pot lucks or some type of eating event at work. Most often they are chili cook offs or BBQ's. They have had Mexican fiestas, pancake breakfasts, thanksgiving feasts, appetizer spreads, deep fried paradise, cookie throw down, salad fixings, grill cheese & tomato soup combo and more. Whenever they can come up with something new and interesting it becomes an event. Around this time Jeff is usually off shopping or messing up my kitchen.

Recently for the Christmas spirit they had a cookies and milk event. Jeff actually sent me pictures of the spread this time. He was thrilled with the turn out. He made something new called peanut butter and jelly bars. I haven't tried them but he tells me they are good. He even brought home a sampler platter for the family to try. We've been grazing on the left overs for a few days now. It was super fun to see what people made. I can't wait to see what the next event will be.

Our Little Reindeer

Megan had her 3rd grade concert today. It was the North Pole Musical and she was Comet the reindeer. She has been practicing in her room to a cd that they each got. I've been hearing these Christmas songs coming out of her room for a few months now. She has excitedly told me about practices and who was cast as which part among her friends. She was very excited to perform today.

Megan had a few solo lines in the concert as well as getting to sing a solo sentence in a song. She tried out for Crystal Snowflake because she liked the idea of being a fairy but when the parts were handed out after auditions she was given comet. She wasn't upset one bit and actually got into her part. She liked getting the fuzzy antlers and face paint on her nose. When she was lined up before the performance I got to see her and she was all a glow.

She did a great job and I'm so happy to have had the chance to go. They have 2 performances today. One this morning for the school and one tonight for families with working parents. It was cute to see Andrew watching her from his floor seat. We'll be going back again this evening for the encore performance.

I love the chance to support Meg in all that she wants to do. It warms my heart to see her grow into the big girl she is becoming. I'm her biggest fan and hope she continues to put herself out there and do the things that make her happy. Go Meg!!!

Award Winner

This last week I was the proud parent of Andrew. His support center teacher nominated him for an award in cooperation. Not sure his main stream kindergarten teacher would agree but we'll take it.

Andrew still struggles with main stream and wishes he could be back in the support center full time. It is a challenge for him to fit in socially and behaviorally. We are still working on issues although he has done a much better job lately. I'm proud of every little progress he makes and do my best to help him through the rough days.

Turkey, Family, Shopping & more

This year for Thanksgiving we headed to Jeff's Aunt's house to celebrate. It was so nice to see family and catch up. We had a great time and the kids were much better behaved than previous years.

A few of the ladies headed out for a quick thanksgiving day shopping trip to one store. We had some time to kill while we waited for the bird to cook so why not? Didn't find really anything but it sure got me jazzed for the black Friday shopping.

We had great company and yummy food. Megan even wrote a song that she sang to the group. I was impressed that she actually had the nerve to sing her solo. She was all grins once it was over and was glad she did it. Jeff's Grandpa entertained us with his 80+ strength when he got down on the ground for some push ups. It was so cute to see and I hope when I get that old I'll be able to get on the ground like that.

I'm so thankful for family and all that they mean to me. Each person brings something different to my life and that of my family. It's heart warming to reflect back on all those that have touched our lives and left us better people. I hope everyone had as nice a Thanksgiving as we did.

A White Thanksgiving

We got our first snow yesterday afternoon and the kids were super excited. They were glued to the windows just watching the snow flurries come down. By bed some of the snow on the roads started to melt and we thought that was the end of it. We were wrong as we got up this morning we had more snow over night and this morning.

We bundled up for school this morning and by the time we were ready to go outside to catch the bus it had started to snow again. The kids were so happy to let it flurry down on them. Andrew stuck out his tongue and said "yummy, I like snow." Megan just enjoyed the over all splendor.

They couldn't resist trying to make snow balls and throw them up in the air. There isn't that much snow so the "snow balls" were more like snow pancakes but it's all fun. Andrew's hands got cold quick and he was done touching the snow. Megan could care less and wanted to take some with her on the bus. The kids are already asking to go outside and play once they get home from school.

As I look outside it is still snowing and we are getting a nice layer. I guess this is a sure sign that our winter is going to be a cold one. We are supposed to have colder temperatures tomorrow but no snow. I guess we'll see what comes our way. I think it is fun although I don't want to drive anywhere as that is scary to think of. I'm not used to having snow so it's all a new experience for the kids and I.

Ice Ice Baby

Disney on Ice has skated into town again and we couldn't pass it up. This time they did a whole show on celebrations. We went through seasons of time and they incorporated lots of fun characters.

Andrew wasn't exactly sure what he was in store for and we tried to remind him of the last time but he wasn't really listening. He was just excited to be out and doing something different. Megan was super excited and couldn't wait.

Once the action got started both kids were glued to the ice. They loved every minutes of all the action. Our seats were a bit to the side so our view was not perfect but it didn't stop us one bit from enjoying the show.

We got a free disposable camera with our tickets and we decided to turn it over to the kids. Andrew started off and took half the shots on the camera. He took pictures of what he thought was important. Then the camera was handed over to Meg and she took the rest. I think she took her first 5 or so on the princess scenes.

They did a birthday celebration, love celebration, villains for Halloween celebration, Christmas celebration, vacations, and more. There was a variety of different stuff going on and it made it super fun. I think this was more fun then the last time we went. I liked how the story was new and fresh. I didn't get bored one bit. Jeff thought it lacked a story he was familiar with and wished to see a better story line. We were the exact opposite on how we thought of the show.

Andrew got to see some of his favorite characters. He has always loved Lilo and Stitch as well as Buzz Light year so he was in heaven. When I asked what was his favorite part he said simply "all of it"

Megan was of the same mind as Andrew she loved all of it as well especially all the princesses. It was all very exciting. She loved the fire element and pyrotechnics which made it exciting for her.

Both kids had a great time as you would imagine. Andrew has asked already to go see it again. We had to explain that it was a one time thing but maybe next year or when they come around again.

We really enjoy the chance to go out and do fun things like this with the kids. It's so amazing to be together as a family and get to just have fun. I'm always thankful for the things we go out and do. It amazes me how many opportunities we seem to get.

School check up

School is in full swing and we've already gotten our school pictures and the first parent teacher conference out of the way. Megan is doing wonderful in her 3rd grade class. She loves homework monopoly, which is new this year. For each student that gets their homework complete each night they get to roll some dice and go around a monopoly board designed to win classroom rewards. Megan's favorites are sitting at the teachers desk, eating lunch with a friend, and being the game host for monopoly. This game is a big hit with her this year and I get to hear about it often. The teacher tells me she is a joy to have in class and it very helpful. She is going great academically except in reading points. She is in the highest reading group but has a bit of a struggle remembering things she's read. So when she sits down to take the tests she isn't scoring very high. We've already come up with our own little summary notes to help her and she is making up points left and right. It is so nice to see her love school and be so happy. At this stage Megan is shooting to be a scientist when she grows up and keeps that goal in her sights.

On the flip side we have our little guy Andrew. Where to start with this one. This has already been an interesting year for him. He spends part time in main stream kindergarten and part time back in the support center so that he can continue to be a full time student. Up until parent teacher conference I thought things were going great. I hadn't gotten any phone calls, emails, or notes. No news usually means good news so all systems go. Well I was way wrong. At parent teacher conference I learned that this switch over to main stream has been a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. He has been having a tough time fitting in and his behavior has been awful. He went from having about 7 classmates and pretty much one on one teacher support to a class of 25 with only 1 teacher and a few helpers. It has been hard for him to concentrate and not try to get away with whatever he wants. I've since learned that Andrew doesn't like to follow directions, he is unpredictable with friends, he blurts out exactly what he is feeling or thinking, he can't sit still, and he has been in the principals office a handful of times already. Some of his "greatest hits" have been: Him grinning at the teacher and saying "You can't catch me." or locking himself in the bathroom after PE when he had a substitute that he didn't like. Nothing beats getting home and getting a voice mail from the principal. We've worked out a little smiley chart system that comes home with him to tell us how he is going. When he gets all smile faces he earns rewards. It is our way of trying to work on his behavior. We've only had it in place for a few weeks now and today was the first time he came home with all smiley faces for the day. We celebrated and are excited to see his progress. I hope we continue to move forward and smooth out this rough patch or it will be a very long year.