Brought to you by

They Might Be Giants. They have here come the abc's which my children love and now have come out with here come the 1 2 3's. This has become the Master's new theme song (or so he wishes) and I adore it so.

If you ARE inclined, be sure to find 9 pirate girls too. That one is another fave.

So theres my thoughts for now. So deep they are ;)

Crazy days and nights in Purple Land!

So the list kind of went out the window with the week long power outage. Wow did that ever suck! I think the kids handled it better than we did. Thank the gods that Fairy had her power and we could go over there. saved a bit of the last of my sanity, I think. Damn hurricane Ike.

I'm attempting to list out projects and triage them now. fun fun. I'm also attempting to find a form of exercise I'm even remotely interested in. Also looking for easy but healthy recipes. Ok...so I like the purple sky in my world. Reality will smash down at some point, I know. but I can dream.

Speaking of dreams...had a very odd one about losing my left hand last night. All in all, very strange. Had to go to Canada to get the prosthetic one because those experimental Canadians had one that would hook up to my nerves and I could move it. Crazy canucks!

In other news, The Master and I are attending A Respite Speed Interviewing Event. Families and respite (thats fancy babysitting terms when you have special needs kids, folks) care providers get 8 min interviews and try find a match. Its 3 hours long and they say you should bring your kids. I kinda laughed at that and quickly called Drama Queen and asked her to watch the kids for a few hours. Lets hope we can find some prospects. having one 15 year old and a grandma we don't want to leave them with for very long as babysitters gets a bit tight.

other than that, not much is going on here. Oh, Licker (formerly Volume) is a little stinker and is talking some at school, but not at home. Though trouble talks some at home but not at school. So I guess they are trying for balance ;)

That sums up life around here. As we await the new patch and expansion and bury my head away from news and politics and pretend the sky is a nice shade of lavender :P

Exercise really does SUCK

So I started working out. I hate the first week. It always makes me just that muck more tired. I'm sore, tired, not wanting to get up and do it again another day, hating life and feeling lazy. But I steadily push on. I don't over strain myself because I still have to keep up with 2 munchkins who run me ragged. I'm like every bad American who just wants to skip to the good part of it NOW. Like the part of "I have so much energy, I can't even imagine NOT working out." that you hear all those skinny bitches talk about. Ok, I actually hear it from other people too, but it sounds much more satisfying saying it that way.

In other news, Trouble is tracing letters at school. I really want to go in to see how they are getting him to do this. Instead, I'll more than likely just try a myriad (do I get extra points for the use of the word myriad?) of ways at home to see if he wants to write.

Volume is loving school. Loves his teacher. Has fantastic days and she says he works hard. Our first field trip with both classes is September 29th to a play farm near their school. Lets hope it goes well.

So our neighborhood has these really stupid greenery laws. We got notices that our pine tree was over the side walk (which we fixed) and that there was paint flaking from our house. did they bother to even state "on the left side" oh no...that would be FAR too useful. So I proceeded to play phone tag with them. FINALLY got an inspector out here and hes NOT the inspector that did the citation. The new inspector can't find the spot where the paint appears to be flaking anywhere. He does mention that our house could use a good power washing (lemme pull THAT out of my back pocket) and the bushes need trimmed.

You know what I think? I think that this greenery law crap was started by some old bitty that hated the way her neighbor mowed his freakin lawn. You know, the one who dresses up her stone geese on her porch? I think it started there and got out of hand. I mean, jeez! You cite me for something your fellow inspector can't even find. I'm not going to spend the cash to power wash my home on your whim that "that might be it".

Piglets idea was to rip up all the bushes and what not and put in bad lawn ornaments. Flamingos and a whole flock of geese. While funny, not a valid option. I'm sure I'd be cited for having too many lawn ornaments or some such nonsense. She also said I should get a goat, (named ZA, WoW fans) and just let him trim the bushes by eating them. Also, while entertaining, not a valid option. Though this one DOES entertain me:

So...the master asked me to call the inspector who cited us today and play nice. Playing nice when angry is not something I do well. But, hes in a training class and can't call himself. I think hes hoping we'll just get let off with a "well if you took care of the tree" thing...He doesn't know my Karma by now? I'm sure she'll come and tell me to power wash the freakin house too *sigh*

I will channel my chi and do my best to sound like a toned down version of a stepford wife and call the inspector (who happens to be female, that doesn't help my case) and play nice. Lets hope its just the nicked spots at the bottom of the garage door.

Don't these people understand I'm too busy for this crap? ;)

Wish me luck!

Update on "the list"

So i figured I'd check in and let you guys know how I'm doing on the second week.
1. Exercise at least 15 min 3 times a week. This will start next week..the house is a mess!
2. Clean something at least 2 hours a week. CHECK cleaning the whole house this week
3. Start making healthier dinners since I have time before the kids get home. CHECK bought stuff at the store yesterday for this!
4. Work on something fun (gaming to WoW based) at least one day a week kinda Check...Scheduled Thursday as Wii Day and Friday as WoW day.
5. Take one full 3 hour afternoon to myself every week. Kinda check, see above.
6. Start making goal lists of things to work on teaching, and UNteaching the kids. prioritize these in order of how much they need to be done. Pick one for each kid. Talking to "The Master" about these...we are working on them, but haven't laid it all out yet.
7. Start working on Licker to sit for short periods and eat "real" food at the table. Meal times, not as important as Trouble doesn't follow them, but he at least eats "meals". Plan on starting this next week as well.
8. Be in good contact with their teachers to find more activities for the house. CHECK Daily notes and Emails!
9. spend more time trying to play with the kids. CHECK been setting aside some time each day and trying to really be available when they ask.

So all in all, not bad for the second week of school! *grins*

Amended to add a number ten:
10. Entertain Piglet. THIS is a work in progress and depends a bit on Chance and if she is running the fawn and richard game or if I am. If I end up doing it, Piglet has to run something for Dalatin or someone. Maybe Chaz *grins*

The School is back in town...

Well, you know what I'm trying to say there. Its back to days of yellow buses and nice crisp uniforms. See through back packs and art for my walls! Yes, they are in Kindergarten this year, from 115-415 every weekday, they are their new teachers responsibility. They are loving it so far.

Everyone survived Vegas and my house was still intact when I got home, so thats good. We had a blast and even won some money! Penny slots rawk! Was a good relaxing time before school started.

So...now that this yellow bus has come back into my life, I thought I needed a bit of a plan for the year. As much as I like to tote schedules, I don't do very well with ridged ones. So I set goals. My goals for this school year are as follows:

1. Exercise at least 15 min 3 times a week.

2. Clean something at least 2 hours a week.

3. Start making healthier dinners since I have time before the kids get home.

4. Work on something fun (gaming to WoW based) at least one day a week

5. Take one full 3 hour afternoon to myself every week.

6. Start making goal lists of things to work on teaching, and UNteaching the kids. prioritize these in order of how much they need to be done. Pick one for each kid.

7. Start working on Licker to sit for short periods and eat "real" food at the table. Meal times, not as important as Trouble doesn't follow them, but he at least eats "meals".

8. Be in good contact with their teachers to find more activities for the house.

9. spend more time trying to play with the kids.

All goals I think that can be accomplished this year. We'll see in a few months how well I'm doing. I'm not even sure I have a bubble to burst....but go ahead and try if you like!

Whatever Happens in Vegas....

I get to find out about! We are leaving today on our first vacation without the munchkins since they were born! The blessed Faerie is taking Drama Queen's place and watching over them with a few of her kids while we have 4 hour layovers in Atlanta and arrive at midnight something to hit the strip! We are there all of tuesday and Wednesday and then fly back out wednesday evening. Few days away are just what the doctor ordered right before starting the kids in school.

Unfortunatly, this may mean we cannot make it to Iowa this year. It might just be too much work for The Master to miss. I mean, I can't believe it, but he says they actually NEED him there. Yeah, like he does anything but surf the internet...sure.

Actually, he does, but I like to pretend his job is nothing but cake. Makes me feel more justified on those lazy days. Trouble is SO ready for school. I'm sure Licker will like it as well, but he's so laid back he likes ALMOST anything.

So...vegas bound...wish me lots of FUN!

Summer is nearing an end

Summer is close to it's sunset. At least around here it is. The munchkin's head back to school at the end of this month (or beginning of next if we go visit the 'rents). They are MORE than ready. Trouble has made ample use of his name this summer. Volume should be changed to Licker. His newest habit is licking his hands and wiping them all over his face :(. this is one I have NO idea how to break. Trouble just climbs....on everything. I'm sure that is payback or Karma for me being the same way as a child. Is it too much to hope that both of them are in a phase? Let me have my dream ;).

in 9 days it will be my dog's birthday. She will be 12 years old. here's to hoping she lives to 13. It will also be the day The Master and I are leaving for Vegas for 3 days! Yes, I'm very happy to say Faerie and her children will be here watching the munchkins. I have never been there, so i asked The master if we needed to pre-purchase tickets to anything. his reply was "I hadn't thought much past being away, without kids, for 3 days." all I know is that I won't be going and losing a ton of cash. I'm not much of a gambler. Oh, and the hotel has a pool. Swimming without children is a blissful thing!

We have the possibility of hitting Iowa to see http://www.oldthreshers.com/ Yes, it looks hick, and yes it is hick, but it is also a lot of fun. It'll depend on Master's work on if they let him off or not. We'll find out after vegas if we can swing it. It would delay munchkin school, but they would only miss two days. I know they will be thrilled to go back, but riding a steam powered train and a steam powered merry-go-round, getting to see a real old settlers village and an native American village in action is educational. Not to mention all the turkey legs, tacos in a bag, pancake breakfasts...you know, all that horrid food you get to eat at fairs? Its even better here! So if the fates align, we'll hit that this year, if not...there is always next year. Check it out...its pretty cool!

Swimming lessons went fantastic this summer. I have to call the Y to set some more up for fall. Trouble is swimming over 1/2 the width of the pool on his own and even blew some bubbles. Volume/licker does great with flippers on his feet. May have to get him some. otherwise he seems a bit less aware in the water, but still loves it. The neighborhood pool has been great too. In fact, we are probably going there today.

So all in all, been a good summer. Glad its ending and were back to 3 hours in school 5 days a week this year. Blessed alone time once more!

It is people like this that give freedom of speech a BAD name

http://mediamatters.org/items/200807170005?f=h_latest



This man makes me ill. Seriously, physically Ill. I cannot stand that fact that people are SO moronic in this world. Never again will I listen to WKRC 55 radio. EVER...unless this man is taken off the air.



What a crock...

EDIT: and he continues to make a fool of himself:


http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2008/07/21/lkl.mike.savage.cnn?iref=videosea

It is people like this that give freedom of speech a BAD name

http://mediamatters.org/items/200807170005?f=h_latest

This man makes me ill. Seriously, physically Ill. I cannot stand that fact that people are SO moronic in this world. Never again will I listen to WKRC 55 radio. EVER...unless this man is taken off the air.

What a crock...

Autism: 1 Impossible Family: 0

Yeah, that is the score. We have officially given up on the pottie thing. Trouble doesn't realize when he is peeing. CITE said we can go ahead and BM train him, but yeah...I'm NOT going through all that work to have him still in diapers. It;s just not worth the frustration to all of us. Now, it'll be a different story if he is asking to go pottie. Now? Not so much.

I did, however, have someone send me a pretty cool article on Autism, so i will share it with you. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Autism/Story?id=5349700&page=1
My Father-in-laws response was "Alright! Lets flip those switches!". If only it was so easy, eh?

In good news, they are both doing very well this summer. Trouble is living up to his nickname AND his brothers. He is climbing all over everything in the house and throwing little tantrums (the doctors say this is a good sign....mmmhmmm) and swimming up a storm. yes, I said swimming. The boys is fantastic at it. Put something on him that helps keep his skinny head above water and let him LOOSE! its great for all that extra energy he has. Volume (who I feel bad calling that now) is doing great with eye contact. He is a pretty good swimmer himself as well. I got asked at swim lessons if we had taken them off or put them on medication because they were doing so well.

In other news...there is no real other news. The inlaws are coming for a visit this week. They haven't sen them since January. Trouble will hopefully show off his extended vocab (which now includes things like water "otter" and puzzle). and they can be impressed with his fantastic lung capacity and great climbing skills.....heh

Oh, I guess there is other news. I have a cool new phone! mp3s and pics and unlimited text and web! thats good, right? Looks just like the masters, so we took different background pictures. Mine is of volume, but I think I may try and get trouble causing trouble too. Volume just always looks cute ;) You can see the halo!

Poop goes in the Pottie!

Ok, can I just say that I am IMMENSELY glad that I'm not potty training in one of these things? I mean, can you imagine taking your sears catalog (yes, they really did use that as toilet paper) and spending 8 hours with your kid in one of these? I don't even want to THINK about it!

So yeah, this is how I look on the bright side. So I have to spend 2 days of 8 hours in the bathroom with trouble and 3 other ladies. So after these 2 days he goes straight into daytime underware and pullups and out of diapers. So I'll be spending a good bit of my days chasing him about and making sure he hits the potty when he needs to...

SO???

Ok, so it's not a perfect world. At least I'm not doing it in one of THOSE....right? Sing it with me folks... "poop in the pottie, poop goes in the pottie!"

Next tuesday and wednesday...hell comes to Impossible Town.

Full Swing

So summer is now in FULL SWING (get it? hehe) and were busy busy busy. The pottie intensive fell through and got rescheduled for July 1st and 2nd, so wish me luck on that. My dentist is also rescheduled for next week. I think I am a glutton for pain!

So Volume has been an ANGEL. Infact, his name even no longer fits the poor boy. We should call him angel, or mini-geekster or something other than volume, which he lacks. Trouble, is more than making up by living up to his name AND his brothers. I need to place an add in Craigs list to see who would want him, it would look a bit like this:

"Young white male seeks companionship. Must be able to be a like a slave and fetch me everything I desire on a whim. My hobbies include dancing on the counter, diningroom table and windowsills. I also adore to throw anything off of those. I frequently use the kitchen table to throw down pots and pans. I also enjoy a bit of throwing things down the stairs and adore to destroy anything I can get my hands on. If you should like to join me in my mahem, call...."

Yeah...he is easily bored. Yes, I know he is five. Yes, I know he is a BOY. and YES I know he has Autism, but he is driving me INSANE! He can't keep with any activity and anything we want to do with him is just so...not fun. Swinging is one of the things that keeps his attention, so we've been spending a lot of time doing that.

Little volume is a geek and spends a ton of time on his computer. hes just adoreable. On the good note, trouble is doing fantastic with Swimming. He is just awesome. Even his teachers are impressed. So that is good.

Also, our friend....hmm what shall we name him. Crazy Man, for now. he and his loving wife finally had thier baby. Now, I'm going to post that childs first name, just because I was a bit shocked...but it fits the couple, so I'll find a suitable nickname and hope the kid fights as well as the rest of his family. Leonidas is his name..lets hope he lives up to it ;)

thats mainly it for now! Oh, if your bored head to my links and hi Nyhm's Mad Cow and watch his videos...boy has some style!

School, Summer and POTTIES!!!!

So only 2 more days left. Monday and Tuesday and then thats it. I get fillings on Tuesday (oh joy) and then Wednesday starts the pottie intensive (can't you just HEAR the ominous music?). One boy named trouble, 4 grown women, 8 hours the first day and 6-8 hours the next spent in...you guessed it, a POTTIE! No, this will not be fun, Yes we are hoping it will be rewarding and after that...my blessed reward? I get to stick to a ridged sitting schedule for him! Lets hope the reward in all of this means that maybe...just maybe, by the end of the summer we'll be buying half as many diapers. THAT will make it all worth it. Then lets hope that Volume comes around and wants to learn this new found skill as well ;)

We also move to a new school next year. I am kind of sad that they are going to end up in the special education class. Kinda breaks my heart, but I also know that its not because they aren't smart. Man, they are SO smart! Its more they are socially not quite right. So learning some things...not so easy. Volume can read. Really! They give him a word and theres a pile of pictures on the table and he pics out the picture to match the word. Trouble. Want to talk about a problem solver. Boy gets himself around any obstacle (and were not talking jungle gyms here, folks) and patterns...hes fantastic at memorizing those. So i'm sure (or I will make sure) they are getting the challenges they need there. They get included in normal kindergarten class at least once a week, which is good. They learn so much better from Peers. all in all, while sad, I think its a healthy move. And Troubles gonna LOVE the new play ground! Volume will go nuts with 2 computers in his room and the computer lab just down the hall ;)

So I just have to survive the intensive...then 2 weeks of solo flying for the summer, then its Camp Sunshine. We love camp sunshine! 1.5 hours of toys and songs and snack, 1.5 hours of swimming in the baby pool! What else can you ask for? (its at the YMCA folks and its only 25 bucks a week per kid and runs 2 weeks) So the last 2 weeks of june I get 2.5 hours a day (considering travel) to myself! Then its time to have a nanny 2 days a week to save my sanity. :)

Went to the ASD Fairfield support group. Met with some ladies who filled me in on a few things that I didn't know. So I will be taking some time this summer to research the fact that they may be eligible for "summer school". The school only tells you that they can do that IF they are losing skills. As it turns out, there are like 10 reasons to have your kid get continuing school. One being emerging skills...which is what is likely to get my boys their beloved school in the summer. I think it will thrill them to no end. but I figure we are set for this summer, so I'll do my homework and find out what I can for next summer. Lets hope it works. Would make Trouble SO happy.

so if you don't hear from me until after June, dear reader, (*grin*) you will now know why. Lets hope I don't get pushed over the edge of sanity...or if I do, that in my nice padded room they let me have my laptop! Maybe we'll change the name to "rantings of a once Impossible Mom"

4 Days of School Left

And not right in a row! We have Tuesday and Wednesday this week with a "graduation" picnic on Thursday. Then they go back Monday and Tuesday (on which I get dental work) and then we are done for the summer. Wednesday and Thursday will be spent with Trouble in the potty...jump starting his potty training. Then its on to a strict seating schedule for a few weeks before Camp. Then I get some mornings of freedom before slammin into summer.

So busy busy busy is the theme of the next few weeks. I have me mentor project with my senior in High school. He wants to learn massage so were spending some time on that. I also have a house to clean soon. Its pretty filthy. Get some laundry done. In between it all Kill gruul and mags and clear Kara a few times ;)

I am glad its getting up on swimming season. Time to get that new laptop and spend some afternoons with the baby pool outside. Also hitting friends pools and what not with the cousins. Should be fun since they adore swimming so much. I'm really hoping they have a better summer...that we all have a better summer than the last one. Huggy Face should be coming to nanny for a while. Then, maybe, Money Man will have shapped up enough to take over some. Hes been into way too much trouble of late. Not showing he is responsible enough to watch the Boys. Lets hope he wakes up soon.

Thats about all...not that it isn't enough. Saber is back around, which is nice. He's come to play on our server. Tanking Prince was easy as pie last night...that was very cool. It's nice to finally feel close to the top of my game! Just in time to start over with Wrath of the Litch King!!! We'll all dive into that with the Nyhm music blaring. Mallaysia will have to respec! Oh No! Lets hope we can get Maven to 70 before then....We just gotta get her online!

Pet Peeve

One of my pet peeves is parents who really don't parent. I don't mean the every day things or even the little things. I mean...well, it'll be easier to cite my latest example.

We went on a preschool field trip yesterday to a working farm where the kids get to help do chores and play with little animals and what not. Milk a goat, you know, that kind of thing. We stuck with Volume's class because I like his teacher better and both boys have been in her class before. We'll call her Boot Camp (not because she's strict but because she gets the job done). So there is a little boy in Boot Camp's class who has his mother along on the trip as well (most parents of special needs kids had to come along). Now I have 2 special needs kids myself and this little boy was very high maintenance. But what his mother would do reminded me of the British police "Stop, or I'll say stop again" technique. It was SO bad that at one point, Boot Camp took over disciplining him...in his moms lap. She would not chase after him, he broke a chicken egg, she would just look on as he got into trouble with that "What am I supposed to do" type look. Now I understand out of control kids. I understand it takes a lot of energy to chase said kids. I also understand that it is a parent's responsibility to handle it. It just made me mad that with all the other kids that Boot Camp had to deal with, this mother who was there FOR HER KID was expecting her to take care of him as well.

On another note, another child in Volume's class who I believe is on the spectrum was acting a lot like Volume did our first trip there and her mother was handling it quite well I thought. Even when she FREAKED at the rabbit, the girl did not get away or cause even that much of a disturbance. She screamed and cried, but from the safety of her mothers arms where she should be.

Maybe its just me, but if I'm out with my children, knowing they are special needs puts me on edge more to watch them and be within arms reach should they do something inappropriate (like breaking an egg at a farm) to try and stop that. I believe Maven would agree with me, having had intrepid as a child and all that went with that. If the kid at the farm had run off once or twice and she just didn't catch him in time, it would be one thing....but the kid kept running off and she would just SIT THERE. I'm not one to like to judge but it did make me angry.

So thats my vent for today. I do, however, smile at the thought that mine are not teenagers...yet. (after spending time talking to Faerie last night on the issues at her house and offering her a haven to get away tonight should said issues still be going on) I also thank God that I have a supportive husband and that we both agree on parenting. And we thank Captain Huggy-face, my middle nephew, for his wondrous help at the farm yesterday too. Without him, I think we might of been in a bit of trouble. Then maybe someone else would be blogging about my kids ;)

Pack Your Bags

We're goin' on a guilt trip!

Every ones family or circle of friends has at least one. My family, its usually Drama Queen, the mom. You do something and for weeks..nay MONTHS they just keep bringing it up. Over and over and over until you just want to lie down in front of a train and beg God for it to run you over just so you don't have to apologize one more time for spilling kool-aid on aunt suzie's couch!

Yes, that is how you feel, not what you do. What you do is nod and smile and say "I know, and I'm so sorry" thinking "please....please...kick me in the spleen again. I didn't feel it that time!" It makes life difficult when people just don't let things drop. When, at the time, you may have felt right but by the time all is said and done you feel you should of never said one word or done one thing because it would have been easier for you.

That IS what life is about. Oh, people say they are selfless and self sacrificing...but in the end, who do you have to live with on a 24/7 basis BUT yourself. So while I can put my wants and needs aside for others, We only do so when it is rewarding or truly needed. In the end, we look at what we can get out of it or how we feel. So I freely admit to being selfish! How liberating! I admitted it freely to the 4 people who read this blog and I feel so much better now!

Christopher Robin be damned!

Revoked License to Walk

So, the Master has decided to revoke my license to walk. Yesterday, after taking a shower, I went into the basement to switch the laundry. I discovered there was water all over the floor and was trying to trace the source when I steped on one of those puzzle like mats and whoosh...down I went. My left ankle bent AND I landed on it.

My first thought was "Crap, I don't have my cell phone in my pocket." Because The Master was not home. My second thought was "I wonder if I can make it up the stairs." So, I sat there for a moment, waiting for my toes not to look like some strange cadaver study gone wrong and the sharp pain to calm down. I went up the basement stairs on my butt and got to a phone.

Spent the evening in the ER so they could tell me it wasn't broke. They stuck a air splint on and gave me drugs and sent me home. Farie and Money are over helping today. We are trying to keep Drama Queen from coming to drive me insane.

so thats my life at the moment. Crutches and drugs....so can this be considered a break? *laughs*

Maintenance Day

For those of you that don't play WoW, you have no idea what this means. For those of you that do, it either means an agonizing day of not getting to play...or its time to get the errands done. For me, it almost always means Grocery Shopping day.

"But...You have 5 year old Autistic twins...YOU don't get to play WoW" I smile and say "Preschool...folks!" Too bad that the server is on California time and so it doesn't come back up until 2pm. SO...off I head to the grocery store once munchkin one and two are at school.

TODAY, infact, I get to leave earlier. Drama Queen is supposidly coming over to watch them and then get them on the bus. So I'm off to get a latte in my hand, a new haircut and then find some PJ's with zippers that I can butcher for the summer. "Why?" you ask....again, I smile and say "You really DON'T want to know"

So todays Maintenance Day will hopefully be a blissfull one, even though it began before 5 with trouble waking up (and its normally been volume doing that lately) and The Master and I turning off the monitor and opening our door...then hearing the "bam bam bam" of thier door a little before 6. Not even that can stop me from being happy today. It also helps that after The Master gets home, I get to turn around and walk back out the door and head to Chancy's (yes we need a better name) house and give her her long awaited massage. Lets hope it helps!

So today....is my day, for the most part. The afternoon, I'm sure, belongs to the kids and thier swingset. It HAS been cold and rainy, you know. Time to get back out in the backyard!

Intensives are intense

Over the Rhine - The Poopsmith Song

So that song sums up my week this week. Mainly, thats all I wanted to say. 2 potty intensives at 3 hours a piece and my brain is fried...

Poop in the potty...poop goes in the potty

They are Five....can you believe it?

So they had a birthday. We didn't do much at home, but school made a big deal, so that's good. The first picture is trouble (sporting his new haircut) and his assistant teacher who says she is stealing him at the end of the year. Quite an appropriate shirt for him (this is what trouble looks like). He was not pressed about his cookie. I think he would of rather of been home on the swing set.

This is Volume with and without his birthday crown. You may notice something that you may never see again.... He is eating a grilled cheese sandwich! This has never been seen before..or since, I'm sad to say. I keep trying though!


All in all, I think they have as good a birthday as little 5 year old autistic (sorry, children with autism) boys can have. :)