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. :)

Just A Swangin'

Yes we finally have a swingset. Yes, it is a hand-me-down and NO no one really cares. So thanks to The master's old work buddy and his wife and children for passing us our newest addition to the back yard right before the munchkin's turn 5.

We took them out to see it this morning and here were some of the reactions:

(Touble is in red and Volume in the tan)









All in all, a fantastic gift with an even better price tag. Thanks all!

STEEL the show...

So I actually got from The Master's lips tonight "Wow, you really are the man in our relationship!". Would we like to know why? Someone (yes me) actually FORGOT that it is our 11 year anniversary today. A forgivable offense to some, not to most...luckily to him. EVEN THOUGH its not just our 11th wedding anniversary but 14 years since we started dating.



We go by the traditional gifts and this year it was steel. He came home and I came upstairs in a tiff and was almost demanding a break from the hellions since they didn't get to school today. Today, the day I planned on taking my break this week and their school is flooded. They may not get school tomorrow either and then be off for a week for spring break. but, I digress. I go into the bedroom to find a card and a steel teapot on the bed. You would think THIS would clue me in, but NO. I open the card, wondering what in the heck this was for...see the anniversary card and wow...I felt like a total schmuck.

At this point, I head downstairs to apologize and see if he wants me to run out and make some elaborate dinner. Realizing now why he asked if I wanted him to pick something up. Feeling like a total idiot and I burst into tears and an apology and get the "you really ARE the guy!" as he laughs. 11/14 years and I finally proved it beyond a shadow of a doubt.

So yeah...I come up to take the break anyway, at his insistence. No, I don't rush to the store, but i do hop online and search for a gift I can grab tomorrow after the dentist. Yes, I found one and yes I still feel guilty. At least my mom, AKA Drama Queen, is taking them Saturday night so I can make it up to him. (OK, shes taking them for Easter, but I can use it to make it up to him) If anyone has any grand ideas, be sure to shoot me an email! (yes, he reads my blog...I'M THE GUY, remember?!?)

Oh Mischief.....

How we love you. Can you believe he actually had the NERVE to question his nickname today? To actually tell me he was a saint. I about died laughing...and of course, sensed the sarcasm. The boy really is entertaining. My life would be less without him. Less what, we are not sure ;).

IEP day was today. Looking pretty positive on that front. I brought it home to fine took comb it and make sure its all set, but I like the new teacher. I mentioned the whole nut allergy we have going on and that some schools have and allergy lunch table. all the nut allergy kids eat there. She mentioned that no one had suggested that and that she had a big mouth and would do so. I liked her instantly, for those that know me know that my mouth is no where near small. Big mouthed teacher is a good thing :)

Oh, I also had another old friend found. One from high school that we had an on and off again friendship. I have been trying all day to think of a good nickname for her, even going so far as to think I should call her "She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" but thats so done ;). I think, since she works in a lab now, I shall just call her Labfox. Mainly because labrat sounded too mean.

So welcome back into my life Labfox. May your stay be long and pleasant ;)

Move over Godzilla....

Here comes Trouble!

Destruction should be his middle name. Puzzles hit the floor with lightning speed and crashing sound. Books...not enough to throw those off the couch, the stairs are best for those. book and electronics make the best noise going down the stairs. Who cares that its the only working Vtech in the house?!? Its trash now! MY TRASH! Books have a tear, then its time to make about 40 more of those. Cards, I'm done with them, lets play 26 pickup! I think I can hit the windowsill with them from this couch. Its kinda fun when mom makes me pick up those six puzzles, so lets do it again and AGAIN AND AGAIN!!!!!!!!

So yeah...between that and Charlie resisting the whole "make a sentence" phase of pecs that we have been on for a month now (at least) I'm losing every ounce of patience I think I ever had. I yell, I scream, We have timeouts in my lap where nothing is fun, I run away, I cry...nothing seems to help. I want an emotion chip like Data so i can take it out about now. I ask Cite for help and they give some good advice but everything (and I mean everything) always leads to more work for me. So pardon me if I need that white jacket and those nice padded walls for a while. I didn't think I had enough to do...I need a nice rest. Scribbling with crayons and drooling sounds like FUN! *sings* They are coming to take me away hehe hoho haha!

Don't I wish ;). Its that old "I wish I'd break my leg so I could get some rest"...but no, I don't wish that. I'd be taking care of twins on crutches. Sad but true. And the phase they are going through...not a good one. Welcome to 5 years old. The odd years, folks, how we love em so.

At least I still have my sense of humor.....even if my sanity is NOT intact ;)

So I am TOTALLY back!

I found this great application that allows me to link my blog to my facebook, so this will make life SO much easier. People on facebook can read my blog should they want too and people outside of facebook can find out about my "oh-so-interesting" life. (yes that was MAJOR sarcasm there) My major accomplishment of this week was getting my second character in World of warcraft to level 70. yes, I'm that much of a geek.

The kids...trouble is SO living up to his nickname. Volume, not so much. I'm thinking I need a new one for him. Bear seems to work, since hes so darn cuddly. Or something to do with computers since he is so savvy on them. He is spelling now, that volume bear. 3-4 letter words, his first and last name. He also figured out the mouse and is now all over web sites like playhouse Disney and sesame street. Trouble has learned what loud noises are fun when you throw things down the stairs. I love them both, but he can be SO trying sometimes.

We are going to start the potty training journey, so help me God. I have a feeling this is something we will be working on for a very long time and that will require me to dig deep for the patience I seem to really lack lately. On an up note, they are going to kindergarten next year. It will be in a special class, but they get to go into the normal class with an aide sometimes (is what I'm lead to believe). I need to schedule a tour of the class and make sure they will get challenged and its not just "put them in a corner and let them stim for four hours." My boys are smart. Trouble can match all his colors and shapes (and not just triangle to triangle, its like blue triangle to pizza slice) and he can pick out which is the right animal when his teacher holds up 2 beanie babies at a time. they both know all their letters and numbers and Bear can spell and I think read some. He might even know some Spanish. (living books and sesame street) So I want them challenged. I want them taught (because they learn better from people OTHER than me). so a tour is in order before their IEP in April. If I don't like what I see...its time to push or try alternative schools. I really hope I like what I see.

Me? I'm trying to keep my sanity. I distract myself when I feel it slipping. I love my kids, but I think my job is even a bit harder some days than the parents of "normal" kids. Thank God again for my memory and organizational skills.

Thats all for now. Gonna go see if my sister, Faerie, is able to go out for her birthday lunch today. If not, I have plenty of errands and an only 1/2 clean house ;)

Peace out!

Why I'm not blogging

Well, for one, Trouble is living up to his full potential of his name. Not only has he found new and interesting ways to do so, he also keeps me hoppin all the time to make sure he's not going to hurt himself or anyone else.

The other reason I don't blog is that all of my really close friends (other than Chancy) are on Facebook. Its much shorter and easier way of keeping people up to date than a blog. A blog feels more like a journal you want people to read. Eh...not that exciting to me. I like wall messages and eggs that hatch into snakes instead.

Lastly is time. Free time is at a near summer time low of late. (I use summer because there is no school). We've gotten rid of naps and theres so much to do when they are at school....I have games to plan, house to clean, errands to run, Books to read, levels to get in WoW ;) and it really seems as though everyone who wants to know whats going on with me either calls me or joined facebook...so, no real need for a blog. Only one out there probably still reading it is Bear. And I can call him whenever I like. (almost whenever...though he won't answer when in hibernation anyway)

So...just an FYI for anyone who cares to find me..I'm on facebook. Post a comment with an email if you want a link...otherwise, pick up the phone or even *gasp* send an email or IM. I'm not hard to find ;)

Four computers and one vacation later....

So yeah, I had a bit of a computer issue in my house. 3 of the computers we use went belly up. 2 are possibly fixable, but not with a lot of TLC and we fixed the last one and gave it to Trouble and Volume. So, for a while, I was out of a computer downstairs (which is where I USED to blog). Then...Teddy Bear gave me his wife's old computer and its a laptop...so I'm back. I'm sure I've lost all 4 of my faithful readers, but I can deal. I am going to post some pics from Vacation to Gaitlinburg, but I figured I would give an update first.

Actually, come to think of it, not much going on here. Maybe its a good thing I haven't blogged in a while *laughs*. We had a visit from the man I like to call Lazarus. not just because its one of his characters, but also because every time life knocks him down, he gets back up. It was nice to see him and spend some time with him. Hes one of my bestest friends. (I can say that without him going psycho because hes a guy!) Thats really all there is to note. The kids are doing great in school.

So without further ado...here is Vacation Pics:
The whole family at the creek


Trouble loved the balcony


So did Volume


I WISH they were actually dancing. more deciding who was going in and who was going out.


Trouble and his uncles!

Just the Uncles

The creek...the park was beautiful

Can you blame the kids for loving the balcony when this is the view?


And because, yes, we are geeks


So that was our vacation in a nutshell. Well, thats a big nut, but you know.

Mischief and Coffee

So Mischief and I went out for coffee last night. I had an absolute blast! We talked about old times, new...caught one another up on the readers digest version of the past 18 years. It was good times. Panara had to kick us out and we proceeded (on that oh so beautifully weathered night) to stand by our cars for another hour chatting. He's still the same guy I went to high school with, just more mature. We still meshed like we did then. Always cool to have a friend come back into your life and realize your still friends. It was good...very good.

In other news, Trouble and Volume have started school. Trouble is seeming to do very well in his class (though he hangs on his aide, I am told...which is cute) but Volume, as usual, is needing a bit of an adjustment period. They even had to calm him on the bus yesterday. Both boys are wiped without afternoon quiet time and went down early for Dad last night. Volume has even napped on the couch one day. Good to see they are playing hard. I bet in a few weeks, Volume will be set in routine. Just in time for us to screw it all up with vacation! LOL

Vacation? (you ask) Yes...Vacation. We're off to scenic Gatlinburg with Uncle Phone and Uncle Chill. They are from California and are flying in to do vacation with us. We are ecstatic. We miss them, they miss us and the boys. Should be a good time. Plus, its the first one we have gotten to take in almost 2 years. Good times....noodle salad! (to quote a fantastic movie. If anyone can tell me that movie, you warrant me sending you a song!)

Speaking of Warrant, he's doing well also, even if we aren't playing together as much this first week. I'm sure we'll catch up soon. Get our team to level 70 in no time! *coughyeahrightcough*

Well, I'm out. Cite is coming this morning and I should do something about the state of my floors...ewwwww

Current Song: Who Knew by Pink
Current mood: Chill

Hooray for...

1. School!!!! It starts in less than a week. They explained their reasoning for wanting to put them in afternoon school and I found it sound. They also agreed to a third year if need be. We start in afternoons on Monday. And that should give me more play time with Warrant! that works for me!

2. Meds! The meds are finally starting to work and I can see the brighter side of life. so they get a mention here too.

3. Facebook! For it brought Mischief back into my life. Who is Mischief, you ask? Why he is a guy I knew in early high school years who transfered schools suddenly. I never knew what happened to him, and now I do. We're getting along as famously as we did then!

4. Maven! Who spends way too much of her precious time on the phone with me. She is a terrific friend!

and last,
5. WoW! The Kara raids have been rawkin and we are all starting to jive together better. The alt nights (and afternoons with Warrant) are sweet as well. Its just an all around good social game! (with Phat Loots!)

So thats all from me...Horray for me...Horray for you...Horray for Winnie the Pooh!

Issues

Why is it that nothing can ever be easy? I'm trying to find an advocate now because they are saying that my boys DON'T Get the option for 3 years of preschool (which I have been told is NOT true) and they have to now move not only to afternoon school but to different teachers as well. Trouble will be crushed, his teacher is his world! And Volume will not like switching classes, he was finally getting used to his. I KNOW they will have transitions throughout life, but can't we make their first 2 years of school a little easier? *sigh*

So thats my rant. There is nothing that is ever easy. The Master and I have a call into the principal who is trying to get the teachers to set up a meeting between all of us. Lets hope I can get the advocate in time.

Glimpse

Reposting

Other people's stories is fun. This one always makes me smile:

'All he needed was a Rock.'

by Kori De-Ann

A bard once asked me the meaning of life. I stared at him a moment, gave my chin a rub and then walked over to a rock. “The meaning of life,” I said, “is no real mystery. This rock knows it,” I said. And then it was his turn to stare at me, confused.

“A rock is not real,” he argued. What a smart one he was. I laughed and sat down beside the rock and the bard puzzled even more. “What’s the difference,” I asked him, “between me and the rock?”

“You’re alive.” Ahh, his wicked intelligence again. “And the rock is not.”
“How do you define alive?” I questioned, giving him a smile.

“You can move.” He answered. I picked up the rock and threw it across the road. “So can the rock,” I answered.

“You can think.”

“How do you know the rock cannot think?”

“Because it’s not alive.”

“So what makes it dead?”

“It’s not dead either.”

“So the rocks not dead and it’s not alive?”

“Right.” he confirmed with a nod of his head. “Then what is it?” I asked him. “What is on this earth that is neither living nor dead?” He puzzled a moment and then shrugged. “It is matter,” he answered at last, “it takes up space and causes problems.”

“Rocks cause problems?” I then asked. “Rocks cause problems.” he agreed. “What kind of problems?”

“It hurts when you step on them,” he told me, “and they make bumps in the road.”
“But rocks are used in tools and things like that, too, right?”

He took another moment and then gave a reluctant nod. “I suppose,” he said. “So rocks cause problems, but they’re also needed—right?” He shrugged. “I wouldn’t
say they’re needed. We only use rocks until we can think of a better option.”

“So rocks cause problems, and they’re needed until you can figure out what is better than a rock?” He nodded. “So what do you think life is?”

The bard walked off, confused. I guess he doesn’t know how smart he really is. He figured out life and all he needed was a rock.

Three and a Half Weeks of Summer Left

(this was Master holding Trouble and me with Volume at the autism children's museum night)

And can you see I'm glad? The kids are so ready to go back to school and I am so ready for that to happen. It has been a long and trying summer and my shout out today goes to Mr. Pink.

"Mr. Pink?" You say....Yes...Mr. Pink. He is my 14 year old nephew who I hired as a nanny this summer 2 days a week. Without Mr. Pink, I'm not sure I could of made it through the Volume Tummy Trials or the Trouble Destructo Phase. This summer has been blessed by them adoring having Mr. Pink here every Tuesday and Friday. He is a Godsend and I am thankful for him.

I'm also thankful for old friends finding their way back home. Its good to hear (or see) a friendly person's words. Nice to know I'm loved and supported, even if from afar. So thanks.

Also thanks to DramaQueen who is taking my children again for a weekend the weekend after this one. A much needed break for the Master who has been working non-stop, which also means I need one for then I have been working non-stop. We both are in need of some down time. And we haven't made any plans and this, I am happy about. I want some serious chill time!

Ok, back to the grind. Heard a crash and must investigate before I shower. I'll update of boy progress later...but they are each saying about 4 words, total (no, not together). So we're holding onto the shred of hope that they will one day speak.