Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
2-25-2012 Busy Day with One Big 'First' for Luke
Here's how the day has gone so far.....Lily had deck hockey from 0830 - 0945. I was supposed to pick up her friend Lila at 0945 while Charlie brought Lily home from hockey for quick drink and snack. However, I forgot to tell Charlie to take his work truck and leave the minivan for me. So, he ended up going straight from hockey to Lila's to the Girl scout cookie selling booth at Redner's. Then I picked the girls up from Redner's and took them for a quick trip to the library to stay out of Luke's hair. Then we came home for 1200 and met Luke's friend Tyler and his mom Patti in the driveway. We all came in the house for a quick pow-wow then left for the school's Winter Carnival. We spent about two hours there playing games and chatting with friends in the community.
Now Luke is at Tyler's for a playdate....1st time ever without a parent staying! He needs to interact with other kids and so this is a very good thing!
Lila is here having a playdate with Lily. They're going from one thing to another at lighting speed.
Charlie just got back from picking up a new central vacuum motor. Busy, busy, productive day!
Now Luke is at Tyler's for a playdate....1st time ever without a parent staying! He needs to interact with other kids and so this is a very good thing!
Lila is here having a playdate with Lily. They're going from one thing to another at lighting speed.
Charlie just got back from picking up a new central vacuum motor. Busy, busy, productive day!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
2-23-2012 Our Version of Basketball Diaries...
Our school district has been doing quite well in basketball and we've been attending their games. Staying up late. Me and the kids sleeping until almost school time....Charlie going to work exhausted. But all that will end now because our season is over. We're so proud of the team and coaches. Lots of life lessons to pass on....work hard, try your best, don't give up, etc.
Gorgeous day out today. Luke and I spent about an hour outside clearing debris from last year's garden out. I had on a long sleeve tee shirt and was sweating. Makes ya wonder what the summer is going to be like.
Mom and Dad had the kids for a sleepover this past weekend. Charlie and I went to Allentown and dropped off the old Dell laptop to transfer files to a new Mac book Pro laptop. Yay! We also spent the evening shopping at Wegman's our favorite grocery store, although we see it more as a night on the town than grocery shopping. We came home Saturday night around 8:00pm and watched 'This Old House' on the laptop. We considered it the perfect evening! Sunday we putzed around in the morning then went for a nice long walk at a local park followed by fabulous steak I made. Ended the day picking up the kids and hearing all about their time with P&J.
Gorgeous day out today. Luke and I spent about an hour outside clearing debris from last year's garden out. I had on a long sleeve tee shirt and was sweating. Makes ya wonder what the summer is going to be like.
Mom and Dad had the kids for a sleepover this past weekend. Charlie and I went to Allentown and dropped off the old Dell laptop to transfer files to a new Mac book Pro laptop. Yay! We also spent the evening shopping at Wegman's our favorite grocery store, although we see it more as a night on the town than grocery shopping. We came home Saturday night around 8:00pm and watched 'This Old House' on the laptop. We considered it the perfect evening! Sunday we putzed around in the morning then went for a nice long walk at a local park followed by fabulous steak I made. Ended the day picking up the kids and hearing all about their time with P&J.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
2-4-2012 Luke's 9th Birthday
Our little buddy turned 9 today. We had a party with P&J (who forgot their gift at home) and Grandma K. and Uncle Ben (who gave money). We ate hamburger sliders and chocolate cake with straberries and whipped cream.
It is worth noting that this is the first year in a while we had a party on Luke's birthday. Usually there are health and/or weather issues that prevent us from celebrating. We offered to have a bigger party or go somewhere like bowling, but he wanted to stay home and keep it family only. No surprise there.
It is worth noting that this is the first year in a while we had a party on Luke's birthday. Usually there are health and/or weather issues that prevent us from celebrating. We offered to have a bigger party or go somewhere like bowling, but he wanted to stay home and keep it family only. No surprise there.
Friday, February 3, 2012
2-3-2012 All Together Now
We're all home today. Luke and I are home every day of course. Charlie is home because he's off every other Friday and today is a Friday off. Lily is home because she ran a fever all during the night and has a runny nose.
I started the morning by taking Luke to Wal Mart and allowing him to choose his birthday presents. He picked 'Plants versus Zombies' for his 3DS and 'Lego Star Wars III' for the Wii. Lily and Charlie stayed home and watched a DVD. Luke and I picked up 10 new DVDs from the library for us to watch before heading home.
Now Charlie and Luke are running to Bruno's Pizzaria to pick up pizza, stromboli, and meatball hoagies for a little pre-birthday celebration for Luke.
I started the morning by taking Luke to Wal Mart and allowing him to choose his birthday presents. He picked 'Plants versus Zombies' for his 3DS and 'Lego Star Wars III' for the Wii. Lily and Charlie stayed home and watched a DVD. Luke and I picked up 10 new DVDs from the library for us to watch before heading home.
Now Charlie and Luke are running to Bruno's Pizzaria to pick up pizza, stromboli, and meatball hoagies for a little pre-birthday celebration for Luke.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
2-1-2012 Spring has Sprung way too Early!
It is 60 degrees and sunny with blue skies. Feels very spring-like BUT where is winter? The kids and I want snow. We want hot chocolate. We want snowmen. We want a snow day. we want Charlie to run the snowblower while I bake cookies. What the heck?
Yesterday we went to the park and Lily rollerbladed while Luke scootered and I power walked. It was nice to be out in the fresh air. Today I noticed my snowdrop flowers are in full bloom. I know I should be careful what I wish for, but I miss winter! It's the first winter in a long time I'm not working (other than at home that is) and Murphy's Law....no weather issues.
Yesterday we went to the park and Lily rollerbladed while Luke scootered and I power walked. It was nice to be out in the fresh air. Today I noticed my snowdrop flowers are in full bloom. I know I should be careful what I wish for, but I miss winter! It's the first winter in a long time I'm not working (other than at home that is) and Murphy's Law....no weather issues.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
1-22-2012 Free Photo Editing Sites, Picnik Alternatives
Between Naps on the Porch: 9 Free Photo Editing Sites, Picnik Alternatives
Very interested in checking these out......big fan of freebies!
Monday, January 16, 2012
1-16-2012
We had a good weekend. Saturday we went to a high school basketball game at lunch time then dropped the kids at C&K's and went to Wegman's Grocery Store in Downingtown. We had the best time! We bought 2 shopping carts full of wonderful stuff and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!
Yesterday we did housework in the morning and then ran some shopping errands in the afternoon. We came home and had a fabulous dinner with the products we'd gotten at Wegman's. Chicken marinaded 3 different ways, fingerling potatoes, peas with Moroccan spices, and flat bread with Moroccan dipping oil. Wonderful!
Today the kids are off school for Martin Luther King Day. Lily is at her friend Lila's for a play date. Luke and I just got back from Sam's Club where we bought a Cuisinart coffee maker with a separate reservoir for hot water for tea. Hoping it works well.
Back to school tomorrow, although there may be a delay b/c the forecast is for a wintery mix overnight tonight. Guess we'll just have to see.
Yesterday we did housework in the morning and then ran some shopping errands in the afternoon. We came home and had a fabulous dinner with the products we'd gotten at Wegman's. Chicken marinaded 3 different ways, fingerling potatoes, peas with Moroccan spices, and flat bread with Moroccan dipping oil. Wonderful!
Today the kids are off school for Martin Luther King Day. Lily is at her friend Lila's for a play date. Luke and I just got back from Sam's Club where we bought a Cuisinart coffee maker with a separate reservoir for hot water for tea. Hoping it works well.
Back to school tomorrow, although there may be a delay b/c the forecast is for a wintery mix overnight tonight. Guess we'll just have to see.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
1-11-2012
Luke and I are starting to get the hange of cyber school....I think. Today we were done the days lessons in 2 hours. I think we're about 20 lessons behind, so we took a break and walked in a local park and then came back and did a few more lessons. Luke is not happy to be doubling up and would be more than happy to finish class at 1100. So he wasn't really feeling me on the whole doubling up thing.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
1-7-2012
We went to Mom and Dad's today for their Christmas/New Year celebration. We had a good time and actually enjoyed time with the relatives;) The kids got some cool gifts and the lasagna was excellent.
Mom took this picture of the four of us together. It turned out really well and I'll probably get some 8x10's printed for us and both sets of grandparents. Luke is making a face, but that's Luke.
That's Luke behine the electricity set he got from Jill and Eric. Great gift!
Lily got some new games for her new DS. Pretty happy about that. She looks so adorable with her new haircut.
Hoping for a happy and healthy 2012.
That's Luke behine the electricity set he got from Jill and Eric. Great gift!
Hoping for a happy and healthy 2012.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
12-27-2011
Well....we pulled it off. Christmas that is. I wasn't sure it was going to happen this year, but it did despite the fact we remodeled the office/classroom and our 2 bathroom just days before. I had absolutely no Christmas spirit leading up to the big day. But must say, i enjoyed the actual day just as much as in years past.
An interesting development this year, Santa wrapped the gifts and even wrapped the door leading in to the living room. The kids loved it. the big ticket item this year was a 3ds for each of them. Lily also got tights, a peace sign messanger bookbag, and leggings. Luke got an automatic pencil sharpener, socks, and fireworks (which ended up being a HUGE hit with him).
Mom and Dad came down around 0900. The Crowells came at 1130, only a half hour late, and Doris came around 1150. We ate hoagies as we pleased and snacked on junk through out the day. Mom made her famous chocolate cake w/ peanut butter icing for Baby Jesus' birthday cake. She also made vanilla cupcakes for Lily who prefers vanilla to chocolate.
We were all pretty healthy this year. Fighting colds, but we managed to keep them at bay.
Yesterday Charlie split firewood out in the back forty while I took the kids to Ballocity for 4 hours. Good times.
An interesting development this year, Santa wrapped the gifts and even wrapped the door leading in to the living room. The kids loved it. the big ticket item this year was a 3ds for each of them. Lily also got tights, a peace sign messanger bookbag, and leggings. Luke got an automatic pencil sharpener, socks, and fireworks (which ended up being a HUGE hit with him).
Mom and Dad came down around 0900. The Crowells came at 1130, only a half hour late, and Doris came around 1150. We ate hoagies as we pleased and snacked on junk through out the day. Mom made her famous chocolate cake w/ peanut butter icing for Baby Jesus' birthday cake. She also made vanilla cupcakes for Lily who prefers vanilla to chocolate.
We were all pretty healthy this year. Fighting colds, but we managed to keep them at bay.
Yesterday Charlie split firewood out in the back forty while I took the kids to Ballocity for 4 hours. Good times.
Friday, December 16, 2011
12-16-2011
Last night was bittersweet for me. I went to graduation to see my last group of nursing students graduate. I am sad to be leaving my job as a clinical nursing instuctor. But, happy we are in a place where I can afford to leave work and focus on doing what's best for Luke.
Charlie and Lily are out at a basketball game. Luke and I are holed up in the bedroom, I on the laptop and him on the ipad.
Our painting project is finished, thank you sweet baby Jesus. We had guys come in and paint the office/classroom and both the upstairs and downstairs bathrooms. I hated the paint fumes and spent a good part of this week shopping and running errands. Anything to keep me out of the house. But it's finally finished! Tomorrow we're going to Rusty and Laura's to pick a vanity countertop. Then we'll do Chocolate World since it's only a few miles away. We're having new vinyl flooring installed in the downstairs bathroom Monday. Then, I think I can seriously honker down and get this place in shape for Christmas.
Charlie and Lily are out at a basketball game. Luke and I are holed up in the bedroom, I on the laptop and him on the ipad.
Our painting project is finished, thank you sweet baby Jesus. We had guys come in and paint the office/classroom and both the upstairs and downstairs bathrooms. I hated the paint fumes and spent a good part of this week shopping and running errands. Anything to keep me out of the house. But it's finally finished! Tomorrow we're going to Rusty and Laura's to pick a vanity countertop. Then we'll do Chocolate World since it's only a few miles away. We're having new vinyl flooring installed in the downstairs bathroom Monday. Then, I think I can seriously honker down and get this place in shape for Christmas.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
12-7-2011
So very much has been going on since my last post my head is spinning! Actually, on my birthday, Luke had his first meeting with a child psychologist. I got him to go by saying it would be his birthday present to me to just go and hear her out. Since then he's met with her a few more times and she met with Charlie and I last week. She's diagnosed Luke with moderate to severe anxiety and high functioning Asperger's Syndrome.
After talking with the psychologist, each other, and a lot of soul searching, Charlie and I have decided to take Luke out of the classroom setting and have him attend cyber school from the comfort of our home.
I've resigned from my job. Friday will be my last day. It would have been my last day with this group of nursing students anyway. I would have been off until the last week of January. But I wanted to give my boss plenty of time to find a replacement and so I let her know last week that I won't be coming back.
Right now I'm in the process of gathering information on the right cyber school to enroll him in. I didn't know where to start, so I contacted the school principal. She pointed me in the direction of the IU. I'm getting information from them and hoping we can keep Luke enrolled in his school, just attend classes at home.
Charlie has Ryan and David Jr. (from Trade Masters) painting our office which will be converted into the office/classroom.
So much is happening and on top of that is the mental/emotional stress of knowing Luke has fallen through the cracks for so many years. I feel angry and disappointed with myself and the school district. Hopefully, we are now on the right path for what is best for him! My main concern is his health and happiness.
After talking with the psychologist, each other, and a lot of soul searching, Charlie and I have decided to take Luke out of the classroom setting and have him attend cyber school from the comfort of our home.
I've resigned from my job. Friday will be my last day. It would have been my last day with this group of nursing students anyway. I would have been off until the last week of January. But I wanted to give my boss plenty of time to find a replacement and so I let her know last week that I won't be coming back.
Right now I'm in the process of gathering information on the right cyber school to enroll him in. I didn't know where to start, so I contacted the school principal. She pointed me in the direction of the IU. I'm getting information from them and hoping we can keep Luke enrolled in his school, just attend classes at home.
Charlie has Ryan and David Jr. (from Trade Masters) painting our office which will be converted into the office/classroom.
So much is happening and on top of that is the mental/emotional stress of knowing Luke has fallen through the cracks for so many years. I feel angry and disappointed with myself and the school district. Hopefully, we are now on the right path for what is best for him! My main concern is his health and happiness.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
11-3-2011 The big Four-Oh
Today is my fortieth birthday. Yesterday I was sick as a dog in the afternoon and evening. I wasn't very hopeful of having a happy birthday. BUT today I woke up with just a hint of a cold, feeling so much better. So, that's been a great birthday present.
Luke met with a doctor this afternoon to help him feel better about life. I broke the news to him this morning that he had an appointment this afternoon. He took it better than I expected him to. We haven't discussed a lot of the details of what they talked about, but he told me she's "one of the nicer people on the planet." as soon as we left her office. I guess that means we're off to a good start.
Charlie is supposed to be picking up steak sandwiches for us for supper. That was my birthday request. I reward myself for making it another year by eating something comletely un-heart healthy!
Luke met with a doctor this afternoon to help him feel better about life. I broke the news to him this morning that he had an appointment this afternoon. He took it better than I expected him to. We haven't discussed a lot of the details of what they talked about, but he told me she's "one of the nicer people on the planet." as soon as we left her office. I guess that means we're off to a good start.
Charlie is supposed to be picking up steak sandwiches for us for supper. That was my birthday request. I reward myself for making it another year by eating something comletely un-heart healthy!
Monday, October 31, 2011
10-31-2011 Halloween!
The kids did not have school today due to a wide spread power outage from the snowstorm we had on Saturday. I had to call off work to stay home with them since we didn't really have a plan in place this morning. We already received the call this evening that they won't have school tomorrow either. Thank God we haven't lost power!
We hung out together all day playing Monopoly and watching shows on the computer or DVDs from the library. Great to relax together.
Luke has a sinus infection and didn't go trick or treating this evening. I stayed home with him and Charlie took Lily to Reeser Heights, our old stand-by. Bless her heart, she came right home and dumped out her bag of treats to share with Luke.
Looking forward to hanging out with the kids again tomorrow. We have Dad lined up for Wednesday to watch the kids if they still don't have school. Who would have thought we'd be dealing with the aftermath of a snowstorm on Halloween!
We hung out together all day playing Monopoly and watching shows on the computer or DVDs from the library. Great to relax together.
Luke has a sinus infection and didn't go trick or treating this evening. I stayed home with him and Charlie took Lily to Reeser Heights, our old stand-by. Bless her heart, she came right home and dumped out her bag of treats to share with Luke.
Looking forward to hanging out with the kids again tomorrow. We have Dad lined up for Wednesday to watch the kids if they still don't have school. Who would have thought we'd be dealing with the aftermath of a snowstorm on Halloween!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)