nothing is better than play dough

My son loves play dough. He will spend an hour playing with it. Play dough can be home made or store bought. This stuff here is store bought because it came with all the cool toys. And because it was his birthday present.

Figuring out how to use the toys was a bit challenging, but with the help of daddy, he was intrigued. He made snakes, flowers, triangles, hair, and other fun shapes that squirt out of the toys.
Even using a play dough scissors is fun and full of benefits for him. Not only does this help him with his fine motor skills, but also helps him with his sensory issues. Well that play dough helps him with that. Do you want to know how to make your own play dough?

This recipe is my favorite. It's made with Kool-Aid.

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup of salt

2 cups boiling water

3 TB vegetable oil

2 packages Kool-Aid (your choice on color/flavor)

Yes, Kool-Aid play dough is edible, although it doesn't taste good because there is a lot of salt in it. Make sure you don't get the invisible Kool-Aid or you won't have a pretty color, unless you use food coloring. I've heard some people say not to use Grape because it stains, but I have never had that happen. If your dough is too sticky, add more flour, and if it's too dry, add more water. Enjoy!

Jayden sick

Jayden is sick again. He had a low grade fever the beginning of the week, which eventually turned into a cough and congestion. After picking him up from daycare, I decided to take him to the doctor. He's got croup and sinus infection. He received a steroid shot in his leg, which he absolutely hated and then he was prescribed an antibiotic.

8th. Nobody wanted to take a guess? I thought it would have been fun. Oh well, I tried. The two reasons I like the 8th are because it's my anniversary and it's my date to start my job in Brookings. Yay me.

Life has been extremely stressful lately, more like many months, but more so lately. I'm just glad the day is finally coming when I will be closer to my kids, my home, and back in my hometown where I am so much more familiar with everything.

I do have many challenges ahead of me. Coming to Brookings doesn't mean things will be easy. I know this. But I am ready to hit them head on and get some normalcy back into my life.

8

Usually 7 is considered a lucky number, but today, my new lucky number is 8. Or maybe I should be more specific and say my new lucky date is the 8th. For more than one reason. Can you guess why?

Remember, there are 2 reasons why the 8th is my new number.

new phone woes

My husband has been on my case for almost an entire week now. Every single day he tells me I need a new phone. Mainly because he wants a new phone. Or should I say, he has a new phone and plan picked out and is just patiently waiting for me to decide I'm ready.

You see, a few years ago we wanted to upgrade our phones around Christmas time because there were such good deals at the time, but we couldn't because one of our contracts wasn't up. And the deal was a buy one get one type of deal. So we decided at some point we should get our contracts on the same timeline since we are married and all.

Well at this point, his contract is up and mine isn't. I can however upgrade to a new phone. I don't know if that means I don't get as good of a deal or what. I'm content waiting for 3 months until my contract expires, but his anticipation is quite high.

Did I mention I haven't upgraded my contract in at least 8 years? I still have a contract from the Cellular One days. And, I cannot get a contract with the great deals I have anymore for that price. So I'm stuck. Part of me wants to get a Smartphone next and the other part of me says I really don't need it.

So this brings me to a question. For those of you who read my blog (I know there aren't many), what phone do you have and do you like it? Please share with me!

Happy Birthday Jayden

Today my baby turned 3 years old. Looking back at his pictures and thinking about his miraculous life all I can think is, wow baby, we've sure come a long way. What started out as a normal and healthy baby quickly turned scary within a few short months.

By 2 months old, he had undergone several ambulance rides, been flown to a hospital in MN, and endured major surgery.

He always seemed to trust us and always had the look in his eyes like he knew we were doing what was right for him, even though it was the hardest time in my life.
His fun loving, spunky spirit quickly got the best of us and we knew he was going to be ok.
Jayden's big blue eyes and long eyelashes have received so many compliments I lost count. I just know some day he will be a heart-breaker!
And the dependent, stubborn, strong-willed Jayden has emerged with a fighting spirit well before he turned 2.

But today, my little baby, the one the nurses called "big guy", the one who steals hearts has turned 3.

My little boy who has scared me to the depth of my soul, who has stolen my heart from the moment I found out I was pregnant, who has caused a room full of people to laugh from his contagious laugh, is growing up. 3 years ago today, I gave birth to the light of my life.
Even though Jayden had a rough go of things today, we tried to have a party, a small party with just our family. But he only had a few good moments as it was way to overstimulating and there was too much attention on him. Little Jayden had a tough time dealing with people singing and all eyes on him.

But, he did eat a bit of cake, all of his ice cream, and we eventually got through his presents. Now, we try to decide if it would be "good" or "bad" to have a bigger party with more family in a few weeks or if it would be torturous.

he qualifies

So it finally happened. The 3 years have passed and Jayden has reached that age where he no longer can be on an IFSP. Well, he's not 3 until Sunday, but for this purpose he is 3. We've undergone weeks of planning appointments, many evaluations, trips to the doctor, and finally, we had the meeting yesterday.

He qualifies. He qualifies. He is now on an IEP (individualized education plan). His speech therapy won't stop. I was so scared thinking he probably wouldn't qualify because so many people have told me that it is hard to qualify a 3 year old, but he made it. Barely. The cut-off is 75 and he scored a 74.

He will be receiving speech therapy once a week and early childhood once a week. I'm so thankful that he did qualify because I know that he needs these services. Some parents might feel differently. In fact I know they feel differently because I work with families that don't want to face the fact that their child probably does need these services.

Anyhow, I know that Jayden is delayed and has a tough time talking, so I know by having him qualify for this it means he will receive that extra boost to keep him going along and hopefully better prepare him for school in two years. I'm glad he qualifies. I'm glad he will be receiving this additional help.

stewie on sunday

Stewie loves bones or anything to chew on. He knows better than to eat his bones on our bed, or at least we like to think that way.

He eyes them carefully and licks them and makes the most annoying smacking sounds when he eats them. Stewie loves his bones.
And then he gets playful, almost as if he's saying, I bet you can't get me off this bed. He scurries around, carrying his bone with him, until he finally gets off the bed.

Oh Stewie, my life wouldn't be the same without you. I'm glad we rescued you and gave you a home.

best birthday ever

I had the best birthday ever for many reasons. I received a phone call at work and was told I had to come to the office to pick something up. So I go to the office and I see this box. Never have I had flowers shipped to me!

Wrapped up in bright orange tissue paper was this beautiful flower arrangement. It was holding down a big bouquet of Happy Birthday and We Love You balloons. I was tickled!
Inside the box was this note from my husband.

Accompanied by the note were these 12 long stemmed red roses. I learned later they are supposed to be for Valentine's Day!

Then I got a gift certificate from my mom for a pedicure. After all this was done it was close to 4pm and it was time to get ready for Shaylee's Honors Choir. That concert was to begin at 4:45pm. So we headed to the venue. Here Shaylee sits in the top row. They were told they couldn't wave, so all the kids sat very still, patiently waiting to show us what they had learned.

When they started to sing, all I could do is look at my husband and say "wow". It was the most amazing sound I have ever heard. I mean it brought tears to people's eyes and was absolutely beautiful. I never realized young kids could sound so spectacular. I was one proud mama.

Only 4 students were chosen from Shaylee's school. Here they are with their music teacher. The 4 students and their families all ate at Pizza Ranch together. The Honors Choir was a compilation of the best singers from many different schools across the state. It was such an accomplishment for Shaylee. Months ago, she had to make a CD which got sent to SDSU. From there she was 1 of 4 chosen.
While eating at Pizza Ranch, Shaylee managed to tell everyone it was my birthday while I was out of the room, so a bit later during our meal, the whole room sang Happy Birthday to me. I was red in the face, but it sure was nice.

Shaylee also received carnations from her grandparents in honor of this performance. Again, it was the best birthday present she could give me. I couldn't have asked for a better day.

Is there...

a doctor in the house?

(don't mind Stewie, he felt the need to imitate the doctor)

Is it just me...

or does this fish stick look like a fish?

And of course we would never feed our family fish sticks!

Oh wait, it's not Not Me Monday.

It's Monday...

and Stewie doesn't want to get up.

But he did, as did I.
Have a good Monday.

battle of the lock

Never did I think I would find myself in a serious battle with a lock. Not to the point of tears, that's for sure. But today, I was proven wrong. It was a battle of the lock, between me and it, and I was determined to win, even though it totally emotionally and physically exhausted me.

I went to my storage shed in Madison where my work stuff is stored that I typically don't need. Today I decided I wanted the microwave out of there to have in my office for warming up my lunches. Simple enough. I drove to the shed, unlocked it, and rummaged my way through stuff until I got the microwave.

It was filthy. It was covered in this orangish pink fluttery flaky stuff. I believe it was insulation from the ceiling, but am not positive. Ahem, anyhow! This is beside the point.

I stick the much wanted microwave into my van, pull the garage door shut and go to slide in the latch so I can put the padlock back on it. Clink. It was a no go. So I fiddle and faddle (is that a word?) with it and keep sliding it. Clink. That sound again of the lock not sliding into it's place.

I've had this problem before. I've even battled the lock for 15 minutes before. But today was different. This lock was proving itself to be much tougher than I had given it credit. I messed with it for 10 minutes. Clink. Again, no go. I opened the garage door and slammed it down. I stepped on the handle on the bottom thinking for sure the weight of my body would surely push that door down where it needs to be so the lock would slide. I slid it. Clink.

Up with the door, down with the door, up, down, back and forth with the lock, in and out, up with the door, down with the door. Clink. Now I'm frustrated. I start to panic. I even ask God to help me get this latch to slide. Surely that will work. Clink.

The tears start rolling down my face. I'm looking for any soul to come help me, but there is no sign of anyone. I get out the shovel and start beating the snow and ice, then go back for the door. Clink.

I call my husband, in tears, he's trying to tell me what to do. But I've already done it. Now I'm mad at myself because all I wanted was the stupid microwave so I could eat my lunch and now here I sit in a battle of the lock. I can't leave because it's full of Early Head Start stuff and I can't get it to lock. I can't call my boss because she's in Washington D.C. I have no one to call. I finally sob through my tears, tell my husband I have to go, take off my glasses because by now I can't see through the water soaked lenses and go back to the snow and ice.

Now I'm looking for something hard to chisel inside the track with, but all I find is a clip to hold papers. I try it. It doesn't work. Then, just as if a light bulb brightly popped over my head, I think, an ice scrapper. Brilliant, right?

I wail on that ice and keep whacking the scrapper against the ice. I slam the door shut. Slide the lock. Clink. Oh man, that was the end. I'm now crying uncontrollably, totally spent, completely exhausted, and pissed.

I whip the door open again, beat the ice to snow cone consistency, pull the door shut, slide the lock, and whammy, it slides in. The padlock goes on and it's locked. The extreme panic immediately leaves, my eyes are tired, my mind is weak, and I think nobody, Nobody, will ever believe me about my battle of the lock.

Let me promise you this, I swear, I will never, ever, go near that storage shed again.

before and after

My girls went in for much needed hair cuts yesterday. We decided to take some before and after pictures. The first one of Shaylee cracks me up because it looks like her face is really long. Both girls look great with their new hair cuts.

wordless wednesday