You have entered a binkie free zone

We have been wanting to be a binkie free household for a while now, but haven't really got up the guts to actually move forward. I figured my break from school would be a good time. Then last night when we couldn't find any binkie we were kind of forced into it. C wasn't really having it at first. I have been telling her that babies need her binkie, so last night when we were looking she said: "Mom the babies no need by binkie anymore." She also said "H will buy me a new pink binkie." Isn't she clever? Anyway, she wasn't pleased, but she went to sleep without it and slept all night. She hasn't even asked about it since. Hopefully tonight will be ok. I worry she might find it and we will have to start over. That would be awful.

Literacy project

So I joined a project for next semester. It is called the literacy project for short. I don't have a student lined up to work with at this point, but you really need to check out the link below because you won't believe what I tell you without watching the videos for yourself. The project started out trying to give kids with moderate to severe disabilities some more literacy exposure and prepare them for school so they could be better included in mainstream classrooms. What resulted is kids with Down syndrome, autism, and other disabilities reading at age 4. Many of these children are actually ahead of their peers in literacy skills. What is crazy is that this is with just an hour of instruction a week for a year. The materials are beginning to be marketed - and the American Federation of Teachers plans to train teachers across the country beginning this summer. So exciting. There is nothing like this out there right now!

Check out the link to the literacy project:
http://aacliteracy.psu.edu/

Check out the curriculum:
http://www.mayer-johnson.com/files/ALLProductInformation.pdf

So now that you are convinced...if you aren't you didn't look at the links...get the word out. This is only good if it is used.

Pot Pie

I love this meal! It is fast, easy, delicious, the whole family will eat it, veggies are included inside so no additional dishes, and it makes great left overs (if eaten within a few days). Maybe you would like to try it too?

Chicken pot pie

Filling: 2 cans cream of chicken soup (10.5 oz size)

2 chicken breasts cubed

2 small potatoes peeled and diced

2 medium carrots peeled and sliced

Frozen peas (to liking)

Crust - I usually cheat and use the store premade crust (the kind in rolls)

Boil the potatoes and carrots for 5 min or until just softened. Drain place in a bowl with cream of chicken soup, chicken, and as many frozen peas as you like. Lay first crust down in the bottom of the dish. Mold to dish and poke with a fork. Add in filling. Place other crust on top and pinch sides. Cut slits on top. Bake 400 for 35-45 min, until golden brown. Cool and enjoy.

Life of leisure

Today is my last day of writing before I take a week long break. Ok, it is possible that I might get some inspiration and break my pact of no writing this coming week, but you can't pick when you are inspired. I am excited to spend time with C & H (when he isn't in school). Summer school starts up on the 18th. Here is my list of things to do during my week of leisure:

• Vet appt for the dog.
• Dental appt for me
• Haircut (This is actually scheduled today, and I am very excited! It's going to be short!)
• enrichment meeting
• card making
• baby gift making
• complete childcare paperwork
• clean basement
• pack for move to new house
• Bake a pink cake - this was a request of C

Ok, so not too bad. I hope to add in reading Seabiscuit (so I can return it to mom when we go visit), sleeping in as often as possible, and snuggle time during Dora. While I am sure many of you are wondering if I have a different definition of leisure, this is about as good as it gets until after June 30th. Hope you all get to have a week of leisure soon as well.

White house

So a while back I posted about the state correctional facility that H mistook for the white house. I snapped a photo when we were out recently. The quality isn't great because it was taken in the car - I didn't want to cause a fuss and get the authorities on me. Now you can get a sense of why he made this mistake. I think it is one of the most coolest buildings around and the inmates live in it? Let's hope it's drafty!

Raising a diva?

So how do you know if you are raising a diva?

• Maybe she refers to her friends as her "people",


• Or tantrums when she can't find the right pair of shoes.


• Maybe she expects to be waited on hand and foot,


• Or she wears multiple outfits a day with all of accessories.


• Maybe she just enjoys laying around in the nude,


• Or she thinks all makeup belongs to her.


• Maybe she thrives off the attention that is paid to her each time she goes out


• Or when that attention is not received she screams.


• Maybe she poses for the camera a little too rapidly,


• Or eats whenever, whatever, and where ever she pleases.

Am I raising a diva, or is this just the life of a toddler? Either way please sign me up as well! I could use a little R & R, pampering, and dress up!

silly things

I know I could post all of these to the side of my blog, but there have been too many silly things said to name them all there. These are all from the horses' (kids') mouths...honest! Spelling is off to emphasize the way C talks. Sorry it has more about C. She is just says sillier things at this stage.

• C: "Where is my toofbrush?" H: "It is in the lost and found bag in our room." She walks away completely understanding what he said - and bring her toothbrush downstairs. Truth is they actually have a lost and found in their room. I know it is scary, but that is H's way to clean up quickly - at least he remembers what is in there.
• C: All in one breath "Today I went to the docker with Cacky (her sitter - Cathy). We went to McDonals. I had eggs (really? maybe they were serving breakfast still). Went to music cass." Then she starts singing all of her songs for who knows how long.
• John had a young man over about to carpool to soccer this weekend. C made fast friends with him. When they left this is what happened. C: "My friend, my friend, my friend, my friend..." You get the idea. He came back to say goodbye more formally. Can you say DRAMA?
• Today we went on a few errands. As we were leaving one store the clerk said "Have a nice day." C replied: "Have a nice day! See you later! See you later Grandpa" (to the man in line behind us).
• Today when we were shopping at another store C also wanted to sing the wheels on the bus the whole time. It was getting old since she kept asking "What's next." So we started adding animals on the bus. Here is a sample C: "The cow on the bus goes moo, moo, moo." The lady in line behind us got a kick out of that!
• As I pulled onto the freeway today C told me "Drive faster mom!" H usually says "Mom slow down I don't want you to get under arrested!" Good thing they weren't both in the car that time.
• C: "Mom I want to go to John's house" What she meant here is the job site - the house John is building. Oh, and speaking of that things are moving along - cabinets are in, flooring is started
• After asking H to do anything several times and then getting fed up when he won't listen I usually get more stern and throw in some kind of consequence if he decides to disobey again. This is usually what I get: H: "You're a mean mom!"
• We were shopping for new clothes for the kids - they just don't fit last year's summer clothing. I saw a shirt that said my mom rocks. Mom: "Hey H want a shirt that says my mom rocks?" H: "No! I want one that says my dad rocks!" Mom: "I don't think they have one like that." H looked irritated - why did I even bring it up? I look around and find one that says "My dad rocks!" Mom: "H what about this one?" Holding it up. H: "Yes I want that!"
• When we drop H at school C is always so excited to say goodbye. C: "Bye Hairsin. *air kiss* Love you!" H: "Bye C love you too" - in a half embarrassed half happy voice. "Bye mom." No verbal I love you - just the sign language for it. Maybe he thinks the other kids don't know what that means?
• H: "Mom, I can't wait to go visit Nana." Mom: "Why?" H: "I always get to have poptarts for every breakfast." I guess what happens at Nana's stays at Nana's because we don't have poptarts for breakfast here unless the Easter Bunny or Santa brings them.
• Mom: "C who is your best friend?" C: "Dora, Mom, Hairsin, Nana, Papa, Benn, Granpa, Hairsin, Dad, Granma" For those of you not on the list - don't fret - she'll add you in a second.
• This one just happened. C is playing outside with H collecting clovers, a favorite activity. C: "Mom I got cohvers for you. Here you go." She places them on the only piece of open desk space. Thanks! :)

That's enough for now, but trust me I could go on all night. Hope you got a laugh or two out of it. I am sure I did as well as a headache or two!