Christmas Decorations 2013

We put up out decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving.  I love to have the decorations up early as it is a great reminder of the Christmas season.


For the first 3 weeks or so - this is our tree.  And it's been our tree for 10 years. I pushed for a bigger tree this year but it just wasn't in our budget.  But beautiful just same.

Pic of the Nativity / Wise Men sign / and Picture of Christ

 A Close-up of the Nativity and Wise Men.  Our RS Presidency made these last year for all the sisters, I love mine! 

Then, Christian's mom found a tree at Walgreen's on Clearance.  It was only $10 and fully decorated except the lights didn't work.  So we undid the dead lights (took a couple hours) and then put new ones on.  It is a gorgeous tree!

Here's one view:

 Here's another view.

I love it!  -

December Snow Play

On the Sunday right before Christmas, we had quite the Ice Storm and then 5 inches of snow on top.  They canceled church and we stayed inside where it was warm.  But Patrick wanted to play outside - so we dug out the winter stuff to let him play.  We used it as a day to introduce the snow to Payden who would point and say snow but due to his reaction last year.. we didn't want to push too strongly. 

Here are some pics that I had on my phone. 

Pic of Maddie - this is her shoveled place to potty - Here she was looking at me, telling me that she was done and could come in now.  She HATES the snow!  

Ready to play outside

Big Smile! 

 Playing with Daddy

 On his knees in the snow. 

Patrick stayed and played for a good 30 minutes.  I think he was oblivious to the cold and we spent a good 10 minutes warming him up when he came inside.  We definitely need to look for better gloves as the ones he has are much too small!  

But it was sure fun! 

Family Pictures

Before we left on vacation - we had a Birthday Celebration for Christian's sister's little girl (my niece).  She was turning the big one years old.

Because Lindsay was in charge of pictures at the big party - she offered to get us some MUCH NEEDED family pictures.  I love them!   Watch Patrick and Payden's smile as it varies through all the pics.  I couldn't remember but I think it was Andy (my brother in law) making them laugh so hard. :)

First day of Preschool - September 3rd 2013

Patrick and Payden had their first day of Preschool on September 3rd, 2013.  We were able to get them School District Spots (due to their IEP's) and also they get to ride the bus.  Thank goodness they have the bus system down from last time!  

They started Preschool at the Language Acquisition Preschool (or LAP).  It is a preschool directed by Speech Therapists and they each of their own Speech Therapist assigned to work with him through out the year. There are 18 kids in the class and it is a crazy class as most of the kids are 3 and really young.  

One of the Best things about this preschool is the fact that I can observe them through a one-way window.  It has been hard at times to sit in that room (sometimes crying) as I see some needs of Payden not being met. After one particular hard week with a few new meltdowns, I realized we needed to add some Deep Pressure (Jumping) into his day.  Now he jumps 2 sets of 25 jumps every day when he gets off the bus and before Free Play begins.  I was so happy to see changes in him when we started that. 

Pictures!

Payden was so so happy for the school bus to come!  I got a few really great shots!  He's holding onto his "bus book"  (It's his visual schedule showing him pictures I've taken like :  Breakfast, swing, coat, school bus, school)  It helps with transitions like circle time through the day. 

Then both of them together.

Random Thoughts (Pictures) Thursday

Here are a bunch of random pictures .. in no particular order - 

Payden - just gotten out of the swing - he always takes a book to swing with and read.  This time:  Baby Bear, Baby Bear

After nap reading - In a People House I believe.. Payden loves Daddy's Chair

 Gorgeous Pic from our Royal's Game last Saturday.  Christan's mom watched the kids and it went really well. I was super nervous but loved the little "getaway" 

Patrick, my helper at Aldi. You bag your own groceries and he loves to help! 

 Messy downstairs room - we moved a couch downstairs - great idea!! 

And a few pictures of Maddie

Dressed in the Boy's pajama top - she was posing so well! 

And two pictures of her sound asleep - relishing the quite house to take naps ALL DAY LONG. (I think it would be rather nice to be a pug for a day - or an hour!) 

Swimming

Today we bought Patrick and Payden a new swimming pool. Their one from last year has a whole bunch of balls in it and has a lot of holes. We actually bought two.  One to replace the other one.

It was an adventure getting it home since Patrick wanted to "jumpy jump in the water" right away and was very upset to learn it was for AFTER nap.

After their nap... we put swim diapers on and their swim trucks (that were still 18m but still fit!) and let them play.  It was interesting as this year.. they said the water is cold and they took a while to get used to it and last year.. they both climbed in and splashed even though water was freezing.

Here are pictures!   And a video at the very end  (Warning: the video has a sad ending to it)

Video:  Warning: (This has a sad ending) - but it was happy enough.

Our Friday Adventure

On Friday, after probably too much thinking, I decided to go ahead and try something new for the day.  Lindsay, Christian's sister had asked me to meet her at her house in Gardner (40 min away) and go to a Consignment Sale.  These sales are huge and usually there are some great deals!

I spent the morning packing a bag with a few of favorite books of Payden's and a snack for the boys for the morning.   Plus I packed a quick lunch for the boys to supplement whatever we decided to eat for lunch.

We were on the road by 8:25 and I had brought a couple toys for the boys to play with on the short drive. Patrick pointed out cars, hills, buses, and other things he saw and asked repeatedly if we going to Andy and Lindsay's like I promised and if we were going to a park.   Payden pointed out buses and also said Lindsay (Insie) many many times.  I kept reassuring them that they would see Andy and Lindsay soon.

After we got there, Andy (Lindsay's husband) watched the boys at their house so we could go the sale together.  They bought this house about a year ago and it came with a play house and swing set in the backyard.  It couldn't be more perfect for my two boys.  Patrick spent most of his time going up and down and stairs and looking out the window.  Payden was consent to swing the day away and would tell us "push."

Patrick and "my house" as he called it. 

At one point, Lindsay and I were sitting talking on the patio, and Patrick was with us finishing his snack.  Payden was on the swing.  Patrick looked at us and said, "Bubba need a push." and he walked over to Payden and gave him a push.  Payden thought this was hilarious and just laughed and laughed!

A brother push

They also love their home as it has a loft and they both love to go up and down the stairs.  Andy thoroughly entertains them and they both love them so much!!

After getting home from the sale.. the boys played outside until lunchtime.  Lindsay made us some fabulous pizza on flat-bread tortillas which was amazing.

Then they played outside until it was time to drive home for naps.  Amazingly.. they both stayed awake in the car the whole way home! I was so sure, I would be parked in the driveway with one or both sound asleep.

It was a freeing thing to be able to drive all that way and leave our town to do something fun like this.  I never have been a confident driver and I was nervous especially driving my two sons.  But it was a great experience and I know if the opportunity arises again, I won't hesitate.

More pictures from the day:

Patrick going down the stairs

 Payden in his swing (with his snacks)

 Payden getting the last morsel of yogurt off his bib

Pictures from Easter Weekend

Easter Weekend was a busy one for us. We woke early to drove to Lenexa where the boys babysat the kids and us girls went to a Consignment sale.   The guys took them to a park and Patrick and Payden enjoyed it!  

We came back to Grandma and Grandpas and had a huge Easter Feast:  Ham, BBQ Brisket, Scalloped potatoes, Green Beans with Bacon and Caprino Cheese, Baked Beans, and Monkey Bread.  It was a wonderful lunch.  

After cleaning up, we put together the Easter Egg hunt for the Patrick and Payden first in the front yard. I was so happy the weather was beautiful! The boys walked around and found their eggs and then sat on the blanket, opening them and eating them. 

Payden finding all the raisins in his eggs, he handed me the jelly beans, goldfish and teddy grahams he didn't want. 

Payden eating rasins - by the handful

Payden playing with the shape sorter - in Grampa's chair.

 Aunt Lindsay's super cute Easter Egg Baskets for the boys - Carrots int he Grass!  She included, Raisins, goldfish and teddy grahams and also little toys in each one. They were fun to open and find Easter Morning.

While the boys opened their eggs, us adults made a fool of ourselves running around the house finding Easter Candy.  I think we have enough! 

First Visit to the Dentist

Today was Patrick and Payden's first visit to the Dentist. I have worried about this for many, many days and was a wreck this morning. How I wish it would have been a better experience but all in all; it kind of went as expected.

I chose a Pediatric Dentistry knowing that it was going to be a hard experience and what better place to take them to then a place that already knew kids and were used to them!  I made the right choice!

We knew going in it was going to be hard for Payden as he HATES getting his teeth brushed and we know from his sensory profile from the Occupational Therapist that he is Oral Hypersensitive.  It basically means he has hyper-sensitivity to anything touching his mouth or teeth. It has explained his drool and also his very picky eating.  You may think how I describe this to be cruel but right now, it's kind of our way of life and we pray everyday we can find ways to help Payden.

I met Christian's mom there  (no, I didn't brave this alone) and we waited for the boys to be called back.  First they sat on the Butterfly and took pictures, so far so good.  Payden had to have a toy from the Lobby to play with.. I figured it was fine. While the Hygienist (Melody) talked to us about the schedule the boys played on the dental chairs. It was pretty cute as they figured out the slopping chair made a great slide!

Patrick went first and was hesitant.  It took awhile for him to let the Melody to get her fingers and brush in but he eventually was quite the little champ!  He chose green as he tooth brush and she used it as she put the toothpaste on.

Here is a picture I got.

And also a video of Patrick:   

Hard as I don't have one of Payden - but I don't want him to remember it that way

Now Payden was a little rough, but he's like that at home. Probably why we only brush them 3 times a week.  We tried Payden in the chair but he was horrified when it laid down.  So we tried him on my lap and that didn't work.  Next I sat in a chair with him facing me and then his head in the Melody's lap.  We got his teeth cleaned the best we could, and he cried the whole time.

Payden then played a game on my phone to calm down.  We tried putting a video on my phone and/or game while he was getting his teeth cleaned but it didn't work.   Then the Dr came and took a quick look at both and put some florides in.  Both the same.. Patrick was hesitant and Payden hated it which quickly turned into a meldown but we weathered through it and checked out.

It's over - I keep telling myself that.. for another six months anyway!

Videos from the Past week

I took 3 videos from the past week..

We have a ball pit that the boys got for their birthday.  We found a wooden board and it is now the slide to go into the balls.  It has kept them very entertained!

On Easter night, it was just beautiful so we took Patrick and Payden on the Golf Course.  Payden started tackling Patrick and when it happened once, I brought out my phone.  I've only seen them do this on our bed. 

 

And here is another beautiful day at the park - They love parks!

Pictures from a Beautiful Day

One day, a couple weeks ago, the weather was just gorgeous and Patrick and Payden were LOVING it.  I took advantage of the weather and got some pictures taken of the boys.

 Individual Shot of Payden

 Individual Shot of Patrick

Recognize this picture:  - it was taken 1 year ago on March 1st, 2012.