Scrapbooking.com & Autism

Scrapbooking.com Magazine, a digital "ezine", will be featuring our family's story in an article about Autism, in their January 2008 issue. They are looking through the many layouts I've done regarding George, and will choose some to highlight.

They are working directly with the Autism Society of America. I'm so proud to be a part of this. Every time something gets written, shared, and talked about, we are one step closer to even better help for our special kids.

Prepping for Xmas!

Tomorrow we head out to get our tree (weather permitting) and then we'll spend the day decorating the house, inside and out! I know that, as usual, there will be zillions of photos taken tomorrow and throughout the holiday season. But most years I'm too busy to do anything with the photos until after the festivities are over, and by then, I'm drained. Last year's entire holiday experience was documented in a single two-page spread (happily enough, published in the current Digital Scrapbooking Magazine).


So this year, I'm following Ali's lead and preparing ahead! I have already completely designed an eight page board book, plus covers. All that it needs is photos and journaling. I'll add them as I go and print it out right after Christmas! Check it out!







Notice that last red page, number 7? "Pass the Rosy Wine"? I'm headed to a holiday party tonight, I may just get that page done before December actually gets here!

Ok, say it with me:

Pumpkin is a vegetable. Therefore, having pumpkin pie for breakfast is actually healthier than my normal breakfast, as I don't usually include the vegetable food group so early in the morning.

The crust has flour in it, so part of the cereal & grains group.

Add in the whipped cream and you have dairy.

Coffee is made from beans and they count as a protein, right?

Man, am I off to a good start this morning, or what?!

Okay, NOW I'm willing to listen to Christmas music

I'm full. Tomorrow I'll avoid stores like the plague while I start searching the basement for our Christmas lights. We normally get our tree the day after Thanksgiving, but Jason's work schedule isn't cooperating, so we'll get it on Sunday.

In the meantime, if you would like to laugh really, REALLY hard, click on this link:
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9579232035

I apologize. I couldn't resist.

Happy Holidays!

So Thankful...

...for a fabulous husband, who is the greatest, most funnest dad ever;

...for the biggest cat I've ever seen, who mended the biggest heart I've ever known (introducing Armory, our cat we've had for the past month)

...for my little boy, who is exploding with new skills;

...for a job I love, that keeps me sane;

...for a home, full of memories and close to lots of extended family;

...for my wild and crazy family, full of love and laughter, just what I always wanted in my life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Readin', Writin', & 'Rithmatic

Ah Mondays. Full of things to do and not enough time to do them. Thought it was so great when I looked around the house just before Emma left for school and found this:


Georgie tucked into a corner, reading, and Emma sitting in the middle of the floor going over a poem she wrote. That's right, a poem she wrote. Love this kiddo of mine.

Did you know that they study negative numbers in first grade? I don't remember learning those until at least 6th grade or so! We are rapidly approaching the point where I will be unable to help her with her homework!!

Maybe she can help me work on the bills today. Might need some of those negative numbers.

True Oregonians

Really, we aren't a bunch of red-necked hicks. Really. Ignore the camo gear, the old rusty car, the trailer, the fact that we're bar-b-quing in the rain. Please?

Actually, this is our favorite kind of weather. Drizzly, patches of sun, patches of storm, not too hot, but not too cold. Love it! And it's perfect for doing an all day pork roast.

Jason's dad and uncle brought up his old Buick (that he inherited from some wonderful family friends last year), and this morning was spent maneuvering the flat-bed trailer and figuring out how to get the car off of it. No need for details other than the fact that when the car actually rolled off, my mouth was gasping for air and I was peeking through my fingers. We came thiiiiiiiiiiis close to needing a new shed (and possibly new feet for Jason). But it's here, and Jason is happy. I have now lost my husband to car land.

The kids had a blast playing in the rain. George came in voluntarily, once he was soaked all the way through and his boots were sufficiently muddy. Emma didn't spend as much time outside, but heck, any six year old that would rather be doing math workbooks and playing a highly detailed game of dinosaurs vs. Transformers, is all right by me.
Oh, and this last photo is just to prove my oft-repeated point, my kids are crazy. Not that there's anything wrong with wearing your toddler swimming sunglasses while playing with holiday decorations.

Firsts

Thank goodness this happened at school, they got to deal with the blood. Her friends were very impressed. We have the silver dollar and toothbrush ready (thank you for all your advice, oh wise Internet), so the Tooth Fairy will be visiting tonight.

Wow. She looks like such a kid. Or a Jack-O-Lantern, as her teacher from last year pointed out!

Edited to add: Correction, the Tooth Fairy will not be visiting tonight. Emma broke into tears at the thought of giving up her first lost tooth. She says she doesn't want to "trade it in" for anything. SOooooo, I guess we'll be holding on to the goodies until the next tooth pops. My kids are so wierd.

Yes we celebrated Halloween!

I realize that my complete dearth of posts over the last week may have led you to believe that we fled the country or fell off a cliff, but no! We are here, busy, candy-buzzed, and enjoying the fall sunshine.

Here are a few pictures of my costumed, pre-candy overdosed children (I mentioned the horse costume, right?):


The worst part of Halloween is that it takes all darn day to get to the festivities. By then, kids are exhausted after being high on adrenaline since six in the morning. Thus, the slightly comatose look on Emma's face. She recovered quickly though, with the first drop of candy into the pumpkin buckets.

Her favorite part? Opening the door to "customers" at the end of our trick-or-treating. George's favorite treat? The notebook he was given by one of the neighbors. No joke. She offered candy or a spiral notebook, he threw his pumpkin at Jason, shouted "notebook", and that was it for the night! Emma chose a notebook, too. Gotta love my kids.