The Geat Outdoors

My kids have lived in apartments, for most of their lives. Apartments with no place to play outdoors. We did live in one place with a playground, and lot’s of kids, but my kids were bullied, so they didn’t play at there very often. Also, my oldest son always had so many allergies, that I simply could not allow them to explore nature. Over the years, I have attempted to make opportunities for outside play, we have had play dates at the park, and my parents have a back yard, but it’s never been the same as I remember as a child.

I remember hours spent outdoors, hunting Rolly Polly's, catching Lightning Bugs, and collecting Acorns. I remember mud pies, bike riding, water fights, and dandelion bouquets. I remember the first time I found a Locust Skin, and staying out until dark. My kids have not known what that was all about. That is until now.

We purchased a house in an older neighborhood, with a huge backyard. We have a corner lot, and though it’s not even a full acre, my kids think it’s 30. They are loving it. They spend hours out there. They wake up thinking about it. They have hunted for treasure in the form of worms, lizards, and acorns. I can’t even count the number of mud pies they have made. The best part is, they have used their imagination to make up games. HUGE for my older two. They come in for food, and water, and head back out. They are worn out for bed time, and some of the sleep issues are going away.

They only problem I am having is keeping them interested in school work. Hailey is pretty good about doing her work, but Christopher, well, he sits and daydreams about being outdoors. He asks about a million times to go outside and play, and cares nothing for his school work. I did start using outdoors as an incentive, but even that was short lived. I think I’m going to have to give in and join the outdoor madness, but teaching him outside. I don’t mind really, it’s just different. I know it will make him happy.

At some point I ‘m sure the outdoors will be less of an addiction. but for now, I am glad they are getting this opportunity. Today we all helped Christopher gather 100 dandelions.

Juicing week 2

This week was hard, mostly because I wasn’t sticking to it real well, I took 2 days off, and I could tell. I felt really run down those days, plus it tore up my tummy. I still lost 4lbs, so that’s good. I do not have a day by day break down for you, but I do have some recipe’s, and I will tell you what I thought about them.

• 2 Carrots
• 1 Broccoli Stalk
• 3 Apples
• 1/2 Lime

This juice was pretty good, but next time I will leave out the lime.

• 2 Carrots
• 1/2 Lime
• 1/2 Lemon
• Bowl of grapes
• 1/4 Ginger Root
• Handful of Spinach
• 1 Cucumber

This was ok, I won’t make it again.

• Handful of Strawberries
• 1 Apple
• 1/4 Ginger Root
• 1 Broccoli Stalk
• Handful of Split Beans

This was sooooooooo gross, I had to add sweeten low.

• 3 Oranges
• 1 Cucumber
• 2 Carrots
• 1/2 Lemon
• 1/4 Cabbage

This was not great. I added honey and I was able to drink it.

Teaching Textbook 3- Review

Last year we had a terrible time with math. Hailey was more than capable of doing the math, but it would take hours just to do one worksheet. There were many tears over said worksheets, yet when I asked her the questions verbally, she could always answer correctly. I knew we had to do something different. After much prayer, and looking around, we ended up with Teaching Textbooks 3.

About the program:

• This is a full-year curriculum designed for the typical 3rd grader or an academically-advanced 2nd grader.
• The product includes a 604-page consumable workbook, a print answer booklet, and 4 PC & MAC-compatible CDs that contain step-by-step audiovisual solutions to every one of the thousands of homework and test problems.
• All the standard topics are covered in the curriculum.
• Math 3 also comes with a digital grade book that grades answers as soon as they are entered and calculates percentages for each assignment.
• There is a video instructor who teaches each lesson

What we liked:

• The instructor for the program is not boring.
• No more fighting over Math. She asks to do it.
• She loves using the computer for Math
• I like that I can check her grades, and see what problems she has missed. if I notice that she is missing the same type of problem every time, I know that we need to stop and work on that concept.
• I like that when she misses a problem she can watch a clip of how to work the problem.
• She can do this independently.
• The graphics are fun
• The print is big, so she has no problem seeing it.
• It has built in tests, and speed drills. (bonus rounds which are fun)

What we didn’t like:

• We purchased the workbook and that has been no use to us.
• It is pricey.

Overall Thoughts:

This is a keeper in my book. Both of my older kids are very visual, and love the computer so, this program will be around for a while. There have been no negatives in using this, so we will move on through TT4, and see how that goes.

Here is a clip of my daughter telling what she thinks about it.

Juicing- Week 1

A couple of my friends started talking about juicing. They had watched Fat Sick and Nearly Dead. We all decided to give juicing a try. So I geared up, did some research, went to the grocery store, and picked up a juicer. I was originally going to do a 5 day detox fast, but I decided to take it slow and prepare my body. I drank the juice for two meals a day, and then ate a High Protein, healthy meal for the other meal. If I found myself hungry, I would eat an apple, or raw veggies. I feel really healthy.

Are you ready for some pictures?

I figured out that if I make two days worth of juice it was easier for me to want to drink it, because it got really difficult for me to prepare the juice at each meal.

Day 1:

For this first juice I tried was the juice from Fat Sick and Nearly Dead. I know several people who liked this juice, but I thought it was nasty. I have to add something sweet. However, it served it’s purpose, and cleaned me out.

This juice was great.

• 1 Green Apple
• 1 Orange
• 2 Carrots
• 1/2 Lemon
• A hand full of Kale

We went to the park, and someone there had Chick-Fil-A, and then someone came with a Pizza. I was proud of myself for sticking with it. That was very hard for me. This juice was tasty. There was actually more juice than is shown in the picture, but I had already drank some before I took the picture.

Day 2:

I did not have an after picture sorry. This juice was pretty great, but I am not really a cucumber fan, so I had to get past that.

• 2 Carrots
• Strawberries
• 1 Orange
• 1 Cucumber
• A Handful of Kale

This juice was really good, it tasted like a melted smoothie.

• Spinach
• Strawberries
• 1 Green Apple
• 2 Carrots
• Grapes

This day I spent a lot of time in the restroom. I also upped my water intake.

Day 3:

This juice was great. I wasn’t sure how the beats would make it taste, but it was good.

• 1 Beat
• 1 Red Apple
• 1/2 Lemon
• Strawberries
• Spinach
• 2 Carrots

This day was so hard for me!

Day 4:

I could not stomach this juice. I think the combination of the Cabbage, and the Cucumber was more than I could handle.

• 1 Cucumber
• 1 Green Apple
• 1 Orange
• 1 Carrot
• 1/4 of a Head of Cabbage

For some reason I have no picture of the second juice.

Day 5

• 1 Red Apple
• 1 Cucumber
• Spinach
• Beats
• 1/4 Lemon
• A few Strawberries
• 1 Carrot
• 1/4 Ginger root

This was good. The baby stole mast of it, so I was starving by lunch, and had to have some protein.

• A hand full of Spinach
• 1 Orange
• 1/4 ginger Root
• 1 Cucumber
• 2 Carrots
• 1 Red Apple
• A few Strawberries
• Beats

This juice was great! However, this day was not. I was tired, had a head ache, my whole body ached, and I was in a bad mood. I went to bed early.

Day 6:

• 1 Cucumber
• 2 Carrots
• 1 Red Apple
• Strawberries
• 1/4 Lemon
• 1/4 Lime
• A hand full of Kale
• A hand full of Spinach
• Ginger root

This was a bit bitter, but good enough to drink. I woke up and felt much better this day. I had a burst of energy. By noon I had accomplished over half of my outdoor to do list.

I came in from outside to this tasty drink. it was  very filling, which was great because I was hungry. I don’t have a before picture, and I have no clue what was in it. I do know it was good!

Day 7

• 2 Oranges
• 1/4 Cabbage
• A handful of Kale
• 1/2 Lemon

Much to my surprise this was a great tasting juice. The Citrus really helped to mask the taste of the cabbage.

• 1 Cucumber
• Broccoli
• 1 Pear
• Spinach
• Grapes
• 1/2 Lemon

This was the best I have had so far. So good! Also this being day 7, I weighed and lost 8lbs!

Homemade Laundry Soap

Yes, I did it. WAY back in September. I broke down and made my own Laundry Soap. I chose to make the powder because it was less time consuming than the liquid.

How I Make It:

1. Measure out 1 cup of Borax, and one cup of Super Washing soda, and dump them into the blender
2. Cut a bar of Ivory soap in half and place it on a microwave safe plate.
3. Heat soap in microwave for 2 min.

I like to heat up the soap because it makes these awesome clouds, and it also crumbles up easy. It’s much easier than using a cheese grater. I always do a whole bar cut in half because my kids like to make clean mud with the other half. Below is a picture showing you how good the soap crumbles this way.

5. I put the crumbled up soap into the blender with the other ingredients and mix until smooth.

 

6. I store this in a Mason Jar because it keeps well, and looks pretty.

What I think:

We have been pleased with this soap. It cleans well. My son has extremely sensitive skin, and has had no problems using this. That is another reason we stuck with the Ivory. I like how easy it is to make, and how long  it has lasted. I have made several batches, and still have enough of the ingredients to make more.

I did notice that occasionally the boys clothes did not look as clean as I would like, so I started adding some OXY Clean to the wash containing their outside play clothes.

I will continue to use this. It also makes me feel domestic. LOL!

FASD? Autism? ADHD? or All of the Above?

 

It’s hard to believe it has been over a year since we received Christopher’s diagnoses,  which put him on the Autism Spectrum. When we first received the diagnoses PDD-NOS, I felt relieved, and alone, and confused. As things went on, I found plenty of books to read on the subject, we went to doctors, tried diets, Therapies, Medication, and discovered that there is a great support system with an Autism diagnoses.

Yes, you heard me right, there is a great support system with an Autism diagnoses. That’s not to say there’s not a huge battle within the medical field in regards to Autism, or that your  family and friends will “get it” (mine do), but there are, Books, TACA, Online support groups, You Tube Video’s, Therapies, Diets, TV documentaries, Blogs, Fund Raisers, local gatherings, etc. I have felt very comfortable with this diagnoses. I also feel very passionate about raising awareness about it. It melded itself to our family, and brought understanding and hope that things would, and could get better.

In many ways things have gotten better for my son. He is growing up, and we are figuring out ways to cope, and help. What works, and what doesn’t work. But, there are many things that have gotten worse, changed, or have stayed the same. I haven’t written on this subject in a while because we are going through some challenging times in regards to a diagnoses.

You know how about a month ago there was all the hoopla about the criteria change for the Autism diagnoses? Well, just as all that came about we had an appointment with Christopher’s Psychiatrist to discuss medication options, and the diagnoses criteria. Our discussion was rather disheartening, as she told us that she did not think he really has Autism, but rather he is highly effected by the drug and Alcohol abuse from his biological Mother. (while pregnant) She felt like a more proper DX would be FAE (Fetal Alcohol Effects). But then she said that maybe he had all three diagnosis's, and that she didn’t feel qualified to make that call. She gave me the name of a clinic that has a team of doctors who specialize in FAS. Just like any place there is a huge delay in getting in to see them, and then we found out they don’t take our insurance.

So I started doing research on FASD (Fetal alcohol Spectrum Disorder) Over all I would say that both Hailey and Christopher fit within the diagnostic criteria. But Christopher still fits with PDD-NOS. I have struggled with what is right, and weather of  not it matters. I have struggled to accept FASD because there is not a huge support system. There is a part of me that feels sad about this DX. I really can’t explain why. We already knew about the substance abuse, and we already knew about life long struggles. I really can’t explain it. 

We went back to see the Psychiatrist and she is at the end of her ability to help us. So we are starting back at square one. we are going to find new doctors, and new helps. I think it may be good in the end, but it’s always a trying process.

So, we still don’t know if he has all three, or what, and I don’t really think it make much difference, because what matters, is getting the help he needs. However, a DX does often help with figuring out those needs. In all of this we have one hope, one thing that keeps us going, and that’s the Jesus. He has been with me through every step of this journey, and will never leave me. So, even if I have to give up the Autism support system (which I doubt), I will still have Jesus.

Thank you for letting me ramble, and get that out. Sometimes that’s all we need. If you happen to think about it, please say a prayer for me and my family. 

Review- Writing With Ease Level 2

About the book:

• This book uses passages and sentences from classic children's literature, Workbook 2 allows young writers to practice their skills while absorbing the style and grace of great authors. Charming illustrations by Jeff West add a visual element that will spark your child's imagination.
• This book is scripted
• It provides dictation exercises
• This book helps your child summarize passages, focusing on the main topics.
• Each week is broken into 5 days, with each day building on the next.

 What we liked:

• I like the way the book is laid out. It’s easy to navigate through, because it’s broken down into small chunks.
• I like the passages that have been chosen. They are fun and quirky, and usually teach a moral of some sort.
• I like that the passages are not simple and kiddy, but rather pieces taken from classical books. There were times that I would read a passage and think, “that’s way above her head”, but she understood it.
• I liked how it challenged Hailey to think about the important details of a story, rather than rattling off the entire story.

What we didn’t like:

• I really like this book, and feel that it is a great component to our curriculum. But, Hailey did not do well with it. She has an extremely hard time summarizing the passages. She can tell me the entire passage, but to summarize seems very difficult for her. I continued on with this book hoping that would get better, but it was only a source of frustration for both her and I. So we discontinued the use of the use of this book. That said, I don’t have any real negatives about it.

My thought overall:

I think this book is very well laid out, and I love the thoughts of using it. I plan to keep it on my shelves, and maybe start with level 1 with my son, moving on to level 2. I would recommend this book. As always, my suggestion is to follow the child’s lead. I did not feel that it was worth the frustration it caused my daughter, and would not force it at such a young age. There is still time to work on summarizing in a way that works for her.