Daddy Time

What could be better than some reading time with Daddy?! The funny endings to the Uncle Wiggily stories are loved by all (especially Daddy). Sometimes we make up our own silly endings!

Finding Time for Sewing

Anna, 2yrs old and so cute!

I started this little lavendar dress for Anna quite a while ago and have been having trouble "finding time" to finish it. When I revamped our schedule using Managers of Their Homes and Schedule Breeze by Teri Maxwell, I knew needed to carve out some time to sew! I had to cut back on the "extras" like mindlessly surfing the internet and chatting with friends on facebook but now Anna has a cute little dress to show for it! Next up, finishing the Amish wallhanging that's been hanging out in the closet rather than on the wall since I need to finish hand quilting it. And, making a pinafore to go with Anna's dress!

Little Miss Josie

At 3mo., Josie grows sweeter each day! She just started rolling from her tummy to her back and is trying to roll from her back to tummy. She is growing up way too fast! I'm enjoying her more than I could've imagined. Honestly, I was a bit freaked about the logistics of juggling another baby, not to mention 3 in diapers- but God is good and has blessed me abundantly with the grace I need to get through each day. It sure helps that little miss Josie sleeps 9hrs at night already, Praise the Lord!!!

Future Award Winning Author/Illustrator

Colton's dream is to become an award winning author and illustrator. He makes these "books" ALL....DAY! When we're not doing school or cooking or chores, he's writing books made with a construction paper cover and plain paper on the inside. Usually they have some sort of award or medal on them- Newberry, Coretta Scott King, Caldecott, you name it! This book, "Lucy", is about a girl named Jane, her horse Lucy, and her father who is a pastor (and pictured on the top of the cover- giving a sermon). In the book, Jane and Lucy must save Jane's family. We do get outside to play basketball and go for walks as well- but I'm sure he'd prefer to sit at the table and write :-) How fascinating it must be to live inside Colton's mind!

In The Kitchen

We needed something yummy for snacks so Colton and I got to work in the kitchen. Our yellow squash is finally producing so we made use of that. I found a great recipe for Zucchini muffins on allrecipes.com. It was supposed to have chocolate chips in it but we had just baked chocolate chip cookies for Daddy yesterday so we skipped that ingredient. They turned out delicious anyway! I figure if I put the time into teaching Colton how to cook and bake now, he'll be whipping up dinners for the family in no time (and I can have the night off of cooking once in a while)!

Getting Down To Business

Colton, working on his handwriting. This year he is using A Reason For Handwriting, book T. I think we may skip the first section and go straight for cursive. Colton is NOT the typical six year old boy when it comes to handwriting. He adores handwriting and has been begging to learn cursive! Sometimes he can struggle with wanting everything to be just right on the first try. I'm trying to encourage him not to worry if it's not perfect, reminding him that everyone needs to practice before "getting it right".

Matty really enjoys working on puzzles. I try to offer him ones that are of varying degrees of difficulty- some I know he'll get all the pieces in right away and some that are a little challenging. He needs the confidence booster of feeling like "yeah, I can do this, no problem!" If something is too difficult, he just won't even try. I've heard that this is a typical trait in children with Down syndrome, though I don't like generalizing in that way.

And then there's sweet (and sassy) Anna! I love the puzzle she is working on for preschoolers just starting out with puzzles. All the pieces are interchangable so they can put the puzzle together even if they don't get the pieces matched up quite right.

School in a Box

No, I'm not referring to our curriculum but rather the method of our read-alouds for today! Colton colored a box that the FedEx guy left us today and decided to read some books to Matty and Anna. Matty had to make use of an empty laundry basket since there wasn't enough room in the *school bus*. Okay, so "How Do Dinasours Say Goodnight" is not part of the P3/4 program but it IS a family favorite. Colton also read "Tikki Tikki Tembo" to the littles while I made lunch for everyone. I LOVE having a helpful six year old around!

Menu Plans

We (okay, I) usually plan meals weekly and sometimes bi-weekly to make the best use of what we have on hand as well as whatever is on sale. There are a couple of meals we tend to eat every week such as burritos (or tacos or haystacks), pasta in various forms, and pizza. We like to BBQ a lot during the summer because we don't have central A/C and it's just too hot in the kitchen to cook. Plus, it's just yummy! Here's our menu plan for the week:

Sunday- Tortellini, Garlic Bread, Salad
Monday- Hamburgers, French Fries, and Carrot Sticks
Tuesday- Homemade Macaroni and Cheese and Salad
Wednesday- BBQ Beef Ribs, Corn on the Cob, & Fruit Salad
Thursday- Homemade "Snack Wraps" (Tortillas, Chicken Nuggets, Lettuce, Cheese, Dressing)
Friday- Tuna Sandwiches, Chips, and Fruit Salad
Saturday- Homemade Pizzas

I love reading other peoples blogs that share menu plans for new ideas!

Happy 4th of July!

Anna, Colton, & Papa Mike.

Colton and Nana Joan.

Matty and Nana Joan.

We had a pretty laid back holiday- daddy had to work. Yesterday we bbq'd and had Nana and Papa over to visit in celebration of our country's (and spiritual) freedom. We are so grateful to all the service men and women who risk their lives to continue to provide us with the blessing of freedom! Today, Colton learned how to make fruit salad with mommy. He loves being in the kitchen and getting his hands "dirty".

Box Day!

All of our books from Sonlight Core B and Science B. Colton is already asking "are we going to get to do school today?"

Colton, checking out "The Wheel on the School."

Our box day was so much fun! We were hoping the FedEx guy would come before we had to leave for church. Sure enough he did! He effortlessly ran down our driveway carrying the 50lb box of books. Patrick graciously lugged the heavy box into the house and we began unpacking. It's like Christmas!

Nap Time

Matty fell asleep in the stroller while we were on our afternoon walk. Daddy laid him on the guest bed in the living room to finish his nap. Of course, Anna had to join her brother for a little rest time. They are so cute together!

Mother's Day 2011

Our blessed day was spent relaxing at the park and enjoying the beautiful breezy weather. After the park, we went to our favorite frozen yogurt shop! Yum!!! This was Josie's first little outing (other than going to the doctor's office).

Watch Out!

Matty has been going through his "terrible twos" lately. Granted, he will be turning five in July but we're working on a different timeline. One of the wonderful things about raising a child with special needs is that you finding yourself celebrating the milestones that might not seem as worthy of celebration for a typically developing child.....such as the terrible twos. We are thankful that Matty is continuing to grow and develop his independence even if it means we have to put up with a little attitude!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

This year Patrick got something very special for his birthday! I guess this gets me off the hook of shopping for the hardest person on earth to buy for ;-) Have a wonderful day, my love!

Welcome Baby Josie

Our new sweet little precious addition, Josie Faith. She was born on Easter Sunday, 4/24/11 at 9:33pm, weighing 7lbs8oz. Josie is such a delight! She is growing like a weed and has already gained half a pound. She is a very content baby and a bit serious like her Momma. We are all in love with her!!!

Waiting on Josie

Little Josie Faith is scheduled to make her appearance any day now. She's actually due May 1st but we just found out that she'll most likely come earlier! We've got our hospital bag packed and all her clothes and cloth diapers washed. Now, if I could only get some rest!

Our Little "Mr. Conductor"

Matty is pretty much obsessed with Thomas right now- has been for a while. We got our box of wooden trains out a couple of weeks ago and he has been carrying them around the house ever since! I think it's time for a fieldtrip to Train Town in Sonoma.

Fun Times

One of Anna's favorite things to do is go for a little ride after the laundry is folded. Daddy loves to be the driver, of course!