Wednesday, March 28, 2007
March 28th
Hi everyone!
We are especially excited today because we have a new niece! Word on the street is that Mike's sister Ruth had her second girl early this morning.
We have enjoyed a lovely week. Our number one highlight was that Mike got a work promotion on Thursday. They do year end reviews and Mike had a really great one--so great that he was promoted from a level 5 to a level 6, which doesn't mean a whole lot aside from a raise and a nice feeling of accomplishment. His job will stay the same. He got this promotion really fast--it takes some people 5 years, and Mike did it in 18 months. We are really proud of him!
Also on Thursday Jens and I did story time at the library. He enjoyed it, although we had to leave a little early due to behavior problems (Jens kept running out of the story time room and into the library). Also on Thursday, I went to book club, the first time I have ever managed to go. It was really fun, and I enjoyed talking about the book (It's Not About the Bike, by Lance Armstrong). I enjoyed the book and it was interesting to talk about it with other people.
Friday Wendie watched Jens for us, so we went out to eat with the Nielsens, then sat in the hot tub. We ate at the Purple Place, a kind of funny bar which supposedly had good food. The food was fine and the bar was funky. It was fun, but our table was right by the juke box, so we could hardly hear each other.
Saturday we looked at depressingly expensive model homes and had shakes, also with the Nielsens. Sunday we had a good class with our primary kids--they were cute and mostly behaved well for us. I think we are getting used to each other.
This week has been quiet and gloomy, although it is supposed to be sunny and 70 today. We went to story time yesterday instead of Thursday, and it was really crowded. I think Thursdays are better!
Some really cute Jens things for this week: We have had a recurring problem with playing in Casey's dog food. Jens knows "Don't touch it!" but it doesn't always work. So last week I saw him over next to her food and I said, "Jens! Don't touch it!" He obediently moved away and I went to check the damage, and instead of a mess I saw his pull-toy weiner dog, nose at the food bowl. I guess even wooden dogs get hungry. Also this week he has started lining up items and calling them trains. ie, he lines up his bath letters and pushes them along the bathtub ledge going "chugga chugga chugga . . ." He enunciates the chugga very slowly and clearly.
We got Jens a potty chair this week, too. He doesn't have the slightest clue what it is for, but we thought we would get one and let him sit on it and get used to it. Little did we know what a great race track a potty seat makes! We have been working on not putting trucks in the potty and not standing in the potty. I predict that actual potty training is far, far away.
I am sending a couple of pictures of Jens playing his favorite game.
Have a good week, everyone.
Love,
Alison
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
March 21st
Hi Everyone
It has been a quiet week around here. Jens was sick, so we "laid low" and didn't do much. I did take Jens to story time--we made it through the first 25 minutes before we had to head out. Jens likes the singing part, but loses interest after the first actual story. The lady who does story time isn't real tolerant of too much distraction, so we sneak out as soon as Jens gets disruptive.
We enjoyed all the basketball this weekend. Mike and I both have pretty good brackets this year, which is fun. Most of our teams are still in for the next round.
Primary went better this week--I think the kids were really glad to have the same teachers again, and I think it will get easier as they get used to us. Of course, our down syndrome boy was absent, which also made things a little less stressful. Natalie and JP came to dinner Sunday--we had the crab stuffed salmon from Costco, and it was delicious.
Monday we had a family from church over for dessert, which was fun. Last night Natalie came down and we actually played a game, which was fun but a little tricky with Jens. He doesn't necessarily want us to pay attention to him, but he doesn't want us to do anything else, either!
I am attaching a couple of pictures--one of Jens, happily scarffing bread and jam, and one of sick Jens and jealous Casey. Lately they've been having turf wars, and I am the turf.
That's it for us. Hope everyone is having a happy week.
Love,
Alison
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
March 14th
Hi Everyone!
Happy Birthday, Mati!
Before I begin, I have a question for all of those with opinions. Jens has recently been on a total vegetable strike. I have found, however, that if I sprinkle vegetables with shredded cheddar OR cover them with cheese sauce, he will eat them. Now. The question is, am I doing a bad thing by putting cheese on veggies? Is he now going to expect that all vegetables be
"dressed up" for his consumption? And wouldn't that be starting a bad pattern for eating later on? I was happy at first just because he was eating things that were green, but now I am wondering if I should stick to the natural or nothing. Also, you don't have to have kids to respond to this question.
We have had a good week. Jens has been cheerful and fun--we are trying to enjoy him as much as possible before he starts some new stage! On Thursday we met Chelan and Harrison and went to our new library for storytime. It was great--songs, books, jingle bells for the kids to ring--Jens seemed to enjoy it, and it was a half hour (not too long) and not too wild. We had the missionaries for dessert on Thursday night and I made the BYU mint brownie recipe from the cook book. I had never tried them before, but they were quite tasty.
Friday Jens and I visited our friend Wendie in the afternoon, then we all met the Nielsens and Harrisons for dinner at La Fiesta. It was so fun--they have a real Mariachi Band there on Friday nights--trumpets, suits, and everything. Jens was so entranced by the music that we were able to sit there for a good hour being social. We went to the Harrisons afterwards, where Jens followed their kids around and loved all of their different toys.
Saturday we went to the zoo as a family. Mike had never been, so it was fun to show him around a place Jens and I visit weekly! The train was running, which made Jens very excited, and we stopped at the playground and looked at the back hoe that is in the new (unfinished) parking lot. Jens was in heaven.
Sunday was our first day in primary with the four year olds. Wow. That is all I have to say. I sat tense for the whole class hour and woke up sore the next day! That class will definitely be a challange. I didn't realize folding a paper in half would be beyond their skill level . . . There were seven of them there and they were very cute. According to a few people I have talked to, they are actually a very good class, but having subs 4 weeks in a row have wrecked havoc on their behavior. Hopefully things will improve! Jens had a good time in nursery and the leader told Mike that he was her favorite, but I bet she says that to all of the parents!
Also on Sunday I started another sugar fast, although I am not being quite so fastidious this time around. Just no candy or sweets. I am eating bread and peanut butter, even though manufacturers put sugar in them! So far I am doing fine, but not enjoying it. It is very difficult when I know girl scout cookies are around, Easter candy is being prominently displayed, and Mike says things like "We should go get shakes!" Well, this is day four, so just 17 days to go.
This week we have been enjoying beautiful weather--it is suddenly very warm and summery here. Jens wore shorts on Monday and of course, fell down and scraped his knees. He was pretty brave about it, although is looks painful! I am going visiting teaching--I have a feeling my companion and the person I teach are a bit older than myself--hopefully they won't mind my busy little person who is suddenly a little sick tagging along.
That's all from us this week--have a happy day!
Love,
Alison
Happy Birthday, Mati!
Before I begin, I have a question for all of those with opinions. Jens has recently been on a total vegetable strike. I have found, however, that if I sprinkle vegetables with shredded cheddar OR cover them with cheese sauce, he will eat them. Now. The question is, am I doing a bad thing by putting cheese on veggies? Is he now going to expect that all vegetables be
"dressed up" for his consumption? And wouldn't that be starting a bad pattern for eating later on? I was happy at first just because he was eating things that were green, but now I am wondering if I should stick to the natural or nothing. Also, you don't have to have kids to respond to this question.
We have had a good week. Jens has been cheerful and fun--we are trying to enjoy him as much as possible before he starts some new stage! On Thursday we met Chelan and Harrison and went to our new library for storytime. It was great--songs, books, jingle bells for the kids to ring--Jens seemed to enjoy it, and it was a half hour (not too long) and not too wild. We had the missionaries for dessert on Thursday night and I made the BYU mint brownie recipe from the cook book. I had never tried them before, but they were quite tasty.
Friday Jens and I visited our friend Wendie in the afternoon, then we all met the Nielsens and Harrisons for dinner at La Fiesta. It was so fun--they have a real Mariachi Band there on Friday nights--trumpets, suits, and everything. Jens was so entranced by the music that we were able to sit there for a good hour being social. We went to the Harrisons afterwards, where Jens followed their kids around and loved all of their different toys.
Saturday we went to the zoo as a family. Mike had never been, so it was fun to show him around a place Jens and I visit weekly! The train was running, which made Jens very excited, and we stopped at the playground and looked at the back hoe that is in the new (unfinished) parking lot. Jens was in heaven.
Sunday was our first day in primary with the four year olds. Wow. That is all I have to say. I sat tense for the whole class hour and woke up sore the next day! That class will definitely be a challange. I didn't realize folding a paper in half would be beyond their skill level . . . There were seven of them there and they were very cute. According to a few people I have talked to, they are actually a very good class, but having subs 4 weeks in a row have wrecked havoc on their behavior. Hopefully things will improve! Jens had a good time in nursery and the leader told Mike that he was her favorite, but I bet she says that to all of the parents!
Also on Sunday I started another sugar fast, although I am not being quite so fastidious this time around. Just no candy or sweets. I am eating bread and peanut butter, even though manufacturers put sugar in them! So far I am doing fine, but not enjoying it. It is very difficult when I know girl scout cookies are around, Easter candy is being prominently displayed, and Mike says things like "We should go get shakes!" Well, this is day four, so just 17 days to go.
This week we have been enjoying beautiful weather--it is suddenly very warm and summery here. Jens wore shorts on Monday and of course, fell down and scraped his knees. He was pretty brave about it, although is looks painful! I am going visiting teaching--I have a feeling my companion and the person I teach are a bit older than myself--hopefully they won't mind my busy little person who is suddenly a little sick tagging along.
That's all from us this week--have a happy day!
Love,
Alison
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
March 7
Hi everyone.
Important events for this week:
1. We went to "Music Makers" which is a Mommy/child singing/dancing group made up of people from church. Jens was a little overwhelmed and sat on my lap or hugged my legs the whole time, except during dancing time, when Jens kept going into the empty living room to dance by himself where it wasn't so crowded.
2. Casey went to the vet. She got a rabies shot and they said "Yep, she's deaf and has glaucoma." When I asked if there was any way to slow down her vision loss, they said no. She is in good shape other than that, though.
3. We had dinner with the Nielsens on Friday at Costco. I think it is becoming a weekly thing.
4. Jens went to nursery on Sunday!! I was a little concerned after his shyness on Thursday, but he apparently had a great time. We dropped him off, he sat at the little table for snack, and not a tear was shed. He came home with a new love of "Ring around the Roses" and the nursery leader said he was a dream child. We'll see how long that lasts!
5. We got a calling. We are a little sad because we got called into primary which means we won't really get to meet anyone, but we are team teaching, which is good. We are a little worried about our class--9 four year olds, one with a serious learning disability and one with downs. It should be interesting.
6. We were invited to famliy night with the Oshays, a family in our ward. They had 5 kids who were very excited to have company. It was fun. Our ward seems very friendly--I think we are going to enjoy it.
7. Yesterday we went to the Fire Department. I was out looking for a sandbox for Jens (we didn't find one) and I realized the fire department was right across the street from the store. We stopped to peak, and a fireman invited us in. Jens was shy--he didn't want to even touch the trucks, but he was in heaven at the same time. We talked a lot about fire trucks
yesterday.
8. Mike's back is significantly improved! He is walking upright! He is going to work this week! We are all relieved.
I think that is it. We are enjoying beautiful spring weather--the bulbs are up and the trees are blooming. California has some definite benefits!
Have a happy week, everyone.
Love,
Alison
Important events for this week:
1. We went to "Music Makers" which is a Mommy/child singing/dancing group made up of people from church. Jens was a little overwhelmed and sat on my lap or hugged my legs the whole time, except during dancing time, when Jens kept going into the empty living room to dance by himself where it wasn't so crowded.
2. Casey went to the vet. She got a rabies shot and they said "Yep, she's deaf and has glaucoma." When I asked if there was any way to slow down her vision loss, they said no. She is in good shape other than that, though.
3. We had dinner with the Nielsens on Friday at Costco. I think it is becoming a weekly thing.
4. Jens went to nursery on Sunday!! I was a little concerned after his shyness on Thursday, but he apparently had a great time. We dropped him off, he sat at the little table for snack, and not a tear was shed. He came home with a new love of "Ring around the Roses" and the nursery leader said he was a dream child. We'll see how long that lasts!
5. We got a calling. We are a little sad because we got called into primary which means we won't really get to meet anyone, but we are team teaching, which is good. We are a little worried about our class--9 four year olds, one with a serious learning disability and one with downs. It should be interesting.
6. We were invited to famliy night with the Oshays, a family in our ward. They had 5 kids who were very excited to have company. It was fun. Our ward seems very friendly--I think we are going to enjoy it.
7. Yesterday we went to the Fire Department. I was out looking for a sandbox for Jens (we didn't find one) and I realized the fire department was right across the street from the store. We stopped to peak, and a fireman invited us in. Jens was shy--he didn't want to even touch the trucks, but he was in heaven at the same time. We talked a lot about fire trucks
yesterday.
8. Mike's back is significantly improved! He is walking upright! He is going to work this week! We are all relieved.
I think that is it. We are enjoying beautiful spring weather--the bulbs are up and the trees are blooming. California has some definite benefits!
Have a happy week, everyone.
Love,
Alison
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