The BIG storm has arrived!

Walden & Union

Transit & Walden

Looking down Penora towards Main

Ready to get the boys at Stacys house!

William & Penora

Driving Down William

Coming up to Transit & William, can barley see the light!

That is target over there to the left

-Found our house ~ I had courtney put on the christmas lights, they all look the same in whiteouts!

No way are we pulling in there until it's snowblowed!

This is what I looked like after carrying the boys in, and I didn't even touch the ground, I was walking on top of it more. It was above my knees.

Looking out from the garage- those are my feet prints from carrying in the boys

Can you see my van over there?? It's there, in front of the mailbox!

Back yard

Oh Boy!

Col checking things out from inside

Little bit of snow eh?

So, we finally got our BIG snow storm, and big it was. 60+ MPH winds and all! It started yesterday with Sleet in the am, then heavy rains, by midnight it turned to snow and the winds picked up, by this morning we had a couple inches and still 40-50 mph winds. All schools were closed (Thank you Depew for the 5:28am wake up call) and roads were in BAD shape. Didn't get much better as the day went on. We finally left work around 3:15pm and made the drive home. I got home after 4, and couldn't even begin to think about going in the driveway! It was up over my knees! I parked on the street, carried the boys in a waited for Daddy to get home, to either watch them or snow blow - he chose to do the driveway (figures!) Not sure of the real totals but I can say it's ALOT! Will there be school tomorrow???

Col's weighted Blanket is here!

Thanks you so so so very much again to Donna and the rest of the amazing people at Affordable weighted blankets for our best Christmas gift! We got it 3 days ago, tonight will be our 3rd night with it. The first was pretty rough, the second 50/50, so I am hoping for a good night tonight. I know it's going to take him a while to get used to it, and not all kids with the sensory issues benefit from one either, but I am willing to try! and hope for wonderful results. On the same note - I finally got in touch with Colin's initial service coordinator today at Early Intervention re: his OT eval. Since she was our initial one for both Caden and Col's speech, we didn't need to do an initial home visit, which was so nice! We did an over the phone visit and gathered the info she needed to set up the core eval. We are going to wait until after his ENT appt on the 16th. We're going to do a full OT eval, and then also bring in a special ed teacher. Outside of that though, she is also thinking about a psychological eval depending on the outcome of the special ed one. So at least I know that they know us, know our parenting styles and are willing to help us as much as they can for now. I am really looking forward to this eval for him, we really do need it. I have been thinking about making him an appt at Strong as well, for the possible Sensory Integration Dysfunction or possible ADHD, put would rather wait until this is all said and done and see where we end up. Mike was thoughtful enough to sleep with Colin last night for me, so I could get a decent night sleep. It's the first time in weeks I've gotten more then 2 hours of consecutive sleep! It was wonderful!!


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Caden is so LOVED

Stacy took these pictures of Caden with the 3 dogs laying on him. Him and Colin both love going to Dave & Stacys house to spend time with not only the humans, but the dogs and cats as well. Caden I swear knows the name of every single one of those cats and dogs too. The one poops, is his fav I think. Every morning we get there and hang out together on the couch for a few mintures and poops comes up and says good morning to us. Today, poops was sitting next to stacy at the other end of the couch and caden said "ma, where poops at?" LOL he missed him!

Dad's House

My dad recently had a new roof & new siding done to his house - it looks great & him and Cheryl are pretty proud of it! I promised him it would get the blog spotlight! :-)

Cheer Banquet

We had Courtney's year end banquet this afternoon. It was nice - large and crazy, but nice. Courtney got her participation trophy, and a certificate from her Coaches for "little Miss reliable" I guess it pays off to not miss any practices or games huh?? Good Job Courtney!

Courtney with Nicole and Izzy on the dance floor.

Tall Courtney

Getting their awards from their coaches

Coach Shelly and Jacquie giving speeches

Trophy

I had to take this picture, since this kid - #11 was favorite player all season, he also got the MVP this year too, imagine that!

Courtney with her trophy

We live all of 5 miles from the Millennium hotel, and I've NEVER been in there, so after the banquet, we took a walk around to take it in, very pretty, this is the pool and courtyard area.

This cracks me up, notice how far away Courtney's walks from us??

Blankets

In an effort to save some money this season, I've decided to make alot of Christmas gifts. I've really taken to making fleece blankets. I think it's calming and therapeutic for me. I've done 5 already and have 2 more for sure to do, maybe a couple more, We'll see!












And obviously I won't tell you who is who's until after Christmas, there are some that I didn't post on here either - for obvious reasons!

If anyone would like one too - I'd be more then happy to make you one, I really do enjoy that time!

We've got Snow!

yes, this post is a day late, since we actually got the snow yesterday, but we had parent group last night and didn't get settled until after 9:30, I sure didn't feel like typing out a blog post at that time.

So we finally got our much anticipated first snow fall of the season yesterday, December 1st 2009. It had been 276 days since our last measurable snow fall. That is the longest stretch Buffalo has gone in 61 years, and since it waited until after Midnight and didn't start until Dec 1st, we broke that 61 year record! yay!! We got a measurable 5.8 inches recorded at the airport by the national weather service. At home I think we were just around 5 inches (we are about 4- 5 miles from the airport) It's funny too, because alot of areas got nothing! In Tonawanda you could still the tips of the grass, and that's not that far at all! (maybe about 15-18 miles) it was some pretty heavy stuff as well. Very wet. Just like the October storm snow from 2006. Mike was pretty ticked off at me, since the night before he was going to prep the snow blower and I said not to bother, since we never get what they actually call for and I would be able to shovel it. Well..... when he woke up, he was NOT happy to have to go out and shovel all that heavy snow. We are in for another lake effect storm this coming weekend, So I think I'll let him prep the snow blower now! :-)

I have a picture on the camera at home, I'll upload later on, I didn't get too many, since I took that one as I was pulling out of the driveway at 7:00am, and didn't get back home until 9:00pm ~ By then most of it was melted, and today it's almost all the way gone! Temps are in the 40's and are supposed to hang out here until Friday, so we'll see what the weekend brings us!

Stuck in traffic on Transit trying to get to work.

Looking from the garage - It was still dark out, we were heading to the babysitters.

Thankful for old friendships rekindled.

We all know how popular facebook is now a days, it's the new myspace. even more so for "our" generation as opposed to the younger crowd. I've had the opportunity to reconnect with so many lost friends over the past year. Friends that I went to high school with and Friends from even before that! There had been one friend, DeNae, that I had been searching for for years ~ Literally. I've always told Mike that someday I am going to find her and we'll meet up again someday. I had last seen her when her family moved from Buffalo to Utah in my senior year of high school, I was so bummed, her and I had this amazing friendship. About 8 months ago, thanks to facebook - she found ME! It was so exciting to see pictures of her and her lovely children. I can't wait until he day that we can reconnect in person. It's hard when so many states separate you. Not to mention jobs and family. It's not like we can jump on a plane and be done with it. I know in time it will all work itself out. I was not much of a school person. I hated school and couldn't wait to graduate. I was ready to be done with all of that drama. I've "friended" alot of those old school friends and met up with a bunch of them too. Some you just don't have much of a connection to anymore, or lost that connection way back when - I am ok with that. Others, it's like you never left!! My friend Kelly and I have reconnected in person quite a few times! I've been to her home, she's been to ours and our children get along great! She even married one of the guys who graduated with us, so I got a 2 for 1 deal there! Mike and Rob hit it off pretty well too, so that helps. Mike always laughs when I end up re-meeting someone from way back when. He says how in the world do you know so many people?? :-) Courtney on the other hand, thinks it's not fair that I as her mom, have more facebook "friends" then she does! I guess she doesn't quite understand that I've been around longer, that is the only reason why! I've found quite a few people that I used to babysit for, all grown up and married with kids also - that only makes me feel older (but it is nice to see them again)

Last weekend I had the chance to reconnect in person with probably one of people I have known the longest. We have known each other since we were 4 years old. We lived in the same neighborhood and went to the same elementary school for a while. Pam and I were pretty close friends up until I moved to a different neighborhood & switched schools as well. We obviously like most kids, lost contact after that. When I was 16, I got a job at McDonald's not too far from where I originally lived/grew up. Not too longer after I started working there, so did Pam! We quickly reconnected and our friendship started like it never left off. When I was 19, working 3 jobs and growing more independent (and pregnant!) I quit McDonald's - the last time I had seen Pam was when I was pregnant with Courtney, so 13 years ago (wow!!) A few months ago we too reconnected on facebook and again started talking like we never stopped! It turns out that when we moved into our house 7 years ago, her and her husband lived only around the block! They no longer do, they now own a home in Marilla, which is still only 10 minutes from us. Pam and her adorable daughter Haley come over to play with the boys and visit on friday and we spent 3+ hours reminiscing!The kids are close in age (Col is 2, Haley 3 and Caden 4) and got along really wel. It was so wonderful! We both agreed that when a friendship has been lost and restarted so many time throughout life that it's meant to be. We promised to keep in touch and not lose one another again. I am looking forward to going out to visit her this coming weekend and hopefully Mike and her hubby will get to meet soon as well. Pam is awaiting the news of her 2nd child anytime now and I am so glad that I will be here to join her in that blessing!

So today I am thankful for not only lost friendships rekindled and Facebook, but also for the Internet - without this resource NONE of this would be possible! And alot of who I am now wouldn't be possible as well. From online support groups, to online dating (and meeting my hubby) to online friendships (some of the strongest friendships I have is via the computer!) to shopping(had to put that in there right??!!) to reconnecting with long lost Friends and keeping those close by your side!

Family Christmas Craft

We have been talking alot in parent group about giving up our control and letting us as adults, follow our children s leads. This is super hard for alot of parents to do, me being right at the top of the list. I am the type of person who has TOTAL OCD, and will admit it. I like everything to be neat and perfect all of the time. It takes alot, but I've been working on it alot this week with the boys.... Colin and I have had play time alone 2 times, the second time it was actually initiated by him! And I let him take the lead. Caden and I read some books together and instead of me needing to stop and read every single page, I let him take control, hold the book and I would just talk about the pictures on the pages, instead of feeling like I needed to read everything that was on that page. So today, I thought we thought we would try to do a very simple Christmas craft, that the boys could do as well, and I would string it up in the dining room when it was complete. I sat back and just let them do everything that they wanted to with the stickers that were given to them. I think they turned out great and now we have some super cute homemade craft hanging in the archway! Good Job Courtney, Caden and Colin!

The finished product - I LOVE it!

Trying for a picture - No go

Gingerbread man

Concertrating

Courtney and Caden all done

Courtney working hard

Caden so proud!

Colin working on his!

Showing off the hard work

Smile Caden!

Caden and Courtney both did work on the stocking -

Courtney with her first stocking

Happy Birthday Kayla!!

This past Monday was Kayla's 6th Birthday, which Dave and Stacy celebratted with a party on Sunday. We had a good time.... until the end of the evening when Caden was approched by another child to play. It got pretty ugly after that, Caden was in meltdown mode, crying madly, I was crying, becuase it hurts me so badly that my son can't have a normal relationship with his peers. that is the first time, I've ever seen him in that situation. It absolutly broke my heart to pieces. I wish so badly I could just "fix" him and let him know it's ok for others to be near him and interact with them. In the end it was just too much for both of us to handle and Mike and I took Caden home to settle down and Stacy offered to keep Colin and Courtney and bring them home later. It was nice to be able to calm down alone with Caden and have that 1:1 time, especially after what happened. Caden had a tough time for a while.... Me even longer. Dave and Stacy were so great to keep the kids ~ I am so grateful everyday that they've come into our lives!

Courtney & Kayla - I love this picture of them.

Notice Colin trying to climb up Dave?? He was stuck to Dave for like an hour!

Dave & Stacy - how sweet!

Kalya opening the gifts

Patricia & Bella

Kayla with one of our gifts, Stacy's mom is next to her on the floor and her dad is in the green shirt in the background

Kayla's pretty hair- Stacy had me come early to do this for her

Pretty Decorations - I just love the woodwork in their house

Caden and Felix

Happy 6th Birthday Kayla!!

New Moon Party

This past Saturday was the big New Moon party that we've been waiting for held by our Friend Michelle - 47 of us attended and did the last showing of new moon that evening. The party was fun . there was Tons of food! We had apple dip, taco dip, pizza dip, bread dip, chicken wing dip, pizza, chips and dip.... Cosmo's, wine, beer, I could go on forever! Michelle sure did outdo herself - they are already trying to figure out who is doing the Eclipse party! :-) Not I! We did have fun though... And enjoyed the life size cutouts of Edward and Bella (Edward more then Bella!)

These posters were everywhere - covering every picture she had in her house!

They stuck all 47 of us in the birthday room, before they brought us down into the theatre

Courtney & Alyssa Munching away

Best Friends -

Nancy with Edward - Her and Hannah had gone to see the movie that afternoon, as a gift to Nancy ~ However, after being at the party, they both decided to go with us again that night!! Die Hards!

yea - I am quite Pathetic - holding Edwards hand! LOL

Michelle - after quite a few drinks, we finally arrived at the theatre!

Walking up to the house - there were lanterns along the walkway, the red carpet, a fog machine and Edward....

Moon Cookies - with the name of every movie character

Courtney, Amanda, Alyssa & Hannah posing w/Edward

View of the front Door, red carpet area (and Nancy)

Courtney & Edward

Edward greeting us upon entering the porch