Strikes again

The night terrors have struck again. After a few good nights, I thought maybe it was just a fluke. Tonight's had me very freaked out because he was mumbling about something and pointing at the corner of the room, right next to me like he was talking about someone or something. After about 5 mins though, he muttered it was about the sign on his door. Very freaky though.
So tonight I found that when he was upset, by holding him very tightly so he couldn't swing his arms around and be all out of it, he came out of it pretty quickly. He was so upset though about wanting to build something. I think it may have a connection to school because he kept raising his hand asking if he was allowed to build something. So we went along with it, asking what he wanted to build, what he wanted to use, etc. He kept getting upset and asking over and over and pointing, then when we said he could build, he seemed to chill out a little. I don't understand it though, and it really freaks me out!! I hope that it ends soon. If it happens too much more in the next week or so, I'm going to call and see if we can bump up his 6 yr check up to discuss it.

So for my own notes to remember, each time it's happened it was within an hour of him falling asleep. Just like everything I'm reading has said about. He does not remember it at all. When he comes out of it, he is confused and doesn't remember even a second before. Tonight he was confused why he was out of bed and begged to go back to sleep. It's just hard because it doesn't make sense.....

Tuesday Night Thoughts....

I'm slacking again. I have lots I want to talk about, but never seem to finish what I start. I just deleted 6 blog entries that I started and then just forgot about. Oh well.
What's going on here this week....
Kristopher has a cold. I also had it, but am mostly normal already. I'm assuming it's just the lovely school germs, but his has been going on 3 weeks and starting to worry me. It's not like him to have a lingering cold. Typically it's very fast for him. He's still acting normal and eating fine. No fevers or congestion. Just sniffing and snotting. And sounds a bit funny. Other than that, same Kristopher.

Well, I should take that back. 3 times in the past week we've had what appears to be night terrors. Very freaky. Last night was the worst yet for it. He woke up about an hour after falling asleep, in a panic cry/scream fest. He claimed he had to poop, and was arching around all crazy. He was screaming that he had to go, and he was sorry, and something about not wanting to make a mess. We kept telling him he can go, he was in the bathroom, on the toilet but he would not snap out of it. Anytime we'd walk near he would get majorly freaked all over again. Finally about 10 mins later, he snapped out of it and had no memory of why he was up, what happened, and did not remember being in the bathroom. It was very freaky and we both slept like crap last night worrying about him. I asked him again this morning and he did not remember it still. He thinks I'm making it up.
He had night terrors when he was around 2 or 3, almost nightly but that was different. He wouldn't respond to us at all. Just cry for about 5 mins then go back to sleep. I hope that it was a fluke last night and we don't start something regular.
Other than that, things are going pretty good here. School is balancing out and no issues, we're all getting into a new routine, and the days/weeks seem to be going by fast. Tomorrow is the first time in a few weeks that I'll have my Wednesday freebie day, and I'm not sure how I feel about that. I get my cleaning and stuff all caught up early every day, and the extra 2 kids keep me busy. And I like that. I wonder how long it's going to take for me to get use to the quiet though.....

Oh and in other news, Zoey has a friend. Our neighbor has a dog and we've been outside in the evenings a few nights chatting and the dogs have become friends. I think it's cute.

A special project

Apparently my email of concern the other day has jump started things a little. Yesterday the teacher sat down one on one with Kristopher and he read her a story. Basically to prove himself I guess. So, today's special project for him was to sit in the big rocking chair and read his classmates a story for story time. He LOVED it. He said he only needed help with one word and that he had such an important job. He was beaming as he told me. I love it!!
He's truly starting to change (for the better!) with school and I guess the structure is what he needed. It's kind of sad to see him turning into a big kid. I sit here during the day and look at the baby and remember that was Kristopher 5 years ago. The chunkiness, the cuddling. How can time go so fast? I love that the kids were able to keep coming with the move because it makes my days alone seem so much easier. Because with Kristopher in school, the plan was never for me to be alone this early. There was suppose to be at least one more before that hit. A few more years at least! But anyway...My baby is a big 6 year old and loving and thriving in school now. The special project has made me feel so much better about him being there now. Now it's just that bittersweet feeling.

The response

I guess I feel a little better about the school situation for now. His teacher replied and seems to be nice enough regarding my concerns. Basically the first month or so of school is for them to get use to the new settings, learn the new rules and expectations, and make sure everyone understands what is expected with their routine. Now that that's been done, she said they are getting into more of the "learning" part of things. October they will starting the Handwriting Without Tears program for kid writing time. Since I've explained to her again about Kristopher's reading level, they are going to work with him one on one during some free time, and see how he does, and make sure he's comprehending the story instead of just reading the words. After that, I guess they will determine what is next for reading wise.
She said that he listens great, never any behavior or boredom issues at all and he volunteers in class consistently. It sounds like he is the perfect little student so I feel somewhat better about it. It sounds like he just saves all the negativity for at home, which as long as he is listening there, I should not complain. Last night he came home talking about title pages in books so that's something new.
I told her that if there is ever a point that he does start the behavior issues or attitude because he is bored with what they are doing, then we need to talk asap so we can get on the same page with the behavior plan and redirecting him. I explained about the therapy and early diagnosis of ODD/ADD. Which to that, I still think it was the living arrangement and just the age, but time will tell on that I guess.
I found a nice way to write back about the whole imagination trip comment and just simply said that due to his boredom we stay very busy on the weekends and he will probably start coming in talking lots about our weekend trips soon. If it's brought up again though, I will say something more.
Yesterday I had to go to the store for a few things mid day, and I timed it just right that I passed the school during his recess. He never saw me, and appeared to be playing and getting along great.
In other news, I have somewhat joined the PTO. I put down on his first day paperwork that I'd be willing to be a classroom parent, and help with PTO projects from home or during special times, and they called me yesterday. I figured it would be a good way to get on the good side of everyone since school seems to be all about who you know. They asked if I could help with a giant project and I figured since I have the computer skills and extra time now, that's how I'll help. Sorta scary though. Me, part of that. Funny how we change as we get older..... I'm now on the PTO and I'm also the parent who spies on her kid at school. ha.

Bring on the school drama...

Last night was the first day with homework. During homework, you could tell he was bored. He did it, and when we got to a part where we change the name and made it to Pappy, he thought it was hilarious and it was fun then. But, I still have been noticing the boredom when he talks about things. He has not come home telling us about anything that is new to him yet. Of course, he has been mastering the fine motor skills with a lot of writing. He can now fit his name onto the lines a lot easier and his writing is starting to become a lot less messy. They will not start the kid writing and the without tears program until they have mastered all of the alphabet. So when he does his writing time, it's on his own. An example is they had a paper yesterday in which they were suppose to use the empty space to draw what they did to prepare for kindergarten. He wrote that he "got a bac pak". He sounded out the spelling. When we get home from pick up, I ask what he did, and we look at his papers. He always acts annoyed, and does this little attitude body shake thing when describing it. That is a boredom thing for him. As far as I know, this is only for at home. I have not been told about any concerns or issues in the classroom yet. He told us last night that when he finishes before other kids, he is allowed to go and play at centers quietly till everyone has had time to finish. He says he gets to do that "almost all the time."
Now, I know there are going to be some things that each child is bored with or already knows, I still feel that he should be happier and more into telling me about his day. The things he gets happy about are always the lunch or recess part of things. He does his work, and plays. Maybe that's all kindergarten is suppose to be. I don't know. But I feel uneasy about things still.
And what really got me annoyed last night was over the weekend we decided to do a day trip to the DC zoo. He went to school yesterday excited to tell his teacher about it. Last night when we asked if he told his teacher he says "yes, but she said that I'm doing a good job using my imagination." So after asking a few times, we've determined that she blew it off as an imaginary trip, and doesn't believe the fact that he went to the freaking zoo. The teachers aide told him that it was cool, and he apparently believed the fact that he went, but seriously?????? What kind of response is that? So, I'm officially annoyed with the teacher.
This morning I wrote an email about the boredom concerns and I started it by saying that we noticed while on our long car ride to the zoo....And said how he acted annoyed with us questioning what he learns in school. So, now she can know we actually went and maybe next time he tells her about something cool he does on the weekend, she will believe him. She can get use to it now that we are an active family and we do a lot on the weekends. And distance is not a big deal to us so if we want to do something that is 2 hours away, oh freaking well. We're going to do it if we have the time. And we make it a learning experience while we go. He loves it.
As of right now, I'm not asking for him to be pushed up a grade. I just want them to realize that he is coming home acting like it's boring to him. I'm very glad it's just at home that he acts this way, and that there are not concerns in the classroom. But I feel that there might be too many kids for her to fully see this herself.
He also found in the hallway how other kids in 2nd grade had a project to draw a picture and write something they like. He used his extra time to draw a picture and he wrote "I like cats". I asked what his project was and who told him how to spell it and he said he did it on his own. So after he explained why he did it, I found it funny because it was a picture of a house. I'm very impressed with fact that he did that on his own, and is it too much to ask that a teacher picks up on that as well? She sees all the projects because she is the one putting them in the folder!
So yeah...let the drama begin because I just have this feeling that this is about to become a big push to keep him busy till he hits his level.

The library

Kristopher is obsessed with the library since we moved. We've been going several times a week, and he gets at least 3 books at a time. He has a project with school that we are suppose to read him 17 books per month and he is 3 away from filling the sheet. And since he can already read, he is reading those books to us. He is so excited that by tomorrow night, his "homework" is finished. I find it sad though because there was a reminder today about how they have a little under 2 weeks to finish those 17 books, and some kids are not even close. We read daily, and several books at that. We've read to him since he was very young, and maybe that has to do with why he is so into them and can read so well. Either way, he's done way ahead of time.

So we were at the library the other night and it was really busy. There was a lady who was yelling at her kid, who was throwing world's greatest fit about who knows what. The kid was on the floor and refusing to move and she kept hissing "Christopher! That's it. That is it! We are leaving the libary. That's it! You are never coming back to the libary again!" Well, Kristopher was a bit panicked at first looking to see why some stranger is yelling his name, and worried that he is banned because on the way up, he forgot his "library voice". Then when he realized it was a different kid with the same name, he got more annoyed because the mother wasn't saying it right. He says to me that it's not called a "wibary, it's called the WibRary!!" I about died because he was so upset over the "berry" part of things and he still can not pronounce his L's.
Just one of those things that I have to make sure is documented for when he is bigger and it's not a Wibrary anymore......

Caterpillars

We have done a lot of educational stuff over the past year or 2. And just because Kristopher is in school does not mean the learning is going to stop here. Obviously I have done something right because my kid is pretty advanced and so far has yet to come home with anything that is new to him learning wise. Behavior wise, it seems to be slowly helping, and he has gotten better about interrupting and waiting his turn. Anyway, onto the whole subject of this post.
Over the past year, he's become very interested in science. Last year we collected a few caterpillars, but didn't have much luck on um...remember to add leaves when others were eaten, or just bad luck with them. This year though, we have been learning the names. What they will turn into and what the butterfly or moth is going to look like. And we've found out that we have some pretty cool ones around here that aren't as easy to find, even an hour away at friend's house. We've successfully kept an imperial moth caterpillar and it's currently in it's chrysalis. That was a really gross but interested transformation. We got some butterfly caterpillars earlier today and I still need to find out what they are going to turn into. Again, really cool looking and they are eating like crazy. He can't wait for those to change.
The cool part is school is also doing the caterpillar into butterfly lesson. They have 2 monarch caterpillars and have been talking about it each day. The kids are beyond excited with their classroom pets, and Kristopher was very excited to say what he knew about them.
We've been going to the library several times a week since moving and lately all he picks out is science type books. The biggest thing he has been looking for are the butterfly books. I think it's pretty cool because I wasn't really into all of that when I was younger so it's a learning experience for both of us. I have some cool pictures I want to work on uploading, so look for those in a few days. Or when life slows down enough.

School update

Tonight was open house at Kristopher's school. Parents only is what our paper said, but some people ignored that and showed up with what I believe to be some of the worst behaved, wild children ever. And this is coming from a parent of a hyper and wild child of my own. It was pretty annoying. So anyway, back to the open house. They talked about the PTO and the fundraiser they will do this year. They talked about lunch and attendance special programs. A few other small things then they sent us on to our classrooms to meet the teacher and explore the class more.
During the class presentation, we learnt a lot about their day, requirements for "graduating" kindergarten, what they are learning now, and what to expect during the rest of the year. Some of it worries me a little. A good bit of what they are saying they will complete to move onto first grade, Kristopher has been doing for at least a year. They don't even start the writing stuff for another month or 2. Not until they get thru the entire alphabet and everyone learns all the letters. Which I understand, but I still worry that he is going to end up bored. He breezes through the step 2 books now and is starting to read step 3 stuff without much help. Which is like an end of 1st, beginning of 2nd grade level from what other people with older kids have told me. He knows all his shapes and letters, and the requirement of being able to count and recognize numbers up to 30 by the end of kindergarten, he can go till we make him stop. Which is way up there. I don't want to sound rude or anything, but the kid is freaking smart. He amazes me everyday. If he hears it once, he remembers it forever. If he reads it once, it's memorized. So I definitely have things I'd like to bring up to the teacher when we can talk one on one.
Oh and the good news of the night was when we asked how he is doing, she says excellent. His behavior chart is one of the only ones that was totally full for the week, and he got a super student award today for following directions. I'm shocked because the behavior at home has gotten a little worse since school started, so apparently he saves it all for home. I think part of it is he is more tired by the time he gets home. Plus, he does not want to be embarrassed in front of the other kids, or miss any recess time. I feel better that we waited, and didn't push to have him start last year. I believe that if he would have started last year, he would be like some of the other younger kids who are talking too much and not following the directions. He is most likely the oldest of the class.
So there's our long school update. I'm the only one still having a tough time with the adjustment apparently. In time, I guess it will grow on me more. For now, I'm lost without him....

Quiet and empty house

Today is my day off.....The kids dad has off most Wednesday's and decided to keep them home today. Any other time, it turns out to be a nice thing. Today though, we still had to get up early. For school. And now my house is quiet. Way too quiet. I honestly do not remember the last time I've been home totally alone like this. With free time. It has to be at least 6 yrs! For real. That is absolutely crazy.
But anyway, I've got all my cleaning done, laundry is going and I don't know what else to do. The house is clean! If it wasn't for babysitting, there is no way I could do this stay at home thing with him in school now. It's not for me. I feel lazy and bored now and it's not even 11am.
My sewing maching broke down right before we moved. I've discovered that it is a timing issue, and I probably can not fix it myself. I may attempt some step by step instructions though, and if that gets working I have projects that seriously need done. And then maybe I'll attempt getting my little online shop idea up and running for my boring Wednesdays.

And more on the weird

More on my reviews of new stuff tried....
I wrote a few weeks back about making our own laundry detergent. It's a huge success as well. And, I've even ventured as far as a few cleaning products and dish washer detergent as well. I love it because....1. I know exactly what is going into it. 2. It's cheap. 3. It works AWESOME. The detergent works so great. It takes out ketchup stains. It takes out formula spit up stains. I use reusable napkins for the kids and those get pretty messy. It has them looking as good as new! And, I swear the clothes look brighter. I am hooked on that. It cost me around $6 to make 10 gallon! Now the first batch was split with a friend, so I only have 1 big bucket here. I have my mom hooked on it too and we're sharing mine. I have barely used anything from mine so far. Also, it's safe for HE machines as well. Mine is a front loader, and I only use 1/4 a cup at a time.
The dishwasher detergent works pretty good too and since I already have a lot of the ingredients, it only cost me about $1 to make. It uses 1 tbsp at a time. Not sure how long that will last yet but so far, it's going well. That is pretty new so I'll update on that more later.
So now that I officially look crazy to everyone who isn't into this stuff, I'll shut up.
If anyone wants recipes, feel free to email me. My email address is linked in one of the tabs in my header.

Another new product....TMI warning!!

Ok, so if you are easily grossed out, or a man, I'd say click away from this post now. It's going to get more graphic than some would like. And we're talking period talk. So that's the final warning with it. Continue reading if you dare.

Since you have been pre-warned, I'll continue.
I've always had issues with my periods. From the first time. Little did I know, it was PCOS causing these issues. Since I was doing the herbs, things have improved to more regular, less extreme bleeding. But in the recent year or so, I've started having issues with irritation and pain with pads and tampons. Tampons have pretty much become something that is not possible for me, and without them, I am housebound. And while on the subject, I've never been able to get away with just a tampon without the leakage and mess. The only thing tampons did for me was make me get more than an hour between changes. And not much more than an hour. Even at night, I'd be getting up 3 times or more to switch, for those first 3 days or so. Anyway, onto the pads. By the time things slow down, not only does the tampons make me feel like I've been ripped apart, but the pads have caused irritation and I'm raw in places I should not be.
So, I started researching more. I almost bought the organic, chlorine free stuff, but then discovered cloth pads. I bought 2 as trials (and they work nicely but feel HUGE), but then also discovered diva cup. I decided after spending at least a couple days reading reviews, looking for horror stories to convince me not to buy it, looking for more plus's, etc, that I'd buy it. So, it comes and I'm instantly terrified of the thing. It's a lot bigger than a tampon, and truly looks scary. The instructions are worse. I was freaking out mentally about it. Then, we move, I took a break from the herbs, and nothing shows up. I had spotting issues and tested out the pads. No issues at all, and I felt totally normal. Then, finally day one hits. I had a lot planned for the weekend so I decided to give the cup a try. What do I stand to lose?
I will say that the first few times of inserting and getting that whole art down, was very gross, and we won't go into anymore detail than that. But, I figured it out. And it is 100% comfortable and best of all....IT WORKS!!! Since that 2nd time of not having it in place totally, there has not been ANY leaking at all. And, unlike the tampons, I can go at least, and I do mean, at least! 6 hrs!! That was on the heaviest. Now that things are slowing down, I can get away with letting it go for the 12 hr max if I truly wanted. Last night 2 nights, I've made it all night long and still not full. I'm totally sold on it. And, even better, I was able to continue my plans this weekend, and not be strapped to the bathroom. And, the cramping was barely there. I did use a liner as just in case, but I feel pretty safe that I don't NEED that.
This was a late period, so it was bad. It held up awesomely, and I am totally sold on this product. Even the gross factor has passed. It takes about the same amount of time as a tampon at this point, and my body feels totally normal.
So, other than the first few times of placement, it's been super easy to use and my period no longer slows me down. And even if you are grossed out by all that, and placement is a little more involved than a tampon, I think it's something easy to overcome and so much easier over time.
Anyway, I just had to share my little review. Maybe it can help someone else out as well.
Oh and the herbs are back on and new set has been ordered. The 3 weeks I've been off of them has turned me into a raging hormonal crazy woman, and I NEED them. ha.

Birthday!

Finally, I have sat down and had a chance to update more on here. It has been a very busy past few weeks between the move, starting kindergarten and then the birthday party/holiday weekend. So, first up, Kristopher's birthday. Friday was the big day, and he turned 6!! Hard to believe how fast that time has gone. I woke him up at 7 so that we had a chance to spend some time together before the kids got here, and before school. School must wear his butt out because it's rare for him to sleep after I get up. So, here is he kind of zoning, opening what we got him.Still sleepy and that is when he is cute and sweet.

And next is after school. Miss Danielle decided she had to be right beside him because she's still in the major missing "Ger" because of school. So she follows her "ger" everywhere. (Ger is Kristopher in Danielle language, if I missed explaining that one before.)

This year, we made our own cake and he picked green icing. The one in the back was a big top cupcake failure, and we tried to turn it into a Toy Story alien. Another fail. But, he was excited to have the green cakes, so it wasn't all bad. And yes, my washer and dryer is IN the kitchen. We have a separate dining area, but I don't like the idea of kids eating over carpet, and the washer/dryer doesn't bother us so there it is.And these are the cupcakes I made for school. They were made in ice cream cones and a HUGE hit with the classroom. That itself was so cute. The kids were having story time or something when we got there, and were all sitting on the big rug. Kristopher had to help hand out his snack, and then everyone sang to him and the teacher did the whole pulling ears thing. Then, they all watched as he took the first bite of his special birthday snack. He looked sort of embarrassed but at the same time, was loving being center of attention and so cool because of the awesome cup cakes. Which truly, I was so impressed with how cute they turned out! Just a heads up though, they do not keep overnight well unless you freeze them. I had to re-do the whole freaking batch 2 hrs before we were due at school because I discovered them all soggy and gross. So, that basically sums up the birthday bash. He had a great time and made out like the typical spoiled little monster that he is. haha. But hey, they are only little for so short of time, and it goes so fast. So, he is spoiled. I have no shame in that. I hope he grows up realizing how loved he truly is.

6 yrs old

Short one tonight, but my boy is officially 6 years old! He had a small, family only party tonight, and it has me exhausted. Pictures at some point this weekend.
I can't believe he is 6 already......