Hank's Pet Rock Project

I may eat my words in a few years when I am helping the boys with late night book reports, science fair experiements, and diaramas, but I really do enjoy working with Hank on his homework, especially his creative assignments. Last week Hank's class made "pet rocks" and then his teacher gave the students the assignment to make a habitat for their pet rocks. Hank came up with the idea to make his pet rock into an astronaut landing on the moon. Hank and I had fun brainstorming ideas for the design of the habitat, creating the artwork to decorate it, and assembling the habitat together. I did help Hank with some of the logistics like hanging the rocket ship in place using yarn and hot glue and printing the title to go on top of the box, but Hank did all of the coloring and artwork himself. I think its an "A+" pet rock habitat!

Monday Funday!

Hank had the day off of school today for President's Day, so I took the boys to play at Planet Play, a family fun center nearby. As an extra special treat, Aaron took a quick break from work and met us at the fun center, which happens to be just down the street from his office, for some go-karting and mini-bowling. As with most family venues here in Utah, it was crawling with families, i.e. long lines and long waits for all of the attractions, but the boys still had a really good time. Afterwards, we took our sack lunches to Aaron's work for an office picnic.

Valentine's Day

Lucky for me, the boys are easily impressed because my attempts at making Valentine's Day special this year were hardly Martha Stewart worthy. While the boys were sleeping, I left a trail of hearts, inscribed with little love messages from Dad, beginning at their bedroom and leading downstairs to the kitchen table. The boys thought their breakfast of pink, heart-shaped pancakes was pretty fancy served on a red tablecloth and "fine China" from the Dollar Store:)

Max helped me make delicious sugar cookies that we delivered to a few neighbors and surprised Aaron with at the office.

I had planned to make a fancy, very involved meal for dinner, but after tackling the giant mess in the kitchen created by the sugar cookie baking, I was worn out. And so, we enjoyed a romantic, gourmet, fancy dinner of Cocoa Puffs. It really is the thought that counts, right?

Heartbreakers

Two of my little Valentine's Heartbreakers:

Big Boy Haircut

When the home-teacher asked me the name of my daughter, referring to Joey who was sitting on the floor in a onesie, Aaron decided it was time to cut Joey's moppy hair. Although I was in agreement that Joey could use a trim, I actually took the faux pas as a compliment. I think Joey is a darling, pretty-faced little boy--he only looks cuter with his new big-boy haircut!

 

Things I'm Loving About Joey Right Now:

 

- Joey is working on pushing through his second little bottom tooth. I love that little smile with those two tiny little pearly white teeth just barely showing through his gums.

 

- Joey still hasn't quite figured out yet how to crawl, but it's almost magical watching him play on the floor. He is making so many new connections and discoveries--he's bound to start crawling, if only by accident, with as hard as he's trying to get himself in motion.

 

- So far, Joey is a great little eater and will sample most anything from my plate. Bananas and yogurt are his favorites. However, he has learned how to purse his lips tight together and pull his mouth right up under his nose to reject anything he is offered that he doesn't care for. That little face just kills me.

 

- As  far as toys go, Joey hasn't shown much of a preference for any certain thing. He just thinks that I'm the best! He would rather be held and carried while I go about my chores than just about anything else. He doesn't let me put him down unless it's with a bottle. He will settle for dad, but only if I'm out of sight. Ha! How does that feel to be second favorite for once, Aaron?

 

- Joey isn't big on laughing and giggling, but he does do some crazy flapping. When he gets excited, Joey will flap his arms and legs in sync up and down as fast as he can.

 

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Holding Out

I threw in the towel on getting Ben to eat anything besides cereal and crackers a long time ago so I was flabbergasted when he just up and ate a slice of Costco pizza like it was nothing. Ben's diet is a very complicated and frustrating issue--his severe sensory issues prevent him from eating anything that isn't crunchy in texture. Ben will gag at the mere touch of certain food and will throw anything offered to him that isn't to his liking. We've been working on getting Ben to simply tolerate keeping food on his plate for the past three feeding therapy sessions, so you can understand my confusion/surprise/excitement when he ate a peice of pizza. Oh Benny, I can't wait until you discover all of the other yummy things just waiting to be eaten!

Parent-Teacher Conference

The other night at Hank's parent-teacher conference, Hank's teacher, Mrs. Chipman, basically confirmed what I already knew: Hank is a pretty special kid. Mrs. Chipman reviewed Hank's portfolio with us--aced quizzes, thoughtful assignments, and a perfect '5s' in all categories assessment. Hank is reading above grade level and is the best math student in his class (however, he could use a little more attention to penmanship). Mrs. Chipman said that Hank is one of her favorite students. Really, I swear, I'm not making this stuff up! Mrs. Chipman also said that Hank is so well-liked by his classmates that during partner reading she has to set a timer so that everyone gets a turn to be Hank's partner. I couldn't be more proud of my Hanky-boy.