Archery

Brad shot his bow with Uncle Dave at camp during Labor Day weekend.  After that, it was all he could talk about.  So I set out to find a place where he could take lessons.  I really wanted him to learn safety as well as the proper way to shot a bow.  My search lead me to a place in Chittenango.  They offer lessons for a month on Saturdays for two hours.  So, I signed Brad up for the first available lessons.  So far he has been enjoying it!  I am glad that he found something that he really likes.  Now, he can go spend some time with Uncle Dave practicing his shots!

 

 

Slacker

I can't believe that is has been 4 months since my last post!  What a huge slacker am I?!?!  It has been very crazy here in our house.  Perhaps now that summer is here and things are quieting down, I will find more time to post!  I will update this with some of our goings on in the last 4 months.  Sorry to anyone who still reads this for my lack of posts, but I promise I will do better!

Goodbye Old Friend...

Well it was bound to happen...I had to say goodbye to an old friend last week.  After 7 years togther, I  traded in my mini van.  I had been putting it off as I as really liking not having a car payment!  After several months of the smell of gas fumes permiateing throughout the van as I drove it, it was pushing me further towards something new.  The final straw was two weeks ago when I got in it to drive home from work and it started whining.  It almost sounded like a belt was loose.  I couldn't take it anymore.  I then got on my computer that night and almost went out and bought a used SUV.  I am now glad that I settled myself down and began to look around.  The husband got in the van and drove it and realized that the whining noise was because there was no power steering fluid!  Apparently that was part of what the van was leaking, besides the gas.  He also found the gas leak, which was where the gas line went into the manifold.  We talked it over and decided that it was time to look for a new car.  We did have 7 good years with the van and we did buy it used.  I really did want another van but there was not one that I could realistically afford.  A co-worker then suggessted a Mazda5 to me.  After the husband and I looked into it, we really liked it.  It is smaller than a mini van but we really didn't need anything that big again!  And with gas prices going up, it was a win win situation.  So, last week, I brought home a brand new Mazda5.  So far, I love it.  There are a few things that I miss about the van but I shall move on!

Star Student

Brad was selected to be Star Student of the Week at school last week.  Brian and I were very proud of Brad for this accomplishment.  The entire week was about Brad.  On Monday, he got to fill the "sharing bag" with four special items to take to school and share with his friends.  He selected a stuffed dog that was Grandma Betty's, a Hot Wheels car, a HUGE pencil and his favorite DVD of the moment, "Phineas and Ferb--Across the Second Dimension".  On Tuesday he was to select his favorite book from home to read to the class.  On Wednesday, it was lunch buddy day.  Brad got to have someone special (Daddy) to come to the cafeteria and have lunch with him at a special table.  Since Wednesday was a half day, this actually took place on Thursday.  On Thursday, Brad received a book from his class filled with pages that all his classmates had colored and wrote on each page what they like about Brad.  This was my favorite thing.  I will keep it forever!  On Friday, Brad got to sit front and center at Friday morning program.  This is when the entire school gets together in the gym for a "pep rally" kind of thing.  Brad was proud of himself for being the Star Student of the Week and so were his parents!!

Comfort Food

I don't know if I am in need of comfort food or if it's the weather, but the past few days we have had some good old winter comfort food.  Saturday, I spent the day with my best friend Barb helping her to get her life "in order" (as she called it) and she made us some wonderful goulash for dinner.  Sunday I made pot roast in the crock pot.  Normally I am all about this dinner, but I think that I might have put too much of the spices into the crock, so I wasn't a fan of the potatoes.  Which, let's face it, I really don't need to eat the potatoes!!  Then today, Brian made some fabulous chicken and dumplings.  Part of me really likes this time of year for the great comfort food that warms our soul during our cold Central New York winter days, then the other part of me is not a fan of the cold Central New York winter days!! 

Complete 180

Just when things were starting to get better with the kiddo...he has done a complete 180.  I am not sure what has happened, but I am hoping that things start to get better soon!   Part of me is wondering if his revert has something to do with the fact that last week we found out that his therapist is leaving.  His therapist did tell Brian this week that Brad has been very resistant to the change that is coming.  I have asked him if he is upset about his therapist leaving and he said No, but deep down I think that it is bothering him.  It has been tough for me as well, as I felt like I was just starting to get comfortable with her as OUR therapist and I do feel like we are going to be starting from scratch again.  I really truly feel that this is kicking his anxiety into high gear and what we are seeing is the result of this.  For me, it is frustrating to watch this and to also be on the receiving end of his explosions!  For my own piece of mind, I am going to have to make the phone call that I have been dreading to his therapist and explain all of this to her and to get some advice on how to deal. It has been tough for me to get to Brad's therapy appointments as I have had a lot going on at work, so Brian has been taking Brad to his appointments.  While I appreciate this, it also frustrates me because I sometimes feel like Brian sugar coats some the issues and doesn't feel comfortable talking about things.  Also, Brian does not see Brad's outbursts as they always happen during the evening hours when it is just the kiddo and I.  So my goal for this week, to put on my big girl pants and make the phone call to the therapist!!   

Dave's Blanket

I was pretty busy this holiday season crocheting several different gifts for family and friends.  This is the blanket that I made for my brother Dave.  I am sure that Dave's girlfriend Jeanne appreciates more than he does!!

Brad's Birthday

I can't believe that another year has passed and it is once again Brad's birthday.  Even more unbelievable is that my baby is now 7 years old.  I feel like it was just yesterday that I was taken out of work at 7 months pregnant and told to relax!  It seems like only days ago that I was at the hospital getting ready for my c-section and waiting so patiently to finally see my baby once he was released from the NICU.  Granted, he was only in the NICU for 8 hours, but it seemed like forever to a first time mommy!  It really has been one heck of a roller coaster ride since Brad came into our lives, but I would not change that for anything.  He completes our family and makes us who we are today. 

For his 7th birthday party, Brad requested an Angry Birds cake from Debbie.  My friend Debbie makes some of the best cakes ever!  She came through for Brad with the best cake!!  It really was more than I expected.  I was not expecting a 3D cake.  He was beyond thrilled with his cake!!  So, the family birthday celebration is over and next week we will be partying with his friends at the bowling alley.  That ought to be a ton of fun!! 

Happy Birthday to my fantastically wonderful little man!!