Creative Strategies?

Princess has devised a creative strategy to get around a rule that she often struggles with. When I'm on the phone, she is not supposed to interrupt (a common rule in most homes I'm sure). And as probably most of you know, she struggles with this rule. In the past 2 months she has started writing notes to me in her Kindergartenesque way. It's just the sweetest thing and I encourage her to do it often. I've saved a few that are just priceless. But back to her creative strategy.....so while I'm on the phone, if she has something to tell me (which by the way - she ALWAYS does) she now writes me a note. I've gotten notes that say - Can I wash a shew and Wat is fir diner. LOVE IT!

So on Monday night I was heating up some zucchini and snap peas in a pan with a little olive oil for a stir fry while coloring at the island with Princess. Suddenly we both looked up with crinkled noses due to a terrible smell....oh it was bad. Jimmo had walked in and he did not wait for his potty time on this occasion. I won't get into the ugly details but it was a grab him, run upstairs and soon after start the bath. Princess helped by grabbing a bag for the damage and brought it back down to the trash. As I'm almost done washing Jimmo off, Princess brings in this picture and says, "Momma, look at the picture I drew".

Translation: POP! The Stove is burning!

"Stay with your brother" is what I'm saying as I'm sprinting down the stairs. With all the commotion of the leaking diaper, I left the vegetables on the stove top. (OK we've all done something similar at one point...right?) Luckily they were on a medium/low heat and just got a little more done then we would prefer...but what was I thinking...ugh! The snap peas put off a popping noise as they sizzled in the pan which apparently made my 5 year old think to herself, "I'm going to draw a picture of this (twice), write out what is happening and then bring it to Momma and show her, she'll be so proud." I couldn't help but to then laugh at her creativeness but we definitely had to talk about important vs. unimportant information, the dangers of the stove and a great opportunity to discuss how Mommies are not perfect!

And there goes October

After his birthday, the month just slipped away on me.

We'll start with a medical update. The Tuesday after Little Man's birthday, he had a seizure early in the morning. It appears it was a short series of seizures and most likely he started in the early morning. They were non-convulsive but I knew something was very wrong and called 911 immediately. It wasn't until the EMT arrived that it was confirmed. After getting an IV and Valium, he was very sedated and basically slept the entire day. After a few tests, pricks and scans, it was confirmed that the seizure was not related to a sickness. 20% of FXS boys have seizures so we knew at that point it was most likely part of his syndrome. We got a very fast and intense training on seizures and now know his odds are over 50% that he'll have another one. We had an EEG completed last week and the neurologist suggested due to some spike wave discharges that a daily medication for seizure disorder was needed. We are going up to Kennedy Krieger on 12/2 for a second opinion, as this medication has tons of side affects and he would be on it for a minimum of two years. Jimmo went back to school a couple weeks later. We had to ensure the staff was trained and a care plan was in place for the medication to administer in case of another seizure. He's very happy to return to school and just in time to enjoy a couple more weeks with Miss Terrific Teacher before she has a baby.

And then we blinked and Halloween was here. I'm a bit crazy over Halloween and have passed this gene on to my Princess. Funny enough I've watched my Hubby morph into a Halloween fan, but it's probably just to make his wife happy, which it does! We carved our pumpkins and hung our giant spider web out front. Hubby bought a fire pit to have in the bottom of our driveway. Little man doesn't enjoy trick or treating much so we thought it would be a fun alternative to greet our fellow trick or treaters and enjoy the evening.

And what a special treat to have Halloween this year on a Saturday. This gave us extra time to enjoy the day. We kicked it off with a rally for the local gubernatorial candidate - Bob McDonnell. Here is Princess with a well known mascot at the rally. Happy to report the morning after the election that WE WON!

We then went to a local park and rode the Ghost Train, formerly known as the Boo Train. This has been a family tradition for a few years. Jimmo especially loves the train ride and Princess enjoys the candy at the end. Here is a quick shot of us waiting (and waiting) in line. This was at 10AM in the morning, I can't even imagine what the line is later.

Later that afternoon, Hubby eagerly got everything set up with the fire pit and I made some yummy snacks and warm drinks for our evening....and then the rain came. BOO HOO! Maybe next year (sniff sniff). At the last minute we (Husband, Nana and myself) decided to dress up as well. Just like the old days when you dressed up with things from around the house and not a $30 (or more) costume from Halloween Express. I went as a cat, Hubby was Bob the Builder (princess came up with that one) and Nana, well Nana went as fan to the "other" team of the World Series.

Presenting - Miss Madeline....one of our favorite book series

and Little Monkey - year 2 - doesn't enjoy the hood of course

Madeline with a kitty cat

Nana and Madeline

The crew ready to go

Bob the Builder and his pet kitty

One of my favorite pics - trick or treat!