All about Me

                I wanted to take a moment and explain why I started this blog. Last year was one of the hardest times of my life. I was barely functioning on a daily basis and couldn't hardly get out of bed.This is hard for a Mom of 3, all of which who have more energy then I know what to do with! So my lack of energy not an equal match. Through a GI doctor I was given $1,200 worth of  blood work alone and an endoscopy. After all that I was diagnosed with mono and I left feeling more frustrated then ever. Almost a year later a friend of mine suggested her family doctor so I went not knowing that visit would change my life forever.He pulled up those same tests the GI did and after a minute he said "So how long have you had celiac disease?"Celiac for those of you who don't know is an autoimmune disease where the body sees gluten as an intruder. That person has to be put on a strict diet of no gluten which is found in almost everything! I couldn't have wheat, barley or rye. I found out that gluten is used as a binder in most foods and medicine. To top it all off it was the day before my birthday! A very odd present I must say. Well I cried that whole day and didn't know what to eat. A whole month of being lost in no gluten land I literally gave up and went into severe depression. Those of you who do not know me I am a very bubbly, out going person so it was like I was looking at a total stranger. This wasn't my life it couldn't be. It seemed like my symptoms defined me, not all but including dizziness, irritability, inability to concentrate, aching muscles, and migraines that were so severe, I caught every bug there was and I was wiped out. I lost friends who didn't understand or had trouble making them.

              This all sounds gloomy which is the opposite of happy but I'm getting to that part I promise. It affected my marriage, and my kids.I think sometimes my husband really must have felt the "old ball and chain" reference quite literally. He stayed by me though even though the house looked like a tornado went through it. My couch had permanent indentations where I would park myself every day, when I would get up. My husband would take over where I couldn't.He did become a much better cook though. So what was I to do? They put me on medication and I had a counselor to talk to.I did this whole fake it till you mak it jazz.Then one day something happened. It was literally like a light bulb went on one day in counseling.She asked me "what if you have this the rest of your life?".I was quite upset that whole day but I decided by some miracle to snap out of it. I didn't feel better physically but the sun was shining through the clouds of gloom. My secret my happiness blueprint is to always start at this one point I am going to share with you, ME. Some of you might be confused but hold on a little longer please. I knew that day even though it really is quite simple is that I am in charge of my happiness, just me. I would worry about what I could control and not the other stuff. I remodeled my bathroom around this same time I discovered this revelation of sorts. If I could remodel my bathroom I could do it to myself.I would start from the inside, which I mean to say my thoughts. As I did this it rolled into every part of my life. I discovered more than just meditation and deep breathing which is what I tried first.I discovered me all over again.I was veracious for information, searching the inter net and books at the libraries. I found and learned so many things that I had to share it with everyone. I love my new hobby of teaching school to my young ones and blogging about it.I want you all to know how passionate I am about this! I can't wait every morning to try something new and share with you all! I want your lives to be better, I want you to stretch yourself, I want you to accept not being a Mom who can do everything. The most important thing is what you do for your kids. I want to give you a boost if you are exhausted or show you how you can get things done and involve your children.There is so much to share! I hope that you, my readers will join my blog and share your comments.By keeping silent you could be depriving someone of your wonderful knowledge and experience.Share this blog with your friends. From one Mom to all you Moms we need to stick together and know that we are not alone in the struggle to raise our children,manage our home, be a chauffeurs and so many other roles that we play. It starts with you! Take baby steps and try not to get discouraged.Celebrate the little accomplishments you make. I know how you can find happiness everyday because I have, even in the midst of chaos.I can find my way back, wipe my slate clean and start over as often as I want to.So can you!!!

                                              Breathe, relax and be calm

The X-ordinary letter X and All About Me

Circle time-welcome song, weather, month and day, music and books

The book today is called A book about your Skeleton  by Ruth Belov Gross.We are reading that today because we are learning about x-rays. It is a picture doctors take of you to see if everything is OK. I asked them questions from the book.It is really easy for them to understand. Everybody has bones and they help us move.All your bones put together are your skeleton.

Are your bones hard or soft? Answer: Hard

Are these skeletons?

Your ribs protect your heart and lung.Show them the x-ray of the ribs.

Every bone in your body is joined but at least another bone.Put your thumb and index finger together.Can you see where your your fingers bend? This is called a joint.Show x-ray of hand.

How many things can you think of that these joints help you do? Answer: run, jump,climb, kick,pick up and put things down, eat.You can twist and turn.
Have them feel their spine and tell them the spine is made of tiny bones called vertebrae

Snack: yogurt with strawberries and grapes

Draw a skeleton with 2 items, a black sheet of construction paper and a white crayon!



This is her unique page with hand print and portrait



I am Unique: My name is Alexis.

Favorite food: chicken nuggets,strawberries and yogurt

Favorite animal:T-bone our dog

What I want to be when I grow up:Rapunzel

Favorite show: word girl

Favorite Movie: Indiana Jones, Rapunzel

Things you like: reading, playing with V-tech game,playing doctors.Bed time because I always have good dreams.This one made me laugh because she is the mastermind of finding ways not to go to bed.She also tries to come into our bed a lot.She also started dancing this year.

Favorite colors:pink, blue and green

What makes me happy is playing with Rowie, Corb, Addy and Bella

What makes me scared it lions,cheetahs and rats

Once I was not good at sounding out my letters but I got better and better and now I am good at it

Centers, puzzles, books, doctor dramatic play, art-switch every 15 minutes to increase child's attention span and to help them follow directions.Since we have been doing this Lex has gotten so much better!

At the Tree House Museum they had the x-rays and an area to be a doctor and take care of the babies

Lunch: Peanut butter sandwiches, carrots and 15 minute clean up

Quiet time

Tube surgery and all about me theme

   May 15th 20012-I thought it would be fun to share things that my kids like.We are all unique.I do this every year and have them draw a portrait of themselves.  I also take a hand print.This is my youngest.He just went through tube surgery like a champ! This is a big moment for him.He has had at least 10 ear infections in a year! It has been a nightmare!

Favorite food: pizza,he loves sugar,nillas

Favorite animal: monkey,bear

Favorite color: blue

Favorite words: i no no, wha that?, pizza, that one, stop it, car, choo choo...he basically repeats what he hears.He is learning so fast.

Favorite games: peekaboo, hide and seek,

Favorite show: bubble guppies he says bubble all excited and sings with the show, and Sesame street.

Things that I am good at is talking and sharing and giving lots of loves and kisses.

Things I like to do, play cars with or without someone playing, any kind of  ball, ride in the toy taxi cab.They had some at the hospital and he had to try every single one. They were lined up against the wall. He would say "want that one" and then "get in".

Things that scare me: mommy and daddy leaving, vacuum, some big dogs

Letter of the week X

I think I forgot to show you all what happened with our letter L week.We stuck objects on construction paper and left it out in the sun.The result is it fades the color except where the objects are. This is an easy one and the kids are so amazed!

We went on a field trip today to the Tree House Museum.It is time for Lex and Ro to explore the world around them.That is really important for toddlers to have that creativity.They are our little scientists in the making.

Signing time with Letter X

Can you find the letter X?



                                                        

We found triangles

We found squares

 

We went to the Museums musical section, where they have a xylophone. I played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or tried.

The xylophone has bars that are may different colors.We talked about those different colors.We also talked about rectangles and found other things that were rectangles.

Which is the smallest?Which is the biggest?

We will be talking more tomorrow about X-rays and learning "all about me". I think this is my favorite Theme to do because I see how much my kids have grown!

Happy Mothers Day!

I haven't really written much this week.We have been having so much fun with friends and family.I have done pretty good on the daily chores but not so good on the weekly.Oops well I guess I know what I will be doing this next week.! Now to my post.

My Mother!

I also wanted to thank all you mothers out there for what you do or what you have done. I am grateful to my Mother for so many things. I know it wasn't easy having 2 adopted kids 6 months apart.She did the cloth diaper thing, and made baby food.She had waited so long to have babies.I can only imagine how tough that was for you Mom. She taught me what was right, and to respect myself.She helped me through struggling with school, migraines, boyfriends, and was always there for me. I don't know how many hours she sewed and fixed dance costumes, driving us around everywhere. She even tried to teach me to sew, and cook.I do remember during Easter we would make robin nests. We made experiments that turned out to be good like lemon frosting on waffles.We made traditions for the holidays. I remember the rules.Always tell the truth.Never hurt anyone on the inside or the outside.Don't play in on and around cars.Treat others how you would want to be treated.Sand stays in the sand box.I never understood the sand rule but now I know it kills grass and it is really hard for kids to keep sand in the sand area.I use these rules with my own. I find myself singing silly songs just like she did. I sing my kids to sleep and my daughter has to have her arm rubbed just like I did. Yes Mom without you I don't know if I would have wanted to be a Mom.  Now I know that I never said thank you enough.I didn't always talk respectfully. I am waiting for my turn with teenagers and dating and I know its pay back time for me! I love you Mom and all those Mothers out there who have influenced me and been an example to me.Happy Mothers Day! What you do does matter.Keep it up and most of all take care of yourself so you can be the best Mom that you can be.

Breath, realax and enjoy Mothers Day!

More of the lovely letter L

We have been having so much fun with our legs. We can run, jump,mostly on the trampoline, they bend because of the bones and muscles in our bodies.We have been having fun with friends and family.Loooooong playdates and visiting for the moms.

First thing in the morning we put out papers with objects spelling the first letter of their name.I asked what they thought would happen. Lex said nothing.So we waited a loooooong time........what is your guess? Find out tomorrow!

Let's play some hunting for lambs in the house.I used the same lamb that I used for their puppets. We did a lot of hunting for plastic eggs last month.It was time to bring it back don't you think?

 

After we found the poor little lambs I had 10 lambs.I wrote numbers 10-20 and they had to put it in order.We will be practicing 10-20 this week when we aren't playing!

Nephew

It's time for ASL with Lex.Today it is Niece and Nephew. 

Niece



 It isn't the letter L without some Library Dramatic play.It was a big hit! We had our cash register with scanner, our phone, and my daughter set up all the books.She even recommended books for me.Then we read them! It is so important to read to your kids!I always make that the first choice for something to do.

Letter of the week L

Let"s talk about the letter L.....

We sounded out the letter L and then we looked through the magazine and cut out pictures that started with L,like the Lorax,leaf,lion, and light.Again cutting is good for the fine motor skills.Rowie just glued stuff on paper.

Circle time we added Mary had a little lamb.I went to clip art and printed little lambs and taped them to a Popsicle stick and that was it.While they sang they danced with their little lambs.I like to do things that don't take a lot of time.It's not laminated and fancy I just use things that I have around the house mostly.

Reading: This was a very relatable to our families and sweet book. It is called Will you still love me?By Rick Walton It is about a boy who asks his Dad if he will still love him if he broke a window?  The Dad  tells him he would be sorry and what he could  do to make up for it. Then he says "I will always ,love you."We talked about how I would always love them no matter what they did.They are never bad kids but they may make bad choices. We can always make it right again.

Centers: I added Legos,to art,books

Here are more fun signs and since we are learning about language that starts with L

Boy Cousin



Girl Cousin

My kids have really been so great this week sharing especially with their younger brother.There had been a lot more complimenting and listening to Mom and Dad.They did try to put a shirt on our dodg, T-bone and trap him so we had to talk about being kind to animals ,and not pulling them by the tail or picking them up incorrectly and being too rough. I would dare say that the kindness bug is in our house and it is ccontagious!

Tommorow we will do counting lambs, not sheep ,light,and have dramatic play at the library!