Finally getting back on a schedule

I've never been terribly scheduled with our time since going part time, but I do have somewhat of a routine.  It all got blown up when Jaemin and I were sick the first of the year and then with the older kids being home so much.  Now that I'm feeling quite a bit better and not going through a box of kleenex a day I feel more up to getting things done; besides what I absolutely have to.

Last week I made a alphabet and site word binder.  Sounds crazy for a 2 year old, but it never hurts and Chelsi learned at just under 3 by this repetition, so what the hey.  I printed them all off in big, bold print and put them in sheet protectors to go in the binder.  On the flip side of the letters are the words, including such important words for Jaemin such as; Cole, Chase, Kaelin, Chelsi, Jaemin, mom and dad.  :)

Over the weekend Chelsi and I went to Target after play rehearsal to raid their $1 bins.  I wanted some fun things for the trip in May and thought that would be a good place to start.  We got little journals for the girls to draw and write during the trip; pens with cords to carry them around their necks so they don't lose them, stickers for the journals, little stuffed animals and I'll try to find a couple more small items.  I got Jaemin a couple of Hot Wheels we'll give him as we go along on the drive and he gets Batman stickers too!

Anyways, while we were at Target they had flashcards in the bins.  Princess flashcards no less.  Chelsi said she wanted them and Kaelin's been struggling a bit in addition and subtraction as far as speed, so I got them.  So, today, after we went through the alphabet and sight words we went through flashcards for addition and I have begun to teach Chelsi how to add once you have a number to add to.  She's starting to get it and I have no doubt she'll have it down pat in no time. 

So between laundry/breakfast/kids drive to school and lunch we do school time.  They get to sit on a pillow on the floor while we go through our items and then Jaemin and I read a book.  Chelsi doesn't really enjoy the baby books anymore and can ready anything she wants anyways, so she just reads to herself when she chooses.  I do think Jaemin's as quick as Chelsi he's just not quite as interested as her.  Typical boy, in this house really.

Fans

Do you have a celebrity you are a fan of?  I generally don't.  I mean, they're just people too and we shouldn't idolize people.  BUT, I have to say I really do enjoy Ellen.  I have very limited time to watch tv, so I pick very carefully and frugally fill my tv time.  I have to really get some enjoyment or the show gets purged.  The Ellen Show, though I just found last year.  I know....how slow can I be.  I happened to be home a day or afternoon in May and caught a glimpse for one reason or another and it just made me laugh.  It generally takes a lot to make me laugh, so yep, you guessed it; Ellen made it into my DVR selections. 

I still watch it.  Sometimes it's pretty much an Ellen marathon because I don't have time to watch it every single day with kid activities and parenting.  I guess I should keep up with that duty, huh?  But I do make time for my Ellen marathon and my good laughs.  The thing I really like about her is how she helps people.  I think it honestly makes her feel good and I think she feels like she's giving back for what she has. 

Now, if I could figure out how to have great skin like that and look as young as she does (not that she's old) at her age.  So in just under 20 years I still wanna look like I do now because she looks my age now. 


Lisa

Allergy to apples? Try pearsauce.

When Jaemin was diagnosed as being allergic to apples, I was shocked.  I'd never heard of that one.  They told me that it was actually very common.  He breaks out in hives from apples or any sort of juice if they put apples in it.  So, I have to carefully read anything he picks up if we go to a party with other kids, etc.

My mother in law actually started smashing pears for him because he was such a huge applesauce fan and he wasn't very happy if the other kids got applesauce and he didn't.  He accepted the pear smashings, though.  So, I've started making pearsauce at home for him.  All you do is put about 5 cans of pears (in pear juice), 1 small can of pineapple and about 1/8 cup of grape juice (100%) in a blender.  Blend it up and it's ready to go.  I've done it with and without the juice and he loves it either way, but I got rave reviews when I made it with the juice.  He kept telling me "yum, yum, dis good".  That's great when he does that on his own. It must have been awesome.

Snow Ice Cream

Since we got about 8-9 inches of snow yesterday and people kept writing about snow ice cream on facebook, I thought I'd give it a try.  I'd never heard of it until facebook.  We happened to get a recipe in our conservation magazine too.  So with some milk, sugar, vanilla, chocolate syrup and fresh snow we made snow ice cream for 5 kids.  Brian liked it so much he went back out and made more to keep in the freezer.  It was actually kind of fun and very CHEAP.  I like that.

Lisa

TALK, TALK, TALK, TALK, TALK

Yep, at almost 2 1/2 Jaemin's finally talking.  I mean on par with his age.  The doctor mentioned something in September, when he turned 2, about looking into therapy if he wasn't a little closer to his age by 2 1/2.  Well, he is finally getting there.  The only multiple word sentences he was putting together was 'Iunt' (aka I want).  Today, I heard him looking for Cole saying "Cole, where are you?".  WOOHOO!!!  I was finally starting to worry and now there's no need.  I was waiting since the doctor said to.  Luckily, he's pretty laid back and doesn't throw everyone into therapy or therapy at everyone unless they really are delayed.  There's a pretty broad spectrum for delay, so I wasn't quite there yet.

I think it had something to do with the illness he had a few weeks ago.  Somehow that ear infection must have been building up for some time and he must have had fluid on his ears.  As soon as his antibiotic started working the words started to flow.  Things he had never said before are just spewing out of his mouth.  It's crazy!  Now, it won't stop.  He'll be talking and going on and on forever.

Lisa

Repurpose for my daughter

My oldest daughter's 1st Communion is coming this year.  Now, I'm not a preachy Catholic and don't go crazy over every little step, but do know it's an important acceptance and sacrifice.  She picked out her dress.  It was the one I thought she'd pick out.  Not overly done, but a little different.  It's very pretty and was very inexpensive...shipping and all at $50.  I asked her about her tights and shoes and she decided she wanted the lacy socks with buckle shoes.  I love it.  I love that she doesn't envision it as a way to look older than her age. 

Then, I got out my veil.  The only thing I had left from my wedding day.  I didn't see the purpose of keeping my dress on the 'chance' my possible children would even want any part of it.  I asked her if she wanted to wear the veil I made for my wedding and she didn't, which I expected.  So, I asked her if she wanted me to take it apart and make her own veil for her First Communion.  Kaelin wanted the veil, so we took a layer off, shorted it up for her size and took one of my hair combs and I sewed it on.  Then, we took my flower ring from my old veil and took pieces of it and glued them onto the new haircomb.  We finished it up tonight and mocked up her hair for the day and put the veil on.  She really liked it and it looked great.  Now, I just need to try to find a steamer to steam the wrinkles out. 

After that I asked her for the necklace her uncle B brought her from Italy a couple of years ago; on the intention of her wearing it on that day.  She had lost the ring to the link.  I found an old pendant and fixed it and it's ready for the day.  It's a cross made out of crystals.  I even took the old rosary I was given after my First Communion and tried to fix.  For almost 30 years I've drug the rosary I broke around with me every where.  Back then, I didn't understand enough to know you shouldn't play with it and I tried to wear it like a necklace and broke it.  I've been carrying around the pieces every since.  I think I was afraid of discarding them and the implications attached.   However, after putting it all back together we realized it only had 4 decades.  So did it always have 4 decades and is a Rosary for the Dead or did I love an entire decade?  I can't imagine losing the one since I had one bead all by itself and kept it this whole time.  I may never know, but I'll have to check with my mom where I got it from, because I don't really remember.

Lisa

Youn-su 윤수

If you are still out there, I just sent your mother a picture magnet for her refridgerator.  I took Jaemin's pictures in September and I thought she might like to put it there where she can always see him.  I hope the agency gets it to you soon.

Miss you all.

Lisa
리사