Homeschool Mother's Journal - Week 34

In my life this week....


I have felt like a drowning person all week.  We took a massive financial hit that left me stressing horribly.  I kept putting off making Lydia's dress and Joe's vest for the Daddy and Me Dance this Friday.  And the bad thing there was that I thought it was Saturday.  So I was really stressed when I realized that I lost a whole day of sewing!  When I finally got the pattern cut out (after needing to go and purchase more fabric because I didn't buy enough), I discovered that the directions for the shirt (which I was lengthening into a dress) were not complete.  It didn't give the directions or even a hint as to how to put in the sleeves.  I cut out pieces (AKA..waste of fabric) for items that were then not used.  Talk about irritated!!! So I had to quickly recreate the design to work or what I wanted and make it look ok.  Didn't turn out too bad.  


Brayden has been a challenge.  Still having a hard time seeing the "good" side of autism for him.  He is so frustrated constantly, and expresses this angrily toward all of us.  Screaching/screaming and kicking.  He does his best to irritate everyone around him.  I am so mentally drained everyday.  Lydia has stepped up her best by trying to get attention negatively, and to be honest I do not know why.  I am working/reading with each kid individually, but she believes that she must be the center of all attention.  Quite impossible in a family with 4 kids.


Joe and I are trying to tag team through this really rough patch.  When one is totally frustrated, the other ones tries to calm the tantrums.  His tantrums though are almost hysteria.  He gets himself that worked up.  It's been a challenge, because this is a whole different Brayden than we are used to.  And we do not know how to help him right now because of this.  What we would think should calm him, usually just makes him more upset.  Apparently one of the meds he was on was actually working.  He doesn't go back for a doctor appointment until Feb. 10th.  Going to be a long couple weeks.


Where we have been going and who we have been seeing....


Another long week.  We went to the Art Museum on Tuesday for a field trip.  We learned about really looking at art to see what is there.  Do you realize how many pieces have animals....no matter how tiny?

Sorry for the bad shot...no flash photography.  But I would have never found the small worm on the bottom of the vase.  

Lydia and Caty had American Girl Club and we had a field trip to a Grocery Co-op this morning.  Both very interesting.

In our homeschool this week....

We fell behind this week.  We lost a day due to errands and then to cleaning up in the garage so that we can store donations for the upcoming Special Olympics Garage Sale.  I am going to step back and take a few deep breathes and try not to let the Type A personality in myself scream for falling a bit behind in our school plan for the week.  

I'm reading....

It's not like I am getting to read alot.  Between the sewing and all the projects for Special Olympics....not reading much more than my computer screen for proofreading of posters and letters.

I'm cooking....

I read this morning that it's National Chocolate Cake Day....so last minute, we made a gluten/dairy/egg/soy free chocolate cake.  It was yummy.  Caty and Joey were eating seconds!!  So it must be pretty good.  Because Caty is pretty particular about her cake!!

We used chocolate syrup (Ah-laska..healthy kind) and powdered sugar to make the frosting.  It was yummy!!!.

My favorite thing this week....

Taking the kids sledding.  First good snow to be able to go to a good local park.  Brayden whined and whined, and we had to force him into the van.  But he actually got out and took a few turns down the hill and had a lot of fun!!!

He lost a boot coming down the hill....lol.

When he decided he was done, he headed for the van dragging his sled with him.  It was abrupt.  He was laughing and then, "I'm done."  Oh well...at least he did a little bit.


Things I'm working on....


Currently helping to plan a bowl-a-thon and a chili-cookoff for our Special Olympics teams.  Any chili suggestions (especially good unusual ones) would be awesome.  Found a couple I like, but not sure yet.  And if you have planned a bowl-a-thon, is there something that worked better for you?


Questions I have....


Looking for fundraising ideas.  Email me with any ideas that have really worked.  Our Special Olympics Parent Club is currently making a plan for the next year and need some ideas.  My email is renita@krazykuehnerdays.com.  Thanks in advance for any help.


Photo for the week....


Leaving for the Daddy and Me Dance...

Have a great week.  See what other moms are up to at The Homeschool Chick.