Father's Day, Birthday, Camp and More!!

We've had a busy week in our neck of the woods.  With school being out and both boys here, time has sure been flying by!  We celebrated Father's Day by hanging out with some of our friends at their place.  The kids all played together, the Dad's played together and the Mom's got a few moments of peace while hiding out in the house when everyone else was outside!  I'd say Tim had a good Father's Day, at least I hope so!  The day after Father's Day is Lily's birthday, not great timing for a party so we pushed the party to the following weekend.  I ran around crazy getting everything together for her party.  She's my only girl so saying I went a little overboard with presents would be an understatement.  I wouldn't have it any other way though, I think I go a little overboard with the boys too.  I just want to make sure they have a wonderful birthday.  This could be because my birthday being the day after Christmas, I always got screwed on the party part. . the present part too.  I always got the "double gift"  everyone is cash strapped around Christmas time so why not save some dough and make it two gifts in one?!  It sucked, still does. . so I make up for it with my children.  Anyway, her party went off well, she enjoyed herself and got lost in a pile of presents.  Here she is opening a gift with her friends and Carter.  We got her an awesome dollhouse and I think I've had more fun playing with her and that dollhouse than she has!  I was looking at all the accessory options today and seeing what we could buy. . I gotta get my kicks somehow people!!  Don't you judge me!

We had to clean up quick after the party and start getting settled for the week ahead.  Carter started camp this week.  It's a day camp, geared toward children with disabilites.  He's been super excited about it, as am I.  Even with all of the fun, happy things going on here lately, it's been hard to truly relax and enjoy myself.  Carter has been regressing a lot, at least in my opinion.  A lot of his old habits are coming back. . various stims, aggressive behavior and his emotions are like an insane roller coast ride.  It breaks my heart and frustrates me trying to figure out what I can do for him and protect his siblings at the same time.  That's why I was so happy to drive him to camp this morning.  I know the people there are wonderful and it helps for him to be around other kiddos like himself, as well as the therapeutic services that come with the camp.  Thank goodness for Camp TJ and their wonderful staff.

I guess he comes by all of this honest because my emotions have been like a roller coast this week too.  I've been so frustrated with things, hurt by some things and just flat out exhausted.  I'm so ready to be living somewhere else.  It just doesn't feel like home here, even after all of these years, it just doesn't feel like we fit in this place.  If only we could get out of here for a while on a nice, lengthy vacation. . . I suppose I'll be traveling the globe via the computer and the various blogs I read and travel sites I frequent. .  one of the cheapest vacations I've ever had!

I hope you're all doing well and enjoying the summer (soggy summer it seems here!)  I promise to come back to the blog with more up-beat posts next time. . really, I do!

What In Tarnation?!

I'll explain the title of this post later. . .

This has been the longest week for me!  I swear one thing after the other and it just hasn't stopped!  My laryngitis is getting better, but I still sound like an 80 year old, life-long smoker. .My Husband thinks it's hilarious, especially when I use my "southern accent."  He's a strange man who, is never at home!  He's either been working or in class and only home to sleep!  This has made life a little rough on me.  1 Mom + 3 Children = Insanity.  At least that is how the equation works in my house. 

I was hoping to have a yard sale this weekend.  I have TONS of junk that needs to get outta my house and some cash that needs to get into my wallet, so a yard sale would be perfect!  My children haven't made that easy though, so for now I'll have to keep collecting the junk and wait until the Husband has some time off to assist in this process.  I wish I knew some person who would just come and buy all of the load for a set price and they can deal with the re-selling of it all. .  Does such a person exist?  I should just give it all to goodwill and add a few points to my karma bank. . but the green stuff is a little more desirable at this point.

On another note, I've been feeling kind of in a funk lately.  Every day is the same as the one before really and it's getting old.  I've had outings planned and various events to take the kids to, but the oldest has been having some difficulty with transitions and the summer break.  I never intended for this blog to be all about Autism, but lately it's been front and center in our house, even more so than usual.  C has just been having meltdown after meltdown and it's a constant battle keeping him away from the siblings. . for their protection.  He's even started stimming again after having stopped it for quite some time.  This brings me to the title for today though.  C has been saying this after just about anything that happens, whether it's good or bad or really mundane.  I'm not sure where he heard it, but it cracks me up to hear him say it!  I love my little guy and dealing with Autism just breaks my heart. . all of this deserves a post on it's own and for another time. . .

So. . . What in tarnation have you been up to today?

Children, Children, Children

My children never cease to amaze me with their weirdness. . I mean, really.  I have 3 very unique children.  Carter who is 6, Sam who is 4 and Lily who is 2.  Carter has Autism, Sam has Severe Eczema, Asthma and a number of food/environmental allergies. . these conditions are NOT weird of course, but it does leave them predisposed to some uniqueness that can be mind boggling at times!  Lily so far as gone unscathed and seems to be developing normally in all areas, however, she's a weird little girl!  I can make these statements because I'm their Mother. . . if anyone else were to make these comments, well it wouldn't be pretty. . .so back to my weird children. . .


Sam has been sucking on a sock all morning, anytime I take it from him, he finds another and so on. . not sure what that's about and a couple of times they've been dirty socks. . YUCK!!


Carter joining in on the yuckiness has been shoving his fingers in his mouth when he eats, sort of stirring the food around?  This has gone on for a few days and it's pretty disgusting.  He offers no explanation for this behavior and I can't seem to figure it out either.  I hope it ends soon.  He's also been begging me for Hamburgers and then only eating the bun.  I've tried to explain just to ask for a Hamburger Bun, but he says No.  He has to have the meat on it, to pick it off, to eat just the bun.  This is a child who at 6 years old (7 in September) only weighs 39 lbs.  I suppose I'll do whatever he requests as long as he's eating!  Oy vey!  The challenges of Autism. . that's a whole other post.


My weirdness today (C'mon they come by it honest)  I'm suffering from Acute Laryngitis, a Sinus Infection and raging PMS.  Every time I have to call at the children, I cough and every time I cough, I pee my pants a little. . so hey, at least we're all in this together. . .