Snowflake Castle

***I thought I posted this a couple of weeks ago but noticed it said draft so pretend this is Dec 9th***

Friday I took Adam to Snowflake Castle here in Westerville.  It used to be held at the Senior Center but this year they moved it to Everal Barn and Homestead to make it more like the elves workshop and Santa's home.  For $5, your child got to help the elves make a toy and get a picture with Santa.  When we got upstairs to the elf workshop, Adam was like "Is this all there is??"  I'm not sure what he was expecting - there wasn't that much at the Senior Center and this was way cooler. The kids got a choice to build a wooden castle, a wooden bear or a wooden train.  I thought the train was the best but Adam decided on a castle.  He was handed a grocery bag of parts and told to wait until an elf was free.  Once one was free (it was only a couple of minutes) we handed him our bag of parts.  The first thing he had Adam do was stamp the bottom (it smeared but I think it said Snowflake Castle, Santa Cringle, Elfin Mike).  Then he got out the power tools!  Adam got to drill some holes and hammer in some nails to put his castle together! It even snowed once while Adam was drilling.  Magical elf workshop!  Once it was complete, they had an area with smocks and paint to finish their creations.

After that, Adam spent some time watching the model trains.  That was always his favorite part at the Senior Center so I'm glad they were able to set them up here.

All that was really left to do was to check out Santa.  We walked over to the house.  There was only one other family in front of us so the elf went ahead and punched our ticket for the photo with Santa.  Adam was wavering (he really doesn't like Santa for some reason).  I told him I would stand next to Santa and he could stand next to me like we did for some of the Disney characters. Nope! He said he would rather go to the Santa at the mall.  So we headed home.  Halfway home, he tells me to turn around and go back.  I asked why.  He said he changed his mind and wanted to get a picture taken for daddy to give it to him for Christmas. (Aww - that's sweet!)  I explained that they were closing soon and by the time we got back they would say no because they were closing.  Plus, they already punched the photo spot on his ticket and they might not believe that we didn't already get our picture taken.  So - we may be going to the mall this week...

Bag of parts

Learning how to use the drill

Putting the nails in the drilled holes

Hammering

Painting

Done

Trains

Finished front

Finished back

Christmas Songs at School

Christmas party at school

Here is a video of Adam's class singing some Christmas songs.  Adam's lips are bright red from a chocolate and red sprinkled covered pretzel.

 

 

 

"Rudolph" Lego that he made without any directions

Olive right before she fell off the couch the other night.

5 yr check-up

Adam had his 5 year check-up today.  I brought in my assessment forms that his 2 teachers from school, his speech teacher, and Dave & I filled out.  Apparently he is pretty good at school. The only problems they have are him occasionally disrupting class and sometimes leaving his seat.  At speech, he never sits down but he gets his work done.  Based on their reports - no big deal.  Based on Dave and my reports, Dr. Niland would classify him as ADHD.  BUT - since it isn't across the board for everyone, she suggested going to counseling. Adam did display a lot of his "best" behaviors for Dr. Niland.  She said something to the extent of "this is a little more active than normal".  As I was trying to talk to her, he kept trying to jump off the exam table into my arms.  When I moved away, he started yelling at me and threatening to jump.  (Actually, I think he said I'm going to f-ing jump.  I told her how he has been into the f-bomb lately). She said, "Go ahead! It's only a 2 foot drop and if you get hurt, I'm a doctor!"  He jumped and was fine.  Then he stripped naked and she told me to ignore him because it was just attention seeking behavior.  Then he started to hit me.  At one point I was holding him trying to just get him to be quiet so I could hear Dr. Niland and he unzipped my sweater (I had a t-shirt under it) and he started kissing my boobs!  WTF?  So...she got to see a lot which I was actually grateful for.  She doesn't start discussing meds this young so we have a list of counselors to choose from.  Fun!

Another F-  story:  Yesterday, Adam and I were playing Shoots and Ladders.  After one of his turns he quietly said, "I really wanted to say freaking fucks."  I said, "WHAT?"  thinking I misunderstood.  He said it again, "I really wanted to say freaking fucks, but I didn't."  Well, Buddy, you just said it twice.  Maybe you should just keep it in your head next time.  I'm telling you, we do not say that word very often around here! 

Disney

We had a fun time at Disney last week.  I'm slowly weeding through the copious amounts of pictures and it's making me tired all over again.  The Magic Kingdom was open until 1 am every night but Friday (midnight) and Adam stayed up until at least 1:00 pretty much every night.  He was NOT happy to have to leave. As we were packing up our stuff Saturday morning, he said "I hate you Fucks!"  I had to turn around really fast so he couldn't see me stifle a laugh.   Thankfully Dave kept it together and gave him a stern talking to.  More on the trip later...

The Ear Doctor

Yesterday I took Adam to the ear doctor to see if there was anything we can do about his hearing loss.  The appointment started off with another hearing test.  When the audiologist finished, she said that the loss at 4000Hz was still there.  (Adam had said that the ringing had gone away almost completely so I was hoping the loss had too).  She said that Columbus Speech and Hearing had thought the loss was conductive (which would have meant there was some kind of blockage or something more physical causing the problem) which didn't make sense with his history of being noise induced.  I said that is why we were there because Lisa (the audiologist at CSH) said things seemed kind of weird.  Well, after doing her couple of tests, this audiologist said that it was sensory - meaning nerve damage and most likely permanent.  Great! 

We had to wait a little bit before seeing Dr. Ryzeman.  That gave Adam enough time to jump all of the couch and play with the chair that goes up and down in the exam room and just get crazy!  Once the Dr. came in, Adam started freaking out and putting his hands over his ears and wiggling around.  I had to restrain him so the Dr. could check his ears and heart.  Then I handed over my phone so the Dr. could talk to me with out a bunch of whining in the background.  He basically said that if we had come in soon after the noise exposure, he could have given Adam some steroids that would have stopped some of the inflammation that caused the damage.  Being nearly 2 months out, steroids wouldn't do anything now.  There's nothing that can be done for it.  His ear might continue to heal on it's own but it would be slow and could take a year. We are to follow up with our audiologist in 6 months and a year to keep an eye on it.  As for the tinnitus - Adam will just have to habituate to it.  He already has to an extent since he said he doesn't really hear it anymore at home but could hear it in the super quiet hearing test booth. 

Thankfully, the loss is only at 4000Hz and not the whole spectrum so there's no need to worry about hearing aids or anything like that.  We feel a little stupid for not taking him to the dr. right after but we both figured it would be like when you go to a concert and the ringing goes away shortly after.   Live and learn, I guess.

Smart Kid!

A couple of weeks ago, Adam got to spend the night over at Aunt Brelle and Uncle Stefan's house while I got to spend the evening at my 20th high school reunion.  As I was unpacking his backpack, I found a rock (well, actually I wasn't sure what it was at first because it didn't look like your usual rock).  I asked Adam if someone had given it to him.  He said, no, that he snuck it into his backpack!  I told him that that was stealing and we had to tell Aunt Brelle and find out (what and) whose it was.  I sent Brelle a picture and asked if it was something important because from Adam's initial description, it sounded like it was from a warmer or something. I later got out of him where he found it and Brelle figured out that it was part of Evan's rock collection.  Adam asked if he could keep it.  I said, no - you stole that - but asked anyway because you never know, ya know?  Nope- Evan wanted it back.  I was going to bring it to the going away party for Alex but had put it out of Adam's view (and mine) so I forgot it...and kept forgetting it.  That is, until I got a reminder from Stefan last night. So I put it in my purse and got out a card for Adam to write an apology for his thieving ways.

This morning I told Adam we needed to drop off the rock and he should write that he's sorry.  I left the card on the table and went upstairs to go get dressed, thinking Adam would just eat some breakfast.   When I came back down, Adam was writing in the card.  I was all like, "Nooo!  Waaaiit!"  and then I looked at what he had done.  He had run upstairs and grabbed the "SORRY!" board game  and wrote SORRY all fancy in the card!!  How smart was that?!! 

The picture he drew was kind of funny.  It started off as his usual stick figurish guy.  Then he added big circle hands and feet with 5 fingers/toes each and some hair.  He wanted to add clothes because it was chilly out so he colored on a long sleeve shirt and pants.  Then he covered the big feet with some big brown shoes and the hair with a big blue hat.  That's probably the first fully clothed guy he's drawn!  Usually he just draws a belly-button.  Ha ha!

Hearing test

Today we have confirmed hearing loss at 4000 Mhz.  Our audiologist, Lisa, did the hearing test that we had done in June/July?  and repeated it again today with a couple other pieces of equipment.  She checked and rechecked just as Courtney did yesterday and, yes, Adam has significant hearing loss in his right ear at 4000.  The good news- it's such a high range that it doesn't really have any impact on his everyday hearing.  He can hear quiet sounds, just not this frequency.  At one point, Adam said "That sounds just like the squeak in my ear!"  I think she was testing his left ear at that point and she said that it is pretty normal for the tinnitus to be the same frequency as the loss. Once the hearing comes back, the tinnitus goes away.  Interesting! I asked if she thought he would regain the hearing or if the tinnitus would go away but she said she didn't know.  The weird thing is that when tested using "the headband" which went behind his ears as opposed to in, he could hear fine.  She showed me on a graph how it dipped way down when he had the earplug headphones in his ears but how it stayed in line with the other frequencies with the head band.  Apparently this is not the norm. I think she said that the headband tests the function of the sensory organ and that it is not damaged.  If it's not damaged, then why the hearing loss?  Soo.. she has referred us to an ear doctor (Dr. Ryzenman) who may be able to give us an idea why and maybe do something to help regain hearing. Then we need to get his hearing tested periodically just to keep on eye (ear?) on it.

(PS - Jen - Dr. Willett was on the list of ENT's but she recommended Dr. Ryzenman because he specializes only in ears and she's had a lot of success with him. AND he's 5 minutes from our house).

In the neverending saga...

As you all know from my posts on Facebook, Adam has not been a happy camper going to school.  He seems to always have an excuse for the meltdown - today it was that he wanted another hug - but he never says that when he's hanging on me.  It's always after I pry him off of me and leave (or hide on the stairs listening).  I told him he needs to tell me so that I can give him the hug or kiss he needs to go to class but he seems to forget. Mrs. Tucker took him downstairs today and distracted him with a clock.  She told him Mommy would be back at 3:00 and set the clock to 1:00 and asked if was time for me to be there.  Adam knew it said 1:00.  They did that for a couple more minutes then he went back upstairs!   He was so happy with himself for calming down quickly today and said he won't cry at all tomorrow.  Let's hope!

Remember the squeaky dog toy incident?  Adam still complains of tinnitus and asked his speech therapist to test his ears.  She did a screening today and sure enough, he has hearing loss at the upper ranges in his right ear!  She tested at 25-30 decibels and tested again to be sure - he couldn't hear until 45 decibels. Sooo..we have an official hearing test with the audiologist tomorrow and can talk with her about the tinnitus.  Maybe she can give us an idea if the ear is healing, if he will eventually get that hearing back, if the tinnitus will go away completely, etc.  Fun, fun!

Sugar = BAD!

Today, Adam and I went over to Bumma and Pa's house for a quick visit.  Adam raided the "magic basket" and turned into a jerk.  Then he was good for a little while.  Then he snuck back to the "magic basket" and scarfed down a pixie stick right after having a popsicle.  It was time to go and as we were heading to the car, he started begging for some Smarties that were in my purse that he was supposed to save for later.  I told him he wasn't being very nice at Bumma and Pa's and that he had enough candy for the day, so NO, he couldn't have the Smarties.  As we're driving, he threw a shoe at me, then a sock hit the dashboard, the other one didn't make it past the middle storage thing. He screamed most of the way home and I had to just ignore him.  That's when he started spitting. Then he curled his toes up around the door handle.  He said he was going to open the door and climb into the front seat to get my purse and eat the Smarties (ya, know, while I'm driving! OK stunt man!).  Right before we got home, he called me "Stupid Mommy" and he said he was going to kick me in the face so he could grab my purse!  Oh my!! Finally home -  I grab my purse, get out of the car, and leave him strapped in while I bring up the garbage cans.  By the time I close the garage door, he has managed to get out of the car.  We go in the house, say a quick hi to Dave and then Adam heads up to his playroom, turns on his radio and starts playing - never mentioning the Smarties again.   Moral of the story?  The boy can't handle his sugar.

On a positive note, I went to Parent Orientation at his school tonight.  They have changed to a new "creative curriculum" but said it isn't much different from the play curriculum that they had been doing.  It sounded like it was maybe a bit more child led instead of strictly theme based. They no longer have a separate music class (they do music in the classroom everyday anyway) but a Spanish class instead.  So on Tuesdays they go to muscles class (gym) and Thursdays they go to Spanish class.  Recess on M/W.  Snack policy has been changed so that you can only bring in something from "the list" - even on birthdays.  Thank goodness because there were A LOT of cookies and donuts being passed out last year.   One of his teachers is Mrs. Allen who he had as a teacher in summer camp.  His classroom is in "the penthouse".   It's upstairs and is actually 2 rooms - one room with their cubbies, sink, and a bathroom; the other room has all the learning stations and tables.  They have class pets - 2 finches named Oscar & Felix.  They get to go on 4 field trips this year - 1 to either the apple orchard or pumpkin patch (they haven't decided yet), 1 to a library, 1 at the end of the year to the zoo, and one to be decided.  Graduation is on Wednesday May 8th and then they have a luau on the last day (Thursday May 9th).  This year there will be 16 kids in the class - 12 boys and 4 girls!!

Dave had just finished reading to Adam when I got home.  I told him all the things I learned tonight and he is FINALLY excited to go back to school! 

Just a bad day.

So here's the post-traumatic hair cut (I know you probably saw it on FB).

After lunch, we went over to the Worthington Mall after hearing they had a new play area for kids.  He ran around the tree house/slide 50 times!  He did well walking around the mall seeing if there was anything else new.  (We haven't been there since he quit piano lessons in December. It looks really nice!)

He said he was really tired so we headed home. He wanted to finish a puzzle that we started yesterday in Dave's office.  We brought it upstairs and then he decided it was too hard for him and wanted me to finish it.  While I was trying to work on it, he was running around harassing Olive - kicking and hitting her - not hard, but still....Then he started kicking a ball in the house.   I made him go up to his room again.  He came down when Dave was done with work and started kicking the ball again.  Dave told him to go outside.  He swung a little and played with Olive again until Olive got tired of being teased and she came in.  We heard him playing with one of the dogs squeaky toys and screaming along with it but didn't think much of it.  He came in for dinner and said he had a high pitched sound in his ear.  He had the toy RIGHT in his ear when he was squeaking it..and it wasn't just a couple of times.  GAH!!  You would have thought that it would have hurt and he would have stopped but noooo (the screaming was because he likes to scream, not because it hurt).  We told him about the damage it could do and how he should never do something like that again.  We told him to tell is when the ringing stops since it was still going on at bedtime.  Hopefully he didn't cause any permanent damage!

Free haircut

JCPenny was offering free back-to-school haircuts so I signed Adam up.  It was today at 11:30.  He always says he hates haircuts and that cutting his hair hurts. He usually ends up being just fine for the cut.  I explained that JCP had better tools and that he'd be fine.  He sat in the waiting area watching Madagascar but eventually sat under a chair to hide.  The hairdresser finally came out and I had to pull him out from under the chair and we talked about how we just shave him so it's quick and easy.  We get to the chair and Adam starts wiggling around and every time she tries to put the cool monster cape thing on him, he bats it away.  I have to restrain his arms to get the cape on and continue holding them and tell him to be a statue to get the haircut started.  I tried to distract him with a game that wouldn't load in time on my phone.  He catches a glimpse of himself in the mirror and starts SCREAMING!!  He hops out of the chair but she still needs to even up the sides and back.  I am trying to restrain him in the chair and have to keep putting my hand over his mouth because he keeps SCREAMING.  Oh. My. GOSH!  Then he's complaining because it's itchy but he won't stay still or quiet enough to wipe all the hair off.  I pick him up and he SCREAMS all the way out because he HATES his hair!  Everyone is staring!  I want to give the poor girl that cut his hair some money but Adam throws off his shoes and goes running through JCP! And he's screaming about hating his hair and haircuts.  I get his shoes back on, carry him back to the salon and wait behind some old lady who's picking through her change purse...screw it...throw some money to the lady behind the counter and tell her to please give it to the lady who cut his hair for her patience.  Adam walks out of the mall quietly under the assumption that he's going to get to play the game I downloaded when we get back to the car.  Ummm...nope!  Bad boys don't get fun things.  So I get to spend the car ride home with him screaming at me to give him my phone.  I keep saying no.  He said he's going to kick me in the head 160 times!  WTF?  We get home and he runs upstairs to where Dave is still in bed and locks the door, screaming that he doesn't want to spend the day in his room. I unlock it and explain to Dave what happened.  He tries to talk to Adam and Adam is just being crazy.  Adam says some very unpleasant things that I don't wish to repeat here.  He gets a Daddy spanking and sent to his room.  All over a damn free haircut.  Guess we'll stick to Cookie Cutters....

The first step...

is admitting you have a problem.  After a long weekend with Dave out of town and Adam basically driving me crazy,  I finally called Adam's pediatrician to get started on seeing whether or not he is ADD/ADHD.  They will be mailing us some Vanderbilt Assessment forms that Dave and I each have to fill out and then his teachers will have to fill out and we'll go from there. 

First speech therapy

Adam had his first speech therapy session on Tuesday.  I watched him through the 2 -way mirror and he was having a lot of fun and was cracking up his therapist Courtney.  They worked on L's this week.  Unfortunately we will be taking the next 2 weeks off because I had forgotten Adam has camp in the morning. We were given a bunch of homework to keep him busy.  I had brought a couple of pictures of Adam pre-tongue reduction just so she had an idea where he started.  It was nice to hear that she actually did some research and looked up BWS and hemi!  The 30 minutes flew by and I don't think Adam wanted to leave.  He was having too much fun playing games with Courtney.  I am soo glad he liked it!

This week was also another round of Sporties for Shorties.  Adam has kind of attached himself to a little guy named Caleb but not in the crazy obsessive way he did with Lucy last time.  There are 2 other boys in the class that can't keep their hands to themselves.  Sometimes they push Adam around saying he cut in line (which he didn't), tickle him, poke at him to annoy him, push him as he's running for the ball, and tackle him as he's sitting like the coach asked them to.  Adam has been doing so well listening and then they go and bug him!  At one point today I couldn't take it anymore.  I got up, walked through all the kids, and told the 2 to keep their hands to themselves.  It worked for a little while until one took a basketball and threw it at Adam's head.  He also threw it another kid's face.  There are 3 coaches and somehow they all missed it.  Annoying!

Speech update and other stuff

Adam starts speech therapy on Tuesday!! I hope he's as cooperative for it as he was for his evaluation. 

Adam has started playing the piano again for the past 2 days.  He remembers most of what he learned and went through all his books and Christmas songs.  I asked if he wanted to start taking lessons again but he said he didn't like Mr. Schmidt. I said he could get a different teacher but he still said no.  I asked if he wanted me to buy the next set of lesson books and he said yes but I don't think I can do that unless he's taking lessons. 

 

or http://youtu.be/3hp3Itk3MPk

Adam and Dave had their dentist appointments today.  Adam did SO well!  Last time I think he sat on Dave's lap the whole time and only got a few teeth polished.  Today he sat in the chair all by himself and let Pam check and polish every tooth!  No cavities!

 

 

 

Not the best angle. :)

Speech Evaluation

Today, Adam went to Columbus Speech and Hearing for a speech evaluation.  Some of the concerns I had were his articulation: "F" sounds for "TH", "W" for "L" and "R"s and his speech just being generally slushy.  Turns out most of those are age appropriate.  TH & R don't fully develop until about 7-8 years; L around 5.  But things that I saw as slushy (s, z, ch, j), he's actually lateralizing his tongue.  He kind of moves his tongue to the right. It actually makes sense in a way because it is really the right side of his tongue.  Most of the left half of his tongue was removed in his tongue reduction surgery.  He also has some trouble because he doesn't really have a tip to his tongue and his tongue is soo thick.  So the summary was:
Voice/Fluency: Age appropriate
Expressive Language (talking): Age appropriate
Receptive Language (understanding): Age appropriate
Articulation (speech sound skills): Severe

Despite most being age appropriate, she wanted to keep it at severe so that we could get one of the therapists that had more specialization in oral-motor skills rather than just general articulation. I guess there is someone who has worked with cleft-lip kids and "other" issues (other I hope meaning large tongues) that she thought would be good for Adam.

I had checked "trouble maintaining eye contact" on one of the forms will filled out.  She said she noticed it too but that part is age, part is Adam just wants to look at everything.  He's an explorer.  He may also be sensory seeking and that they have these heavy pillows that the kids can put on their laps that helps kind of calm them during therapy.  They also use iPads during therapy so he'll like that!

We are on a waiting list and someone should call us within 2 weeks to schedule individual therapy once a week for 30 min.

After we got home, I contacted Westerville schools to see if they offer Speech Therapy for preschoolers.  The woman that answered said that they do but not in the summer and that the person who knew more was out until July 18th.  I left a message for her to give me a call back when she gets back.  Maybe we can get started this summer at Columbus Speech and Hearing and continue with Westerville when school starts.  I guess it also depends on their experience as well.

Last days

Adam had a couple "lasts" this week.  Wednesday was his last Sporties for Shorties class.  The kids did some running around, a little obstacle course, and then they got a certificate.  Don't they all look thrilled to have certificates?

 

 

 Thursday was the last day of preschool!  That year went by quick!  The kids sang us some songs which was adorable.  It was funny to see how some of the kids knew every word and motion and then there were some that just stood there.  Adam was kind of in between but they all LOVE a song called "Tooty-Ta".  Here's a picture of them doing the "thumbs up"part.

Here's Adam getting his Certificate of Completion.

This was something they did before we parents got there.  These were hanging on the wall outside the door before we came in and we all got a great laugh!

 

Some pictures to compare to the first day of school:

Last Day of School

Last Day of School

Last Day of School

Happy boy in an Angry Birds shirt from Gramma

Little meltdowns

Today was the first time this year that I have been pulled aside by the teachers for them to talk to me.  It happened several times last year so I always get nervous that Adam has punched or tried to strangle someone. Apparently Adam had 3 mini meltdowns at school today. He gets upset about something (I think one of them today was over a toy that someone wasn't sharing...I don't remember the rest) and just throws himself on the ground crying and then it's over pretty quickly.  They asked if he's been doing this at home and the best way to calm him down.  He has been and we tell him to take deep breathes and talk.  His problem is that he doesn't like to talk about stuff.  I told him in his Sports class to ask someone to move instead of crying that someone is standing where he wants to be.  Guess what?  The following week he did, and everyone was happy! But I guess he forgets that it applies anywhere/anytime...to just ask! 

He threw a fit as we were leaving school because as I was looking through his book bag, I found a little note/picture to him from a girl named Ella.  (It was a heart with an arrow through it.  I think she likes him.)  He said he didn't want it and threw himself on the floor crying. What the...?  The only notes he wants are invitations to parties,  letters from Gramma & Pop-pop, and from Santa.  I tried to explain how nice it is to get letters from anyone, especially friends and he said he doesn't want her as a friend.  His friends are the 3 boys in class and the girls Abby and Aizza.  He said that at the end of the school day as the kids get picked up, he says "Goodbye (insert each of the 5 friends names)!  I love you!"  but not to Ella or Farrah (or the other girls names he can never remember).  Dave suggested saying something like "See you next time!" to everyone but I don't think Adam was into it. 

Anyway...I'm trying to pay attention to what he eats (or doesn't) to see if there may be food dye issues or hypoglycemic type issues that lead to his meltdowns or violent streaks...or if it's just part of being a 4 year old boy. 

Bedtime

What time do most kids go to bed these days?  Our neighbor-kid (who's maybe 7) said he goes to bed at 10.  I think that's pretty late! Every night when Dave puts Adam to bed (starting at 7:30), Ramona and I take a walk.  There tends to be quite a few kids out playing still.  Tonight, Ramona and I walked to an adjoining neighborhood and there was a little boy standing in his front yard eating some mozzerella string cheese.  He's 5 years old.  We had a funny little conversation:
Kid: What kind of dog is that?
Me: A boxer.
Kid: Oh, I think my mom likes those.  What are you doing?
Me: We're just taking a walk.
Kid: Are you bored or something?
Me: No. My son is going to bed and Ramona and I like to take a walk at night.
Kid:  Do you want to play with me?
Me: (Searching for a parent somewhere...) Umm, no we really need to get going.  Mona needs some water.
Kid: We have some water here.
Me: No thanks.
Kid: Where do you live? Down the street?
Me: No. We live in the neighborhood over there (pointing).
Kid:  Did you cut through that yard?
Me: No there's a path over there.
Kid: Do you know ____? They live next door.  I play with their kids __&___.
Me: Oh, that's nice to have kids your age to play with nearby....We really need to get going.
Kid: Do you want me to come with you?
(Seriously - where is this kid's parents??)
Me: No. It's our girl time.
Kid: OK.  I'll see you..sometime?
Me: Probably...except this weekend because I can't take my boy with me when his dad is out of town.
Kid:  Why not?
Me: He doesn't like to take long walks and it's his bedtime.
Kid:  Maybe if he rides in something.
Me.  I guess he could ride in his wagon but..
Kid: Yeah.  Give him something to eat and drink and he'll like it.
Me:  OK. Well...Goodbye!
Kid:  Enjoy the rest of your walk!

He was soo cute but it was sad. It was getting close to 8pm and I did not see parents anywhere.  I would never let Adam out front alone, talking to strangers, asking if he could go with them.  Maybe I should.  (kidding)

Another place for pictures and videos

I am trying out Shutterfly's "share site" to post pictures and videos.  http://theaikinsfamily.shutterfly.com/  It looks like I can do "journal entries" too so I might move over to there for updates as well.  We'll see... I added Easter and Slate Farm pictures to that site for now.

Spring Break part 2

Wednesday morning was gymnastics then we had some lunch and headed over to Young's Dairy Farm. Adam loved feeding the goats!  They had a couple of calves and some mama goats and their babies in the "petting zoo" barn that we could pet, too.  Then Adam chose to have some bright blue cotton candy flavored ice cream.  I thought maybe that would be all there was to do but we saw a sign for a big slide (like the one at the fair) so we walked over to see if it was open yet.  It was!  A token ($1)/ per slide.  Adam went down 3 times and then the nice man running the slide told Adam to come up again so he got a free ride.  We walked over to the putt-putt coarse but I wasn't ready to try that with him yet.  Somehow we ended up walking back and forth between the petting zoo and the putt-putt for 2 hours and then we headed home. 

Here's Adam on the slide the 2nd time (I didn't think to video it the 1st time but his face was awesome):


I'm sure you've seen the pictures but here's the link anyway...
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3627482125291.169487.1221196370&type=3&l=9c177c7bb0

Thursday morning we went swimming at the Community Center. The rest of the day was spent playing at home.  He learned a new trick on his trapeze that he wanted me to video it for everyone:


Today we went to The Works museum in Newark, Ohio.  It is a small science museum with a big interactive area for the kids to play and learn.    Kind of like a mini COSI but much cheaper.  Ha ha!  We even got to watch a glass blower which was pretty interesting!Adam did not want to leave but after 4 hours, I was tired!  We ended the day at McDonalds with a cool Green Lantern Happy Meal toy and another hour of playing in the play area there.
The Works pictures:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3639849554469.169689.1221196370&type=1&l=4eae4a4550

Now what to do this weekend....

Spring Break

This week is Spring Break for Adam.  We were going to go the beach with Joey and my parents but Adam got invited to a classmate's party on the 24th and REALLY wanted to go.  It was actually a pretty cool party!  It was held at Soccer Locker which is a little indoor soccer field.  The coach had the kids running around playing games for about an hour broken up with a half hour for cake.  Adam was mad that the plates and napkins had princesses on them so we had to turn the plate upside down and the napkins inside-out so that he would eat his piece of cake.  The parents that saw it thought it was hilarious.  Also, while he was running around, his pants kept falling down!  I guess his 5T pants only fit if he's walking or standing. Ha ha!

Anyway...I was trying to think of something fun to do for the rest of the week.  I though going to a new Metro Park each day or one of the many farms an hour away would be fun.  We started Monday by going to Blendon Woods.  Adam got to see some wild turkeys from the Nature Center.  We took a short walk down one of the trails but it was very chilly!  I decided we should head home until things warmed up.  We had some lunch then headed over to Highbanks since it was warmer (and I made him put a hoodie on under his jacket).  I had read to Adam some of the things on the map and one was something about "Pool family headstones".  He is fascinated with tombstones so he really wanted to go see them.  We headed down the trail and finally see them.  I start to read the sign by them and look over to find Adam under the fence standing in the little "cemetery".  Ahhh!!  Adam no!  He gets out and I start reading the sign again and find out that it was only a replica of a cemetery.  The headstones were found miles away and no one knows where the actual burial grounds are.  But still...

I drag Adam down this long trail to find the observation deck.  Highbanks has some eagles living in it and we kept passing people telling us the eagles were out.  Well, they were gone by the time we got there. A lady that was down there was nice enough to point out the eagles nest and let us borrow her binoculars to see it better.  Pretty cool to know we have some wild eagles in Ohio and not just at the zoo!  We sat on the observation deck for a little bit because 1) it was just really nice down by the river and 2) Adam really wanted to sit and wait for the eagles to come back.  They didn't.... :)

This morning started off with a tour of the Anthony Thomas Candy Factory.  It's only $3 but then they give you a $3 voucher to use in their store so Adam got a chocolate gun (and I got a dark chocolate bunny). Adam thought the tour was borrrring but I thought it was pretty interesting.  I would like to work there actually.  Emplyees can eat ALL the chocolate they want! 

After lunch, we went back to Highbanks.  Since Adam wasn't thrilled with just walking yesterday, we went back today to play on the playground and in the "natural play area".    He kept knocking over a 2 year old in the playground so we headed over to the natural area so he would keep his hands to himself.  We found a dirt path that led us to the river and stayed right along the river.  Adam loved this foot path much better than the stone or paved paths we had been on.  He pretended to cut through the brush and I kept getting whacked with branches. It was really nice being right by the water but I was soo nervous in a couple of spots that he would fall right in.  He saw a picture of kids climbing trees so he wanted to climb trees too.  This one went right over the water so I wouldn't let him go too far.

We took another paved path that led to something called the Adena Mound.  There were no signs about it but we saw later in the Nature Center that they were burial mounds for the Adena Indians.  Adam dragged his feet all there then found a big stick to drag all the way back.  2 years later...we had to head home.

Tomorrow may be Slate Run Historical Farm or Young's Dairy Farm. If it rains -  Magic Mountain or Chucky Cheese - yuck!

This boy needs a stage!

Yesterday Adam wanted me to take lots of pictures of him despite his new hair cut making him look "creepy".  So, I took about 70 pictures and 2 videos.  Here are 2 minutes of silliness from Mr. Ham.  I still need to sort through all the goofy pictures...

Looking for a new family member

No, we aren't going to replace Adam.   I have started the search for a new dog.  Adam and I went to the Fayette County Dog Pound on Monday to meet a little terrier mix named Tidas.  Tidas was very interested in a cat that wanders around the pound and in Adam.  Adam and Tidas rolled around in the grass and played...until the cat would pop out again, then he would go looking for the cat.  I could only imagine him in our house chasing our cats around!  Being a pound, they don't do any vetting so you take your chances on adopting a dog from them.  I'd hate to bring him home, bring him to the vet, and then have something seriously wrong with him.  I liked him (and of course Adam loved him) but he "didn't melt my face off" as Dave says.  He knows from Kirby and Mona when I find a dog I want.  Unfortunately, Tidas was not it.  Adam whined a little but was OK with it.

Wednesday we drove up to the Mansfield pound to see a Boston Terrier named Gumball that had been brought it the previous day. I was going to call before we left but Adam said he wanted to look at all the dogs whether or not Gumball was still there.  When we got there, we were told he was still there but that someone had called in the morning to reserve him. I did not realize you could reserve a pound dog - I thought it was a first come, first served thing.  The people were actually there in a meet and greet room when we went to just look at him.  They said they wanted him and Adam yelled at them.  Ha ha!  I explained that they were there first and we could see what other dogs were there.  Found a white terrier/daschund mix that kind of looked like the RCA dog with it's black ears.  He was cute, but still not what I'm looking for.

Today we went to the Eaton PetSmart to meet what was labeled as a 3 mos. old boxer or pit mix named Amity.  From her picture, she looked like a white boxer puppy.  When we got there, she was more terrier looking.  I guess the rescue was told she is a "pocket pit" and will only be about 20 lbs.  She was a lunging nipper and nearly bit my lip.  ALL puppy!  She thought Adam was a puppy and was all over him.  Cute but still not melting my face....

Soo...I am watching all the rescues and waiting for that "one".  They have all been great with Adam but have not really clicked with me.  If you see any Boston Terriers or smaller Boxers for adoption, let me know.

Dollar Bill

A couple days ago, Adam wanted to move his money from his robot bank to a Darth Vader bank that he and Dave had brought back from Michigan.  Stuck inside his robot bank was a dollar bill.  I had to get some pliers out to reach it and pull it out and told Adam not to put it back in any bank because it's too hard to get out.  As I was putting the tool box away, I heard Adam in the kitchen looking for his scissors.  WHY does he need his scissors??  I get in the kitchen and Adam has the dollar bill all folded up and is cutting into it!!  Ahhh!!  "ADAM!  You don't cut up money!!"  He unfolds the dollar that now has all these little slits in it.  "I was just trying to make it pretty!"  I wish I had taken a picture of it.  I took it downstairs to show Dave and left it with him when Adam started yelling about me taking his money.  So there ya go.  Turn your dollar bills into snowflake art to make them pretty!

Parent/Teacher conference

Today was parent/teacher conference day at Adam's school.  It actually went pretty well.  The teachers had sent home the evaluation form on Tues. so we already knew school-wise how he was doing.  His teacher's said he's really funny and smart.  We have to work on a couple things like Numbers 11-20 and teaching him his address, phone number, and birthday.  I asked if he was OK behavior-wise for them.  They said that they noticed a little bit of a change in January (a little "aggressive" as Mrs. M. put it) which I think is interesting because he seemed to be better for us after Christmas.  They said he either gets really mad or really sad and cries.  Much like at home, he gets something in his head and if it doesn't go his way, he breaks down.  We told them we're working on his over-reactions and trying to get him to talk and not just cry or yell (or bite, punch, whatever) and they are working with him too.  They gave us a couple of suggestions to see if it helps as well. 

Things you don't want to hear...

coming out of your kid's mouth.  Today we were talking about Adam's friend Tyler.  We asked Adam something like, "You like you're friend, Tyler, right?"  He responded, "I do, but I don't".  Do you want to know what he said as the reason for NOT liking Tyler?  "Because he's a different color and has weird hair."  Great.  Our kid is a racist!  We talked about how it was not nice to say that, how Tyler is just as silly and fun as Adam no matter what color his skin or hair is, and how he should never tell someone that.  Digging a little deeper - Adam has a tendency to follow his "friends" around.  I don't know how many times I have heard kids say, "Stop following me!" when we are at the park or Community Center.  So - that is what happens at school with Tyler.  Adam wants to play with Tyler and follows him around and Tyler gets tired of it. THAT'S (I hope) the reason Adam says he doesn't like Tyler.    But you should see these two goofing around in the hallway before school.....

It's been a while!

Since it's been so long, I thought I should write something.  Adam's biting has pretty much stopped, so that's good!  We finally turned his bedroom door knob around so that we can lock him in his room.  That way there is no chasing him around and trying to keep him in a time-out and getting bitten and spit on anytime I grab him to put him back in the time out.  He kicks and throws things at his door and tries to yell down the vent for Dave to come up and help him but at least I stay safe and all the noise he makes, I know he is OK too.  The boy is such an attention seeker that it is the worst punishment for him to be out of sight and no one responding.  There was one time maybe a month ago where the 3 of us were at Home Depot and Adam wanted to climb all over the lawn mowers.  When I said he couldn't, he had a complete meltdown and I had to carry him out screaming (screaming "DAAADDYY!! so everyone was staring at me as I was trying to run out of the store and yell to Dave we were leaving).  I got him in his seat and just ignored him. He continued screaming. Dave came back and we both just ignored him on the ride home.  He kept screaming, "MOMMY!!  DADDY!! TALK to me!!"  After that didn't work, he started saying, "DRIVER!! DRIVER! Talk to me!"  It was pretty funny!  Once he calms down, we talk. 

I don't know how to get Adam to NOT depend on so much attention.  (Only child syndrome?)  Last week at gymnastics, I started reading an article on my phone.  Next thing I know, Adam is standing in front of me.  I told him to get back to his class (he said he doesn't like his new teacher but she is SO much better than his last one).   He went back, I started reading again and he was back in front of me again.  I HAD to watch him the whole time.  When we're at home, I have to sit near him and watch him even if it is something like an easy puzzle.  Today, I gave him an art project to work on and then the dryer went off so I needed to go fold some laundry.  I started folding and he got up from his table, grabbed some paint brushes and started poking them at me and grabbing the clothes I just folded.  I tried to explain the more he messed with me, the longer it would take for me to get back to his art project.  To that, he threw his hippity-hop at me.  I had to put him in his room so I could finish.  Aargh! 

Speaking of art projects...he LOVES arts/crafts but he gets "tired" after 5-10 minutes and wants to know what else I have planned.  I've got nothing!  The past couple of days I have found some things on Pinterest and other Blogs but we end up doing everything in a couple of hours and I spend all night searching for new things. If anyone has any lengthy ideas, let me know!  He also likes science "experiments" but those don't last that long either.  We have only done colored water in oil and now have a "wave" bottle and tonight we did vinegar and baking soda "explosions" (which actually kept him occupied a lot longer than I expected). 

Oh - and here's a funny story from school yesterday.  When I picked Adam up, the first thing he wanted to tell me was that his girlfriend, Abby, brought in Scooby Snacks for snack that day.  Then he started following some girl that I'm pretty sure wasn't Abby and asking her why she brought in Scooby Snacks.  (Her granddad hurried her off).   His teachers saw us still outside the room and told me that Adam kept asking Abby for her phone number because he wanted me to call her Mom and get the recipe for Scooby Snacks!  Mrs. M. told me to go to any grocery store.  Ha ha!

OK - I think that's it for now.