I'm an Unschooling mom in Las Vegas, NV. I have all boys! A 14 yr old, a 6 yr old, a 1 yr old and 2 teenage stepsons.
4 of the 5 have some special need or another, and the 5th would be termed "gifted" if he was in school. They all have their own interests and abilities.
Join me as I blog about our Christ-led learning approach..things that work, things that don't, and the antics of family life!
Recently we went and saw Signing Time Rachel at a local outdoor Ampitheater. I've been excited about going because I love the idea of signing with my children and Elias likes her show. Of course, it's easier to like the idea, then to carry through with it. Truthfully, I don't even watch the show that often, I tend to use it more as a babysitter .
Anyway, I was truly impressed. I was impressed by her voice, her enthusiasm, her approachability but most of all, by her story!
Maybe you all know this...but (paraphrased and forgive me if I misrepresent any facts...I had a baby and an active boy running around while she was relaying all of this!) she's just a mom. Her first daughter was born deaf. Wow...that's rough. But then her 2nd daughter was born...with Spina Bifida & Cerebral Palsy. Man, can anyone be dealt more of a raw deal?!?
But this chick was determined that her children would be able to communicate not only within the world, but with each other.
Her and her sister came up with the idea to make a video teaching deaf children some signs to kid friendly songs. Rachel said it just took off. Now they are about to release their 30?th DVD!
Her songs are so funny and fun...and some are sad when you listen to the words...she writes them..and often they are about her children. Very touching. Her songs and videos often include her children, and apparently the show has her daughter and nephew in it. (Signing Time, on PBS).
I am going to watch this more! I'm also going to buy their Baby Signs DVD...I have the Baby Einstein one, but this is all to music....think it's just a different approach.
Anyway, if you've never heard of the show, check it out...it's cool!
Saturday was Elias' first soccer game. Ever. He got up in the morning, excited but "nervous"...he's so funny. His team, The Green Goblins, are a 5 & 6 yr olds team. Elias is 7, but because he's a tiny little thing, and has had overall delays, he's put in with this age group. There are actually 2 kids on the team taller than him; he fits right in! There are no scores "given" , it's playing just "for fun". No pressure.
I didn't know what to expect. First of all, past experiences with older kids have shown that our kids aren't too sports savy...although this kid is all boy, and all energy. Add to it, it was a sweltering 96 degrees, and the game was at high noon with no shade to be found.
The kid took off! He was on the field first (they play 4 on 4). He was amazing! He got in there, kicked the ball, was always running, he did great!
He's such a ham though. My husband always swears if he was in school he'd be the class clown. He asked me 1/2 way through if I was routing for his team. And he asked loudly enough that the 2 moms sitting next to me started laughing.
Then, he scored a goal! he had tried a couple of times, but missed, and he did it!! When he got called out, he told me "It was about time I scored one". What?!?! goofball, it's your FIRST GAME! He scored the 2nd goal of the game!! He's so funny!!
He had a blast! I'm so proud!
Look how cute! He's #5
Here he is, just out there getting it!
And here's The Goal! I can't believe I got this shot!
No, not real tigers....tiger cubs! Cub Scouts!! Elias has wanted to do boys scouts for a long time, and I told him this year we'd do it. Over the summer he told everyone he saw , "I'm going to be a boy scout!". Well, the pressure was on! Find a nice pack.
My friend Angela and I used to lead cub scouts, way back when our teens were little. Then my son got out of it, and hers kept going, so I looked to her for advice on packs. You know, you want a fun pack, but one that's homeschool friendly...an organized pack that does cool stuff, and has nice leaders...lots of things could make or break the little guy's first experience!
So, Angela pointed me to 2 packs. 1 large, but super fun, super nice, but did I mention large? 1, newer, much smaller, but also fun and organized. Anyone guess which one we tried first?!? Yes, the smaller one!
So we went Monday night to our first meeting, and he LOVED it. They played games, they worked on activities, and the coolest thing..they are working towards the Presidential Physical Fitness Badge. The leader explained that every day they have to write down some activity they've done, and then at the end of 6 weeks, she gives it all to the President, and he will send back a certificate and a badge! Boy, was he excited!!! Man, this pack has it going on!
Not only did the pack work for Elias, but also for me and Sebastian! As a mom of a Tiger, you are required to stay. Staying with a 2 year old, especially one with special needs.....not always the most fun idea. But, the leader has 2 special needs foster babies/toddlers. There are actually quite a few kids with various needs in this pack. And the kids are SOOO loving with the babies!! I have never seen so many boys want to play with or hold babies. It was amazing. Everyone looked after the babies/toddlers, they weren't seen to be a problem when they cried, or when they ran all over..it was fabulous!
So, no need to try the other pack, we're very happy here!
So, that was Monday. This pack goes year-round, so they had just started their popcorn sales and they also let us know the Space Derby was on Friday. Yes, as in, 4 days from then, Friday.
We got our Popcorn Sales stuff, and our Space Derby kit and got to working on it all.
The next morning, Elias jumps up, does his "exercises" and puts on his uniform to go sell popcorn! Man was he raring to go! Ok, so by 10am on a Tue morning we're out selling popcorn to our neighbors. Good thing they all know we homeschool! The minimum "requirement" was $75, the kid sold $230 in half an hour! He was so cute, "Hi, I'm Elias and I'm a Tiger. Would you like to buy some popcorn?" He had scripted it all out with me before we left the house, had play acted it out a bunch of ways. He was so cute!!!! We need to get back out and sell some more, but the Space Derby started to take precendence.
So, we started on our Space Derby Kit. Sanded it all down, then got to spray painting it. Primer of white, then color blue. I had to ask Angela's kids to help me figure out the directions ( it takes a strong person to ask a kid for help!) and we got the pieces all glued into place.
Here's a picture of Elias before the event, holding up his Space Rocket.
Here's the rocket right before it launches.
Now, if you don't know anything about space derby....well, it's fun but its llloooonnngggg. Have to keep disqualifying rockets after giving them a bunch of turns. By the end the kids had even lost track and were playing around. Eventually everyone got given certificates of achievement and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners were left. Elias was one of them! He got 3rd place! It was so cute! Here's that pic.
He's so enjoying scouts. What a great way to start off in the program!
We got to Awanas last night, after being absent last week, and found out it was Crazy Hair Night. Another mom asked if we wanted to use her green hair spray, and so...The Incredible Hulk was born!
Here it is, starting to wear off...can you believe it?
Here's the top of his head...you shoulda seen his pillow this morning! Acchh! It's going to take a few washings!
This was Elias' first experience with colored hair spray. He LOVED it! I'm surprised I got him to shower tonight! I'm sure you'll eventually see more colored hair pictures .
Well, I am guilty...I let time slip away and day after day passed without blogging. The problem with this is,I stop taking so many pics and my family doesn't always know the cute little day to day things we're doing. So....I'm back!
I figure this will be a short post...I've thought about getting back to blogging for a long time now, but cataloging all the missed events was too overwhelming. So....I'm not going to even try! I might sprinkle in some things we did over the past few months, but I'm not going to try for one long post describing everything...can't happen! Starting here and now, with the here and now!
I'll give you a quick tease/summary about the things we're up to this year...and pics and descriptions will follow in the days and months to come!
Brian this year is back to his fascination of Japanese. We've got a wonderful tutor coming in to the home, conducting a small class of homeschoolers, 1x a week, for 2 hours. It's very intense and he loves it! He's also taking biology with lab and apologetics, at a local homeschool group. Of course, his main love is still computers! Well, add to that, texting. He has a gaggle of friends, mostly girls (sorry, camm and matt, no offense!). He's active in our new church...it's small but has a heart for outreach and love! That's Brian in a nutshell...which of course isn't the whole story..remember, just a teaser!!
Elias is cuter than cute. He's so wonderful! Growing up so quickly, but still in some areas a mommas boy..and so loving and compassionate. He's learning to read, is on his 2nd year of math-u-see, just became a Tiger cub last night , is in his 2nd book of Sparks (Awanas Program) and doing soccer (as he'd say, finally! ). He also does speech at the local school...and is just all around ACTIVE!! Oh! And we started a book club..based on the Magic Tree House series...it's super cool and he's enjoying that!
Sebastian...well..I don't know if a 2 yr old could be any cuter! Little Lovely is now running all over the place, doing some signs...still doesnt have any real words down, but is repeating a lot of sounds and sound repititions. He's in great over-all health, very chunky! He's still keeping me busy with various appointments, mostly now through our state Early Intervention program. He's been without the G-Tube since May...gastro is pleased with his growth, and ability to eat, and his diet, and healing...so..we only need to go back on an as needed basis. It's nice to slow down all the dr. appointments!
I often say times are a season. Sometimes it's rough, sometimes time flies by, sometimes it's easy...but it's all a quickly changing season. We have had our share of rough and time-consuming seasons. This year the focus is back on kids, and learning experiences, instead of doctors! YEAH!! Praise God!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, that's it for now...I will keep things updated more often, and with pics soon too!
Living in Las Vegas, we still live pretty far from "The Strip", and don't choose to frequent it much. But the one place we love, over and over, is The Bellagio Conservatory. It's a big glass roofed ...Conservatory! And they change the theme every few months. It's always spectacular..and exotic and wildly expensive to build/maintain, but free to go to!
I'm not sure what the theme is right now, maybe Americana?!?! There was Mount Rushmore,
bald eagles, trains, and a mini Bellagio, complete with the outdoor fountains!
It's always exciting to see what they will incorporate into it, and the details!
Right around the corner, still in the Bellagio, is The World's Tallest and Largest Chocolate Fountain. We can never leave the building without looking at it.
Oh my gosh I have the cutest baby! Of course I'm prejudiced! He has been doing "somersaults" for a couple of days now. Yesterday we videotaped it with our new HD videocamera, but of course, don't yet know how to upload it to YouTube! So, here's video taken from my camera today...it's a little grainy, but you'll get the idea!
Yesterday's was funnier in that he was so close to bedtime that he was wearing himself out. At the end, he'd basically lay on the floor and roll over, then look for us to laugh! It was hysterical!!
So, my oldest is part of a local Improv group. He is an "agent" and discusses possible plans and gatherings with other like-minded souls.
The group decided they would do a gathering where they would all freeze, in a public setting, for 5 minutes...causing mass confusion. This idea was patterned after the Frozen Grand Central Station Operation.
They decided they would do it at Freemont Street Experience...a covered street that's pedestrian only, with shops, and artists and a light show shown on the inside of the covering every few hours during the night.
The details of the "mission" apparently got leaked on a local radio show and they had massive amounts of people show up to partake.
My son is not shown in the video below...but this is it! He was "frozen" high-fiving his friend. He had a blast! They are gearing up for their next mission, details to remain secret. It won't be another "freeze" they do all sorts of things! Check it out, it's good clean fun!
So, one of my parents projects this visit was to paint Elias' room. Last visit they did Brian's room (now a lovely shade of neon green, with black and gray furnishings and rugs). Elias made it clear he wanted a Spiderman room. For Christmas he got Spiderman border and peel & stick figurines. We picked out the room colors to match! (I'm just lucky he didn't go for red and black) Now, keep in mind, this room was white and bubble gum pink, with a beautiful Ballerina border. Poor boy! He's lived with it for a long time. This is much better!
Here's the border...part red Spidey part Black Spidey
The peel & stick things are cool cause you can add them anywhere! Closets and nightstand both got some.
And here's a new comforter and pillow Elias' grandmother made him. Now both beds have Spidey bedding!
It was a lot of work, but he's SO excited! And he adores his new curtains! Before a street light was coming in through the blinds..now he can sleep like a baby (or so I hope!)
He's been showing everyone the room today...even the baby's speech therapist! He's too cute!
According to the temperature reader in my van, today was 105. That's HOT! We spent the morning at my parent's hotel pool, swimming and relaxing. It was the perfect temp! This was Sebastian's first time swimming this season...and he loved it! He tried to get away from me on the beach entry. Then he kicked his little legs a lot while I was holding him.
Here's Nanny holding up Sebastian, and Elias peeking through. It was rough trying to get good pics without getting splashed!
I always say I don't get pics of myself, well, my mom got one of me! Here I am with little lovely.
He played himself to sleep. Literally. He fell asleep in my arms, in the water and stayed that way for about 1/2 an hour. I love little snuggly creatures! (Even if they do get heavy and leave weird tan marks on you....)
Elias meanwhile was having a blast being thrown by my dad, towards my mom, who would then "get them" by splashing them! He did it over and over and over and over...my dad got tired before he did!
We're going out again tomorrow morning. It should be another hot day!
Finally, I have pics and a report! Brian went to 2 local teen formals last weekend. I only have pics of the 1st night, but that's ok, he wore the same outfit the 2nd night.
The first night the group went to a local Japanese Steakhouse, where they cook the meal in front of you. What fun! Brian loves these types of places, and the food!
After dinner they went back to one of the mom's houses. She had set up a dance floor in her backyard, and linen-covered tables, and desserts. All of the kids got a photo taken, and the girls got a long-stemmed rose. AWWWW!!
Surprise of surprises, Brian got out on the dance floor! Some of the kids had taken a dance class earlier in the month, but it was during Brian's Japanese class. (They did offer a 2nd class, and Brian did get to take that...but it was after the dance!)
Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves. It was very well planned and everyone behaved wonderfully.
The next night a different local group went out to a fancy restaurant for dinner. It was also very nice, but a little....long. The kids could only order 1 of 3 items; (manicotti, lasangna or ravioli) poor Brian isn't a huge Italian food lover, or pasta lover. Then there was quite a while in between courses, or quite awhile by kid standards anyway. And then a speaker. He just didn't have as much fun. For the experience, though, it was nice.
Brian
Brian, Ruben, Devlin & CJ (aren't they dashing?!?!)
Doing some sort of line dance....
Wow, he's out there! I can't believe it!
We are looking forward to next year's formals! (Well, at least I am!!!)
The premise is you send them your old wedding gown, prom dress, or otherwise beautiful garment and they transform it into a burial outfit for babies who have died.
Involve your kids...let them know about pain in the world, and inspire them to be empathetic and helpful. I am inspired to go Goodwill shopping, yard saleing and to spread the word. What a difference WE can make! Especially during such a hard time in someone's life.
Lately I've really been coming across a lot of blogs of families who have had children with Trisomy 18. Many of these children die soon after entering the world. Their impact is felt though, their lives touch ours....mine, and my children...even though we don't know them. I watch the videos these families create, read their blogs, and cry for them. But I am also moved by how much love they have and how awesome Gos is....these kids truly rest in Jesus' arms now....how much more wonderful can it get?
And here's the most amazing video of a family's journey with their special son.
Faith ~99 Balloons
How hard is it not to be so grateful for our own kids at this point? Be they terrible 2's, be they hormonal teens...they're here. But these parents are just as grateful for the short time they've had their children.
I am truly moved by their grace and by their faith.
Small recap, he was failure to thrive (after thriving for many months) and ended up not taking anything by mouth (oral aversion) for a loooonnnngggg time. So adverse that he even stopped nursing. He has had a G-Tube since Sept. 2007 and was solely fed through it for a long time. Slowly but surely he started feeling better and acting like a "normal baby", exploring with things in his mouth etc. As he started trying more and more foods, we decreased his G-tube feedings.
Our last dr visit I told our GI dr that I think we'll be done with it by the time you see us next! He still hadn't mastered drinking well and was still getting supplemental feeds, but now, 2 months later, he's totally been off the tube at home for close to 2 months! I was very hopeful that today would be the day!
Our Dr is so cool. Plus, he knows me, he knows I've been through this before, he tends to let me do a lot on my own...which is great (usually). He trusts my opinion, trusts my knowledge, and totally partners with me...but today he forgot my "little" problem with stomach contents! He asked me if I just wanted to take the G-tube out at home myself. HECK NO I DON'T!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I almost didn't even want to be in the same room! I sure didn't look! I dread changing that pad.....ewwwwwww. But, now it's done!
See the smiley baby? Bandaged up but no more tubey to play with!
It's actually an exciting time because my parents are coming in to town tomorrow and this will be their first time seeing him since they were here last Sept (during his hospitalization). He's looking so perky and alert and happy...it will be great for them to see him with no tubes!!!
A local (off-strip) Casino was having a Cinco de Mayo festival in their parking lot today. Not that Elias knows/understands/cares about Cinco de Mayo...but a it was a family event, with jump houses, merry-go-round, mariachi bands, etc., so we went with our neighbors.
It was borderline too hot, but there was a breeze here and there, plus some shady spots. The kids had a blast...and that's why we went! So it was worth it. Of course, I lucked out...Brian wasn't interested in going, so I left the baby home for his naptime with big brother! This meant I didn't have to drag a cranky baby around in the heat for something that didn't interest him! YEAH! Plus it was nice for Elias to have me take just him.
Look at this beautiful boy! What a mischievous little smile he is wearing! He was weaving in and out of the palm trees, but I caught him! This was a big slide...he loved it.
Here's Elias and our neighbor friend...they are inseparable. I caught him mid-air..he says this picture is "awesome!!"
My little sweaty angel. They had a soccer team doing face paintings..he wanted Spiderman but that was a little too complicated..they gave him a spider. He went back later on and got another one on the other cheek. They're cute!
I'm never in pictures! I'm always the picture taker! My neighbor grabbed my camera and got this one...ok, I'll post it, you may never see another one!
Fun couple of hours, then back home for air conditioning and ice-cream!
Look, I made a widget!!! I don't really know what one does with it? I guess others can add it to their blogs etc? I was looking for cool things to add to my blog, but made this instead! COOL! I think you can get it from this link: Christian Unschooling Widget
On Friday my husband was able to go with us to a local park and help Elias with his Rocket Fishing Rod ! Elias was very excited to finally get to try it out.
Well, the short and long of it is....my husband was NOT impressed, but Elias thought it was cool. Well, that's what really matters isn't it? When you're 7 you want to watch it ZING out with a loud pop! Elias didn't care if he caught a fish, or if it worked well, it was just cool to play with!
Here are the boys throwing rocks in the lake, The baby totally loved this game! His aim is...well...he can throw with force, but not always in the direction he means to...so DUCK if he's around! Seriously!
It was a beautiful day, just lounging, enjoying the air, running around, feeding geese. Loving the in between cold and hotter-than-you-know-what, weather!
Well, in my last entry I thought the week was crazy, little did I know it was just picking up!
While the big boys got through the stomach bug relatively quickly, poor Sebastian did not. Add the fact that he has a metabolic disorder, and we ended up in the hospital.
It was very ugly. Poor guy wasn't hydrated enough for them to find a good vein, multiple pokes later they finally got one. He was becoming acidodic, a condition they need to keep on top of with kids with metabolic disorders, as it can rapidly spin out of control.
On top of all of this you've got me...previously when my kids were hospitalized, I'm right there, taking notes, doing research, advocating etc. This time...it was a throw up thing...when I say I have a throw up phobia, I don't just mean I don't like it..I mean full blown panic attacks, massive anxiety, heart racing, no eating, etc etc etc. I had dealt with Sebastian and Elias all weekend being sick, by the time we got to the hospital I was no good to anyone. It's rather embarrasing to even admit it, because it's sooo dang irrational. I ended up in the ER our 2nd night there, from so much stress that I ended up throwing up. A nice few drugs later, life looked a little better.
Sadly, now, the stomach bug is hitting just about every family we know...so I am constantly being bombarded with the topic, and some families who don't believe in staying home with sick kids (?!?!) I'm even getting to witness it! It's truly too much in my fragile emotional state. I'm about ready to stay indoors for the next few weeks. It's affecting every aspect of my life right now, all my kids are tired of hearing about it, and I'm tired of thinking about it. ACHHH!!! Frustration!!!!!
If I can get a couple of weeks without the topic, without seeing it, hearing about it, witnessing it, I should be able to tone down the anxiety...so, if you know me, and you have sick kids, keep them home! We don't want more germs and I can't handle the topic anymore!!
So, that's where we are..recovering nicely, but not wanting to get re-infected. I'll try to write more soon!
I haven't been blogging much this week..seems life was hectic for one reason or another!
I was to host a yard sale for our Statewide Homeschool Advocacy Organization, Nevada Homeschool Network, today. So, all week we've been collecting donations. It's very exciting to see all the stuff come in!
We've had our normal therapies...speech 4x a week for Elias, speech for baby, state Early Intervention speech, nutritionist and PT (for baby)...
Played at a friend's house...Brian messed around on her computer (he should come with a warning..."I'll help you but I'll also indoctrinate you on the hazards of Microsoft and Windows"..he's so funny!).
Brian started attending a new local Japanese class...which he loved. Hopefully the mom will run the class longer...this is a short introduction try-out.
Elias had his last gymnastics class....for the moment. Because of his birthday he can not sign up for the class we've been taking any longer....too old! But all of the other classes are in the evenings...ewwww!!! He's debating signing up for a HipHop class (his love is street dancing!) or boy scouts. We'll see. We're going to take a break for a little while...Nanny and Pop Pop are coming in May for the month, so it's a good time to rest!
Had 2 parents meetings for different groups...I lead the mentoring at both which I LOVE but the meetings both in the same week is sometimes good (get it over) but sometimes bad (being gone 2 nights in one week!).
Dealt with major allergies...mostly me, at the beginning of the week.
And then the little guys got sick Thursday night..not sure if food poisening or a tummy bug, but it was not fun. We're still recovering from that!
Needless to say, I had to postpone our yard sale...so I can collect more donations! We'll do that next weekend!
Look at this beautiful boy! What a mischievous little smile he is wearing! He was weaving in and out of the palm trees, but I caught him! This was a big slide...he loved it.
Here's Elias and our neighbor friend...they are inseparable. I caught him mid-air..he says this picture is "awesome!!"
My little sweaty angel. They had a soccer team doing face paintings..he wanted Spiderman but that was a little too complicated..they gave him a spider. He went back later on and got another one on the other cheek. They're cute!
I'm never in pictures! I'm always the picture taker! My neighbor grabbed my camera and got this one...ok, I'll post it, you may never see another one! 
