Thumbs Up

It's FRIDAY- whoo hoo :)! That in itself is worth a "thumbs up" :)! So much to be thankful for this week...

Thumbs up to Cale for having a wonderful first two weeks of school. He brought home his first weekly progress report with no checks (a good thing :)...) and "FANTASTIC" written on it! His teacher called the other night and had nothing but positive things to say about him....academically, socially- she said he is such a "joy". It did this Mama's heart good to hear such wonderful things about her STUDENT OF THE MONTH :).
Thumbs up to Addy for being such a good helper this week! From sorting the silverware to attempting to fold towels :)... Addy has had a great attitude :)! Addy is also starting to pick out her clothes / dress herself without any help (as you can see in the pic above- LOL :)....). She already has such a love for accessories :)! Thumbs up to Cash for working so hard on his signs / words this week....and for sleeping until 5 AM in HIS OWN bed last night - WHOO HOO :)!!!! We thank God for the progress we are seeing, and I selfishly pray to hear "love you" again soon... This is something he said months ago just once, and we haven't heard it again... pretty typical with our little mystery man.

Where to start?

After MIA from the Blog world for nine or so months, catching up seems quite a daunting task. Maybe that's part of the reason I've been away for so long... I guess I should start where we are now and work backwards, or more than likely start where we are now and move forward- filling in the important "history" if needed :).

Cale started second grade a couple of weeks ago. He loves his teacher- loves his classmates. He's Student of the Month for his class. Everything on the school front is off to a good start. We've kept him in FOCUS for now. He has a new FOCUS (gifted) teacher this year, and as long as it is something he is enjoying and learning from we are all for it. He's talked about Boy Scouts...maybe playing baseball in the Spring, but for now he seems content with having his "free" time free- with plenty of time for homework, DS, and just being Cale :).

Addy will begin preschool in September. She is READY :)! She'll be attending four days a week from 9-12 (the same Pre-K Cale attended). Her personality is really blooming :). She continues to LOVE playing "dress up" and taking care of her "babies". For the most part, she is a free spirit :). However, a week ago today, my Grandpa passed. This has really been something that has filled her world with questions and made me realize how little I really know and understand. Funny how kids have a way of teaching us so much more than we teach them.

Cash...Cash....Cash.... Where to begin :)? Cash turned two in April. He is a ball full of energy :). As I sit here typing (at almost midnight) he is awake- naked except for a diaper, his brothers crocs, and a sock cap. He is walking around- keys in hand (his attachment)- just being himself. Recently "professionals" have told us he is Significantly Developmentally Delayed (SDD) with Expressive & Receptive Speech Delays. I simply call him my world... We've been through some testing, started (and soon after quit) some "therapy", said lots of prayers...and cried some too. He currently has around 25-30 words (though he only uses 15-20 or so on a regular basis) along with several signs. I am in the process of becoming our own therapist- complete with Circle Time, Signing Time, and lots of PLAY :). I can't say that this adventure is one I would have chosen, but I believe that God has a plan far greater and bigger than I can imagine. I am just along for the ride...and what a ride it is :)!

It's been a minute...

since I've posted :). My last blogging "comeback" was short lived, I suppose. An email from a friend starting her own blog reminded me of my abandoned page. So here I am...again :).

Why Don't Witches Get Pregnant?

Because there husbands have Hollow-weenies :)!

Happy Halloween Eve ya'll! It's been a long time! This and that have gotten me a little overwhelmed and away from the bloggy-blog world, but I am back and ready for some serious sharing. I have tons and tons of pictures to blog. My little blessings have had me on my toes. Since we last chatted Cash had his first haircut. He's learned the joy of climbing on top of tables and is working hard to master using a fork. Cale lost his first tooth (without dental intervention-lol). I became a Grandma to a little egg named Eggy, who we had the privilege (sarcasm font on :)...) of caring for and writing a book about. Addy has been working hard to break her addiction to "Dora cups with straws" and overcome her love for being "NECK-KID". We have some serious work to do before preschool -lol. There's just been so much FUN at the Strickland household :). Never ever a dull moment...

Today was a "Proud Mama" day :). Cale is the Student of the Month for his class, and was recognized with a certificate, "loaded" ice cream (the kids decorated with toppings...talk about sugar overload- lol :)...), and a bag of treats. He was one proud kiddo...and I am a super proud mama.

Eat lots of chocolate, and have a fantabulous Halloween :)! Can't wait to see all of your little ones in their costumes!!!

Love & Stitches....

So I took the plunge last night and decided to open a website store :). It is certainly a work in progress, but I'd love for you to come by and check out what I've done so far.

http://loveandstitchesembroidery.com/

Row, Row, Row Your Butt :)...

The other day while doing dishes, Addy was quietly serenading me with some songs she sings at Church. This particular song began with a whisper, "Row, row, row your butt...". After no reaction from me (I was trying so hard not to laugh...) she began again- this time a little louder... "Row, row, row your butt gently to the stream...". Calmly, I asked, "What did you say, Addy?". She quickly corrected her error, "Row, row, row your BOTTOM gently to the stream :)..." I didn't have the heart to correct her further :). Kids can be so funny!

I need to get better about writing down the funny things they say. Here are some I can remember. Most of Cale's funny words are from when he was younger. However, he still sometimes calls the nursing home the funeral home...not cool when we go to visit my grandparents :). I'll have to keep adding to this. I know there are tons more- I just can't think of them now. Maybe one day soon these will make it into the scrap box :).

Cale:
refridge-a-lator= refrigerator
Puglix = Publix
D-vah-dees = DVDs
dilarious = hilarious
funeral home= nursing home

Addy:
up-see-side down = upside down
chocky milk = chocolate milk
Carebear hair= putting her hair in a "ponytail" but not pulling the end all the way through

Workin' For a Living...

or at least for his FOCUS project. Cale applied for a job as a Car Cleaner for his FOCUS class. Everyday after school he is to straighten the backseat of our car, get out any sippy cups, and give it a general "sprucing up" :). Once a week he is to vacuum. We are to keep a time sheet, and each Friday Cale gets paid in their virtual "class currency". This money is then used to teach balancing a checkbook (Yep, you read that correctly-lol- the FOCUS teacher may be in for more teaching than he expects :)...). In December, the class will have an auction and get to spend their savings. Sounds like Cale is in for a lot of learning :)!

"A" for Addy

No verbal prompts, no model to copy...just pure Addy smarts :)! Nothing compares to how proud she was of herself. I'm pretty proud too :)!

Note to Self:

ALWAYS make sure the baby wipes are at least five feet away from the baby :)!

Pink Polish for a "Princey"

Yesterday, Addy got to choose her very own nail polish :)! Today we painted her "princey nails". She was so excited and proud!

Cashy was very curious about what we were doing and wanted to get in on the action too which resulted in just a few smudges :)! Oh well, Princess Addy didn't seem to mind.

Princess Piggies & Other Pics

Our three little blessings have certainly been showing their individual personalities :)!

At 3, Addy's favorite thing to do is play dress up and DANCE! She loves her high heels and can actually walk in them better than I could ever hope to :)!Cale is now into playing games- whether it be tic-tac-toe, a card game (Monster Maker is his current favorite), or a game on his V-smile. He is always ready to play. We've been working on playing by the rules and keeping a positive attitude- especially when the game isn't going "his way" :). He can get a bit competitive.
Here is Cash with his first Kool-aid Jammer ever...what a milestone, huh :). I think from the looks of the squished in packet he really enjoyed himself! These were a special treat since Joel's sister and her family stopped by for a visit. Pics to come soon...
Feeling crabby...or just silly :)? I actually won this fantabulously cute shirt on a blog giveaway! I was beyond excited to get it in the mail Friday and could not wait for Addy to wear it! This is actually the THIRD prize I've won in the past few months. Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket :)!
Cash has gone from walking to running in the blink of an eye. NOTHING is safe with him around! He loves to climb and has NO fear. I am constantly amazed at how much one little fella can get into. Of course, big brother and sister are always happy to be accomplices :)!

Oh ________ (insert your favorite choice word here)....

So how many years of bad luck do you think this should bring? We've been in the midst of a slow bathroom remodel over the past few...well YEARS I guess- LOL :). I'd been debating replacing our bathroom mirror. Guess I got my not so subtle answer as to what to do today :). Can you believe the whole mirror fell completely off of the wall?!?! It sounded like a bomb went off. Totally random, I tell ya. Never ever a dull moment at this house :)!

Random Pics...

Ribbit...Ribbit...

My Little Monkey
Trying to figure out what it is Cale & Addy do with pencils & crayons :)...

Showering Cashy Style...No Need to Undress :)!

Somedays you either have to laugh or cry :)...This was one of those days...

Chuck E. Cheese - Gotta Love that Rat :)!!!

This weekend Mimi & Popa came for a visit. We spent Saturday afternoon & evening together. I would post pics, but most of them include at least one of my children (if not all) in their underroos :). As Addy says, "I LOVE neck-kid!!!" :). Luckily "neck-kid" to her still includes wearing her Dora panties. With this heat, I can't really blame them. Nevertheless, Mimi and Popa came and went, or so we thought. They ended up calling us for lunch on Sunday...and (we thought) a trip to Chuck E. Cheese...which ended up being us taking the kids to Chuck E. Cheese... which could be a whole other post in itself, but I will spare you :). Anyway, the five of us had a great time with the big rat :)!
Addy talking to Chuck E.
Cale "driving" the train
Cashy LOVED riding the horse :)!

The "drawing booth" is my favorite activity :)!

Addy's beautiful ring...
and Cale's funny face :)...

Playing Catch Up...Last Day of Summer Reading Pic

This was taken after the last Summer Reading Program, which was also Open House and the day before Cale's first day of 1st grade :). The kids enjoyed a Puppet Show on Aesop's Fables before taking their reading charts down for mom's "one day" scrapbook :)....or at least a somewhat organized "scrap-box" :).