Finelea's Progress

Today was Fine's annual IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meeting. I've been so pleased with her progress this year. She's getting so much better at identifying letters, and is even using scrabble pieces to start to spell her name. I think we're leaning towards a reading goal this year. I think we'll see a lot of improvement because of her new glasses... well, the replaced ones anyways (she broke her glasses after only wearing them for a week). She's able to now jump with both feet off the ground without assistance. She's also doing so much more talking and babbling. I told the speech therapist that if we can get her to say her bilabials, then we'll make immense strides in language this year. She'll have summer school for about 4 weeks, then we'll have a good couple of months off. I have a lot I want to do with her, but because of the new baby coming in August, I don't think I'm ready to dive in, so I'll just dip my feet for a bit. One thing I really wish I could get her would be an adaptive bike so I don't have to use the heavy duty double jogging stroller when we 'walk'/bike to the park. There are a lot of things I wish I could do with her, but I'm always restricted by time and energy. It takes so much out of me to spend all my time with her. Thank goodness for great school programs. She'll be changing classes soon, but hopefully it will be a smooth transition since the two classrooms are right next to each other. I had a lot of issues with the program in the beginning, but Fine is adapting and doing so well, that I can't complain. They provide a lot of programs that I could never provide for her at home.
Now all I have to do is to figure out how to spend the rest of the summer. Hmmmm.... the options are so open. I've got Noa enrolled in the Little Giants program that is paid for and administered by the SF Giants and in the GATE summer camp. I'm thinking a lot of trips to water parks and maybe even Yosemite National Park. We've never been there, so that might be a grand adventure if I do say so myself.

Ginger Snaps

One reason I love ginger snaps is simply because they kick the craving of a gingerbread house if you frost with a little icing and put a couple pieces of candy on them. The other MAJOR reason is it kicks morning sickness! I had a box of gingersnaps that I reached for EVERY time I felt like I wanted to barf. It helped SO much during the first few months of my pregnancy. Today, I made some because I have a friend that can't eat anything right now. She just called me to tell me that she just devoured almost a whole plate of these delicious cookies. So I'll share the recipe I have found with you, and whether you're prego or not, you'll find them delightfully moist and delicious:

Mom's Ginger Snaps

taken from www.allrecipes.com


INGREDIENTS

* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 3/4 cup vegetable oil
* 1/4 cup molasses
* 1 egg
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1/3 cup white sugar for decoration


DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together the brown sugar, oil, molasses, and egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger; stir into the molasses mixture. Roll dough into 1 1/4 inch balls. Roll each ball in white sugar before placing 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in preheated oven, or until center is firm. Cool on wire racks.

I promise I won't get Pissed Off

On Sunday, I was having a hard time with Tekina while getting ready. You see, as a 3 (almost 4) year old, she's starting to get a handle on what she likes and dislikes. I have a box on the top of her dresser which holds clothes that she severely dislikes or that are too small for her. It seems I add to it daily. Sunday was no exception. After her bath, I gave her a few options of dresses she could wear for church. We finally picked one she had never worn, but looked so lovely ........ on the hanger. When I put it on her, I gasped at how lovely she looked, and she gave me a glare. She HATED it. I told her that mommy does not change clothes once they are on, and set about doing her hair. Of course, she whined .... and whined .... and whined some more. Usually I can have her go show her dress to daddy, and if daddy gives rave reviews, then all is well. Sunday it was not to be. Despite the great compliments my DH gave her, she still refused to even break a smile. Right before church, I told her I wanted her to pose for the camera because she looked so lovely. That didn't work either as you can see by the glare she's giving me:

So, I just ignored her pleas to change, and off we went to church. She finally calmed down as soon as we got there. As sacrament meeting continued, the kids quietly played with this toy and that. Tekina came to climb up on my lap (what is left of it), and gave me a hug. I whispered in her ear, "Tekina, you look so beautiful in your dress today". She looked up at me and said, "I know. I want to wear it EVERY Sunday". I thought a second then responded, "but you have many other beautiful dresses. How about wearing a different one each Sunday?" After about a minute, she responded in a whisper, "I promise I won't get pissed off". Immediately I had to cup my hand over my mouth to keep from bursting out with laughter. I have probably used that phrase in front of her one too many times. Siope looked over at me to figure out what was going on. I had to tell him, but he didn't laugh as hard as me. Apparently, he didn't think it was too funny that my daughter was exhibiting that sort of language. I'm much too lax.

Anyhoo... that is my funny story for the day. I hope I can keep my mouth from blabbing too many bad phrases in the future.

Blogging on A Bad Day

My mom used to say, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all". I was talking to my sis the other day and we were talking about blogging on bad days. For us, it's really therapeutic to write when we're really miffed or upset. That's why my journal tends to be a husband-bashing, kid-despising piece of junk. Venting for me cools the senses and feels like a deep ... cleansing ... breath. IN........ and OUT.......... That felt better, right? The only problem with that is when I vent via webposts, it becomes somewhat depressing to visit my page, so why not spare everyone the pain?

So, today, I thought instead of venting my frustrations, I'll sit here in front of my "posting" tab until I have something nice to say.... instead of just forgetting about posting for the day. Not only will that allow me to forget about my frustrations, but it will also allow me to think positively.

So, instead of telling you about how I'm sick of my kids whining all the time, I'll post a couple of pictures. We went to the park on Friday with some people from our ward for a barbecue and volleyball. Siope is really sore from playing VB all day, but it was fun anyways. I'm just surprised it didn't rain all day. We're going to a different park with some of our other friends from Hidden Lake ward today. It's nice and sunny and cool out today, so it should be a lot of fun. I've got lamb ribs marinating, and Toa put on a haka of Tongan yams, so we're all set.

My Last Day

My last day of teaching Joy School was today. It feels so quiet around here now after having all 5 of the kids over. We're not doing Joy School again next year because Tekina will be old enough to attend the little preschool at Noa's school. Since I'll have a new baby, that will give her something to do while we're sleeping during the day.

May has been a CRAZY month with dr. appointments, school performances, and weather woes. I can't wait until it's over, and summer is here... when we can forget bedtimes and wakeup times... and OH did I mention, I'm due at the end of Aug? I'm so excited to get my big whale of a self in a swimming pool so I can take a load off my feet. I'm thinking about doing the water aerobics class at the local public pool and switch bed time to 9 or 10 pm, since class begins at 7 or8pm. I need to get some exercise anyways, but I'm thinking the only way I'm not going to injure myself is to do it in the water.

So HERE'S TO THE SCHOOL YEAR ALMOST BEING OVER!