Stop Melting!

My sister surprised me this past weekend with a 3 day trip to Imperial Beach. Ahhhh....it was SUCH a nice break! We stayed at the Seacoast Inn. Apparently, the main section of the hotel was built in the 40's and the rest...I have no clue. Regardless of the "oldness" of the hotel, it was pretty clean and the staff was really nice. They will be tearing it down in February of 2009 to rebuild it. My plan was to post pictures WHILE we were there (in a taunting sort of way...as if to say "Nener nener nener....we're here and you're NOT!), but since it was so old, there was no WiFi. Oh well. When I get the copies of the pics from the sis, I will post them.

Now, on to the title of my blog. Triscuit...this kid never ceases to amaze me (and he would be kind of upset if he knew I was blogging this...so Shhhhhh!!!!). While I was working on the computer earlier this evening, he starts asking all sorts of questions. All of the sudden I hear:

Triscuit: "Arg...STOP MELTING."

Mum: "What are you talking about? What's melting?"

Triscuit: "My pee pee keeps melting to my leg."

Mum: "Ummm.....What?"

Triscuit: "My pee pee is melting to my leg and I don't like it!"

Hmmmm.....I'm going through every scenario in my mind and cannot figure out what the heck he's talking about. Finally it dons on me. It's about 78 in the house and he's wearing sweatpants. He's GOT to be hot.

Mum: "Honey...are you sweaty?"

Triscuit: "Yes."

Mum: "It's not "melting" honey, it's sticking to your leg because your hot. That will happen when you're hot. Go get some shorts on. It will stop sticking when you cool off."

Triscuit: "OK. I just don't like that feeling."

*SIGH*....why wasn't Weenie home for this? Why do these statements/questions always pop up when HE'S not around? Here's a little tip for ya....

I DON'T HAVE ONE OF THOSE!

How am I supposed to answer "those" questions?

Weenie is lucky we never had girls. I can just see him trying to explain what "menses" is....

No Shortage in the Intelligence Department

*HEAVY SIGH*...............Triscuit. Between yesterday and today, I have enough blog fodder for a whole post! Man....let me just go ahead and tell you. You may want to go pee first and finish your beverage....

Last night, Triscuit and I were having a "Battle of the Wills". He was chasing Toblerone around the house.

Mum: "TRISCUIT! Stop chasing your brother!"

Mum: "TRISCUIT! I SAID to stop chasing your brother!"

Mum: "TRISCUIT! WHAT DID I JUST SAY?"

Triscuit: "To stop chasing my brother...."

Mum: "Why didn't you stop?"

Triscuit: "Because I want to play!

In Triscuit's mind, that excuse was good enough for him, so he COMMENCES chasing Toblerone. And what happens? Toblerone slips on a rug in the kitchen and almost slams his head into the leg of the chair.

Mum: "That's IT! I told you to STOP! Now, you get to brush your teeth and get ready for bed. You ARE going to bed early!"

Triscuit: *Begins to wail*..."Mama!!! NOOOOO!!!! Please give me another chance!"

Mum: "No"

Triscuit: "Just one more chance?"

Mum: "No!"

Triscuit: "Please? Just one more chance?"

Mum: "NO!"

Triscuit: "Mama, please give me one more chance!"

Mum: "NO! If you ask me again, you will be GROUNDED!"

Triscuit: *Opens his mouth to say something...*

Mum: "BEFORE you say anything else, REPEAT what I just told you!"

Triscuit: "I will be grounded if I ask you again."

Mum: "Ask WHAT again?"

Triscuit: "If I can have another chance..."

Mum: "Now, go brush your teeth."

Triscuit: "Mama!!! PLEASE GIVE ME ONE MORE CHANCE!!!"

My mouth drops open. I can't believe he just asked again after repeating what I said! WHAT THE HECK? I don't get it!

Mum: "OK...now, you're grounded."

Triscuit: "WHY?????????" *wailing continues even louder*

Mum: "Go to your room. I REFUSE to yell over your wailing."

Triscuit: "YOU JUST DON'T WANT ME AROUND!!!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!"

Seriously....that's what he said....I'm NOT kidding. Can we say DRAMA KING? When I told Weenie what happened, he started laughing...then blamed the "Drama Gene" on me. He was going to get slapped when he got home, but I forgot (lucky for him).

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While IM'ing a friend this morning, his Internet was giving him problems. He called it his "Sh*ternet". Triscuit sees this....

Triscuit: "Mama? What does Sh*ternet mean?"

Mum: *Trying NOT to make a big deal out of it*...."What?"

Triscuit: "What does Sh*ternet mean?"

Mum: "Where did you hear that?"

Triscuit: "I read it..."

Mum: "Wher....oh. Shoot...."

Triscuit: "So?"

Mum: "It's a bad word honey. My friend isn't happy with his computer right now. It's giving him problems, so he decided to accentuate the regular word with another word (a bad word) to come across as REALLY upset."

Triscuit: "So the leaves 'Sh*tter* when their cold?"

Triscuit: *Not giving me a chance to say anything continues on....* "Sh*tiot?"

Mum: "Triscuit....say it again and you will be tasting soap until tomorrow! I don't EVER want to hear that word come out of your mouth AGAIN!"

Triscuit: "Will I be able to say bad words when I'm 35?"

Did he REALLY just ask that? Yes....he sure did!

Mum: "Do you hear me talking like that?"

Triscuit: "No..., but..."

Mum: "NO BUT'S! No...you CANNOT talk like that. It's not nice."

Triscuit: *With a sly grin on his face* "OK Mama..."

Why do I have this feeling I will be hearing this word again before the day is out?

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Because of all that has happened with Triscuit's probable A.D.D., I've spoken with both of his learning coaches (AKA degree holding teachers) and have been given some ideas to HELP Triscuit. Key word....HELP.

We were doing simple math yesterday...subtracting double numbers (no borrowing...just easy stuff). He KNOWS how to do this, but didn't want to put forth the effort to practice the concepts. I give him his practice sheet. He sits there staring off into space...then I hear whimpering...

Mum: "Triscuit? What's the problem?"

Triscuit: "I need help."

Mum: "What do you need help with?"

Triscuit: "98-54=?"

Mum: "Triscuit. What YOU'RE asking me to do is do the problem FOR you. I can't do that."

Triscuit: "But Mrs. L said to HELP me."

Mum: "HELPING you does NOT mean doing it FOR you..."

Triscuit: "Yes it does....she said, 'do what it takes to help him'."

Mum: "Triscuit....do your work. You can do this. Subtract the ones place first, then the tens place. Come on now...you can do it."

Triscuit does about 5 of them and gives up. So, I give him his assessment test (quiz on the chapter) and he aces it. He's the type of kid that once a concept is understood, there is NO time to practice that concept....it's on to ANOTHER concept.

Triscuit may lack the ability to focus, concentrate and sit still but he SURE doesn't lack in intelligence. I love him dearly, but he's a little booger. Weenie? I'm blaming this ALL on you.

Half Way Through....

Triscuit's initial appointment went VERY well! You have NO idea how nervous I was. I'm sure you're wondering "Why", but I guess it's just a Mommy thing. I was afraid he was going to ask, "And WHY have you waiting SO long to bring him in?" I was afraid he was going to say, "You should have gotten him help SOONER." He did nothing of the sort. Dr. Jeff Leber (the BEST pediatrician I have EVER known....even though he does work for CIGNA) has been Triscuit's pediatrician since he was born. This guy has 5 kids of his own and is very understanding. He's soft spoken yet is a very matter-of-fact kind of guy. Here is how the appointment went.

First, they weighed and measured him. He weighs 57 lbs now (YEAH!) and is 51 inches tall. He is 90th Percentile for his height and 50th percentile for his weight (he takes after Weenie). His heart and lungs sound terrific! Good ears, healthy looking eyes...good reflexes. Dr. Leber was VERY happy with his overall health. Then, came the questions.....

Dr L - "So....Why do you feel Triscuit needs to be evaluated for A.D.D?"

Mum - "The concern first surfaced his Kindergarten year...(I told him the story that I told you. I told him I didn't feel the teacher's reasoning's were valid. I told him he was then targeted the whole year as a "trouble maker" and was constantly in trouble. I told him that by the end of his kindergarten year, he didn't trust teachers, the thought of going back to school made him angry and he wanted NOTHING to do with learning. I told him that Triscuit's whole attitude changed from a happy-go-lucky little boy to an angry and frustrated not so little boy). The teacher leaned in the open window of my car and point blank said, "I think your son has A.D.D."

Dr L - *Looking perplexed* "Why would she say that? They aren't supposed to say that."

Mum - "I didn't know that at the time."

Dr L - "Was any help offered?"

Mum - "No. I told her at the time, too, that we had no health insurance. There was no way to get him tested even if I DID feel it was warranted (which I did not)."

Dr L - "He's in second grade now, right?"

Mum - "Yes"

Dr L - "What happened with his teacher in first grade and now in second grade?"

Mum - "Well, because he had such a bad experience in school, I took the initiative and decided to home school him."

Dr L - "Why?"

Mum - "I wanted him to understand that school is NOT a bad thing. I wanted him to regain his love of learning. I also wanted to SEE FOR MYSELF if, indeed, he had a problem."

Dr L - "So, what did you observe the first year?"

Mum - "There were some issues, but because of the school he is enrolled in, he DOES have a "teacher"...someone with a degree that overlooks his progress to make sure he's doing well. I worked with her throughout the year to curve some of his behaviors by trying various things. Behavior modifications, rewards, etc..."

Dr L - "How were his grades?"

Mum - "His grades were good. We started out a year behind in Phonic/Language Arts because of his Kindergarten experience...so that has always been an issue. His behaviors were so-so, but I still didn't look at it as "abnormal". To me, it just seemed like he was being a 6 year old."

Dr L - "And this year?"

Mum - "Now, THIS year is a whole different story. It started out OK, but then I just couldn't get him to focus and concentrate on the task at hand. I would have to have him take tests 2 and 3 times because he couldn't follow directions. I've had to go over the same science and history lessons 3 times because I just CANNOT get him to focus. He WILL not sit still. I've timed him. He can't sit still for more than 2 minutes. Finally, it donned on me. Maybe his Kindergarten teacher was on to something....so I began to look at him through a "teachers" eyes....and not just "mommy" eyes."

Dr L - *Smiles*

Mum - "Once I started questioning his behaviors, I could see it was impulsive...not a discipline issue."

Dr L - "What behaviors were you questioning?"

Mum - "I, first, addressed his inability to sit still. I asked him one day, "Honey...why can you NOT sit still?". He said, "I don't know, Mama....I just can't."

Dr. L - *Nods knowingly*..."I see."

Mum - "Then came the odd questions. While doing science, history, phonics....anything, he would just blurt out questions or comments about off the wall stuff....stuff that didn't pertain to the lesson. It didn't happen just a few times...this happens ALL the time."

Dr L - "What other behaviors?"

Mum - "When he IS interested in something, it is VERY difficult to get his attention AWAY from it. You literally have to YELL at him to get him to hear you. I've tested his hearing (whispering from a distance) and he seems to be able to hear just fine...it's just that he tunes you out."

Dr L - "What made you finally bring him in?"

Mum - "Every day has become a struggle. He seems to also be going through an emotional phase. He cries over EVERYTHING. When he's NOT crying, he's whining because he doesn't want to stop what he's doing. When I ask him to sit down and start school, it becomes a yelling match. I told myself, early on, that if home schooling became a dreaded thing, we would find another alternative."

Dr L - "So, it's becoming a source of contention?"

Mum - "Oh yes. I NEVER wanted it to be this way."

Dr. L - "You have some VERY valid concerns. What are you hoping to accomplish in ways of therapy if, indeed, he DOES have this?"

Mum - "I just want what is best for him. I want him to be successful in life. I want him to be able to ENJOY learning. I don't want him to be constantly told that he's "bad"...because he's not. Triscuit HATES to fail at ANYTHING and when he does, he gets REALLY upset."

Dr. L - "I understand. But what THERAPIES are you wanting or willing to try?"

Mum - "I want to be able to pursue OTHER options...rather than medication first."

Dr L - "So, you want nothing to do with medication?"

Mum - "No...I didn't say that. I said I wanted to try every other option FIRST. If THOSE options don't work, then we'll talk about it."

Dr L - "Why do you have such a poor outlook on medications?"

Mum - "I've had friends who were on Ritalin/Adderall. I've got friends with children on those meds. I do NOT like what I see. They walk around like little zombies with NO personalities. It hurts to watch. I LOVE Triscuits personality. I in NO way want that interfered with. I don't want him to be walking around with no expression on his face. It hurts just thinking about it."

Dr L - "OK. A.D.D. is NOT a cut and dry disorder. NO child has the same form. Some are better than others and some are worse than others. EACH child will respond differently. You have 4 options. You can not do anything (which never works), you can try just behavior modification (which sometimes works), you can try just medication (which sometimes works) or you can try medication AND behavior modification. The latter option usually works the best. Please don't be closed minded on the medication aspect of the therapy. You DO have a valid concern. I understand where you are coming from, but because Triscuit isn't like all the other kids, he will respond differently than others. No ONE child is the same."

Mum - "I understand that. I just wanted you to understand where I was coming from, too. I just want what's best for him. I will do anything and everything in my power to help him. That's my job as a mother. Even if that means us putting him back into a public school if I cannot offer him the help he needs at home."

Dr L - "First of all, you did a very smart thing. Taking him OUT of the public school setting was the BEST thing you could have done for him. Most A.D.D. children THRIVE on one-on-one attention....so at this point, I think it wouldn't be the best thing to put him BACK in a "normal" school. For you to make the sacrifice to home school him and see FOR YOURSELF if, indeed, there was a problem, tells me right there that you are willing to do whatever it takes for your child to be the best he can be. I commend you for that. Now....if you are so exasperated because of this issue (which by NO means says you are weak), it's understandable. Children with A.D.D. are often difficult to handle. I do feel you have some definite and valid concerns. I'm going to have you schedule an appointment with Mary Coontz....our behavioral specialist. She used to be a teacher also, so she understands, developmentally where they are supposed to be at certain ages (in academics). What I need you to do is do as MUCH research as you can on this before your appointment with her. The more information you are armed with the better it will be for HER to understand Triscuit."

Mum - "Thank you SO much. You have no idea how apprehensive I was to bring him. I thought you were going to spend 5 minutes with him and then say, "Yup...he has it" then give me a pill. I didn't want that for him. It's nice to know that more time is taken to determine the reality of the disorder!"

Dr L - "Yeah...we don't do that here. It has to be a TRUE diagnosis....and for a TRUE diagnosis to happen, testing HAS to be done."

He begins a conversation with Triscuit about what his favorite subject is. The conversation turns to his brother.

Dr L - *Looking at me*..."I didn't know you had another son?"

Mum - "Yeah. He's 2 years 5 months old"

Triscuit mentioned that Toblerone beats up on him

Dr L - "Why does little brother beat up on BIG brother? Isn't it supposed to be the other way around (said laughing)?"

Mum - "Well....you've never seen Toblerone so you wouldn't know. He's 2 years 5 months, 3'7 and 45 pounds."

Dr L - *Jaw drops*

Mum - *Smiling*...."He comes by it honestly. Daddy's side of the family? VERY tall"

Dr L - "Well, they BOTH need to have physicals done. I'm not saying anythings wrong...I just want to see this kid for MYSELF!"

Mum - "Mentally, he's a normal 2 year old. Physically? He's 4 and 1/2."

Dr L - *shaking his head in amazement*..."I look forward to seeing him."

So....at this point, I have an appointment set with Mary Coontz on December 16th at 9:00am. The initial appointment will be with just me. After that, she will have one with just Triscuit...to see how he does without mommy around (which makes sense). After THAT...we will know for sure.

I know this was a long post, and I appreciate you all reading this. Now, I have my work cut out for me. I need to do some observations on Triscuit (through teachers eyes). I also need to get with his teacher through AZVA and his Title 1 Reading teacher to see if there is anything they can give me, in writing, to support what I'm saying.

Thank you ALL for your kind words, support and encouragement. I appreciate everything each of you have said! As always, I will keep you updated!

A Dreaded Realization

This is going to be somewhat of a serious post. So, if you aren't interested in being serious right now, I suggest you follow the links I have on the right hand side of the page....trust me, they will make you laugh!

As MOST of you know, I home school Triscuit. There were two main reasons I decided to do so. Let me explain.

When it came time for Triscuit to start Kindergarten, he was so excited (as was I). I wanted him to start his schooling off on a POSITIVE note. He was excited to learn and very excited to be with kids his own age. The first few months went well. Then, one day, his teacher (I will refrain from naming names) came up to my car as I was waiting for Triscuit to get out for the day. She leans in the open window and says these exact words, "I think Triscuit has A.D.D. or A.D.H.D". I was dumbfounded. I knew it could be a possibility because Weenie was diagnosed with it (in his 20's....after it was too late to help him in school). What floored me was she was pretty much diagnosing him WITHOUT a medical degree AND she was saying that to me after 2 months of knowing my FIVE YEAR OLD SON (granted...he had JUST turned 5 a few weeks before school started). She gave examples to me that didn't make sense. What she would describe were behaviors that were TYPICAL of a 5 year old boy. After speaking with a few friends that happened to BE teachers (they too, were flabbergasted) they told me that they felt he DIDN'T have it (based on the kindergarten teachers reasoning's). After I told his kindergarten teacher, in so many words, to back off and that I wasn't GOING to get him tested....she tuned ME out and "gave up on" Triscuit. After that, Triscuit was constantly in trouble. He rarely had recess because he was always being punished. Around Christmas time of that year, he began to beg me..."Mama...I don't WANT to go to school!" I would ask him why and he would say, "I'm always in trouble. The teacher doesn't like me and the kids are mean to me." As the school year progressed, he became very frustrated and angry. He would start acting up at home and began lashing out. Towards the END of the school year, I began to talk to other parents that had their kids with her as well. I would hear the SAME stories from them. Over half of her class was on a behavioral plan. She would often show favoritism to the girls. Need I go on? Let's just say, this lady does NOT belong in a teaching position....not to just kids but to ANYONE. I'm thinking padded room and a straight jacket for her (yes, I know...that's my anger speaking).

I began looking for other alternatives. I started looking into private schools....too expensive. I started looking into charter schools....too full. At the time, my sister was home schooling "B" and suggested AZVA (Arizona Virtual Academy). So, after much discussion with Weenie, we decided to home school him. HERE are the reasons:
1) Because his kindergarten teacher was such a ...(I'm not finishing that), he lost his love of school. He wanted NOTHING to do with learning. He HATED school. I wanted to show him that school could be FUN. I wanted to restore his faith in teachers. I wanted him to see that although school is a MUST, it shouldn't be something that's dreaded.
2) Since his teacher was so "positive" that he HAD ADD, I wanted to see FOR MYSELF if, indeed, he was having problems.

We began homeschooling his first grade year. Although I was the one giving the lessons, I technically am NOT a teacher. Instead, they assign every child that is learning from home an actual teacher. That person takes examples EVERY month of what they are doing and evaluates the progress based on the on-line lesson plans. The teacher he had (and still has this year too) was SUCH a God send. She helped me out SO much the first year. His first grade year went rather well. The only draw back was because Triscuit's kindergarten teacher gave up on him, he never really learned phonics/language arts. We began his first grade year on kindergarten phonics/language arts materials. Triscuit gradually became more interested in school and began looking FORWARD to doing school.

Let's forward to THIS year.

I began this year with a "list of rules" that Triscuit was to follow. Before school even started for the day, we would go over those rules. The first few weeks of his second grade year were OK. They weren't great, but we were getting through the material and he was understanding everything he needed to be. Then, life became a little more difficult. He hit this stage of crying over EVERYTHING. You looked at him wrong and he would cry. Ren Ren warned me of this stage a week PRIOR to him actually hitting it (thanks Ren Ren....I say that in the most SARCASTIC way possible). One of our rules were, "sit correctly in your chair...feet on the floor butt in the chair". Another rule was, "raise your hand if you need to say something or have a question". These TWO rules were particularly hard for him to follow. For a while, I was getting REALLY upset with him. I went as far as to ground him for NOT following rules. I had him have talks with Weenie about his behavior. Regardless of WHAT we did to deter him from misbehaving, NOTHING was working. It donned on me. "What if his kindergarten teacher was right?" So, I began to really OBSERVE his behavior...not from the "mommy" eyes, but from a "teachers" eyes. I could NOT get him to sit still for more than 2 minutes (I timed it). He would constantly interrupt me with loud outbursts on things that didn't even pertain to school. Worst of all, during tests, he would read the directions, but do the test as he INTERPRETED it. For example, if the directions state to circle the mistake in the sentence and re-write the sentence correctly, he would only do the "circle the mistake" part of the directions. I've had him take tests 2 and 3 times because he cannot follow directions. I've gone as far as to change his diet to NO sugar before school (and then limited AFTER school) as well as having him RUN and play BEFORE we start school. NOTHING was helping. Finally, I e-mailed his teacher with my concerns. During our conference call yesterday (even though I was crying feeling like the WORST mother on the face of the earth because I actually PUNISHED him for impulse behavior) she put my mind at ease. She gave me some suggestions as to what could help him. She said that State Law PROHIBITS her from suggesting to us to get Triscuit tested...but she did say that I had some valid concerns. She is SUCH a wonderful teacher. I love her dearly! If only ALL teachers were this caring of their students!

When Weenie got home last night, we discussed the situation. MY concern (as was his, my family's, HIS family's and Ren Ren's) was IF he was diagnosed with it, they were going to put him on meds that would cause him to become a Zombie. I love Triscuits personality. I do NOT want ANYTHING to interfere with that. I told his teacher during our conference call that I will try EVERYTHING in my power to help him WITHOUT having to resort to meds. I was told that there ARE things we can try first. There ARE other avenues to venture down. So, Weenie and I decided to get him tested.

I called to make the appointment this morning. While discussing the reason for his visit with the nurse, she asked me why I thought he had A.D.D. I told her the shortened version of the above story. I told her that I wanted to see FOR MYSELF if he had a problem. I told her that I can't ignore what I'm seeing. She said, "You home schooling him to find out FOR YOURSELF if he indeed was having issues, has to be one of the SMARTEST things I've heard in a while." That helped me feel less guilty. She explained the process. First, we will see his Pediatrician and discuss our concerns. IF he feels our concerns are valid, then he will make us an appointment with a behavioral specialist. The specialist will put him through tests. IF HE IS DIAGNOSED WITH A.D.D., there ARE other alternatives to try before medication is suggested! You have NO idea how relieved I feel right now. Not only did it restore my faith in the diagnosing of A.D.D. (because you HAVE to admit, there are WAY too many parents that have their kids on meds because of their "normal" behavior) but it restored my faith in the DOCTORS. It's nice to know that they are now offering alternative therapies....

While speaking with my Mom and Dad yesterday, I told them about something I had found on the Internet. It was a bilingual drop that is supposed to help with A.D.D. There were many testimonials on the product. I wanted to give it a shot, but it was SO freakin' expensive. While talking with them, my Dad says, "You should be getting a package in a few days." I said, "What? What did you do?" He said, "I bought you three months worth." I started to cry. I told him that it was WAY too expensive. My mom said, "Your Father has spoken...drop it." I have the best parents in the world!!!
So, once these appointments are over with and the drops come in, I will keep you all updated on what we find out and if the drops help his behavior.

If you read this whole post, I appreciate you taking the time to do so. If my situation can help just ONE person do what is best for their kid(s), then my time blogging this has NOT been wasted!

New Phrases

With a title like that, I'm sure you're thinking "This has to be about Toblerone." Umm...no. Try again.

This year in school, Triscuit is learning a BUNCH of new words (as well as learning how to spell). Last Friday (before Trick or Treating), Triscuit was doing his Title 1 program through Compass Learning (computer based reading and phonics program). Defect was ONE of the words.

After Trick or Treating, we were sitting around in front of my sisters house talking with her and some other friends. It has been 4 months since they (the friends) had seen the boys and were commenting on just how BIG they had gotten. One person was flabbergasted while looking at Toblerone. All the sudden we hear:

Triscuit: "Yes, my brother is defective."

The friend says, "Did you just say "Your brother is defective?"

Triscuit: *with a smile* "Yes."

Trying NOT to laugh, I say: "Triscuit! That's not nice! Why would you say that?"

No answer comes from Triscuit....just an ornery smile.

Saturday comes around and we are out and about doing errands. We have to go to my husbands work to scan and e-mail Triscuit's work samples for November (requirement for AZVA). We decide to go eat at Taco Smell (Bell) before we start slashing away at the errand list. While at Taco Smell, Weenie and I start discussing the trip we have planned for Disneyland Halloween 2009. During a pause in the conversation, we hear:

Triscuit: "Roller coasters SUCK!"

I look at Weenie and he's looking at me....he's trying not to spit his Enchirito out all over the place. Then, he points...TO ME.

I have to admit, my personality is very, VERY dry and sarcastic (in case you haven't noticed). When I hear something that I don't like, I will often say, "Well.....THAT sucks!" Yes...I am to blame for that one.

We try and explain to Triscuit that roller coasters do NOT suck. They can be scary, but it's a fun scary (especially at Disneyland).

Triscuit: "Well, I don't want to go on the crappy roller coasters!"

*SIGH*.....I'm thinking, "OH CRAP! He got that from me, too!"

Weenie is giving me this "look" as if to say, "THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"

And, he's right.

After the majority of our errands are complete, we are at Wal-Fart looking at different Christmas decorations (Christmas will be hosted at OUR house this year. Last year's Christmas was a very difficult one. In a way, I KNEW it would be our last one with my Grandmother. Since this year will be the first WITHOUT my Grandmother, I'm trying to make it as happy as possible for everyone). While in the Christmas section, Triscuit says:

Triscuit: "Are your parental units coming down for Christmas?"

I'm thinking, "WHAT?" Then I remember....oh yeah, I use that expression too.

You don't realize just WHAT you say until your children repeat it BACK to you.

I got THIS message from Weenie yesterday:

Message received....LOUD AND CLEAR!

Halloween 2008

Getting my children to focus last Friday was a real chore. During school, Triscuit could do NOTHING but talk about Trick or Treating.

Triscuit: "Mama?"

Mum: "Yes baby."

Triscuit: "You said when we wake up in the morning, it was time for Halloween."

Mum: "What I SAID was, 'When you wake up in the morning, it will BE Halloween.' We don't go trick or treating until it's dark."

Triscuit: "But I don't wanna go when it's dark. It will be scary."

Mum: "Although Halloween is supposed to be scary, you have to remember that it's all fake."

Triscuit: "OK Mama."

We finish school (which was a nightmare) and as 5:00pm rolls around, I am getting the kids ready to go. Here's what they looked like.

Forward an hour and we are on our way to my sisters neighborhood to go trick or treating. My nephew, "B", warned me ahead of time what he was going to dress up as. We pull up to her house, and Triscuit says:

Triscuit: "Where's "B"? Is he going to be something scary?"

Mum: "Yes, but you have to remember that it's "B" under the costume."

We start getting out of the car. Up waltzes "B"....looking like this:

This picture doesn't do "B" justice. He had the nasty make up on and everything!

Triscuit grabs a hold of my leg like there's no tomorrow!

Triscuit: "Mama! Is that "B"???"

Mum: "Yes, it is."

Triscuit: *lets go of my pants* "OK...." (he's still extremely close to me).

As we walk up to my sisters front door, we see caution tape, a sheet over her sunflower (her sunflower had wilted just enough to look like it was hunching over), fake spider webs, a strobe light and we hear a CD playing a bunch of scary noises.

Triscuit stops dead in his footsteps.

Triscuit: "Mama! I'm scared!"

Mum: "It's OK Triscuit! It's fake. Remember what Mama told you?"

Triscuit: "I don't like it..."

My sister picks up on Triscuits fear and tries to calm him down. It doesn't work. As we are getting ready to go trick or treating, Weenie decides to take some pictures (and I actually MADE myself get in front of the lens). The looks on our faces were CLASSIC.....

Toblerone is starring intently at another kid that was there (he had a mask that when you squeezed a pump, it made blood run down the mask).

It was around 90 degrees that night and HOT, hence the redness to my face. I just want Weenie to take the flippin' picture so I can get out from IN FRONT of the camera.

Then, there's Triscuits expression. Bahahahahahahaha!!!! As my sister said, "I think he had that look on his face for the majority of the night."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

And here's ONE more picture. This one was taken just to show the SIZE of my children. I'm 5'9 (which is tall for a girl), so you can see just how tall Triscuit and Toblerone are. If Triscuit would have stood up STRAIGHT, the top of his head is right at my chest.

Yet another picture full of expression. Toblerone was raring to go...he just kept pointing and saying, "NOM!"

I'm NOT happy (as you can tell). My mother said, "You look like you're saying, 'Grab my broom and let me beat you with it'".

Triscuit is still scared and NOT wanting to go trick or treating. He could have cared LESS about the candy....he just wanted to go home!

Hopefully, next year will be a little better!