Family Christmas Craft

We have been talking alot in parent group about giving up our control and letting us as adults, follow our children s leads. This is super hard for alot of parents to do, me being right at the top of the list. I am the type of person who has TOTAL OCD, and will admit it. I like everything to be neat and perfect all of the time. It takes alot, but I've been working on it alot this week with the boys.... Colin and I have had play time alone 2 times, the second time it was actually initiated by him! And I let him take the lead. Caden and I read some books together and instead of me needing to stop and read every single page, I let him take control, hold the book and I would just talk about the pictures on the pages, instead of feeling like I needed to read everything that was on that page. So today, I thought we thought we would try to do a very simple Christmas craft, that the boys could do as well, and I would string it up in the dining room when it was complete. I sat back and just let them do everything that they wanted to with the stickers that were given to them. I think they turned out great and now we have some super cute homemade craft hanging in the archway! Good Job Courtney, Caden and Colin!

The finished product - I LOVE it!

Trying for a picture - No go

Gingerbread man

Concertrating

Courtney and Caden all done

Courtney working hard

Caden so proud!

Colin working on his!

Showing off the hard work

Smile Caden!

Caden and Courtney both did work on the stocking -

Courtney with her first stocking

Happy Birthday Kayla!!

This past Monday was Kayla's 6th Birthday, which Dave and Stacy celebratted with a party on Sunday. We had a good time.... until the end of the evening when Caden was approched by another child to play. It got pretty ugly after that, Caden was in meltdown mode, crying madly, I was crying, becuase it hurts me so badly that my son can't have a normal relationship with his peers. that is the first time, I've ever seen him in that situation. It absolutly broke my heart to pieces. I wish so badly I could just "fix" him and let him know it's ok for others to be near him and interact with them. In the end it was just too much for both of us to handle and Mike and I took Caden home to settle down and Stacy offered to keep Colin and Courtney and bring them home later. It was nice to be able to calm down alone with Caden and have that 1:1 time, especially after what happened. Caden had a tough time for a while.... Me even longer. Dave and Stacy were so great to keep the kids ~ I am so grateful everyday that they've come into our lives!

Courtney & Kayla - I love this picture of them.

Notice Colin trying to climb up Dave?? He was stuck to Dave for like an hour!

Dave & Stacy - how sweet!

Kalya opening the gifts

Patricia & Bella

Kayla with one of our gifts, Stacy's mom is next to her on the floor and her dad is in the green shirt in the background

Kayla's pretty hair- Stacy had me come early to do this for her

Pretty Decorations - I just love the woodwork in their house

Caden and Felix

Happy 6th Birthday Kayla!!

New Moon Party

This past Saturday was the big New Moon party that we've been waiting for held by our Friend Michelle - 47 of us attended and did the last showing of new moon that evening. The party was fun . there was Tons of food! We had apple dip, taco dip, pizza dip, bread dip, chicken wing dip, pizza, chips and dip.... Cosmo's, wine, beer, I could go on forever! Michelle sure did outdo herself - they are already trying to figure out who is doing the Eclipse party! :-) Not I! We did have fun though... And enjoyed the life size cutouts of Edward and Bella (Edward more then Bella!)

These posters were everywhere - covering every picture she had in her house!

They stuck all 47 of us in the birthday room, before they brought us down into the theatre

Courtney & Alyssa Munching away

Best Friends -

Nancy with Edward - Her and Hannah had gone to see the movie that afternoon, as a gift to Nancy ~ However, after being at the party, they both decided to go with us again that night!! Die Hards!

yea - I am quite Pathetic - holding Edwards hand! LOL

Michelle - after quite a few drinks, we finally arrived at the theatre!

Walking up to the house - there were lanterns along the walkway, the red carpet, a fog machine and Edward....

Moon Cookies - with the name of every movie character

Courtney, Amanda, Alyssa & Hannah posing w/Edward

View of the front Door, red carpet area (and Nancy)

Courtney & Edward

Edward greeting us upon entering the porch

Courtney Update

So Courtney has made the merit roll for the end of the 1st marking period. We are very proud of her and her hard work. Her final average was an 87.6 ~ So we can strive to make the honor roll our goal next quarter!

Courtney's first full season of cheerleading came to a close 2 weeks ago with our last competition at Buffalo State College - where the girls placed 3rd. The week before that we were at UB North Campus where was placed 2nd against some HARD competition and before that we were are the SubZero Competition at Clarence High school where we placed 4th. All of girls did really great this season and worked super super hard. Since August 6th, we spent 4 nights at week at practice and Saturday's at the football field. It's been hectic, but so worth it. Her end of the season banquet will be on Dec. 6th at the Millennium hotel and were all looking forward to it. She recently tired out for to cheer for the school basketball team, but unfortunately didn't make the squad. I told her that just gives her more reason to try harder next season!

We got to enjoy a nice girls night out last Saturday with the "New Moon" release party a friend of our's threw. We had a great time at her party, and all posed with the cardboard Edward for our photo ops! :-) After the party, 47 yes, count that 47 women Just in our group alone, packed into the local theatre for the late night showing of the movie. We drooled a couple times. And got goosebumps more times. We are both really looking forward to the Eclipse movie release set for June 30th.

~Our Cheerleader~

This is the professional picture taken in October - only 2 more weeks and we have the big banquet. It sure does fly by!

Weird Weather

Today is November 20th. We have yet to have any measurable snow in our area. This is quite unheard of around here. I am not complaining however! We have had temps all over the boards for the past month of so. Last week it was in the 60's. One night however it got into the 20's. the Day time temps have all been in the upper 40's, low 50's for the most part, with it only dropping below 40 during the day here and there. This coming weekend is promising as well, with temps in the 50's and SUN. Up until yesterday, we had gone a good 3 or 4 weeks with no rain either. Yesterday, that changed. We ended up with a record breaking 1.44 inches in less then 24 hours. They were saying today, that had that been snow, we would have gotten over 1.5 feet in that same amount of time. So we broke the 100 year old record for yesterday rainfall. They also said the last time it didn't snow in the entire month of November was back in 2001 - That year the following December was the year that we got the 8 feet of snow over a 3 day period. Reason to worry?? Not sure. I do know though, with these temps staying where they are, I know that lake is pretty darn warm for this time of year! Only time will tell exactly what we are in for!

Angel amoung us

I was blessed today by THIS amazing lady. We've as you all know have previously gotten Caden both his weighted Blanket and wrap from Donna at Affordable Weighted Blankets. Well we've been having many many problems with Colin lately. Not only sleep problems, although that has been escalating, but some pretty serious behavior problems as well. After talking to the doctor about Colin, we've come to a Verbal diagnosis of ADHD - I say verbal, because he is actually Too young to be clinically diagnosed & treated (outside of behavior modification, which we do anyway) but we've been though all of these appts and various stages for months and he is only getting progressively worse, not better. It is way beyond terrible 2's and I need some answers. So anyway - I've thought about a weighted blanket for Colin, but never took it to the next level, because I knew we didn't have the money in our budget to get him one. Unfortunately like the rest of the country we are struggling to make ends meet, then add in the upcoming holiday and that just adds to the stress - so any extras are set to the back burner for quite a long time. After some discussion last night on facebook with a couple of friends, Donna posted on my page to email her. Which I did this morning - not knowing why. She offered to Donate to us, a weighted blanket for Colin. Of course I accepted - how could I not?? I have never been offered any greater gift, I've never taken any sort of donation or anything - Not because I was too proud, but I've never been in a such a spot where I've had too. I've always tried to be able to help others out when I can, especially during the holiday season. Donna has just given us (& Colin) the best Christmas gift I could possibly ask for. I can't wait to receive the blanket, that i know already comes from love, and unconditional generosity.

Thank you Donna & the rest of the staff at Affordable Weighted Blankets!!

Autism from a parents point of view

Click the link Below - This is the most amazing moving video. I can't get enough of it. And can't hold back the tears each and every time I watch it.

Autism from a parents point of view

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Extreme Home Pictures Galore!

I sure hope no one is tired of me and my Extreme home makeover pictures. I am just so PROUD to live in a town that welcomed the project and took it above and beyond what the show has ever seen before! Here are the last of my pictures and I can't wait until January to see how Buffalo is represented and the inside of this amazingly beautiful home!!

Project Complete! 7 days!

Welcome Home Powell Family!!

All the amazing volunteers who made this happen!

Ty working on his special project!

Ty on the porch

Ty & Ashanti hanging out waiting for the big moment!

I just LOVE this shot of Ty- Not sure why, but Man it's nice! LOL

Terri and Ty

Friendly Michael waving still!

Michael hanging out the arts trailer.

Of course producer - Jonathan! The man behind it ALL!

side view

The gardens all lit up

All of the volunteers and community coming together ~ what an amazing thing!

The infamous bus!

Here comes Ashanti - their fav. music star!

Ty with the family before the reveal!!- not sure who the blonde is???