Really, I have a 17 year old child?

I gave birth to my 1st child 17 years ago today....

He is over 6 feet tall, thin, smart, likes to speak Japanese, play video games, and has written an E-book available on Amazon. Oh yeah, and he has Autism.

Happy Birthday Daniel Stephen......

After the age of 3 years old or so Danny was never much of a picture taker. I take what I can get. He enjoyed the old purple clay teapot and tea accessories including a book on Japanese tea culture and ceremony I gave him at his party last weekend. We will see what his interests are in the days, weeks, and years to come.

New diapers.. Should I really be this happy?

 

 

New diapers....

Aren't they lovely? They are freaking awesome! And they were really cheap. I was very happy and then greatly disappointed when a local boutique in my small town (out side of a big city) started selling cloth pocket diapers and small wet bags. I bought one cute diaper and an extra wet bag because my small one is wearing out. I got home and look closer at them. The owner of the boutique implies that she makes all the items in her shop but these are straight from China. I wasn't upset about the China part but about the misrepresentation part. And, the fact that she charges 3 times over cost I thought that was a bit much. I looked up the company and when I had saved up some money I ordered the above diapers. They are great. And they were super cheap and shipping was fast and free. The bamboo diaper shown in the bottom picture is so pretty on my 11 month old and they all work wonderfully.  I have tried both types shown (typical $4.00 solid colors and the velour and bamboo ones) overnight and no leaks and no blow outs. I am very pleased. I got some extra wet bags also because they were so cheap and two extra large sized diapers for my boys who wet at night and for Elaina as she gets older. She is so petite she may never grow the adjustable one size fits all size. Now, I know all of my readers are on the edge of their seats as to where I got these diapers. They are Alva Baby diapers. Yes, I said Alva Baby. I know a lot of people don't like them and they prefer to support local in country businesses but hey, a girl on a budget has to do what a girl on a budget has to do.

17 years ago my first child was due to be born...

Of course he wasn't actually born till 4 days later. I cannot believe Danny is almost 17 years old. I was that age when I met his father. For almost a year or so I have not spent much time with Danny for a lot of reasons. A lot has to do with the fact that he lives mainly with his father, he is Autistic, and as a young man has shown some disturbing violent tendencies.

Today was a good day. All of the kids and my mother celebrated an early birthday with Danny. We went to my favorite place, the waterfall in Helena. Danny had sushi and everyone else enjoyed cupcakes and fruit.

I really connected with Danny today. He talked to me a lot. We share some common interest in herbal teas. I found a great book on Japanese tea ceremony. I also parted with a teapot from my collection made from Chinese purple clay. Danny even picked through my dried herbal collection for some herbs to be use in tea making.

I had a small mortar and pestle left over from the craft show and when I offered it to him he practically snatched it from my hands. I know he will put it to good use.

All in all it was a good afternoon. Connor still has some difficulty separating from his father. For a 12 and a half year old he is extremely attached to his dad to the point that he is unable to function in public social situations. I am very worried about him. He is my son and it is my job to protect him.

All the little kids enjoyed themselves. Eliot enjoys having her biggest brothers to talk to even if she gets on their nerves. That doesn't stop her. Lyn of course was a typical teenager and just texted her friends all afternoon. Elaina and Ben played and called the shots and Evan tried to be the boss and Annika tried to be the little mama. All normal in my household....

A picnic with some littles...

 

We took a walk with a basket and a blanket. We found caterpillars and what I think is tansy. It is great to work part time so I can be able to spend time with my children.

Happy Earth Day

 

 

After Annika's speech evaluation we stopped by a local plant shop to pick up some flowers and herbs to plant for Earth Day.

 

I think we found some good ones....

 

Evan and Eliot can look so sweet when they try.

 

 

 

 

 

Having fun planting flowers..

 

 

Annika's speech evaluation

 

Annika was a little nervous during her speech evaluation. Annika does not have any difficulty with articulation but she has difficulty with language processing at times. I am curious to see how she scores on this test. In my line of work I spend so much time just trying to get a young child to say any sound that seeing how an older child processes language is an interesting experience. After we get the results we will see if she needs any regular therapy. I feel she would benefit from therapy but we will see....

 

The therapist and I cut her evaluation short. We will finish it at another session. She just could not quite complete the test. It was a long process. I am very proud of her. Her vocabulary is large and she understands idioms well. I knew all of that though already. We will see how she does with pragmatics....

 



 

Girls showing off

Eliot and Annika were trying out their strength tonight. Annika is convinced she has gotten super strong over the weekend!!

Lunch in the sun..

Hummus, cheese sticks, crackers, and fresh fruit...
The sun was bright but Ben and Eliot enjoyed eating on their play table in the front yard.

Going wild...

I have a spot on the side of the house that I am letting grow wild. I have added one wildflower I dug up off the roadside other than that everything growing is the result of nature. I did throw down some wildflower seed but I am not sure they will take. Already we have at least 5 edible plants growing there. My neighbor may not like it but I am enjoying the experiment.

The Craft Fair was a success...

Last Saturday I participated in my first all day craft show. I went a bit overboard on what I had to offer but I made a few sells and and made a lot of contacts. Lyn helped out and offered Henna body art painting. It was a beautiful day and I got a little sunburned but I had a lot of fun.

Sick 6 year old....

I am so glad the kids' doctor only takes walk-ins. No appointments necessary...

Evan looks like he may have strep throat. He is my child that is most prone to get sick. He doesn't get sick often but it is more often than the other kids. I can honestly say it has been at least a year since he was sick enough to go to the doctor.

Play hard and you crash wherever you are

Ben was so tired he just fell asleep in the closet. Sweet boy.....

My daughter Lyn, now when did she grow up?

Wow!! Lyn is growing up fast. She ordered this dress made specifically for the 8th grade banquet. She designed her jewelry from my bead bag and left overs. I hope she has fun....

What's for dinner? Fried dandelions of course...

Annika picked them. I fried them and we all ate them. Yummmm and free for the picking in the yard and so good for you.

My fennel heart

 

As I culled my fennel today to share with a neighbor the little kids wanted a taste. Annika decided she wanted to take some for snack tomorrow to school. She brought it inside and I showed her how to clean and prepare it. She thought it looked like a heart... And since Annika is blessed to be unique enough to have double superior vena cavas (the veins that drain the blood from the head and neck into the heart) this fennel piece was grown just for her!!

I agree

Fennel is one of my favorite vegetables. It is sweet. It tastes and smells just like licorice. I love making fennel tea. the smell alone relaxes me.

Waiting and waiting..

The process to get some special considerations or special education services for Annika has begun. She is receiving a lot of private therapies but since she attends public school it is about time she gets some considerations there....

We will see what happens.

Elaina growing up

This little girl who is barely 10 months old can say about 5 words, cruise all around the furniture, grab the food right out of your mouth, and now she thinks she can drive. All of my kids have developed at different rates. Some have been right on target, a little behind, a lot behind, and some have been a little ahead. But Elaina takes the cake. She has been an even tempered baby and is fast becoming a bright little toddler before her parents are ready. Where did my baby go?

10 months old

Can you believe Elaina is 10 months old today?

Time flies....

A day with two of my pretty girls

Wonderful weather today....

Elaina inspecting my new teapots.....

The trail before us....

Today 3 of the kids and I went for a walk.

Spring's first rewards

Finally I have a few blossoms to cull. A lily, two lavender clusters, and two geranium  clusters. I can't wait for more to bloom.