Play Ball ! ! !

Canyon had his first ball game today. We got there extra early and got to see the older team (11 and up ) play first. Canyon will be on that team next year. It was great. I loved to see all the faces of the kids I have worked with in the past out there.

Here Canyon and Sahara practice before the game starts.





Canyon's first time around to home plate he stops to pick up some bats laying around and poses for a picture. What a goof!

Swing!

Wooo Hooo! Another run! I love that I got the picture with him in the air!


They all had a great time and played hard.

The big switch-a-roo

It's time! Time to dig out all the summer clothes and pack up all the winter clothes. I usually do this on Spring Break, but we still had some chilly days ahead after then. It was in the 80 last week and I don't see us heading back to the 50s in the future. The week ahead is 80s and 70s. The pollen is THICK and everything is covered in yellow pollen dust. Canyon seems to be doing all right and Sahara seems hardly effected, I have major congestion and cough and sore throat and sneezing.

Canyon's first big game is in a few hours. I'll post pictures as soon as I can :)

I enlisted the help of a couple of Sahara's guy friends, Teri and Zach to help with my flower beds. (They were claiming to be bored so I put them to work)


Of course the had to give us a show. Acting as if the 40 pound bag of potting soil was too much to handle.

Oh boyyyyys!

Yep. Whatever they can do, she can do better!


Mila and I ( and the kids) then went to Lowe's and got new flowers to plant.

District Derby

We made it to the District Derby. It was much nicer than last year. Each year a different town in the district holds the derby and this year it was at a BIG gym in Clarksville. Canyon did fairly well and I explained to one of the officials about his condition and they all seemed to pick up on his need of assistance pretty fast and all pitched in to get him where he was supposed to be. Only one other boy from his pack showed up and both of their cars did not do so hot.

Here canyon waits while some more boys are checking in.

Canyon and 2 other boys have a race. (Canyon came in last in his 3 races)

Everyone gets a blue participation ribbon. :)

Easter at Charlas

The kids waiting for the green light to start the hunt.



Because of the rain, the hunt was indoors and on the porch.

After the hunt when everyone is checking out their loot, where is Canyon? Glued to the TV watching Madagascar.

Easter morning

Got to love that hair!

The Coloring of the Eggs

TADA!!

Canyon's Egg Hunt

I took Canyon to the church down the road from us for the big egg hunt. 10,000 eggs and about 100 kids. Canyon was with the middle schoolers and they are really fast. So he ended up with about 15 eggs. Which is fine, but I should have just put him down with the ele aged kids. Sahara wasn't with us for the first time ever. She had spent the night at a friends and didn't want to get up early. (10:00 am). So it was just the boy. I guess she is getting too big for this stuff. The weather was awesome. I hope it lasts thru tomorrow, but it is supposed to storm starting around noon.

Spring Pictures

I took the kids to Bona Dea this weekend to do Spring pictures. The weather was awesome! I got some good shots, but the one I liked the best, canyon was not looking at the camera. That's the way it goes.

Spring Break...day 10

aaaaaaand, it's over. Well, I guess I should be glad we even got 10 days, but now it's straight thru till summer break.

The kids are back from Memphis!!! YAY! And smellin like smoke. :< I'm washing everything even if it wasn't worn. Canyon is having a hard time re-adjusting. Sahara just doesn't like that school is tomorrow.

I got the Easter stuff out today and had to trash my village. Moisture got in the bag and in the container and mold was all over everything. I tried to scrub it all away, but couldn't get all the nooks and crannies so I tossed them.

Spring Break...day9

How did you spend Earth Hour?

Reading by candle light is pretty tricky.


I had the whole day to myself....................................................................................

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and did absolutely nothing. I did go to Hallmark for b-day cards for April and then missed the post office closing by 5 minutes. (sorry Tobey, will get your gift out on Monday)

Spring Break...day 8

The day started out slow. Then before we knew it, it was 1 o'clock and time for Canyon to go off with Rusty. Sahara and I went to the Bona Dea Trails again but only for a short while. We had to hurry back to pack the kids to go to Memphis for a weekend with dad. We met James in Little Rock and then he laid a bomb on me. Letting the kids continue on was a big mistake, but I will have to live with it. They are due back in Little Rock Sunday afternoon and that might just be their last visit to dads (or Memphis) unless court ordered. Can't share details just yet so please don't ask ( family ) :) We are ok and it will all work out somehow. BIG storm heading our way (real storms, not what I was just talking about).

Mel, you have gotten me addicted to that Farm Town thing. I can't get away from it!!!

Spring Break...day 7

Canyon really needed a hair cut, Sahara was beggin for a haircut, so we all went today and we all got chopped. Sahara's took forever! Found out the guy doing her hair put something in it at the sink and then used irons to 'fix' it. I only had asked for a cut! So hers was also more money then Canyon's and mine put together. But it looks really nice. I have a bit higher then shoulder bob and Canyon just has a boys cut. Then we went out to lunch. And then to see KNOWING. I thought it was pretty good, but very predictable. I knew what was going to happen next the whole way thru. Maybe that's what 'knowing' is all about tho. It kind of mixed religious aspects with science.

Spring Break...day6

Gosh! The days are just flying by! I got a few errands done this morning while Sahara watched Canyon. I brought McD's home for lunch and then Canyon went off with Rusty for play and fun. Sahara and I went and walked for an hour on the Bona Dea Trails. Come to find out, the best part, the suspension bridge, had been taken out and the pond by it was dried up. I hope they replace it. :(
I had a little accident. After cooking the noodles for dinner tonight, I poured to strain the water and did it a bit too fast. The water from the pot hit the bottom of the sink, swirled up the back side and splashed back at me (my stomach actually). I have a 2 inch stripe horizontally over my belly button. It is red and blistery and hurts :( :(

Spring Break...day 5

Shopping in Little Rock was great. Sahara and I used up the rest of our gift cards from (Aunt) Kristy. I got a couple shirts and one for Canyon too. Plus a necklace. Sahara got a couple shirts and lounge pants. We went to Conway next and did some more shopping. I tried on some swimsuits. YIKES! That's not going to happen. We ended up in a down pour in Conway and got to drive home in it. Took Sahara's friend home and came home ourselves. Exhausted!

Spring Break...day 4

It is soooo nice to have a clean vehicle! I cleaned the inside of my truck and it looks and smells so good. This has not been done in about a year. I spent an hour on it and could have spent another hour easy. Also I donated 6 cases of size 5T pull ups to Canyon's old preschool today. I'm sure glad to finally get rid of them and free up some space. I tried to get the mowing done but the blades wont engage. :( Having someone look at it. Canyon spent a few hours with Rusty (his wavier worker) and they went to the park and played and played. He should sleep good tonight. Sahara is having a friend spend the night and we are going to Little Rock tomorrow for shopping and lunch. 70 percent chance of rain so at least this will be all inside. (except the drive there of course)

Spring Break...day 3

Got to sleep in again. Course when you are up to 12 or 1 it's not hard to do. Got some laundry done and the day was so nice we went to the park. While Canyon played, I walked the 'track' 3 times. That is all my body could take. But, I am going to try to go back and do that at least every other day during spring break. Looks like the weather will let me do that every other day too. Rain on the the other days. We also hit Walmart and got Canyon cleats and a glove for baseball. The glove is youth but is a little too big for him. But he has to have a right hand glove as he is left handed and there aren't may choices. I also weed poisoned the weeds in the yard within 100 feet of the house. I need to mow tomorrow tho because lots more rain expected Tuesday. Also, Sahara loved the blond streaks I put in her hair so much we got some more today. I think it will be a when-the-sun-goes-down project.

Spring Break....day 2

A bust. Slept in but when I got up I realised that it had silently rained all night so mowing will have to be put off till next weekend. Dyed my hair (and a bit of Sahara's) with blond frost. Different look for me, but I like it so far. Sahara worked on her science fair project for a few hours and got most the the work and typing done and saved on the computer. So far, I really liked her experiment last year the best with the CSI fingerprinting. Tomorrow, we have got to get out of the house. Hoping the weather will be nice so Canyon can go to the park at least.

Spring Break...day1

We slept in!!! I actually got more than 6 hours sleep (with the help of Nyquil). That's a first in the last 2 weeks. Sahara has been entertaining herself with newly found Weird All Yankovic videos on YouTube. She has be watching them and laughing all morning (now afternoon). I told her she should watch the original video first so she knows what is being made fun of. She likes Amish Paradise, You can have whatever you want, and Found it on eBay (tooo funny!) the best. Canyon is getting ready to spend a few hours with his Waiver, and I have been straightening the house and when Canyon leaves take a load of stuff to MARVA. I have a list of things to get done this week off. Major thing to do; Sahara's science fair project.

Spring Break! ... Here we come!

Tomorrow at 3:10 I am offically on Spring Break! YAY!

My kids have to wait till 3:30. HAHAHAHAHA

Signed up

I finally got Canyon signed up for the baseball team for special needs kids. They said they were having a good turn out. 45ish kids signed up now and it still is weeks away. :)

Here we go again

We had a record high of 82 yesterday.
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Possible snow this weekend.

We will all be sick next week

As Arizona has it's own informal state motto: ~But it's a dry heat~

And I have heard of 1 for Connecticut ~We like our martinis shaken, not stirred~ (I guess they drink a lot of those there???)

Ours, Arkansas' is ~Don't like the weather, stick around, it will change in 15 minutes~

Last Saturday we had snow. Not enough here to stick, but 30 miles away they got a couple inches. Yesterday and today, 8o degrees. It usually takes a good week to 10 days and everyone will have bad colds. The weather will probably be nice, 70ish and sunny for a few days before everyone gets sick and we'll all wonder why is everyone sick when it's so nice out. Then we will remember the cold weather that was out of the blue the week before.

A Field of Angels

I found out that there is going to be a softball team for kids with disabilities right here in Pottsville. It's for all area kids with disabilities but all the games will be played right here. The kids range in age from 4 - 18. Plus each kid will be paired with a volunteer so parents can sit back and enjoy the game. Sahara volunteered to be a volunteer and I'm so glad she did because I was going to sign her up anyway. So far they have 17 kids signed up (I was on the phone with the guy setting it all up for 45 minutes the other night), plus I have been promoting the poop out of it. I hope with my help and from working with the kids in my district, I can get another 15 or so to sign up. I also listed it on several sites for local sports events so maybe that will bring in even more. Best of all it's FREE.

Breakfast anyone?

Apparently Canyon decided to make breakfast for Sahara and I before anyone was up this morning.

'Waffles', he said.




His ingredients:

pancake mix (that'll work)

2 eggs (not necessary, but OK)

and

Corky's BBQ sauce (YUMMY!!)

I'm just glad he didn't get out the waffle maker or turn on anything that gets hot.

Derby Days....The race is on....

We had the pack derby at the scout masters house tonight. 8 boys raced.

On your mark, get set, RACE!

With 8 boys, you get to race about every 4 times. That wait is not too hard to do.

Derby Days... And the winner is....

Canyon gets Best Of Show!!!

He got Best of Show last year so we did not expect it this year at all.

He got 1st Place too!

We certainly did not expect 1st place!!!
Go Canyon!!!

Doctor update

Canyon's thyroid test came back normal.

:)

A doctor disaster

Canyon had a physical today for the waiver program which lets him go with a worker a few days a week for a few hours. Gives him time and experience with someone else and keeps him from being bored all the time at home. Anyway, the doc saw him and except for Canyon refusing to let him look in his ears, all went well. Then the doc asked when was the last time his thyroid was tested? I honestly couldn't remember and think he was just a toddler when it last was. In fact, I think he was little enough that he could still have blood drawn from the bottem of his foot. Because of Down syndrome,, it needs to be tested every few years. So, off to the lab we went. He sat in the chair, got the big rubber band on his arm, saw the needle coming at him and as the nurse held his arm, he panicked. So, she called for back up. I told her it has taken as many as 6 nurses, a dr and myself to hold him down at the ear dr. She came back with 3 other nurses. I sat and had him on my lap with my legs around his waist. A nurse had his legs. One had his other arm. One had the arm to draw the blood. And I used my arms to hold around his chest. They were able to extract about 1/2 and inch of blood in the little tube and he was squeezing so hard he popped the needle out of his arm. Then he melted to the floor and refused to get up crying and crying. I got him to get up after much pleading and promises. They said they hoped they can make do with what they got. I over heard them talking about having hard to deal with kids before, but never had one soooo strong before.
He finally got over the ordeal after an hour.

OH and he is 52 1/2 inches tall and 71 pounds now. Gettin toooo big!

My My My...What do we have here?

Sascha started barking like crazy on the back patio and she usually never does that. Sahara turned on the back light and saw she was barking at the dog food container right next to the back door. This guy's tail must have been hanging out when Sascha came up because the end of it was bitten off and blood was drip-dropped in a puddle right next to the container. We managed to get the dog to come around to the front to get in the house, but Chloe the cat was just sitting by the food container waiting to be scooped some food. She would not come to the front. So, I had to open the back door and have her come in that way squeezing thru a space about 4 inches big because I was afraid 'mouth of teeth' there was going to either attack her or come running in after her. I stuck my hand and the camera out the door to snap these pictures. It was pretty scary tho. It's teeth were 1/2 an inch long.

midnight visitor

We found these hoof prints inches from our front door. Didn't have time to investigate before school. After school we found hundreds of hoof prints all around the house and back yard and a pile of horse poop by the shed. We lost the trail out by the ditch a ways down the road. The neighbors at the end of the road have our old Poncho and he is the only horse on the street. The other neighbors down there say he is in the pasture back there. Hmmmm, either he came 'home' for a visit in the middle of the night and then went back or we have a phantom horse stalking us now.

Special me :)

I got a treat Saturday morning. Canyon woke up pretty early and Sahara ended up getting him and bringing him to my bed. We all tried to go back to sleep but we all have colds and have a hard time breathing while laying down. So, I turned on cartoons really quietly for Canyon and I think I got a wink or 2. Then Sahara took Canyon out of the room and 15 minutes later he asked if I wanted coffee. "mommy?, coffee?" I said yes and a few minutes later I got a tray of chocolate chip pancakes and coffee in bed :)

We have a poltergeist problem

Saturday night we went to bed really late and when I was just about asleep, around 2:30 am, I heard either my bedroom door or my bathroom door squeak open or closed about 6 inches. That's what it sounded like anyway. It was definitely one of those 2 doors tho. 2 nights later at about the same time at night, but when I was asleep for quite a while, it sounded like someone backed into the gun cabinet next to my bed. I even felt the puff of cooler air hit me. On the way to work that day I kept feeling puffs of wind in my hair even tho all the windows in the truck were up. Today before the kids got home from school, I was sitting on the couch with a really bad headache and heard the squeaky door thing again coming from way down the hall (same 2 doors???) and at the same moment, so did the dog. When I told Sahara about the happening today, she reminded me that this past weekend wasn't the first time. About 2 weeks ago I was waiting for the kids to come home laying on the couch and heard someone say 'hello?' in my ear that was laying on the pillow. My first thought was that I had been talking on the phone and it slipped but that was just a zip of a thought that went thru my mind when I realized I hadn't been on the phone. Weird! Plus Sahara had that dream with the dark beings in my room just after Christmas.

GO CARDINALS

Win or lose, we have to support our home state!

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well....

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that was heartbreaking.

At least it wasn't a landslide. And the Steelers only won buy the tip of their toe.

Literally.