...But he is a star!

When we told GL about Schoolhouse Rock Live!, we told him that Bantam 13, his hero from church, would be in it. He thought that was very exciting. He loved the show, and enjoyed seeing Bantam 13 in it, but he was slightly disappointed. He thought we were going to see a movie and that Bantam 13 was a movie star!

Unpack Your Adjectives

We just got home from a CYT production of Schoolhouse Rock Live! The CYT kids sang many of my favorites, including Conjunction Junction, What's Your Function?, I'm Just a Bill, Three is a Magic Number, and The Tale of Mr. Morton.

I think we added a new phrase to the family idiom: "That's MY rhinoceros!" Even GL, who gets anxious in crowds and starts screaming, enjoyed the show and had no behavior problems—despite this theater having the worst-designed lobby and exits I've ever seen. If there were an emergency before or after the show, or during intermission, no one could get in or out in less than 20 minutes. The cast did an excellent job, we all had fun, and all I can say is, "Darn! That's the end!"

Inspiration vs. Perspiration

One of my favorite blogs is Cake Wrecks. They highlight professional made cakes gone wrong. In honor of Cake Wrecks today I post our own family's version of Inspiration vs. Perspiration. First I am NOT a pro. I have never had any training in cake decorating, but when Brother Bear suggested we make Goldilocks a LEGO cake I didn’t have the heart brains to say “no”. So it’s supposed to be a lego 2 X 3 brick. I tried. Goldilocks loved it, so I guess that’s all that matters. Goldilocks is now 12! I will post more on his birthday celebration soon. Also I have family pics, to share but don’t want to put too many pictures in one post.

Concealed Weapons in School

(During Grammar)
Me: What's that tapping sound?
Brother Bear: Oh, that's my sword.
Me: I think it's a distraction. Could you put it away, please?
BB: Okay. (Hangs sword on an adjacent chair.)
Me: When you go to school, I think you have to check your sword at the door.
BB: Is that a rule?
Me: It is now.

So the new rule is: You can bring weapons to school; you just can't play with them during class.

What is God doing?

Recently at our church, we were asked to testify as to what God is doing in our lives. I was too shy to go forward at the time. I made the excuse that many people would want to share. As it was, only one dear lady came forward. What she had to say was very touching. I’m really glad she spoke to us, but since then I have felt the Holy Spirit prodding me to share. So you blog readers get what I should have said in church.

As the mother of a child with a disability, I often am short of time, energy and motivation. This sometimes results in Brother Bear getting less attention than I would like. Papa Bear does his best to fill any empty spaces and most of the time we do fine. Once in a while there is a need that we can not fill. Some months ago Brother Bear expressed the desire to pray for his needs, private thoughts and frustrations with Goldilocks, with someone. Papa Bear & I said “Sure, we will listen”, but Brother Bear wanted someone other than family. Enter the men in our church. Every man on our church serving committee has been asked at least once to listen and pray with Brother Bear. Not one has ever said “No” or “I don’t have the time” . They all have served this young man by showing him Christ in a real and tangible way. These men show Brother Bear that he is valuable to God, that the issues of importance to him are important to God as well. So, What is God doing? He is raising up caring men, who show Christ’s love to a young boy who strives to be a Godly young man.

The View from My Window

It warmed up into the teens today. GL has been screaming, hitting BB, and annoying everyone. But not any more than usual. It's been snowing lightly most of the day. Again. I'll have to post some snowbank pictures soon. Here were the views from my windows yesterday:

Communion

When we take Communion, our pastor, PR, likes to have the congregation gather around the table. A fine idea, full of warm fuzzies for some people, but distressing for GL. It's not just that it's a change of routine, although that's always difficult, but with everyone milling around on the steps at the altar, he doesn't know where he is supposed to stand, and he doesn't know where anyone else is supposed to stand, so it's not just all wrong, he can't even imagine how to fix it.

Last Sunday, PR called everyone forward, but had them sit in the choir pews. It was different, but everyone had a place to be, which made it much easier for GL. Thank you, PR!

Sledding Part 6

I think it's a reindeer.



And a Hambone!

Sledding Part 5

And Awaaay We Go!

Sledding Part 4

Tallest person gets in first and rides in back.



Then second tallest in front of him.



Then next tallest.



Shortest person gets in last. If a taller person sits in front of a shorter person, the shorter person can't see where he's going. This isn't always a bad thing.... How many people can we fit on this thing, anyway?

Sledding Part 3

"Old School" doesn't even begin to describe PBP's sled.



He uses an old refrigerator door. Older ones work better because they have rounded corners that slide through the snow easier. (Back in the day, he and his brothers used those old V-shaped hoods from junked cars.) He removed the inside shelves and insulation and attached a rope to pull it back up the hill with. He waxes the front, which is now the bottom, to make it faster. Then he puts in foam rubber cushions to sit on. Oops, it looks like someone is in the way!

Sledding Part 2

Brother Bear was ready to race.




GL had a hard time just staying on his sled.



But he had a great time!

Sledding Part 1

Papa Bear's Papa took the boys and Cousin Bears sledding.

The View from My Window

GL had a very productive day yesterday. Which means, of course, a very unproductive day today.

Weather today: Cold. Forecast for tonight: D— Cold.

Pray for Jacob

Could you pray for Jacob? He is having spinal surgery Monday. He'll spend at least a week in the hospital followed by a long recovery at home before he can return to his usual activities. He's the teenage son of Jean, a photographer and writer who has been an artistic inspiration and personal encouragement in hard times. You can see her work here. She has a blog to track his progress here.

Happy Dance

GL had a very good day today. He finished his schoolwork quickly. He played in the new snow. He left BB alone enough that BB finished his schoolwork by 2:30 and went around the neighborhood looking for shoveling jobs.

GL has been anxious about the new sitter coming when MB and PB go to the special needs parent support group. When he found out it was today, he began obsessing about it. The snow was coming down so thick, we thought the meeting might be cancelled. That really worried him. About 1 pm, the snow stopped. By 3, the streets were clear. We made the necessary phone calls to confirm that the sitter was coming and the meeting was on. He was so excited, he did a happy dance:








Of course, when she got here, he was so excited, he hid his face and wouldn't talk to her. But he did shout, "Good night!" from the other room.

Somewhat Calmer Today

GL was somewhat calmer today. Still annoying everyone, still some yelling, but most of the time quieter. Occasional moments of happiness.
We all slept late today; everything was confused and behind schedule, with one interruption after another. BB didn't finish his schoolwork until 7:30. (Before you feel too sorry for him, he didn't start until afternoon, and had numerous breaks, when school was interrupted and it took a long time to get back to it.) Not a terribly productive day, but we did get done what we had to, and it was better than yesterday. Tomorrow? We'll see.

Cubs just don’t understand

I came home yesterday from the first half of my split-shift with THE BUG. THE BUG is a stomach virus that makes me feel like the losing mole in whack-a-mole. I ache in places I didn’t know I had. The bathroom is my new hangout and EVERYTHING is too loud. So I took a couple of sick days (yesterday and today) as I already had requested Friday off for a de-stress day. I have until Monday to get well. All I want to do is sleep, but the cubs see me home and think it’s time to play. Papa Bear has had a very hard time getting any school done, and someone is constantly coming in the bedroom needing something. I need rest. Post in the comments any restful suggestions you have for getting well soon. Thanks Mama Bear

Screaming Day

GL is having a screaming day. Started well enough, doing good work in Reading, exceptional progress in Math (remembering more of his addition facts and fewer mistakes than usual in counting objects), even did Handwriting with no complaints. At lunch time, he talked to Nana on the phone, and didn't even yell at her for not letting him come over today. (She had errands to run.)

Once he finished school though, he spent the rest of the afternoon pestering BB, who was trying to do his school work. Then they went to to their room to listen to their favorite radio program. A bit later, GL came out screaming. We still don't know what about. BB later claimed GL was hitting him. Usually that means he has been provoking GL. Now GL is screaming (and slamming doors and pounding on walls for emphasis) about everything—there is no ice cream in the freezer (because he ate it all), no one will go to the store and get him any (MB is in bed sick, and PB is too tired), no one ever takes him anywhere or buys him anything, and he can never have ice cream ever, ever again. And things that don't even make sense.

At least he started late in the day, so it's not as long until bedtime. Tomorrow? Who knows?

How to Make a Real Crappy Web Page

This post was inspired by the following article:
World's Crappiest Web Page
If you blog or make web pages, take a look at this list of no-no's and see if you're guilty of any of them. I wrote my own list of pet peeves, but it was getting a little long-winded. Maybe I'll post it later.

Following Blogs

I was using the word "following" to mean reading a blog regularly, whether on Blogger or with a reader. I just found out Blogger uses the term to mean listing your name as a "follower" or fan on the blog, which is what happens if you click "Follow this Blog". Sorry about the confusion.

New Year's Resolutions You Can Keep

I try not to forward just anything; I ask myself if this particular item is something this particular person would enjoy, or am I just clogging his or her inbox? But this is my blog. If you don't like it, gitcherownblog!

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Are you sick of making the same resolutions year after year that you never keep? Why not promise to do something you can ACTUALLY accomplish?

Here are some resolutions that you can use as a starting point:

~ Gain weight. At least 30 pounds.
~ Stop exercising. Waste of time.
~ Read less. Makes you think.
~ Watch more TV. I've been missing some good stuff.
~ Procrastinate more. Starting tomorrow.
~ Spend more time at work, surfing the web.
~ Take a vacation to someplace important, like to see the world's largest ball of twine.
~ Don't jump off a cliff just because everyone else did.
~ Stop bringing lunch from home--eat out more.
~ Don't have eight children at once.
~ Get in a whole NEW rut!
~ Start being superstitious.
~ Personal goal: Don't bring back disco.
~ Don't ride in a car driven by Britney Spears.
~ Speak in a monotone voice and only use monosyllabic words.
~ Only wear jeans that are 2 sizes too small and use a chain or rope for a belt.
~ Spend my summer vacation in cyberspace.
~ Create loose ends.
~ Get more toys.
~ Get further in debt.
~ Don't believe politicians.
~ Break at least one traffic law.
~ Don't drive a motorized vehicle across thin ice.
~ Don't swim with piranhas or sharks.
~ Spread out priorities beyond the ability to keep track of them.
~ Wait for opportunity to knock.
~ Focus on the faults of others.
~ Mope about faults.
~ Never make New Year's resolutions again.

today'sTHOT============================

Aim low. Reach your goals. Avoid disappointment.

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PASS IT ON!
Yeah, you can send this Funny to anybody you want. And, if you're REAL nice, you'll tell them where you got it! www.mikeysFunnies.com

Introduction

Hi Brother Bear here. The new year is here. and it is the new blog that you are looking at. Now let us get to our...Introduction!
First about Papa Bear. Papa Bear is a very empathetic bear. He likes to build rockets. And...and... and he is a very nice bear unless someone else eats half of his lunch. Mama bear is a loving bear. And fun to be around. Goldilocks is NOT AS FUN TO BE AROUND! As for me I am an artist, and I like to play LEGOS, and I like to imagine about my imaginary Christian Super-hero Water Boy.

Say What?

Mama Bear: Let's see, we could have chicken and rice soup for supper, and I have some carrots and dip.
Brother Bear: You said you could make French fries again sometime...
Mama Bear: Yes, I could...
Brother Bear: I LOVE YOU!

Getting to know you.

Or rather giving you a chance to get to know me. I’m a nearing forty wife and mother. Until three months ago I had never worked outside the home in our children's lives. Our cubs are almost 12 (Golilocks) and nearly 10 (Brother Bear). As Papa Bear implied our cubs are VERY important to me. It was not my first choice to work outside the home, but this is where we are at this time. Actually I’m blessed to have a job and a husband who will do the home schooling. I have a wide variety of interests including, but not limited to: beading, making my own clay beads, cooking, scrap booking, sci-fi movies, and musicals. My faith is very important to me. I am a Christian and as such my posts may (I hope will) reflect my Savior. This is not to slam anyone, it’s simply who I am. I wholeheartedly agree with Papa Bear about not posting unless I have something to say, so I’m done for now.

Contradiction

AN Introduction is to introduce people, but you already know us; it is this blog that is new, so a contradiction seems in order. If that seems vaguely familiar or thoroughly obscure, Look here. Go ahead. I'll wait. Better?

Now why the blog? We'd each thought of starting a blog before, but none of us felt he or she would have enough to say to post at regular intervals, and none of us had the time or the inclination to write fluff we didn't care about just to meet an arbitrary deadline. And we hate checking a blog every day for weeks and finding nothing new, then coming back after a relatively short absence and being buried in new posts.

We'll try to keep things slow and steady here, but if you follow more than one blog—I stopped counting at twenty—I'd suggest you use a reader. Just check one site each time you check your email, and it tells you which of your blogs have new posts, and pulls up only the new material for your perusal. I use Google Reader:

The name? I think it was Mama Bear's idea.

Mama Bear is just what she sounds like; soft and cuddly, but don't tell her how to raise her cubs! She is loving and tender with her cubs, but ready with a good smack when they need it. She knows all the best places to find—well, just about everything.

Brother Bear is curious, playful, and full of mischief. He likes a good tussle, whether physical or verbal. Fiercely loyal to his family, he pursues justice with equal tenacity. He will do the Right Thing at all costs, and expects the same of everyone else.

So why Goldilocks?

First, let me explain that he is all-boy, and the name is not an insult. Most boys and men look better with short hair. Although many try growing long hair, few look good in it. He does. Picture Michael the Archangel with drawn sword. Which is good, because his head is kind of lumpy. And of course his hair is yellow.

Second, he has Sensory Integration Dysfunction, also known as Sensory Processing Disorder. If this disorder sounds confusing, it is. Both to him and to those who live with and care for him. Put simply, almost every experience is "too much" or "too little"; almost nothing is "just right".

Third, he has autism, which makes it difficult for him to understand socially appropriate behaviors. He eats other people's food. He breaks things. He has been known, rarely, but on more than one occasion, to wander into other people's homes. There are other parallels, which will make future posts.

I'm a curmudgeonly type, tending to hold an odd collection of unpopular opinions. If this were only my blog, it would probably be called Something to Offend Everyone. Just give me plenty to eat, and a warm, dry cave, and leave me alone. If that bothers you, get over it. If that sounds just the way a bear should be, thank you. Now go away.