Relaxing day and preparing for the next semester

I start classes again next Tuesday, Monday we are all off for Martin Luther King day. Richard had the day off today, so it was kind of a nice relaxing day before the rush of classes, homework and tight schedules start again. We went out to lunch at Olive Garden. It was so delicious- we did the soup, salad, breadsticks deal and shared a dessert. The chicken gnocci soup was great.

I'm a little nervous about how next semester will work out. Fall semester I had some days when I'd be home by noon and could get some stuff done before the kids got home. This time the earliest my classes are done is 2:10, letting me get home just about when Jayna will be getting home. I'm going to have to be a lot more prepared and take advantage of the time I have between classes at school. For a class over winter break I had to spend 30 hours onsite somewhere that is not a traditional OT setting. I went to Amherst Adult Day Services which provides supervision and activities to mentally or physically impaired adults or those who may need socialization. It was a good experience and got me even more excited for the field I'm entering.

Reading now: The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
To love what is: a marriage transformed by Alix Kates Shulman- this is a great ture book, it is about how a very independent woman becomes caregiver to her husband who has an accident and suffers brain injury. It's interesting because it relates a bit to me as I observe my own dad with dementia and my mom caring for him, but also as someone interested in Occupational Therapy. Also, to me the title of the book can be key to so much more, - to accept and love what is- even if it's not what you had planned. Another thing I appreciate is the fact that the author is so much different than me- atheist, strong feminist, adventurer, but I can really appreciate her in this book and I think that is something always to remember- we don't have to agree with or be like someone to learn from them.
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

And so it goes...

Snow Tubing

Tubers coming down the hill.
Richard, Andrew and Jayna with their tubes.
Whitney warming up
Andrew getting ready to ride up

Every month we plan a "family fun" activity- this month the activity that won the vote (yep, there's a process at this home!) was snow tubing. We had never gone before, it was fun to try something new. You get a tube and then ride up to the top- picking a chute (hill) to go down-various levels available, go down and then can ride back up to the top. You can go down as a big group too. My coordination made me think I was crazy to think that I could actually try skiing again someday! My first try: I fell off the tube as it was going up, then had difficulty getting off the tube at the top- there's a spot where you're suppose to get off- the man was yelling at me "bail, bail!" Then later a worker was helping Jayna and I get ready to go down together and he hit me in the mouth hitting my teeth! Anyhow it still was an overall fun experience. I was really surprised how fast even the smallest hill was. Jayna, Andrew, and Richard really loved the experience. Whitney got cold pretty fast and thought it was okay. Even the little hill made me a bit nausea, but I thought it was fun too. I always just like trying new things.

The Ashead Year in Review

Happy New Year Everyone! A brief blip of our year in Review:

Richard- Lost lots of weight and is off of medication for high cholesterol and blood pressure. Bought a motorcycle and loves it.

Sue- Lost weight, truthfully I've gained some back, but am still a good bit less than last year at this time. Started college, what a huge step. Have completed my first semester in my program to become a COTA (certified occupational therapist assistant) Also loves riding the motorcycle with Richard

Andrew- Last year in the middle school, started and continues a newspaper route delivering papers on Saturday, multiple girlfriends throughout the year, musical theater, bought a drum set

Whitney- Started middle school, spent tons of time with her friends, continues gymnastics

Jayna- 1st grade and started speech- Yay- she has really progressed, joined Brownies, continues gymnastics

Muffy- remains adored by many family members

Family Vacation- visited Hershey, PA and Philadelphia ( and our friends the Janes')

And so it goes..

It's almost Christmas! And more

Hey Christmas is almost here! The kids had a snow day off from school, so their break started today, of course, if there is a day the girls wanted to go to school, it would have been today. Whitney was going to exchange gifts with her friends and Jayna was going to have a winter solstice party. Oh well. Andrew was glad to be off though. It was a mostly relaxing day. I'm glad that I got the wrapping and sorting of presents mostly done the day before.

Christmas Traditions

1. The tree- I love the fresh tree smell! Ours smelled so good when we first got it this year- it was like heaven. We often just get one at a local store, but have sometimes gone and cut one down. When we lived in the Cleveland area there was a great place to cut down trees ( they had reindeers and had safety saws for the kids!) Unfortunately we haven't found anywhere in the Buffalo area that we like near as well. Okay, Richard would be happy getting an artificial tree and skip the hassle, I've considered it , but after smelling our tree this year I just don't know that that will happen anytime soon. (Sorry honey!)

2. The presents- Usually the family home evening after Thanksgiving we pull one another's names to make a present for. The rule being you can't make for the same person two years in a row. I think it was much easier when the kids were little, especially since I'm not the crafty type. Everybody loves it when Richard pulls their name though! He's making Jayna a candy machine this year, and has made one previously for Whitney, has also made me a great cubby/hook thing that I use in the entranceway. I just can't compete. This year I'm making for Whitney. She loves to bake and make treats, so I'm making a book with a bunch of recipes in it for her, along with giving her supplies to make some of them. Hope she likes it.

3. The other presents- Mom and Dad usually buy a present for each child, SANTA does the rest (Of Course!)

4. The treats- Sugar cookies, buckeyes, and a chocolate nut cluster (like Mom's!)

5. Christmas Dinner- Well the kids eat candy all morning from their stockings- so who needs dinner? Growing up we always had an assortment of lunch meat and cheeses to make sandwiches. We pretty much do the same

6. Christmas Eve Dinner- ?? We don't really have a set tradition, but I think we'll do a late candlelight dinner, read the Christmas story...?

7. Sleeping Arrangements- The kids usually camp out in one of their rooms all together- What was I thinking when we started this? That I didn't want anyone to sleep that night????

8. When can we get up???- I think now there is some reasonable time, maybe 7? If you are up before you can hang out with a sibling and watch tv. You can not wake up another sibling!! You have to wait for everyone to be up before presents can be opened. Who are we usually waiting for??? Dad and Jayna I think

Other things-
Today was the end of the semester for me- Yipee!!!, I have a week off, then have some time I need to spend at Amherst Adult Day Services. I'll have about another week off and then off to a new semester. I'm really thankful for the opportunity I have to be back in school, but it hasn't been easy. We're managaging it though. I think it would be harder if my kids were younger. I'm feeling pretty good about the field I've chosen too, so that is good.

Jayna has a constant sore throat- the doctor has suggested she sees a specialist about getting those huge tonsils out!

Merry Christmas everyone! I love this season and wish you all lots of happiness and peace.

Just Finished- Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH- a good story, it's a kids book but enjoyable to me too.

Recommended reading for those with young kids- I've fallen in love with Jan Bret (t?) check out "Gingerbread Friends" or "Gingerbread Baby"

And so it goes!

Happy Birthday Jayna- and more!

Can you believe it that our youngest has now turned 7!!! Jayna celebrated her birthday at Chuck E Cheeses yesterday. I would have to say the best part of it was her excitement- she was just bursting with excitement the whole week leading up to and had a great day. Today a day after, she was going to play with something and she said there is so much to do the day after your birthday. She's been enjoying her new toys ( I would say favorites are new pet shop things and her cleaning set- broom, mop...) I have to say it was hard for me to buy her the cleaning set- who wants stuff to clean with!!! But she wanted it and has enjoyed being her sister's maid!!

div>Jayna is such a special child to us ( of course all our kids are) Jayna's specialty is being sweet- she still likes to give and get hugs, and she has a good sense of humor ( according to my sister she wonders where my kids get their humor- since Richard and I aren't really funny!)





Jayna and her friends at Chuck E Cheeses

Hat and purse and card from Grandma and Pap Ashead

Riding a ride at Chuck E Cheeses with Matt

Thanksgiving ended up being really nice- the morning I spent working on an OT college project- ugh, but it's done and I should have a presentation on it tomorrow. Then we went bowling- who knew so many people went bowling on Thanksgiving? Anyhow it was nice to get out of the house- made me give the project a break- then we came home and I worked on dinner- turkey breast, potatoes... and some pies with the help of Sara Lee!!! ( My mom would have never done that!)

Reading now: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien

And so it goes...

>

Nov. 23

Thanks for the comments on Thanksgiving. Richard had actually mentioned going out to eat, but it just didn't seem right to me. So I think this is what we're doing: having a smallish thanksgiving dinner, then going bowling sometime that day. We had planned bowling as our family fun activity for the month (there's a process to that at the Ashead home!) and haven't gotten around to it, so that will work as some good Thanksgiving family fun. Plus we have a coupon for 99 cent games, so that's good too. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Jayna's birthday party is Saturday at Chuck E. Cheeses. She really loves that place!! Andrew and Whitney never had a party there. I'm not sure how many kids will be there yet- I think they have until Tuesday to RSVP. Few or many, it will be fun! With her birthday being so close to Thanksgiving and me being crazy about school I really need to make sure I give it enough attention. She recently started a Brownie (Girl Scout) troop. One of her friends down the street goes to the same one.

Middle School dance last Friday. We ended up with 4 girls sleeping over. Whitney and her friends have decided that after every dance one of them will have a sleep over. They were loud, but not too bad, and Whitney is always good about cleaning up after them. Middle school time I think is such a time of trying to figure out who you are, what you like..., I see friendships that Andrew and Whitney have had changing. With Whitney being in middle school now- that adds a whole new group, since 2 schools join to form the middle school.

Andrew and Whitney will both be starting practices for the school musical soon.

School has sometimes felt brutal lately for me. I have to say that I think the whole thing is harder than I thought it would be (always good to get humbled I guess) I'm still doing fine gradewise. I have an OT project due the first week of Dec. that I really need to put some concentrated effort into. I've thought about it, picked up some supplies, but really need to make myself start putting it together. It's a poster presentation and unfortunately I'm not that artistic- so I think that has inhibited me somewhat. I had advisement for next semester- I'll have 7 classes which is one more than I have this semester ( 1 credit more too). It seems crazy when it is hard already, but I was so thankful they counted another class from Hiram so I'm not taking 8 classes! ( Plus it made me feel like that first year of college years ago wasn't totally wasted)

Well, I gotta go get Whitney (she's at a friends again!)
And so it goes...

Thanksgiving thoughts and more

So it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but Jayna is watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" on tv. Isn't it a bit early? I have to say I'm a little excited myself for Christmas already, but I do hate all the commercialization so early.

Thanksgiving- who knew it was going to be so stressful to do nothing?? We had said we weren't going to go to my family's this year and that we were just going to chill out here. Here is my dilemma though - I still want some kind of nice immediate family activity, but this is what I envision- me spending all this time cooking while the boys (Andrew and Richard) playing video games, while Whitney hangs out in her room and Jayna does whatever. Buffalo has a big Turkey Trot that I thought would be fun to just get out and watch, but Richard didn't feel like it. Whitney knixed the idea of doing crafts (we could of done something grown up), Jayna would like to play games together- but I didn't have many takers on that idea. I just want it to be a little special. Here are some things I'm thinking may be a possibility: all go see Madagascar 2 together, simplifying the Thanksgiving dinner- pie is important to Richard and Andrew, mashed potatoes and gravy for Whitney and turkey designed cupcakes; so maybe just do a turkey breast,with potaoes and dessert, but skip the stuffing?, maybe we could buy a new game like a kids scene it and enjoy some time playing that together? I don't know- I just don't want to be angry on Thanksgiving- I don't expect us to do stuff together all day, but I would like to have some kind of plan that everyone else could be on board for.

Okay, enough ranting- on a happy note our Tom Turkey is getting full of feathers, so that is nice- I've been remembering to ask people who are over to add a feather. And I really do have so very much to be thankful for.

School has been overwhelming lately, but I guess that happens. I'll just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

And so it goes...

reading now : a long way gone Memoirs of a Boy Soldier - it is good so far,something that always intrigues me is how some people can come through really awful situations, and still thrive, but how others go through awful situations and become bitter or lose themselves.

Hope everyone is well.