Helpful or Harmful--Is it better do just do it myself and Sleep Apnea

Swan took Devon to therapy for me today.  Swan said Dev was fine.  They talked and he even took him to Walmart afterwards.  Dev pooped on himself twice once he got  home.  He also had a meltdown because I stirred up the cinnamon into his oatmeal.  Was it because of the schedule change? 

I am so drained.

Shayla told me that a few years ago, she felt that I was teasing her because I said that her liking Anime was weird.  I don't ever remember saying that, but If I did, It certainly wasn't to tease her.  Lesson:  all people perceive things differently.  I apologized to her and explained that I nor anyone could and not would know what bothers her unless she verbalizes it. 

For those of you wondering how the heck do I have time to write a blog, it's simple. I started writing this at 7:15 p.m. EST and it is now 8:55p.m. EST.  Of all the blog entries that I've posted, I have never sat her and typed one all the way through.  It's impossible.

Diggy didn't go to class today.  He has work due and he said he was super tired.  Diggy has sleep apnea.  He cannot keep his CPAP machine on at night so I gave up with that.  He had his tonsils and adenoids removed. He still has chronic acute sleep apnea.  They were talking about jaw surgery or making a mouth piece to simulate the surgery to open his airways.  I had him all set up  for a sleep study, however his insurance did not cover where he was to have his study.  I need to get this taken care of because he will be driving soon and I'd hate for him to fall asleep at the wheel. 

Here is some general info on sleep apnea http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea. 

Tot likes to dye socks.  It's a hobby for him.  He even dyes his friends' socks.  I am on a mission to bind the best kind of dye in a bulk buy for him.  Maybe he can start a little business.  I always encourage making your own money.  I like to embellish jeans and make hair bows.  I just haven't figured out a way to get into business with this.  I looked into kickstarter http://www.kickstarter.com/ but getting started and, from what I read, completing the contract is a very time consuming task.  Maybe when and if the boys start school, I can get to starting a home business.  I think that's on page 14 of my Honey Do List.

Nell and I have been arguing on whether the past tense of kneel is kneeled or knelt.  Help us settle this argument.  Please feel free to subscribe and post comments to my blog!

Nema has a loose tooth. She's growing up!  I hope I didn't ruin her life too bad.  The twins came along and my patience with her thinned quickly.  I'm going to work on that.  I'm going to set aside 15 minutes a day for each child, whether it's doing a puzzle, reading a book, playing with playdoh, or something.  That's 1 hour 45 minutes.  I am going to try to work out for 15 minutes a day as well.  Where will I find these extra two hours? who the heck knows....

Back in the day When Shayla was Fun WATCH VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfS27La_EGU

It's like the first time, every time, I swear. ROTFLOL

The actress imitates a local car insurance commerical

Pragmatic Speech Therapy Austism Spectrum Disorder PDD

Today Devon (we call him Dev or Tiny) has speech therapy.  He is super smart but sometimes have a problem communicating his needs. 

http://autism.about.com/od/autismterms/g/pragspeech.htm


Shanay (we call her Nema) is also not feeling well (for real this time) so she is home from school.  There is a lot of coughing, sneezing, sniffling, and snoting going on in this house.  Can you say ewwwww?!  Thankfully, there are no fevers at this time.  I usually don't catch what the kids have simply because I refuse, I will myself to stay well because I have to. No one else is going to do my job for me.  Wondering does that really work? That's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

Deion has been accepted into a study for hyper kids,  he gets free treatment, $35 bucks, and a picture of his brain!  The study will be conducted over two days, I'll let you know how it turns out.

Look for research studies in your area, It's a great way to receive free treatmeant, a few extra bucks for your kid(s) and some answers.
http://www.hopkinsbayview.org/studies/

I think Diggy pulled an all nighter doing a drawing last night.  He found out that college is way different from high school. 

Shayla did most of the dishes last night.  She only left the pots and pans.  The night before last she didn't do any of them. 

The younger kids and I talked to Tot and Nell on oovoo.  It's way better than text messaging which is so impersonal.  With video chat I can see and talk to the kids.  It's almost like being there....not really but isn't technology great?

Get your oovoo here: http://www.oovoo.com/home.aspx

Behavioral Therapy and some mo' stuff

Today, Deion had therapy.  We talked about his compliance, especially with "NO" commands.  I learned something too. Dr. Howard said, if someone is on a ledge and you tell them don't look down, they look down.  Instead of saying something like, "stop climbing on me" or "no jumping" suggest something else they can do because what the child has on the mind is what you tell them not to do.  I'll work on that.

Shanay needs more attention.  She is always hurting from something.  From the time she gets up until the time she goes to bed she is always complaining about something.  Is she a hypochondriac? She visits the school nurse at least three times a week.  I think she does this for attention.  Granted, she does have the UTI issue but my goodness.  She always has a headache, or sore throat, or tummy ache, or hair ache, or a sore fingernail.  I used to take her to see the doctor all the time because I didn't want to be accused of neglect but now I tell her, "I'm sorry you are not feeling well, go lay down for a while." That usually will let me know if she is really not feeling well.

Funny, as I was typing this, she came and told me she scraped her hand while putting away her school clothes. She wants a Band Aid.  I told her no, she didn't need one and she romped and frolicked off to play with the twins.  Literally, sigh.

Shayla come home at 2:55 and went straight into her room.  I haven't seen her yet. It's 3:49. 

Di'Shon (who we call Diggy) has no college on Wednesdays this semester.  He watched Devon for me so that I could take Deion to therapy.  Deion had therapy at 11 a.m.  I told his dad, Swan, yesterday.  Swan called ME and said that he may be off today and if so he was, he would watch Devon.  Swan called me at 10:19 this morning!! 10:19!!! At this point, thanks but no thanks.  Sometimes, I think he purposely does things like that; calls me at just the right time to say, "it's probably too late, but hey, at least I called anyway." 

I am feeling stressed, like I need a little break.  I like to sing country karaoke when I can.  I haven't been in a while.  I'm missing it a little.  Maybe next time I go, I can post a video for you guys to view.  Maybe in June.

Dontay and Sherae  (who we call Tot and Nell) lives with my ex-husband.  He was granted custody by the courts.  Something about me renting, and Stephen, their dad, owning his house. Something else about me getting disability and their dad having a job. Something else about more crap they dug up from my past. I appealed the decision and lost that too.  I miss them.  I get them every other weekend during the school year and every other week during the summer.  Did I say how much I missed them...can't type through tears.

Bedtime Business--A consistent Bedtime routine

Snack at 7 then bath, teeth brushing, bathroom, story, and bedtime dvd. 
As hard as it is, I try to stay consistent with this routine.  The kids know what is coming, which helps things go more smoothly. Sometimes, though, I just don't feel like it.  I've learned not to beat myself up if the kids miss a bath one night, however Devon hasn't.  If his schedule gets messed up, all heck breaks loose.  It's good for all kids to have a schedule but kids with autism need a schedule.
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/autism_help.htm
 I am tired tonight and have a migraine.  Trying to get Devon to start sleeping in his room...

Snowy Ants on a Log-- Healthy Snack for kids

see previous post for recipe

I hate Mondays....wait, it's Tuesday

 I singlehandedly managed to take the kids to storyville at our local library.
http://www.bcplstoryville.org/storyville_tour_ro_home.html
It's fun, free, and educational.  It's like an entire town, for little people! It was good day today, unlike last week when we had to get on a waiting list because they were filled to capacity.  Can you say meltdown central?  Today I got there at 9 a.m. for several reasons:
1) it's when they first open
2) Devon doesn't like to play with other children
3)Deion likes to run off and it's easy to find him if we are the only three there
4) It's when I have the most energy

When you have multiple kids, look for fun free things to do.  Or discount days for example Today is $1.00 happy meal night at McDonald's, you can't go wrong with that. The only thing is they changed it to only two happy meals per extra value meal purchased. I liked it when I could just get 3 meals for a buck but you always have those who take advantage. 

Shanay and I made up a snack we will try today, I will let you know how it turns out.  We call it "Snowy Ants on a Log".   I will post a pic when done.

celery
cream cheese
yogurt covered raisins

Rinse celery stalks and cut them into 4 inch pieces
spread 1/3  less fat cream cheese into celery
place 4 yogurt covered raisins onto the cream cheese
ENJOY

I texted Shayla I love you and she actually texted me back. "Love you too." I'll post again when I find words...