Developmental Screening Surprises

After encouragement by my Father-In-Law, last May I made an appointment for Frank to be tested at the local Child Development Center. FIL was concerned about Speech issues, but they local CDC does a full battery of tests on the kids. When I was making the appointment and mentioned that many people could understand the three-year-old better than the five-year-old, they offered to make Jack an appointment for the Full Evaluation too. I thought it was a joke to test Jack, but figured it wouldn’t hurt anything.

Last month, the CDC called because Jack had failed the Vision portion of the tests… which didn’t surprise me because I remembered that he didn’t want to sit still for the vision things (or many of the test actually), he was far more interested in getting back to the toys in the waiting area!

Yesterday Jack went back to the CDC for another Vision Screening… which we did twice because he kept failing it. As luck would have it, I was able to get him an appointment this morning (due to a cancellation yesterday – see, it’s good to call the doctor and cancel your appointments if you can’t make them.)

Again this morning, Jack was wiggly, and they had trouble testing him. We dilated his eyes with drops and called in “the big guns”… that is, I called Tom at work and he was able to come over to “help” Jack hold still for the second set of tests. Sure enough, Jack has vision problems… Astigmatism and Myopia (near-sightedness). Both easily corrected by, you guessed it… glasses!

I’m feeling a bit stunned and sad. I just didn’t realize Jack couldn’t see. He has a negative two prescription in both eyes. That’s as bad as Tom’s is now!

Tom and I are both near sighted, but we didn’t need glasses until we were 32 (T) and 15 (S). I’m just floored about my three-year-old needing glasses. Of course I want to help him, but it adds financial expenses as well as logistical issues (YOU try finding a pair of INDESTRUCTIBLE glasses that a Rough-And-Tumble three year old will want to keep on and keep track of!)

Jack has been enjoying the tests as well as looking for glasses. Today, we went to three stores and here are the three pair I narrowed it down to.


Really, Jack loves the color RED, but I can’t seem to find any red glasses in his size. I could try looking online or in Salt Lake City, but don’t you find glasses are really something you want to see in person? Plus, if I ordered them in SLC, getting them serviced would be harder, so, I'll probably go with a local optometrist and order the first pair (the blue ones) in brown (they don't come in red).

I guess from all of this I would say… do get your kids screened! I was surprised 1½ years ago when Frank needed tubes (for hearing problems) and I’m surprised today by Jack. Both times I felt bad for them and at myself for not realizing it sooner. I’m glad that the solution for Jack is so “simple” though.

Exploring Blogland

When I first started my blog, I didn't know much about them other than my friend enjoyed her's. I began writing for and TO my friends, through my blog. Then. I wondered how to attract other people to my blog... I still wonder about that.

Now, I have people I know personally, and those I know through a few swaps / give-aways. I have other people that I know just from comments... on their blog or mine. Basically, I've found I enjoy "meeting" other people though their blogs.

Generally, I'll be reading something I enjoy, and see a link, or read a comment on a post, I'll like what they say, and follow a link and find their blog, then, *viola*, I have another blog I enjoy reading. Today, I think that happened when I discovered PinsandThimbles.

I was reading Anne Brumley's post that was basically about finding our focus in life, and I thought I'd share my response:

I too have a million things going at once. Recently, I’d “slowed down” and wound up being bored and miserable. In the past few weeks, I’ve started picking up the pace and getting “more involved” and I feel invigorated and excited by life!

My Aunt, who’s in her 70’s and I’m in my 30’s, advises me that “to every thing there is a season”… there was a time when she was REALLY busy, but these days, mostly consist of her, a few pets, taking her mother to town, and LOTS of quilting. Her home is quite and calm, as is her life.

So. I guess what I’m saying, is that it’s important to do what motivates and excites us. It’s also important to accept where we are in our lives and know that one day things will be different, so, enjoy today and look forward to tomorrow!

Here's me reminding you to Enjoy Today and Look Forward to Tomorrow, with JOY!

Halloween Costume Ideas

So. Is anyone else thinking of Halloween Costumes yet? I was just thinking of what we've done in the past...

2002 - Frank - Stormtrooper
2003 - Frank - Frankenstein (he had 100+ stitches in his head from surgery 8 days earlier).
2004 - Frank - Construction Guy (everyone mistook him for "Bob the Builder".)
2005 - Frank & Mom - Priates, Jack - Parrot
2006 - Frank - Buzz Lightyear, Jack - Woody (complete with "pull handle")
2007 - Jack - Dragon / Dinosaur, Frank - Superman (he was suppose to be a Knight / Caveman to MATCH JACK!)
2008 - Hmmm....

I was just poking around online and found these fun sites...

Some VERY CLEVER "Different" Ideas, especially for people who "don't want to wear" a costume!

Family / Group Costumes

How-To Links to Many "Standard" Ideas

Links to Patterns
Simplicity Costume Patterns

I think Jack would enjoy being Indiana Jones this year... not very "original", but he walks around singing "Daa-da-duh-da! Da-da-duh!" all.the.time. He also has a "whip" we made him out of a piece of soft rope and hat that passes for an Indy Hat. So. I'm thinking I'd like to make him a jacket (I have leather scraps I need to pull out, but I suspect I'll have to find some other fabric/leather to make it... maybe I could find an adult leather coat at a thrift store and cut it up to make him one... hmm!) I also want to make him a satchel (which could double as his candy bag) and a little strap to put his whip on his belt (just a little piece of fabric looped over and velcro on one side.)

This made me think that Frank could be an Indy Character -Mutt, Nazi, Priest, Egyptian, Mummy... there are so many options! But... last year Frank wanted to be Bumblebee, the Transformer. The first time I heard about this was the week of Halloween. I was sick and I really had no idea who / what the Transformers were, so on Halloween it was a fight to get Frank into his superhero costume. Now, a year later, he still loves playing with and talking about Transformers. So, maybe I'll talk with him about creating a Transformer (possibly Optimus Prime or Bumblebee) costume. This one will need Tom's help on, since there will be a lot of hard pieces attached to the base (probably a sweat suit).

I suppose we could make two Transformers. They would both go for that, but I do think Jack would make such a cute Indy! I always want to think of a fun theme for our whole family, then I struggle to get just the boys to match. Maybe by thinking of it a little sooner in "the season", talking with them AND doing what they each want, instead of a group theme, I'll actually get something made that the we will enjoy making and wearing!

Meet Trystan, The Neighbor

A few days ago, I was having a rough afternoon. I reluctantly let one of our neighbor-boys in the house. Reluctantly, because I was having a grouchy time and, although I like having a house where the kids feel welcome, sometime it can be a *bit* much. (There are 18 kids living in 6 houses across the street, 11 of them are out-and-about A.LOT!)

Anyway, after Trystan came in, he took his shirt down off his head. Here is what we saw:


I just burst out laughing! I know it wasn't nice. It probably made him feel worse. But is was just so funny to me!

The night before, Trystan's brother got his hair buzzed. Knowing Trystan, I suspect he was pestering his Dad (he can do that from time-to-time). So. Dad reached out and shut Trystan up!

Just the day before, Trystan had been flaunting his new, slicked-back way of combing his hair. So, I suspect this "punishment" was just what he needed, and probably far more effective than any talking, yelling, grounding, etc would have been.

Trystan was so embarrassed, he spent most of the day locked in his house... me? I told him to just put a hat or a bandanna on and go out and play. I never did let other people's teasing get to be in school...

Anyway, it is interesting to see how different parents handle different situations.

BTW, the next day, Trystan's hair was completely buzzed off too.

Let the Sewing Lessons Begin!

I'm pretty Jazzed Up this morning!

I'm giving my first sewing lesson to two neighbor-girls (ages 12 and 8). Both of these girls are pretty shy and very polite. Neither of them "fits in" with the girls who are always out on the streets playing with their older brothers. Both of the girls is looking for a friend AND both would like to learn to sew.

I've taught more people than I can count to quilt, and therefore many have been taught to sew. But, besides Frank, whose grown up sewing on my lap, these are the youngest students I've had.

I'm all a-flutter thinking of what to teach them and in what order. Simple projects first, I think. And maybe, in a bit, we'll do some simple red-work style embroidery (something they can do at home). For this morning, I think I'll do some Reusable Shopping Bags with them, from thrift-store sheets or scrap fabric. These are quick and simple and will show them some basic, straight-line sewing. We'll also talk about what kind of projects they would like to do.

Personally, I grew up sewing, so actually, I'm having a little trouble thinking "simple" for beginner projects. So. My questions to you are:

• What did you first learn to sew?
• What kind of projects would you suggest to begin teaching these girls?
• Any other suggestions?

I'll let you know how it goes!

Now. I have to make pancakes for Jack and then go straighten up my sewing room... I'd better ask Tom to bring my extra folding tables upstairs to the sewing room too. :D

More Insights on Jack

I'm not sure if these are really "insights", but they do speak to me, as a Momma, about "My Baby".

Jack is rough-and-tumble and "all boy". He loves trains, trucks, motorcycles, balls, dogs, dirt, and rocks. Here, you see him playing in a big pile of boulders and rocks (which DO have a purpose in my yard, as soon as my back can move them again). He was happy as a lark sitting and playing amongst all the rocks...


Notice the out-of-place-hair? I do. :D

It doesn't seem to matter what kind of mischief the kid gets into during the daylight. At night, when he's asleep, he always looks like such the angel to me!



Usually, Jack stays in place, with his head on his pillow and hardly moves his quilt from his body. This night, June 24th, he looked so funny the way he stretched himself out and wiggled all around.

He melts my heart when I go to cover him up and give him "one more kiss" before I go to bed.

Life in Wyoming - The Information Age

This may be The Information Age, but, just like Wyoming was "The Wild West" even within the past century, Technology just hasn't caught up yet.

We may live without a lot of modern gadgets and conveniences, but when it comes to computers, we have plenty and use them A LOT! I'm constantly befuddled by the apparent lack of knowledge about how The Internet can be used in Communications here. I'm forever doing a Search for an event or place or some other thing, and I just can't find it. I wind up calling around and talking with people, only to hear "well, it was in the paper!"

So. After over ten years of no newspaper subscription, it looks like I may *HAVE* to get one, just so I can keep up with local events. This weeks transgression in related to tomorrow's Primary Elections. I haven't been able to get my hands on a physical or electronic copy of the Sample Ballot. Once again, I just heard "it was in the paper."

I should also mention, in this post about Newspapers, that living here for just a year, our family has already been in the paper twice. In May, Tom and Jack were featured at a Charity Event where Tom was dressed as Darth Vader. And, last week, at our Friday Playgroup, the boys and I were approached by a reporter... it was "a slow news day" and so we wound up on the front page AND the top half of the "B" Section... because we were having a picnic at the park! Now THAT's Front Page News, I tell you!

I don't know why, but it's just hard for me to go back to getting the daily paper... well, actually, it's not daily. Around here, the paper is published Tuesday through Saturday (so, no Sunday Paper), or, our Sister City publishes their paper once a week, on Wednesday.

Dirty hands. More recycling. One more thing "to do" (read the paper, bring the paper in, get rid of the paper). Why is it so hard for me to "get the paper"? I want to know what's going on, but I want it "now" on my clean, sterile, personal laptop-computer. Humph!