Multiple Nelsons

 Every other week I try to see my younger sister Colette and my mom.  Whether it be we sew, make bread or just spend time together we try to do something.  A few weeks ago we made bread, well my mom did.  It didn't turn out that great... she forgot the oil and had to add it later.  lol Aunt Colette and the girls stayed still after the kids got home and kids got to hold baby Abby. Crazy A and baby Abby, Cousin Hannah and her sister. Jacolena and Abby, Missa and Abby.  Last Weekend I got to see ALL of my dad's siblings and spouses.  My parents went to the beach with them and and a blast.  I got to snap this picture of all these grandmas in the kitchen at the same time.  Aunt Joyce, Aunt Carol, Aunt Ann, Aunt Marcia and Grandma Loanne  That night that all my dad's siblings were at my parents home some of the cousins stopped by to say hello to the aunts and uncles.  In the meantime this big guy got t...

He turned 3 years old on Sunday.  He is turning out to have a good mix of personalities from the older kids.  It is sad that we don't have a baby anymore but I am getting slowly ok with it.   Grandma Loanne and Grandpa came for the family celebration. One school morning the kids were almost ready and we had lots of time.  I was teaching them how to play "War".  There wasn't any fighting! 

This little guy is really having an adjustment being by himself ALL DAY long.  It is really great for me!  But... he begs to play on the ipad all the time.  Luckily each day we are pulling away from that.  We have also taken away the tv and computer during the school day and after school.  (The kids also lost the Roku/FireTV remote and so now they can't watch anything on the internet lol) Our next goal for him is potty training, he just turned three and is READY.  I tried about 2 weeks ago and it was a disaster.  Too many distractions when the older kids came home from school and I just wasn't being strict enough.  He told me "flat out", I don't want too.  Hum.  As I said to my mom, it is time for me to get my "mommy pants out" and get her done.   I am trying the potty training again this weekend.  He had ONE success today at Grandmas!  I am going with that.  So far he has had two successes and one a...

I am finally getting around to posting about the most recent doctor appointments.  Right when school started we saw two really important doctors: Neurodevelpmental doctor @ Duke (Jared) and a Pediatric Psychologist (Jackie) We are doing testing this year for the twins to see where they are academically and mentally.  In this school system, by the time children turn 8 under the Special Education services they have to have a diagnose/plan for where they are going.  The year before (which for us is this year) they have to do a LOT of tests. Jare Bear The Neurodevelopmental Doctor basically observes them for 2 hours, talks with me and gets an idea of their overall status.  What medical problems do they have, learning disabilities, social issues, behavioral problems, speech and languages progress and etc.. We saw her for over 2 hours and I came out of this appointment feeling really good.  My biggest concern is: Are we going in the right direction for Jare Bear...

About two weeks ago, one of my good friends Kim had boy/girl twins.  She has two older girls that are near Missa and Crazy A's age.  Her little girl that is pictured with Missa also has some slight special needs.  We have a lot in common and can relate to things that others can't.  Now that she has twins... her life is just as chaotic and crazy as mine. :) I was able to FINALLY visit her and the family  She had the babies right before school started and I wasn't able to get down to see her.  They live about 35 minutes away, we really do miss being so far from them.  I was able to feed, burp, cuddle baby Logan and just talk with her.   Hopefully in the spring we can go camping with them.  Let the adventures begin. Baby Girl Lyla. Labor Day Monday Cousin Evan Hall holding Cousin Abby Tiek. This year our Labor Day plans were put together kind of last minute.  We kind of said to my family, Hey are you doi...

This year we are doing things slightly different.  Usually every year, the kids get to pick ONE thing extracurricular. Jare Bear does special leauge baseball in the spring, Jacolena does dance, Marissa does a sport and April gets something.  I am don't like to run kids everywhere.  So we set up with a local college student to do Irish Dance lessons in our home on Saturday afternoons.  I don't have to go anywhere!   Missa is going to try lessons for a couple of weeks... she isn't sure yet if she wants to do Irish dance lessons or basketball. Crazy A on the other hand... LOVES to dance. Missa's first quilt is completed.  Can't wait to enter it into the NC State Fair

Again, it is birthday time.  We are continuing the tradition of taking the kids to Red Robin on their birthday.  This is REALLY the only time we take our kids to a REAL resturant.  It isn't easy but getting better.  Big D had to be taken out for a good 10 minutes because he wouldn't stop crying, he wanted his way and wasn't getting it (youngest child problem).   The twins were BEYOND excited and kept asking, "When are they coming to sing to me/us?"  It is getting better that most of the kids really do understand that we love them and want to do exciting things for/with them AND this is one of those times.  They do really behave better because we set up expectations and threaten that we won't come if they don't behave. And I FOLLOW through with my reminders/threats. These two have grown "light years" this past year.  I can't believe that next year they will be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Sain...