More Love for Mrs. Arnold

This just in!  An email...

Hey Kimberly,

I meant to email you last night and forgot.  Sorry! 

There was an incident in the bathroom yesterday with Noah and a third grader bullying him.  I caught the whole thing and took care of it, but just wanted you to be aware.  The other child asked Noah if he wanted him to beat him up. 

That child's parent was contacted and he wrote an apology letter which is coming home in Noah's folder today.  I'm not sure if Noah would have told me what happened if I had not caught the situation, so he and I talked about that being a case of bullying and he should let an adult know if it ever happened again.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Jennifer

To which I very emotionally responded ...

Oh my stars, Jennifer!  I am thanking the Lord that you were within earshot to pounce on that situation!  My head sort of wants to explode to picture that happening - Mommabear claws, you know.  No, Noah didn't say a thing!  Ick.  I hate that he's so mild he doesn't even understand when to speak up for himself ... to someone like that or to a teacher/parent.  We'll surely have a little chat about it at home, too.

Thank you so much.  Seriously, you would turn red with embarrassment at how much I sing your praises when school and teachers come up in conversation.  And it's stuff like this that's why.  Thanks for watching out for my little guy ... in more ways than one!

Signed, a-slightly-dizzy-with-mommabear-fury Kimberly :}

Anna's Christmas Spirit

My love brought me a picture she drew this morning while I worked in the kitchen on some new Jesse Tree Ornaments.  My doing something Christmasy really gets her in the spirit.  Anyway, she drew a sun and a star and an angel.  She explained that the sun and the star light the way and the angel is praising God.  She continued on to tell me that all three show God's glory.  Yes, the child said 'God's glory.'

But wait, it gets better.

She asked if she could put her picture under the tree so that Santa could know about Jesus.

I said, yes, of course, but not until she agreed to smile for a picture so I could remember her sweet Christmas spirit forever.

She spoils me rotten!

Thankgsiving 2012

This fine Thanksgiving, we got to have my sister and her crew come to Nashville for two solid days.  They showed up in the early afternoon the day before Thanksgiving and we didn't waste any time getting down to catching up.

With the gorgeous weather we were having, we headed straight outside to play!

We played and played until night came, whereby we were still outside enjoying Josh's handiwork with the Christmas lights on the house and then roasting marshmallows over the fire pit.

On Thursday, we whipped up all the necessary comfort foods for our Turkey Day dinner and ate til we couldn't get up from the table.

We took lots of pics, but precious few had all five cousins in the same frame.

As the sun set on the second night of their stay, it was time for our first ever Thanksgiving football game. Every year with the kids gets better and better.  What fun to have these sorts of memories together.

Noah loved every minute!

 

And Brooklyn must have loved it.  I couldn't tell for sure but all her giggling made me think she did. :}

Anna and Natalie opted for more tame recreation and hit the play-doh table together instead.

After the cool air rolled in that night, the dads helped the kiddos make and decorate cookies.

And the cookies were followed up with the very first Polar Express viewing of the season - complete with popcorn and hot, hot, hot, hot chocolate.  Yes, that was dinner.  Cookies, Popcorn, and Hot Chocolate.

The day after Thanksgiving brought us rain and freezing winds, but nothing could stop the cousins from making more fun together.  They played in the street while Emily and Lee packed and Jack squeezed in one more nap. After a leisurely lunch of leftover turkey and dressing, the Talmadge crew was out the door again to see my parents for a day or so.

When I think back to this family visit, I will grin again at how Noah and Natalie were thick as thieves.  Something about the two of them attracts each other every time they get together.

Same goes for these two.  When I remember this visit, I will remember how Anna was Brooklyn's mini-me and how they loved playing with each other's hair. :)

And not to be forgotten from Thanksgiving 2012 memories will be how this little booger kept me in grins and giggles at his every expression, grunt, and antic.

Jack is just plain fun. Tons. of. Fun.

   

Emily and I managed to finagle ourselves into a single picture with all our babies. 

At one point, Anna got a hold of a camera and clicked a few keeper shots.

There you have it folks - my sister and my best friend.

Fingers crossed she gets herself moved to AL quick so we can see more of them! I do believe this was the best Brown-Talmadge visit yet. :)

Speaking of Speech and School

It took 3 months to get tested and scheduled for an IEP meeting, but it's finally confirmed as of last Wednesday - Noah has been identified as Speech Impaired and will participate in Speech and Language classes twice a week effective immediately.  Can I get an Amen?!  It's only been on my radar for YEARS. :S  His specific Speech goals will relate to his articulation of s, z, l, th, and consonant blends. It was interesting to hear from the Speech teacher how unique some of Noah's mispronunciations were, especially how he creates the l sound with the v sound - something that not even Josh or myself had noted.  She said she took him to the preschool speech teacher to hear and they remarked how they have never had a student use that sort of substitution.  Anyway, God bless his teacher, Mrs. Arnold, for spotting his need and taking care of this business right away. So glad to have those issues finally being addressed by someone that can actually help him!

In another turn of educational events, we got an email from his teacher a couple weeks ago about some concerns she has for Noah.  Despite his making straight A's thus far, she said he is beginning to show real signs of struggling to keep up and she thinks some of this struggle might be related to some language processing issues.  And so, it was discussed at the IEP meeting and decided that Noah will be also be tested to see if he qualifies for some Language services, too.  While I suspect Noah's lack may be more in terms of expressive language, he will be tested for the full battery of receptive and expressive language processing.  We shall see.  I hate that I have just assumed that this was his mild temperament and timidity all these years.  What if it's been more all this time?  Oh, the ache in my head and heart to think of all the time wasted when he could have used some help with something.

And, oh yeah, his teacher is also really concerned about his grip and fine motor skills.  HELLLLOOOOO!  Sound familiar?  Hasn't that been a lingering haunting concern of mine for him for years as well?  And so, again, his teacher explained her concern for him in this aspect and submitted some samples of his work and it was agreed that, yes, this boy should be tested for OT as well.  Seeee?  I wasn't so crazy to have taken him for a consult with an occupational therapist the summer before kindergarten.  I gotta admit, having others finally confirm what I have noted for awhile is a little satisfying.  Now to get him the help or at least a professional diagnosis one way or the other. 

So that's the latest with Noah's school news.  Praying the next tests don't take til the end of the year to get done and reported. Fingers crossed.  (I don't even want to think about how to go about these special services one we transition to home schooling for second grade.  Sigh. One thing at a time, I guess.)

In Which Noah Goes Shopping

The deed is done.  Noah sold his trains to his Aunt Emily for his cousin Jack to enjoy in the coming years.  With that sale and a Groupon I snagged on behalf of my boy, we set off for Toys R Us this morning for Noah to shop and spend almost $100.  He was giddy with the power and possibility.

BUT, I hated for him to drop all that cash on a single item.  He had some really expensive Lego set in mind.  But, man alive, the kid already has a ton of Legos and I worried his stash of cash would be gone and he wouldn't have a substantial toy to show for it after the set came apart and got lost in his gigantic Lego pot.  So Josh and I talked and agreed that Noah should plan to purchase at least 2 things, if not more, with his money instead of sinking it all into one proverbial basket.

With that guideline, we set him loose in Toys R Us.  He looked and looked and worked hard to keep an open toy mind.  He resisted the urge to bolt straight for the Lego aisle.  He contemplated games, Lego sets, Angry bird stuff, Hot wheels, Beyblades, outdoor toys, and more, putting some things in basket and then switching others out when he found something he liked more. Really, he gave it a good effort.  And he was a good sport about having Josh and me in his ear the whole time. It was somewhere near the Nerf aisle that we realized the boy had checked out mentally, poor thing.  We were looking at his options by then, but he was not.  He was holding on to the basket, swinging lethargically, an absent look in his eyes.  With that we tossed one smaller Lego set he had but didn't really seem committed to.  We held up the two remaining things in his basket and told him if he just went with them, he'd have some money left over for another day.  Noah was pleased with this option, or just too tired to resist, and we headed for checkout.

At Chick-Fil-A on the way home, Noah sat quietly at the table and Anna played in the play area while Josh ordered for us all.  I eyed my zombie-eyed son and said, "Do you feel ok?  You seem tired.  Was that too much stuff for your brain?"  Noah's honest answer got me chuckling because I am sure most men would agree with the coming shopping sentiment.  "Yeah," he said and continued slowly,  "It made me feel dizzy."

Anyway, here's our big spender and his little sister who got a consolation prize, too, since she had no money outside of a couple of sympathetic parents. 

Noah got a Lord of the Rings Lego set and a Beyblade Half-Pipe Battle set, his first beyblades ever!  Anna got a baby doll kit complete with potty, bibs, diapers, bottles, and all sorts of baby care things.  Don't tell her, but this will go great in the Nursery Center we got her for Christmas.  And while we're keeping secrets from the kids, don't tell Noah that we'll also be getting him the Angry Birds slingshot game he held off on as well. :)

Recipe: Pizza Pasta

We had a fantastic Thanksgiving with my sister and her family.  While they were here, I made a double portion of this recipe and it was a huge hit.  It was really a huge hit with the boys especially ... Josh, Lee, Noah, and Jack had multiple helpings.  The girls all cleared their plates as well, but many, many compliments were dished out from the boys. :)  So I'm here to share the culinary wealth once again.  Thanks to my friend, Amber, for our new must-have dinner, Pizza Pasta, which I am told also freezes really well.

Pizza Pasta

• 1 pkg mild Italian Sausage
• 1 pkg pepperoni (sliced)
• 1 pkg shredded mozzarella cheese (6 cups)
• 1 32 oz. jar spaghetti sauce
• 1 14 oz. box rotini pasta
• (optional) 1 med onion, finely chopped

1.  Cook sausage and boil pasta. 
2.  Combine sausage, pasta, and spaghetti sauce in a large bowl.
3.  Pour 1/2 the mixture in 9x13 dish.
4.  Top pasta mixture with 1/2 the pepperoni.
5.  Top pepperoni with 1/2 the cheese.
6.  Repeat layers and cook 45 mins. at 350.

Christmas Prep

We haven't hardly done any shopping and we don't have the tree and holiday decor out of the attic yet, but we did manage to check a couple big ticket holiday to-do's off our list before Thanksgiving.

The house!

The Santa pics! 

Can't decide which of the three we like best.

Opinions welcome!

The End

My parents have gotten so good at hating me that they can't see anything else.  They can't see that it's really, really, really enough for me.  Like, forever.  I could do without dealing with them and this toxic relationship I've struggled and suffered with for 20 years now.  There's been recent fallout and more cold silence between us (yes, again) for the past several months and with the coming of Thanksgiving, it seems as though the deed is done.  I was already looking for a so-called end times confirmation for our relationship when I got yet another scathing, angry email from them today about why they would not come for Thanksgiving.

You'd think I'd be sad about this.  I wish I could feel anything.  I am so numb to all the drama and disapproval they heap on me at every turn.  Whatever.  All I feel now is relief that this really, really is it.  Truly, I feel a weight lifted and I feel like I can breathe now.  And move on!

And so, I officially dedicate this song to this dumb thing that I am glad is now over.  Please don't offer any condolences. I truly, truly am not sad. I cry a little about it, but they aren't sad tears.  Just tears at the passing of something that once meant something.



I should be out in that driveway stopping you
Tears should be rolling down my cheek
And I don't know why I'm not falling apart
Like I usually do
And how the thought of losing you's not killing me
I feel bad

That I can stand here strong
Cold as stone, Seems so wrong
I can't explain it
Maybe it's just
I've cried so much
I'm tired and I'm numb Baby I hate it
I feel bad that I don't feel bad

I can let myself be angry over wasted time
And sad about just throwing love away
Yeah I almost wish my heart was breaking
But I cant lie
All I want to do is turn the page
I feel Bad

That I can stand here strong
Cold as stone, Seems so wrong
I can't explain it
Maybe it's just
I've cried so much
I'm tired and I'm numb Baby I hate it
I feel bad

That I don't feel bitter, alone
I just feel its time, its time to move on
I just gotta move on and on and on and on

Yeah
Maybe it's just I've cried so much
I'm tired and I'm numb baby I hate it
I feel bad that I don't feel bad
No, I don't feel bad

Incoming Words via Book 29

I finished the 29th book of the year for me this week - Queen DeFiant by Anne O'Brien.  Not a bad read; not one I would necessarily recommend either.  It did offer some new words for my listing though, so there's that. :)

Chary

peripatetic

mordant

halberds

stultifying

mawkish

sobriquet

chivied

misericord

puissant

flux

timorous

cabachon

aesthete

plangent

frumently

invidious

vituperative

abstemious

lambent

Sassy Pants

My friend PerryLove and I took our girls to the Nashville Public Library's story time this morning where they put on a marionette puppet show of Cinderella.  I was proud of myself for driving all the way to Nashville, for navigating the crowded parking garage, and for not hitting any parked cars or cement poles as I maneuvered my large SUV into a spot ... and believe me, that last one was a close call.  Yikes!  Anyway, by the time we got to the theater space, it was standing room only, it was so crowded.  Nevermind that, the  girls enjoyed the show and getting close up to the stage after the crowd dispersed.

They also enjoyed the sights around the children's portion of the library.

As well, they enjoyed the nice weather and the fountain outside where they dropped/tossed many a penny.  

And - I have no idea where she learned this, but - my sassy pants enjoyed striking a pose for one more shot before we left.  Wow.

How can such a bony girl create such a curvy look?  Just wow.

Pictures Just Because

Recipe: Pumpkin Muffins

As soon as Anna and I got done groaning at the goodness of today's baking project, I snapped a pic of it for facebook, and settled down here to document on Scrapbook Brown.  I've made this before with different variations, but today I tried my hand at an accompanying glaze and it came off really well! I can't believe I haven't posted this recipe before.  It's a favorite around here and not just because it is so shockingly simple to make. Today's version was in the holiday spirit with pumpkin influences. :}

Simple Pumpkin Muffins

1 can of pure pumpkin puree
1 boxed cake mix (I used spice cake)
Options for add-ins - cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, chocolate chips, pecans, anything goes

Combine puree and cake mix. Add add-ins. Scoop batter into lined muffin tins. Bake at 350 for 15-20 mins.

Optional Glaze - While baking, make glaze by mixing confectioner's sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and just enough milk to create a thick, thick liquid consistency. Add glaze after baking.  Then add a little more after cooling. :) (Mine was still a little drippy so I applied it with a basting brush)

Duhlish!

Noah @ 6 1/2 Yrs.

A little over a week ago marked another of Noah's half birthdays.  We don't actually do anything for that but note it ... and blog it, of course.  Some tidbits about our Noah at the official age of 6 and a half.

• He has learned to snap and is so proud of that.
• He still can't tie his shoes but that's only because it hadn't occurred to us to teach him yet. :S
• Then again, we've never gotten him shoes with laces, so what's the point?
• When he has bad dreams they always involve zombies.
• He's finally staying dry at night on a reliably regular basis - like almost a whole month at a time.
• He cannot get enough of AFV.
• He knows how to coerce his sister into doing what he wants - "You can bring any princess you want!"
• Got his first warning at school. (he did not ask for help and in turn did not finish his work at centers)
• He's reading up a storm - I am so impressed with the improvement he's shown in just 3-4 mos. of 1st grade.
• He's taken to calling Josh by spelling out his name.  D-A-D-D-Y, and he calls them out rather quickly.  It's kind of funny actually.  He does M-O-M-M-Y, too, but more often with Josh because he gets sillier with Josh. :}
• I do believe he will start Speech classes soon.  We have an IEP meeting set up for next week to find out for sure.
• He digs Science and nonfiction books about military aircraft and battle weaponry.
• He plays baseball in the street with daddy and neighbors at every chance he gets.
• He still draws legs straight out of heads with no bodies.
• He prefers showers to baths now.  And he can do it all himself, shampoo included!
• He is not at all interested in riding bikes, so technically, he still needs training wheels.
• He still has yet to lose his first tooth.   
• He has begun to quiz us on math facts constantly and requests the quizzes right back.
• I won't say he struggles with math but I will say it doesn't come as naturally to him as reading.
• Fave buddies at school include Jacob, Carson, Caleb, Paul, Owen, Cindy, and Deanna.
• He melts my heart when he explains how he is turning away from the devil.
• He still tends to ask for things indirectly instead of directly.  For example, instead of asking for a pencil sharpener of his own, he will mention that everyone in his class has one and that it's ok with his teacher.
• He prefers to come to big church with us instead children's church. So he does.
• On a scale of 1-10 he only bugs Anna at about a 5 these days.  It used to be an 8.
• I just learned yesterday that he can do multiple pull ups.  Impressive.
• He's asking more and more involved questions.  Things like how God makes people, what we will do in Heaven, what people do if they don't get married, and whether or not Santa will know we are at a cabin this Christmas.  :}
• He continues to be the most beautiful boy I know.

Gearing Up for Thanksgiving

Taa Daa: Zipline

This Taa Daa moment has been brought to you by Josh, who crafted and completed a zip line in the back yard using all materials he had in his mess workshop this weekend.  

The kids can swing down the line or hang from a bar.  They preferred the swing mostly.

The incline is not so steep just yet, so Josh got a fair amount of exercise running the kids back and forth.  Noah is all about it!

 

Then, Josh spoiled the littlest Brown even further by rigging up a zip line for her Barbie.

 

Barbie, at least, doesn't have to be run back and forth across hers.

 

Next up on the backyard wish-list is a seesaw.  :)

2012 Family Pictures

We finally got our September session's cd of pictures this weekend.  We were only supposed to receive 15-20 pictures from our half hour session, but our photog got mixed up and gave us 90 proofs instead! From there, I spent all of yesterday studying and adoring them, narrowing them down to about 36 keepers, and designing this year's Christmas cards.  I uploaded 25 favorites on FB, and am posting the cream of the crop shots here. :)  These fall/winter months really are my favorite time of the year ... and beautiful pics of my people are just the icing on top!

Anna sort of stole the show with those baby blues of hers, but my sweet Noah kept pace by delivering his reliably perfect grins on cue over and over again.  The photographer just kept gushing about what good kids they were to work with and how easily the session was going.  Apparently, not all young children cooperate and do what they are told with such ease? :}  But seriously - I am so proud of those two and I store up in my heart (and blog) the kind words spoken over them by others like the ones we heard at this fun appointment.  Yay for successful family photos!