Living Out of the Box

Neglect

One of the reasons I blog is because I like to write. Generally, I don't have too much to say, but whatever. Read it or don't. Mostly, I started blogging when K was a baby because people would call to talk and ask for pictures and we didn't live near family. Frankly, I didn't want to talk to a bunch of people on the phone. There are some people I never want to talk to on the phone unless it was an emergency. As the kids get older, it isn't that people care less, but the newness has worn off. My mom still likes to see pictures of the kids. Maybe my sister too.

So I blog and I quit and I blog and I quit. I made Mr. A help me and now where is he? Tired from taking the CTA to work at the crack of dawn I believe. Which is really a funny story about how we got rid of his truck to save money (it does) and that his office is moving downtown (it is) but his group isn't moving now until probably 2012 instead of January. ha ha. So the guy is tired. Too tired to blog.

I started back with school a couple of weeks ago and while I love it, it does tend to suck the life out of me a bit.

Enough complaining. Here's a picture.

We were at the Lincoln Park Zoo yesterday. We love it... it is so close to our flat and its free although we do pay to park so it really isn't. T has always had a hard time at the zoo which is unfortunate because K really likes it. Yesterday was different though. T actually looked at some of the animals. Mostly he liked anything with water. Here he is at the polar bear which he could have stood forever at. He is over the whole stroller thing and a bit too big anyway so we brought the wagon along. It was great to have it, but not really necessary. We had a picnic lunch and ice cream for a treat. The nature boardwalk is done and is beautiful, but some dummy designer was obviously not thinking about kids visiting the zoo when they decided using natural stones for low benches across the bridge. That is an accident waiting to happen... luckily we didn't have anyone fly off one and slice open their face. The best part about the trip to the zoo was the weather. It was PERFECT.

Anyway... have a good Monday. As usual, I am cut off from the computer. Someone else wants to get on. I promise more from me this week... Mr. A? I can't make any promises.

xoxo N

Thursday Tutorial: Nescafe Instant Coffee (On Friday!)

I decided that if Mrs. N can do a 'How to', than so can I. I will be choosing some simpler tasks though:)

To start things off right, I decided to do a tutorial on how to make a cup of instant coffee. Don't laugh....you can screw this up. I am doing this because I am now taking public transportation to work, so caring a hot cup of coffee on a bus, train, bus and bus is not my idea of fun. So, if I can make a decent cup of coffee at work, I will do it.

So first off you need supplies.

1) Coffee Cup - I went with the thermal cup with lid.

2) Instant Coffee - I tried Nescafe. I'll get to the taste later.

3) Optional - Cream, Sugar or any other "Fixin's" - I went with the Coffee-mate French Vanilla pack.

4) Hot/Warm Water Source - The galley area at my office has a hot water tap on the coffee maker. The Nescafe packet said only 6 oz. of water....I pushed the amount up to fill the full cup, it was probably 10 oz.

5) Stir Implement

Next up is the actual coffee 'brewing'

1) Prepare your supplies.

2) Mix coffee, creamer and water. I chose to put the dry ingredients in the cup first, and then add the water. I find that this helps with mixing.

 

3) Stir ingredients.

Finally, you need to taste, and hopefully enjoy the cup of coffee. The entire process took me less than 1 minute. Not bad.

I have had Nescafe before, but never in pre measured packet form. It was very good and when paired with the French vanilla creamer, it was quite good. The extra water in the cup did not affect the taste for me. I will be enjoying many cups in the weeks and months to come.

That is all for now. I hope you have a great day.

Mr. A

PS... this would have been posted yesterday, but I forgot about it. Whoops. xoxo N

Heart to Heart: Mr. K and His Ever Growing Curiosity

T started school a couple of weeks ago... I think we already talked about that. It is preschool through our school district at a school very close to our flat although it is not his neighborhood school which doesn't take special needs preschoolers. The shocking thing for me was to see that the elementary schools here go through 8th grade. There is no middle school. There are kids bigger than me and luckily, T isn't phased by size. 

When K and I drop off T in the morning, he is by far the youngest child in the entire school.  I need to mention that all the kids in this summer program are special needs. This means that some, like T, have needs that are different than most kids that you can't see on first glance. Many of the boys big and small have an Autism Spectrum Disorder, just like T. All of the behaviors and signs of this are totally acceptable to K... he understands it as he lives with someone with Autism. He knows that  echolalia, stimming, language barriers, sensory seeking, etc. are all part of everyday life. He doesn't see anything strange or weird or different because he intimately knows someone who does some of these things.

On the other hand, this is K's first experience with kids with other special needs. Many of the children have physical evidence of what makes them different from K. Wheelchairs, tracheostomies, crutches, and more fill the classrooms. None of this is out of the ordinary for T as this is his first time in school. He likes the wheels on some of the kids walkers and chairs and is excited when they show him. K on the other hand is nervous and curious, but at the same time, being 5, he has yet to learn that he shouldn't shout out things like, "LOOK AT THAT KID!" despite having had many conversations.

Let me set the scene for you. K is naturally advanced in some things that pertain to logic and intelligence. For instance he reads at about a second or third grade level and the other day was explaining physics to me. He was practicing multiplying money this morning. These things that have solid explanations like math and reading and science just make sense to K. Many subjects you never have to explain more than once. HOWEVER, the kid is only 5. His emotional level is that of his age so he struggles with this pull of knowledge versus emotion as the latter is not easily explained. So here I have an intelligent little boy who can communicate very well and understand exactly what is occurring around him, but emotionally, its all just too much to wrap his mind around things like other kids having special needs that are different than what we experience at home. He asks questions, and has been learning not to shout out, but ask nicely. We have also been stressing that it is okay to talk to some of the other kids that go to T's school. It is okay to wonder what things are, but we need to be polite about it all.

I have been deliberating on the term "disability" as many of the children at T's school are "disabled". K does not like the term "special needs" because he feels he is special as well. Really, he's right and we all are. When talking about how everyone is different, I have been stating that some people's bodies work differently or parts of them don't work at all. We have explained Autism as being something that makes T's brain work differently and compared it to wires in a computer. Its enough for now, for K. He accepts the answers.

How do you teach these emotional lessons? Stepping out into the world with small kids, how to you show that it is okay to be different and it is okay to ask for help to understand?

xoxo N

Thursday: Tutorial Trial: Noodleheads' Drawstring Backpack

I love sewing. For the most part. BUT, I am self taught and really really slow. I can't following a paper pattern, but probably because I have never been taught. I can, follow instructions. I had spotted this Drawstring Backpack from Khaki Pants on Noodleheads and I HAD to try it. For the most part, I followed the directions to a t... except for using cord for the straps as I had everything BUT cord so I used fleece binding and sewed it up. It actually turned out well to use it because it is soft and squishy as well as being the perfect amount for premade binding. I ended up making three of them... one for each of the little boys and one for my neice, Miss K.

First, I started with a pair of pants, just like the pattern. The boys are made from Mr. A's wedding pants... linen khakis as we got married on the beach in FL :)

I worked in the zipper... it was my first time sewing a zipper since 8th grade home ec! The one for Miss K, I had misplaced her pink zipper so I recycled a zipper from one of the million first class packs we have recieved from flying. I always feel guilty just tossing them out so now I am excited to rip the fancy zippers out of them first!

 

The hardest part? Surprisingly, not the zipper, but making sure the tabs to thread the straps through line up. I don't like ironing too much, so the end results weren't ironed. T has been using his as his school bag which works well since they only get a paper here and there. We used the boys bags as their toy travel packs which have been perfect. They both can carry them and if they are too heavy, they are too full of toys that they don't need!

I really like the fabric for Miss K's... Apples and Pears. See the fancy zipper with the fancy little leather pulls?

Ugh... that wall looks nasty. Guess there is something else to add to my list... Any way, back to the matter at hand....

 
Anna's instructions were easily read and followed, even for a beginner like me! I think that she lays everything out nicely so that you don't miss anything. By the third bag, I didn't even need to follow the directions and remembered all the measurements which made everything super breezy. Next I am going to try her Fold Over Bag... I can't wait!

xoxo N

 

Wednesday: Out and About

K and I have been having a great time while T is in school. Summer vacation suits us both. Too bad for me, I start back up again soon. We are making the most of our time off though, K and I. On Sunday, I took a break from all the boys and went down to the Art Institute. I met a friend and we hung out... It was a much needed break and I had been hoping to get down there for some time.

It's always fun to take the train... despite being hot and sweaty and stinky strangers standing or sitting to close. I don't like standing up on the train when its moving. On the way home it was packed and there was no where for me to sit. Because I look totally steady, I never ask anyone for a seat or to move their lazy butts for my lazy butt. On the other hand, the girl I nearly killed when I fell on her would have probably appreciated it had I not attempted to stand on the train. Mr. A told me I should have held on... DUH! I WAS HOLDING ON! Oh well, all was fine and I made it home with only a bruised ego.

 LOOK! Some Miller Lite was waiting too. Wonder where it was headed.

I had yet to visit Millennium Park, but got to see the Bean and the Amphitheater before headed over the walkway to the museum. It had been stormy and rainy that morning, but the sun came out right when I got down there and it was HOT HOT HOT. and muggy.

Max the Cat on the other hand has been spending his days like this to cool off....

 
I love living in Chicago... Hopefully, we'll start taking more pictures of the city.

xoxo N

Wipeout Fans

Mr. A and K here. We are writting a post together, what fun?!?

We are writting to tell the world how awesome Wipeout is. It is the best and funniest show on Earth. We are super happy that it is summer, becuase Wipeout is on. We have waited all year for this. Last year, my birthday (Mr. A) fell on the season premier. It didn't happen this year, so my birthday was only half as fun:)

This year's Wipeout is the best ever; K is ready for the Soccer Wipeout Party coming this week. We always have a 'party' on the nights that the show airs.

K's favorite part so far this season was when the Opera Singer sang "I Love Big Baaallllssss!!!".

I always love the Eliminator and the Wipeout Zone.

Anyway, that is all for now, from the Planet's Biggest Wipeout Fans, Mr. A and K.

 

Construction Commute

 

Hello All. Mr. A here. Just catching up on some of my daily happenings.

I am in the process of converting my commute to work from personal car to public transportation. I cannot wait. The summer commute is often highlighted with surprise stops and reroutes due to construction. The picture above is a classic example. The two weeks prior to this particular morning, the road was down to one lane, which is not much of an issue because you can still get through. It is the unexpected "STOP" that appeared on this day that was an issue. I am about 60 seconds away from my work, when I get a 2 minute break....ugh. If you add a few more of these unexpected stops, which I do, that can add between 10 to 20 minutes to the commute.

The added, unexpected time, is why I am ready to give up my vehicle. It will take about 20 minutes longer, but I am rested and cool at arrival. My vehicle has spotty air conditioning and vinyl seats, yuck!

I am also ready to give up some of my "Carbon Footprint". When I get rid of my old vehicle, I will be giving up a 1983 gas hog. I am feeling extra guilty about my oil consumption after the BP Oil Spill. Mrs. N and I think that the best way to prevent another spill in the Gulf is to stop consuming so much gas. No need for gas, no need for oil, no need to drill and finally, no spills.

Here's to a good commute!

Mr. A

 

Park Saturday

 

Mr. A here... it is officially Summer! The boys and I set out this week to check out the parks while Mrs. N finished up some school work.

We hit a local park. And when I say hit, we literally hit it. Our youngest, T, tripped and fell while running arond the sidewalk surrounding the main park and ended up with 'road rash' all over his face. Ouch! I did not have any Bactine so we went home to clean it up. I wish that I had one of those little spray bottles in the first aid kit, but I didn't.

After the spray..and screams...we headed out to another..less bloody park. (We always try to spray scraps and cuts with Bactine on T, because keeping a Band-Aid on him is impossible. K on the other hand is addicted to Band-Aids, and is always 'applying' them for his 'cuts'.)

This park was nice. Both K and T were having fun. K met a nice boy who had his soccer game cancelled because none of his teammates showed. Bum deal!

T found the water fountain area. He and K had a blast running around and splashing in the water. They did not have on swim suits, so they loved it even more. Getting wet in the warm summer sun is what being a kid is all about. The picture included in the post is of T playing in one of the fountains. There were four fountains in all, set in a circle. In the center of the cirtle was the water draing. K asked me "Why is there a drain?" I said "Because we don't want the  park to flood." And of course he said "Why not?" This conversation could have gone on forever....but the water was to much to ignore. K was distracted by a splash in the face from T.

After about 30 minutes of splashing and laughs the boys and I headed back home. Mrs. N was finishing up her school work when we opened the door, soaked to the bone. Good times.

I can't wait to hit the beach with these guys:)

Mr. A

Thursday Tutorial Trial -- Picture Frame Upgrade

Today's tutorial isn't actually from anywhere, but it's from my own home! I had purchased a black faux reptile type skin picture frame a long time ago for a gift. It was never gifted. It sat around my house without a picture in it forEVER. It has even moved. Twice, maybe.

The only problem with it? It was black and doesn't really fit with the rest of our house. I asked Mr. A if he could think of what to do with it. He shrugged. If only it were white, I said. So make it that way, he said.

Brilliant!

Step one: Clean up the frame... especially if it is dusty! Proceed to take off the hardware from the back and any portion that isn't going to get painted like the glass. Asses your materials. If you have a wood frame you may want to sand it up and clean it again. My frame was either vinyl or paper or vinyl coated paper.

Step two: Decide your next plan for your coats. I happened to have gesso on hand so I started with a coat as to make my paint application easier. You can pretty much use any kind of primer. Even an extra coat of paint maybe acceptable... it just depends on your frame.

 

Step three: Start applying the primer! Remember to let your coats dry before going to the next coat. This will help eliminate any possible bubbling of the paint. Best to do more thin layers versus thick. I let my coats dry overnight.

Step four: After your layers are all dry, reattach all the hardware, insert a picture!

 Voila! An easy peasy frame makeover. Now if only I had the time to attack ALL of the frames in my house!

xo N

Checkin' It Out

School is over for the year! Mr. A and I couldn't remember the lines to the song... only the end which we decided is "No more teacher's dirty looks"! Today K is officially done. He was awarded with "The Best Imagination" which is actually kind of funny because I thought it would have been "The Best Scientist" or something more along that line. I am happy he has a the "Best Imagination"! K may or may not be in summer program. His school isn't sure if they'll have enough kids. I hope they do!

Side note... This week I told K, "You are driving me BONKERS!". His response, "Well, you're givin' me a headache." Touche little boy! TOUCHE. It's going to be a long summer.

T graduated from Early Intervention this week. Since the program has been us one on one with various Therapists, it consisted of Mr. A, T, Me, the three Therapists, and T's Coordinator. It was great to talk about where he's been and where he is going. T was just perplexed why everyone was in the room together and loved the attention. Today was his last therapy with his DT. It was bittersweet, but I feel like we have found forever friends. It made all the work that it takes to advocate for Autism, for our son, and others with special needs seem more like a hill and less like a mountain range.

Yesterday we went over to T's new school playground. First off, there were a TON of kids but T did just FINE with it and rolled with the punches. He can't stand having his picture taken, so I tried my hardest. Here's what I got...

I can't believe how little he looks at the same time he looks so big. Next week is his birthday and I am so proud of how much he's accomplished!

xoxo N