One day of school

Kyle was well enough to go to school today.  I think he could have gone yesterday but it was better to make sure he was feeling better.  He ended up missing Monday and Tuesday of this week, and only attended one day this week. 

We decided not to go to Kyle's therapy tomorrow due to the weather.  It's been raining and our tires are so old, Shannon doesn't feel comfortable driving in the rain with our tires.  The last time we had the tires changed was in 2004...yes, it's been 6 years since we bought new tires.  During those 6 years, the tires went through driving across the United States in 2007! 

I have been thinking about getting a soy candle starter kit!  I think I would really enjoy making soy candles!  Yesterday, I ended up buying two tart burners on facebook.  I went a little crazy and plus they were really cute!  Now I am considering making tarts for myself to see how that goes.  I have never burned tarts before, so I am really looking forward to trying it out.  It may be safer to use (no fire required to melt tarts), especially around Kyle! 

 

I have also been thinking about getting a small food processor.  I can use it when I make our homemade laundry detergent.  It would only take a few minutes to grate the soap if I use a food processor, rather than grate it by hand!  Also, there are a few recipes that I want to try, that require a food processor.  I found one I liked on amazon and Walmart!  I may buy it from amazon and save my gift cards to get it for free! 

The weather is changing

With season changes, comes changes with the weather.  It's been raining for the last few days.  Unfortunately that means it's back to hand washing our clothes.  I washed Kyle's clothes since his are easier and less back-breaking.

I am not sure if we'll have to go to the laundry mat later this week, but it looks like the weather will let up in a few days. 

My in-laws recently bought a new washer and dryer set earlier this month.  Their washer wasn't working right and it was an old set anyway.  We had to front them the money to buy the set and they will pay us back when they get the money.  Even though the set was over $1400, I am not impressed with it.  It's energy efficient and has a "wrinkle shield" option and that doesn't seem to do anything special.  I have more wrinkles in my clothes even when I don't use the wrinkle shield.  I take my clothes out as soon as the dryer is done and my clothes come out wrinkled!  There are other things I am not impressed with either.  If it were me, I would be happy with a set that's half that price.

Second time this school year

Kyle has been sick with a cold for the last 4 days or so.  It started out with a runny/stuffy nose for the first 2 days.  The third day it turned into a cough.  I can hear him wheezing a little too!  He had to stay home from school yesterday and we're going to keep him home again today.  I don't know if he caught this cold from school or his therapy!  He may have to miss this whole week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) of school and therapy on Thursday! 

In the meantime, we are still giving him his vitamins (he loves to take them).  He didn't eat much yesterday either.

This time around, Shannon and I haven't showed signs of catching this cold even though Kyle is coughing all over us!  LOL 

Trying something different

Kyle's preschool teacher called me on Friday afternoon and wanted to let me know that they are going to move him in the other preschool class.  There are more kids in that class and he'll be able to be around more boys and there will more opportunity for him to observe/hear other kids his age talking!  Plus he already knows the teachers and the kids in that class, they are also on the same schedule as far as "recess" time.  I asked his teacher if he will still receive speech therapy and she said that he would as he receives it twice a week.  The teacher said the speech therapist is really good, she gets down on the floor with the kids.  Plus he receives speech therapy at a separate location that is paid for by Medicaid.

His teacher also said he's a very happy boy this year.  I asked her if he's eating and drinking his milk and juice and she said yes!  She said he'll eat everything, which is surprising to me!  LOL  She said the kids are learning to open their own cartons of milk and juice.

I am really excited for him to be put in this classroom.  Since he doesn't have siblings, this will be a great way for him to see other kids talking.  He is already imitating other kids and us.  He's been learning how to do different exercises in occupational therapy and speech therapy.  His therapist says she only has to show him once or twice and after that he knows how to do it on his own.  For example, if she wants him to sit on the swing a certain way, all she has to do it show him once or twice and he will do it all by himself after that.

A time for Therapy and Shopping

Kyle had therapy today.  I set the alarm extra early so I had time to get ready and eat breakfast.  Kyle ended up waking up/sitting up right after I got out of bed.  He and I had breakfast together, he had cold cereal and I had oatmeal.  I was surprised he actually wanted cereal because normally he's so picky about what he has to eat.  As we were getting dressed and ready to go, Kyle wanted his school backpack because he thought he was going to school.  He seemed to know that things were out of routine, which he makes him nervous and uneasy.  When that happens, he starts whining.

A few days ago, my MIL mentioned to both Shannon and I that Kyle's hair doesn't look as shiny anymore and wasn't as soft to the touch.  I told her that it will shine in the sun.  Then she asked if he's still taking vitamins and I told her no.  Her comment made me realize that he does need to be taking vitamins as he does not eat that well!  He's a picky eater times 10!  In the end, I am glad she said something about Kyle's hair as she does not always feel his hair or see it everyday. 

While Kyle was in therapy, Shannon and I went to Walmart.  Shannon stayed in the car, mainly because he hasn't showered in days.  LOL  I ended up getting some colorful tops that were only $7, capri-type pants that can be worn for working out or lounging around, 2 pairs of jeans, shoes for Kyle, two different types of vitamins for Kyle, almond milk, and liquid plumr.  When I find jeans that actually fit in the waist, I tend to get 2 pairs!  These jeans fit like a glove, plus they are Levi's brand and so comfortable!  Kyle's feet seem to be growing like crazy because he needs new shoes.  His other pair of shoes that I bought from JC Penney's need to be returned because they will be snug on him.  This time, I bought him a size 11 in toddler.  I tried looking for BOY size shoes but they are still way too big for him.  I ended up getting Kyle two types of vitamins, one is a multivitamin and the other is for "immune support."  Hopefully that will help him stay healthy at school and not bring home as many colds!  I bought him "gummy type of vitamins" since he seems to like those.

My MIL and I ended up going to the "mall" here.  I wanted to return Kyle's shoes.  We went to another department store and I found a workout top on clearance for only $2.98!  I couldn't pass it up and bought it! 

Coconut Oil and SSI Saga

My coconut oil arrived today!  I didn't realize a 32 oz jar is so big!  This should last me at least 6 months.  This brand of coconut oil is to use in our foods mostly.  We eat a lot of soups and pastas so I plan on substituting butter with the coconut oil.   I am finishing up another brand of coconut oil, so once that one is gone, I can use this new brand for beauty too!

Today, we were informed that Kyle was approved for SSI!  I am just glad that the wait is over! 

Review another product

I am excited because I was chosen to review another product.  I heard through a "freebie" group that I am in that a company is looking for bloggers to review their product.  Rather than blogging, I told the company that I would review their product via my youtube account.  I told them that I already use coconut oil for beauty uses, such as leave-in hair conditioner, hair conditioner, makeup remover, skin moisturizer, etc.  I haven't really used coconut oil for cooking yet.  They are sending me a 32 fl oz jar of their brand of coconut oil to review.

I still have several more products to review from another company.  I plan on making my videos while Kyle is in school. 

Okay, so I'm raising a boy!

Ever since Kyle started school this year, he's been coming home with sand, dirt, and other debris in his shoes and stuck on his socks.  His socks are usually brown!  It's funny!  It made me realize I am definitely raising a BOY!  I think I need to start using bleach in our white laundry loads since his socks are no longer white! 

Kyle is loving school.  He doesn't whine while walking to the bus stop or even while waiting for the bus.  When we can see the bus coming towards us, I point it out to him and he stands there staring so intently at it.  I guess he's too excited to smile!  I keep my hand on him until the bus comes to a complete stop, I don't want to risk him running towards the bus or in front of it, especially after hearing about this local story.

So it turns out...

This past weekend, I had Kyle try on his new pants that are size 5T and they are too big on him.  The legs are really long on him too!  So, he's back in his 4T pants for now.  I plan on getting a few more pairs of the 4T's just so I have more on hand for him.  Right now he only has 3 pairs of 4T pants and one of them is kept at school, which means I only have 2 pairs of pants to work with. 

On the other hand, his new shirts look adorable on him!  His Daddy wears collared shirts so he looks like a mini version of his daddy!  He looks like a big boy in his shirts! 

We haveth food!

We went grocery shopping this afternoon.  We ended up going a little later than usual.  My in-laws had a salesperson over to test their water and try to sell them something to filter their water.  He was here for over 2 hours!  Of course, I was starving!  Kyle was starving and we shared a granola bar and a boca/garden burger. Anyway, we finally left around the time he left.  I found out as we were leaving that Shannon was also starving!  I wish he didn't wait so long for us to go grocery shopping! 

I had a ton of things to return at Walmart!  I had to return the clothes that I bought for Kyle, they were all the wrong sizes!  I also had to return some other things.  I ended up returning over $97 worth of things!  LOL  I didn't even realize it was that much! 

I ended up finding school uniform shirts for Kyle!  They are "extra small" collared shirts which should fit him.  The "smalls" were too big for him!  I bought him 3 navy blues and 3 burgundy shirts.  He'll be looking snazzy at school!  In addition, we needed toilet paper and paper towels.  Along with our usual groceries, I bought chocolate soy milk so that I can mix it with my whey protein!  I also bought cucumbers, salad, and a bag of green apples!  I love being able to eat healthy.  I plan on eating tuna sandwiches, I mix chopped cucumbers (instead of relish) in my tuna to add crunch to my sandwich.  I also add cucumber slices in my sandwich for even more crunch.  I plan on making fruit smoothies too!

The brand of whey protein that I bought had a customer review sharing a recipe that tastes like Wendy's Original Frosty.  I ended up making it tonight and it tastes really good!  All it takes is chocolate milk, vanilla ice cream and a scoop of the whey protein.  Mix in blender and enjoy!  I add a little bit of ice!

I ended up using about $10 worth of coupons!  Thankfully we have food stamps which pays for our food items!

Sick, Allergies, Asthma

Kyle was sick for a few days last week.  He started showing symptoms of being sick on Thursday of last week.  He was sneezing throughout the day on Thursday and then his nose was running and stuffed up.  He also started coughing!  He was sick for at least 2-4 days.  On his second day, I started showing the same symptoms he had.  Ever since then, I have had my allergies and asthma flare up!  I have no idea why my allergies are going crazy, I know it's not because of my MIL's cat (I am taking homeopathic medicine).  It's been hard for me to breathe for the last few days.  I have to struggle to breathe, it feels like only one of my lungs is working or someone is squeezing both of my lungs and both are working at half capacity.  I was using my store bought inhaler but I know it doesn't work as well as the prescription.  Since my nose isn't as stuffed, I am able to use peppermint oil, I use it as aromatherapy and it can help, but it takes time.  My asthma does come back if I do any kind of activity, such as walking up and down the stairs or even down the street (to Kyle's bus stop).  I ordered my homeopathic medicine for my asthma.  I hope that will start to regulate my asthma again. 

Kyle was supposed to have therapy tomorrow but Shannon isn't feeling well.  Hopefully we can make it for next week.  In the meantime, Kyle is enjoying school.  All I can say is that I enjoy the quiet time when he's at school!

I recently started watching All My Children, the soap opera!  I used to watch AMC when I was in junior high and then stopped until just recently!  There are only a few actors that I remember from back then!  In the past, I watched Passions (NBC) but was canceled.  I am still learning who is related to who, relationships, etc. 

My in-laws recently downsized on their cable package and now we have much less channels to watch.  It's a huge difference and will have to watch some of my shows online.  They had to downsize because they are having a hard time making ends meet.  I am having a hard time believing that considering my MIL has gone to the grocery store/food shopping 4 times in 8 days and 3 times in 7 days.  She also goes out shopping a few times a week with a nearby neighbor.  I guess that's their way of cutting down on their bills.  

We are still making our own laundry detergent!  It saves us money and it's so easy to do.  It only takes 3 ingredients and it works pretty well.  Plus I have noticed that our clothes haven't faded in color.  We are out of one of the ingredients and just ordered more online since they don't sell it in any of our stores. 

New Clothes and Shoes for School

Kyle's clothes and shoes arrived today!  The pants are so cute, they are a little long in the legs so hopefully they will shrink or we'll have to roll up the pants.  He is still growing though!  He has grown taller since last year!  His shoes are adorable too!  I bought him a brand name shoe by Vans!

I still need to buy some school shirts for Kyle.  I plan on buying him boy sizes (instead of toddler clothes).  

Here is a picture of Kyle's new shoes!  They are toddler size 10 shoes. 

Here is a picture of both shoe boxes.

Here's a picture of Shannon's shoe and Kyle's shoe side by side! 

A little bit different

Today was a little bit different for me!  Last night, I had trouble falling asleep (I had taken a nap earlier in the evening), so I ended up taking a melatonin.  After I took Kyle to the bus stop and made sure he got on the school bus, I came home, had breakfast, and ended up falling asleep a few hours later.  I took a two hour nap and it was so nice!  Normally I would have worked out shortly after breakfast!  I am enjoying the peace and quiet while Kyle is at school! 

A few hours after Kyle got home from school, I made time to workout!  I am still working on my new workout program and trying to stick to the workout schedule.  However, I have modified the schedule.  There are a couple of videos that require equipment that I don't have, but I still do the workouts.  I am already feeling a difference in my body and strength! 

School and Therapy

This was Kyle's second week of school for this school year.  He seems to be accustomed to our new morning routine of getting up early, getting ready for school, and walking to the bus stop.  When it's time to get on the bus, he knows to use both hands to hold on the to the rails and pull himself up on the steps! 

We took two weeks off from taking Kyle to therapy.  Last week was the first week of school and we weren't sure what his school schedule would be.  Also, his medicaid wasn't renewed yet so we didn't schedule for this week.  Now that his medicaid is officially renewed, we are now back on the schedule to take Kyle to therapy.  We are now going on Thursday mornings!

Kyle seems to love school!  He isn't whining when he sees the bus.  He seems fine on the walk back home from the bus stop as well.  His teacher says he's having good days too!