Teenagers

I have a theory. Those babies that we so lovingly bring into the world, and hold and cherish with the upmost care, are so adoringly cute for a reason. Why you ask? So we can think back on those wonderful times when they turn into those tall, walking and talking creatures full of hormones and attitude, and in the case of girls tears. The loss of sleep and the dirty bottoms of babyhood seems nothing to me anymore, a vacation before the real stuff began. The scrapes, bruises, and messes of childhood seemed to be a warm up period before the action. Oh the trials and tribulations of parenting a teenage girl...

Autism and Communication...Wonderfully Verbal

Most people who didn't know us, who didn't know Quirky before we moved here, would be surprised at how far she has come in her communication in such a short amount of time. She has her own way of saying things, but she gets her point across. If you listen carefully, you'll recognize movie lines and tones of voice that she has stored away for use. Her words may not come together in the most eloquent of ways, and some days I'm left wondering what she is talking about, but Quirky is gloriously verbal. Dork and I, although we get aggravated some days, understand that we are lucky. 

Supermom...well maybe

Quirky and I have been working on a Unit Study of the Human Body for several weeks now, and I have been saving the awkward for last...yeah you've got it...the reproductive system. Of course Quirky and I have had the "birds and the bees" talk but now we are looking into things a little more closely...Yikes!

"I want to Dance...

... all night to the best song ever...blah blah blah", over and over in my head the words keep playing my head. Sometimes they are mixed up in some weird combo with "you don't know your beautiful". Why may you ask does this crazy woman have parts of One Direction songs stuck in her head? Mainly because Dork and I just spent several hours

Shake...Rattle...

It's Sunday morning...Dork is gone...Quirky is upstairs still in bed...and even Oscar is being quiet. Silence...nothing but the birds outside. I quickly make my morning cup of coffee and dash for the sun room and settle in with a warm blanket and my new book. Ahhhh...peace...quiet....relaxation.

Got Polyjuice potion?

     To say that Quirky is a Harry Potter fan might be just a slight understatement...OK a gross understatement. She is a new fan...but a devoted fan. Before you start worrying that she is going to turn stalker to Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, or Emma Watson...don't panic...to her they are Harry, Ron, and Hermione and they live at a school called Hogwarts. She could care less about the real people behind those parts...unless of course they could produce a patronus charm for her...then well things might be different. What does she see in these famous characters that fascinates her so much? Acceptance...I think. Friendship...I'm sure of.

So...How was your morning?

How was mine? Well, since you asked...


Me: Looking at kid lying face down on carpet. Why are you lying down?
Quirky: Because.
Me: Because of what?
Quirky: That.
Me: Ok. That what?
Quirky: Case.
Me: Long sigh...ponder in head how iPod case made kid fall over. Give up...make bad decision to start school.
Me half hour later: Spend fifteen minutes trying to explain that multiplication problems don't morph into division problems halfway through working.
Me one hour later: Stop class to draw her attention away from the lines on her knuckles and back to subject at hand.
Me two hours later: Watch as she stares in space pretending to read assignment.

Big Sigh.

So....How was your morning?

Making Lunch, Peanut Butter and Honey Dip...Quirky Style

    Quirky helped make lunch today...she made the dip while I sliced apples and made sandwiches. She worked hard and did her work without any supervision. Want Quirky's Recipe for Peanut Butter and Honey Dip? It's great with carrots, apples, or crackers. It's bound to be one of your favorites...well maybe.  If you can get past the...well I can't tell you that yet... it will completely ruin my post. Are you curious yet? Well what are you waiting for...
While slicing our apples for lunch I had noticed Quirky out of the corner of my eye licking the spoon. At the time I thought nothing of it...I lick the spoon myself when I'm done with it. We don't stand on ceremony around here. Then as we were getting ready to sit down to eat I noticed Quirky licking the spoon again...still not thinking anything about it. Then we sat down to eat...and I finally thought about. While eating I thought about it some more...Curiosity finally got to me and I had to ask. Well here it is...

Quirky's Recipe for Peanut Butter and Honey Dip

(A Dip that Only Your Family Could Love) 
    
Scoop one large spoonful of peanut butter and place it in a small bowl.
Lick Spoon.
Dip spoon back into peanut butter and scoop another large spoonful of peanut butter.
Lick Spoon.
Squeeze honey into bowls while licking spoon some more.
Take spoon from mouth and use to stir bowls of honey and peanut butter.
Yuck.
    

Afterwords looking down at my half finished dip I'm not sure that I glad I asked. Oh go ahead a laugh...by the way would you like to come over for some veggies and dip?

Listen Up All You History Lovers...

     Quirky and I have been studying Ancient Mesopotamia the past several weeks. We have read book after book, watched video after video, and worked on project after project. I like to think she has learned something...at the very least how the inventions of the great civilizations that developed there have bearing on us today.
     In all the information that we have gathered, from all the different sources that we have used Quirky learned something that I didn't know...

Happy Halloween!

Hello out there and Happy Halloween! Do you have your kids costumes ready yet? Are you well prepared...Oh I bought that weeks ago or did you dash out at the last minute with that crazed mom on a mission look in your eyes and terrorize the shelves of your local Shop to You Drop Super Center? I kind of fall into that last category...except with a slight twist. What do I mean you ask? Well...

"Mom...I am NOT going to marry a prince."

 HUH? That's what my mind thought when Quirky announced this to me last week. Doesn't every little girl dream of marrying a prince? We watch Disney movies, dress up and daydream about princes. (admit it...you did at least once) When I asked why her explanation was well....

Obsessions

Quirky has a few obsessions...things that occupy a vast majority of our time and can often take over our lives. One of those reoccurring themes are...

In the Pink

MMMM.... What is more embarrassing to think about...Wearing Dork's pink underwear?...or not being able to wear Dork's pink underwear because my behind is just too big to fit? What am I talking about you ask? Well...

More Testing....PLEASE?

Recently Quirky's had to do her end of the year testing. Yes tests. Those dreaded...panic attack causing....stressful things that are required by most if not all states. Quirky though...well she and I have a unique way of looking at things and well I guess it has paid off...

Vanity

Quirky and I were headed out to do some shopping. I was rushing around trying to finish getting dressed and Quirky was "helping" by sitting in my bathroom "talking" my ear off. As bad as I hate to say it...most of what she said I kind of ignored (insert sheepish shrug here). It was repetitive...things I has already heard earlier in the day, week, month...you get the point. My ears however did perk up when there was a pause in the conversation...which was followed by...

And the answer is...

Ok. Here are two questions taken from a quiz that Quirky recently took on pirates. First question...What was the name of the famous ship that was discovered in 1996? Quirky's answer...Blackbeard's ship, Queen Anne's Revenge. Which is correct by the way for those of you who may be pirately challenged.  Second question...Who's ship was it? Quirky's answer....

One can never be too safe...

or can you? Its been warm here lately. So warm and beautiful that Quirky and I have been spending a lot of time outdoors playing. We have been having a marvelous time...playing ball...drawing with chalk...playing with bubbles...wearing helmets...wait a minute..."What?" you ask. "Oh wait I see...you were riding bikes?" NOPE...

Attitudey Judy

...that is what I have taken to calling Quirky. Judy is not her real name mind you...it just rhymes in a self satisfying kind of way. Lately Quirky has been throwing a lot and I mean a lot of attitude my way. Ask a simple question what do I get...attitude. Can hear her when she mumbles...ask her to repeat...more attitude. Where is all this attitude coming from? I have theories...

MMMM....Let's Talk About Career Choices

Quirky brought home a worksheet from school today. It was a career choices worksheet...I laughed until I hurt at the answers she gave. Do you want to work?....uh...NO. It was just so Quirky and besides....what elementary child can REALLY answer these questions?

Special Olympics

Quirky recently got the opportunity to participate in our local track and field special Olympics. She brought home one first place ribbon and two third place ribbons. She was ecstatic...on top of the world. Dork and I were extremely proud. This is not our first experience with Special Olympics either in fact you might Quirky is beginning to become quite a pro...this is her third year. Participating gives Quirky an opportunity to relax and kick back with her friends....and by kick back I mean....