Phone pics

Here are a few photos from the past couple of months from my phone.

Robbie and Daddy in a tree at the park on an unseasonably nice day in November or December.

 Clara being a shoulder angel.

We went to a fun ugly sweater party hosted by our friends the Robertsons at Christmas. Michael found these beauties at Goodwill. We realized later that they were supposed to be Christmas sweaters (doy) but oh well. It was fun!

 We saw the lights at the D.C. temple before Christmas for the first time with our friends, John and Karisa McAllister. It was super crowded, but it was a nice night (minus a couple of close calls when we lost Clara and Robbie in the crowd!).

School was cancelled after this quarter inch of snow fell. Ha! But apparently northern parts of the county got a lot more, plus we have Massanutten whose roads can get pretty nasty. The kids enjoyed being outside for about fifteen minutes, and then we enjoyed some hot cocoa. It was pretty much the last time I could zip up my snow pants, so I am hoping we don't have much snow this season or I am going to be in trouble.

Party time

Clara REALLY wanted a birthday party this year. I wasn't very eager to do a party since the last two we'd done (when she was six and eight) resulted in tears from Clara at least once each time. However, she was so persistent that I agreed.

I continue to learn a lot about helping a child with Asperger's (at least, my child) be successful. In terms of planning a challenging social situation like a birthday party (answering the door, thanking each person when they give a gift, interacting appropriately, saying goodbye, dealing with lots of people and lots of noise, etc.), I knew that we needed to review quite a bit in advance about what to do and what we were going to do. Michael and I role-played with her various situations, and I would ask her questions like, "What do you do if someone gives you a present you don't like?" (She knew the correct response, "I say 'thank you' anyway.") "What can you do if you feel overwhelmed?" She responded, "I can go to my room and shut the door." I said, "Well, that might make people feel bad, but it would be appropriate to go into the bathroom for a bit and just have some alone time in there." We reviewed things about answering the door, thanking each girl when they gave her a gift, not being exclusive with any one girl, saying goodbye and "Thank you for coming" when they left (that was the one thing she didn't really do, unfortunately), etc. We talked about having an "others first" attitude and that as the hostess her job was to make sure her friends felt comfortable. I am sure these are things you'd teach any child, but being explicit about these things is really important for Clara.

We also made a little schedule about what was going to happen in what order. And I specifically chose an activity--dinner and a movie--that wouldn't require too much of her, since there was already going to be a lot going on. I have made the mistake in the past of thinking, "Well, I need to challenge her by putting her into more complex social situations where she can practice and learn these skills." What I didn't realize, however, is that it was like I was asking a toddler to run a marathon. So I am learning through our RDI experiences (I'll talk about that another time) that I need to help her feel competent in a lesser role so she can take on bigger challenges later. So no lag time where tons of conversation was required, no complex games that would make her feel overwhelmed, etc.

 Decorations ready to go.

Party favors next to Clara's "birthday spotlight" on the entry table.

 Despite an early release due to wintry weather, nearly everyone was able to come.

 Instead of cake, we did root beer floats, which were super easy. I put a candle in Clara's ice cream and everyone sang to her.

 Emmy, Sierra, Jae'lyn, and Carolina at the bar.

 Ellie, Evelyn, Erica, Allie, Clara, Jordan, and Mary saying "Cheers!"

Getting candy for the movie. This was a learning experience--next time I will pre-pack the boxes because not all the candy was distributed evenly and a few girls felt sad they didn't get much (note to self: Swedish Fish and Sour Patch Kids are very popular). 

 Clara had a great time the whole night. I shouldn't have been, but I was surprised at how insistent Robbie was about being involved and wanting to be in on the action. I thought he would have been shy, but no, he wanted to be right in the middle of it.

We don't currently have a TV, so Michael set up his projector from the office up in the playroom and the girls watched Lindsay Lohan in "The Parent Trap." Cute and fun movie--some of the girls had seen it and some hadn't, but they all liked it.


Check out the speakers Michael duct-taped to the play kitchen and the cardboard brick propping up the projector. Awesome. Robbie enjoyed watching it with us, too.

Overall, I was so grateful it went well. I think (hope!) the girls all had fun, and I was proud of Clara for doing so well, too.

However, we are definitely not doing a party next year. I need a break. Phew!

Ten years old

It is amazing that ten years ago Clara was born. She was such a cute, chubby baby with lots of dark hair with a great wave. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father sent her to our family. She has been taking swimming lessons at the RMH Wellness Center this month and has really enjoyed them. She loves being in the water.

Clara continues to love to read, listen to music, watch movies/play on the tablet/DVD player. She has enjoyed reading/watching Pollyanna and lately has been very into BYU's comedy troupe Studio C, which Daddy introduced her to. She went through a huge Geronimo Stilton phase, which she still likes although perhaps not as much as before. She even wrote him a letter and he responded! In like manner, she wrote a letter to Studio C and hopes they will answer her any day now.

Clara has really been learning to be kind and play well with Robbie. There are still moments of hitting, etc., but she is so sweet with him much of the time. They enjoy jumping on the mini trampoline together, riding plasma cars in the basement, and running around terrorizing each other with balloons or other things. The other night Robbie wanted her to read to him, and she did so well continuing to read despite his wiggliness. He asked her to read another book after the first. She loves kissing him good night in bed and often asks him for hugs (which he will sometimes give and sometimes withhold, depending on his whim). She is continuing to work hard in school and has nearly all the multiplication facts memorized. She has two favorite friends at school, Jae'lyn and Allie, both of whom are very sweet to her. They are both invited to her birthday party tonight, along with the girls from Activity Days at church.

Speaking of birthdays, we had a fun day on Tuesday celebrating Clara's birthday.

 Getting breakfast in bed!

Clara has picked Lucky Charms for her cereal for the past few years. They are magically delicious, right?!

 Clara said Robbie could have some, so I brought him up a little bag to enjoy while we had devotional in Clara's room.

 Posing on the fireplace. The deer are celebrating, too!

 Having a blast blowing noise makers.

 Excited for cake!!

 Clara requested a "C" cake. Not for her name, which was my initial thought. It was for "Studio C." Ha!

 Happy birthday, sweet girl!

2014: a very brief review

2014 was a great year for us. For me, personally, I didn't really accomplish all that I'd intended to, but I did complete some. Frankly, the summer routine (or lack thereof) threw me off and then I got pregnant and haven't felt 100 percent for the past four months. But that's okay. I am excited for 2015, although I know all my plans and routines will be thrown off in about five months again but will hopefully recover (undoubtedly altered) in the fall again.

I read some good books this year:

Mindful Parenting (great ideas--now need to implement!)
1-2-3 Magic (still in process)
The Power of Positive Parenting (read again for the second time)
Relentless by Lisa Johnson Boswell (thought-provoking and inspiring)
Various YA books, like a couple of Rick Riordan books, Blackmoore (cute but not amazing)
Mrs. Sharp's Traditions by Sarah Ban Breathnach (really enjoyed this)
Boys Adrift (another good one)
The Gifts of Imperfection (still in process)
I know I read others but can't think of them

I am pondering on my 2015 goals and am determined to keep up with them better than I did last year.

We find out the gender in two weeks--hooray!

Christmas Afternoon

After naptime, we headed over to the stake center for a fun Weiler Christmas. (I forgot to mention we'd joined them the night before for the Mary and Joseph dinner on Christmas Eve, which was also great--I just didn't take any pictures.)

Michael and I were in charge of some minute-to-win-it games for the family. I was impressed at how well all the grandkids did with all the crazyness going on.

 All the adults standing around, ready for the entertainment.

 The cookie on the forehead. Impressive self-control from most of them to wait to eat them.

 I was glad Clara participated.

 Of course, we had the adults play, too.

 This shot cracks me up.

Keith and Bethany. Bethany is due in March with a boy. Fun!

 Michael forced strongly encouraged his parents to play the water bottle and the panty hose game. They were good sports.

Robbie gravitated to Joseph and wanted him to hold and play with him all the time. Joseph was so sweet with Robbie.

The following day, we took some Weiler family pictures, since everyone was there except for Hyrum. We did enjoy Skyping with him on Christmas from his mission. He is doing so well.

 I took a few pics from the side. L'Anita suggested I bring Hyrum's fat head down from VA as a joke.

Here studious Seth is catching up on his academic reading (*cough* Fablehaven *cough*).

It was a wonderful visit with both sides of the family, complete with visits to my siblings, Matt, Clay, and Bryan and their families. Merry Christmas and now a Happy New Year!

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning we awoke at my parents' home and all piled onto my parents' bed to open stockings, per the Dunford tradition.

 Excited to see what's inside . . .

 My lovely parents.

 Then we line up on the stairs from youngest to oldest to go down and take turns opening presents. Robbie didn't quite get the whole thing, but he will next year!

 Carefully opening his first gift.

 Michael going into Duplo world, unfettered by any other concerns except to build Build BUILD!

 Oh boy! A Duplo train!

 Clara giving me a hug after receiving a gift.

 Me and my mom--she has always gotten dressed before Christmas morning begins. I like that tradition but my hair takes too long to dry.

 Clara was excited to receive a mechanical puppy, something she has requested for about six months.

We then enjoyed cheesy scrambled eggs, orange juice and chocolate milk, Amie's cinnamon cake, and sausage. Delicious.

Christmas Eve

We traveled down to Georgia for Christmas this year. We had a good time!

On the 23rd, we had the Dunford Christmas Eve buffet with my Georgia siblings at my parents' home (they sold their house in the fall and are renting until they find the right new house).

 All the grandkids are getting so big. Here is Lia, Rowan, Grace, Faith, and Clara, ages six (seven?) to nine.

Here are the older grandkids, who are also growing up so much--Kendall, Cailey, Eden, Brooke, Preston, and Clay, ages 10 to 17.

 The grown-up table. Notice the traditional Christmas crackers we have every year.

 Candid shots aren't the most exciting but I didn't want to interrupt everyone's eating. Notice my brother, Matt, at the head of the table, who is a year over his cancer. Awesome.

Wearing our Christmas crowns.