Quick weekend adventure

This past week Michael and I were feeling a bit stir-crazy and wanted to get out of dodge for a day or two. We decided to go up to Hershey, Pennsylvania (about three hours away) and visit Chocolate World.

Since Clara had Friday off of school, we left after lunchtime and headed north. However, that afternoon I had been feeling like I had a uti coming on, and I felt like I needed to be seen for it before it got worse. So, we stopped at an urgent care center in Winchester (an hour north), and 45 minutes later I had been tested and had a prescription for antibiotics. Feeling much less anxious, we arrived at our hotel (free thanks to Visa points!) and then headed down to the hotel pool.

It was a lot of fun, and the kids enjoyed going back and forth between the pool and the hot tub (well, mostly they just enjoyed the hot tub, but I was paranoid and made sure they only stayed in for brief periods of time). Michael really loves hot tubs. It kind of cracks me up because although I enjoy an occasional bath, being in the hot water for a long period just isn't really appealing to me.

 Splashing the water.

 Chilling in the warm air before heading back to our room.

After enjoying the breakfast buffet and packing up, we headed over to Chocolate World. (Clara complained of an upset stomach and had some digestive issues, but I didn't think much of them.) Although our hotel was pretty empty due to the cold weather and incoming snow storm, the park was very busy. Still, we had a fun time taking the tour, looking at all the candy and enjoying a couple of free samples, and watching a 4-D movie.

 Hershey owns Scharffen Berger Chocolate--did you know that? They also own Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers, and Brookside Chocolates. Crazy.

 Getting ready for the 4-D movie.

 Movie stars.

 Check out that huge bar of chocolate!

Clara is a huge fan of "non-talking mascots" and was thrilled to see "Hershey" and "Reese" there. She couldn't watch them enough and was sad when they left.

 After Chocolate World, we got lunch and then drove by a couple of sites from Michael's childhood--the chapel where he was baptized and the house on Bragg Street where he lived for a few years as a boy. We even drove by a (frozen) lake that Michael recognized as the place he caught his first fish as a boy.

We then arrived at Michael's grandparents house and stayed there for a brief visit with Michael catching up on some family history, Robbie playing with marbles, and Clara informing me she was bored and wanting to eat. Overall they did pretty well, but it made me realize that she hasn't learned to just be still and listen. It is hard for her not to have a book in her hand, or to be listening to music, or to be watching something (Sacrament meeting is very hard for her--she has to be doing something). This is something I need to work on with her--ADHD makes it harder, but I know she can learn this important skill.

 Robbie loved Great-Grandpa Weiler (which made his day) and enjoyed sitting on his lap.

 Grandp and Grandma narrated details about various photos as Michael recorded their conversation so he could remember later.

  Hanging out.
 

 We peeked in at Michael's uncle's preparations for a dinner party that evening. He is a chef at Gettysburg College and was doing a cooking class for Valentine's Day for the president of the college and a few other people. Pretty sweet!

On our way home, we headed into some bad snowy/icy weather and Clara continued to complain about her stomach hurting. We were so grateful to get home safely (about 9:40pm instead of my hoped-for 6pm) after a white-knuckle drive trying to avoid several accidents. However, about 10:30 Clara came down to sleep in our room on the floor because she wasn't feeling well and then threw up a ton. After cleaning that up, Michael and I hit the sack again to be awakened an hour or two later for bathroom needs for Clara (ahem), bedding to be changed, and then were awakened by Robbie twice in the night (who wasn't sick but just decided to come downstairs and lie down on his blankets in the living room). Church was canceled due to the ice, and miraculously Robbie slept in until about 7:30. Clara woke up at nearly 9am and informed us, "I feel much better!" I was so thankful she hadn't thrown up in the car and that it was a brief virus.

It was a great getaway and we were glad to be home, too. Sleeping on the hotel bed made me realize how much my pregnant body needs my own bed. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?

Fun times

Upon the advice of my oldest brother, Matt, we purchased two plasma cars off Amazon after Christmas. I have been trying for years, literally, to find a riding toy that Clara would ride and enjoy. These definitely hit the bill, and at $50 each, have been well worth the price. Robbie loves his, although he doesn't use it properly (propelling with his feet instead), and it is magical having an activity that they can enjoy together that doesn't require my constant presence (although they prefer it when we're down in the basement with them).

 Michael and I can even use them, although my burgeoning belly makes it uncomfortable for me these days.

However, since we have only two cars, Robbie gets to tag along piggy-back while Daddy takes a turn.

I am still wanting to teach Clara how to ride a bike (something we've worked on for the past couple of summers), so hopefully that will happen sometime soon. In the meantime, however, these cars are a pretty sweet ride.

Goodbye diapers . . . for a little while

I have been gearing up mentally for potty training Robbie for several months but have been dreading it. I tried back in August because I thought he was ready, but he definitely was not. I kept postponing it, and finally two weeks ago bit the bullet and did the potty training in a day method that we used with Clara.

The first day was a little rough. Robbie enjoyed the underwear more for their creative and aesthetic appeal at first. However, thanks to M&Ms and other candies, Robbie caught on quickly and has been accident-free for several days now. He enjoys going to the bathroom at any store we go to as well. I was also especially surprised when his diaper was dry after his nap and bedtime after the first couple of days of potty training. That really blew me away, but I was thrilled to no longer use diapers at bedtime either.

He still enjoys running around with as few clothes as possible. I can't get enough of his strong little legs and tiny white bum, even if I often only see it from behind when he's being naughty and running away from me while trying to get him dressed.

Way to go, buddy. We are proud of you! Now we can be diaper free, for a few months, anyway.

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!