Sugar Cookie Fun

Yesterday, we decided to make sugar cookies since it's Easter this week. We also included some flower shapes. I haven't made sugar cookies since Christmas of 2011. I just really didn't like the recipe I used. This time I used the Cookie Bible recipe and it was much better (for those that like sugar cookies).

The kids did a pretty good job "helping" me make the cookies. I did have to have a room time break so I could clean up before we cut the cookies out. :) And, I was exhausted after we finished. It only took us ALL DAY! The kids loved it though. They really enjoyed helping Mommy in the kitchen.

He looks so cute doesn't he. That is, until he threw the flour all over the electric stove coils :).

The kids thought it was funny that we put the dough in rolls to cool.

Jefferson couldn't wait for Jewell to wake up to frost the cookies.

A Crazy (Eye) Morning

Would you like to hear about my crazy morning with my two sweet toddlers? Well, it all started when we left the house at 8:40 AM to head to Jewell's eye appointment. We waited about 20 minutes before seeing the assistant. Jewell refused to be serious when we asked her to name the pictures. We were trying to test each eye. No matter what I did, she laughed and was just plain old silly.

We then waited for FOREVER for the doctor. This happens every time we go there :(. So the kids basically went crazy. I finally let them go play with the toys in the waiting room. But you can't leave 2 toddlers in a small room with all that expensive equipment for that long. This of course confused the office and they tried to fill our room. Oh well.

Once we saw the doctor he said she looked just fine. He said she didn't need bifocals. I told him she did because when we read her eyes still cross. So he tested her again. He then noticed she really was crossing her eyes still. He also noticed that she wasn't really using her weaker eye (left eye). He asked me to patch her right eye full time for the next 2 weeks. Then I'm to switch it to 4 hours a day for 4 weeks. And then we will go back. Meanwhile, Jefferson was pushing the chair up and down on us. He also tried to destroy the blinds. Next time, I'm getting a sitter. I couldn't this time because the appt. was just so early. I barely made the appt. time! I made a much later appt. for the next one.

Then we tried to go check out. Jefferson tried to escape out the revolving doors while I was paying. Isn't that nice of him?

We then headed to Walmart. I had to buy some overnight diapers for Jefferson. I also needed to look for eye patches for Jewell. They had no eye patches. After purchasing the diapers for Jefferson, Jewell needed to go potty. I had to leave my purchased items with the Customer Service to take them potty. Of course, Jefferson escaped while I was taking Jewell potty.

After Walmart, we had to go to the eye care place to purchase bifocals. By this point, the kids were really tired, cranky and hungry. Jefferson was throwing toys while I was trying to get Jewell some help. There isn't much you can do at that point. He needed disciplined, but there were way too many people around. We tried on some sunglass covers that were pretty ugly. They were 40 dollars. Well, I just couldn't do that to the girl. Here is a picture.

I really wanted to buy these because I wasn't a fan of transition lenses. But she is very sensitive to the sun, so 90 dollars later, we ordered the transition lenses. I mean, these little covers make her look like a boy! That was not going to do.

We then headed to Target to find eye patches. I of course had to feed the kids. May I just say, the person that invented popcorn at Target is seriously the smartest person ever? Kids were finally calm with 2 bags of very affordable popcorn. But of course, they had no eye patches either.

By this point, I was tired and hungry. I decided to call Rite Aid to ask if they had eye patches before I drove and wasted even MORE gas. 10 minutes later (with a screaming 2 year old who wanted to go home) they did indeed get back with me to tell me they had eye patches. So we headed to Rite Aid. At Rite Aid, Jefferson somehow escaped the buckle in the cart and stood STRAIGHT UP. I of course wasn't looking either. That was not cool. They did have the eye patches, but Jewell was now crying because she was tired too. She was also throwing pens at the counter. $17.99 later we left with eye patches, and a bag of Reece's Peanut Butter ($3.99) Eggs for Mommy. Because well, I just deserve them today.

Finally, we were on our way home! Jefferson actually screamed HOME when he saw us pull in at exactly 12:40. 4 hours later.

So, we survived the morning. The bifocals will be here in about a week, and now Jewell refuses to wear her eye patch. But it's all okay, because I have my favorite Reece's Peanut Butter Eggs all to myself :).

Painting Objects...Not Paper

What a long day. It was a typical loud day with the toddlers here at the Slocum House. I must say, I'm so thankful for a few quiet moments to myself this evening. I love the 2 children that I have been blessed to keep. But there is definitely something to be said about those moments when everyone is asleep :).

This last weekend, I went to the store to try and find some new and affordable crafts for my kids. My kids LOVE painting, but painting on paper was getting old. I found these great little animals the kids can paint that actually come with paint in a set of 2. And the best part? They were a total of 1 dollar!

I totally surprised the kids with the painting project today. They were so excited. Jewell painted a ladybug and Jefferson a dog. They did decide to switch halfway through too. It was so cute. But I'm pretty sure being able to paint something other than paper made their entire toddler day.

 

Jefferson loved painting his white dog white at first :)

I'm so glad I found these for the kids!

Jewell Needs Glasses

About 3 weeks ago we started noticing that Jewell's left eye kept turning in when she focused on things. Both far and near actually. She eventually started closing that eye when she read books with us. Then I noticed the right eye ended up looking crossed too! I decided to mention this to Jewell's pediatrician when I went in for Jefferson's well check. She noticed it too. I was so impressed with her pediatrician again. She made a personal phone call to the ophthalmologist to get her in this week. Last time I had to take Jefferson in it took me over 2 months to get an appointment.

Today we saw Dr. Shultz. They noticed the right eye had weaker vision than the left. She got all the pictures correct on the left eye and some on the right eye. When they tested them together, she got one correct. They told me she has something called Accommodative Esotropia. It's complicated. But this is the explanation from the pamphlet they gave me. "Accommodative esotropia is a common form of esotropia that occurs in children usually 2 years or older. In this type of strabismus, when the child focuses the eyes to see clearly, the eyes turn inward. This crossing may occur when focusing at a distance, up close or both. Glasses reduce the focusing effort and often straighten the eyes. Sometimes bifocals are needed for close work. If significant crossing of the eyes persists with the glasses, surgery may be required."

Basically, needs glasses to correct the crossing so she can see properly. We are starting with standard lenses, but he believes she will need bifocals. He said they always have to start with the standard lenses to see if it corrects her long distance vision, but he will probably need to put her in bifocals after she gets used to the glasses. Most of the time, the glasses will correct the long distance vision, but not the up close. He said with her type of farsightedness (it's no the typical farsightedness like an adult) he has to test with standard lenses first. So, we will see how it goes :). The doctor said she more than likely won't want to take the glasses off once she gets them because they will help her focus so much better. Our little Jewell is going to look so cute!

Valentine's Day 2013

Valentine's Day is so much fun!!! Looking back, I probably should have enjoyed it with my students more. Kids just love it!!!

This morning was a bit crazy. I went to the gym, rushed home to get ready for the day, and make heart shaped biscuits for my kids as a surprise. It was a blast surprising them with their heart biscuits. It's hands down Jewell's FAVORITE shape. She was thrilled to see she got to eat biscuit hearts. I also had little chocolate hearts for them on their plates. They couldn't wait to open them.

 

This afternoon after Bible Study, we headed to visit Ezekiel. It was the first time the kids had been to the cemetery to visit. I must say, they did a pretty good job behaving. They liked decorating his marker with the flowers and balloons too.

 

We had a hard time getting them to smile! :)

God has truly blessed me with the precious gift of 3 beautiful children.

 Happy Valentine's Day to all of our friends and family!

Jefferson Turns 2!

I can't believe I'm writing this post. My baby boy Jeffers is turning into a real big boy! He turned 2 on February 1st. :)

We celebrated on the 1st at Red Robin. My brother gave us a gift card to Red Robin for Christmas so it was just perfect for a family night out. We love Red Robin for family dinners out. Everyone else that's there also has a screaming kid! Jefferson loved going out for dinner. He earned a ball with Daddy, ate lots of fries, and enjoyed some free birthday ice cream.

My friend Bethany told me about an amazing sale after Christmas at Rite Aid. All toys were 75% off! We were able to purchase a small expensive train table/set, brick blocks, and a car for under 30 dollars. I mean seriously, I was amazed at how God provided all those little gifts for our sweet boy! I really wanted to get him a train table, but I was concerned about the size being too big, and just how expensive it would be. We are so blessed.

I also made Jefferson a baseball cake. He's very into balls. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of him eating his cake. We taped it instead :). But he absolutely LOVED it. I'm so thankful.

Jefferson is such a joy to raise. He's a typical 2 year old boy that gets into a ton of mischief. But he loves life, adores his sister, and enjoys being my little chef helper. He is a great little brother for Jewell too. I don't know what he'd do without her. I am so blessed to have been given the privilege of raising him for 2 years. We are so blessed.