Goldilocks the Goldfish and her Busted Swim Bladder

It's Saturday....fun, fun Saturday...filled with rain, rain and more rain. But before I get into that let me tell you our gold fish drama. Greyson has a goldfish named Goldilocks. She has been doing well ever since his other fish, Indiana Jones died. Well, last night I noticed she, I guess it's she, was floating at the top of the bowl and having trouble swimming down to the bottom. I looked it up on the internet and apparently the damn thing had swim bladder issues. This is caused from being constipated of all the damn things! It recommends wetting her flake food with her own bowl water before feeding to stop it from happening anymore. The kicker though was the remedy. It told me to give her a frozen pea. Let it thaw and skin it and feed it to her to act I guess as a "fiber". No they do not make Correctol fish food! Damn the luck.... anyway...no frozen peas at casa de G-R so I found a can of Le Suer peas and opened that baby up. I squeezed out the insides of a pea and fed it to "Goldi"...she ate it up but it wasn't pretty. Once it sank to the bottom she was screwed since she still wasn't able to stay down good. Lots of gas and bloating I guess keeping her at the top! hahahahaaa I decided to squeeze another pea and she ate a bunch of it too. Now she is swimming like a champ after just 24 hrs. Go figure....peas...the fiber for fish! (Le Suer peas....keeping goldfish regular since only God knows when!) Maybe I should write them a letter to thank them for saving her life. No toilet flush for her! :) So...that's our funny story for Saturday. that and me having to drive Greyson all the way to Frank Lisk Park in a monsoon to prove that his friends birthday party was probably not happening in this torrential rain! SO...once we got there...witnessed that no one was out fishing or playing in the rain....we drove back home. Nothing but fun at our house. He was sad but will get over it. Tomorrow is another day. Goodnight to all.

Sleepless Night in Charlotte...

Yesterday and last night were exiting for Greyson. He has been missing his cat Carly again since seeing Cats 101 on Animal Planet...his latest interest. We are searching for a kitten for him to adopt, and once we find some we will let him pick one that he likes and that loves him. He cries about missing Carly and it is very sweet & sad to see. He is heartbroken about Carly and she has been gone since December. So....yesterday I had gone to look at a kitten he liked but it was gone already. He took that part pretty well, but once I explained that we knew someone who's cat was having kittens he was ready to go get one. "Well....they haven't been born yet.", I explained. We have to wait on the mommy to have them then she has to feed them for a few days before we can take it home. He does not understand why he cannot get one right now. I am working on that though. Hopefully he will get it eventually. Last night his uncle Rich came back into town to work some with Michele. so between the kitten excitement and seeing uncle Rich again he slept very little. He went to bed late after watching our new show/channel...Animal Planet. They had a show on great white sharks, which he finds fascinating, so he cannot get enough information on that right now. So...I pray he is not having melt downs today at school. He has got to be extremely tired. We are supposed to go see the hockey match tonight but I will see how he feels when I pick him up. Momom, Uncle rich, Susan & Jane may be going without us. We shall see. I don't think he would last long anyway given his track record for events like that. It's loud, bright lights, yelling, horns....he would probably be freaked out soon after we got there and that would make for not so much fun. But then again...you never know. Ear plugs will go along if he does just in case. Either way it should be interesting. I am leaning towards staying home for sure unless he really seems to want to go. For now I will head over to CCS and pick him up. He so loves Fridays because they are movie nights normally for us. That translates to a movie of his choice and a pizza. He loves pizza but none of us need it. hahahahaaaa For now I will sign off but I will keep you updated on our weekend adventures.

Cowboy Greyson - 2 yrs old

These are some of my favorite photos of Greyson when he was 2 yrs. old. Those lips....I so love those lips! It's like you can see right into his soul. They say the eyes are the windows to your soul...and from these pictures I so believe that. There's alot going on in there to be only 2. We love you sweet boy.

Feeling Sunny on the Inside...

Today is Wednesday...middle of the week...OT day. Greyson has had a great time so far this week and has kept me laughing as usual. I can't even remember all of his funny things...he is just Greyson and that's great by us. Extremely animated, dramatic, and wild he is...a boy destined for Hollywood or maybe New York City. It's quite entertaining at our house. Most people don't get it and we he and I are around they stare at me expecting me to flip out maybe? Don't get me wrong...he isn't bad, he just does some unusual things that most people would probably be mortified about. I just laugh. In our world you pick your battles. We went to watch Queens Univ. play lacrosse on Saturday and he walked in circles the whole time around the bleachers. I figured he could have cared less about it and as long as he wasn't bothering anyone I let him go. Why make him sit if he isn't interested? he walked past Diane and I each time and threw a hand full of grass above his head and yelled, "Confetti"...then he walked another lap...picking grass and went he got in front of us repeated it. He did this time and time again...Too funny! Nothing in our world is "normal" per say...but just what the hell is normal? Right? So...I roll with it and laugh....and I laugh harder at the peoples faces who just aren't getting it. They are really missing out. All children are gifts...and the ones that pose more of a challenge are even bigger gifts. After all, you have been entrusted as the one to care for and raise them. Someone out there thought we were special if they gave us such a special boy huh? :) so....here we are...enjoying the ride. today was our OT day and Greyson had a great day there. He did work on the trampoline, as well as working on his eating/trying new foods, etc. Karissa said he did much better this week. Last week was a downer for him. for some reason he was having a bad day and not doing well. he wanted all things to go his way. He has been dong better with this but still has moments of backtracking on this one. Especially if he has a bad day or is too tired. Well...he is really into Kung Fu Panda right now as well as the Madagascar 2 movie. I seen more than my share of it I tell you. He has many of the scenes memorized and trips us out regularly with his antics. Poor Suzy. He could answer a question or respond at any time with something he has memorized form TV or movies and unless she is familiar it will be one of those head cocked to the side moments. Just like the poor little boy a the park the other day when Greyson said,...."Meeeeeeeeee Greeeeysooooon. Doooooooo yoooooooou waaaant to plaaaaaaaaaaay with meeeeeeeeeeeeeee?" He was imitating his favorite character in Madagascar 2. This kid is definitely one of a kind...and walks to a beat of a drum far far away! Madagascar maybe? hahahahaaaaa I will laugh about that for sometime to come. Goodnight all...we love your visits and if you are reading this I am sure you are part of our extended family here. Therefore....hugs & love to you and yours! Sleep tight...

A great weekend...ushering in another Monday

Here it is...Monday has arrived. Our weekend was so full of fun, sun and laughter that I hated for it to go so quickly. But that is life. We try to hang on to the moments that are great only to see them slip away faster than we would like. The moments that aren't so desirable seem to last a lifetime. it seems unfair but as we all know, there is reason for everything. The uncomfortable moments are here to teach and we are here to learn. So cherish both, as they both have purpose.

Friday Greyson had his belt test and he did awesome. Afterward we went for pizza and then came home to the comfort of our small home to watch a movie. Lately Kung Fu Panda has been winning the nightly battle. We headed off to bed after our movie and some Kung Fu and woke up ready to go on Saturday. Momom had to work so Greyson and I ran some errands and then came back to the house. We bought some magic rocks for Greyson to grow. you know the ones. You put the colored rocks in the magic solution and the look like stalagmites growing upwards in the water. it was a disaster...they all clumped together at some point...even though I had positioned them carefully apart and it was not pretty. They are on their way to the dump as we speak. hahahaaa unfortunately last night Greyson decided he need to look at them. Opps! He was not happy with me but I promised to try again. We also, while at The circle store, found a "bugville butterfly treehouse". I got it for his class and now I need to order the caterpillars. I think it will be a perfect follow up to their frogs they are incubating. Are you excited Suzy? :) hopefully it will work as well as they say on TV. We shall see. Saturday evening we hung out with friends and brought Greyson along. He had a blast playing while we hung out and chatted it up with the adults. It was a late night but Greyson still was awake by 7:20 or so. One day...one day....he will sleep a little longer. (We hope anyway.) Right now...not so much.

Sunday was a beautiful day and Michele had done enough on Saturday to spend the day with us. We headed to Independence park for Equal Families. It is a group of gay & lesbian families that meets so our children can play and see that their are other families like theirs out there. We do that monthly when we can make it. Yesterday even though it was beautiful only 2 other couples showed up. Greyson was so funny when Bob and Jeff showed up with their son. He went up to their son and said, "Me Greyyyyyyyy.......sonnnnnnnnnn, yooooooooou..... want to..... plaaaaaaaaaay Staaaaaaaarrrrrrrrr Waaaaaaarrrrrrrrs with meeeeeeeeeeeee." He was talking really slow imitating Alex the lion in Madagascar 2 when he approaches the wild animals and tries to explain how they have arrived there in Madagascar. Michele and I nearly peed our pants especially when we turned and looked at Bob, Jeff and their son. They all looked like dear in the headlights. hahahaaaaaa They had no idea what the hell he was doing or saying. We had to try and explain and that didn't help. We just laughed. Their son just ran off to play football after kindly telling Greyson he wasn't interested. He is a little older...but did end up playing with them later and having a blast. Ginger and H brought Umberto, Camille, and Piper to play too and Bob brought Ian. Therefore Greyson had a blast. He had buddies there and they played Star Wars for hours in the park. Lightsabers...scooters....and some lacrosse sticks came into play along with a huge area of park to run in. Yay for energy burn off! Afterward we headed to Fuel Pizza to eat and then home. Once we got home we took Greyson out back for some swinging. He loves to spin on his round swing and it is something that is good for him right now. They do it for him at OT to stimulate his vestibular senses and he so loves it. I think he could do it forever. I myself would be puking immediately. He on the other hand never seems to even get dizzy. Maybe he should shoot for being an astronaut. Rocket Scientist is good huh? Great fun in some beautiful weather...can't beat that. Today he is back at school. Hopefully they will be able to enjoy the outdoors alot and have a great day. I myself am hoping to hop on the roller blades again before the rains come. Fun fun....Good day all...Talk with you soon. Hugs...

The Bumble Bee Rates a "5" on the Ouch Meter!

It's Friday yay! But before I get into that let me tell you our funny story from Thursday after school. We got home and our bumble bee friend was waiting at the porch. Our friend flies back and forth from our weeping cherry tree to the clover that is overtaking our yard. Yes...we have tons of clover and I don't care...It's green and that is all that matters...especially in our neighborhood. No homeowners association here! hahahaaaaaa anyway...our bee friend just hovers once we get home everyday and watches us. Then he flies around on all sides of us both to check us out. This totally freaks Greyson out to no end. He darts back and forth...hovers some....darts some more...while Greyson runs around screaming, "a bee!...a bee!" so...yesterday i say, "Bumble bees won't sting you honey. He's just checking us out." That's when Greyson screams, "Mommy Lynn, I saw it on Bee Movie. A bumble bee rates a 5 on the ouch meter...HELLO!" I am sure most all of the neighbors heard him he screamed it so loud. hahahaaaa Needless to say...a mommy can't argue with that! So...I opened the door and Greyson nearly hurt himself trying to get inside before the bee fly back at him again. Good thing I had the door open in time. So...remember people...a bumble bee rates a 5 on the ouch meter! Be afraid..be very afraid!

Today I hung out for a while at school with Ms Kathy. It was after lunch and we watched the kids play some on the play ground and then took them in just about an hour before dismissal. It was fun. the tadpoles in Greyson's class are growing fast and Suzy and the kids should be looking at frogs soon....Monday perhaps? Not really...just teasing. :) It should be pretty soon though...not sure how long that tadpole to frog transition takes. Mine took around 9 months of baking but I think he cooked too long...he was 10lbs 4 ounces with a very large head. :0 Thank God for c-sections or I would still be walking funny! Anyway...I digress as usual. Tonight we went to Greyson's belt test for his purple Karate belt. He is about half way now to a black belt and if he makes that it will be amazing. He has a white, orange, yellow, blue, green, green stripe and now a purple belt so far. Yay big man...work it out. So congratulations my sweet guy...you did it again! We were a little scared this time due to him having some coordination issues with some of the kicks he was required to do. Mostly the jumping kind where he has to jump up and then kick. It's not pretty people...really but after breaking it down into step by step for him he has actually gotten it now. Master Hartsell was very helpful in ensuring that he got it before belt test time. It still isn't the prettiest thing to watch...but it works for now. I can't tell you how much I love that little spastic guy. He rates a 10 on my love & hugs meter! Good night all...hope you all have a most wonderful weekend in this awesome weather we are having. Enjoy the sun...we are.

New week and the sun has graced us...once again.

Here it is...Wednesday and I have been MIA. Here lately we have been busy so I haven't been keeping up as I should with my bloggin'. So once again...I will cover several days in a nutshell. Greyson's uncle Rich left on Monday and he was so sad. he loves his uncle Rich and has already asked when he will return. He can't get enough of the man time. We did Karate on Monday and Tuesday this week. He is ready for his belt test on Friday and will be advancing to Purple belt...hooray. He still struggles some with coordination but then again...that is part of the reason we are there so...in time my friends...in time. I am so proud of all he has accomplished and overcome just this year. Once again I will give shout out to his phenomenal teacher, Ms Suzy :), his Karate masters Hartsell and Randolph, his therapist, Mr Mike, and his OT, Ms Karissa...and I shall not forget, Ms Susan (EC) and his speech therapist, Ms Eileen at the school. Love you all tons! Especially Suzy as she already knows. I am amazed constantly by his progress just this year and very proud too. I try not to worry where he is and where he needs to be because I know...he will get there in his own time. He is doing well though...and I am thankful. Today I spoke with the OT about his handwriting. She said it is common for him to be having issues with upper and lower case since his fine motor skills are still lacking. She is going to work on some of that with him and mentioned we can get some special paper to help keep him on the line if need be. i also told her about his trouble with his math getting the tens and ones places mixed up. I am going to try using boxes as a visual to help him place them until he becomes more used to where they should go and how to write them out. I will label each box H, T and O for hundreds, tens, and ones....When he has a problem that says you have 8 tens and 5 ones he notoriously writes it as 58...instead of 85. So she agreed that the boxes will help give him visual cues. We will work some at home on it. Anyway...we have been doing great lately. I have been trying to incorporate the 30 minute rule for him after school. Since he doesn't like to talk I try not to ask much when I pick him up. I wait at least 30 mins. before asking how his day was or anything like that. Giving him time to decompress if you will. It kills me though...i like to hear what's happening and how his day was. Then again...what's 30 minutes anyway? to me...that much silence can be deafening!...So there...now you know....Greyson is also teaching me the value of silence. It speaks volumes and being able to appreciate the quiet and hear yourself is a true gift. Thanks for teaching me Greyson. You have much more to teach me than I have to teach you I'm afraid. :)

Finally...today we had tadpoles swimming all around in the tank in Suzy's class. It was the buzz of the school and soon there will be many a frog to be let loose. hahahaaaaa The kids were loving it. Greyson had a great day and I went back a little early visit Suzy and Kathy. i did not get back as soon as I would have liked but I did get back...only to find out Greyson had placed some mulch in Garrison's ear. it went far enough down to require a tweezer removal...Do ya' hear my words! What the hell was he thinking?...Oh wait...that was the missing part of the whole event...thinking...Everyone was fine and as usual Greyson was totally traumatized once he realized he had done something really bad. I seriously think he just doesn't get it sometimes. it may be our fault in that...he NEVER, as a child, was curious touching things he shouldn't or putting things in his mouth, nose, ears...or where ever....he did not do those things that most kids do that help them learn about that stuff. We were so proud that he seemed so easy in that respect...well...just like his eating...it comes back to haunt you because they have to learn it at some point. today's lesson was...DO NOT put things in your ears, nose, mouth etc....where they do not belong...or anyone else's for that matter. It is dangerous and could end up in a trip to the ER. Just ask my friend who's son thought it a good idea to place a pencil eraser up his nose...far enough to require removal by the ER personnel. Maybe we needed more of that at our house when he was little...I don't know. It's funny, I just talked to Mr Mike yesterday about how living with a boy like Greyson is like being in the movie groundhog day. You wake up and think it's the same day again....but everything could be different. things are the same...yet different each day. Talk about fun to be had! hahahaaaa One day every noise hurts his ears...the next day it's all good....one day the clothes have to be changed because they make him feel...as he says "normal"...the next day those clothes are fine....Mike says that is common for sensory kids as well. We talked and figure the mood, environment, etc must be the cause of different reactions on different days. Maybe a combination of all...no one knows. n It does make for an interesting time in the world according to Greyson. Buckle up...as King Julian says in Madagascar 2, "Raise your hands Maurice! It's more funner when you raise your hands like this!" God I love that...almost as much as I love Greyson Griffin-Roberts! <3