My Sentiments Exactly

Courtesy of Hallmark

The Hunger Games Activity

I found this game via Pinterest. (Have I mentioned how much I love Pinterest?) It looks like it could be fun, especially for young adults. Check it out!

Source: youthleaderstash.com via DeeAnn on Pinterest

Somebody Help Me Figure This Out

Cody just asked me, "Do you remember sky piggin' in the rain?"

What the frick does that mean? Seriously. I am usually pretty good at deciphering his dialogue, but not this time.

Any ideas?

Light It Up Blue and Raise Autism Awareness

World Autism Awareness Day is April 2nd this year and I am encouraging my readers to Light It Up Blue. Even if you do not have anyone with autism in your home, more than likely you know someone who does.

Please watch the short video. It is to the point and will take less than two minutes of your time. Then, go to Lowes or Home Depot or your favorite hardware store and buy a blue light bulb.




Autism Spectrum Disorder is on the rise. Let's do our part to raise awareness.

Low Blues

U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform at the Thunder Over Utah Air Show

I am looking into the source of this amazing photo, so I can give them proper credit.

April Fool's Day Pranks/ Get Your Game On!

April Fool's Day is two weeks from today, so I'm sharing 30 Harmless Pesky Pranks courtesy of Amy at Lady Create a lot . Some of these are so funny, I wish I had known about them when my kids all lived at home.

Pesky pranks

1. Spray nozzle or taped faucets- take a rubber band and wind it tightly around the kitchen sink's spray nozzle and leave it aimed at the person. When they turn it on, they will get drenched.

2. Fingernail polish spill- take a piece of wax paper and a bottle of fingernail polish that you don't mind ruining. Spill out contents onto paper, let dry, peel paper off, and leave on victim's clothing or an important document.
3. Blue teeth/ numb mouth- put a small drop of food coloring in center of toothbrush. Make sure to use the same color as the bristles. ALSO, you could put some Oragel numbing gel deep in the base of the bristles.

4. Superglue shampoo lid shut. It will make them have to unscrew the lid.

5. Icy Hot/Bengay or thumbtack toilet seat- smear a small amount of Icy Hot or Bengay on toilet seat and wipe it mostly off so you can't tell it's there. TRUST ME, it doesn't take much for it to work. You could also line toilet seat with thumb tacks.

6. Block the remote signal with a piece of opaque tape.

7. Soap that won't lather- paint soap with clear fingernail polish and leave in the shower.

8. Glue end of tiolet paper roll onto itself so victim can't find it.

9. Glued-shut card- make a nice card for someone you owe a "thanks" to. Glue it shut so they can't open it.

10. Tape light switch down so they can't turn the light on.

11. Vaseline door knob- place a glob under the bottom of door know so you can't see it.

12. TP the bed- While victim is sleeping, roll TP under and over bed so when they wake up, they're stuck.

13. Place piles of confetti on top of ceiling fan blades so when it turns on, surprise. This one would be fun for someone's birthday, too.

14. Plastic wrap shampoo/salt shaker- Unscrew lids, place a small piece of plastic wrap over opening, replace lid, and tear off the excess evidence.

15. Karo syrup towel- It's clear, so you can't tell it's on there until it's too late.

16. Hair gel hand soap- replace your liquid hand soap with the same color of hair gel.

17. Can't use-it gel/hairspray/cologne- using a temporary glue or double-stick foam, stick most frequently-used items to counter top or bathroom cupboard so they're hard to pick up.

18. Whoopi cushion on chair... you could also use bubble wrap!

19. Shoe surprise- you can stick either legos, small water balloons, or frozen coins inside victims shoes.

20. Cereal box/candy bag swap-out in original packaging.

21. Bedroom doorTug of War- This prank can be pulled on two victims who have bedroom doors directly across the hall from each other (dorms usually work well for this). Use a rope to tie both door knobs to each other, with just enough slack to allow one door to open a crack. Then knock loudly on both doors at the same time. The victims will end up in a tug of war trying to get out.

22. Take a needle and thread and run it through every pair of underwear in the victim's drawer, so that they are attached in one long string. When they get dressed, they will grab one pair but end up with them all.

23. All Sewed Up- This prank has to be done to a very sound sleeper. While they are sleeping, sneak in and use a needle and thread to sew their pajamas to the bed.

24. Have A Cold One- If your victim wears the same hat every day, take it the night before, get it wet, and put it in the freezer. Right before the victim gets ready to leave, place the hat in the normal place. They will get a chilly surprise. You can also do this to a woman's bra.

25. Out is the New In- Turn your victim's backpack inside out. Wait until they're not around, then take everything out of their bag, turn it inside out and replace the items. Then wait for their surprised reaction.

26. Blast 'Em- Set the victim's TV to an obnoxious channel like Cartoon Network or the heavy metal channel, and turn the volume up to max volume. Now turn off the TV set. When your victim comes back and turns on the TV they will be surprised by a blast of loud programming.

27. Going Buggy- This one takes some prep time, but I think it would be cool. Take a picture of the top part of the kitchen counter. Go on the internet and search for a picture of a cockroach. Then, copy it on to the picture of the counter. Print out a few copies (cut off any extra white space), and place them on the counter. At first glance, your victim will think the kitchen is infested. This would be awesome to do to a germ-a-phobic friend. :)

28. The Run Around- Set this prank up ahead of time by letting the kids know you're planning on having some painting done in the house. Then, before they come home from school, put up two signs: on the front door - "Wet Paint - Use Back Door," on the back door - "Wet Paint - Use Front Door." Then see how many times they'll run around the house trying to get in.'

29. Set your friends/family up to think you've prepped a whole bunch a pranks for them... them do nothing and watch them nervously anticipate tricks that never happen all day. This is the lazy-holidayer's approach. Oh well, at least it's something!

30. While You Were Sleeping- Carefully paint the toenails/fingernails or draw eyeliner mustaches on your victim while they are sleeping. We did this to our kids last year. It was so awesome because they had no idea (about the mustaches) until they went in the bathroom to get ready! One of them didn't discover their pretty toenails until after school that day. Haha, got ya.

31. Job/Chore Chart Switch- If you have a job/chore chart in your home, change it up! Instead of their usual jobs, have them do things like: Bark like a dog 10 times, Pay the bills, Drive the kids to the park (great for young kids), Mow the lawn using scissors, Wash your clothes by hand, Sweep the driveway with a toothbrush, Jump on the trampoline without stopping for 20 minutes, Touch your nose with your tongue, Tickle Elmo, Count your toes, Sing an opera song--mom's choice, and more. Of course they know you're joking, you decide if you want to use things they can really do or not. My kids didn't end up doing any of them, but sure got the giggles while reading them! You can get creative and come up with whatever is funny to your family.
32. Have you ever heard of the Mento's and Diet Coke explosion experiment? Well, HERE'S a video showing how to turn it into a prank! So awesome! Just make sure it's done OUTSIDE! Maybe at an outdoor BBQ or something.

Last, but not least...

33. Set alarms & clocks ahead an hour- this one is probably the most important one. If you plan to do a bunch of time-consuming pranks, DO THIS FIRST. You don't have to do it to all the clocks, just the alarm or cell phone, and the bathroom/bedroom ones they see first.

Please, if you end up doing any of these pranks, drop me a note. I'd love to hear about it.

Spring Break with My New Best Friend

It's Spring Break and for the past few years, we've spent at least part of it at Disneyland. This year, however, my husband has had to work hours upon hours getting ready for the air show this week end. The Blue Angels have been flying all over town, pumping everyone up for the show. They flew so low over my house that I could read U.S. Navy Blue Angels on the bottom of the jets. It is pretty exciting.

Anyway, since I was cheated out of the annual trip to my happy place, I decided to make good use of the break and do some spring cleaning.

I broke out this nifty little tool that my mom gave me at Christmas time...



It is a Shark and I love it. She's my new best friend. I call my Shark 'she' because, like women, the Shark is pretty much invincible. She's a portable, chemical free steamer that cleans and sanitizes in one step. (I could sell it on QVC. It's that good.) Together, my Shark and I have cleaned the refrigerator...



floor tile...




crevices and corners in all of the door panels...





and most of the baseboards.

She is suppose to be able to steam garments and freshen and deodorize upholstery. I haven't tried either...yet, but who knows? School doesn't start until Monday. I still have time. :)

Daylight Savings and Autism Do Not Mesh

There is no way in hell that whoever came up with Daylight Savings Time had a kid with autism. No way! 

Cody got a Talking Atomic Watch for Christmas and Don and I have been trying to set it ahead an hour without success. Don even broke out the instruction pamphlet and read it and everybody on this planet knows men would rather not have to read (or ask for) directions.

Do you realize what Cody's talking watch being incorrect means to those around him? It means that we have listened to Cody grunch and worry since early Sunday morning. (And yes, grunch is a word at our house.)

If we do not get the correct time on his watch by the end of the evening, I am going to take a hammer to it, order Cody a new one and have him keep popping Prilosec for his ulcer until it comes in the mail.




Now you all know how I feel about Daylight Savings Time...and Talking Atomic Watches.

The Cost of Raising a Child

Chase is dating a girl with an adorable 18 month old baby and it has been a real eye opener for him. While shopping at Wal-Mart last night, he text me. Here is what was said...

Chase- : D Having a kid is expensive.  (as if I didn't already know)

Me- Try having four.

Chase- No thanks!

Our short conversation brought to memory a Court of Honor that I attended, where the Boy Scout's father read the following thought provoking piece:

The Cost of Raising a Child

 The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140.00 for a middle income family. Talk about price shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition. But $160,140.00 isn't so bad if you break it down..


It translates into:

$8,896.66 a year,


$741.38 a month, 

$171.08 a week.


That's a mere $24.24 a day, just over a dollar an hour.


Still, you might think the best financial advice is; "Don't have children if you want to be 'rich'."

Actually, it is just the opposite.


What do you get for your $160,140.00?


* Naming rights: first, middle, and last.


* Glimpses of God every day.


* Giggles under the covers every night.


* More love than your heart can hold.


* Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.


* Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.


* A hand to hold usually covered with jelly or chocolate.


* A partner for blowing bubbles and flying kites.


* Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.


For $160,140.00, you never have to grow up. You get to:


* finger-paint,


* carve pumpkins,


* play hide-and-seek,


* catch lightning bugs,


* never stop believing in Santa Claus.


You have an excuse to:


* keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh,


* watch Saturday morning cartoons,


* go to Disney movies, and


* wish on stars.


You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.


For a mere $24.24 a day, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for:


* retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof


* taking the training wheels off a bike


* removing a splinter


* filling a wading pool


* coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs and


* coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.


You get a front row seat in history to witness the:


* First step


* First word


* First joke


* First date


* First time behind the wheel


You get to be immortal.


You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match.


In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. That is quite a deal for the price!

Love and enjoy your children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.


It's the best investment you'll ever make.



If anyone knows who the author is, please let me know. I would like to give credit where it is due.

How Do You Esteem Your Mother?

I decided to post the following video for three reasons:

1) Cody was born without eyes.

2) I am a mother.

3) A great deal of my readers are parents of special needs children.


After watching the clip, please leave a comment. I would appreciate hearing your thoughts.

Manipulated into Playing a Game Show

Ma-nip-u-late- to control or influence somebody or something in an ingenious or devious way

Have you ever lived with anyone who will rarely finish a sentence? Cody does this and it makes me absolutely bonkers. I have always chalked it up to being another "autistic thing", but yesterday, as I sat down to watch television with Cody, I was enlightened.

Cody sat comfortably in his recliner while I flipped through the channels, reading the program options to him. He wanted to watch $100,000 Pyramid, so I left it on GSN and cozied up on the sofa with Katelyn's laptop. Not until I heard the players give clues to one another did I realized that Cody has been leaving off the end of his sentences in an attempt to imitate the game. From his voice inflection to the way he says "uh-huh' and "yes" when someone finishes the end of a sentence for him, Cody has been playing his rendition of "Pyramid". He is the giver and those willing to converse with him are the receivers.

The difference between Dick Clark's $100,000 Pyramid and Cody's game is...

#1- People on television are aware they are playing!

and

#2- They have a chance to win $100,000! Cody's team players, on the other hand, are SOL.

Beer Time?

My sons, Casey and Chase, and their close friends have their own language that they speak to one another. The boys will pick two words out of a phrase and switch the beginning letters. They call it "Eaking Spenglish". Let me give you a few examples: 'thanks dude' turns into 'danks thude', 'no problem' becomes 'pro noblem', 'I'm going to take a shower' changes to 'I'm going to shake the tower'. You get the idea.

Anyway, Katelyn and I went to Santa's Workshop (a craft fair of sorts) last November and a vender there was selling signs made from old license plates. Buyers had the option to purchase the signs on display or have one custom made. Katelyn and I spotted a sign that said 'Beer Time' and I mentioned to her that I should buy it for Casey, since he just bought his first home and could use some masculine wall decor. Katelyn agreed, but came up with a brilliant idea to have Casey's sign custom made to say 'Teer Bime' instead.

On Christmas morning, both of my boys laughed when Casey unwrapped his gift. Neither of them could believe I purchased a wall hanging in "Spenglish" let alone one that condones drinking alcohol.

Here is the magnificent work of art...