Asher: Hey, Mom...
Me: Yes?
Asher: Do you remember that thing?
Me: What thing?
Asher: You know...that thing...it's like a website but you don't have to type any words...you just press a button. Sometimes there is a blue screen but you can keep pressing the button and there are all these shows you can watch.
Me: [Pause] You mean television?
Asher: Oh yeah....TELEVISION! I miss the television! Can we have it again?
Lest you think we are raising a couple of media-starved weirdos, they watch plenty of neuron-killing junk, but on our laptop or iPad or iTouch. Overpriced cable tv is officially dead at Casa Guzman.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Weekly Update for Feb 12 (Valentine's Day edition)
EASY ED
This Week I Loved...... going out to Community Canteen for breakfast w Jen (aww...good answer!)
Currently on my nightstand.... John Wooden: On Leadership
Valentine's Day Plans? Breakfast in bed w Jen (or possibly w my BFF podcast buddies and my iPad....depending on Jen's work situation that day)
Best pickup line.... "Did you know that Deaven George is the only Laker to win a championship every year of his career?" (Yeah, really....that is his best....)
JEN
This Week I Loved...... still thinking..... not a great week. Breakfast w Easy Ed was nice, though. Yummy veggie omelet.
Currently on my nightstand.... Last two books in Hunger Games series, The Book of Mormon Girl
Valentine's Day Plans? (See above)
Best pickup line.... "I don't know, Babes, I just washed the sheets."
NOECHIN
This Week I Loved...... swimming lessons on Saturday morning, baking heart-shaped sugar cookies w Mom and Asher and stealing copious amounts of dough
Currently on my nightstand....whatever my teacher sends home and makes me read (not a big book fan right now)
Valentine's Day Plans? Par-TaY with my multi-aged autism peeps. 10:15AM sharp (snack time). BYOS (Bring Your Own Stim....just a little autism humor)
Best pickup line.... "Give me CANDY!"
ASHERCITO
This Week I Loved...... finishing a kick-a$ 100 Days of School project (drawing a world map and labeling 100 countries on his own), going to Target to spend allowance and birthday money and then handing the cashier ALL of his money when he only needed half, Quote from the toy aisle: "Oh...this is a very hard choice!"
Currently on my nightstand.... Shel Silverstein, Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Valentine's Day Plans? Watching Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown and stuffing face full of V-day candy
Best pickup line.... "Hey, how's it doin'?" (he really says that...)
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Weekly update for Feb 5 (Superbowl Sunday)
EASY ED
Best Thing This Week: Great convo with former boss
What's On My Mind: Superbowl, upcoming trip to Orlando, finishing my honey-do list (Jen wishes)
Superbowl Prediction: "Madonna will not have a wardrobe malfunction."
Was Punxsutawney Phil correct...six more weeks of winter? "It feels like we've barely had six weeks of winter as it is...."
JEN
Best Thing This Week: Hearing Noe say "Mom" several times, and a couple of times he wasn't even angry with me! Getting Asher to practice the piano every day without protest (that NEVER happens)
What's On My Mind: our ever-rising food bill (can't keep the boys full and they don't weigh 90 lbs combined), staying in DC versus moving to the West Coast, work crap, my never-ending sinus infection, my new awesome Banana Republic thrift store jeans, Hunger Games (great read or too Twilightish?), getting back on the bike, surviving the next while without my tag-team partner.
Superbowl Prediction: n/a (I hate football)
Was Punxsutawney Phil Correct? "Hell yeah....I want to wear my new REI snow boots at least once this winter!"
NOECHIN
Best Thing This Week: Lake Anne hike with Mom and Dad while Asher was away with his BFF.
What's On My Mind: How to permanently rid my life of Asher (hike w Mom & Dad was fun!), sneaking my iPad into my school bag so I can play games and listen to music there, is there a more perfect food than spaghetti?
Superbowl Prediction: "That I will eat all the nachos and drink all the root beer before halftime."
Was Punxsutawney Phil Correct? "No way, Jose. Winter does not agree with my Latin blood!"
ASHERCITO
Best Thing This Week: Kicking booty during Family Game Night
What's On My Mind: 100 Day Project for school, convincing Mom to be a contestant on Winter Wipeout with me, lunch and soccer with BFF, sneaking into North Korea (I warned him that President Clinton may not be available to negotiate his release)
Superbowl Prediction: "New York, because that is where I got born. The New York City."
Was Punxsutawney Phil Correct? "Yes, he saw his shadow. Do you know how to spell Punxsutawney? I do. P-U-N-X..."
Best Thing This Week: Great convo with former boss
What's On My Mind: Superbowl, upcoming trip to Orlando, finishing my honey-do list (Jen wishes)
Superbowl Prediction: "Madonna will not have a wardrobe malfunction."
Was Punxsutawney Phil correct...six more weeks of winter? "It feels like we've barely had six weeks of winter as it is...."
JEN
Best Thing This Week: Hearing Noe say "Mom" several times, and a couple of times he wasn't even angry with me! Getting Asher to practice the piano every day without protest (that NEVER happens)
What's On My Mind: our ever-rising food bill (can't keep the boys full and they don't weigh 90 lbs combined), staying in DC versus moving to the West Coast, work crap, my never-ending sinus infection, my new awesome Banana Republic thrift store jeans, Hunger Games (great read or too Twilightish?), getting back on the bike, surviving the next while without my tag-team partner.
Superbowl Prediction: n/a (I hate football)
Was Punxsutawney Phil Correct? "Hell yeah....I want to wear my new REI snow boots at least once this winter!"
NOECHIN
Best Thing This Week: Lake Anne hike with Mom and Dad while Asher was away with his BFF.
What's On My Mind: How to permanently rid my life of Asher (hike w Mom & Dad was fun!), sneaking my iPad into my school bag so I can play games and listen to music there, is there a more perfect food than spaghetti?
Superbowl Prediction: "That I will eat all the nachos and drink all the root beer before halftime."
Was Punxsutawney Phil Correct? "No way, Jose. Winter does not agree with my Latin blood!"
ASHERCITO
Best Thing This Week: Kicking booty during Family Game Night
What's On My Mind: 100 Day Project for school, convincing Mom to be a contestant on Winter Wipeout with me, lunch and soccer with BFF, sneaking into North Korea (I warned him that President Clinton may not be available to negotiate his release)
Superbowl Prediction: "New York, because that is where I got born. The New York City."
Was Punxsutawney Phil Correct? "Yes, he saw his shadow. Do you know how to spell Punxsutawney? I do. P-U-N-X..."
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Weekly Update for Jan 22
EASY ED
Highlight of the week: getting invited to coffee with the managing editor (aka big WaPost boss)
Lowlight of the week: the next day, receiving a memo that the managing editor resigned
Latest song favorite: anything from Adele for the late night drive home
Quote of the week: "Is our son trying to come out to us?" After seeing Asher's eccentric choice of snow attire
JEN
Highlight of the week: receiving my first ever job performance bonus
Lowlight of the week: realizing that the US Govt taxes bonuses at 40%
Latest song favorite: Gin & Juice by Snoop Dogg
Quote of the week: "According to iTouch, it is snowing outside" (and then being too lazy to get out of bed and walk the two feet to the window to observe said snowfall. Don't judge, the snowy graphic on the app is quite beautiful to watch).
NOECHIN
Highlight of the week: Eating chocolate frosting for breakfast while the rest of us slept
Lowlight of the week: Waiting for the chronically stinkin' late school bus in the frigid cold without any music to listen to
Latest song favorite: You Know I'm No Good, Amy Winehouse
Quote of the Week: "the letter A" (he is working on letters and now identifies each letter this way....)
ASHERCITO
Highlight of the week: First snowfall of the year (Asher will play in the snow for hours)
Lowlight of the week: Win-less at bingo at Hunter's Woods Elementary Bingo Night (but he was a very fun and polite date)
Latest song favorite: With A Little Help From My Friends (Joe Cocker - Wonder Years title song)
Quote of the Week: "Grown ups know the truth" (Hmm...really?)
Highlight of the week: getting invited to coffee with the managing editor (aka big WaPost boss)
Lowlight of the week: the next day, receiving a memo that the managing editor resigned
Latest song favorite: anything from Adele for the late night drive home
Quote of the week: "Is our son trying to come out to us?" After seeing Asher's eccentric choice of snow attire
JEN
Highlight of the week: receiving my first ever job performance bonus
Lowlight of the week: realizing that the US Govt taxes bonuses at 40%
Latest song favorite: Gin & Juice by Snoop Dogg
Quote of the week: "According to iTouch, it is snowing outside" (and then being too lazy to get out of bed and walk the two feet to the window to observe said snowfall. Don't judge, the snowy graphic on the app is quite beautiful to watch).
NOECHIN
Highlight of the week: Eating chocolate frosting for breakfast while the rest of us slept
Lowlight of the week: Waiting for the chronically stinkin' late school bus in the frigid cold without any music to listen to
Latest song favorite: You Know I'm No Good, Amy Winehouse
Quote of the Week: "the letter A" (he is working on letters and now identifies each letter this way....)
ASHERCITO
Highlight of the week: First snowfall of the year (Asher will play in the snow for hours)
Lowlight of the week: Win-less at bingo at Hunter's Woods Elementary Bingo Night (but he was a very fun and polite date)
Latest song favorite: With A Little Help From My Friends (Joe Cocker - Wonder Years title song)
Quote of the Week: "Grown ups know the truth" (Hmm...really?)
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Weekly Update
I am trying a weekly update format for the next little while as I have not been so good at keeping up with the blog. Although I will do a 'Christmas in California' post for posterity. Guaranteed to be a classic.
EASY ED
Highlight of the week: his role in the WaPost Joe Paterno interview exclusive
Lowlight of the week: his role the senseless murder of Asher's pet fish(es)
Current obsession(s): helping Asher reach World Cup stardom, making predictions about the upcoming Mad Men season premier, whether or not his butt looks big in his new skinny jeans
Quote of the week: "Oh &#$%(*G $#*% !!!!" after killing the second batch of pet fish
JEN
Highlight of the week: getting through a potentially difficult work week with minimal stress, catching up on sleep this weekend, Saturday basketball
Lowlight of the week: wrenching back/sciatica after a very typical morning run
Current Obsession(s): Moonstruck Chocolate (thanks, Jeff!), doing hard yoga poses (and yes, I realize that my obsession with the first will make it hard to do the second!)
Quote of the week: "The wrong Mormon is winning!" (not that I would vote for either of them)
NOECHIN
Highlight of the week: Leaving his swim teacher open-mouthed-speechless as he swam around her in circles (he had his first lesson since last spring on Saturday).
Lowlight of the week: losing the beloved iPad after a tantrum
Current obsession(s): all music by Amy Winehouse, iPad games, tackling me from behind or when I am in bed, long showers (he must be the cleanest 9 year old ever).
Quote of the Week: "Do you think Amy Winehouse's death was really accidental?" Ok ...not really....but I imagine he is pondering it as he listens to her music.
ASHERCITO
Highlight of the week: playing the role of David in 'David and Goliath' at church....he was awesomely cute! Losing his first front tooth....now he talkth like thith.
Lowlight of the week: attending multiple fish funerals (see above)
Current obsession(s): adding large numbers in his head (or making me do it), sticking his tongue where his tooth used to be, old Wonder Years reruns on Netflix, and North Korea (long story...but it began on the plane to California when he asked about a magazine article I was reading on the death of Kim Jong-Il.)
Quote of the Week: "I hope the tooth fairy brings me $500!" Keep hoping, buddy.
EASY ED
Highlight of the week: his role in the WaPost Joe Paterno interview exclusive
Lowlight of the week: his role the senseless murder of Asher's pet fish(es)
Current obsession(s): helping Asher reach World Cup stardom, making predictions about the upcoming Mad Men season premier, whether or not his butt looks big in his new skinny jeans
Quote of the week: "Oh &#$%(*G $#*% !!!!" after killing the second batch of pet fish
JEN
Highlight of the week: getting through a potentially difficult work week with minimal stress, catching up on sleep this weekend, Saturday basketball
Lowlight of the week: wrenching back/sciatica after a very typical morning run
Current Obsession(s): Moonstruck Chocolate (thanks, Jeff!), doing hard yoga poses (and yes, I realize that my obsession with the first will make it hard to do the second!)
Quote of the week: "The wrong Mormon is winning!" (not that I would vote for either of them)
NOECHIN
Highlight of the week: Leaving his swim teacher open-mouthed-speechless as he swam around her in circles (he had his first lesson since last spring on Saturday).
Lowlight of the week: losing the beloved iPad after a tantrum
Current obsession(s): all music by Amy Winehouse, iPad games, tackling me from behind or when I am in bed, long showers (he must be the cleanest 9 year old ever).
Quote of the Week: "Do you think Amy Winehouse's death was really accidental?" Ok ...not really....but I imagine he is pondering it as he listens to her music.
ASHERCITO
Highlight of the week: playing the role of David in 'David and Goliath' at church....he was awesomely cute! Losing his first front tooth....now he talkth like thith.
Lowlight of the week: attending multiple fish funerals (see above)
Current obsession(s): adding large numbers in his head (or making me do it), sticking his tongue where his tooth used to be, old Wonder Years reruns on Netflix, and North Korea (long story...but it began on the plane to California when he asked about a magazine article I was reading on the death of Kim Jong-Il.)
Quote of the Week: "I hope the tooth fairy brings me $500!" Keep hoping, buddy.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Happy Birthday, Noe!
Dear Noe,
2011 was truly your year, kid! It feels like a lot of things are finally coming together and you are starting to make the kind of progress that we have hoped and prayed for since your autism diagnosis. We see more and more of your personality and cute smile every day. You no longer avoid us but seek us out. You work hard to use your words every day. You are starting to develop hobbies and interests, such as video games, music, hiking and swimming.
This year you got to…
*spend your birthday at Disneyland!
*surf at Virginia Beach (Surfer's Healing)
*attend your first friend's birthday party without Asher
*swim in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
*attend a pro baseball game (Pittsburgh Pirates) and Steve Miller Band concert (which you loved!)
*hike Ft. Stevens (Oregon Coast), Forest Park (Portland), Appalachian Trail (VA), Reston Trails (VA), Pasadena Heights (CA), and Pacific Palisades (CA).
This year you learned to….
*say and repeat MANY NEW words and request the things you like most without prompts
*recognize numbers, letters, colors and coins
*swim (in your very unique way)
*trace your name
*use your iPAD independently for games and music
*dress yourself without help (finally!)
When we were at Surfers Healing this summer, your pro surfer buddy brought you back to me after your surfing session was over. He looked at me with tears in his eyes said, "I love this kid."
Yeah, I know. I love you, too!
Happy Birthday, Asher!
Dear Asher:
You are 7 years old now! In your “Star of the Week” presentation for school, one of the things you told your class was that Asher means ‘happy’ in Hebrew. If anyone had a name that matched their personality, it is you! I love your can-do attitude, your curiosity, and your smile (doesn’t your mouth ever get tired of smiling?) I am thankful every day that you are a part of our family.
This year, you got to….
*visit your grandma and family in Portland and stay the night in a yurt on the Oregon coast
*train for and complete your first kid’s triathlon
*spend two weeks at outdoor day camp learning about water and bugs
*play two seasons of soccer
*hike part of the Appalachian trail
*ride on the back of a motorcycle!
This year, you learned how to …
*add and subtract numbers
*swim the length of the pool
*make your own breakfast
*boogie board in the warm East Coast waters
*play the piano (at least it is a work in progress)
*say many more things to your abuelos in Spanish
*read chapter books to yourself (versus out loud….phew!)
Happy Birthday, Ashercito! We love you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)