Around Here | Weekend Words + iPhone Photos

One of my professional/personal goals right now is to work during the week and not on the weekends - at least not be in my office and sit at my desk like I do during the week.

There's usually lots of good things that happen (stories to tell) when I meet that goal.

On Saturday I roasted vegetables and a chicken.

The biggest excitement of the weekend was Simon eating everything on his plate without major drama at being presented foods that are not his daily favorites. He ate regular portions of roasted chicken, carrots, and potatoes (vs. the two bites of chicken, one of carrot, etc that we usually encourage). There was no falling out of his chair, no talk of "dieing foods," no digging in to protest with tons of whining (all of which we are all too familiar with).

Initially he wasn't happy about it, but it didn't escalate like it has so many times before.

We sat at the table, the four of us, each with the very same things on our plates.

It was cause for a little celebration.

I think for me one of the biggest things I was celebrating is that it feels like we are starting to be able to reason with him. I'm not sure if that's really what's happening, but it feels like it might be happening. It's one of those things where you almost hold your breath as you wait to see if it's a pattern or a one time thing.

While he was eating it (and while we weren't making a big deal out of it) he said in his matter-of-fact-manner, "Mom where did you discover these foods that I will like?" I told him they were foods that Daddy and I liked and that we thought he would like them because they taste good...and that we don't have any plans to make him eat anything we don't like.

Whatever the reason for this awesome little breakthrough, it was cool.

We celebrated with chocolate ice cream.

I also washed and folded loads of laundry. In our house laundry usually comes out of the laundry room and onto the couch for folding before being put away upstairs.

We made a Target run for some essentials (and a pack of two small artificial lighted trees that were $10 off). Heading out in PJ's and sweatshirts is an easy way to get out the door. We made a pit stop on the baby doll aisle (those dolls move when you walk by them and Anna can't get enough) and the Lego aisle.

We talked about Santa and wishes and making a list and we waved bye bye to the toys.

Anna and I had a little adventure over to Goodwill to scope out the basket selection and came home with these glasses that were $.99 a piece. Significantly better price than the ones I was looking at online earlier in the day.

There are many other stories from this weekend including a really good one about a baseball glove that I'm saving for another day. There's a story about Simon not telling the truth (and as a good friend and teacher told us the other day, that's actually a good developmental sign). There's a story about Anna doing some awesome pretending playing "jump" with a little Dora doll in her Anna-sized kitchen. There's a story about Chris working way too hard. There's a story about me not wanting to wish away the toddler times that are sometimes frustrating and exhausting. There's a story about Simon watching the movie Hook and loving it. There's a story about the two of them sitting at our table on Sunday morning looking through the toy ads. There's a story about how I like having a college football game on in the background in the middle of the day on Saturday.

I love the stories that come from just being here and doing the basic stuff of our lives.

I love weekends at home.

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55 thoughts

  1. Melanie says…
    11/08/2010

    I just love the mundane in life. The every day moments. Beautiful.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Suzette L says…
    11/08/2010

    So glad your weekend was so memorable in such wonderful ways. Blessings!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Chris says…
    11/08/2010

    Thanks for sharing. Sounds like there are lots of wonderful changes going on at your house. Enjoy them all!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. dawn says…
    11/08/2010

    Thank you so much Ali for sharing this everyday normal weekend with the kids at home with us. I love how you see a story in everything and capture it and scrap it for later. Some of these things were our weekend also and I'm always so grateful on Sunday night when I go to bed and say my prayers and end it with thank you god for the small moments that were actually big this weekend. Sunday's are my favorite because of these things. Can't wait to see the layouts you will do with these stories. Have a HAPPY MONDAY ALI!!

    p.s. love that first photo and the toy asile photo

    p.p.s. say your story on Art can save lives, love how your life took a whole different turn and now we get to see all your daily inspirations.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Allison says…
    11/08/2010

    Thank you for sharing your weekend!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Tracy Rizzo says…
    11/08/2010

    My son has autism as well.I know exactly what you mean by waiting to see if its a one time thing. I actually took a picture of my son's plate the first time he ate a different shaped pasta!
    I was over the moon when my son told me he was cold to try to get me to let him in my bed. Sometimes he even steps it up and pretends to have a belly ache hehe! Wonderful.
    Love the pick of the kids in their pjs! Way to go Simon for trying new things!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. madeline St onge says…
    11/08/2010

    Sounds like a perfect weekend to me Ali

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Anna-Marie says…
    11/08/2010

    I must confess that when I read your blog and Becky's I find myself saying how do these women do it all. They have great kids, awesome jobs and clean houses. I find myself trying so hard to just get by sometimes. But as I followed it's nice that you have shown the not so tidy side of life and it makes me feel better. I am continually trying to get better at handling all on my plate but sometimes I think I have gotten so far behind that I'll never catch up, but there is usually something on your blogs that helps me realize no one has it all, no one has a completely clean house all the time, the most well behaved kids every second. Life is just messy sometimes and I really related to your piece about the food this weekend. We have a 5 and 2 year old and we are continually trying to get my older daughter to eat what we eat. It isn't always easy but we keep trying and when we finally find a meal that works, it is cause for celebration. Thank you for posting about the little things in live, as a parent I find life is all about the little moments. I also relate to the whole not wanting to wish away toddlerhood, but I said since my 2nd was born that I LOOK FORWARD TOO but don't wish away the time that she will be 3 and things will get easier. It's hard to have a small one who needs your constant eye and though the struggles are different it is nice when you don't have to have the eyes in the back of your head so much and they can communicate with you more effectively. It just is easier and after 3 years, anything that is easier is welcomed. I don't wish it away but I look forward to it, especially now that we are less than 6 months away from 3. Grace is changing daily and getting more verbal, she's starting to think about using the potty and I so look forward to those changes. But I do wish my 5 year old would slow down a bit she is changing too much too quickly, but such is the circle of life. I am just glad that I take all the photo's I do and that I document at least parts of this journey we call life and I'm glad for video cameras that can capture more then my story can sometimes. Have a great day and thanks for the post!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Ann says…
    11/08/2010

    So simple. So wonderful. Thank you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Denise says…
    11/08/2010

    Everyday moments are what make life worth living. I'm always telling my DD to not grow up too fast because we want to enjoy her being little. She says she won't and I hope she remembers this all her life. Stay young at heart forever and you'll be happy all your days. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Lisa A. says…
    11/08/2010

    So happy to hear of your reasons to celebrate! Thanks for sharing with us!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. nicole says…
    11/08/2010

    do you mean a college football came of the number ONE team in the NATION?? yay! go ducks!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      11/08/2010

      That would be the one :).

  13. Tweets that mention Around Here | Weekend Words + iPhone Photos | Ali Edwards -- Topsy.com says…
    11/08/2010

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Ali Edwards, Josephina Mydreama. Josephina Mydreama said: Around Here | Weekend Words + iPhone Photos: One of my professional/personal goals right now… http://goo.gl/fb/N6h9J [...]

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  14. Judy Webb says…
    11/08/2010

    You are a blessing to so many, me included, thank you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Suzie says…
    11/08/2010

    Life moves so fast. I'm so glad you're taking the time to enjoy it and reminding us to slow down and enjoy also. Thank you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Linda says…
    11/08/2010

    I have a now twenty-three year old, who displays some characteristics of being "on the spectrum". As a child Simon's age...he was infamous in our extended family for being a picky eater. Fast forward fifteen years...Walter spent a semester as an exchange student in Botswana, Africa. One of my favorite memories of visiting him is..Walter eating warthog and springbok. Even children on the spectrum...grow older and develop more fully refined taste buds...the rub is...it takes time.

    I truly believe...the biggest perk of having more than one child...is realizing how quickly the time passes.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Rebecca says…
    11/08/2010

    Simon eating everything on his plate? That's not a little celebration - that's a HUGE HUGE HUGE celebration. :) Hoping that it's a wonderful sign for things to come...

    Rebecca
    (Redheadmomma)

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Stephanie M says…
    11/08/2010

    Would love to hear Simons story on not telling the truth and how that is developmental. My daughter did something against our rules over the weekend and adimantly denied it. Now I'm left to wonder how my telling her that I didn't believe her will impact her trust in me. :(

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      11/08/2010

      He tells us that he doesn't want to/didn't tell the truth because he was worried we wouldn't like it (whatever it was that he was doing that we told him not to do - usually involves saying he brushed his teeth when he hasn't or sneaking up to my office to watch something on the computer).

  19. Susan Ringler says…
    11/08/2010

    Wow sounds like a great weekend~ There are too few of those as they grow, Ali, so YES, you are so right not to wish away the toddler troubles. Embrace, embrace, embrace!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. kimmy says…
    11/08/2010

    Oh how I can relate to the victory at the dinner table... my son has sensory issues... feeding is a big issue. LOVE your candidness in sharing your heart in this area... I can celebrate that victory with you! love all the fall photos, too. ~ kim

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Joni says…
    11/08/2010

    Such a great weekend!
    I was reading this and cheering for Simon and for you & Chris - eating something not in his normal menu, wow! WE have the same issues at our house and dinner battles are NOT fun, but with age it does seem to get a little easier due to being able to reason! Hope he keeps up the GREAT work! Such small steps are HUGE!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. dawn says…
    11/08/2010

    Forgot to mention Ali that I'm happy for all of you that Simon ate and liked his dinner. Yes it is a big deal and cause for a celebration!! Good for Simon, he is growing up.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Nicky from Canada says…
    11/08/2010

    Oh I love the PJ outing - we do many of those - especially early in the morning.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Rebekah says…
    11/08/2010

    Ah the beauty of unplugging a bit for the weekend. Thank you for putting into words what I enjoyed this weekend myself...family time that brings about memories and stories!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. abbeyviolet says…
    11/08/2010

    That is a great story! So happy for you!

    Reply 0 Replies

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