Life and Times of The Johnston family: The First Week and a Half of 2015!

New Years day we ventured to IKEA with my mom to pick up some organizational things we needed for our "shoes, coats and stuff" area and Devin's room. We got there just after they opened so the kids area wasn't crowded....yet so the kids were thrilled to get to go play and it made it so much easier for us adults to look at what we wanted to. My mom and I picked them up as Tony was getting the last couple things and then we checked out, Tony took the stuff to the car while the kids, my mom and I watched some Tom and Jerry by the playland, then we went upstairs and got a delicious lunch! We stopped by Lowes real fast on our way home to pick up a cube organizer shelf for Devin's room then came home and did some things we needed to get done! Friday Tony took the day off work so we took the kids to the theater(I kinda wanted to test my theory about what movies Devin can make it through) so we saw Penguins of Madagascar. It was a really funny and cute movie! And my theory stands, as Devin did great the whole time! Then we spent the rest of the afternoon going to stores as I searched for a new pair of shoes(for the best price of course). I ended up getting awesome sketcher sneakers with memory foam(my feet will have never been happier) and because they had a bogo 1/2 off I also got a new pair of black church shoes that are made like crocks....but seriously look like nice black flats, they too are so comfy! Saturday we did our grocery shopping then just did some things around the house like take down Christmas, finally! Sunday after church we met Jen and Daniel at the cemetery to change out the decorations on the headstones....it was literally freezing though so we didn't stay long!
Last week we had to get back into the school schedule again, and it was not easy! But they actually adjusted pretty well....considering it's them. ;) Monday Elizabeth started school back up(we had a short 4 day week to ease her into it), my good friend Kim came up with her super cute little boy and visited for a bit and we gave her(more like her little boy) a little rocking horse Devin is way too big for. Then Elizabeth had theater class, which she reported having a blast! She even got the coveted "singing necklace" for knowing all the words to the two songs they're working on, and only two of them got it so she was really proud of herself! Tuesday Devin did ok with going back to preschool, what made it not a nightmare was the fact that they're learning about dinosaurs this month and Devin was intrigued so he didn't put up much of a fight at drop off....for once! Wednesday was a typical school day and Bravo classes in the afternoon. Thursday was a typical day, but that night after I got Devin out of the tub I noticed red welt looking spots on his face and rashes on his back, tummy arms and bum so when Tony got home if was off to Insta Care for him and I. The red on his face was an allergic reaction to some body paint he got for Christmas(darn his super sensitive skin!) and the other rashes were a really bad flare up of his Eczema. Friday I set up a playdate with Elizabeth's friend Phenley in the morning. Elizabeth was so excited about it she was up about 6am! :/ about 9:30 we went to Walgreens to pick up some special cream for Devin's Eczema flare up, then went to Phenley's house. Those two are the best of friends! It helps they're both ADHD and SPD(Elizabeth's anxiety throws her over the top some times, but I can usually get her through it) Devin found a Leap Pad(tablet) and was sucked in and good to go...though he did parallel play a little bit with the girls. Anne and I can talk for hours....and we do every time we get together! We were there from 10-4!!! The kids were totally ready, it's Anne and I that kept jabbering on and on! It was a really good day though I love being able to have adult conversation with someone who has so much in common with me!(aka homeschool, special needs kids ect) It was a great day! That night was pizza dinner night which Elizabeth looks forward to all week! Saturday we did our grocery shopping in the morning, and in the afternoon we went to our niece Maddison's first birthday party. We shared dinner with my parents and watched "The Life of Walter Mitty" after the kids were in bed. It was a good show! Sunday we were late for church because Elizabeth misplaced her CTR ring, we were unable to find it before we just had to leave, she was super bummed but such is life. Devin begged to go back to nursery, and was pretty sad when I left him in the primary room, but Elizabeth said "he didn't whine too long, cause he like the songs like me! They make us feel happy!!" Good to know! :) Our class went well and while we were waiting to go into the primary room I attempted to hide so Devin wouldn't see me and want me.....but as he came out he actually sought me out and ran to me. I gave him a hug and told him to run to class, which he looked at me hesitantly about, but did as I asked. After church both kids were reported as being good in class....YAY!!! And just minutes after we got home Elizabeth found her CTR ring in one of the cup holders between the recliners!(of course no one thought to look there!!) We got the kids lunch and put on a Veggie Tales movie then had a bit to eat ourselves. The home teachers came an hour after church and we had a good visit with them. And that was the week!

At the cemetery, the guys had to do move the snow away from the headstones.