Waveland Christmas Party

We had a great time at the Waveland Christmas Party.

Not too big for Santa yet.

Goof!

At dinner Camden looked across the restaurant table at me and gave me this look

Twisting her "mustache" and all!

Biofeedback

Camden had an appointment this week at Riley to begin learning how to use biofeedback with her migraines.  This type of treatment has proven to be one of the most successful things to use during a migraine.  This time she learned belly breathing.  She is to practice this week twice a day...and of course we keep forgetting!

After Christmas we go back to learn the next step.

4-H Officer Induction & Christmas Party

Camden is the recreation officer for her 4-H club.  On Sunday at their Christmas Party/Meeting, all of the officers were inducted in a candle lighting ceremony.

After the meeting portion, we played games (Camden led them - with just a little help from me).

The reindeer toss game was how we did the white elephant gift exchange.

The kids opened presents, had snacks, and got gifts from their leaders.

The year is definitely off to a good start...project work starts soon.

Cut, Color, and Sushi

Camden made a much needed change.  I have been gently coaxing her for a bit to get a decent haircut, but his is a "trigger" area for her and I have to tread lightly.  With such a tender head, she was not letting me help keep it taken care of and it was getting too hard for her to keep clean and brushed without knots.

I told our hair dresser that my only requirements was that the back was cut off and the front was left with some length so she could tuck behind her ears.  I also agreed to let Camden get some color again and she opted for some blue on the tips of her front.

The results are absolutely beautiful!

There was a good 4-5 inches cut off the back.  Camden got a bit worried, but was content to let it happen.

The color is a darker blue so it's not immediately "shocking," but when the light hits it, it is stunning.

A hair cut appointment has often been filled with many tears, but she was a true client today.  We celebrated with sushi!

Camden's "Blog"

After the Thanksgiving festivities were over, Amanda was cleaning up the kid's room.  She came across some papers and knew the work was not from one of her children.  She deduced it was Camden's writings from the play time that day.

I was in tears with laughter!  It is like two excerpts from her personal blog or diary.

"Today my child behaved well.  She didn't cry and didn't bite me.  I am very proud of her.  She is my best daughter (heart). XOXO"

"Today I took my child to the playground.  She misbehaved there and sent the dog to the adoption center."

Love her brain!

Migraine Update

Camden has started on a daily migraine medicine.  We are still in the first week so don't have any "results."  She also has a new medicine to take when one does come on.  Thankfully, the doctor was able to find these in liquid form and we are successfully taking them!

We have also had some additional accommodations added to her 504 plan at school to hopefully address a few of the triggers (light & sound specifically).  The biggest thing being to wear sunglasses (or visor) and ear buds (which have not come in yet because Camden requested some specific ones that weren't on Amazon prime). 

Thankful to be moving forward and hopefully reducing the number and severity of her headaches/migraines.

She puts her glasses on as soon as she gets out of the car when I drop her off in the morning.  She's a movie star!

SJH Winter Formal

Friday night was Camden's first formal dance.  Of course when I asked her 3 weeks ago if she wanted to go, she said no, but Thursday morning (day before the dance) she told me she had changed her mind and wanted to go!

I told her we didn't have time to get a new dress and shoes.  She could wear her good black flower dress or the purple one she wore to Rachel's wedding.  She elected for the latter.  We did need to get some new shoes so went after school on Friday and found some perfect "VSCO" approved ones.  I had heard that many girls were wearing sneakers with their formal dress, so these were a cute option.

She had a terrific time and even walked away with a prize.  The school collected items for a local shelter and for each donation, your name was put in for a drawing.  Her name was the second one drawn and she got....

...a $15 Starbucks gift card. 

Christmas Lights at Indianapolis State Fair

We have found a new tradition!  It's the first year of the drive-thru light display at the State Fairgrounds and we will be back!  It was all synchronized to music through our radio.  It probably took us a little less than a 1/2 hour to weave through it, but there where not a full line of cars.  On a busy night it would be a little longer.

The lights were everywhere!  It was magnificent.  Pictures, nor videos, do it justice.  The entry fee is a little high, but we found it worth it.

Entrance under the tunnel to get to the infield.  "Every time a bell rings...an angel gets his wings"  words on each side of the tunnel.

 

 

Tunnel leaving the infield. "Merry Christmas to all...and to all a good night."

VSCO Girl

The Junior High is having a Christmas tree decorating contest with all the clubs.  Camden and the Art Club chose their theme as "VSCO Girl."  This is pronounces "visco" and is a hot trend of how preteen and teen girls dress and act.  Things like Vans shoes, scrunchies (in hair or on your arm), saving the turtles, metal straws, water bottles, Carmex lip balm, shells, etc. are part of this "thing."  I've heard it described as a preppy and beachy.

They decorated after school yesterday with cute success.

Black Friday

No shopping for us.  It was grab a friend and go get some exercise.

Get Air is perfect for 60 minutes of fun...

...to be capped off with a cupcake or cream horn from Mammaw's Sweet Shop around the corner!

Thanksgiving

We celebrated a lovely Thanksgiving with Aunt Carole, Uncle Ric, Gramma Pat and all the cousins on that side.  Joseph and Amanda hosted us for a delicious meal and time together.

There was still yummy ("burnt") rolls, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce added to this spread.

After dinner the small kids helped make a gingerbread Turkey.  Taking turns was the "fun" part, but everyone got to do a little bit.

Olivia was a master at making careful outlines.

 
She and Camden helped assemble the turkey.

 

Luke was the star candy decorator with Lincoln coming in at the end to help make sure every piece was "taken care of".

He was a cute Tom!

And tasty too!