Quality Time with Matthew

 On Thursday night, Matthew finally got really good sleep. I'm talking 11 hours worth of really good sleep. His psychologist noticed the difference in his attitude when we met with him on Friday. We talked about how Matthew will be going in for a sleep study and are hoping for some suggestions on how Matthew can get good sleep every night, not just every once in a blue moon.

Because it was such a great day, we decided to finish it off making some slime. Matthew had been begging to make slime for a few days, and Friday we were finally able to pick up the ingredients that no-Borax slime called for. This slime is awesome! So I'm posting the steps for all the parents/grandparents reading this who want a simple, fun, non-messy project to do with the kids.

Start out with 8 ounces Elmer's washable glue. Pour it into a plastic container. Add some food coloring if you'd like colored slime. I stirred it with a disposable plastic spoon until it was blended well.

After your color is well blended, add 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Stir it well.

After the baking soda is blended into the glue mixture, you need 2 tablespoons of saline solution. I got the cheap stuff from WalMart that cost less than $4 for two 12 ounce bottles. I thought, "No way am I going to use all of this." Then after making this slime, I figure I'll be making a ton more, so it'll be used quickly. Anyway...you slowly add the saline solution into the glue/baking soda mixture, stirring it at first as it firms up, then picking it up and kneading it between your hands.

Now, the miracle of this slime is that it isn't runny or sticky. It doesn't feel gross, and it doesn't stick to everything. (Excuse me; it feels gross to Tea.) Matthew and I both thought it was great and a fabulous stress reliever.

We made both blue and purple. I love this stuff!

Matthew was looking for a stress ball the other day. I searched three different stores for one, and all three stores were sold out. These will definitely take the place of a stress ball.

Matthew has been more stressed than usual lately. His psychologist would like to meet with both Nick and I to get us on the same page parenting wise. Our parenting styles are so different; he says it's like we're in a rowboat paddling different directions. Kind of counterproductive. I've always admitted that I'm jello-mom because Nick has been harder on the kids, but Matthew's psychologist pointed out that maybe Nick has been harder on the kids because I've always been jello-mom. It's a vicious cycle. He says whatever we're doing needs a little touch-up, obviously, otherwise Matthew wouldn't be in his office.

I know Nick has pointed out that I'm super easy on the kids, but I feel like I've always been that way because he's always been harder on the kids. I've always felt a need to protect kids. Not just my kids, but all kids. When Nick and I were going to get remarried in the church, we had to go through marital counseling. The priest had asked us who was the most important person in the relationship. The answer was supposed to be your significant other. Nick answered it correctly; I did not. I answered my children. After all, who's going to protect them if you, their parent, does not? They don't have anybody else in the world. Your significant other can stand up for themselves. Your child cannot. I just couldn't come around to the point of understanding that the priest was trying to get across. I can see where he was coming from now, but I still don't agree with it.

There's my post for the week. I highly suggest you try out the slime with your kiddos or grandkiddos.

Until next week's dirt...