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Saturday, February 18, 2012

Spencer










My regular readers will probably remember that Spencer loves to find photographs of steam and diesel trains on the internet, print them, and scotch tape them together in long rows. He has his own laptop and printer, and can very easily do the whole process himself.  Then he folds the rows accordian-style into these huges stacks.  They are his most prized possession.  And even though there are about 8,000 pages, I seriously believe he knows the order of each photo.  He also knows which stack holds which series of photographs.  He always makes sure they are in a certain order when the 7 stacks are lined up like this. :)

The triplets were home  from school today with fevers and coughs. 
Not sick enough to stay in bed, though. :)
This is the scene I woke up to when I got out of bed about an hour after they did!


112 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. He is very funny...the things he does. And he really did look like he was praying when he stood there with his eyes closed. haha.

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  2. I love him:) Omg If you see the twins bedrooms are terrible!

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    1. Their bedroom isn't bad unless they hang out in it all day. It's usually their computer/TV room that is horrible. Really horrible. ha.

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  3. Betsy, give Spencer a hug for me--you don't know how bad I needed a good laugh. Was that picture of him with his eyes closed accidental, or was he really hoping you would leave?

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    1. It was real! All the boys do that when they are in trouble or just want me to go away. They really do look they are praying for help. lol...then when he opened his eyes and looked at me, he really looked disappointed that I was still there! :) It was hilarious!

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    2. I wish I could have heard what you said when you saw that bathroom. :)

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    3. I said just what I typed up there...lol...

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  4. I love Spencer my twins are terrible in their bedrooms betsy! and Esperanza have a rock bedroom, is dark and black (lol)

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    1. Dark and black? Oh, funny. Who is her favorite singer?

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    2. Gloria, my kids are obsessed with Legos right now, and I'm scared to walk in their room in the dark--stepping on Legos in your bare feet is painful. :)

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    3. We've had that stage..the Legos. But mostly it was Brio trains and track pieces. They learned to walk through a floor of toys. ha.

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  5. I just looked at the picture again and realized where he put all the stuff that was on the counter--right over the sink. Makes me laugh more. :)

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    1. Oh yeah! In fact, a few minutes later, Taylor got up and wanted to brush his teeth...that's when we insisted he move them out. He did...albeit reluctantly. lol....

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    2. Are the train pictures the same ones? The ones he lined up through out the house, (last year?).
      Or does he print out news ones?
      They look like they are in good shape if they are the same ones.

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    3. They are the same ones! He's added a few and even replaced a few that were all crinkled...which was a major step in progression! :)

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  6. I needed something to make me smile tonight! I love that guy!

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    1. hey marilyn....he does keep life interesting, doesn't he? :)

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  7. Un horrible group called !My quimical romance! she die for them ! are from USA

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    1. chemical romance...oh, I recognize the name but don't know their music. Oh dear. lol.... her tastes will change...it won't be like that forever. ha.

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    2. my two kids are rockers you know,. ahhhh!

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    3. do they sing or play an instrument?

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    4. They have normal guitars but Esperanza want and electric guitar (lol)

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    5. I love guitars...so beautiful. Taylor begged for an electric guitar years ago and we had to pay extra for a left handed one...and he never played it! Sigh.

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    6. She always asked Betsy but are so cost! maybe in the future but she sing so nice and in english!! (lol)My two kids sing in english! ha!

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    7. Nice~ I'm sure listening to an American band helps them sing in English. Maybe she could save her own money. They are expensive!

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  8. Your life is like the best book, the most inspiring movie .. we are the beneficiaries!

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    1. glad to make y'all laugh. :) Hey, that is a beautiful avatar of you, dear! Gorgeous!

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  9. You have the best attitude when it comes to your boys. When I grow up I want to be just like you!

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    1. Cute. :) It's just a matter of survival at this point, actually. ha.

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    2. With kids you have a choice--you can laugh or you can cry. :)

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    3. yep...and I usually try to laugh...although I do cry on occasion. ha.

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    4. You can laugh or cry with Mamas too.

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    5. Oh, I am sure that is true. I hope you've been able to laugh lately and not cry, though.

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  10. LOL that's so funny that he was trying to wish you away
    So he could keep his pics there for display
    At least they were easier to move than the ones going all down the hall
    Amazing that he can find each one on recall
    But then with ones collection they just know
    And strat to those crappy germs at your show..haha

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    1. Yeah, his mind is like a computer. He has all those sequences in there kept in order.

      I told them they better not share their germs. I do not want that crud! ha.

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    2. haha so that's why you wanted the sink clear
      So you can wash your hands of those germs you fear..hahaha

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    3. Oh, I'm fearing the germs alright!
      Now I need lotion because my skin feels tight! ha.

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  11. some times god does not answer prayers for our own good...ha...sorry they were sick...hope they are feeling better...

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    1. So he won't let me win the lottery because it's for my own good
      Well that is just rude speak to him I should..lol

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    2. No selfish prayers are granted, unless you're needing to learn a lesson.
      lol.

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    3. I'll take such a lesson with stride
      Then run and hide..haha

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    4. Or just close your eyes and think you've become invisible. That's what my boys do. lol...cracks me up every time. ha.

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  12. I do hope they get to feeling better this weekend. I do wish I had Spencer's natural ability for order and organization :)

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    1. No you don't...you would drive your family CRAZY! lol....

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  13. Replies
    1. Yes! And I would have been, but my mom kept switching my spoon, crayon, etc. so I wouldn't be. But I was born left handed and still do some things that way that she forgot to switch!

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    2. Didn't want you to be a lefty lucy and instea a righty tighty
      I guess righty is more mighty?..haha

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    3. I guess she thought that way. My doctor thought it was crazy. But in the 60's they didn't know it was connected to how your brain works. It would have been better to let my own head decide which hand wanted to work!

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    4. The hippy dippy 60's explains it all
      As many seemed to like being off the wall..haha

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    5. I know you're sorry you didn't live in that decade. ha.

      I did, but was so small
      I don't remember much at all.

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  14. I don't remember ever discussing that with you before. I'm left-handed, of course. It's actually a little odd that you and Taylor would both be left-handed. It usually skips a generation.

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    1. Maybe we haven't talked about it? I did know you were left handed and can tell by your handwriting, too! None of my siblings or parents are left handed...or the generation before that either! I'm just special I guess. lol.

      I eat and write with my right hand. Although sometimes I start to eat with my left hand spontaneously. The Mister has commented a few times, saying, "Do you realize that you are eating with your left hand?" ha. And I do it smoothly, using a utensil, like I've always done it. Kinda of weird. I also brush my teeth and pour from a pitcher with my left hand.

      I know what you're thinking...yes, I'm complicated! lol...

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    2. Yes, you are complicated... but that's a good thing. And "special," too, I might add... as you yourself suggested, haha!

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    3. there you are being sweet again! :)

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    4. Betsy dont have idea you are left handed, is not porblem that terrible you have to use the other too! (lol)
      Some of left handed I know they used the right and the left like you.

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    5. Well, I actually say I'm right handed since I write with my right hand. But I was born left handed...just made to change. :) Taylor is left handed. The other three didn't decide which they would be until they were almost 9 years old! They kept switching and we just let them decide! Now they are all right handed.

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    6. OM maybe the boys were confusss (lol)

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    7. I know! Kind of funny...and very late to decide!

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    8. when the kids are little sometimes used both!

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    9. yes, that is true! But they really took a long time to decide! :)

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  15. This is a great series of photos. I love hearing about your boys, makes me wonder what my son will be like when he's a teen. He already likes to "collect" things, so who knows. :)

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    1. They do love to collect things, don't they? Spencer is my collector. The other two really don't so much. They do like to line things up though. :)

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  16. wow thats some big stacks of papers! love his "oh, shoot!" expression! too funny! hope they get better soon, fevers are no fun!

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    1. They seem to feel better this evening. I'm glad they have a long weekend to recover. :)

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  17. Laughing so hard.....that expression you got from Spencer...and your captions are priceless. I don't know if your boys accept hugs....but I'm sending all of them big ones!!!!

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    1. They do like hugs...and kisses. :) That is one good thing...they didn't get that 'no touching' part of autism and have always been affectionate. I'm so glad! In fact, Harry kissed a special ed supervisor at school last month....not appropriate at school, but at least she knew it was innocently given. :)

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  18. I'm surprised he chose the bathroom counter to place his precious stacks. Doesn't he realize they could get wet there?

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    1. he probably didn't think of that at all....just like he stacks them on the kitchen island sometimes and gets food on them! :)

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  19. OK, Betsy...that puts the small pile of mail my husband leaves on the counter into a whole different perspective. I like that they are stacked and taped together...single loose piles would do me in. Bless you!

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    1. Oh, I'm so glad he tapes them! They have fallen over before or been dropped...and if they were loose, he would really be upset...not to mention how long it would take to get them back in order! ha.

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  20. Smiling..... I love your stories my question is how did you get him to take them out of the bathroom? I have a boy in my classroom who is a hugger and gives kisses. It is always funny to see peoples reactions when he comes running and gives them a big bear hug with a kiss. We worn them but they still have that shocked look on their faces. Thanks for sharing and God bless you....

    Saun

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    1. Well, I always make him obey me. If it really isn't a big deal, I let him keep them where he puts them. But in this case, it wasn't practical. People needed to use the sink, etc. And he would have been upset if they got wet. He will obey, even though reluctantly.

      Cute story about the hugging/kissing student. Most people are good about it. When Harry was younger, he used to put his arm around girls as he walked down the hall. lol.... Fortunately we haven't had anyone complain of a sexual harrassment problem because he certainly isn't meaning anything by it. He's just always lived in an affectionate environment and doesn't 'get' that you can't be that way with every one. ha.

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  21. Haha, love this post. That is so sweet that Spencer is so into the train photos and organizes them like this. Who needs a bathroom for anyways?

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  22. Oh Betsy, I think that is so sweet...kissing the teacher. I wish we were more accepting of affection...but with all the child abuse, and perverted affection it's hard. I love the innocence of their affection.

    I've always been a hugger...and in all our years of ministry one of the things people began to expect was a hug from me at the door when they left the church. Now I'm sending you one! :)

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    1. Exactly. And it's not really allowed at school. But so far everyone seems to know the intent so they are fine with it.

      And I'd never turn down a hug from you, dear. :)

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  23. The bathroom has room for only one type of paper....Toilet paper!!! (LOL Sry, I couldn't resist.)

    Have a wonderful weekend!!! And try not to get sick :P

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  24. That's a lot of pages!

    Hope the boys get to feeling better soon.

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  25. What a mind...you must constantly be dazzled! ;D

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  26. lol ... Betsy your comments on the pictures are so funny!! it's amazing that Spencer can remember all and the way he aligns it etc. did you try to tell him that if it's in the bathroom it may get wet and the paper gets destroyed?
    sorry to hear that all of them are sick now, hope they all feel better soon!

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    1. Yes, I told him all of that, but when he gets something in his head he can be very stubborn. :)

      They seem better this morning...no fevers at all! :)

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    2. that's great that the fevers is gone!
      yes, it looks like Spencer can get stubborn indeed :-) ... you are such a great mom Betsy!!

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  27. Awww Spencer!!! What a cutie!! And what an amazing filing system! Yay for him!

    Please get better soon! Take care
    x

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  28. Awwww... Such and elaborate system!! Good luck with getting it relocated. ;) blessings ~ tanna

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    1. Tanna ~ I noticed that they are back in the bathroom this morning! ha.

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  29. well, at least the stacks are all neat and orderly. Did you tell them they might get wet in the bathroom?

    little G and E both coughs and runny noses this week, not really sick sick, just enough to slow them down a little and use lots of kleenex

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  30. I only come to see the pictures again (lol)

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    1. Morning, Gloria. Yes, it's worth a second laugh, isn't it? :)

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  31. Morning dear. I wake up remember him (lol) so I come to see again (lol)
    How you feel betsy?

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    1. You're sweet to remember him. ha. I feel good this morning...slept a little longer than on a week day, so that felt good. No headache, either! ha. How are you doing?

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    2. Im cooking (lol) I want made a chicken pot pie or similar many times I dont made!

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  32. Spencer is so cute looking while he is guarding his pictures. I mean how could you not give into him and let him keep his pictures there for at least today. And would it not be so great to be really to read his mind. I am sure he is thinking of ways to let you keep them there.

    Wishing you the best outcome and that he gives in about what to do, but if not then you just have to go with the flow.

    God bless.

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  33. Spencer is a real character! Why not have pages in the bathroom anyway Ho !

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  34. Power to the Paper... and to Spenser!

    Me thinks he needs a dedicated space (art room or studio) for his work.

    Well done, Mama. :)

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    1. :) Thanks, Daniel. Yes, the bathroom counter just isn't big enough, is it? ha.

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  35. What can I say but (in a twangy Southern accent)

    "Damn!"

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  36. Noah, my grandson, loves trains too and knows the makes and models. He can recite what is on his computer and zi think he knows all the sites where he can go and see more trains. Fascinating that Spencer also likes trains. I do too. A steam train used to go past our house when I was growing up. It was about 30 feet from the house and our dishes shook and rattled.

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  37. How hilarious, but serious business to Spencer !
    ~Jo

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  38. Oh my! That's a lot of papers! And I'm with you that he knows where exactly they all are!

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  39. I wonder why it was important for him to have his papers in the bathroom instead of somewhere else. I love your thought boxes!

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  40. maybe it's time to buy him a real train :)

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