Happy Halloween

Oh my, I am glad Halloween is behind us!  The kids had a ton of fun this year, but I am exhausted! 

Last night we went to the church where I was raised for their annual pumpkin patch party.  It was crazy busy with people; I couldn't believe the awesome turnout!  It was nice to see some familiar faces and re-introduce my kids. 

 Tonight we made a couple of special stops as the sun went down. My parents were in town, so BB spent the rest of the night with them at home as they handed out candy.  The three big kids and I went around a long block trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. It was a busy night, and the weather was absolutely beautiful.  They are thrilled with the load of goodies they brought home.  For now they get to enjoy.  Some day soon we will sort it out and donate a bunch to the local food bank.

Took Sweets back to her dad when all was done.  So glad she got to stay and trick-or-treat with us!

Pushing the Last Minute

It's been one of those weeks...  Sunday night starting at 10pm, I wrote a six page paper for my Monday class.  Yeah, procrastination until the last minute. 

Yesterday morning I ended up driving 40 miles to Sweets' house to assist her dad with an issue (last minute notice).  On another topic, I found out he missed his appointment for the paternity test for Lil Sis, so it now has to be rescheduled. 

Every day at work lately has been swamped with more than I can possibly complete.  I stayed too long yesterday, after getting in late, and made it to class one minute before it started.  Three hours of boredom later, I was so happy to drag my exhausted self home.

Today May started throwing up after school.  She stayed home tonight while Buddy went to church.  He absolutely didn't want to miss since they wore their Halloween costumes.

Tomorrow morning Miss M goes on vacation for four days to see family out of state.  Buddy and May will have to go to after care at school and BB will have his longest day yet at daycare.  Friday I have a school commitment at the court, then will have to drive back to pick up the three kids from after care and daycare, then drive across town to pick up Sweets.  Wish me luck that we actually get dinner before 7pm that night!

Embarrassing Question

Last weekend at the fair, we stopped in a children's area so I could change BB's diaper.  Miss M and May were sitting by the stroller, while Buddy and Sweets played in a nearby play area.  A representative from the university came over and asked Miss M and May if either of them had a child under under six, as she was conducting a survey.  Miss M answered no and, pointing to May, said she is eleven.  Whoops!  I know May looks mature, but give me a break!

4 for 4

I'm getting tired of the weekly trip to the ER/Urgent Care!  This time it was May with a large welt on her inner thigh.  It started as a bug bite yesterday, was red about the size of a quarter this morning, and was about seven inched in diameter by 5pm, itching, hot, and hurting.  The tricky part was this time I had all four kids with me.  We made it, and the seven-year-olds were even reasonably patient.  After about an hour, we left following a dose of Bene*dryl with a script for an antibiotic.  Could we please stop with the weekend medical issues?

More State Fair

Sweets and the largest animal in the pen!



Not an animal person!



She finally found the baby pigs!

Smiles from Sweets, Buddy, and May

I'm still amazed at Buddy's willingness to go on the bigger rides like the one above.  He normally won't even go on the baby roller coaster, but he went on this hang glider ride which went up high and fast, as well as another ride which travelled in a fast circle and even covered up the riders making it dark.  He is really growing up!

Yesterday was so much fun!  Of course, I have a million things to do today as a result, but it was worth it.  A day of family fun and togetherness goes a long way!

State Fair

We spent today at the State Fair.  BB was fabulous, feeling and eating much better than yesterday.  The other kids had a ball and did quite well for such a long day.  Miss M went with us, making the day much more fun for me. 

We ate frozen bananas covered with chocolate, turkey legs, Indian tacos, lemonade, and soda.  We rode on a few rides.  Buddy even went on some of the big kid rides and came off smiling!  I'm so proud of him for not being scared!  Sweets went on a monster ride with Miss M and loved it!  Sweets was barely tall enough to ride it; they measured her twice.  Yep, here is the ride!  It even spun upside down for a while!

We finished the night with a trip to the barns to see the animals.  What a fun day with all the kiddos!

Times 3

Tonight marked the third trip for urgent care in less than three weeks.  At least this time it was a different child!  The rest of the household is well, but it appears BB now has a stomach virus.  He couldn't keep anything down from mid-morning on.  After throwing up even electrolyte solution, I called the doctor's office just before closing time.  Directions: take him to the ER to avoid dehydration. 

After a thorough checkout, they declared him healthy except for a possible virus and gave him an anti-nausea medicine.  So far he has kept down about four ounces.  BB is sleeping peacefully now.  Hopefully, I can too!

Sickies in the House

It has not been fun for the last few days.  Starting last Thursday, Buddy complained his throat was dry.  Then on Friday it hurt, and by Friday at dinner, he didn't want to eat and complained his ear hurt too.  I took him to the nighttime pediatric urgent care thinking it was an ear infection, and ... Strep Throat!  He started antibiotics that night and no complaints about his ear or throat since.

Fast forward to Monday, and both Buddy and Sweets were complaining about a stomach ache.  Sweets is here during her fall break.  She had no throat issues, so I decided wait and see.  Buddy went to school, and after lunch, I received two phone calls and eventually Miss M picked him up.  Both of them took long naps and had noodle soup for dinner. 

My stomach was bothering me on Monday, more as the day progressed.  By dinnertime, I was not interested in any food and went to bed as early as possible.  It was a miserable night, waking up frequently to take care of my rumbling tummy.  Sweets came in my room during the night and complained about her tummy too.

Today Buddy stayed home from school with Sweets; God bless Miss M!  I think they have both recovered.  I went to work today but felt awful.  I'm a little better tonight and really hope this yucky feeling is gone by morning!

Thank goodness May and BB are showing no signs of illness!  Please, God, can we keep it that way?

Show and Tell - NOT

Sweets and Buddy were playing with toys in the middle of the family room.  All of a sudden came hysterical laughter.  I looked over and they were mooning each other!  They were immediately sent to their own rooms and told to close the doors (since their rooms almost face each other).  I talked with each of them individually, and they both saw it as a joke.  I tried to explain (again) that they are too old to show that part of their bodies to anyone else.  I obviously am going to have to get stricter about enforcing closed doors when using the bathroom and when changing.  How else do I teach modesty?  May never needed teaching - she developed modesty on her own.

6 Month Checkup

BB saw the doctor today for his six month checkup. He passed with flying colors! He weighed 18 lbs 3 oz and was 28 1/2 inches long - big baby for six months. He got three shots and didn't really even cry until the third one; then he was over it in a couple of minutes. BB is truly the best baby around!

Dentist

Three appointments at the dentist today. Routine checkup for Sweets - all looks good, no cavities. Sealants for May and Buddy - done in a flash, no problems (love that laughing gas!). This pediatric dentist office is wonderful with the kids. May had a terrible experience when she first got sealants around age 6 (I have to say the experience and staff at that office were not kid appropriate), and she had adverse reactions to any trip to the dentist office for years. I think she is finally over it!

Tomorrow is the six month doctor's appointment for BB. Poor baby will get more shots!

Flu Shot

This afternoon, while shopping at Walm*rt, I spied the table where a nurse was giving flu shots. Although I absolutely HATE shots (worse than giving blood, yes, I'm weird), I just had to remember how sick I got a few years back the one time the flu took over my body and won. Every year since then, I tell myself it is worth the shot. So, as the big kids were looking at Halloween costumes, I meandered over to the table and signed up for a flu shot. Soon Buddy and Sweets came over to hold my hand. The nurse was amazing; I didn't even feel it. No kidding!

In fact, the nurse was SO good, I unilaterally decided the big kids should get a flu shot too. May did great. Her brother and sister held her hand. Then it was Buddy's turn - not so great. He was not happy and tried to make any deal he could to get out of it. Finally, he got himself under control, sat in my lap, and held his sisters' hands. The nurse was so patient. Buddy had to admit, it wasn't that bad, but he still wasn't happy about it. I didn't have Sweets' insurance paperwork with me, so we had less than half an hour to pay for our cartload of goodies, drive home, get the paperwork, drive back, and race in to the table. We made it with a couple of minutes to spare with a copy of Sweets' insurance card and my power of attorney (her dad has let me handle the doctor/dentist stuff for the last couple years). Sweets proudly sat down in the chair and received her shot as well, right after brother and sister held her hand too. Goodbye flu season!

Still Summer

Since it is still over 100 degrees here, we thought we would enjoy the pool this afternoon. BB absolutely loves the water. Today is the first day he has been in the pool since he started sitting up by himself, so I put him in the little doggie float. He was quite content!

(Don't worry! BB is not floating by himself; May hid under the float for the picture above.)

Buddy and BB

May and BB

It was a fun afternoon! Sweets is coming over tomorrow after church for at least a week during her fall break.  She has two and a half weeks before school reconvenes!