I am going to say it. I am very happy that the holiday season is almost over. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas and being with family and seeing Jack's face on Christmas morning, the making of cookies, and even all the cooking involved with all the parties. However, I am officially partied out ya'll. And I say this with one more to go tomorrow night. We are having a New Years bash at our house, or I should say it is being split with our neighbors. The adults are going to be at our house and the kids are going to be at their house, with babysitters of course. Laura and a couple of friends are going to be making some cash.
But I am just not that into it. Maybe it is because I have hosted one too many parties in the past month(s)? I was just talking to our neighbors and trying to plan it out and right now I am ho hum at best about the whole thing. Seriously, the best New Years gift right now would be a nice quiet night at home in my sweat pants with a good movie and a book. A night I didn't have to get up every five seconds to attend to a child or an animal. Speaking of animals, one of our cats decided that throwing up all over (and I mean all over) my kitchen this morning, minutes before we left for church, would be a good thing to do. I was seriously holding back the gag reflex ya'll.
So if I don't post before the New Years because of yet another party, I hope ya'll have a really good New Years and be safe!
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
Ponderings
Why are Christmas decorations on Christmas Eve "beautiful" but three days later, all you can see is work? Just wondering.
Not that I am complaining or anything, but it seems a bit abnormal to this former Michigan girl (even though it has been 20 years) to be walking outside on December 28th in shorts and actually sweating. Just saying.
Not that I am complaining or anything, but it seems a bit abnormal to this former Michigan girl (even though it has been 20 years) to be walking outside on December 28th in shorts and actually sweating. Just saying.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
"He Really Came"!
So I need to update on the last few days in the Jackaroo house. We had a very Merry Christmas. On Christmas Eve, we went to the candlelight service at church which was beyond beautiful. It made us think of the real reason that is behind all the craziness at this time of year.
All day on Christmas Eve, we were keeping up with Santa's progress on Norad.org, which I have to say was really cool and wow what a great geography lesson for this geography-challenged person. I really thought that I was going to have a hard time getting the boy to sleep on Christmas Eve, but alas right after church, he went to bed excited, but less than 10 minutes later he was out cold.
Santa was very good to both Jack and Laura. Jack received a silver bell just like the one from his favorite movie of all time - The Polar Express. Everytime anybody would ask him what he wanted Santa to bring him, he would say "a silver bell" and so I guess Santa found one on ebay that came in the same box as the one in the movie. And there even was a note inside that said "I heard you wanted a silver bell. This is for all who truly believe. Signed Mr. C." Oh and Santa also got him some "tools" and Laura got a purse with some cash inside.
They also made out from Mom and Dad and Grammy and Papa also. Laura got some clothes, some more cash, a Hannah Montana game, and some other crafty things. For the boy, he got a Hot Wheels race track, some radio-control cars, batman helicopter, puzzles, etc. etc. etc.
Here is a 3-minute video of Christmas morning. Sorry it is so dark and the camera kept losing focus, no idea why. But you get the idea. It is really cute when the boy exclaims "He really came!". So much fun.
Grammy and Papa left yesterday morning to head back to Michigan. We hope they arrive home safe and sound.
We went to see the movie Alvin and Chipmunks and both kids were totally engrossed in the movie. And I have to say that it was really cute. However, I was a bit nostalgic about it because I remember playing the Chipmunks record over and over again when I was a kid (yes I know I am dating myself just by saying the word "record").
On other news, I am thiiiiiisssss close to buying a new laptop. My computer is having issues and when I fix one issue, others pop up. For two hours, I was trying to download songs onto my new mp3 player (yes I joined the new century by owning a mp3 player) and for some reason my stupid computer just went nuts. I tried to download the media player again because it would not play nor recognize any songs and then it told me that my copy of windows was not a valid copy. Excuse me? But unfortunately the new laptop purchase is going to be put on hold for now because well there are bills to be paid like our property taxes (yikes)!
And we just made up our mind today to go to Disneyworld at the end of January. We were going to wait until summer so Laura could go with us, but it turns out, she isn't going to be able to be with us for the whole summer and we decided we would go in January when the crowds were not as bad and the weather was not excruciating. And boy oh boy is the boy excited. In fact, he started to cry when he found out we were not going Today!
So I think that is about it for the updates. Hopefully with the state of my computer, I can update again soon. I hate when computers don't work like they should!
Christmas Pictures
The Making of Christmas Eve Cookies
The cookies. Yes, we did make train cookies for the train-obsessed boy.
The Santa Only Cookies.
The boy and The girl checking out their Santa loot.
Tool-Man Jack with Daddy
Jack with his new vacuum cleaner. Sorry this is sideways. I thought I flipped the pic.
Laura getting into the spirit.
The AftermathMonday, December 24, 2007
Christmas Before Christmas
Daddy and Jack making breakfast together. On Saturday, we hosted the big C clan at our house, where we had 18 people for dinner. It was the Christmas before Christmas party because of Jim's work schedule, it was the only time we could get together. So of course, the boy was spoiled and here is just a little smattering of the festivities that day.
Oh Boy, more big vehicles that make noise!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Christmas, Christmas, Christmas
So Yay, I finally fixed my computer. Don't ask me how I did it. I had to extract something into something and download something for something else. But anyway, it is now fixed and I now can see pictures and videos. Yay!
So to catch ya'll up on whats been happening here, I have a little snapshot of pictures. There will be more pictures coming tomorrow and I am sure the next day of all the happenings when I have more time. I may just throw in a video or two of the boy performing, if you are lucky.
Jack helping to decorate the tree. He actually was sick that day and hence the very casual style of the boy.
Jack and all his grandparents. They were all here to go to his school Christmas play.
The handsome boy all dressed up for the school Christmas play. Yes, I know he's good-looking. :)
Jack on stage as a sheep. It was quite a cute program, but for the K3 and K4 classes, it was a bit hard to just sit through. The K3 through 5th grade classes put it on and I have to say that they did a great job and you could tell they worked really hard at it.
At this point, all the parents were about to nominate the two K3 teachers for sainthood. The sheeps hats soon became weapons with which to hit each other. Fun times. Video will be forthcoming.
A funny picture of the boy on his fire truck with the full fireman getup AND carrying a flag. Can't get more American than that.
So to catch ya'll up on whats been happening here, I have a little snapshot of pictures. There will be more pictures coming tomorrow and I am sure the next day of all the happenings when I have more time. I may just throw in a video or two of the boy performing, if you are lucky.
Jack helping to decorate the tree. He actually was sick that day and hence the very casual style of the boy.
Jack and all his grandparents. They were all here to go to his school Christmas play. 
The handsome boy all dressed up for the school Christmas play. Yes, I know he's good-looking. :)
Jack on stage as a sheep. It was quite a cute program, but for the K3 and K4 classes, it was a bit hard to just sit through. The K3 through 5th grade classes put it on and I have to say that they did a great job and you could tell they worked really hard at it.
At this point, all the parents were about to nominate the two K3 teachers for sainthood. The sheeps hats soon became weapons with which to hit each other. Fun times. Video will be forthcoming.
A funny picture of the boy on his fire truck with the full fireman getup AND carrying a flag. Can't get more American than that.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Tis the Season
Well we at the Jackaroo house are in full swing of holidayness. Grammy and Papa arrived last week from Michigan. It looks like they outran the ice and major snowstorm as they headed south. I don't think they miss the white stuff.
After all the warm warm days, we finally got a bit chilly here with it dipping below freezing two nights ago. I have to admit, Christmas just isn't the same being 80 degrees.
Jack has been a little star these past few days. Last Thursday was the big play/production at his school. It was put on by the K3 - 5th grade and it was cute. Jack was in front singing and did pretty good for the first half. The K3 stepped off stage for a bit and came back in as sheep singing Deck the Halls but instead of singing Falalala, they were singing "baa baa baa". Yes the cuteness factor was on overload. They even had little sheep hats on that they made with cotton balls. And this is where it went downhill very fast for the K3 class. You see, they now had weapons with which to hit each other (sheep hats) and I am afraid that all kinds of chaos broke out. Every single person in that church gave the two K3 teachers silent prayers for what they have to put up with on a daily basis.
I did get good pictures and video of the whole thing, however, my computer is acting up and I can't post any pics or videos. And I just haven't had the time to care to fix it right now with everything going on. So hopefully soon, I can post and ya'll can see the chaos for yourselves.
Also on Sunday, the children sang their little songs up front and Jack again entertained the masses. Like I said, he has been quite the star lately.
We have been kept busy doing stuff with Grammy and Papa. And Laura comes in on Thursday, then on Saturday, we are hosting the Christmas dinner/party for Jim's family since he has to work both Christmas Eve night and Christmas night. So we are doing it on Saturday. I think the final head count of all who is going to be here is 20. Should be fun.
I hope everybody who is still reading my little blog (yes I know it has been awhile and few and far between posts) are having a wonderful Christmas holiday.
After all the warm warm days, we finally got a bit chilly here with it dipping below freezing two nights ago. I have to admit, Christmas just isn't the same being 80 degrees.
Jack has been a little star these past few days. Last Thursday was the big play/production at his school. It was put on by the K3 - 5th grade and it was cute. Jack was in front singing and did pretty good for the first half. The K3 stepped off stage for a bit and came back in as sheep singing Deck the Halls but instead of singing Falalala, they were singing "baa baa baa". Yes the cuteness factor was on overload. They even had little sheep hats on that they made with cotton balls. And this is where it went downhill very fast for the K3 class. You see, they now had weapons with which to hit each other (sheep hats) and I am afraid that all kinds of chaos broke out. Every single person in that church gave the two K3 teachers silent prayers for what they have to put up with on a daily basis.
I did get good pictures and video of the whole thing, however, my computer is acting up and I can't post any pics or videos. And I just haven't had the time to care to fix it right now with everything going on. So hopefully soon, I can post and ya'll can see the chaos for yourselves.
Also on Sunday, the children sang their little songs up front and Jack again entertained the masses. Like I said, he has been quite the star lately.
We have been kept busy doing stuff with Grammy and Papa. And Laura comes in on Thursday, then on Saturday, we are hosting the Christmas dinner/party for Jim's family since he has to work both Christmas Eve night and Christmas night. So we are doing it on Saturday. I think the final head count of all who is going to be here is 20. Should be fun.
I hope everybody who is still reading my little blog (yes I know it has been awhile and few and far between posts) are having a wonderful Christmas holiday.
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Friday, December 07, 2007
Nothing Like It
Nothing like a good color and cut to make you feel better about the world and yourself. Oh and my new Arbonne skin care. Talk about life changing! My skin has never ever felt so good as it does with Arbonne. Wish I could afford the whole system, but maybe later. Love It!
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Trip to Michaels
Because I wanted to waste a bit of time before going home and possibly waking Daddy up before he should get up, I decided to do a little detour to Michaels craft store after picking Jack up from school. Yeah um not the place to take a toddler who wants every single thing in the store. He wanted the Thomas stickers, every color of paint they had, the train puzzle, the candy, the ginger bread house (yeah tried that three years ago, never again), and a multi-colored slinky. I let him have the $1.00 slinky and thats it. But if anybody out there is looking for cheap stocking stuffers, Michaels is the place for them. I seriously am going back there tomorrow without the boy in tow to pick some up for both him and Laura.
So I am now completely and utterly done with the shopping, except for the boy. We are planning a trip (it is sad that we have to travel an hour either north, east, or west) to Target and Toys R Us with Grammy and Papa, who will be here next week just for the boy. I did order him a silver bell from ebay that looks just like the one on The Polar Express (the movie that we have seen 587 times). It even came in a red and white striped box and has a card in it that says "Believe". I plan on writing a card from Santa just like the movie. Ahhh love this age.
Jack's Christmas program at school is next week. They have been practicing it three times a week for the last two weeks and it should be pretty cute. Jack is in the choir and try as I might, the boy will not divulge any songs that they are singing. Of course, the video camera will be in use and will be posting the sappy video soon afterward. And of course, I will be crying my eyeballs out, so ya know.
So I am now completely and utterly done with the shopping, except for the boy. We are planning a trip (it is sad that we have to travel an hour either north, east, or west) to Target and Toys R Us with Grammy and Papa, who will be here next week just for the boy. I did order him a silver bell from ebay that looks just like the one on The Polar Express (the movie that we have seen 587 times). It even came in a red and white striped box and has a card in it that says "Believe". I plan on writing a card from Santa just like the movie. Ahhh love this age.
Jack's Christmas program at school is next week. They have been practicing it three times a week for the last two weeks and it should be pretty cute. Jack is in the choir and try as I might, the boy will not divulge any songs that they are singing. Of course, the video camera will be in use and will be posting the sappy video soon afterward. And of course, I will be crying my eyeballs out, so ya know.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Happy Birthday Laura!
Today is Laura's 12th Birthday!!!! She is no longer a little girl, but on the brink of teenagedom! Oh my! We are looking forward to having her come here in 15 days and yes we are counting the days. We miss her very much.
Monday, December 03, 2007
The Weekend, The Big Rat, and Sugar Overload
Seems like we have busy weekend after busy weekend around here. It is getting so that I am never getting anything done around the house like I should. Don't get me started about how much laundry I have to do at this moment. Ugh!
Anyway, we were on the go all weekend long. It started off Friday night with our small group at church which is always fun. I love our small group and getting together every week really does ground me. It is fun to connect with people like we do and for the most part, everybody in our group are really good friends.
On Saturday, Jack and I went to the church to help decorate it for Christmas. They had ordered over 200 poinsettias and wow when they are all lined up, that is a lot of red flowers! The church ended up looking absolutely gorgeous and I have to say we did a really good job. It was really fun and got us all in the Christmasy spirit. However, that feeling soon ended when I had to go to Walmart with 50,000 other people. Ugh. But I had to because I had to buy a birthday present for Jack's friend at school, whose birthday party we went to last night.
Yesterday, we left the house at 10:00 in the morning to go to church and did not get home until after 7:00. It was one long day going from church to friends house for lunch to the birthday party at the big Rat's house. And I hate Chuck E Cheese, but I took Jack there anyway. Mother of the Year award brownie points I think. I felt kind of bad for the little boy's mother who planned the party because Jack was the only one who showed up from school. She had this elaborate Transformers themed party with a huge cake and there were only 3 kids total, including the birthday boy. I could tell she was upset and quite frankly I think I would have been upset also. But Jack had a blast and he had so many tokens to play the games with because of only three kids. He was on game overload I think.
And because there were only three kids, the mother cut these absolutely huge pieces of cake to serve to the kids and Jack ate the whole thing. Which, I am sure you can guess the result of so much sugar intake into the boy's system? Yeah he was wired and bouncing off the walls until after 10 last night. I kept trying to get him to go to sleep, but he was jumping all over the bed and at some point, he thought throwing pillows all over my room would be a big hoot. I was practically begging him to go to sleep because I was the complete opposite of being wired. I am glad it is Monday and I can now recover from the weekend. Oh and yeah do my laundry.
Anyway, we were on the go all weekend long. It started off Friday night with our small group at church which is always fun. I love our small group and getting together every week really does ground me. It is fun to connect with people like we do and for the most part, everybody in our group are really good friends.
On Saturday, Jack and I went to the church to help decorate it for Christmas. They had ordered over 200 poinsettias and wow when they are all lined up, that is a lot of red flowers! The church ended up looking absolutely gorgeous and I have to say we did a really good job. It was really fun and got us all in the Christmasy spirit. However, that feeling soon ended when I had to go to Walmart with 50,000 other people. Ugh. But I had to because I had to buy a birthday present for Jack's friend at school, whose birthday party we went to last night.
Yesterday, we left the house at 10:00 in the morning to go to church and did not get home until after 7:00. It was one long day going from church to friends house for lunch to the birthday party at the big Rat's house. And I hate Chuck E Cheese, but I took Jack there anyway. Mother of the Year award brownie points I think. I felt kind of bad for the little boy's mother who planned the party because Jack was the only one who showed up from school. She had this elaborate Transformers themed party with a huge cake and there were only 3 kids total, including the birthday boy. I could tell she was upset and quite frankly I think I would have been upset also. But Jack had a blast and he had so many tokens to play the games with because of only three kids. He was on game overload I think.
And because there were only three kids, the mother cut these absolutely huge pieces of cake to serve to the kids and Jack ate the whole thing. Which, I am sure you can guess the result of so much sugar intake into the boy's system? Yeah he was wired and bouncing off the walls until after 10 last night. I kept trying to get him to go to sleep, but he was jumping all over the bed and at some point, he thought throwing pillows all over my room would be a big hoot. I was practically begging him to go to sleep because I was the complete opposite of being wired. I am glad it is Monday and I can now recover from the weekend. Oh and yeah do my laundry.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Just Like Christmas
Today I really do think the UPS man was cussing out my name and address. I had a total of NINE big packages arrive at my door. Just today. And yes, it was just like Christmas morning. Mostly. You see, I had a Pampered Chef party a couple of weeks ago and all the orders from that party came today in four BIG boxes. I treated myself to an early Christmas by purchasing their wonderful cookware at a still-ridiculously-high-yet-it-was-half-off-because-I-hosted-a-show price. I am sooo excited about this cookware ya'll. It is like I am finally a grown up with real grown up pots and pans. These are real. So exciting.
The other boxes were a bunch of stuff for the family and such. Not quite as exciting as grown-up cookware. It just means that I now need to wrap all those other things.
I also know that I have been lax in the posting department and I apologize to those who have complained. Sorry. To be honest, it just seems like there isn't much to post other than our daily boring lives. I mean do ya'll want to hear about how we went up to Jim's mother's last weekend so Jim could go deer hunting and I was praying that he wouldn't get a deer so that I would not have to explain why Daddy killed Prancer (the boy loves that movie) and have the boy freak out over that. I know I know it is silly, but I still remember when I was little and seeing the neighbor's dead deer hanging in their yard and seriously people, I think I need therapy over that sight to this day!
Anyway, Jim did not get a deer and we sidestepped that whole issue. Other than that, there really hasn't been much going on. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that because of the kindness of somebody Jim works with, Jack will not need clothes for the next year or so. They gave us a huge amount of size 4,5, and 6 clothes and people, we are talking NICE clothes, not the Walmart special that he has been used to wearing. So to all those in the family reading this, the boy does not need clothes. Nor shoes because we got two pairs of shoes.
So that is it. We got our Christmas tree up and the outside lights up and things are looking a lot like Christmas, except for that cold white stuff ya'll got up there in Michigan and yonder. I also spent yesterday painting our guest bedroom so that my parents will have a pretty room to sleep in when they get here in like 11 days! Yikes! I have a lot to do!
The other boxes were a bunch of stuff for the family and such. Not quite as exciting as grown-up cookware. It just means that I now need to wrap all those other things.
I also know that I have been lax in the posting department and I apologize to those who have complained. Sorry. To be honest, it just seems like there isn't much to post other than our daily boring lives. I mean do ya'll want to hear about how we went up to Jim's mother's last weekend so Jim could go deer hunting and I was praying that he wouldn't get a deer so that I would not have to explain why Daddy killed Prancer (the boy loves that movie) and have the boy freak out over that. I know I know it is silly, but I still remember when I was little and seeing the neighbor's dead deer hanging in their yard and seriously people, I think I need therapy over that sight to this day!
Anyway, Jim did not get a deer and we sidestepped that whole issue. Other than that, there really hasn't been much going on. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that because of the kindness of somebody Jim works with, Jack will not need clothes for the next year or so. They gave us a huge amount of size 4,5, and 6 clothes and people, we are talking NICE clothes, not the Walmart special that he has been used to wearing. So to all those in the family reading this, the boy does not need clothes. Nor shoes because we got two pairs of shoes.
So that is it. We got our Christmas tree up and the outside lights up and things are looking a lot like Christmas, except for that cold white stuff ya'll got up there in Michigan and yonder. I also spent yesterday painting our guest bedroom so that my parents will have a pretty room to sleep in when they get here in like 11 days! Yikes! I have a lot to do!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Feeling Stuffed? Shopping?
Ahhh the good old Day After Thanksgiving. Did everybody have a good turkey day? We did here at the Jackaroo house. We went to the Uncles house for dinner where we saw the whole crew from Jim's side of the family. We had to cut it a bit short because Jim had to get back home to get to work last night. I guess it was pretty crazy traffic out there in the middle of the night because of the crazy stores opening at god-awful hours. The outlet mall down the road opened at midnight last night and caused a huge traffic jam on the highway. Crazy people.
I am one of those few people who are not shopping today. I am almost done and should be done by next week with everybody. Nice feeling. Instead I am rushing around trying to pack up and get the house in order for us to leave to go north to family compound to see Grammy C. Aunt Ann and Aunt Carla for the weekend. There are always a million things to do before we go up there including of course at least three loads of laundry. And I hate hate hate to come home to a house that is not in order and clean. So cleaning is also in order for today.
So for those out there shopping with the other crazies, just want to say Happy Shopping!
I am one of those few people who are not shopping today. I am almost done and should be done by next week with everybody. Nice feeling. Instead I am rushing around trying to pack up and get the house in order for us to leave to go north to family compound to see Grammy C. Aunt Ann and Aunt Carla for the weekend. There are always a million things to do before we go up there including of course at least three loads of laundry. And I hate hate hate to come home to a house that is not in order and clean. So cleaning is also in order for today.
So for those out there shopping with the other crazies, just want to say Happy Shopping!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
I Broke Down
and took the boy to the doctor today. I figured with the holiday long weekend that I should considering he still has the awful cough going on. I could tell that he was getting better because he has spurts of energy where he would run around like his usual self, but then a few minutes later, he would be coughing and whining.
The doctor did say that he could hear some rattling in the chest, but no pneumonia right now and the ear infection from the pink eye incident a few weeks ago is clearing up. He gave us some prescription cough medicine that hopefully will let him get some sleep that he hasn't had lately. Oh and he also has lost about 3 pounds from this sickness. He was under 40 lbs today, something that he hasn't been in months. So he has definitely been a sick little boy.
And wow tomorrow is Thanksgiving? How in the world did it come up so fast? I hope everybody out there reading has a really good day tomorrow with lots to eat. We plan on going over to Jim's brother's for the big meal and see the whole family there. Jim has to work tomorrow night (nope cop's don't get the day off) after the dinner.
I thankfully did a lot of shopping today online and think I am pretty much done except for Jack and he is the easiest to buy for. I am hoping within a week I will be absolutely done with the shopping and can sit back and relax for the rest of the season.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
The doctor did say that he could hear some rattling in the chest, but no pneumonia right now and the ear infection from the pink eye incident a few weeks ago is clearing up. He gave us some prescription cough medicine that hopefully will let him get some sleep that he hasn't had lately. Oh and he also has lost about 3 pounds from this sickness. He was under 40 lbs today, something that he hasn't been in months. So he has definitely been a sick little boy.
And wow tomorrow is Thanksgiving? How in the world did it come up so fast? I hope everybody out there reading has a really good day tomorrow with lots to eat. We plan on going over to Jim's brother's for the big meal and see the whole family there. Jim has to work tomorrow night (nope cop's don't get the day off) after the dinner.
I thankfully did a lot of shopping today online and think I am pretty much done except for Jack and he is the easiest to buy for. I am hoping within a week I will be absolutely done with the shopping and can sit back and relax for the rest of the season.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Time where does it go?
Wow it has been over a week since I posted on here. And how is it that Thanksgiving is this week?
It has been pretty busy around here. Jack had his Thanksgiving party on Friday at school. It was the cutest and of course, I forgot my camera. They had made Indian hats and vests (made from brown paper sack - too cute) and wore them into the cafeteria where the party was held. All of the K3 classes were together and it is simply amazing to me to see almost 30 three-year-olds sitting down eating and behaving. These teachers are amazing.
And Jack has had some crud for the past three days, that on a couple of occasions, I almost drove him to the ER. He has had a persistent cough for a couple of weeks now, as almost every kid in his class (love the preschool bugs). But on Friday night, that cough became much worse and with it came the fever and then the vomitting happened last night. It is so pitiful to see him standing at the toilet throwing up, or as he calls it "spitting in the toilet". I know that he needs to throw up when he tells me "I need to spit in the toilet". Oh and thank goodness for the wood floors cause the first time, it went all over the hallway floor outside the bathroom. Poor kid. And I don't think I have had eight full hours of sleep combined in the last three nights. Ugh.
However, he is now better this morning or at least his fever has been down since about 3 in the morning and hasn't thrown up the 3 crackers I gave him this morning. So that is a good thing. I am really not good with being nurse Mommy.
It has been pretty busy around here. Jack had his Thanksgiving party on Friday at school. It was the cutest and of course, I forgot my camera. They had made Indian hats and vests (made from brown paper sack - too cute) and wore them into the cafeteria where the party was held. All of the K3 classes were together and it is simply amazing to me to see almost 30 three-year-olds sitting down eating and behaving. These teachers are amazing.
And Jack has had some crud for the past three days, that on a couple of occasions, I almost drove him to the ER. He has had a persistent cough for a couple of weeks now, as almost every kid in his class (love the preschool bugs). But on Friday night, that cough became much worse and with it came the fever and then the vomitting happened last night. It is so pitiful to see him standing at the toilet throwing up, or as he calls it "spitting in the toilet". I know that he needs to throw up when he tells me "I need to spit in the toilet". Oh and thank goodness for the wood floors cause the first time, it went all over the hallway floor outside the bathroom. Poor kid. And I don't think I have had eight full hours of sleep combined in the last three nights. Ugh.
However, he is now better this morning or at least his fever has been down since about 3 in the morning and hasn't thrown up the 3 crackers I gave him this morning. So that is a good thing. I am really not good with being nurse Mommy.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Conversation with a three-year-old
I was just putting Jack to bed and we were talking about stuff when this little conversation came about. It is too funny.
Jack: (pulling on his teeth) We can't take out teeth out.
Me: nope we don't take our teeth out
Jack: Grammy and Papa do (showing with hand motion how they come out)
Me: (trying not to laugh too hard) Did you see Grammy and Papa take their teeth out?
Jack: yeah, they don't have glue on their teeth like we do
Jack: (pulling on his teeth) We can't take out teeth out.
Me: nope we don't take our teeth out
Jack: Grammy and Papa do (showing with hand motion how they come out)
Me: (trying not to laugh too hard) Did you see Grammy and Papa take their teeth out?
Jack: yeah, they don't have glue on their teeth like we do
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Scissor Fun
I went to pickup Jack from school today and was met with a worried looking Mrs. Nix, his teacher. She told me that they were cutting with the scissors today and Jack, who loves to cut anything and everything with scissors, proceeded to cut a big hole in his nice white polo shirt. I probably wouldn't have been so upset with the whole thing, but that one was the only long sleeve polo shirt that actually fit him pretty well. There's something with uniforms and they make them very big, even for Jack's bigger than average size. I did check out Old Navy online and saw they had them in the requisite school colors and may end up buying a couple from there. Sigh. Always something.
Anyway, the reason that I really couldn't be so upset with him was because I remember having a fascination with scissor cutting myself. I distinctly remember cutting my Barbie's hair, thinking of course that it would grow back. And I also remember cutting the shag carpeting (pink at that and yes I know I am totally aging myself here) in my bedroom. However, I did have a talk with the boy and told him that he could not do it again and if he did, his toys would be taken away. Because seriously, I can't afford it!
Anyway, the reason that I really couldn't be so upset with him was because I remember having a fascination with scissor cutting myself. I distinctly remember cutting my Barbie's hair, thinking of course that it would grow back. And I also remember cutting the shag carpeting (pink at that and yes I know I am totally aging myself here) in my bedroom. However, I did have a talk with the boy and told him that he could not do it again and if he did, his toys would be taken away. Because seriously, I can't afford it!
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Timeliness
This new time change is frustrating, although not as bad as the other one in the spring, but it has its moments. Last night, it was 8:30 and I was literally falling asleep in the chair, so off to bed I went at the early hour. 4:30 this morning, I am up and wide awake. Oh yay, a few hours to myself before the rest of the house gets up. Nope. Jack wakes up 30 minutes after me wide awake wanting to dance in the family room. There is just no justice.
Monday, November 05, 2007
A little snippet into Jack's school day
When Jim and I were chaperones for Jack's field trip on Friday, we were priviledged to see a little snippet of what goes on during the four hours that he is there each day and let me tell you, it almost made me start to tear up watching it.
Every morning at 8:00 am, the principal comes over the loud speaker and recites the Pledge of Allegiance, then he recites the Pledge to the Bible, which is followed by a morning prayer and then the day's announcements. Well during all this, I watched Jack's class and boy was it heart warming. Mrs. Nix had one little boy hold the flag while the rest of the class held their hands over their hearts during the pledge of allegiance. Then during the pledge to the bible, a little girl held the bible while the class had their heads bowed and continued through the morning prayer. I had no idea that they did that every morning because I am out the door by the time this all happens and Jack tells me absolutely nothing about what he does all day. But I do have to say that I loved seeing the respect being taught for both the flag and the bible.
We also had the priviledge of having Mrs. Nix riding in our car to the field trip. It was really nice getting to know her on a one-on-one basis. She is a very nice woman who is a saint in my opinion for dealing with ten three-year-olds every day. She also told us that Jack was not one of her "challenging" children. She said that there are four in her class that are very aggressive and can be trouble makers, but Jack is the opposite. In fact, she said that she is proud that Jack is starting to stick up for himself a bit and won't let the aggressive kids run all over him. Of course that made me feel very proud in the least. It is good to know that my child is not one of the "challenging" kids.
Every morning at 8:00 am, the principal comes over the loud speaker and recites the Pledge of Allegiance, then he recites the Pledge to the Bible, which is followed by a morning prayer and then the day's announcements. Well during all this, I watched Jack's class and boy was it heart warming. Mrs. Nix had one little boy hold the flag while the rest of the class held their hands over their hearts during the pledge of allegiance. Then during the pledge to the bible, a little girl held the bible while the class had their heads bowed and continued through the morning prayer. I had no idea that they did that every morning because I am out the door by the time this all happens and Jack tells me absolutely nothing about what he does all day. But I do have to say that I loved seeing the respect being taught for both the flag and the bible.
We also had the priviledge of having Mrs. Nix riding in our car to the field trip. It was really nice getting to know her on a one-on-one basis. She is a very nice woman who is a saint in my opinion for dealing with ten three-year-olds every day. She also told us that Jack was not one of her "challenging" children. She said that there are four in her class that are very aggressive and can be trouble makers, but Jack is the opposite. In fact, she said that she is proud that Jack is starting to stick up for himself a bit and won't let the aggressive kids run all over him. Of course that made me feel very proud in the least. It is good to know that my child is not one of the "challenging" kids.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Big Days
We have had a couple of big days around here. Yesterday was Jack's very first field trip of his young school career and of course both Jim and I had to chaperone. It was to a corn maze and they had a really fun time I think. We only walked a small portion of the corn maze because seriously the kids just wanted to play on the cool playground they had there. But Jack had a good time and was happy that we were there with him, which I know in a few years the boy will absolutely hate me being the room mother/chaperone to all the things, so I am enjoying it while I can.
He was so tired yesterday that for the first time in 3 1/2 years, he actually went to his own bed and laid down for a nap without telling anybody nor me telling him to do it. I was in the kitchen washing dishes and all of a sudden it seemed really quiet and sure enough he was on his bed snoring. THAT is tired. The boy doesn't do naps and especially on a volunteer basis as that.
Grammy C. came down last night to spend the night with us and to go with us to the big art festival in town. This thing is huge and they expected to have over 100,000 people there. And I am beginning to feel like a local around here because I saw a ton of people that I knew. But we had a really great time and I tell you, Grammy C is in such great shape for all that walking and shopping at the age of 85. She is my inspiration! And after about 6 hours of walking around that art festival, she is now driving 2 hours to go home. She is amazing and I hope to be like her when I am 65, let alone 85. It was also good to spend some time with just her, since Jim was back home sleeping.
Speaking of Jim, poor guy has to work an extra hour tonight because of the stupid time change. It will probably be a long 13 hours tonight.
He was so tired yesterday that for the first time in 3 1/2 years, he actually went to his own bed and laid down for a nap without telling anybody nor me telling him to do it. I was in the kitchen washing dishes and all of a sudden it seemed really quiet and sure enough he was on his bed snoring. THAT is tired. The boy doesn't do naps and especially on a volunteer basis as that.
Grammy C. came down last night to spend the night with us and to go with us to the big art festival in town. This thing is huge and they expected to have over 100,000 people there. And I am beginning to feel like a local around here because I saw a ton of people that I knew. But we had a really great time and I tell you, Grammy C is in such great shape for all that walking and shopping at the age of 85. She is my inspiration! And after about 6 hours of walking around that art festival, she is now driving 2 hours to go home. She is amazing and I hope to be like her when I am 65, let alone 85. It was also good to spend some time with just her, since Jim was back home sleeping.
Speaking of Jim, poor guy has to work an extra hour tonight because of the stupid time change. It will probably be a long 13 hours tonight.
Friday, November 02, 2007
Too Close To Home
So just to update ya'll on the arrest made the other day at Jack's school. The story goes like so:
It seems that this kid was supposed to be taking an exam and he was goofing off and was disrespectful. He was sent to the principal's office (the same one that Jack went to a few weeks ago, the place sees a lot of action) and was informed that he was suspened for a day and his grade for that exam is a zero. Well he didn't like hearing he was suspended and proceeded to tell the principal that he was going to come back to the school with guns and "shoot the place up"!!!!! Jack's class is right next door to the principal's office!
So needless to say, they did not take that lightly and the cops were called and hauled away to juvenile detention center. I also understand that his parents did not bail him out that night and he stayed in the Juvie for a night. Now I guess the school is not sure whether to let the kid back in school. From what Jim said, there isn't any public school who will touch him and he will end up going to the "alternative" school where the really bad kids are. But in my opinion, that is where he belongs and I do not want that kid anywhere near the school that my child is in.
It just goes to show you, that nobody is sheltered from that type of behavior. Even the small Christian Academy. A bit too close to home.
It seems that this kid was supposed to be taking an exam and he was goofing off and was disrespectful. He was sent to the principal's office (the same one that Jack went to a few weeks ago, the place sees a lot of action) and was informed that he was suspened for a day and his grade for that exam is a zero. Well he didn't like hearing he was suspended and proceeded to tell the principal that he was going to come back to the school with guns and "shoot the place up"!!!!! Jack's class is right next door to the principal's office!
So needless to say, they did not take that lightly and the cops were called and hauled away to juvenile detention center. I also understand that his parents did not bail him out that night and he stayed in the Juvie for a night. Now I guess the school is not sure whether to let the kid back in school. From what Jim said, there isn't any public school who will touch him and he will end up going to the "alternative" school where the really bad kids are. But in my opinion, that is where he belongs and I do not want that kid anywhere near the school that my child is in.
It just goes to show you, that nobody is sheltered from that type of behavior. Even the small Christian Academy. A bit too close to home.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Trick or Treat !
Daddy helping Batman get ready for the big night. 
Batman Himself
Showing off the amazing muscles (yes I had to get the muscle chest costume)
Batman (Jack) and Batgirl (Allison)
The Caped Crusaders. 
Little Mary Grace who scared her parents so badly a few weeks ago when she was born. Here she is as a pea pod. I swear Jack was NEVER this tiny. She just seems so dainty and Jack was never ever dainty.
This little monkey (baby Alison) was so cute with her baby monkey 
The Neighborhood Moms with our kiddosWednesday, October 31, 2007
Happy Halloween!
I am sure all those with the little ones are going to be out trick or treating tonight. Jack is soooo excited. It is fun to watch because he totally gets it this year. He is even practicing his "Trick or Treat" speech he is going to make at every door tonight. And he is absolutely pumped to be batman and keeps singing the batman song and yelling "Batman" through the house. Ahhh this is such a fun age.
When I picked him up from school today, the boy was absolutely crazy with a sugar high from all the snacks at the halloween party at his school. Although they are not allowed to wear costumes, they did have a party and from the look on his face, it was pretty fun. He also got to bring home the pumpkin that he painted all green.
While I was at the school there was a bit of excitement from having four police officers in the office. After a few minutes, one of them walked out a teenage boy in handcuffs. I guess he did something that he shouldn't have done. Now mind you, this is a small christian private school and this kind of thing doesn't happen that often, not like the big public high schools anyway. So now I am waiting for Jim to get up and find out what that kid did. Inquiring minds want to know ya'll!
After school, I took Jack to chick-fil-a to burn off some of that sugar high. It has the best playland and is nice for the parents to just sit back and watch their child in the enclosed area run around like crazy people. As for those other parents, I am just shocked that some of them even have kids. I feel sorry for their kids. I overheard one mother talking to another mother while I was pretending to read the newspaper. Mother A was talking about Halloween and how she hated the holiday and she saw no reason for it and she was not going to let her precious child out tonight to go "beg for candy"! At this point I snuck a glance at Mother B who was trying very hard to NOT tell this woman off. She actually handled it very well and tactful by saying "well MY child is going to grow up normal with all the tradition of begging for candy" and let it be at that. Phew glad that I didn't have to deal with THAT mother from hell.
But I do have to admit that I am another kind of mother that I did not think I was going to be. When we got home, I was going through the mail and was reading the November newsletter from Jack's school. It listed the "students of the month". They give out three every month. One for the preschool (K3 - K5), one for 1st - 5th grade, and one for the middle and high school students through 12th grade. Well the one for the preschool was a little girl in Jack's class and for a split second (alright for about 10 seconds), I felt jealousy because I wanna see my baby's name as student of the month! Waaahhhh. I also want the cool bumper sticker that says "My child is a student of the month at X school." Yeah I am so that mother.
When I picked him up from school today, the boy was absolutely crazy with a sugar high from all the snacks at the halloween party at his school. Although they are not allowed to wear costumes, they did have a party and from the look on his face, it was pretty fun. He also got to bring home the pumpkin that he painted all green.
While I was at the school there was a bit of excitement from having four police officers in the office. After a few minutes, one of them walked out a teenage boy in handcuffs. I guess he did something that he shouldn't have done. Now mind you, this is a small christian private school and this kind of thing doesn't happen that often, not like the big public high schools anyway. So now I am waiting for Jim to get up and find out what that kid did. Inquiring minds want to know ya'll!
After school, I took Jack to chick-fil-a to burn off some of that sugar high. It has the best playland and is nice for the parents to just sit back and watch their child in the enclosed area run around like crazy people. As for those other parents, I am just shocked that some of them even have kids. I feel sorry for their kids. I overheard one mother talking to another mother while I was pretending to read the newspaper. Mother A was talking about Halloween and how she hated the holiday and she saw no reason for it and she was not going to let her precious child out tonight to go "beg for candy"! At this point I snuck a glance at Mother B who was trying very hard to NOT tell this woman off. She actually handled it very well and tactful by saying "well MY child is going to grow up normal with all the tradition of begging for candy" and let it be at that. Phew glad that I didn't have to deal with THAT mother from hell.
But I do have to admit that I am another kind of mother that I did not think I was going to be. When we got home, I was going through the mail and was reading the November newsletter from Jack's school. It listed the "students of the month". They give out three every month. One for the preschool (K3 - K5), one for 1st - 5th grade, and one for the middle and high school students through 12th grade. Well the one for the preschool was a little girl in Jack's class and for a split second (alright for about 10 seconds), I felt jealousy because I wanna see my baby's name as student of the month! Waaahhhh. I also want the cool bumper sticker that says "My child is a student of the month at X school." Yeah I am so that mother.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Bleh
I have not been feeling myself the last few days. Feeling bleh is a good description. I think Jack's week of sick threw me off kilter and I still have not climbed back to being on kilter. Being financially strapped right now does not help one bit, although we did get some news today that should help in that matter. I am hoping to be back on track by the end of the year - hopefully.
I have been walking at our local school track. I was doing it really faithfully before Jack got sick, but yesterday was the first day back to walking in two weeks. Jim and I did two miles together and then this morning I did another 3.5 miles. I do feel better with that.
I am also down to one day a week taking care of Baby Andrew. I told his parents that I just couldn't do the three days a week they were doing earlier. It was killing me. So now the one day a week is much more doable. In fact, he is here today and is napping very nicely.
We had a big and busy weekend. We went to the Spookfest that was held on the Navy base. Our neighbor told us about it and we decided to go. Jack was dressed in his batman costume and it was pretty fun. They had a haunted trail, but the first part was not really that scary (but freaked Jack out enough) and had the option to not do the second really scary part. We opted out of the really scary part. There were about a million kids there running around everywhere.
Another big highlight for me is Jack's first field trip ever! His class is going to the pumpkin patch/corn maze and I am chaperoning! It should be fun and how is it my baby is big enough to be going on field trips? Sigh.
I have been walking at our local school track. I was doing it really faithfully before Jack got sick, but yesterday was the first day back to walking in two weeks. Jim and I did two miles together and then this morning I did another 3.5 miles. I do feel better with that.
I am also down to one day a week taking care of Baby Andrew. I told his parents that I just couldn't do the three days a week they were doing earlier. It was killing me. So now the one day a week is much more doable. In fact, he is here today and is napping very nicely.
We had a big and busy weekend. We went to the Spookfest that was held on the Navy base. Our neighbor told us about it and we decided to go. Jack was dressed in his batman costume and it was pretty fun. They had a haunted trail, but the first part was not really that scary (but freaked Jack out enough) and had the option to not do the second really scary part. We opted out of the really scary part. There were about a million kids there running around everywhere.
Another big highlight for me is Jack's first field trip ever! His class is going to the pumpkin patch/corn maze and I am chaperoning! It should be fun and how is it my baby is big enough to be going on field trips? Sigh.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
The Tradition Continues
I remember watching The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and just knowing that the best part of the year was coming: Halloween, Thanksgiving, and especially Christmas. The show was like the start of the great season for me and I am sure for a lot in my generation. So it is with great joy to know that at this very moment, Jack is watching The Great Pumpkin absolutely mesmerized. In fact, when Jim went to leave for work tonight, Jack was so engrossed in the show that he didn't even acknowledge Jim yelling at him "goodbye!". Yep, the Charlie Brown torch has been passed. Of course, we are going to have dig out the Thanksgiving and Christmas Charlie Brown dvds also.
Back to School!
Yay! It was back to school today for the boy. I can tell you this has been one long week. I know he has felt really bad, and to be honest, he still isn't 100% today, but I pretty much forced him out the door because today was picture day at school. I know that was pretty selfish on my part, but I wanted those pictures! The pink eye is pretty much gone thanks to the second round of eye drops and he hasn't been complaining about his ear hurting, so the antibiotics must be helping the ear infection. However, he still has a pretty nasty cough that kept both him and I up last night. I got up three times last night to get him something for the cough. Poor thing.
The weather may just have something to do with the sickies also. It is hard to believe that just on Saturday it was warm enough to go swimming. In fact, I got a little sunburn on my face when we were at our neighborhood block party. And yesterday and today it has only been in the mid 50's. I guess summer is really officially over. And wow is Halloween really only a week away? Geesh. I hope that it isn't so cold that night because Jack's batman costume is kinda tight (even though I got the one size up). He is going as batman and Alison, the little neighbor girl is going as batgirl. Should be over-the-top in the cuteness factor.
The weather may just have something to do with the sickies also. It is hard to believe that just on Saturday it was warm enough to go swimming. In fact, I got a little sunburn on my face when we were at our neighborhood block party. And yesterday and today it has only been in the mid 50's. I guess summer is really officially over. And wow is Halloween really only a week away? Geesh. I hope that it isn't so cold that night because Jack's batman costume is kinda tight (even though I got the one size up). He is going as batman and Alison, the little neighbor girl is going as batgirl. Should be over-the-top in the cuteness factor.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Updates and Prayers
I am glad that we took Jack to the doctor today. I really had some misgivings as to whether he really needed to go about two hours before we went. He was looking like he felt fine and was sitting on the floor playing with his cars. But he started to go downhill shortly after that and after hearing what the doctor said, I was glad that I didn't listen to myself on this one.
Turns out that his pink eye is not getting any better with the current eye drops. In fact he has some long name that I don't even remember nor would know how to spell to google such a thing. But it is in his left eye, which was very pink, red, and puffy with goop oozing from it when we were there. And the pink eye has caused an ear infection in his left ear also. So if you combine the pink eye, ear infection, cough, and icky cold, the kid is just basically miserable. He came home and laid on the couch sleeping and whimpering for about two hours after I gave him the newly prescribed eye drops and the bubble gum flavored antibiotics. I love the smell of the antibiotics, by the way, it so takes me back to fourth grade when I had pneumonia and was on the very same stuff. Ahhh Memories.
I have also been glued to the tv for the past two days watching the fires in California. I keep thinking about our friends back there and hope and pray that they are alright. The fires haven't hit where we used to live yet (knocking on wood and praying) so most of our friends are safe. However, they are close. In fact, they have evacuated the entire town about 20 miles south of where we were and from what I hear hundreds of homes in that town were burnt down. I had friends in my old playgroup who live in that town and it hits kind of close. The town that my old boss lives in also was hard hit and again I hope he and his family are alright. It really is quite tragic. I remember four years ago this month, there were a lot of fires around us and just seeing that orange sky and all the smoke sure was not a good feeling. I was pregnant at the time and the thought of having to run for your life was so scary and what exactly would I put in the car to leave. Very scary. My thoughts and prayers are with all my old friends and everybody else in California tonight.
Turns out that his pink eye is not getting any better with the current eye drops. In fact he has some long name that I don't even remember nor would know how to spell to google such a thing. But it is in his left eye, which was very pink, red, and puffy with goop oozing from it when we were there. And the pink eye has caused an ear infection in his left ear also. So if you combine the pink eye, ear infection, cough, and icky cold, the kid is just basically miserable. He came home and laid on the couch sleeping and whimpering for about two hours after I gave him the newly prescribed eye drops and the bubble gum flavored antibiotics. I love the smell of the antibiotics, by the way, it so takes me back to fourth grade when I had pneumonia and was on the very same stuff. Ahhh Memories.
I have also been glued to the tv for the past two days watching the fires in California. I keep thinking about our friends back there and hope and pray that they are alright. The fires haven't hit where we used to live yet (knocking on wood and praying) so most of our friends are safe. However, they are close. In fact, they have evacuated the entire town about 20 miles south of where we were and from what I hear hundreds of homes in that town were burnt down. I had friends in my old playgroup who live in that town and it hits kind of close. The town that my old boss lives in also was hard hit and again I hope he and his family are alright. It really is quite tragic. I remember four years ago this month, there were a lot of fires around us and just seeing that orange sky and all the smoke sure was not a good feeling. I was pregnant at the time and the thought of having to run for your life was so scary and what exactly would I put in the car to leave. Very scary. My thoughts and prayers are with all my old friends and everybody else in California tonight.
Biblical Proportions
It was quite a day here yesterday. I am surprised that we are not floating down the street by now. It rained hard all day long and then last night, it even rained harder. We lost power a few times last night and had the candles out burning just in case. According to the news New Orleans got 8 inches, but of course I can't find anything about how much we got. It figures since New Orleans is so much more important than the MS Gulf Coast (whatever). But anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if we got somewhere near that figure. It was quite impressive and another day of that and I would have been making plans to build an ark!
In the Jackaroo news, yes he is still sick. He did not go to school again today. The pink eye seems to be resisting the eye drops because it keeps clearing up, only to come back a few hours later. The cold has turned into an ugly thing with an ugly cough and now he is complaining about his ears hurting. Oh joy. So we are off to go to the doctor this afternoon to see whats up. This doctor is very anti-antibiotics, which is a good thing in my opinion, but that means these doctor visits usually end up with him just looking at him and sending us home saying "yep he's sick just wait it out". But with the ear thing going on, I figure I should take him in. Ya never know.
And all this Jackaroo sickness has made me stir crazy and feeling blah. I haven't been outside of this house since Saturday and it is driving me crazy. Jim is home today and I am thinking that I need to just get out to go and get some milk at the very least. It is the simple things in life that make ya happy - milk shopping. :)
In the Jackaroo news, yes he is still sick. He did not go to school again today. The pink eye seems to be resisting the eye drops because it keeps clearing up, only to come back a few hours later. The cold has turned into an ugly thing with an ugly cough and now he is complaining about his ears hurting. Oh joy. So we are off to go to the doctor this afternoon to see whats up. This doctor is very anti-antibiotics, which is a good thing in my opinion, but that means these doctor visits usually end up with him just looking at him and sending us home saying "yep he's sick just wait it out". But with the ear thing going on, I figure I should take him in. Ya never know.
And all this Jackaroo sickness has made me stir crazy and feeling blah. I haven't been outside of this house since Saturday and it is driving me crazy. Jim is home today and I am thinking that I need to just get out to go and get some milk at the very least. It is the simple things in life that make ya happy - milk shopping. :)
Monday, October 22, 2007
Rainy Sick Day
It is a very rainy day here. The forecast calls for 2-6 inches of rain today and it is doing its job getting that done right now. Also Jack is home sick today. His first sick day this year. I think we have the pink eye under control at the moment. But let me tell you, giving eye drops to a squirming three-year-old is not fun nor easy. But the eyes look much much better. Now he is fighting some kind crud and has been up two nights in a row now coughing. It is a very deep kind of cough where he just about gags when he is having the fits. He isn't feverish, but I can tell he's pretty much miserable at the moment. So it is just us staying inside armed with the Disney channel and lots of movies today.
I am kind of bummed about the rain. I have been trying to walk between 10-12 miles a week at the local school track and have not been able to get out walking since last Tuesday. I was all set to go this morning, but alas I am not that dedicated to walk in hot humid rain downpour. Yuck. I guess there is always tomorrow.
I am kind of bummed about the rain. I have been trying to walk between 10-12 miles a week at the local school track and have not been able to get out walking since last Tuesday. I was all set to go this morning, but alas I am not that dedicated to walk in hot humid rain downpour. Yuck. I guess there is always tomorrow.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
If this isn't proof...
Whoever said that cold and cough medicine doesn't work in children under 6, should come to my house to witness the miraculous transformation in my child. This morning at 4 am, he was coughing and pretty much miserable. However, after giving him children's Vicks (and a dosage of eye drops for the pink eye), he is now running back and forth in my house like a caged animal, proclaiming that he is "not sick anymore Mom"! All this energy and I can't take him anywhere because he is contagious and since I think I got about 3 hours of sleep, I now feel like crud. Not fair!
I think we just maybe going to that soccer game this afternoon after all to get rid of this energy!
I think we just maybe going to that soccer game this afternoon after all to get rid of this energy!
The First Case
It is official. Jack has his first case of pink eye. He woke up yesterday morning with some goopy stuff in his eye, but I didn't think anything of it. We went out running errands for a couple of hours and then came home to go to our annual neighborhood block party. It was really fun with the police department bringing this little train and giving train rides through the neighborhood for the kids. There was supposed to be a big jumpy thing, but somehow it never showed up. But it was fun and it was even warm enough for the kids to go swimming in the pool, which Jack did. He was not complaining of anything at this time, so I let him get in the pool.
So there I was talking to the lady at the police department who organizes all these events and up walks Jack and I had to look at him all of 2 seconds to know that he had pink eye. His eye was literally dripping the goopy stuff and it was pinker than pink. How in the span of three hours had that happened? And of course, being Saturday, his doctor was closed.
I packed us up and walked home with Jack complaining and crying the entire half mile walk home. I woke Jim up who was sleeping from working the night before and told him what was going on and that we were off to Urgent Care because there was no way I was going to wait until Monday. And the official diagnosis - pink eye. This was after the doctor put the glowing drops in his eye and shined the light showing all the bacteria - totally cool by the way. Now we are armed with the eye drops and instructions not to go anywhere for the next 24 hours, which means no church and no soccer game this afternoon. I haven't told him that we are not going to the soccer game yet, hoping that he is too miserable to remember he had one today. But the doctor said he could go back to school on Monday.
I also had to make about four phone calls because we were at our small group at church on Friday night with about 8 other kids. I figured it was the right fellow-parent thing to do by warning all the other parents about the possible pink eye breakout.
I let him sleep with me last night (and yes I plan on changing all the pillow cases) and it was plain miserable. He now has a nasty cold with a cough, which combined with the icky eye, kept both of us awake all night long. I finally called it quits at 3:30 and got us up to put him on the couch to watch Thomas videos. Oh and yeah, I am pretty sure, my right eye is now infected too. Nice little benefit of having kids with the infectious bacteria.
But I have to thank God because I know it could be worse. Like being the parent of the little 11-year-old girl who died locally last week with the staph virus. Makes ya want to keep your kids in a bubble I tell ya.
On a happier note, we want to wish Grammy A. a Happy Birthday! It is her last year of a decade. Hope you have a great day Grammy A.!!!
So there I was talking to the lady at the police department who organizes all these events and up walks Jack and I had to look at him all of 2 seconds to know that he had pink eye. His eye was literally dripping the goopy stuff and it was pinker than pink. How in the span of three hours had that happened? And of course, being Saturday, his doctor was closed.
I packed us up and walked home with Jack complaining and crying the entire half mile walk home. I woke Jim up who was sleeping from working the night before and told him what was going on and that we were off to Urgent Care because there was no way I was going to wait until Monday. And the official diagnosis - pink eye. This was after the doctor put the glowing drops in his eye and shined the light showing all the bacteria - totally cool by the way. Now we are armed with the eye drops and instructions not to go anywhere for the next 24 hours, which means no church and no soccer game this afternoon. I haven't told him that we are not going to the soccer game yet, hoping that he is too miserable to remember he had one today. But the doctor said he could go back to school on Monday.
I also had to make about four phone calls because we were at our small group at church on Friday night with about 8 other kids. I figured it was the right fellow-parent thing to do by warning all the other parents about the possible pink eye breakout.
I let him sleep with me last night (and yes I plan on changing all the pillow cases) and it was plain miserable. He now has a nasty cold with a cough, which combined with the icky eye, kept both of us awake all night long. I finally called it quits at 3:30 and got us up to put him on the couch to watch Thomas videos. Oh and yeah, I am pretty sure, my right eye is now infected too. Nice little benefit of having kids with the infectious bacteria.
But I have to thank God because I know it could be worse. Like being the parent of the little 11-year-old girl who died locally last week with the staph virus. Makes ya want to keep your kids in a bubble I tell ya.
On a happier note, we want to wish Grammy A. a Happy Birthday! It is her last year of a decade. Hope you have a great day Grammy A.!!!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
I need daycare ya'll
Jack's school has a cool little convenience attached to it. They provide after school daycare. You can pay the monthly fee for those working parents, but also you can pay $2.50 an hour to leave your kid there as long as you want. Well, providing you pick them up by 6pm. I just found this out and I must say that every day this week has been a huge temptation for me to use this little convenience. I know for a fact that I will be using this tomorrow because I scheduled a southern living at home party for tomorrow night. I scheduled it on a night that I thought Jim was going to be home and he would help me watch the boy. However, planning in this house doesn't help, as he has training tomorrow from 8 - 5. (Who knew that it takes 9 hours to learn how not to get bit?)
So anyway, I have planned to make a pumpkin cheese cake, some fancy brie cheese thing, some fancy cracker layout thing, and some fancy drink thing. And on top of all that making of stuff, I need to clean my house big time. And that includes giving my couches a shampoo because seriously, they are disgusting and embarrasing to have people sit on them. Yuck. I just don't have time to have the boy underfoot while I am doing all that. I was thinking that not that many people are coming, but no such luck, it looks like a houseful with at least 12 people.
Ya'll wanna come over also? The fancy brie cheese thing is supposed to be good. :)
So anyway, I have planned to make a pumpkin cheese cake, some fancy brie cheese thing, some fancy cracker layout thing, and some fancy drink thing. And on top of all that making of stuff, I need to clean my house big time. And that includes giving my couches a shampoo because seriously, they are disgusting and embarrasing to have people sit on them. Yuck. I just don't have time to have the boy underfoot while I am doing all that. I was thinking that not that many people are coming, but no such luck, it looks like a houseful with at least 12 people.
Ya'll wanna come over also? The fancy brie cheese thing is supposed to be good. :)
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
My Own Personal Cop Service
I was sitting in my family room drinking coffee just a few minutes ago when I heard a key being used to open the front door. I figured it was Jim coming home a few minutes early and just wasn't using the garage door like he usually does. He opens the door and yells out "Dawn are you alright?" and I see him round the corner with his gun drawn ready to shoot! I guess dispatch said that there was an alarm going off in our house and he was responding. Nope no alarm here. Turns out the alarm was next door and it was a false alarm and dispatch just told him that it was at his house. I walk outside and I see two cop cars out there and our cop friend Todd made a beeline here also to see what was going on at "Jimbo's house".
Yeah I feel safe now. I have my very own personal police service :).
Yeah I feel safe now. I have my very own personal police service :).
And Another Installment of Unbelievable Insurance Company
So let me see, since I last posted about my horrible-no-good-insurance-company, a few things have happened. I got yet another bill that they of course denied. This one was the office visit to the doctor for a routine physical. Not even the Gyn doctor, just the family care physician that I found off their list of approved doctors online.
I called yet again and yet again they wanted to put me through to too-perky-Tasha. I complained about her and what do you know this time I actually talked to her perkiness (which turned very sour when she heard it was me on the other end.). And the same old excuse was used as to why this bill was denied - possible pre-existing condition! What?!? For a routine physical? What a piece of crock!
So with Jim on one phone calling the insurance rep at his work and me on the other phone calling doctors, hospitals, radiologists and oh yes lovely insurance companies, we went to work fighting this. Well after talking to the doctor's office, I finally understood where they are getting this "Possible Pre-exisiting condition" crap from. It seems that all the doctor's offices put on their paperwork to the insurance was stating that I had family history of breast cancer (my mother) and heart problems (my father) and the insurance company took that to mean that I could have a "possible pre-exisitng condition" and flat out denied my claims. Again WHAT THE *(@$ !!!!!!!!!!!! How is it that just because my family had these conditions, that I am penalized with a crapload of medical bills???? Oh and the tests turned out that I am healthy! I have NO pre-exisitng anything.
Again, I totally and completely hate insurance companies and yes, we are fighting these bills. My credit maybe ruined because the first round are now going to collection, but I don't care. This is not right!!!!! And I just want to say that health insurance companies are detrimental to your health. My blood pressure was in danger zones yesterday I am sure!
I called yet again and yet again they wanted to put me through to too-perky-Tasha. I complained about her and what do you know this time I actually talked to her perkiness (which turned very sour when she heard it was me on the other end.). And the same old excuse was used as to why this bill was denied - possible pre-existing condition! What?!? For a routine physical? What a piece of crock!
So with Jim on one phone calling the insurance rep at his work and me on the other phone calling doctors, hospitals, radiologists and oh yes lovely insurance companies, we went to work fighting this. Well after talking to the doctor's office, I finally understood where they are getting this "Possible Pre-exisiting condition" crap from. It seems that all the doctor's offices put on their paperwork to the insurance was stating that I had family history of breast cancer (my mother) and heart problems (my father) and the insurance company took that to mean that I could have a "possible pre-exisitng condition" and flat out denied my claims. Again WHAT THE *(@$ !!!!!!!!!!!! How is it that just because my family had these conditions, that I am penalized with a crapload of medical bills???? Oh and the tests turned out that I am healthy! I have NO pre-exisitng anything.
Again, I totally and completely hate insurance companies and yes, we are fighting these bills. My credit maybe ruined because the first round are now going to collection, but I don't care. This is not right!!!!! And I just want to say that health insurance companies are detrimental to your health. My blood pressure was in danger zones yesterday I am sure!
Saturday, October 13, 2007
A Perfect Fall Day of Soccer and The Farm
We started our morning out bright and early again with Jack's 8 am soccer game. Not to brag or anything, but I just have to say that Jack's team is awesome! Actually it is a little bit embarassing just how good they are. The other team scored only one goal today and our team scored about 20 or so. Seriously, it got so we were not even cheering after like the 15th goal or so. Just a weak Yay go team. I felt bad for the other team. But Jack's team is really that good and I am really impressed at how well Jack is playing. It is worth getting up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday, I guess.
Jack trying to milk the fake cow. He actually looked like he knew what he was doing. Go figure.
Going down the bumpy slide. You can only do that when you are young. All I could think about was my aching back when I saw that.
Feeding the baby piggies.
I tried to capture one of the hundreds of butterflies flying around the wild flowers.
Jack and Daddy on the "cow train" pulled by a John Deere of course.
My little corn stalk.
Jack inside the corn maze showing off the corn. Actually the corn maze was pretty neat and Jack thought it was really fun when we were letting him make the decisions of which path to go down. It took us about 10 or 15 minutes to get through only the first part of the maze. It was quite elaborate and pretty fun.
After the soccer game, we headed over to Alabama to the corn maze. This place was really amazing and we plan to make it our fall tradition to go here every year. And since it decided to finally cool off to the 70's today, it was a perfect day to spend outside going through big corn fields.
Jack trying to milk the fake cow. He actually looked like he knew what he was doing. Go figure.
Going down the bumpy slide. You can only do that when you are young. All I could think about was my aching back when I saw that.
Feeding the baby piggies.
I tried to capture one of the hundreds of butterflies flying around the wild flowers.
Jack and Daddy on the "cow train" pulled by a John Deere of course.
My little corn stalk.
Jack inside the corn maze showing off the corn. Actually the corn maze was pretty neat and Jack thought it was really fun when we were letting him make the decisions of which path to go down. It took us about 10 or 15 minutes to get through only the first part of the maze. It was quite elaborate and pretty fun.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
My Good Boy
Today after the news from my "lovely" insurance company (see previous post), I just sat in the kitchen feeling totally defeated. The past couple of months have beaten us up financially. I can't even begin to fathom the bills that have come our way, almost to the point of being ridiculous. Yeah there was the planned ones like insurance and whatnot, but the unplanned ones like stupid insurance companies not paying for what they should, just knocks ya for a loop.
And that is how I was feeling when all of a sudden, I just started to cry. I haven't done that in so long, probably since Jack's infant days. But I just felt so beaten down. It has been so bad financially, that every last dollar we are spending lately, I have scrutinized. And I was just feeling good in the fact that the last big bill was paid yesterday and we could maybe start to breathe just a little again come next payday. And then wham, I am hit with $386 worth of mamogram expenses.
So there I was crying in the kitchen and Jack comes into the room. He looks at me with a really worried look, probably because I don't think he has ever seen me quite like that before. He asked me if I was sad and I told him that I was a little sad. And then he asked me a question that just about broke my heart and made me realize how personal kids take everything. He asked me if I was mad at him. Which of course made me want to cry even harder for making him think that. I gave him a huge hug and told him that I was so not mad at him and in fact, he is the one that makes me very happy. And then he told me that he wanted me to be happy and I said I was because I had him for a little boy and that made me the luckiest Mama in the world. And the big hug he gave me was worth every penny that lousy insurance company is taking away from me.
Then I decided to take Jack to the Discovery Center, where Bob the Builder was visiting for the next three days. He was beyond excited and we had a great time there and it was wonderful to just watch my little boy sing and dance and have a great time. I realized that is why we are struggling financially, so that I can be home and take him to these things and just be there for him. We will make it and it is worth it. I just needed to be reminded of that fact again.
And that is how I was feeling when all of a sudden, I just started to cry. I haven't done that in so long, probably since Jack's infant days. But I just felt so beaten down. It has been so bad financially, that every last dollar we are spending lately, I have scrutinized. And I was just feeling good in the fact that the last big bill was paid yesterday and we could maybe start to breathe just a little again come next payday. And then wham, I am hit with $386 worth of mamogram expenses.
So there I was crying in the kitchen and Jack comes into the room. He looks at me with a really worried look, probably because I don't think he has ever seen me quite like that before. He asked me if I was sad and I told him that I was a little sad. And then he asked me a question that just about broke my heart and made me realize how personal kids take everything. He asked me if I was mad at him. Which of course made me want to cry even harder for making him think that. I gave him a huge hug and told him that I was so not mad at him and in fact, he is the one that makes me very happy. And then he told me that he wanted me to be happy and I said I was because I had him for a little boy and that made me the luckiest Mama in the world. And the big hug he gave me was worth every penny that lousy insurance company is taking away from me.
Then I decided to take Jack to the Discovery Center, where Bob the Builder was visiting for the next three days. He was beyond excited and we had a great time there and it was wonderful to just watch my little boy sing and dance and have a great time. I realized that is why we are struggling financially, so that I can be home and take him to these things and just be there for him. We will make it and it is worth it. I just needed to be reminded of that fact again.
A Huge Huge Rant
Alright I just want to start off by saying that I HATE insurance companies. I had the two mamograms back a few months. The first one because I am now 40 and that is what you do when you get to this advanced age. The second one because they found a suspicious area in the left breast that needed further review. Thank goodness everything turned out fine.
For the past couple of weeks, I have been getting bills left and right for these two mamograms. The hospital bill, the radiologist bill, the doctor bill, and oh yeah the bill for the actual mamograms. Our lovely insurance company did not pay for one red cent of these bills.
So on Monday I started to call our lovely insurance company. I kept getting passed through to a voice mail of a too-perky-person named Tasha. I would give my info and number to call back. Nothing. Too-perky Tasha would not return my phone calls. Finally today, I got mad and demanded to talk to somebody. And boy oh boy did I get even madder.
Turns out that they are refusing my mamograms because of a "possible pre-existing condition" and we have only been on this insurance since January. It doesn't matter that the "possible pre-existing condition" is a NON-CONDITION! No, just the fact that it may have found that I did indeed have breast cancer and it meant that it was there BEFORE January, then they are refusing to pay. So I asked what do I do. And the woman said that I could get in touch with my previous insurance company and get them to write a letter to my "lovely" insurance company proving that I was covered by insurance, then they would switch it to the "wellness" status and cover it under my "wellness" policy. Fine. Just one problem, it seems that they only cover $200 of wellness care and it also seems that the doctor visit with the pap and all that fun stuff was a total of $195. So even if I went through all the hoops they want to me go through, they would only pay $5 of the more than $350 bills!!!!!!!!!! Oh and we have the luxury of paying over $300/month for this piece of crap insurance.
So now - I am SCREWED! I HATE insurance companies!
For the past couple of weeks, I have been getting bills left and right for these two mamograms. The hospital bill, the radiologist bill, the doctor bill, and oh yeah the bill for the actual mamograms. Our lovely insurance company did not pay for one red cent of these bills.
So on Monday I started to call our lovely insurance company. I kept getting passed through to a voice mail of a too-perky-person named Tasha. I would give my info and number to call back. Nothing. Too-perky Tasha would not return my phone calls. Finally today, I got mad and demanded to talk to somebody. And boy oh boy did I get even madder.
Turns out that they are refusing my mamograms because of a "possible pre-existing condition" and we have only been on this insurance since January. It doesn't matter that the "possible pre-existing condition" is a NON-CONDITION! No, just the fact that it may have found that I did indeed have breast cancer and it meant that it was there BEFORE January, then they are refusing to pay. So I asked what do I do. And the woman said that I could get in touch with my previous insurance company and get them to write a letter to my "lovely" insurance company proving that I was covered by insurance, then they would switch it to the "wellness" status and cover it under my "wellness" policy. Fine. Just one problem, it seems that they only cover $200 of wellness care and it also seems that the doctor visit with the pap and all that fun stuff was a total of $195. So even if I went through all the hoops they want to me go through, they would only pay $5 of the more than $350 bills!!!!!!!!!! Oh and we have the luxury of paying over $300/month for this piece of crap insurance.
So now - I am SCREWED! I HATE insurance companies!
Sunday, October 07, 2007
The Big First Game
Jack's first soccer game was on Saturday morning bright and early at 8 am. Geesh they expect a lot out of us parents! Anyway, Jim came home from work and came with us, so he could see Jack's first game. A lot of coffee was consumed by all.I have to say that it is absolutely adorable watching these little ones play. It is hilarious to see such concentration as they are trying to listen to Coach Mike about what to do and then after the kick off, to see the ball just sail by them with them just standing there. It takes a full five seconds for them to realize that they have to run after the ball. Too funny and too cute.
Jack actually did pretty good and I was amazed that he was one of the few on both teams that did NOT cry. I am sure his time will be coming. I don't think you can get out of soccer without crying at the age of three.
And being the type of mother that I am, I just have to go buy Jack some black shorts and the sock type shin guards to match with his team mates. I know I know it is shallow of me, but I want him to be like the others hehe.
I also think that Jack has the best soccer coach in all the Y soccer league. He is awesome and even has bought the team soccer patches for their shirts out of his own money. Which reminds me I need to put them on Jack's shirt before his practice on Tuesday. Yeah I could get into this soccer Mom thing.
Short video of the game. Click the > button. (This new blogger feature of adding video is pretty neat I must say)
Friday, October 05, 2007
We're Back!
We are back from our trip to Michigan. Jack and I had a good time. I took him to my high school's homecoming game. He was pretty enthralled with the whole thing and was so cute when he shouted "Go Pennfield!". He thought the coolest thing was the Corvettes that drove the homecoming court onto the football field. And when the football players ran right by us at halftime, he told me that he wanted to be just like them. Yeah I can see my future Friday nights sitting on bleachers. It was good to see the old school and yet surreal at the same time. I am sure that there were people there that I knew, but ya know 20+ years changes people and the only person that I knew I recognized was Steve G. who now is a coach for Pennfield. And poor Pennfield lost really bad - something like 42-12. Ouchie.
The rest of the time we spent with Grammy and Papa. We went for a hike in the woods across the street from my parents. It is kind of sad that the pristine 300 acres of woods that I remember are going to be developed in the very near future. Hopefully they keep the natural beauty that is there. We took this one last chance to hike back in there for a couple of miles. Jack of course loved every minute of it and tried to carry out half the rocks. Every pocket was filled with rocks by the time we were done.
It was good to get back to Michigan. Jack was spoiled of course by Grammy and Papa.
The rest of the time we spent with Grammy and Papa. We went for a hike in the woods across the street from my parents. It is kind of sad that the pristine 300 acres of woods that I remember are going to be developed in the very near future. Hopefully they keep the natural beauty that is there. We took this one last chance to hike back in there for a couple of miles. Jack of course loved every minute of it and tried to carry out half the rocks. Every pocket was filled with rocks by the time we were done.
It was good to get back to Michigan. Jack was spoiled of course by Grammy and Papa.
Michigan Pictures
Grammy and Jack
Jack and Papa 
Papa and Jack walking.
The pretty backyard at Grammy and Papa's. 
Jack and Papa out for a walk. 
Me trying to be all fancy with my camera. I thought this turned out pretty good. One of the flowers in my Dad's garden.
Papa and Jack on the hike in the woods. I love this picture. 
Jack and Papa inspecting a hole in the tree. I think Jack was expecting to see Chip and Dale in there. 
Picture of a fallen tree in the woods. 
Picture of Deep Lake in the woods.
Picture of Goose Lake in the woods. If you walk up a hill you can see both lakes at the same time on both sides of the hill. Very beautiful. 
Jack in the woods.
Jack inspecting something in the woods.
Jack and Grammy walking up the driveway.
Jack, Grammy and Papa swinging at the park.
Jack on the scary steep stairs to the twisty slide.
Grammy and Jack at the Bridge Park. Cute picture.
Jack at the Bridge Park.
Papa and Jack at the Bridge Park.
Grammy and Jack on the bridge at the Bridge Park.
Throwing sticks into the river.
Jack plays with the blocks that Papa made for him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
