Monday, July 11, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
ENT
Well, our visit to the ENT confirmed what we already thought. Ryan could stand to get some tubes in his ears. He's had 5 ear infections in 6+ months - that's just too much for any little one to handle. Our biggest concern for him is that all of the time he spends on antibiotics will only make those drugs less effective, not to mention the discomfort these infections cause him until the medicine kicks in. So, while the procedure isn't scheduled yet, we are looking in that direction. He was so good at the Dr.'s office:) Even Dr. Lee commented on how well-behaved he was and how well he listened to my/his instructions. When the dr. wanted Ryan up on the exam chair, I set him on the seat and then as Dr. Lee wanted to check his ears etc, I told Ryan to turn this way or that, open his mouth etc. He did it all and with no complaint! Now before I get to prideful, I'll be the first to admit this is the same kid who tells me 'No' when I tell him to sit down on the couch;) But it was a nice morning for he and I (Jeff stayed home with the others) and it's always nice when your kids are well-behaved!
We're off to the pool now, and we'll keep you posted when we make the appointment.
We're off to the pool now, and we'll keep you posted when we make the appointment.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Summertime, Summertime, Sum, Sum, Summertime...
We are cookin' here in AR! It has been super hot the past couple of days, but we're staying cool at the pool. I take the kids almost everyday and so far we've had a great time. The two little kids were spending most of their time in the baby pool, but lately they've wanted to head to the big pool. It's more work for me, just physically holding onto Ryan and making sure Will doesn't drown, but they love it and it keeps us busy. We've taken a break from school for the whole month, but plan to resume in July. Then we'll break again for 2 weeks in Aug. when Jeff and I get to take our first real solo vacation! We've never been apart from the kids for more than a weekend, so this is a big deal for me especially. I'm super excited, a bit anxious too, but mainly thrilled to get that time with Jeff.
Today we celebrate 12 years of marriage - I'm so blessed to have a partner who really loves me and our family. We are both looking forward to that time away from the kids to just be together:) Yes, we'll miss the kids, but I know more than anything it will be a great time to enjoy "us" - the reason we got married in the first place:)
We did some celebrating last week when Ella-Kathryn prayed and accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior! She had prayed about it before, but this was a definitive choice:) She is waiting for her daddy to gather up his muster to baptise her, as he did her older brother. Jeff is not a fan of big crowds and our church is huge so this event is always a big deal for him, in more than one way. We'll keep you posted!
Jack is figuring out what it means to be "accountable" in terms of his relationship to God and us. He had another incident with a weapon that warranted some pretty tough discipline. He's handling it well, but it's just another reminder of how our walk with the Lord can be challenging some times. There is no shortage of teachable moments around here!
Ryan is headed in to the ENT this week - just a consultation at this point, but with the number of ear infections he's had in the past few months, it's a necessary next step. Hopefully, he'll outgrow these infections, but if not soon, then the tubes will be needed.
Will, oh Will. That boy keeps me on my toes! When he was sick a couple of weeks ago he got into the habit of coming into our bed when he woke up in the middle of the night. Fast forward to this past week, he's healthy and still wandering in each night. So, we've resorted to bribery, again. If he can stay in his bed for 5 nights in a row, he can earn his $3 wal-mart watch - something he's been asking for for months. It's perched atop the fridge right now and he's already got 3 nights under his belt:) The down side is that in place of his midnight bed switches, he's now stalling bedtime with rather dramatic antics, endless questions, and hunger pains. We've countered with pre-bed snacks, a list of 5questions to be asked prior to getting into bed, and the threat of a spank if he calls out. Oh my! Hopefully this is short-lived, cause I for one am exhausted!
So, here's a photo dump:
We headed to the Tulsa Zoo (coupons, love coupons:)) taking advantage of the cool late spring weather we had last month.
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Our monkeys:)
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Oh how these 4 fill my heart, hands, home, prayers, car, and deplete my groceries faster than I can blink!
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Our first harvest from the new garden! We're turning out squash and zucchini at a good clip, but not much else just yet. I did pluck one small red tomato from the potted plant, and the one in the garden is taking over the yard!
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Ella-Kathryn really wanted some goggles and a snorkel, so Papa passed her some dough and off to Wal-Mart we went! She was happy to find the pink ones she remembered and has burned through some laps with her new gear.
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Well, I'm headed out to drop off Jack for a sleepover, and then home with the other 3. After posted about not feeling the 'rest' part of the Sabbath, I've made a concerted effort to do as much work as possible on Sat. so my Sunday is more restful. To that end, Taco Soup is in the crock pot, and my book is calling to me! Which reminds me I've got to post on my book list. I've been on a reading hot streak - on my 13th in 3 months. Don't know why I do this to myself ; stay up late reading and then make Jack take the littles into his room to play in the morning so I can sleep a bit more:) Can't wait til he's old enough to really babysit!
Today we celebrate 12 years of marriage - I'm so blessed to have a partner who really loves me and our family. We are both looking forward to that time away from the kids to just be together:) Yes, we'll miss the kids, but I know more than anything it will be a great time to enjoy "us" - the reason we got married in the first place:)
We did some celebrating last week when Ella-Kathryn prayed and accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior! She had prayed about it before, but this was a definitive choice:) She is waiting for her daddy to gather up his muster to baptise her, as he did her older brother. Jeff is not a fan of big crowds and our church is huge so this event is always a big deal for him, in more than one way. We'll keep you posted!
Jack is figuring out what it means to be "accountable" in terms of his relationship to God and us. He had another incident with a weapon that warranted some pretty tough discipline. He's handling it well, but it's just another reminder of how our walk with the Lord can be challenging some times. There is no shortage of teachable moments around here!
Ryan is headed in to the ENT this week - just a consultation at this point, but with the number of ear infections he's had in the past few months, it's a necessary next step. Hopefully, he'll outgrow these infections, but if not soon, then the tubes will be needed.
Will, oh Will. That boy keeps me on my toes! When he was sick a couple of weeks ago he got into the habit of coming into our bed when he woke up in the middle of the night. Fast forward to this past week, he's healthy and still wandering in each night. So, we've resorted to bribery, again. If he can stay in his bed for 5 nights in a row, he can earn his $3 wal-mart watch - something he's been asking for for months. It's perched atop the fridge right now and he's already got 3 nights under his belt:) The down side is that in place of his midnight bed switches, he's now stalling bedtime with rather dramatic antics, endless questions, and hunger pains. We've countered with pre-bed snacks, a list of 5questions to be asked prior to getting into bed, and the threat of a spank if he calls out. Oh my! Hopefully this is short-lived, cause I for one am exhausted!
So, here's a photo dump:
We headed to the Tulsa Zoo (coupons, love coupons:)) taking advantage of the cool late spring weather we had last month.
The boy who walked most of the zoo -just cause he could! Here's his homage to Michael Jordan.
Yesterday, 100 degrees was just too hot for me to take them anywhere, so she crafted and came up with her own variation on the headset mic! She also made earmuffs and a headband:)
Monday, June 6, 2011
June????
I really have slacked with this blog. It was intended to be a place to record our lives, our children's moments during their growing up years, and even our journey homeschooling. Alas, it's become yet another thing to check off my never-ending list. I'm don't feel badly about it at all, I'm just sayin':)
So, where are we? We are on break from school for the month of June, to resume in July. Unfortunately, Jack has not completed his math curriculum for 3rd grade, so he's still plugging away at that. Multiplication really sent his brain into a tailspin. Many tears were shed. Some blood may have also been shed. Not mine. That's all I'm sayin' about that.
He is a truly wonderful boy though. He loves his family fiercely - it's amazing. He is very sensitive, an emotion that can quickly get out of his control and become mere drama or manipulation. We're working on that. It's been hard for that woodsman to stay out of the tick/snake/whatever else is yucky woods right now. He's been forbidden to go beyond our yard since the critters are closing in on us. Thank goodness we have a the cats to keep the snakes at bay, nevermind the many cups of cat food I place on the perimeter of our yard each night to entice more to join our kitty army. I kid. Or do I? I really hate snakes. Yes I said hate, the outlawed word in our house, because daggumit, hate is the only word that correctly defines my feelings toward those evil serpents. Nuff said.
Ella-Kathryn finished her gymnastics class but due to a horrible case of sassiness, has not been allowed to renroll. She was given ample opportunity to turn that frown upside down, but did not and even added an eyeroll upon hearing that her failed attempts to have some self-control over her facial expressions resulted in her losing her gymnastics priveledge. We really are the meanest parents ever! Ha! Thankfully, we've seen some progress over the past week - she can be so stinking dear and loving. But I do fear that there is a hormonal teenager lurking beneath the surface. We'll keep on a prayin'!
Will, oh Will. Where do I begin. His tantrums have subsided significantly, yeah for us, but his ambivalence towards Ryan hasn't changed. In one moment he is so dearly showing Ryan how to do something or sharing something with him and the in the next he's pinching the living snot out of him (nod to Tim Hawkins with the living snot.) Bedtime is much improved, and while most nights he does still wake up at least once, if he manages to climb in bed with us, I can usually put him back in his own bed without protest. He is the most verbally grateful child I know, repeatedly thanking us for the most mundane of things (a scoop of sherbert) to the biggest (Jeff returning his cash to him, long forgotten by Jeff, borrowed back in the fall to pay for a camp site when we were caught off-guard not being able to pay by debit card). He thanked daddy for 8 days straight "for giving me back my cash!" He also promply asked to be taken to "wal-Mark" to buy his very own tackle box. After which he then thanked be for days on end for "taking me to wal-mark to buy my tackle box!" He makes me laugh EVERY day - no lie. Mostly it's his turn of phrase, or rather butchering of phrase or words - i.e. 'target' for 'poptart.' I deserve mommy of the year for my ability to decipher Will-ese:)
Then there's Ryan. Our little linebacker:) He worked his way through this third ear infection only to have 4 teeth coming through. AT THE SAME TIME!!! Poor kid - cannot catch a break. He still loves music and we are proud to announce that the first song he ever sung is Katy Perry's "Firework" (or at least I think that's what it's called.)
So enjoy that and maybe I can finish this post tomorrow...
So, where are we? We are on break from school for the month of June, to resume in July. Unfortunately, Jack has not completed his math curriculum for 3rd grade, so he's still plugging away at that. Multiplication really sent his brain into a tailspin. Many tears were shed. Some blood may have also been shed. Not mine. That's all I'm sayin' about that.
He is a truly wonderful boy though. He loves his family fiercely - it's amazing. He is very sensitive, an emotion that can quickly get out of his control and become mere drama or manipulation. We're working on that. It's been hard for that woodsman to stay out of the tick/snake/whatever else is yucky woods right now. He's been forbidden to go beyond our yard since the critters are closing in on us. Thank goodness we have a the cats to keep the snakes at bay, nevermind the many cups of cat food I place on the perimeter of our yard each night to entice more to join our kitty army. I kid. Or do I? I really hate snakes. Yes I said hate, the outlawed word in our house, because daggumit, hate is the only word that correctly defines my feelings toward those evil serpents. Nuff said.
Ella-Kathryn finished her gymnastics class but due to a horrible case of sassiness, has not been allowed to renroll. She was given ample opportunity to turn that frown upside down, but did not and even added an eyeroll upon hearing that her failed attempts to have some self-control over her facial expressions resulted in her losing her gymnastics priveledge. We really are the meanest parents ever! Ha! Thankfully, we've seen some progress over the past week - she can be so stinking dear and loving. But I do fear that there is a hormonal teenager lurking beneath the surface. We'll keep on a prayin'!
Will, oh Will. Where do I begin. His tantrums have subsided significantly, yeah for us, but his ambivalence towards Ryan hasn't changed. In one moment he is so dearly showing Ryan how to do something or sharing something with him and the in the next he's pinching the living snot out of him (nod to Tim Hawkins with the living snot.) Bedtime is much improved, and while most nights he does still wake up at least once, if he manages to climb in bed with us, I can usually put him back in his own bed without protest. He is the most verbally grateful child I know, repeatedly thanking us for the most mundane of things (a scoop of sherbert) to the biggest (Jeff returning his cash to him, long forgotten by Jeff, borrowed back in the fall to pay for a camp site when we were caught off-guard not being able to pay by debit card). He thanked daddy for 8 days straight "for giving me back my cash!" He also promply asked to be taken to "wal-Mark" to buy his very own tackle box. After which he then thanked be for days on end for "taking me to wal-mark to buy my tackle box!" He makes me laugh EVERY day - no lie. Mostly it's his turn of phrase, or rather butchering of phrase or words - i.e. 'target' for 'poptart.' I deserve mommy of the year for my ability to decipher Will-ese:)
Then there's Ryan. Our little linebacker:) He worked his way through this third ear infection only to have 4 teeth coming through. AT THE SAME TIME!!! Poor kid - cannot catch a break. He still loves music and we are proud to announce that the first song he ever sung is Katy Perry's "Firework" (or at least I think that's what it's called.)
So enjoy that and maybe I can finish this post tomorrow...
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Oh my goodness!
I just cannot seem to get my act together enough to hit this blog like I should. With that said, we have been very busy, for us that is. Our family tends to be rather inward focused - we homeschool, don't do too many playdates, and most days eat all 3 meals together. It works for us, but that also means that we really think through activities that will take us outside of our home - geez am I making us sound like hermits?? We're not! Since it's been a while since my last post here's an update:
Jack:
Last month Jack worked diligently to get his pine car ready for the AWANA derby. He and Jeff spent some time working out the design Jack had drawn up and then Jack sanded, painted etc. to personalize his car. It looked great and after a heated competition, he won first prize! We were so proud of him!
I'm trying to edit together the footage we shot that day down into one clip, but until then here he is with his trophy and car.
He and Ella-Kathryn also got to participate in a kid's fishing tournament last weekend. Jeff took off with those two around 7:45 last Sat. morning and they didn't get home until4! Long day, but they had a great time and Ella-Kathryn took 3rd prize for her age group!
Here she is in her Bass Master's fishing hat and free t-shirt. Her goody-bag included a ton of fishing gear - tackle etc. for which she now needs her own tackle box! Again, I've got some clips that need editing so I'll post that later.
Both she and Jack had their spring choir concert tonight. They both did very well - Ella-Kathryn got to do the motions with a little scarf for the first song - something she was very excited about. It really was precious to see her between her two friend Camille and Cadence! They are all such sweet girls and God has really blessed her with their friendships. Jack's choir did a whole performance and he did have one verse to say. I am pleased to report that he was not nearly as goofy as he was during the Christmas one and he was given sunglasses meant for a boy this time! Overall, it was a fun experience for both kiddos.
Ella-Kathryn as finally chosen an activity! After a free class last month, she decided that she wanted to try gymnastics. We found a great place in Bentonville - smaller than some of the very large gyms around town, and a bit less expensive. She has a blast every Thursday night. I am continually amazed by her innate self-confidence and her terrific sense of humor. She is one of the older girls in her beginners class and she literally has no background knowledge in this area. Yet, each time she goes and is introduced to a new skill, she gives it her all and if she messes up, she simply laughs at herself, shrugs it off, and tries again! For someone who was painfully shy and horrible self-conscious, it is truly overwhelming for this mamma to witness such self-assured-ness in my one and only daughter!
I am trying to reinstate my morning quiet time and while it is great to get a few minutes start on the kids in the morning, more often than not, I am joined by my Will after only about 15 minutes. Oh well! I ask the Lord to bless those few moments alone with Him and then I try to enjoy my time with Will. I do often try to set him to another task, reading or drawing, so that I can finish up my time. However, I have noticed that if he and I can sneak in a bit of time at the beginning of the day, he too has a better day. He has really been struggling lately, hitting and hurting his siblings, angry outbursts, screaming fits, and while this morning time is not the silver bullet, it certainly plays in nicely with our overall plan for getting this boy back on track!
Ryan is, as always, such a delight. Even when he's exercising his lungs at full upper range, he really is a hoot and it's fun to see him growing into an active and wild toddler! He loves to be outside, which can be a bit challenging at times, and will ask to have his shoes on just in case he might sneak out the door:) On nicer days we've all been heading out to do school outside that way Ryan can be where he wants to be, but we're not sacrificing our day's work. We ventured out to the new splash park in B'ville last week - basically a concrete pad out of which water shoots at various angles upwards etc. The kids had a great time and it was perfect for Ry as he could walk all over the place and I didn't have to worry about him being "in" the water just yet! He got really brave after the first half hour and started putting his face right over the holes - his face when the water shot out...priceless! I did get some pics on my phone but Jeff's going to have to show me how to download them:( I am a techno idiot.
I'm trying to plan out our next school year - I've got most of our curriculum here, I just need to map it all out so I can see where the gaps are. I still need some kind of art instruction book. Art is not my strong suit. Ar History, yes, but the technical side, not so much! I am sooooo excited for Crystal Bridges to be opening in the fall and have already asked Jeff if we can forgo eating for a month so that we can get a family membership! That request was not well received:)
Ok, enough for now - my bed is calling my name...
Jack:
Last month Jack worked diligently to get his pine car ready for the AWANA derby. He and Jeff spent some time working out the design Jack had drawn up and then Jack sanded, painted etc. to personalize his car. It looked great and after a heated competition, he won first prize! We were so proud of him!
He and Ella-Kathryn also got to participate in a kid's fishing tournament last weekend. Jeff took off with those two around 7:45 last Sat. morning and they didn't get home until4! Long day, but they had a great time and Ella-Kathryn took 3rd prize for her age group!
Both she and Jack had their spring choir concert tonight. They both did very well - Ella-Kathryn got to do the motions with a little scarf for the first song - something she was very excited about. It really was precious to see her between her two friend Camille and Cadence! They are all such sweet girls and God has really blessed her with their friendships. Jack's choir did a whole performance and he did have one verse to say. I am pleased to report that he was not nearly as goofy as he was during the Christmas one and he was given sunglasses meant for a boy this time! Overall, it was a fun experience for both kiddos.
Ella-Kathryn as finally chosen an activity! After a free class last month, she decided that she wanted to try gymnastics. We found a great place in Bentonville - smaller than some of the very large gyms around town, and a bit less expensive. She has a blast every Thursday night. I am continually amazed by her innate self-confidence and her terrific sense of humor. She is one of the older girls in her beginners class and she literally has no background knowledge in this area. Yet, each time she goes and is introduced to a new skill, she gives it her all and if she messes up, she simply laughs at herself, shrugs it off, and tries again! For someone who was painfully shy and horrible self-conscious, it is truly overwhelming for this mamma to witness such self-assured-ness in my one and only daughter!
I am trying to reinstate my morning quiet time and while it is great to get a few minutes start on the kids in the morning, more often than not, I am joined by my Will after only about 15 minutes. Oh well! I ask the Lord to bless those few moments alone with Him and then I try to enjoy my time with Will. I do often try to set him to another task, reading or drawing, so that I can finish up my time. However, I have noticed that if he and I can sneak in a bit of time at the beginning of the day, he too has a better day. He has really been struggling lately, hitting and hurting his siblings, angry outbursts, screaming fits, and while this morning time is not the silver bullet, it certainly plays in nicely with our overall plan for getting this boy back on track!
Ryan is, as always, such a delight. Even when he's exercising his lungs at full upper range, he really is a hoot and it's fun to see him growing into an active and wild toddler! He loves to be outside, which can be a bit challenging at times, and will ask to have his shoes on just in case he might sneak out the door:) On nicer days we've all been heading out to do school outside that way Ryan can be where he wants to be, but we're not sacrificing our day's work. We ventured out to the new splash park in B'ville last week - basically a concrete pad out of which water shoots at various angles upwards etc. The kids had a great time and it was perfect for Ry as he could walk all over the place and I didn't have to worry about him being "in" the water just yet! He got really brave after the first half hour and started putting his face right over the holes - his face when the water shot out...priceless! I did get some pics on my phone but Jeff's going to have to show me how to download them:( I am a techno idiot.
I'm trying to plan out our next school year - I've got most of our curriculum here, I just need to map it all out so I can see where the gaps are. I still need some kind of art instruction book. Art is not my strong suit. Ar History, yes, but the technical side, not so much! I am sooooo excited for Crystal Bridges to be opening in the fall and have already asked Jeff if we can forgo eating for a month so that we can get a family membership! That request was not well received:)
Ok, enough for now - my bed is calling my name...
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Here We Are - Over Here, Amid The Pile of Life:)
This is what we look like these days...
The many faces of Ryan:
So, yes we're alive and well for the most part:) Ryan does have a double ear infection. More to come on that little trip down candy lane...
The many faces of Ryan:
The many faces of Will:
And the other two turkeys who live here:
Friday, April 8, 2011
Finally!
Hooray for Ryan, who at 20 months, finally walked! He's been using the bubble-mower outside lately, and was making great progress. Then today, he was walking with the mower, spotted Pip the cat and decided the cat was too good to pass up. As the cat lazily walked away from Ryan, Ry let go of the mower and just walked on towards Pip! It was amazing! I still am in awe of these little people and how God allows them to do so much in those first years. Truly awesome - His creation, from my womb, walking:) Sorry, a bit philosophical I know, but hey, he's my last, I can be awed if I want to be!
So, we posted it on youtube, but i'm embedding it here as well.
So, we posted it on youtube, but i'm embedding it here as well.
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