Last weekend our family was so blessed to be a part of my friend Tracy's wedding. Lou Lou was the flower girl, Bear was the ring bearer, Jimmy videoed, and I played the piano. Mama C stayed home with the baby girls, but they came with us to the reception. It was a jam-packed weekend. On Saturday when they got dressed, Lou Lou was of course in love with all of her outfit, from head (beautiful flower hairpiece) to toe (new white dress-up shoes). Bear was not in love with his black tuxedo. He complained mostly about the neck. I told him we could keep it really loose until time for pictures and ceremony. After we had been there awhile, he began getting a headache and someone went out and got him some medicine. It worked for awhile but he didn't stay at the reception very long. I was so proud of him for actually walking down the aisle even though he felt so bad. Tracy's mom told him that he could sit down once Tracy had come in, but he stood up there the whole time. Once he did look at Mikie (Tracy's sister Tia's fiancee and my first cousin) and say, "I want to sit down," but he ended up standing up there. He stayed home from church the next day with a headache and fever. (Lou Lou loved being the flower girl and did a knockout job:).)
At the reception, Bug, Lou Lou, and I had so much fun. Once Bug started dancing, she never wanted to quit. We'd go take a water break and she would say, "Can I go dance again?". Once when Anthony (the groom) came up to us just to say Hi, Bug said, "I want to dance with Anthony." She had never seen or talked to Anthony before this night, so it was strange that she said this. I called Anthony back over and told him what she had said. There was a slow song playing, so he picked her up and she immediately put her head on his shoulder. Later this week, I asked her why she wanted to dance with Anthony and she said, "Because I love him." Lou Lou, Bug, and I had fun especially dancing to the "Cha Cha" and the "Chicken Dance".
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Candy, candy, and more candy
Last night, we went to a fall festival at church. I'm not into Halloween but I know children like to dress up. It seems wasteful to spend money on a one-time outfit. We have a dress-up box in the baby girls' room with old Halloween outfits, leotards, etc. so the baby girls should be set for awhile with Halloween costumes. TT took the children out two weeks ago to buy new Halloween costumes because she loves Halloween. Anyway, for various reasons, we currently only have a new outfit for Lou Lou. I explained all this to Bear yesterday afternoon on the way home from school, and he handled it so wonderfully. I suggested that he dress as a farmer, since he has some overalls. He loved the idea and he looked great. I told him that my PaPa was a farmer, and he said, "If PaPa Blinson could see me now, he would say, 'That is one cute farmer!'". He had overalls, a thermal shirt, a hat, a garden rake, and his precious cow.
Lou Lou was dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. I braided her hair and she looked so beautiful. We've had no luck in finding ruby red slippers in her size so she wore her black church shoes. She was adorable. Bug was dressed as a giraffe. She mainly wore a pullover sleeveless giraffe outfit that only went down to her waist. It is such a cute outfit and I think TT got it for us years ago. She also had a big bright orange bow in her hair and she loved her outfit. Birdie was dressed as a pumpkin, which is the same outfit that the twins wore on their first Halloween. She was precious!
Since Lou Lou was dressed as Dorothy, we thought that Bear could be dressed as Auntie Em's husband, but we couldn't think of his name. If anyone knows his name that reads this, email me back.
Another reason I don't like Halloween is because of the excess candy. So much candy! To deal with the bulk of candy in the past, I usually tell the children to select 3 or 4 of their favorite pieces of candy. They put these in sandwich bags with their names on them and then they throw the rest of the candy away. Next, I either let them have one piece everyday or every other day until it's gone, or I let them go ahead and eat all of the candy in their bag at one time. I figure go ahead and get all the sugar, then we can brush your teeth immediately afterward really good one time. It's easier for me to remember this way, plus I don't have to hear, "Can I have a piece of candy?" 800 times. I don't want to veto any candy because it's a part of the real world, but I also don't want to say anything goes with all the candy during this time of year. Also, when the twins were smaller, I could go through their candy myself and throw it away, or hide it until they forgot about it. Jimmy also is a great help in getting rid of their candy. That works out great because he's big enough to take care of his own teeth:).
Lou Lou was dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. I braided her hair and she looked so beautiful. We've had no luck in finding ruby red slippers in her size so she wore her black church shoes. She was adorable. Bug was dressed as a giraffe. She mainly wore a pullover sleeveless giraffe outfit that only went down to her waist. It is such a cute outfit and I think TT got it for us years ago. She also had a big bright orange bow in her hair and she loved her outfit. Birdie was dressed as a pumpkin, which is the same outfit that the twins wore on their first Halloween. She was precious!
Since Lou Lou was dressed as Dorothy, we thought that Bear could be dressed as Auntie Em's husband, but we couldn't think of his name. If anyone knows his name that reads this, email me back.
Another reason I don't like Halloween is because of the excess candy. So much candy! To deal with the bulk of candy in the past, I usually tell the children to select 3 or 4 of their favorite pieces of candy. They put these in sandwich bags with their names on them and then they throw the rest of the candy away. Next, I either let them have one piece everyday or every other day until it's gone, or I let them go ahead and eat all of the candy in their bag at one time. I figure go ahead and get all the sugar, then we can brush your teeth immediately afterward really good one time. It's easier for me to remember this way, plus I don't have to hear, "Can I have a piece of candy?" 800 times. I don't want to veto any candy because it's a part of the real world, but I also don't want to say anything goes with all the candy during this time of year. Also, when the twins were smaller, I could go through their candy myself and throw it away, or hide it until they forgot about it. Jimmy also is a great help in getting rid of their candy. That works out great because he's big enough to take care of his own teeth:).
Birdie Flips a Switch
So, we took Birdie to the doctor on Oct. 13 and she had a double ear infection. We stayed home with her the next two days because she was running a fever and throwing up. Right around the time when she went back to school, when the penicillin had really started to kick in, it was like she flipped a switch. The "spunk" really started coming out. She is always so laid back and anything goes, but suddenly she has "found her voice". Because of her increased talking, it makes me wonder how long her ears were messed up and if that impacted her talking, hearing, activity. Anyway, I'm glad she's better now, and it's interesting to see a bit of feisty coming out in her. Yesterday at the daycare, her teacher said that she was being a little more aggressive than she had been. When I asked what she had been doing specifically, she said that as some of the other kids are cruising by her (while she sits on the floor as the only non-walker in the room), she will pull them down on the floor. I asked her teacher if she listens when they talk to her, she said that she definitely knows when she's done something wrong and typically stops misbehavior when they tell her to. Jimmy said she was a baby bully:). It's interesting that some parts of personality are there from birth and others evolve over a lifetime.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Bug Turns Three!
Well, we've been busy celebrating Bug's third birthday. Last weekend, we went to Sunshine's (my niece) 3rd birthday party at The Little Gym. That was the coolest birthday party I've every been to. All the children were entertained and active with all the gym equipment. I like things that get kids active. The employees even helped with the refreshments and presents.
The next day (Sunday) we had Bug's birthday. I had the brainstorm of painting tiny pumpkins, so Mama C brought her paints, and it worked out great. Bug got a few clothes and some Dora dolls and Barbie dolls. This was the first birthday she's had that she can really get into it. She actually turned 3 on Monday. On Wednesday morning, she asked me, "Mama, am I 2 or 3?".
The next story is not funny at all unless you know my Daddy's side of the family...I'm writing it down anyway because I don't want to forget it and it will always be funny to me. Bug was brushing Birdie's hair with a babydoll hairbrush. As she did it, she said, "Easy, easy." Then, immediately, as if it just occurred to her out of the blue, she said, "Mama, you know when we go to the Waffle Kitchen with Jaybird?" When I told her that I remembered this, she said, "Jaybird said 'Easy!'". Jaybird is my first cousin, and he and his Daddy (Ronny) and my Daddy always say, "Easy" and hold up the peace sign whenever they see each other. Who knows why, but that was so interesting that Bug picked up on that.
Bear tries out Tae Kwon Do for the first time tomorrow. We'll see how it goes.
This week, the clean up the house strategy was this: Thursday - clean up the downstairs, Saturday - clean up the upstairs. I use the term "clean up" very loosely. I really should say, "Keep picking up and putting things back in the right place until you can see MORE of the carpet."
The next day (Sunday) we had Bug's birthday. I had the brainstorm of painting tiny pumpkins, so Mama C brought her paints, and it worked out great. Bug got a few clothes and some Dora dolls and Barbie dolls. This was the first birthday she's had that she can really get into it. She actually turned 3 on Monday. On Wednesday morning, she asked me, "Mama, am I 2 or 3?".
The next story is not funny at all unless you know my Daddy's side of the family...I'm writing it down anyway because I don't want to forget it and it will always be funny to me. Bug was brushing Birdie's hair with a babydoll hairbrush. As she did it, she said, "Easy, easy." Then, immediately, as if it just occurred to her out of the blue, she said, "Mama, you know when we go to the Waffle Kitchen with Jaybird?" When I told her that I remembered this, she said, "Jaybird said 'Easy!'". Jaybird is my first cousin, and he and his Daddy (Ronny) and my Daddy always say, "Easy" and hold up the peace sign whenever they see each other. Who knows why, but that was so interesting that Bug picked up on that.
Bear tries out Tae Kwon Do for the first time tomorrow. We'll see how it goes.
This week, the clean up the house strategy was this: Thursday - clean up the downstairs, Saturday - clean up the upstairs. I use the term "clean up" very loosely. I really should say, "Keep picking up and putting things back in the right place until you can see MORE of the carpet."
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Fair in the Fall
Our house has gone from pretty okay/straight/livable to a disaster zone in which you have to be careful of what you might step on. It's harder for me to fit in everyday pickup during the school year. Thus, I have less time to update my blog because I'm always trying to do another load of laundry, straighten up things that young children have brought into other rooms and abandoned (spoons in the bathroom, shoes in the kitchen, etc.).
Last year, Lou Lou's artwork was entered into the county fair art contest by her art teacher. She won for her grade level, which was wonderful. She had drawn and painted a picture of a clown. This year when the buzz of the fair began, Bear expressed interest in winning a ribbon since his sister had one. We got a paper in his homework folder about entering the fair talent competition. He said he wanted to so we began to get ready for the audition. He was going to sing "Jesus Loves Me" in 3/4 time with me accompanying him. He sang this at church and did a remarkable job. He was so comfortable doing this.
When time for the audition came, he stood up in front of 30-40 other auditioning children and their parents. This was a new place to sing, not near as familiar as the front of our church. He sang it fine, but not with the confidence that he had at church. Later the next week, the school secretary announced the students who would represent our school at the fair. Bear's name was not announced. I didn't like the way they did this, because all the children who didn't make it got the not-so-great news at the beginning of a school day, without the supportive words and hugs of their parents. I would prefer that they call the parents and let them tell their children. Anyway, Bear didn't mention it to me, so I didn't mention it to him.
Earlier this week, Lou Lou began asking me (in the car in front of Bear) when Bear was going to the fair to sing. Oops! I should have brought it up with him in private, and I'll do that next time. When I said that the music teacher had chosen some other students this time, he seemed sad but didn't cry. This was on the way to school. When we got to school, they announced over the intercom during the morning announcements that Lou Lou's artwork had once again been chosen to represent at our school at the fair. They also said one of Bear's friend's names as well as that friend's sister. Earlier this week, they had announced Lou Lou and this same friend as winners of the 1st grade fair coloring contest. All this information in one week is a lot for a six-year old. I called his wonderful teacher just to check on him, and she said he was going to be the very first Star of the Week. She has twins of her own so she understands the dynamics that go along with twins. She made such a big deal about him being the Star of the Week, and she told me she wanted him to feel that everybody had a place to shine.
I worked very hard, maybe too hard, when the twins were younger to make everything fair for them. They completely understand fair but have a hard time understanding when things aren't fair. I"m so excited for Lou Lou because art stuff comes so natural to her. I feel bad for Bear, but I guess maybe it's good for him to experience firsthand that everything's not fair.
This morning, during the announcements, my students were wide open, so I didn't hear what the announcements were about. However, I did hear something about "art" and they once again called Lou Lou's name. Way to go, Lou Lou! Hang in there, Bear!
Last year, Lou Lou's artwork was entered into the county fair art contest by her art teacher. She won for her grade level, which was wonderful. She had drawn and painted a picture of a clown. This year when the buzz of the fair began, Bear expressed interest in winning a ribbon since his sister had one. We got a paper in his homework folder about entering the fair talent competition. He said he wanted to so we began to get ready for the audition. He was going to sing "Jesus Loves Me" in 3/4 time with me accompanying him. He sang this at church and did a remarkable job. He was so comfortable doing this.
When time for the audition came, he stood up in front of 30-40 other auditioning children and their parents. This was a new place to sing, not near as familiar as the front of our church. He sang it fine, but not with the confidence that he had at church. Later the next week, the school secretary announced the students who would represent our school at the fair. Bear's name was not announced. I didn't like the way they did this, because all the children who didn't make it got the not-so-great news at the beginning of a school day, without the supportive words and hugs of their parents. I would prefer that they call the parents and let them tell their children. Anyway, Bear didn't mention it to me, so I didn't mention it to him.
Earlier this week, Lou Lou began asking me (in the car in front of Bear) when Bear was going to the fair to sing. Oops! I should have brought it up with him in private, and I'll do that next time. When I said that the music teacher had chosen some other students this time, he seemed sad but didn't cry. This was on the way to school. When we got to school, they announced over the intercom during the morning announcements that Lou Lou's artwork had once again been chosen to represent at our school at the fair. They also said one of Bear's friend's names as well as that friend's sister. Earlier this week, they had announced Lou Lou and this same friend as winners of the 1st grade fair coloring contest. All this information in one week is a lot for a six-year old. I called his wonderful teacher just to check on him, and she said he was going to be the very first Star of the Week. She has twins of her own so she understands the dynamics that go along with twins. She made such a big deal about him being the Star of the Week, and she told me she wanted him to feel that everybody had a place to shine.
I worked very hard, maybe too hard, when the twins were younger to make everything fair for them. They completely understand fair but have a hard time understanding when things aren't fair. I"m so excited for Lou Lou because art stuff comes so natural to her. I feel bad for Bear, but I guess maybe it's good for him to experience firsthand that everything's not fair.
This morning, during the announcements, my students were wide open, so I didn't hear what the announcements were about. However, I did hear something about "art" and they once again called Lou Lou's name. Way to go, Lou Lou! Hang in there, Bear!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Boys Actually Do Lose Teeth!
So the Bear finally lost his first tooth. I remember last summer after the twins' first trip to the dentist, Bear wanted me to constantly check his teeth to see if his were actually loose. The dentist had told us that both twins had loose teeth, but Lou Lou's teeth were much looser than Bear's. In fact, I could hardly move any of Bear's teeth at all. In early spring of 2008, Lou Lou lost her first tooth and her second followed shortly. Bear was discouraged, and wondered if his teeth would ever even feel loose.
Last week, it finally happened. On one of my recent checks, I told him that both bottom front center teeth did seem much looser. I offered to pull them when they were ready, but he didn't commit. On Monday of last week, he walked in my room with a zipped up sandwich bag containing his first lost tooth. He said that he kept wiggling it with his tongue all during the school day until it just fell out.
My memories of losing my own teeth mostly surround my PaPa, who would offer me $5.00 if I let him pull my teeth. I said yes every time. I also remember my first grade teacher's assistant pulling a few of my teeth.
Bear's other front bottom center tooth is loose now, so loose that it sits crooked in his mouth, just waiting to be wiggled enough to fall out.
Catching up...Apparently, finding time to update is more difficult during the school year. The twins' school year has gotten off to a great start. They've had just a smidge of reading homework, enough to give them something to do without feeling overwhelmed. They both seem to enjoy reading. This past week, while reading over his story, Bear seemed to get frustrated and not want to do it because it was "too hard". I knew that the story wasn't too difficult for him. Instead, he was just plain tired and didn't want to do it. I suggested to him that he read with different voices. For example, he read one page like a grandma, one page like a monster, one page like his Daddy, etc. This gave him the spark he needed to get the reading done. He's read like that every night since.
My oldest niece, Necie, started kindergarten this year, and just finished her first full week. I haven't actually talked to her because she's always asleep by the time I'm able to call, but she loves school according to her mother, YaYa. I can't wait to talk to her in person about "big school".
This year, Lou Lou started taking dance again. She took when she was four but didn't seem to enjoy it. Now she's taking at a different place. Her teacher is a Christian woman who started a dance ministry called Dance for Christ. Lou Lou seems to have so much fun, and for the past two weeks, they've been participating in some kind of Noah's Ark dance. I'm glad to have Lou Lou with a teacher who has a love for Christ.
Bug has of late fallen madly in love with both of her sisters. She absolutely adores Lou Lou, and has been so sweet with Birdie. Lou Lou has done a good job of including Bug and making her feel special, rather than just being annoyed with her. They're taking showers together, and Lou Lou does most of the work with bathing Bug, which makes Bug feel so big and important.
Birdie is pulling up a lot more lately, and has discovered that she can climb up the stairs. She only says "MaMa" and "Hey". It's amazing how much little babies notice and learn...Whenever Birdie picks up a hairbrush, telephone, headband, etc., she knows exactly what to do with it. She loves all the big kids, and Bear works extra hard at playing with her and trying to make her laugh.
Bear is doing a little better at not aggravating the girls so much. However, last night, he was teasing Bug by pretending to put her baby doll in all the different parts of her play kitchen rather than the baby bed. Of course, Bug screamed "No" and then Bear so innocently said, "Oh, I thought that was the baby bed" with a grin across his face.
Last week, it finally happened. On one of my recent checks, I told him that both bottom front center teeth did seem much looser. I offered to pull them when they were ready, but he didn't commit. On Monday of last week, he walked in my room with a zipped up sandwich bag containing his first lost tooth. He said that he kept wiggling it with his tongue all during the school day until it just fell out.
My memories of losing my own teeth mostly surround my PaPa, who would offer me $5.00 if I let him pull my teeth. I said yes every time. I also remember my first grade teacher's assistant pulling a few of my teeth.
Bear's other front bottom center tooth is loose now, so loose that it sits crooked in his mouth, just waiting to be wiggled enough to fall out.
Catching up...Apparently, finding time to update is more difficult during the school year. The twins' school year has gotten off to a great start. They've had just a smidge of reading homework, enough to give them something to do without feeling overwhelmed. They both seem to enjoy reading. This past week, while reading over his story, Bear seemed to get frustrated and not want to do it because it was "too hard". I knew that the story wasn't too difficult for him. Instead, he was just plain tired and didn't want to do it. I suggested to him that he read with different voices. For example, he read one page like a grandma, one page like a monster, one page like his Daddy, etc. This gave him the spark he needed to get the reading done. He's read like that every night since.
My oldest niece, Necie, started kindergarten this year, and just finished her first full week. I haven't actually talked to her because she's always asleep by the time I'm able to call, but she loves school according to her mother, YaYa. I can't wait to talk to her in person about "big school".
This year, Lou Lou started taking dance again. She took when she was four but didn't seem to enjoy it. Now she's taking at a different place. Her teacher is a Christian woman who started a dance ministry called Dance for Christ. Lou Lou seems to have so much fun, and for the past two weeks, they've been participating in some kind of Noah's Ark dance. I'm glad to have Lou Lou with a teacher who has a love for Christ.
Bug has of late fallen madly in love with both of her sisters. She absolutely adores Lou Lou, and has been so sweet with Birdie. Lou Lou has done a good job of including Bug and making her feel special, rather than just being annoyed with her. They're taking showers together, and Lou Lou does most of the work with bathing Bug, which makes Bug feel so big and important.
Birdie is pulling up a lot more lately, and has discovered that she can climb up the stairs. She only says "MaMa" and "Hey". It's amazing how much little babies notice and learn...Whenever Birdie picks up a hairbrush, telephone, headband, etc., she knows exactly what to do with it. She loves all the big kids, and Bear works extra hard at playing with her and trying to make her laugh.
Bear is doing a little better at not aggravating the girls so much. However, last night, he was teasing Bug by pretending to put her baby doll in all the different parts of her play kitchen rather than the baby bed. Of course, Bug screamed "No" and then Bear so innocently said, "Oh, I thought that was the baby bed" with a grin across his face.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Good Problems
This week we started school. Something crazy happened every single night to fill up our time, to keep us out of routine, to keep my children away from their much needed rest, and to keep our house looking crazy.
Monday...After school, I went to the dentist because my mouth had been hurting for like two weeks. The dentist said I had TMJ. I'm still not sure exactly what it means and haven't had time to look it up myself online, but practically it means that I have to deal with it with Ibuprofen and not chew a lot of ice, gum, or peanuts (which I don't do anyway). We left the dentist's office and headed to the pediatrician's office, because Bear had been complaining of a sore throat since Monday morning. Jimmy met us there and stayed with Bear while the doctor determined that Bear had strep throat. After a trip to get his meds., I took him and met Papa J halfway since he could not go to school the next day. Needless to say, both twins felt that staying with grandparents was a great way to deal with sickness.
Tuesday...After school, I went with all three girls to pick up Bear. We ate supper and later Lou Lou wanted some lemonade. The jug was completely full, and as she walked into the dining room with it, it spilled all over EVERYWHERE. Lou Lou loves cleaning floors, so she jumped right in to help me clean up. We tried some spray stuff, but it seemed to make everything even stickier, so we switched to just plain water and a mop to at least make a dent in the mess.
As we continued to clean, Bug came to me with her cup in her hand and said, "Can I please have more lemonade?" I said, "You've already got some." She said, "No, I don't," as she turned her glass upside down and the last big drops at the bottom of her cup fell to the floor.
A few minutes later, Bear asked me for a cup of lemonade, while we were STILL cleaning. Maybe the floor of MaJe's house is not level because the lemonade seemed to stretch from wall to wall. I took a break from cleaning to pour some lemonade into the glass he was holding. When I had poured as much as he wanted, he said, "That's good," and walked away with his cup while I was still pouring. More lemonade on the floor!
We wisely chose NOT to give Birdie any lemonade:)
Wednesday...I took the baby girls to church with me while Jim took the twins back to see the doctor. This time Lou Lou was complaining of an earache. She had tubes put in her ears when she was a little over a year old. Apparently, these tubes were clogged and the doctor took them out. The doctor said this may have been impacting her hearing, which I hadn't noticed as being a problem lately but Jimmy and his Mom had. Lou Lou said that she felt like her ears were giant open holes on the sides of her head, so I know her ears felt better.
Thursday...When I went out to my car with the twins after school, it would not start. Click...click...click. I called Jimmy first to no avail and then tried Mama C (Jimmy's mom). A friend from school took Lou Lou to dance for me, and Bear and I waited for a response from SOMEONE. Finally, Mama C called back and said she was on her way. She picked us up and then drove by the dance place to get Lou Lou. We all went to her apartment, and I took her car and picked up the baby girls. I had called them to let them know I would be later than usual, and Birdie's teacher said she had been crying since 4:30, my normal time of arrival. It's amazing how even very young children get into a routine and notice when things aren't the same. I drove the baby girls by to pick up something quick to eat from Burger King - yuck! I'm more anti-fast food every day, but because of my circumstances (low energy, no car of my own), I went ahead with something quick and easy. They did eat the apples with their kid's meals and weren't aware of the caramel dipping sauce that BK provided.
I kept calling Jimmy and couldn't imagine where he could be. When things aren't right, I start thinking crazy things, and by 7:00 I began thinking about wrecks on the side of the road and missing person reports. Finally, a little after 7:00, he called me. He had had car trouble at the same time, and didn't have his cell phone with him. We went and bought a new battery for my car, which worked. Yay! He got his car worked on Friday, and it was something minor. Another Yay!
Friday..Nothing happened of interest on Friday. What a boring end to our eventful week! After school, we went to MaJe's for Lou Lou's piano lesson and supper.
Saturday...Bug woke up at 2:45 this morning and I still haven't been able to go back to sleep. I don't know why. Sometimes my mind races over what's happened this past week and what's coming up, what I'm planning for school for the coming week, what I need to do to get our house back in order, how I can make our routine run more smoothly. When I stay up all night, it impacts everybody's routine. My choices now are try to get some sleep, or take a shower and begin looking online for some nearby yard sales, or make a meal and grocery plan for this week, or begin writing lesson plans for next week. The good news is, no matter which I choose, I have an extra day this weekend to catch up on sleep and all the rest of the above.
Throughout the week, I kept thinking what good problems we had. There could have been other diagnoses, more expensive problems with the cars, noone to keep Bear during our first week of school when we feel that we definitely have to be there. We thank God for the blessings of four wonderful children and all the ways that they make our lives more interesting!
Monday...After school, I went to the dentist because my mouth had been hurting for like two weeks. The dentist said I had TMJ. I'm still not sure exactly what it means and haven't had time to look it up myself online, but practically it means that I have to deal with it with Ibuprofen and not chew a lot of ice, gum, or peanuts (which I don't do anyway). We left the dentist's office and headed to the pediatrician's office, because Bear had been complaining of a sore throat since Monday morning. Jimmy met us there and stayed with Bear while the doctor determined that Bear had strep throat. After a trip to get his meds., I took him and met Papa J halfway since he could not go to school the next day. Needless to say, both twins felt that staying with grandparents was a great way to deal with sickness.
Tuesday...After school, I went with all three girls to pick up Bear. We ate supper and later Lou Lou wanted some lemonade. The jug was completely full, and as she walked into the dining room with it, it spilled all over EVERYWHERE. Lou Lou loves cleaning floors, so she jumped right in to help me clean up. We tried some spray stuff, but it seemed to make everything even stickier, so we switched to just plain water and a mop to at least make a dent in the mess.
As we continued to clean, Bug came to me with her cup in her hand and said, "Can I please have more lemonade?" I said, "You've already got some." She said, "No, I don't," as she turned her glass upside down and the last big drops at the bottom of her cup fell to the floor.
A few minutes later, Bear asked me for a cup of lemonade, while we were STILL cleaning. Maybe the floor of MaJe's house is not level because the lemonade seemed to stretch from wall to wall. I took a break from cleaning to pour some lemonade into the glass he was holding. When I had poured as much as he wanted, he said, "That's good," and walked away with his cup while I was still pouring. More lemonade on the floor!
We wisely chose NOT to give Birdie any lemonade:)
Wednesday...I took the baby girls to church with me while Jim took the twins back to see the doctor. This time Lou Lou was complaining of an earache. She had tubes put in her ears when she was a little over a year old. Apparently, these tubes were clogged and the doctor took them out. The doctor said this may have been impacting her hearing, which I hadn't noticed as being a problem lately but Jimmy and his Mom had. Lou Lou said that she felt like her ears were giant open holes on the sides of her head, so I know her ears felt better.
Thursday...When I went out to my car with the twins after school, it would not start. Click...click...click. I called Jimmy first to no avail and then tried Mama C (Jimmy's mom). A friend from school took Lou Lou to dance for me, and Bear and I waited for a response from SOMEONE. Finally, Mama C called back and said she was on her way. She picked us up and then drove by the dance place to get Lou Lou. We all went to her apartment, and I took her car and picked up the baby girls. I had called them to let them know I would be later than usual, and Birdie's teacher said she had been crying since 4:30, my normal time of arrival. It's amazing how even very young children get into a routine and notice when things aren't the same. I drove the baby girls by to pick up something quick to eat from Burger King - yuck! I'm more anti-fast food every day, but because of my circumstances (low energy, no car of my own), I went ahead with something quick and easy. They did eat the apples with their kid's meals and weren't aware of the caramel dipping sauce that BK provided.
I kept calling Jimmy and couldn't imagine where he could be. When things aren't right, I start thinking crazy things, and by 7:00 I began thinking about wrecks on the side of the road and missing person reports. Finally, a little after 7:00, he called me. He had had car trouble at the same time, and didn't have his cell phone with him. We went and bought a new battery for my car, which worked. Yay! He got his car worked on Friday, and it was something minor. Another Yay!
Friday..Nothing happened of interest on Friday. What a boring end to our eventful week! After school, we went to MaJe's for Lou Lou's piano lesson and supper.
Saturday...Bug woke up at 2:45 this morning and I still haven't been able to go back to sleep. I don't know why. Sometimes my mind races over what's happened this past week and what's coming up, what I'm planning for school for the coming week, what I need to do to get our house back in order, how I can make our routine run more smoothly. When I stay up all night, it impacts everybody's routine. My choices now are try to get some sleep, or take a shower and begin looking online for some nearby yard sales, or make a meal and grocery plan for this week, or begin writing lesson plans for next week. The good news is, no matter which I choose, I have an extra day this weekend to catch up on sleep and all the rest of the above.
Throughout the week, I kept thinking what good problems we had. There could have been other diagnoses, more expensive problems with the cars, noone to keep Bear during our first week of school when we feel that we definitely have to be there. We thank God for the blessings of four wonderful children and all the ways that they make our lives more interesting!
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