Good Friends

Today we had a playdate with some friends from mama's childhood days. I've known both Nicole and Jenn since middle school (so we were what, 12-13???) That means we've been friends for about 20 years. They both live about 20 minutes away (opposite ways mind you), so we met in the middle and had a playdate today. The kids are pretty spread out, Thomas and Joshua are the oldest at 5 1/2, Savannah is 2 1/2, Katie and Molly are nearly 2, and Emerson and Mallory (more twins!) are 9 months.

We had so much fun though. The kids played and played and had a great time. We adults were able to sit and chat and visit. Oh, I can't wait for our next playdate!

Cougars and Seahawks

Dan was given a Seahawks blanket a couple years ago (Christmas 2009) as a gift. Molly immediately became enthralled with it. It has since become her blanket.

Now, the blanket is tattered and torn, but she absolutely loves it. I recently found them at BB&B and decided to wait until it was necessary. Tonight it became necessary. Her blanket got some of a nap-time blow-out and it would be impossible to wash by bedtime. So, to the store we went.

She was so happy when we got home.

What I failed to realize was the Katie thought she had one too. Meltdown occurs. Poor kid! So, off to the store Dan went with his coupon for another blanket. There weren't many choices. It was a) Chicago Bears- the second best choice, b) Cougs, c) Gonaga- a horrid bright red color, d) Nascar. So WSU won out.

Katie is sooooo happy.

Something About Kmart

What is it about Kmart? I might never know.

When the boys were newborns we randomly stopped at Kmart. It was the worst shopping experience ever. From the moment we stepped into the store, Joshua was freaking out. As a newborn. Totally freaking out. Dan eventually left with him and sat in the car.

Repeat one year later. Imagine a one year old freaking out in a shopping cart. Hysterical beyond belief. Another failed shopping venture.

Since then I have not stepped foot inside of Kmart with that kid. Something about that store he cannot handle.

Recently we passed the store and he wanted to go in. I declined stating we'd go another time. Today was the perfect opportunity. We had an errand to run and Kmart became the place to go. Again, years later, from the second we stepped into the store Joshua was losing it.

He never was able to verbalize why he was losing it. I nearly walked out of the store several times. I was never once able to rationalize with him or talk with him. He was just a mess in the basket of the cart, screaming, crying, and carrying on. The minute we walked out of the store he was totally fine.

I'm telling you, there is just something about Kmart. We will not be entering that store with that particular child until I am ready to deal with that exeperience again. It might be several years.

Spelling

Let me just start by saying that we never spell words in front of the kids. We find it easier to either a) just say the word and let them learn to deal with disappointment, or b) use a synonym they don't know. For example, instead of asking if we should go swimming at the Y, I usually ask if we should visit the aquatic center.

Tonight I randomly asked Dan if we should go to the p-a-r-k. Dan said no. The boys sat there trying to sound out the word I spelled and Molly ran up to me, "I go park. I go! I go! I go park! Now!" Oops. No more spelling. The girl was upset the rest of the night.

We did run to the store and when we got home she played outside in the puddle. Katie promptly ran inside, took off her pants, put on shoes, and ran back outside to join us. Some quality time outside.

Uncle Adam

Have I ever told you how blessed we are to have Uncle Adam? We are lucky! I am lucky to have him as a brother and the boys are lucky to have him as an uncle. (Of course we love all our aunts and uncles, but based on yesterday's events, a big shout out is in order!) Uncle Adam can take a shaking traumatized Joshua and get him to a calmer happier mental place. Going to the ER is a scary event for a mama, but I take A LOT of comfort in knowing that my brother will take the best care of my son. He is in the best hands possible.

2010 Hospital Visit with Uncle Adam-

2011 Hospital Visit with Uncle Adam-

Thank you big brother! I couldn't be more grateful to be able to call you brother.

Happy St. Patrick's Day????

Every year I write this, and then I encounter something else....stitches.

Let's revisit last year.

2010-After the St. Patrick's Day parade, Joshua falls in the car and we imediately head to the ER. Joshua endures his first round of stitches.

Fast forward to 2011. The day is already harsh. I start off with a procedure at the doctor's office that leaves me feeling a lot less than capable of proceding with this day. I dig through it and prepare for our annual St. Patrick's Day dinner with friends. The kids finish rest time and head outside. I call Dan home to help as I'm just feeling under the weather and needing some backup. I am less than 5 feet away and I hear the thud. That sound. I look and see Joshua crumpled on the ground grabbing his bleeding face and Thomas above hiim with a horrified face and a golf club in hand. It takes me three micro-seconds to know that we are headed to the ER.  I see our neighbors chatting across the street and immediately call for help. Thank goodness Randy is amazing and he leaps over two fences and holds a towel to Joshua's face while I load the kids in the car. Then I load Joshua.

We speed (at a lazy 20 mph...thank you Spokane drivers) to Deaconess with a call to my brother Adam who works in the ER. Adam is so fantastic. Joshua is clearly traumatized and really upset. Adam took Joshua and talked with him and settled him down while I dealt with the other traumatized and upset children. Luckily, because I had already called Dan home and then redirected him to the hospital, he was right behind me.

Again, luckily, Adam took us right back to a room where a plastic surgeon happened to have an extra 30 minutes that she could do Joshua's stitches. I cannot say enough about Dr. Morimoto. If you are going to have work/stitches/whatever done, go to her, she's amazing! Joshua has 8 stitches, 3 deep ones and 5 above the skin.

Here is Joshua immediately after stitches. And may I say, my boy is amazing. He didn't cry during stitches. He let her know if it hurt and wasn't fond of the numbing, but was a real awesome dude. Ice cream in his future FOR SURE!

After stitches we waited for a bit and saw the doctor to discuss facial xrays and head trauma. Joshua is amazing and it appears he was hit just perfectly (if that's possible) and no presumable damage was done. We'll definitely keep an eye on him but he looks to have escaped with just stitches and a huge face! We were then released to go home.

Here is Joshua a few hours after the incident:

It's going to look really great tomorrow.

After we got home, our friends managed to make it over for our really late dinner. Thank you Worthy Family! We were thankful for the distraction and the ability to talk and focus on friendship instead of the events of the day.

I have to tell you how thankful I am to so many people. Adam really came through as my big brother and it made what could have been a terrible, scary experience for both Joshua and me, into a situation where we knew Josh was well taken care of and comfortable. I am thankful for Randy who jumped two fences and provided Joshua with the initial comfort and calmed him as much as possible while I loaded the car with the other kids. I am thankful for the friends who came over for dinner and gave us some reprieve.

Thank you friends. I can tell you that next St. Patrick's Day the children will be wearing helmets!!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011 (Thomas & Joshua- 5 1/2, Katie & Molly- 23 months)

Last year- (T&J- 4 1/2, M&K- 11 months)