Super Star!

Today, my sweet Ben was Super Star at school for the fairness attribute.  His teacher had some sweet words to say about him :)  This momma cried during the Pledge of Allegiance and The Star Spangled Banner.  You can imagine how I reacted during the actual ceremony.  Just so proud :)  I love him with every part of me.  The teacher commented on his sweetness, his vocabulary, his art, and his elaborate stories.

Mardi Gras Decor

My neighbor inspired me to decorate this year :)  I love her "over the top" decor!  Sorry for the glare.  She dresses up the same mannequins for each holiday.  I can never wait to see what will be next.  And by the way, I always ring her bell and ask permission before taking pics.

My decorations are not quite as good, but it was fun to do it anyway.

In other news...Sadie has a serious stomach bug.  And when I say serious, I mean I had to pause for a good while this morning and think of a plan to clean up one of her "accidents". Have you ever been in that stage of shock where you want to call for back-up, but there is no one there? My plan involved throwing away some clothing and her jumperoo, bleaching the bathtub, and dry heaving multiple times.  Luckily, she is not vomiting.  I don't do well with vomit.  My mom never did either :)  Must be in our genes. Her shoes and shirt are still soaking in the sink. The MD has no recommendations.  The symptoms and smell ( sorry for too much information) suggest rotovirus, but it just needs to run it's course.  She was vaccinated for this, but this only decreases the length of symptoms and does not protect her completely.  I will miss Bible study tomorrow, but I would never subject another child to this.

Sadie's recent genetic testing came back negative and we have a follow-up appt with the geneticist next week.  We knew she didn't have those diseases, but it is always nice to have confirmation :)  She has done so well with speech and physical therapy the past two days, despite her illness :)

Ben is NEVER ill, which is such a blessing (knock on wood).  He made us a coupon book at school yesterday.

Coupon 1: "Back rub for ten minutes. Either parent. Only once." (Boo!!!!!!!!!!)

Coupon 2: "Taking care of the baby for an hour.  Can use two times."  This is interesting to me since Ben cannot pick Sadie up, refuses to change a diaper, does not feed her, etc.  I'm guessing he means making her laugh for an hour :)

Coupon 3: "Free dinner. Can use for a week." This must mean pulling out a lunchable or making us a sandwich, although we have recently let him use the microwave a few times. Now I'm scared.

Coupon 4:  "Vacuum all the windows. Can be used two times."  He means vacuum out all of the windows sills.  Can I get an AMEN?

Coupon 5: "Wash the dishes. Only use once."  Like his father, he doesn't love to load the dishwasher.

I plan on using them all!

Wonderful Weekend

Friday night started off with the Blue and Gold Banquet for Cub Scouts.  Ben received multiple achievement beads, his golf and music beltloops, his wolf patch, a "scouting for food" patch (a neighborhood can drive we did), and a "magic of scouting" patch (popcorn sales).  Thank you Ms. Reagan for taking care of my baby!  It was so much fun to have some one-on-one time with Ben :)

My mom arrived Friday night and we chatted, watched tv, and planned our next day.

Saturday morn, we were up early and went on a 3 mile walk.  And when I say "we", I mean Mom, Ben, Sadie, Louis, Charlie, and myself- a full crowd.

I was a little jealous of Greg's new shoes, so I bought some for myself and love them!

They are very comfortable, yet hard to get on.

We dined at Roadhouse, where Ben ate his typical rack of ribs and baked potato, Mom opted for a filet, and I had my normal grilled chicken salad.  Sadie girl just shares with the family.

Sunday morning, Ben and I went to Newgate Mission to serve lunch.  I have to say, he was a totally different child from the last time (4 months ago).  Rather than cowering in the back, he proudly served the people (and with good manners).  I did make him step out of his comfort zone and go into the dining area and meet people and chat.  I've always told him that we are all equal in God's eyes, but it is a difficult concept for a 7 year old.  It shouldn't be, but it is.  There was one particular child who really took interest in Ben and hugged us both as we were leaving. What a sweetie.

I have been dying to see Never Say Never.  I wouldn't say I'm a huge fan, but I love a feel good story just as much as the next guy (um, girl).  So, I packed up both children yesterday.  Greg thought I was crazy (he was working), but Sadie loves music (and M&Ms and popcorn), so I was able to watch the entire movie :)  I must have cried no less than 50 times.  Ben may have been slightly annoyed by the number of times I trieed to hold his hand and love on him, but I don't care :)  Go see it!

Mouth full of some type of sour candy!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week :)

Our computer has been sick lately (as is most of Longview), but we finally have it back!
We had a wonderful Valentine's Day, but celebrated a day early (Greg was working on Monday).

Sadie and I received some pretty tulips on Friday :)

Greg received these from me.  The jury is still out...

Ben's latest obsession: Beyblades

Greg liked his pottery

The V-day party at Ben's school was a success, but I still need to download the pics :)

The centerpieces for the Blue and Gold Banquet are complete.

I truly hope this is what they were looking for in a centerpiece.  I have no idea... :)

In other news, Sadie had her first sip of an Icee.  The waiter insisted!

She was sucking so vigorously, I had to hide it for fear of brain freeze.  Poor Ben wasn't even allowed an Icee until he was 6! (and he has only had one since)

Speaking of Mr. Ben, here is a video of him at piano practice :)  Love how he bobs his head to keep the rhythm.  Do you hear Sadie singing in the background?

Here's to a wonderful weekend!

A Little Behind

A don't know where the past few days have gone! This week is flying by.  Isn't that always the case when you have a gazillion things to do?  Last weekend was full! Saturday I took the kids to Tyler for lunch and a trip to the science museum.  They had a new rock-climbing wall and Ben loved it.

Both birday parties were cancelled, so I thought this would be a nice alternative for Ben.

Sunday we had church and went to a great Superbowl party.  Unfortunately, Sadie was not in a partying mood.  She spit out everything I gave her, kicked off her braces/shoes multiple times, and just basically whined.  Don't know if she was over-stimulated or what, but we headed home so I could Miss Grump to bed!  Ben and I were able to watch the rest of the game and Greg joined us in the 4th quarter.  Ben was sooo mad that his team lost, but he was over it by the next morning.

Monday it was back to the daily grind.  I took Ben to the book fair after school and he picked out some pretty funny ones.  He is that age where he wants joke books, books about the grossest stuff in the world, how to draw cartoons, etc.  Too bad he reads through these books in record time = a quick loss of $20.  I should get to the library more often.

I have been busy working on Ben's classroom V-day party, and I can't wait!  We have yummy food, cool crafts, V-day bingo, and some cute goodie bags :)  I am actually going to take my camera and try to get pictures!

I purchased all of the family's V-day goodies yesterday, so I think that can be marked off my ever-expanding To Do list.  The pottery the children painted for Greg came out so cute! He will love it.

After that, I need to get started on those scout centerpieces.  I am not a fan of the glue gun, but I will dust it off and get to work...

On a random note, Sadie is no longer afraid of the carwash :)

Well, she was concerned, but not screaming like the past times.

This might be the most random post ever.
Snow is in the forecast for today, but I don't know if I'm buying it.  We shall see!

Snowmen or Penguins?

Ben's: almond eyes, carrot nose, peanut buttons, refused scarf

Mine: raisin eyes, carrot nose, M & M buttons, chiffon scarf

Unfortunately, the dogs ate everything off of our little guys within minutes :(

Snow Day!

It's an official snow day for Mr. Ben.  The initial call came in around 6 am, telling us of a 2-hour delay.  The second call came an hour later, telling us of the official close-down.  At first, I was annoyed.  A little (as in 1 cm) should not = school closing, but as the morning went on and the snow kept falling, I began to think it wasn't such a bad idea.  I hauled the kids to the grocery store for a few essentials, but did a lot of slipping along the way.  Sadie screamed the whole time and I actually was unable to get my beloved paper towels, so I feel the whole trip was a mistake.  I saw numerous wrecks along the way (mainly into a curb).  The streets were truly iced over.  Clearly, us Texans are unable to handle this type o' weather. 

Yesterday, we made it to bible study and then to a girls' lunch afterward.  I just love the girls I study with!  Everyone is so honest and "real".  Here are our "littles" at lunch.

Sloane

Em

Miss Sickie

This morning, I woke early (as usual) and made some chicken-fried chicken and gravy.  That may sound strange to you, but if I wait 'til evening, it might not get done :) This pic is of the chicken in the egg/milk wash.  Didn't want you to think it was the finished product! Greg was more than happy to have me pack him a warm meal for lunch today.  Yes, he is seeing patients today!  Lots of sickies in Longview this time of year. 

Sadly, Ben's friend's birthday party was cancelled.  He is unable to fly in from Amarillo in this weather.  And Ben had worked SO HARD to receive all greens this week in order to go.  It will be rescheduled, though, so we will still be able to celebrate soon :)  Who doesn't love a belated birthday?!

Last night was spent in the kitchen. I made multiple recipes of chicken tortilla soup, as well as a veggie and fruit tray for the Super Bowl party we are attending.  I'm feeling accomplished :)

All therapies have been cancelled, so looks like we are on our own :)  We are on our way out to build a mini snowman. Let me rephrase that: I will be happily watching Ben build a snowman from the French doors in my very warm house.

BRRRRR!

I am so glad Sadie has therapy this morning at 8:30 so I can stay in my nice warm house and let my husband take Ben to school.  We are told there will be snow this evening :)  Hope it sticks so Ben can make his yearly snowman.  Thus far, he has only been able to play with the icicles from the two fountains :(  He will spend a good hour in the freezing wind, breaking off icicles and smashing them on the patio.  It's the simple things..

Miss Sadie is on dose 4 of antibiotics and doing much better.  We spent most of the day reading her books, letting her watch movies, and trying to force fluids.  She spit out most of her food.

Ben has been on green all of this week since the "incident".  Daddy's stern talk and the threat of taking away the privilege of attending one of his best friend's parties this weekend did the trick.

Greg was off yesterday, so I was able to go for a mani/pedi.  Yay!

My insomnia is allowing me to be very productive.  Taxes were completed around 3 AM and I am all caught up on my Esther homework for bible study.

Today I am making some large batches of chicken tortilla soup for the youth's Souper Bowl Sunday at church.  I thought they deserved better than canned chicken, but I made Greg pull off the meat from those 3 large birds.  He was nice enough to leave the 3 wishbones on the counter for me to eye all day. Yuck.  Did anyone watch Oprah the other day when she showed a meat processing plant? I never even turn on the tv, and the one day I do, this is what I get!? That was hard to watch.  I know they are killed humanely (if you call a bolt to the brain humane), but watching them go from a live animal to ground beef and steaks in  a few hours was not fun.

The upcoming weekend is full with a birthday party, church, and a super bowl party.  Greg is working, but I'm hoping he wil at least make it by halftime.  I'm going for the Packers and Ben is going for the Steelers.  Should be fun!

Did this really happen?

Did I really get mad when I walked outside this morning to humid, warm weather?  It is now a cool 20 degrees and I CANNOT GET WARM.

Did I really call the pediatrician this morning and have them tell me there was a 2 day wait for sick patients?

Did I really call my husband only to be told there was a 3 hour wait at his clinic?  Um, I'm your wife.  Can't you squeeze us in?

Did he really tell me I could go to another urgent care clinic?  Surely that's a conflict of interest.

Did I really take my sick child in said weather because we are almost out of milk?  Did I really have to wait in line for 20 minutes for milk? Yes, I did.  And everyone stared at me while she laid her sweet, sick head on the grocery cart bar.

Did my husband really text me after I had been in line for 10 minutes and tell me to purchase supplies for 5 days?  #1 I am not getting out of line  #2 The weather will not get that bad  #3 Our baby is sick and falling to sleep in the grocery cart

Did the speech therapist actually walk backwards when I told her Sadie had a fever, but we could still participate today?  HE HE! She didn't even want to come into the house while I checked the calendar to reschedule.

Did Sadie actually refuse breakfast today?  That's when you know she is seriously ill.

Did I really volunteer to make 12 centerpieces for Ben's Blue and Gold Boy Scout Banquet?

Did Ben really pinch his teacher's bottom on a dare yesterday?  It feels like some horrific nightmare, but it's true.  He has written an apology letter and, per my request, will be at a detention desk, sit alone at lunch, and have a meeting with the principal. Tough love.  I promise he is a good child, but quite often falls when exposed to peer pressure.  Need to nip this in the bud early on!!!

I think I will do a "did this really happen" post weekly.   This was only in the last 24 hours.