Update on Carleigh

I called Matt and found out that the nurse practitioner was still unclear if it was hives or poison ivy. She said that she was positive that it was not chicken pox! Hallelujah!! My sweet girl did not want to miss the entire last week of school! She should be able to go back tomorrow and on her last day which is Thursday! I am relieved and am already feeling better about this upcoming week. Please sickness and other "drama" please stay AWAY!!!

Fresh New Day

The past weekend in a nutshell was NOT great! I honestly had all intentions of relaxing and have a great weekend! First, Cody's eyes swell, then my bike was stolen. Yesterday, Carleigh comes down with a mysterious rash all over her that spreads almost everywhere! I was up late worrying and wondering whatever it was. Matt is taking her to the doctor today to figure this out. I think it is an allergic reaction to something (like a new t-shirt or allergies) and it's hives. We won't know for sure until the doctor sees her. I honestly hope everyone gets well because our trip to Disney is NEXT week! I think I am more stressed about this than the end of the year stress at school! *sigh*

I am hoping that today is a much better day!!

Goodbye My Friend

Matt, Cody and I went to get some ice cream today. While we were gone, some scumbag walked onto our screen/glass porch and stole my bike. I LOVED my bike! I rode it almost every day! It's really sad when something gets stolen from you. You feel violated, especially when it happens at your home.

I walked up to our neighbor's house and asked if anyone saw someone riding my bike. My neighbor was mowing her backyard and saw the guy who rode up the street on it. I filed a police report, but I highly doubt I will see "her" again. So sad! She had a nice wide seat and she had my bike attachment that held my basket still attached. So now I have a basket with no bike. I have been in near tears all evening. It really stinks to say the least!!

Allergies and Shopping

Yesterday was the first absolutely gorgeous day this whole season in which everyone could enjoy it! We spent most of the day outdoors which is a good thing! However, after having a grill out with Matt's parents, Cody's eyes started to swell again. Thinking back on the day there were several things that happened like Matt mowed the grass, Cody laying the grass looking up at the sky, and playing the in dirt led me to believe that he is allergic to grass or something else in the air. These flare-ups come on rather quickly. (On Thursday morning, his eyes swelled on his bus trip to school.) We are definitely going to investigate this further with his pediatrician. We are hoping to get a checkup before our Disney trip. If not, eye drops and Benadryl will definitely be going with us!

It was an overall great day with warm temps but no real humidity! Day 1 of the Memorial Day weekend was such a wonderful day!

I did some major shopping for our vacation which included a beach umbrella, sandals for Cody, sunscreen at a great price, 4 shirts for me, 1 shirt for Matt, and beach toys. More shopping is forecasted this afternoon when Matt & Carleigh arrive home from church and relieve me from Cody "duty."

One of THOSE days

Ever have a day that you just KNEW was going to be awful?

I have one of those yesterday. It all started when a huge branch from a nearby tree was laying in my driveway. I had to drag it about 5 feet across the driveway so I could get the van out and head to school. On the radio, I hear that Route 4 was closed at the main intersection where I normally drive. I go that route to avoid the by-pass nightmare. So, I sat in a very long line for about 15 - 20 minutes and I was late for school. I DETEST when I am late because I am a very punctual person!!

Next, I get a phone call before 9am from Cody's school nurse telling me his eyes are swollen shut. So Matt has to take him to get his eyes examined. They say it is pink eye, but we are getting a second opinion. He did the same thing last Memorial Day weekend and Benedryl cleared his eyes. He must be allergic to something seasonal or environmental. Then major interruptions and a few other grievances has made the day awful!

I am so glad today is Friday and we have a 3 day weekend! We all need to recharge and relax!

In just two weeks....

In just two weeks.....we will leave on our 14 hour journey for DISNEY WORLD! Honestly, the months have gone so quickly! The kids are getting more and more excited when we rip a chain off because it is getting smaller! The chain has been great for them to understand the concept of time!

This weekend, I'll be doing major shopping for our trip! I love a good shopping adventure, but this is even more fun since it's for our trip.

Wordless Wednesday - Pirate in Training

One Crazy Evening

We had a crazy evening to say the least. Around 7pm, the tornado sirens started going off. At that point, it was just windy but we could see a HUGE thunderstorm approaching. The power immediately went out. When the news reported that a tornado was probably going to hit Forest Park, we decided to head up to the corner. We BARELY made it before the winds started blowing something fierce. I remember looking back from inside the garage and saw trees bend like I have NEVER seen them bend before.

The storm passed fairly quickly, but the heavy rain and lightning lingered. Since we walked up the street, my sister drove us down to our house in a truck. As we were approaching our house, I said, "Hey, does that look like a tree on our roof?" As we got closer, I was in total shock to see a huge portion of the monster tree in our front yard on our house! The tree is being held up by cable/power lines. We call Duke Energy who says the power should come back on by 10:30pm.

So, we had to give the kids baths by candlelight. I am very thankful though because it could have been worse. Other than meltdowns and minor inconveniences...we are all safe and alive. I am also thankful that that storm didn't hit in the middle of the night as that tree would have hit our bedroom and I think I would've had a heart attack from the sound of it hitting that corner of the house!

God is so good and I am so blessed to have my life spared as well as my family's!

Beautiful Day!

Today started off on the wrong foot, so I am so glad it improved so much that I could post the title as listed above. First, let me tell you about the morning! Around 5:30am....in which I thought it was the middle of the night, I heard Cody crying. I wake up Matt and we both go into the family room and find him laying on the couch again (like last Monday morning). He was laying around and curled up in a ball and crying his eyes out. My poor boy! He couldn't tell us what was going on so we were prepared in case it started to go down hill. Nothing happened other than crying so Matt took him back to bed and stayed with him. Fast forward 3 hours, I awoke to him crying yet again. So I immediately got up and Matt was holding him. It breaks my heart that he cannot tell us what was wrong. Matt asked him if he was sick and he did say yes. You could tell he was in pain. We kept watching him and discussing whether or not to take him to the ER. Well, then we noticed it was an intestinal issue and after going to the bathroom a couple of times, he was better.

Then, the sun came out again (wow two days in a row!) and we spent most of the day outdoors playing, visiting family, bike riding and grilling out. After dinner, we took the kids to the dam and walked until Carleigh couldn't take anymore. I am seriously considering buying another umbrella stroller because I don't think her legs will make it through Disney!! We came home and then I did Zumba with my niece.....so yeah, I think I got my exercise in for today! I wish all days were like today!!

Bring on the Sunshine!

Today something very unusual happened...a bright yellow ball arrived in the sky all day. We haven't seen it for quite some time now!! This weekend is supposed to be nice so we are going to get out and enjoy it! Grilling out and a hike is a must for the weekend.

Stay tuned for pics.....

Busy Busy Busy

I haven't blogged in a few days. There is just so much going on these last few weeks before summer. Something has been going on every day.....after-school meetings, taking Carleigh to visit her new school for first grade next year, baseball games, doctor appointments, on-line shopping for Disney, schoolwork, and much, much more! I hope I have the strength to get through the next few weeks and have my sanity still with me!

Hopefully this weekend the SUN will come out and I can post some new pics of the kids. We are all tired of feeling like we live in Seattle with constant rain and dreary weather. (No offense to anyone who lives there!) We didn't have a Spring....we just got everyone's rain for the entire year. At this point, I would love to have a day with no rain....the sun would be a bonus!!

Not a good way to start your day!

I got up this morning (a little tired from staying up late thanks to "Survivor" finale) and well, noticed Cody's bedroom door open. I quickly dismissed my suspicions until after my shower when I noticed a mess on the couch. My sweet, poor boy must have gotten up, sat on the couch, and gotten sick. I went into his room to check on him and he was fast asleep. That just really breaks my heart that he was sick to his stomach and did not or could not come and get us up. And I am not a sound sleeper so I am puzzled as to why I did not hear him. I am starting to wonder if he has a very sensitive stomach since these "sick" episodes happen at least twice a month.

On a more positive note....yesterday at dinner, we were talking about last names and Cody looks over at me and calls me "Mommy Schmidt." It was too cute!

Getting ready for 1st grade!

Today was Carleigh's 1st Grade Transition meeting. It feels so wrong to type that. Where did the last 6 years go? Where did my little blonde baby go?? It also felt very strange knowing that we will not be at the Kindergarten Center next year for many reasons (one we will not have another preschool or Kindergartner for who knows when) and (two: They are closing it down and putting all the kids at the elementary schools). We have spent 5 years having one or two kids there. We will so miss all the wonderful teachers, aides, and therapists that have worked with our children there. Of course I am also excited that both kiddos will be in the same school for the next 3 years! Yay! They get to ride the bus together and no more waiting for two different buses in the morning AND afternoon! Oh and I did I tell you that they will be in the same classroom for some aspect of time together?? That should be FUN.

I was impressed when they told us all the progress she has made this year and her scores on her DIBELs test taken this month. I guess I am just shocked that this school year has zipped by so fast!

Wordless Wednesday - Longing for the Beach

Requesting Prayer

Matt and I are requesting prayer. An opportunity has appeared and we need to make a HUGE decision that will affect our family. At this point, I really can't share what it is, but am requesting prayer for wisdom and guidance. Thank you!

Let the Countdown Begin!!!

Today marks one month before we leave for our Disney vacation. In the spirit of fun, I created a Disney Countdown chain to make it more memorable and an exciting way for the kids to count down. I put it up last night and the kids were so very excited! Carleigh cannot wait to pull off the first chain tonight!

I will have just TWO days to pack and get last minute preparations for the trip since my last day of work will be June 7th due to training. So it will be very crazy and hectic on June 8th and June 9th! And just to add to the craziness, the kids have a baseball game on the 8th!!

Is it June 9th yet??!!

Mother's Tea

Yesterday, I took the day off to attend a special event in Carleigh's classroom. Her class was hosting a Mothers' Tea for all their mothers. We shared cookies and lemonade before the children sang songs about mothers. When they sang "You Are My Sunshine," I got a little teary. It was such a sweet, tender moment. After the songs, we watched a slideshow of the year.

When I was in school, I would be THRILLED if my mom picked me up so that I did not have to ride the bus home. Well, Carleigh was upset when we left because she WANTED to ride the bus. I wonder what the fascination is with the bus.

About a month to go!

We have a month and 4 days until DISNEY! This weekend, the Disney countdown will begin! I am making a countdown chain so the kids have an idea how many more days until we leave. This time of the year is so crazy and very busy!

This week.....

I have the elementary spring concert at my school (tonight) so I will be staying at school instead of going home.

I have a Mother's Day Tea to attend at Carleigh's school tomorrow.

We have team and individual baseball pics on Saturday.

Mother's Day is Sunday. Carleigh has a birthday party to attend on Sunday.

Monday is their next baseball game (due to rainouts).

Next week is also almost as crazy as this week! (This is why I haven't been blogging as much!)

All of this craziness will be a distant memory in about a month.....ahhhhh! I cannot wait!

Opening Day!

Despite the minor drizzle that started on the way to the ball fields, Opening Day was not canceled! Last year it was rained out so this was our first time for Opening Day festivities. There were government officials there plus one of the Reds players sang the national anthem to kick off the season!

The Angels played two teams (Athletics and Pirates) because of an uneven number of teams. Carleigh was the first batter and boy was she so excited! Cody did much better this year thanks to meeting a new little friend. Carleigh and Cody fielded a lot more and did lightyears better than last year!!