OMG!

Above is an improved version of what our child's eye looked like when he woke up this morning. The swelling has decreased significantly since they gave him the shot of antibiotic. For those of you who do not know Cody has had a few severe reactions to bug bites. The above being the latest. When I picked him up from school yesterday his eyebrow was swollen from a bug bite, by this morning it had moved into the eye and was swollen shut. We went to the doctor first thing. Good news is the swelling is superficial and in the front of the eye, it has not made it's way behind the "curtain" as they called it. So we go back tomorrow for another shot of antibiotic and a recheck. In the meantime we are doing Benedryl and Motrin.

Lions, Tigers, and Bears

Oh my!

Well our weekend was wonderful. We started off on Friday at the golf tournament. We followed Fred Funk and Greg Norman's group for most of the morning. It was pretty cool to see them in person, and it was great to have a day with Michael. By the way for those of you that are local you might have saw him on the news, WTOC stopped us for an interview.

On Saturday I pulled a stunt that Michael would say is "classic Kristen". Michael had left early for soccer with the older kids, and Cody and I were going to meet up with them. So I get ready, get Cody ready, grab my purse, Cody's bag, and head out the door. We load up in the van, I reach in my purse for the keys only to realize they are not in my purse, they are in the basket on the kitchen counter. I had locked us out of the house. So Cody and I walked down the street to our friends house and got the keys to one of our work trucks (the friend I am referring to also is my husbands business partner) and off Cody and I went. We made it to town on time to see Colin's games. Which his team lost their first game but won the second. Cat's team is still undefeated by the way. Go Strikers!

Sunday we went to the zoo. In Colin's words "it was awesome". We had such a good time. We got to feed a giraffe & the lorakeets, as well as touch a stingray. We rode the train and played in the splash park, and had a great view of all of the animals. It was the first time that I have been to the zoo where all the animals were out in good view. Below are some pictures from the day.

Lookin forward

To the weekend. How about you? Mine is going to start early.Instead of work tomorrow Michael and I will be going to the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf (kid free I might add). So that I am excited about, it is always nice to have time with just the two of us, however rare it may be.

Then Saturday we are off to another day off soccer, with Cat once again having a 9am game and Colin having one at noon. Cat's team is undefeated so far this season so here is hoping we can keep the streak going.

From there we move on to Sunday (which I am most excited about) we are taking the kids to the zoo. They are all really excited, we have not gone as a family since before Cody was born. And my parents are coming with so that will be nice. I will try try try to remember my camera so I will have some pics to share next week.

Admin Professionals Day

Is today, and look at what I received from my boss. Aren't they pretty. The picture actually does not do them justice, they are even prettier in person. It is a good feeling to work for someone that appreciates you.

I have been Gary's assistant now for 8 years. He is a great boss and I am thankful for him. He is a father of four and grandfather of nine, I mention this because I think it is one of the reasons he has been so great to work for. He has never made me feel bad about needing time off with the kids, whether they are sick or have something at school that I would like to attend.

Anyway just thought I would share my flowers with you, they brightened my day and I hope they brighten yours.

Sike

Yea, the joke is on me. This Saturday I was at my grandfather's birthday lunch, my cousin was there and her little one was throwing a fit (al be it a little one). In conversation I made the comment to her husband that we had not had a fit in my house for quit awhile.

Wrong, Cody decided he would rectify that. It all started this morning with him not wanting to get out of bed. Then escalated from there, he did not want to wear what I picked out, he did not want to brush his teeth or hair, he would not come downstairs to eat breakfast with his brother and sister. So I left him upstairs and continued in my efforts to get ready and leave for work and school.

At one point we could hear him upstairs (over his screaming) jumping up and down stomping his feet (which the other two thought was funny). It continued with him taking off his shoes and coat as I put them on. I finally loaded the car got the other two situated and took him outside shoeless and coatless (I had to put them on after he got buckled in).

Anywho that is what I get for opening my mouth. I don't know what was wrong with him today. I know he is one stubborn little monkey though. And my gosh how something like that can throw off your routine. It caused me to be 15 min later than normal.

I can catch dem

Saturday was another all day soccer event. The kids had games scheduled for 9:00 and 12:30. Cody and I (mostly I) were dragging so we stayed behind to have a little extra time to get ready and then left to meet them. I got Cody set up in the den watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and told him I would be in the shower if he needed me. A few minutes later he rounded the corner. And the following conversation ensued;

Cody- "I can catch dem with my bike"

Me - "No baby you can't ride you bike to catch them"

Cody - "My bike can go on da road"

Me - "Yes baby your bike can go on the road but you cannot ride it to catch them. They are to far away. We will catch them with the van"

Cody - "Otay we will catch dem wi da ban"

We're ready...

That is how my Easter started. Michael and I heard a noise, next thing I know I am looking up to the three of my children standing at the foot of my bed telling us that they are ready to see what the Easter Bunny has left them. My body was saying no way, I cannot be time to wake up. Which it indeed was not. In fact it was 3:00am. Cat had woke up and was so excited that she went and woke her brothers up and then brought them downstairs. Needless to say, we put them back to bed, and told them we would come get them when it was time to get up.

We left from home later that morning and had a day full of food and fellowship. After church we made way to my parents for dinner with the family. We had SO much to eat, everything was really good, and the kids had fun playing with Aunt Candi. Colin showed off by riding his new bike which he got from the Easter bunny. Here are some pictures from church and then a few from the dinner courtesy of my mom (by the way Mama you didn't get any of me and Michael)

Candi (my sister) and Steve (her bo)

My Mama and Daddy


The Family at Church

Cat and Cody (he looks excited doesn't he)

Me and Daddy

From there we headed out to my in-laws for supper. My mother in-law made brisket which was to dye for. And the kids had a big easter egg hunt with their cousins. Sorry I don't have any pictures to share from there. I forgot my camera (duh???)

Sore Eye

I am very fortunate to have both of my grandmothers living. I have an amazing friendship with both of them. They are a major part of my on and my children's lives. If I do not talk to them both everyday just to say hello, then it is every other day. I have learned so much from both of them. I enjoy listening to their stories and I appreciate and respect their advice. But I must say sometimes the things they tell me are pretty funny.

This morning Cat woke up with the dreaded pink eye. On my way into work I called my Granny (my Daddy's Mama) to see if Cathy could stay with her today (as she can not return to school until after 24 hours of antibiotic drops). Of course she said she would love to have her come over. During our conversation my grandmother expressed concern over how Cathy was feeling and that her eye must be really bothering her. She told me that "back in the old days people used to get the "sore eye" and she would feel so sorry for them. She said they would have to wear dark glasses so as not to expose others and that when they woke up in the morning their eyes would be matted shut, and that it was awful. But that she guesses people didn't get it anymore.

After listening to her I told her that what she was describing is the pink eye. She seemed astonished at the conclusion I had drawn. Then she said "well I guess we just didn't know what it was back then so they called it the "sore eye". There have been many ailments I have discussed with my grandmother over the years that she has a different name for than I. Long story short, I am so thankful to have both of them in my life to learn from their experiences. And here's hoping the rest of the house can stay "sore eye" free.

Bye Bye Diapers

Hello underoos! We have completed what seems like the final step from baby to big boy. Cody is using the potty wonderfully and has been wearing "big boy underwear" since last Thursday. He has only had one accident to date (I add proudly). We "really" started the process week before last, and by "really" I mean that I became consistent with taking him on a regular basis, where before I was taking him just a few times a day. It is all very exciting and bittersweet at the same time. Way to go Cody!!

Wasteful

Both Michael and myself bring our lunch to work. As you can imagine if we were to both eat out five times a week it would really add up. Pictured above is what's left of my lunch from today. I always buy the same old things for lunch (note to myself; because you like them, duh). Anyhow last time I went grocery shopping I decided I was going to "try something different". So I bought a Sesame Chicken Lean Cuisine. It looked good on the box, and the picture above even looks really good.

But it is not good (except the chicken part, which as you can see I have already eaten). I am trying to force myself to finish, I cannot through it away, I would be wasting money! And not to sound to cliche' but it really does make me feel guilty, here I am complaining of what I am eating when others do not have anything to eat.

Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail

Hopping down the bunny trail hippity hoppity Easter's on its way.

Bringing' every girl and boy baskets full of Easter joy,things to make your Easter bright and gay.

He's got jellybeans for Tommy, colored eggs for sister Sue, there's an orchid for your mommy and an Easter bonnet, too.

Oh! here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping' down the bunny trail, hippity hoppity, happy Easter day.

Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping' down the bunny trail, look at him stop, and listen to him say:"Try to do the things you should."Maybe if you're extra good, he'll roll lots of Easter eggs your way.

You'll wake up on Easter morning and you'll know that he was there when you find those chocolate bunnies that he's hiding everywhere.

Oh! here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping' down the bunny trail, hippity hoppity, happy Easter day.

Bounce back

Okay so yesterday morning I wake up feeling good. I hop out of bed head for the kitchen to feed the dog and pack the kids book bags. At which point I notice I am starting to feel nauseated. I brush it off and make my way upstairs to wake the kids. I walk into Cathy's room, and she is not in her bed. I find her hugging the porcelain throne.

I make sure she is okay and continue down the hall to wake the boys, at which point I feel the heat rush through me. You know what I am talking about that feeling of oh crap here we go. (One that was oh so familiar throughout my pregnancies). Long story short Cat and I ended up staying home yesterday. I felt so bad I was unable to even get out of bed and fetch us something to drink.

But here comes the point of my post. How do children bounce back so quickly. I believe we got whatever bug it was from Cody, who got sick on Sunday night. He was up and better within a few hours. As was Cat, I mean by last night she was way better. But here it is the next day, and my body feels like I have been in a major fight. Is this going to get worse with age?

All day soccer

All day this Saturday was spent at the soccer fields. First Cat had her game at 9 and then Colin had his at noon. Needless to say we were all pooped by the time we got home. Sitting in the sun can really drain your energy. Below are some pictures from Colin's game. He is number 4. I wish that I had a camera capable of taking action pictures from a distance.

Floater

Aah, the joys of motherhood. I made reference in my last post to the fact that Cody is currently potty training. Night before last it was bath time and both the boys were already in the tub when all of a sudden Cody stands up and says "I poop" "I poop".

At this point I rushed over to the tub excited he was telling me that he needed to go. I grabbed him out of the tub and placed him on the potty (covered in bubbles) when all of a sudden Colin breaks out with "Mama, it's floating in the tub".

OMG! I helped him out of the tub (also dripping with bubbles). I proceeded to drain the tub, remove the "floater", clean the tub, Lysol their toys that had been in the water, then refill the tub and proceed with their baths.