Battered family

Daddy stayed home from work yesterday because he was still feeling ill.  We took princess to my work clinic, and we were told she has another ear infection.  In addition to the semi Black eye from church, champ cut his toe at swim team practice last night.

Champ started throwing up this morning at 5.  I was at school making sub plans by 5:30.  I kept both kids home and was a cleaning machine.

Princess turns two

Saturday afternoon we went to a u Indy basketball game with my parents.  They were hurting for fans, so I am sure that they loved having us there.  Champ seemed to be interested in the game.  It was probably his first time witnessing a team score 100 points.  My parents stopped by our house afterwards to give princess a Minnie mouse birthday balloon.

Sunday morning we gave princess a beautiful sweater dress that I had found at toys r us on black Friday for a great price.  I also served her favorite pancakes and (more importantly) syrup on her new minnie mouse placemat.

Since daddy was sick, he didn't join us at church.  After church, champ collided with another boy at the indoor playground.  He instantly had the area over his eye swelling and turning blue.  So, we learned where the first aid supplies are kept at the church.

We traveled to culvers for lunch.  I noted that princess did not seem to eat much, and I had even gotten her unhealthy foods.  The cashier was kind enough to give the kids free ice cream in honor of the birthday girl.

Princess took a poor nap.  I tried to get ready for the Mickey mouse birthday party.  We had invited the riches, toths, and worgesses.

The following sign greeted our guests:  it's the Mickey mouse clubhouse, come inside, it's fun inside. Guests devoured hot dogs, scalloped potatoes, bananas, and Mickey mouse cupcakes.  The kids tore the place up in a matter of minutes, but they had fun.  Princess got the books silverlicious and fancy nancy and the mermaid ballet.  Princess also got a large Minnie mouse doll.  For party favors, each kid received a ziplock bag with animal crackers and mini Oreos.  On the bag, I attached either had drawn Mickey mouse ears or the number two.

Thanksgiving week

Sunday was our usual church and grocery shopping day.  It was a sad sports weekend with k state and the colts loosing big.

Monday and Wednesday were swim team.  Champ loves it.  Princess loves to enjoy the snacks I bring and climbing the bleachers.

Tuesday was the annual thanksgiving feast at my friend Carey's house.  Carey has been hosting the event for nine years on the Tuesday before thanksgiving.  (I put it on my calendar before I get the invite.)  the boys had to leave early to go to basketball practice.  The girls enjoyed extended time eating the feast and socializing.  Princess was terrified of the dog.  She liked the dog from afar, but she panicked when it came close.

Thursday was a warm thanksgiving.  After watching most of the parade, it was warm enough for us to be able to take a walk to the school's playground.  Kids got to get out some of their wiggles.  when princess napped, I took an hour walk.  Then the boys took a walk.  On their walk, the boys found princess's shoes.  She had apparently tossed them out of the stroller on the way home from the park, and no one had noticed.

For dinner, we went to my sister's house.  Attending the event were my sister and her family, her in-laws, my brother and his family, my parents, and us.  I think it is the only holiday that I can remember in which my grandma wasn't in attendance.  (she was apparently celebrating with her husband's family.). Dinner was delicious.  I think my favorite part was a sweet potato casserole made by my sister's mother-in-law.  Yum!  Yum!  Uncle Matt tried his hardest to get princess to warm up to Doodle, their precious dog that they had brought.  Princess though just tensed up every time the
dog came near.  My mom eventually got princess to pet the dog.  Princess played very nicely with both Caroline and will at different points in the evening.  She also liked to snuggle with my parents.  Champ played well with the older boys.  

Since princess was born on a thanksgiving, I think her birthday will always be combined with thanksgiving.  My mom stuck a candle in the delicious carrot cake cupcakes that she brought.  We sang happy birthday to princess.  Aunt heather got her very cute owl pajamas.  Aunt Becky got her a Minnie mouse doll and bath toys with Disney characters.  I love her age.  When people put the gifts in front of her, she didn't know what they were for.  She just eating her cupcake.

Friday seemed like the perfect day to join in the chaos at the children's museum.  We watched Santa 
drive up in an Indy car.  Hot wheels opened early.  We enjoyed that exhibit an hour before the museum opened without large crowds while the crowds did the Santa activities.  Champ was excited about the 2 story holiday slide.  Princess endured it from my lap as we raced down together.  Since I waited about 30 minutes in line for the slide, we only did it once.  Princess liked the slide in mr. Bear's playhouse.  She also liked watching the trains pass.  The carousel was a big hit for princess again.  Champ loves hot wheels.  

I shopped some while princess napped.

Last night we went to the worgess house for dinner and the k state/Michigan game.   Thankfully, we all still friends despite the fact that they are Michigan fans and Michigan won.  Champ also liked the latest Alvin and the chipmunks movie.  As for the adults, that is an hour and a half of our lives we can not get back.

The week before thanksgiving

Sunday was our usual church day.  I also have been taking the champ out running on Sunday afternoons.  He can last for about a half mile.

Monday and Wednesday were swimming days for the champ at the high school.  On Wednesday, daddy and I started to talk about how much the champ has improved since joining the swim team.

We hustled to the west side on Tuesday to inspect a bedroom set on sale for princess.  We are getting it delivered soon, but we will not transition her out of the crib for awhile.  We had a fast dinner at Wendy's, and then the boys were off to basketball practice.

Thursday night is a pleasant treat...nothing in the evening.

Friday we treated ourselves to a bob Evans dinner.  The kids loved having pancakes for dinner.  I enjoyed not having to prepare a meal.  We picked up a cookie and an apple oat bar to go.  The apple oat bar was extremely delicious, but it was extremely rich.  My stomach hurt the rest of the evening.  Yet, I was still able to beat my hubby in a game of words with friends, which doesn't happen much.

Today, I began with grading papers and a trip to the gym.  We were at our high school by 9:20, just in time for princess, champ, and i to see my nephew (Connor) swim in a swim meet.  Then I took the kids to near the high school's gym where the champ met daddy and the rest of the basketball team.  There was a whole lot of energy and too much time waiting to get their team photo.  while the team was getting their photo taken, princess and I headed back to the pool.  We were just in time again to see Connor compete in his next race.  Princess enjoyed snuggling with her grandparents during both pool visits.  Princess and I headed back to the gymnasium.  All teams (first through varsity) got some
time on the court.  Champ had fifteen minutes to scrimmage against another team.  Princess enjoyed her third breakfast at the concession stands.  My sister and two nephews tried to make it over from the swim meet, but they were a few minutes too late.  When we were walking out to the car, we noted how mild the weather felt.  So, we made a quick decision to head to brown county.  

Before we left, we went home for lunch.  Princess didn't get the memo that she was supposed to fall asleep on the ride there.  We went to the nature center first.  The coolest part was when the rattlesnake was very active and moving all around his enclosed space.  Champ saw a sign for a hike to a lake.  So, we hiked down to the lake.  Princess was a kranky hiker.  Daddy carried her a lot.  She did great any time there were steps though.  Champ and I even walked around the lake, while daddy watched princess jump in leaves over and over.  Champ found out the hard way that if we walked down to the lake, we had to walk up to get back to the car.  We played at a playground for awhile, but we determined it was too cold in the shaded playground.  We walked around the lodge next.  Princess finally fell asleep on the drive to Bloomington.  We ate at a pizza place and then grabbed ice cream at jiffy treat.  We gave the champ a short driving tour.  Now we are home and praying for k state to win.

Saturday

I was up before everyone else this morning, like usual.  I had graded papers for an hour and headed to the gym without seeing anyone else up in the family.  I did a pattern of walking and jogging for my workout.

The boys went to the clc to play wii.  I got to stay home and read many books to my princess.

Champ and I went to Meijer to get a birthday gift for one of his classmates.  He chose Barbie books for her.  Then we headed to chuckie cheese for the party.  I stayed for about forty-five minutes, until hubby relieved me.  Champ and I stink at hunting video games....I could have predicted that.  He was good at a car racing video game....leading me to believe he could be dangerous at sixteen.  He also did well at ski ball.  They were sitting down to pizza and cake when I left.

I got to enjoy being pampered with a new haircut at my favorite place.  Darcy cuts my hair, and she is fun to talk to while she problem solves my hair.

We ate dinner at home, and we played some outside.  We headed out to a few grocery stores to buy a Thanksgiving meal for a family in need, an initiative started by our church.

Now we are just hoping k state wins.

Friday

Princess is still ill.  Daddy came home late last night, and he got to spend the day with her today.  She didn't like his breakfast choice, and she threw it up.  She didn't eat much today, but I got some oatmeal to stay down in her tonight.

Champ got lots of papers back today with good grades.  He has enjoyed the benefits of one of his parents staying home the last two days.  In the mornings, we have driven him to school.  Both days we have let him ride home on the bus.

Her name

Princess said her name perfectly tonight a few times when I asked.  In the past, she has
Just gotten the ending right.

The joys of motherhood

Tuesday evening was a late basketball practice for the champ.  Daddy is coaching.  Princess and I stayed home.

Yesterday was another swim team practice.  Princess insisted on bringing her swimsuit to day care, just in case she got to swim.  Champ seems to love swim team practice. Princess loved exploring all the seating areas and trying to jump into the pool.  At one point, she took off her shoes, socks, pants, and sweatshirt.  Shirt and diaper were too hard to get off.  I asked her why she took her clothes off, she said because she wanted to swim in the pool.

Daddy was gone last night.  I was eagerly ready to get in bed when I heard princess start crying.  Because my back hurts so much, I tried to wait her out a little in hopes that she would go back to sleep.  I went into her room with a sippy cup of water.  As I handed it to her, I noticed a stench in the room.  I threw the lights on only to have my suspicions confirmed....she had thrown up...on her sleep sack, blanket, crib sheet, crib slats, floor, etc.  I took her out of the crib, and I tried to think of where to begin.  As I am running frantically around the house trying to clean up, she is throwing up everywhere.  There was vomit in her bedroom, the front bathroom, the hall, the laundry room, and my bedroom.  I couldn't put her back in the crib like this.  I put her on a blanket on the floor by my bed.  She wouldn't sleep, and she continued to throw up.  I rocked her to sleep in a gliding chair, but she woke up instantly when I put her down.  I finally got her to sleep in bed with me, but she woke up throwing up throughout the night.  Today she has not thrown up, but she has had diarrhea instead.  Pediatricians nurse said this was probably all still the result of a cold.  I am thankful for events that force me to remember that daddy and I make a good team.  I am also thankful for a day away from the stress of school.

A whole new world

The pediatrician recommended a rear facing car seat until a child is 2 years old.  We caved early, and we had the fire station help us flip the seat around.  It was a whole new world for princess as we drove home.  She was shouting everything she saw.

It was a fun end to a busy day.  My mom has been so kind to help me with the kids on many mornings since I injured my back and was told not to lift anything heavy, including princess.  While we were trying to wake up princess this morning, we kept hearing siren after siren.  After daddy finished his hour long vote, he called to say there were many fire trucks near our day care, but he was not sure which business the trucks were there for.  I call the day care.  No answer.  A few minutes later I got a call from a number I didn't recognize.  It was an assistant director saying there was a small fire and they weren't accepting more kids for the morning or until further notice.  My mom offered to take care of princess at our house.  Once I arrived at work, we got an email saying that we could bring kids now.  I asked the assistant principal if I could go get princess.  I relieved mom of her duties with princess and took princess to day care.  There was definitely a funny smell there, but there were firman inspecting things still.  I am thankful that my kids weren't there.  I am thankful that my kids would have been in good hands had they been there.  I am thankful for the nearby businesses that provided a warm, safe shelter for those that were evacuated today.

It took my whole prep this morning to vote.  Lots of time to make new friends.  I am hoping for some big changes.

Super Saturday

Daddy started the morning off right by making pumpkin pancakes, one of our new  favorite breakfasts.  Daddy was at basketball training all morning while the kids and I hung out.

Champ and I went to dicks sporting good store.  He loved it.  Then we met the rest of the family at Kroger.

We had tilapia for dinner.  Champ loves tilapia.

Champ and I went to the butler Vs. u Indy game.  Our seats were in row EE.  Champ was really into cheering for butler.  At half time, we managed to get a seat on the second and first row, beside my parents.  The game was very exciting.  Champ did a great job of behaving on the front row.  He really studied the game.

Halloween week

Champ started swim team this week.  We are excited about the opportunity to improve on a skill that could save his life.  it wears him out though.  Princess is in to climbing the bleachers, trying to jump into the pool, trying to climb the diving board ladder, steal things from others, etc.

He also had evaluations for the basketball team.  It was a nail biter, but his dad chose him to be on his team.  Princess had fun climbing bleachers, flushing toilets, and getting drinks from the drinking fountain.

On Halloween, we drove to my parent's house to show them our costumes.  Champ was dressed as superman, while princess was a natural fit in a princess costume.  The kids also trick or treated around the neighborhood with daddy and the Rich kids.  I stayed home and passed out candy.