The people we meet...

It's no secret, I will talk with anyone...

Today was no exception while I was enjoying a pedicure during my mommy morning.

I met two really neat and fabulous women, one to my right and one to my left.

My new friend to the right, just retired this year as a Special Education Teacher after 25 years!!

She was so sweet and amazing. How much she misses her children, because she gets them K-3rd grade. I told her how rewarding I thought her experience must have been and how I was in awe of her dedication. It's hard just being the be all end all for our four, I barely can make it through VBS once a year! ;-) She is having surgery for plantar facitis (sp) on Friday, so I will be keeping her in my prayers. She's a very active lady, with running included and she is tired of the pain! Good for her!

The lady to my left was a darling grandmother, who one of her grandchildren  has SPD. She over heard my conversation with the teacher and had never met anyone with a child with the same disorder! WOW it was really neat talking to her and listening and seeing the commonalities we had for the boys. Her grandson is 8 and was premature by 2 months. It's really interesting to see if there is a connection, however I have someone in my family when I was explaining SPD to them said " You just completely described me!" So it could be a DNA make up too? Who knows.. All I know, is how happy I am to have a label for Riordan and how I'm noticing a lot more people are aware of the disorder and look at him in a better light instead of a stubborn or frustrating little boy. It was interesting to hear how his life is at 8 and what could be in store for us. I'm not sure when he was diagnosed though, but I had the feeling in was in the past year or so and maybe OT would have been a better outcome for him today, because he's on calming and antidepressant meds. She said he's a much better boy these days ;-)

On a completely different note, Aislinn is very interested in potty training!! She has gone potty once, and now will sit and tell me she needs to go, but doesn't. Hey, whatever to keep the interest going! Could I be out of diapers soon?!! Really? Really!!?!!! She will be 22 months in a week or so, so really it isn't all that crazy to start now ;-)

We went to Mesquite Groves for the first time ever yesterday. It's a city pool that is like a small water park. It has two huge slides, a lazy river, a beach area with no higher than 2 ft of water for the kids and tons of fun things to do in that area, sprinklers and fountains, and a huge lap pool on top of it all! Let me just say, the whole day was impressive to me!! All the kids did really well and we were there for 3 1/2 hours!! Grammy came with us, and Papa walked over for a bit. Caden was a fish, he was having so much fun and for the first time, I let him do his own thing. Now that he can swim I felt okay with letting him go. Plus there are life guards and moms patrolling everywhere, not that I would rely on them completely, but it helps to know they are there. I,of course, would do a check on him every so often.  He and Grammy did the Lazy River which he said was scary. Teagan and I then did it and she LOVED it. It has a sprinkler that gets ya and little pails of water that could dump on you! We were safe for our  3 laps! Then Riordan and I went on it and I thought he was going to jump out of his skin on sensory overload and he LOVED every moment of it too! It was definitely his favorite thing to do. For a while all he wanted to do was sit and eat and not play in the water.. it wasn't until the last hour he got into swimming in the pool. He and I made it 4 laps around the river and he just so fun doing it! 

I see us going back a lot this summer, but we definitely need two adults. Aislinn was the hardest one on this fine day. She wanted to be held and my SI Dysfunction was out of whack and creating horrible muscle spasms when I did hold her. Oh it hurt so bad. Today is getting better, but I hope I have put it back into place and not have to make a visit to my PT. But I will do what I need to do ;-) Oh and by the way, my back is fried!! For some reason my spray sunblock didn't make it to my mid back, even after 3 applications for all of us.. it hurts!! So between my burn and my SI Dys I'm a mess today !!

 

Grammy and Papa left today for the West side to stay with John and Amy. I hope we get to see them this weekend one more time before they leave for home!! They are checking out rental houses to stay for a couple of months this winter... hope they find something they like!

This week is pretty calm. Have our Board Induction dinner tomorrow night for MOMS Club and then a date with our friends Jennifer and Mike Friday nite. Saturday morning we have a birthday party to attend and that's about it, aside from my Bootcamp, HIIT, and cardio with runs in between ;-)

Teagan's Rectial

It was a great day! She did so well, I was in tears, I was so proud of her!

I became a backstage mom because during rehershal the day before she was hysterical and didn't want to be without me. So as long as I stayed she didn't cry. The rehershal, she barely did her routine. The day off, she started off right at the beginning of the music and never stopped!! I can't wait to see the video! Watching her side stage was moving, I can't imagine what it was like to watch her expression while performing!! 

She was so beautiful too! Totally into getting her hair and make up done! She sat so patiently for me both days! Now of course she wants to curl her hair everyday and where make-up. Not yet little girl. But she does talk every day now about getting her ears pierced. Now to talk her daddy into it ;-)

Grammy, Papa, Aunt Amy, Uncle John, Maddy, and all her siblings were there to cheer her on! She couldn't wait to see everyone after her recital, she was so proud of herself! She got flowers and a jewlrey box!! So special! And we got ice cream two days in a row after each performance ;-)

It was the best experience ever and we are so honored to be apart of the Heat Wave Family! They put on a beautiful and very professional performance!! Can't wait for next season! Aislinn will be dancing too!

7 years ago today

was Mike and I's wedding day! It is also the anniversary of Aunt Kay and Uncle Don (R.I.P.) anniversary as well!! How neat that is to share this day with them!

We went out last night to celebrate to Zinc Bistro, french cusine, up in N. Scottsdale. It was beyond yummy and we could barely walk out, we were so full!! ( we actually were a sight, because Mike hurt his knee and my SI dysfunction was acting up, so we were both limping from overly full tummy's and injuries!)

Our gift to each other, that we need not a material gift to celebrate 7 years of marriage, full of adventure, fun, and challenges ;-) We pray for the continuing of the many blessings bestowed to us, enjoying each other and our children and this life we have. 

Favorite things this week ;-)

Riordan waking up from sleeping and telling me he had 'a good dream about his new school'.

Aislinn yelling loudly, 'dog' when she saw it on t.v. , for the first time.

Being with Teagan for her first VBS experience and watching her grow as she enjoyed each event we had every night and loved showing off her craft to her brothers she made each night.

Caden paying for his whistle at the grocery store and wanting to give his his own money, $7, to help our church during VBS, purchase a cow for a village in Peru. Both of which was his idea alone with no seed planting.

Riordan actually singing songs at VBS!! Every year he sits on his chair in a small huddle.

Aislinn calling all water, water bottle, screaming out Care Bear's when she gets in the car (it's on the DVD Player), and screaming at her siblings when I ask one of them to let Sully outside, because she wants to do it.

Teagan pulling out a tea cup out of her pink dance bag, now called purse, pouring water in it and drinking from it, DURING VBS in the main Sanctuary as we waited for Riordan's teacher. It was priceless! I didn't notice until she was actually drinking it!

Caden bringing me a flower every day from our hibiscus from the backyard since Saturday.

Pics from Caden's last day of Kindergarten!

Caden's last day of Kindergarten, the morning of.

Our last drop off with Mrs. Walker

Our last time watching him run to play on the Kindergarten playground, as a Kindergartner

Coming in for Star Day and having a moment with Ms. Dee Dee ;-) (love this pic!)

What a great year you have had Caden! Love you my Prince!

Well...

it goes without saying, I just can't get on here like I used too!

VBS started tonite! "The Big Dig" I know our New England family would love that theme ;-)

Construction signs, yellow tape, orange cones everywhere, it's so cute! Well Chandler really has been a mini Big Dig since we moved here, so it's really fitting. I was just noticing today how nice it was to travel on roads that once were dug up and narrow with 'left and right' signs everywhere. It was not only annoying but confusing!! Still about a year left it seems and it should be done, we hope!

So, VBS. I am with Teagan and her class which is the 3's. It was great! I loved that we had our own agenda and weren't in the mainstream of traveling to each event for the night. We did have story time, craft, snack, and my favorite, playground time ;-) Riordan had a rough rough morning and did not want to go to his new Sunday School class (the just graduated to the next grade) and I was sure he wouldn't stay with his class tonite. The bribe of VBS bucks is wonderful! They earn them for all sorts of things and can spend them at the end of the week! Caden had a rough day too. Dropped off at a birthday party this morning and got hurt, but wouldn't explain what happened really and he missed us. He got a bellyache at VBS tonite and had to be brought to me 30 mins before it was over. He was so upset, again missing me and I think hungry played a factor even though we ate before we left. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for him.

Yesterday we had our first ever family photo session and it went amazingly well! Aislinn, of course, wanted nothing to do with Tracy at the beginning and did not want to listen to us. Caden got really thirsty and cried, so Mike ran back to the car to get water we brought, thank God! But other than that they did what they were asked of and Tracy has a small preview of us thus far! She has such an amazing eye and we will be using her everytime!! 

Last night I went out after to meet up with my girls for Heather and Monica's birthday celebration at Oregano's! We had such a great time, before we knew it, it was after 11:30! I got about 5 hours of sleep last nite, yikes!

Caden had his last day of school on Wednesday and he just warms my heart. He stood with his boys, Cayden and John John, and they sang so loudly and so well! It was fun to watch! Then we went back to their room to receive certificates and eat cake ;-) When it was time to leave Caden started to cry (if you haven't figured it out he is really intuned and sensitive). He said he didn't want to leave and he wanted to be the last one to leave. He gave his teacher Ms. Dee Dee the biggest hug I have ever seen him give to anyone who wasn't family and it made her tear up! She's the greatest! Then, we were the last to leave, he and I and he gave Miss Williams a great big hug as well and promised to come see her next year, which is in 7 weeks friends. We are year round school here! Of course come Thursday he was glad to be out and he and the zoo seemed to have the best time ever with Julie!! I came home and they were all squealing sounds of joy!

The rest of the week was the norm with working out, dance, and stuff. 

Mike goes to Las Vegas on Tuesday till Thursday, for work, which he will then pick up his parents from the airport after he lands and they are here for a week! They came in for Teagie's recital which is Saturday!! We can't wait to see them!! 4 more sleeps ;-)

The kids have a birthday party on Sunday afternoon for John John, which should be a fun time!

I have lost our movie tickets for our Monday Movies and I'm devastated! We were to be meeting our friends and now we aren't! I can't take the chance of waiting at the last minute with four children to get in. We have to have tickets. Not sure if they still have them, but I can't take them tomorrow and be told they are out. Going to ask my friend if she can check and then buy them for us again! Darn! So tomorrow we will do, I'm not sure yet! I am meeting a friend early in the morning for a run at the park, since Bootcamp is on break this week. Teagan has her last dance class on Wednesday before her recital, which we have to do a dress reheresal of on Friday. Fingers crossed she doesn't get stage fright ;-)

Panic sets in!

I am driving home today from dropping by Caden's school to drop decorations for their Star Day next week, and the garage door won't open! I'm pushing and pushing and thinking angry thoughts in my head. It's hot out!  I want to park in the garage! 

I go in the house, and it's really quiet. The children and Julie are outside and none of the ceiling fans are going, I'm hot, and I start to flip a switch. It doesn't come on, and at this moment I figure out that the power is off! Shoot!

Julie says that it's been off for a good 5 or so minutes. My first thought was they screwed up and shut off our power LOL. I just paid the bill, on time, like month after month. Then I wildly start thinking, it's so hot we were having a black out!

It is so interesting how my brain can jump to so many conclusions in a blink of an eye. I check the breaker, nothing unusual and I even flip it. But I notice that the meter, which is digital, is off as well. So it had to be outside the home. I called SRP and they said that someone had hit a main power source in our area and it would be 2 pm before it was restored. It was 12 pm.

PANIC sets in now, as I calmly got off the phone. Do we stay or do we go? We live in Arizona and no power, means no a/c and no a/c with 100 degree temps and little people = dangerous. Plus, does Caden's school have power? Do they have a generator? I have never thought to ask these questions before.

After 10 minutes of waiting, I was ready to load everyone up, go get Caden, and show up at Mike's hotel up North in Scottsdale where he has a conference til Saturday. As soon as I came up with the plan, the power came on! Praise the Lord for power and how blessed we are to live in a country where it can easily be taken for granted where many people in this world don't even have the luxury.

A great week!

The boys made it home really late Sunday night and boy were they exhausted from traveling all day. I really would love for Mike to post about their trip, he had some really cute stories!

Monday we had a family morning and just stayed in our PJ's until it was time to go to our great friend's the Tripp Family for a pool and bbq fun time! It was great! Caden really can swim, even though he says he can, he's still lacking confidence, but he can get where he wants to go. Riordan won't try anymore and Teagan had an incident where she went under and she was trying to swim! Jeff got her and pulled her to safety. It reminded me when Caden had his couple of incidents when he went under and as hard as he was kicking and moving his arms, it got him no where. I have the 'twins' signed up for swim lessons in July with their friends Ryan and John. That should be fun for them and hopefully not any tears! 2 weeks of 5 days in a row, one hour sessions! Aislinn wasn't so sure about the water at first but she got to splashing big time and I was ready to hand her off ;-)

Speaking of Aislinn, I think we finally have a left handed child!! Mike and I are both left handed and secretly wanted at least one of our children to follow along like us. We have even teased that we would tie someone's right hand behind their back to get it! Well, we had noticed for quite some time she favors her left hand, and now it's just so obvious. Everything she does with eating, coloring, and painting is dominantly done with her left. If you put it in her right, she switches to her left! Notice in the pictures? I got a wild hair and decided it would be fun to paint tonite, and they all did so well with not making a mess! I was proud and will probably get it out again soon.

Caden is on the homestretch of school and now he has no more homework for the rest of the year! I can't believe how fast this year has gone by!

Mike has a conference up in Scottsdale til Saturday beginning tomorrow and he will stay the night. So we are on our own! We have my friend Michelle and her daughter Sydney coming over Friday night for movie night! "Hotel for Dogs"! Can't wait!

Aislinn has spoken full sentences today! "I want to watch "Spectacular!" Now she doesn't come up with this on her own, she is repeating what her sister or brother's are saying, but it is so surely what she is saying and it cracks me up! She's hilarious!

Riordan is still having a rough week adjusting, so hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for him. I feel bad for him and don't want him to regress. Praying for him that this is just a minor setback on his journey of life.

Tomorrow I am up early for Bootcamp and then a session with Joe soon after. This week I have been exhausted. I have been working out a lot, mostly 2 hours a day, but I won't stay like this. Just with Mike gone last week and this week, I have make ups to do. I did sprint for the first time ever this week since February and I did not only great, but I still have had NO pain! Praise the Lord, I am back!! But still not getting crazy ;-) It's nice for sure though! I am so sore from all the work I have done this week, I don't know how I will get through tomorrow! I think a massage is in order!!

Again, I feel like a broken record

Because I have not posted in a long time. I let the days get away from me!

I have been back to working out this past month and feeling really good. Had an issue again with my leg, but I added running in too soon I think and the moment I backed off of running it went away, tendinitis. So now I just do Bootcamp, jog not sprint in there, and train with Joe. I have two weeks left with him. I'm so glad I went back for reconditioning with him. I couldn't have gotten the motivation back without his training and him wonderfully holding the reins on me till it was time to go more, which was yesterday. I got to bump up to an hour of cardio at a time and actually I was ready. I got through the whole workout without modifying it. He knows what he's doing to make me wait as long as I did!

In a couple of weeks I will gradually add back running in. I finally have convinced my brain that I don't need to run to lose inches and once I started thinking that way, my inches are starting to move again. I have even convinced myself that I can give up running without giving up a piece of myself. So, with that said, I'm still doing the 1/2 marathon in October with my girls, but if I have to walk, then I walk, running doesn't have to be the 'be all, end all'. I am however really enjoying the bike at the gym and now going to look into purchasing a road bike. Used version though.

So the children have been great! Mike is on his way back home with the boys from a four day adventure in Boston! The boys wouldn't talk to me, but I hear they had a great time, all of them! I can't wait to see the pictures!

We have let Mike's barber cut the boys hair, and the last one was a great haircut and now she is permanently their barber ;-) YAY! As much as I love to cut their hair, it's become not so fun with all the hair, aggravation, and time involved. They have fun going their too. Teagan however, still won't let me trim her ends, only two haircuts in her little life of over 3 years! Aislinn's hair, growing in all different lengths, so I need to get in there soon and straighten it up.

While Mike was with the boys, the girls and I have been hanging out. Yesterday we drove to Peoria to spend time with Aunt Amy, Uncle John, Maddy, and Papi. We had such a great time, the girls are soooo adorable together! John grilled out his fabulous chicken for us and Amy made her rocking guacamole. It was perfect!

The day before and Thursday, Teagan came down with a really high fever. It last about 24 hours. Here's the funny part, she wouldn't take medicine and refused to believe she had a fever. She ended up getting sick about 5 pm all over the couch, the hardwood, and the bathroom. After she was done, she opened her mouth and pointed (so seriously)," see mommy the sick is all gone. I don't have to go the doctor." She was worried all day I was going to take her there! I promised her she wasn't going, today ;-) Thankfully it was a just a small virus, but we stayed home all of Friday. Aislinn felt a little feverish, but handled it well. I cleaned out the boys closet. I have 5 bags of 3T and 4T clothing that Riordan no longer fits into, shoes galore. Trying to think if it's worth it to send to GA or just give to someone here now, and then send new stuff in a few years ;-) What do you think?? I did give a couple of bags for 4T to a friend who just had a little girl last week. I am giving her two bags of shoes today, and dinner ;-) She has no idea about the shoes! Oh and by the way, Riordan ended up with a fever in Boston on Friday as well! So they laid low that whole day and missed going on the infamous "DUK Tour". They didn't know they were going, sooo that worked out great.

Riordan, speaking of, has officially graduated from weekly OT and is now 'as needed'! What a great moment for us! He still has issues, that we know will always be, but he is doing such much better with transitions. Well, mostly. The boys won their football Championship a couple of weeks ago for football and Riordan literally emotionally lost it in front of all our friends when they were handing out their 1st place trophy's and taking a group photo. The coaches even got them 'Scorpion' t-shirts that said Champions on it. He wouldn't take a picture. Now I think I'm to blame because I had to leave for my flight to Las Vegas and had left 30 mins prior to the last game ending. I did tell him I had to go, but it's transitions like this that through him off. And not that I'm glad, but I think our football friends think I was crazy saying Riordan has sensory issues, because the whole season he did amazing! He transitioned, he participated, he laughed, he ran! He never freaked out on anyone! So they saw what life used to be like for us with him. I'll take it though!

Caden has his graduation from Kindergarten on June 3rd, they call it "Star Day". They have a special performance they will put on and then a party in his class room. It should be so much fun! He seriously has grown so fast in the past month, we measure on my body to where he stands at and he and I were both shocked where he is now since last month! Top teeth loose, and one surely will let go in the next month if he keeps working on it. The bottom adult teeth are almost all the way in! He really wants to play baseball in the Fall. We really want him to play Football so Riordan would play one more time with him, but Riordan says he wants to play piano. We are going to do what they want ;-) Now to find someone who will teach a 4 year old Piano! Normally it's not till 6 or 7 around here, but he's so painstakingly perfect with everything, I think he could do it. Plus he has always had a huge love of stringed instruments since he was 2. It's time to do this for him.

Teagan. She has been so funny lately. She' really coming out of her painfully shy stage it seems and warming up to friends faster than before. She absolutely loves dancing to her recital song. She says the funniest things! She is quite perceptive for 3 too. I know they are mine and I'm biased, but the wise things that come out of their mouths is so absolutely astounding to me. I need to start writing them down again. Because of course it's escaping me as I type.

Aislinn has become quite the talker the past couple of weeks. I remember reading a friends blog on how her son just exploded with words just recently as well, and then Aislinn did. He's a few months older, so I was kind of expecting it ;-) But wow, she gets down the syllables so well! 'Cheeseburger', 'Yo Gabba Gabba', "Riordan", "Teagan", all of these with such great pronunciation too. She LOVEs to open the door for Julie when she is going home. Every time, "Ju Ju, door!" She blows kisses and says good bye to everyone, but won't give a friendly hello in fact buries her head still. She is so sweet and yummy, but can turn on us on a dime! She hits me to get my attention, granted, I'm not paying attention to her, so after saying my name 1,000 times she resorts to this. She still hits Teagan though. Mostly over toys. Today we bought her a play stroller. I pray this will help with the fights between the girls.

I went to Vegas last weekend for a friend, Rebecca's Girls weekend. I was only there 28 hours though, and that's really all I needed. We stayed at the Wynn and it is where I will always stay. The rooms are enormous and beautiful! The bathroom is as big as a regular hotel room and this was standard! We did the club circuit between Wynn and Encore: XS, Blush, and Tryst. They are exactly what you would expect out of a Las Vegas club. Extraordinary waterfalls, decor, seating, lighting, etc. Sophisticated and elegant with great music. I will have to say, that it's a young crowd for the most part and after awhile I was done with meeting people who had just turned 21! LOL But XS was my favorite. All white, 'beds' on the pool that you could sit on and just take a look at all around you. We could even see it from our room and it was magical. After my night with the girls, my brother and his wife picked me up and I spent the day with them on Sunday. I got to go on Base where he works and see their home they bought. Vegas homes look like Phoenix homes! They have done so much with the backyard, it looks great! And we did a lot of eating, which was good for me to soak up everything I did the night before. I can't wait to go back. I think late August is when I'm headed off for another girls trip there!

Let's see, Mike went on Caden's field trip to Phoenix Children's Museum and it was cut short due to someone driving the wrong way down I-10 after robbing a bank and hitting a truck. Shut down the highway and they were delayed almost 2 hours of getting there. So they ate lunch, walked around for an hour and came back to school. Caden didn't seem to want to go back.

I've gotten out a few times for a friend's baby shower, her fourth and a girl, which she just had her this past Tuesday! So happy for them! I went to dinner with a few girlfriend's to Zinc Bistro up in N.Scottsdale and HIGHLY recommend it to any and all! It was superb and I can't wait to go back there! I love my foodie friends! So fun to eat all the yummy things and eat all at all the most wonderful places. If you haven't figured it out by now, I love very well thought out food with a nice Pinot Noir. To me, that is Bliss. I went to the movies with my girls to see 'Ghost of Girlfriends Past'. Cute movie, a little slow, but Matthew always is worth my screen time ;-) We had a swim date for Riordan's classmates and that was so fun! I took Teagan and Riordan and they did so well in the water. I am trying to sign them up for swim lessons again this summer. Our place we always went to won't return my 3 emails. Not sure what's going on there. Phone calls never get returned, so I haven't called. We are trying out a new place, a lady's home up the road. Very affordable and highly recommended!

Up this week for us: Summer Movies start tomorrow with 'Space Chimps' and then after that Family swim party at the Tripp's home! We can't wait, it's been so long and we have missed hanging out with them! Tuesday night I will get out for XXI shopping and sushi with the girls. We are looking for a special outfit for our dear friend Monica's 'Four-tini' birthday party on Saturday! Yes she's turning 40 and her amazing hubby is throwing a party in her honor! Mike and I so can't wait! He has a conference in town Thur-Sat up in Scottsdale so he will be away doing that with his boss.

Coming up: I hired a professional photographer to take our very first professional photographs as a family! I'm so looking forward to it, her work is phenomenal. That's in a couple of weeks and we are doing it at "The Farm" at South Mountain. It has a lot of 'southern charm' and a lot of SHADE which is a must for sunset pictures in June in AZ ;-) Grammy and Papa are coming in for Teagan's dance Recital which is on the 13th. We are sitting with our dear friends the Lum Lung's and I think going out for dinner after in celebration of the girls. I might see if we can just do a family get together with both families ;-) Between the two of us we 20 people! I think! A lot that's for sure. My mom comes out for her traditional 4th of July trip the 4th-7th and I'm hoping to utilize the pool across the way everyday! I know how much we all enjoy the pool and it's open this time! She missed it by a couple of weeks last year. We have a family trip with a lot of our friends to the Arizona Grand too, in July. That is going to be so much fun! A huge water park on the resort! Oh and in between all of this Mike and I will be celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary! I'm hoping that he and I can get away for a weekend, just the two of us. A lot of the resorts around here are practically giving their rooms away! Now, if only we didn't have to spend so much for four kids! Maybe if family came, that would be wonderful! We will have to see if we can work something out ;-)

Aislinn

I haven't posted in so long, and I will sometime today, but had to post of Aislinn and her sweetness!

Riordan's IV Dentist appt

Boy was it easier to do this the second time around on my heart, after Caden 2 years ago. 

Riordan wasn't happy about going to the dentist, but I kept telling him it was a sleepy appointment that would get his sugar bugs out and when he woke up he would probably see two of everything for awhile.

He got to play video games and get comfortable in his environment before they took us back. We sat and talked with our anesthesiologist, Dr. Turner, who reviewed everything.  When were ready to give him a shot, he didn't see it coming and got so upset. That was the hardest part for me. All I could do was hug him tight and whisper in his ear what a good boy he was and that I'm sorry he got a shot but remember he would get sleepy and we are going to fix his sugar bugs, over and over. When the amnesia shot started to take effect he didn't lose his muscle tone like Caden had and looked just 'stoned'. He kept  looking around and then he seemed asleep with his eyes open. They then took him back to hook up his I.V. and heart monitor.

Well Riordan's teeth were in bad shape. For the first time we finally got x-rays on him. His sensory issues never allowed him to cooperate to get x-rays, nor a cleaning or exam in the past three years. We knew he had cavities in between his front teeth and an i-tooth. Well we were looking at a lot of damage after the x-rays. Cavities so big he needed crowns and so deep he need root canals. Two root canals, four crowns, and I lost count on how many fillings. An hour and half later, I was able to go see my baby boy. He was waking up and kept rolling over towards my voice so I asked him if he wanted me to hold me. He nodded. He also kept opening his mouth and touching his teeth. He had a crown on one of the two molars on each side and on top and bottom. 

He was ready to go home, still half out of it, but able to answer questions. In the car he started to cry. His mouth hurt and his shot hurt, he kept saying. By the time, we got home he was borderline hysterical. I gave him Tylenol but it didn't really do much. I wish we could have had a pain pill! I know how I feel after a crown or root canal, and to have all that done on each side at one time, had to be unbearable and sensory overload for him! It killed me how upset he was. But finally about 3 hours later he had calmed down and ate soup. Food always helps! Later that day we kept talking about how his new teeth were going to help him run faster and pull flags in football, because he didn't want to look at them. By night time at teeth brushing time, he wanted to see them. Caden wanted some in his teeth! LOL 

I also remind him now that if he brushes teeth and lets me help he will never have that kind of appointment again. Two days later, his shot still hurts him and I think the IV site too, but he's unclear that was really there. 

And he now hates the dentist for real! LOL

Disneyland 2009

What a great trip we had!

Let's start with the fact that the children did not know Grammy was coming! We had arrived at our hotel in record time, after a great ride ~ I was so amazed at how well they all did! We were all hungry so we said let's get lunch! Mike took them all to the bathroom and Grammy arrived! I went to get her in the lobby and when we came back Mike was entertaining them at the table with a surprise supposedly in his hand. Then he said to them that their surprise was 'right there' and pointed at Grammy! The looks and reactions were absolutely priceless! Caden was the most entertaining, he literally sat at first like 'whatever' and then exactly a minute later it registered that he didn't know she was coming and she was there! So funny! Riordan and Teagan were overjoyed and ran up to immediately for hugs! By the end of lunch Aisie was giving out smiles and getting closer ;-)

I have to say that having Grammy there made the BIGGEST difference ever! It was a busy time at Disney and we were making our way quickly, never slowly, and always waiting. Quickly using "Hurry up and wait" and "Disneyline". We did so much on our first day! We rode the Teacups, Alice in Wonderland, but Riordan didn't want to ~ too scary~ so he and Mike waited the hour long line for Dumbo and Teagan ended up joining them. Then we all rode the Carousel together and decided to go check out our room. Well we did it at the wrong time during the parade and we got stuck for a bit and a little frantic as we tried to make our strollers ~ three of them~ through the crowds. At one point a shoe was lost, but found and tears were spilled but we got through and started our way back to the room. 

This is our third visit and I loved these rooms the best and they were considered standard! We had a wonderful view of Downtown Disney and a PERFECT view of the skyline to watch the fireworks! We had been planning to come back to the park to watch them, but lucked out and we got to sit on our balcony!! But I jump ahead a bit.

We were all hungry and tired. We opened a bottle of champagne, ordered from a local pizzeria, which unbeknownst to us that Mike would have to go down to the lobby with all four children to pick it up, while Grammy and I went to find her a jacket.  It was chilly the whole time but for about 5 hours of the day. After we ate, we all went down to the Disney Store and found treats for all the children. By the time we made it back to the room it was almost time for fireworks! It was perfect and about halfway through they lost interest, so I'm really glad we were in our room! Aislinn went to bed during it! Mike and I had planned this entire time to go back out once everyone went to sleep, but as much as I wanted to go, I also didn't want to go. I was exhausted and didn't want to be that tired for the next day. So we called it a night!

Riordan decided that he was going to sleep in Grammyma's room!! She had bunk beds in her room as did us, and so both Caden and he got the top bunks. We thought that was the attraction, but water spilt on his bed the second night, and he still slept in her room on the bottom bunk, which he could have done in our room because Teagan slept on the trundle. That just touched me so, he feels so safe with her, that he loves his Grammy so much that he loved sleeping in her room.

We had to be up early for our Story Tellers Breakfast with Chip and Dale and the Characters from "Brother Bear". The children still haven't seen this movie, so they still don't know the characters but enjoyed them!! This is really a great breakfast buffet with fresh fruit and made to order omelets and Mickey Waffles. We thought it was a Magic Morning, due to the fact it was on the Disney Website Calendar, but it was not. So hung out in the room till it was time to go!

We rode the newly updated "It's a Small World" but it was girls only. Caden is still traumatized from our first trip and getting stuck in there for 30 mins. Freaked out Riordan, so neither wanted to go. We girls loved it though! They had added Pinocchio, Ariel, Nemo, Lilo and Stitch and a few other characters and all in the same theme as all the other dolls. It was really well done and didn't take away from the aura of this sweet ride. Teagan and Aislinn were in just awe, I loved watching their faces and seeing them point to everything.

We made it to Toon Town after waiting for it to open all morning. Caden, Teagan, Mike and I rode the little roller coaster in there, our first time! We loved it!  They played around a bit and then we decided to go wait in the very very long line to see Mickey. Well we lost Riordan for just a couple of minutes, but long enough that I was yelling for him and pushing people out of the way in the house, thinking he may have gone through. He was still outside on the porch hanging out. Teagan was crying, Aislinn was crying, and I wanted to cry. At that point we all said forget it and realized it was noon and everyone needed to eat. Got some turkey dogs and then headed to hotel for naps. The girls went down and sweet Grammy stayed and we took the boys to California Adventure park.

We rode the Big River Raft ride! I was so surprised at the boys for wanting to do it! It was SO much fun, the boys were loving/hating it the entire ride. Riordan got soaked, I followed in second, Mike third, and Caden was hardly wet. They however, never want to go back on it ;-) Buy some towels and we headed to the pier to play some games. Caden got a flaming football painted on his face. While we were there, I was so not prepared for this trip, we realized Toy Story Mania was there and got in that line! Was it ever worth it! It's a 3-D ride/shooting game! It was a bit too stimulating for Riordan so he said he just wanted to watch me shoot. The 3-D was amazing, you really thought things were coming at you! We then headed back to the room where Teagan was awake and needed to wake Aislinn so we could go back to Disney. Seriously, with young children, it pays to stay right there next to the park! We had actually thought we could do it a mile away and once getting there realized how wrong we were.

We order a bit of room service for the children, quickly ate (everything was about being quick, I told ya ;) and headed to ride Winnie the Pooh. Well of course as we got ride to the seat, Riordan had to pee! LOL So off he and Mike went and we all went. By the time we got through, Riordan wanted to go, so Grammy stayed with Aislinn. Okay why we didn't all go is now confusing to me! I think because Caden at first wasn't going to ride and then decided to? We made our way to Fantasyland and everyone but Riordan went to ride Peter Pan, so I stayed with him. Another must not miss ride and I was soooo happy to hear that Grammy absolutely loved it, even though, once again it was a long wait. Riordan and I rode the now lovingly called, Flying Horses and then long line Dumbo. By the time they were done with Peter Pan we had just started Dumbo! Then we went back to the Caroseul for the last ride of the night. We were all once again exhausted, but happy. 

Now I don't want to paint a perfect picture here, there were a lot of whining, fighting over stroller rides (really should have brought our double), tears, and frustration, but considering what we had to wait through all the time and all the walking, it was pretty well handled and we didn't lose it too much.. Too much that is ;-)

Tuesday morning was definitely a Magic Morning so we had bagels and fruit in our room and got ready to go RACE to 'Finding Nemo'. We did it with just Aislinn's stroller too so we didn't get in a 2 + hour line! This was a true test and everyone did amazing! Race we did and we only had a 25 minute wait. That is just crazy to type! I promised them if they didn't complain that we would get strollers right after the ride. And we did! We then headed over to CA to ride Monsters, Inc and then see Playhouse Disney show. It was our lunch with the Princesses and we were all excited! We still had time so we stopped off in 'It's a Bug's Life' to ride some rides. Well Aislinn did not like being separated from me the entire trip. I have to say it was taxing too. She would literally lose it if anyone else pushed her in the stroller, I was always holding her. Very few moments would she stay with Mike or Grammy but the minute she saw me she'd lose it. Talk about separation anxiety! Well so Mike and I were going to take Teagan and Riordan on the bumper cars and Aislinn got so upset she threw up all over herself. That's my child for sure. Every single one of them get sick when they are upset, just like me! So Mike had to take her back to the room, and it was just Riordan and I on the ride. Teagan was VERY upset about that. I never got a chance to take her back on that ride, because it was time for our Princess lunch.

Two beers later for each of us, no not the children, sitting outside on the patio, shaded, was totally a wonderful afternoon. We saw Ariel, Cinderella, Belle, Jasmine, and Aurora. The food there has greatly improved! Now it's definitely worth the price! However, we were disappointed we did not see Snow White like we have the other two visits or Mary Poppins :(

A late afternoon so we headed back to the room for naps again for the girls. We went back out with the boys to play in the water at It's a Bugs Life. Riordan fell and got some nice skidding boo boos on his knees and was done playing. Caden kept on for a bit. We walked around for a bit and came up the Jellyfish ride. It's like the Great Gasp back at Six Flags for you Georgians ;-) but not nearly as high. Riordan was my buddy and he absolutely loved it! I however realized that I didn't slip his seat belt through his legs, it's not necessary if your head reached a point on the bar, and I was terrified he would slip out because he was very jumpy on it. Thankfully we made it out okay. Off to Mullholland Madness which we thought was just a lot of curvy turns type roller coaster. It was very thrilling and you felt like you would jump the tracks at any moment, and then all of a sudden we had a huge drop down! I was totally 'every man for themselves'. Poor Caden, my buddy, was crying at this point and I wanted to cry too, but came to my senses quickly that he was my priority, and not my fears ;-) The girls by this time had woken up and so we headed back to the room to get ready for another character dinner!

We headed to Goofy's kitchen and along the way we just had to stop into the Lego store for the boys who got to pick out two cool sets from sweet Grammy. Goofy's kitchen was fun and we got to see Goofy, Pluto, Chip, Dale, and the Fairy Godmother. I think I'm forgetting someone, mommy brained. Dinner was the same to me, not amazing, I was hoping it had improved like Ariel's Grotto, but we all enjoyed it immensely. Another long day and we were ready to go to bed. But not before hitting the Disney Store one more time and getting the girls a gift from sweet Grammy! Teagan got a Belle miniature with interchanging dresses and Aisie got a baby Tinkerbell with an attached blanket. It was so cute!

The next morning Mike and Grammy put the boys Legos together and Teagan played with her Belle doll. We packed up everything and took Grammy down to the lobby to say our goodbyes. Aislinn finally let Grammy hold her and she gave her so much love. She just laid on her for the longest time, it was absolutely so sweet. After she left, Caden got very upset. He is just so sensitive to the people in his life, it's quite an endearing quality I love so much about him. He really gets it.

We went back to Disney Land for one last time and on our agenda was to meet Tinkerbell and friends in Pixie Hollow! We had no idea, I really wasn't good at researching this trip! It was an hour wait, but everyone was amazing! We for the first time on the trip, just strolled through Disney instead of being in a hurry the entire time to get in a line. Mike took the boys and Aisie on the Tea cups, while Teagan and I tried for Madhatter Bobsled ride. The line was way to long and she needed a potty break. So we instead decided on Alice in Wonderland. By the time Caden was off the Tea Cups he joined us in line. We then rode the flying horses one more time and then we left to go to California Park  for High School Musical 3 show. Turned out the time was wrong on our info and it was going to be another 35 minutes before it started. It was already 1:15 and we didn't want to hit traffic. We decided to leave with a bribery for Caden. We would buy him the movie. He was all for it and we just think Caden rocks. He was always comprising the whole trip with pretty much everything with siblings. It was the least we could do.

Here are pictures from the trip. We can't wait to go back! Grammy, we can't thank you enough for coming with us! Can't wait for our next trip!!

Rest In Peace

To our beloved Uncle Don... what an amazing man he was and he will be so very missed by many...

He passed away yesterday, with his family with him.  Mike is headed to Boston tonite to celebrate his life.. We know Uncle Don will be keeping an eye on all of us! Love you!

4 more sleeps!

We can not wait! 4 more sleeps till Disney Land!

We are beyond thrilled and just ready to break away from our 100 degree temps we have been having. Boy it is hot and it's only April! The a/c has been running hard already. But we thank God for it!

Football last weekend was so hot, we need shade desperately and so do the boys I think. We have umbrellas for our chairs and it helps a lot, just need more umbrellas! We got a few videos from the game, so I have to try and upload them on here. I got Riordan's fumble and Caden's flag pull! So cute!

We had Teagan's friend Kate's birthday party on Monday. Such a fun time, amazing but not surprising spread of food done by Jen! And they all played so well together too! 

That night we had such sad news from our dear Julie. Her friend passed away in ICU after being in there for a month. She had lymphoma originally, and did well through chemo, however she developed viral, bacterial, and fungal issues that just over took her already battered body. Her name was Heather and she left her family at 21 years of age. So sad. So with that, Julie got to say good bye to her, which is a huge gift and without question the night off. I learn so much from Julie every time I see her, such a wise young lady she is.

I got to go to Jen and Debbie's  birthday dinner after all that night at Oregano's. A very good time and such great food and it never ceases to amaze me how inexpensive it is there! We eat like royalty for so cheap! Faith and I decided that we are going to attend the theater together. I have always wanted to get back to it, it's been so long, since we moved from Georgia really! So first on our list is Wicked! Can't wait!

Tonite I'm off with Kristi and Kelly for a little shopping and some sushi! I need to find a bathing suit and a dress for Vegas next month for Rebecca's Divorce Party Weekend! We are staying at the Wynn, I'm so thrilled to check it out! And I am staying a bit longer to hang with my brother and his wife and see their new house! How perfect!

Tomorrow is Art Masterpiece in Caden's classroom then Mike has a dinner meeting tomorrow night and then Friday I train with Joe and that night is football practice and the game Saturday morning. Then to pack up the car! I pray we have it back or we are taking our rental mini van! I have to say, I really have enjoyed driving it around, it just feels so open and roomy!  The children especially love the automatic sliding doors, they think they are so cool. The car went into the body shop on Monday to finally get repaired from when we got hit up in Flagstaff by the snow plow.

Then Sunday we hit the road! I can't wait to see what new and fun things we experience in the most Magical Place on Earth!

DBack's pictures

Teagan's hotdog, yummy!

Riordan so happy to be here!

Caden too!

We are all waiting patiently for the shade to come in, which it did very soon after this..

Caden swinging away!

 

Girls watching the action

Teagan got a chance to hit as well!

Caden running the bases

Caden playing again

Riordan in yellow and Teagan to the right in pink

Before we went in! She's so cute with her pretty!

I love these kinds of shots

Football got rained out so they played on the computer

Hit Hard

(It is now the 14th, I started this on the 9th!)

With strep and some other kind of icky yucky fever thing.

Caden began last Friday first thing in the morning, high fever, nothing else.

I left to go on the Retreat for Boot Camp Babes and in the middle of the night I realized he had strep. Sure enough he woke up the next day with a stomach ache and high fever again.

Mike loaded all four children in the car and took him to urgent care!

He tested positive and got started on meds.

I came home Sunday after a nice weekend with new friends. We hit two birthday parties, busy busy! By Sunday night I was wiped out as was the rest of us.

Monday was uneventful until I got a call to come get Riordan from school. He got sick. I immediately began to think he had strep as well. As the day went on, he was still fine! Turns out it was his anxiety and he even told me that he really missed me. Makes since I had been gone all weekend :(

In the middle of the night Monday Teagan woke up fever and throwing up. She had a well check at 8:30 on Tuesday so that kind of worked out great. She wouldn't swab, she got really upset but Dr. T gave us antibiotics. She was so lathargic all day, made me so worried. Finally by dinner time she was coming back around. I was beginning to not feel so hot but I didn't say much of anything. Tuesday when I brought Teagan back from the doctor's I got a call from Caden's school that he had a low fever and was lathargec as well. I went and got him and now we had two zoo members on the couch. Caden made it to his room and slept most of the day!

That's what I wanted to do! Then Aislinn had a fever! Oh my goodness!

Wednesday no one went to school or dance. Riordan still doing great, didn't want to go because we were all home. I had a fever and stayed in bed all day. We had our Bootcamp Babes night that night with our hubs and I really wanted to make that! We did but I was not feeling so hot and by 9 pm I was so tired. We came back home and I was so hot from fever. I was in bed again on Thursday, only to take Aislinn for her well check. Her fever was gone finally. My fever kept coming and going. Plus I was not feeling well. Thursday night began a headache. It was bad.

Friday morning I went to urgent care as did Caden because he banged his hand, hard, on the night stand and it was swollen and we were afraid it was broken. I tested negative for strep, but he put me on antibiotics anyway since I had a fever for now 3 days! And everything was inflammed, nose, ears, throat. By Friday afternoon my head hurt so badly, it felt like my brain was trying to bust out of my skull. My neck hurt. I felt like I have been sleeping on rocks since Wednesday! By 7 pm I wanted to cry but I couldn't even move. I told Mike that I had old migraine meds in the pantry and I would try them, if they didn't work I was going to the ER.

They were 6 months expired, but deseperate times call for desperate measures! I took one and two hours later I was feeling a little relief. So when I could take more I took two and that really was a lot of relief!

The boys game got rained out on Saturday and again I was in bed all day long. Fever finally broke, but head still hurt and now I was coughing and sneezing. I feel like I got 3 things on top of each other!

Today is the first day I am out of bed and actually going to attempt to get out of the house to work out! My head is still tender from pain and I'm still a tiny bit dizzy, but I push on ;-) 

Sunday we took the zoo to the Diamond Back's game! It was such a nice day and they had so much fun playing in the Sand Lot in the upper level! We were there early so we could do fun things. Caden, Riordan, and Teagan went into a batting cage and played wiffle ball. So cute! Aislinn missed her nap and was starting to get cranky. Plus I forgot a sippee cup! Darn! We made it to our seats, in the sun. Blazing, no sun block. Mike kept going out for things, food, sunblock, potty breaks. And the game hadn't even begun!

Finally it did and it was turning out to be a great time. The shade moved in, Aislinn was trying to fall asleep on me and we were all watching the game. Then Aislinn melted down. It was the bottom of the 1st inning. Mike took Aislinn up and Teagan wanted to follow but he didn't hear. She was running from me, I was trying to catch her and a lady put her arm out to stop her. Teagan freaked out. Mike heard us finally and Teagan caught up to him. After 5 mins, I look up and he is waving for all of us to come up. He was done. It was the top of the 2nd inning. Caden and I were heartbroken. I promised him I would bring him back and we would stay for the whole game!

The rest of our Sunday was casual, I was back in bed, I had so much head congestion and dizzyness. I have not been this sick in a long long long time!

We decided on Sunday though that we are taking an impromptu trip to Disneyland! In less than two weeks! We got a great deal on our favorite hotel too! The kids are beyond excited as are we! AND Grammy is coming in to join us! They don't know yet, we were going to make it a surprise when we all meet up at the hotel! ;-) YAY!!

Great info!

Please read this posting from my friend's blog on Embryo Adoption!!

Absolutely glorious news!! And hope getting this word out educates that there IS

another alternative than implanting all embryos or throwing them away like 'Octo-mom' has so misinformed the public!!! 

Please pass this on your blog too! 

Our day today...

Took Caden to the library today to do research on his first ever report! His subject: Allosaurus.

It's carnivore eating dinosaur if you didn't know! So the cutest thing happened. We were going to check out the book and I didn't have my card. 

The librarian said I could replace it for a fee, because I really have no idea where it is. Then I go, how old does Caden have to be to get one. She said, whenever you are ready! 

Caden's face was priceless! So I go Caden would you like your own library card? He nodded his head slowly with a big, are you serious look on his face.

My favorite part though is how the librarian asked HIM all the questions for his card and when he could answer instead of her wanting an answer from me, she prompted him with more questions or even a suggestion! So grown up and so proud of him!

First report and first book ever checked out in one day! I know it's the little things apparently over here. 

I just will never tire of the countless ooo's and ahhh's of raising children and watching the world through their eyes.

What an interesting start I had today. I completely spaced Riordan's OT appointment and at about the same time I remembered, they called to see where we were. I was mortified! Thankfully they were beyond understanding and told me that it does happen and they will see us next week.

I had an appointment with my OB today and I told her my concerns with my stress fractures. I also have a few other presenting issues, that I really didn't think were serious and have counted them as side effects from working out,  and together she said could be hypothyroidism. Soooo they drew blood for that today. She said, let's start there and see where we go. So glad I brought it all up. It goes to show you that the more help and perspective you can get the better.

I go back and see Dr. Davis next Thursday at 9:40, please don't let me forget, or Riordan's appointment for that matter! Ugh!

Last night with Natalie was so nice! We went to the wine bar 'Down Under' by Dolce and had a really nice glass of Pinot Noir. Ironically it's an Oregan wine, which is my favorite place usually for them! We then headed to Dolce where I got my hair done and she got a facial. Back up a few hours and my amazing husband did something so special for me yesterday! I woke up with a horrible headache and my neck and head feeling like it had fused together, not being able to move without pain. I slept wrong. He booked me a massage, showed up at dance class and told me in front of my girls that I had an appointment at noon! Talk about scoring big time! So after Dolce we got Kona take out and came to the house for the children to see her. It was so nice to spend time with her and for her to drive out to see us all the way from N. Scottsdale! Hope the rest of her stay is going well! She's back in May and I plan on coming out to see her at the Biltmore ;-)

We got some big news today, but we are waiting till it's a for sure for sure before I put it on here and we want that news told by the news holders to the zoo ;-) They have no idea until you tell them!! I can't wait to spill the beans and NO ONE is pregnant! tee hee hee

Will my legs ever heal?

I did what I was told to do. I worked out. I wasn't crazy, I took it easy. I did two days back to back of elliptical and one day of weights for chest and back.

He said I would be achy, so I put myself in that mindset, because it had been 5 weeks since I had done anything. 

I was achy all night Saturday night, but I could sleep.

Sunday near bedtime, I was throbbing. This is how I always felt before being diagnosed finally with stress fractures, and always said something was wrong when I was being told I was fine.

I couldn't sleep it was so intense. Monday morning I was hurting, so I called the doctor. They said they'd get back to me. 

Tuesday night was a bit better than Monday, but intense pain to sit up in the bed with legs resting, like my bone was going to break in half intense. I had to call them Tuesday morning to see why I hadn't heard from them.

Someone forgot to call me, but he had reviewed my message and now I'm back to absolutely no activity till I go back in next Thursday.

Finally the tears come that I have held back since December 6th when I knew something was terribly wrong, and to my friend while driving in the car. 

I am mad, frustrated, that I have done absolutely everything I was told to do even though I was hesitant to workout. I am scared something more is wrong with me. I want a second opinion at this point. I have been with him since early January and I am still not healed?!! It's 3 months into treatment and 4 months since I got hurt! This is beyond ridiculous.

So when I got home yesterday from getting my wonderful lasering done and an XPL facial to get rid of freckles on my face!, I start to really dig deep into the world of stress fractures of the tibia. 

I am amazed and consoled at how many people take 10 weeks or more to heal and some can't even run again for 6 months to a year. Many people talk of set backs, and pain in the bone, let me tell you it is the most unnerving kind of pain, like I am being separated at the fracture site.

So now I wait, resting as much as possible, trying not to be on my feet again as much as possible, although I read somewhere that is actually good to stand a bit to aid in healing to keep the bone pressed together, makes some sense.

Tonite I have a date with one of my dear friends from back home, Natalie. We have been through a lot together and the past two times I have made it home we haven't been able to get together. She's coming down to see the zoo, then we will go and I will get my roots fixed and she will get a facial and then we are going to dinner. I can not wait! I have missed her so much!

I have a retreat I'm going on this weekend with Bootcamp, my work, up near Flagstaff. At this point I need to get away to just get away. Since I can't still do much, getting away with girls in a beautiful surrounding is going to be quite therapeutic.

I will miss football this weekend, which is sad. Riordan totally is playing!! He is amazing, adorable, and fun to watch! The coaches Friday night at practice, I wasn't there, just put him right in and he had no complaints. He LOVES football!

Saturday morning he ran the ball twice, in the wrong direction, but it was so CUTE!! All the boys on the team are treating him like a little brother and I can't be more proud of my precious boy! Caden, oh my sweet Caden is so thoughtful of Riordan even putting his flags back on when they come off! I forgot my camera so I missed out on a lot of pictures. We have a game on Easter weekend, so I will take it then. 

We went out and bought the boys football gloves, because some of our friends had some. Whatever it takes to get them more into the game! Caden got new cleats too, Riordan is about to catch up to Caden's size! Caden is a 2, Riordan is a 1!

I will miss the third game as well due to my exam being cancelled. It's slated for the 18th up in Flag. Now I'm nervous to take it because of my legs and it could get cancelled again. The person on the phone had an interesting tone when she asked if I would rather wait till May when it was in Tempe.

Oh and Easter Sunday will be our first ever baseball game as a family! We can't wait!! The children are beyond thrilled and what an eventful day with the Easter bunny leaving eggs and then a baseball game?! We are attending church on Saturday evening, due to excessive crowding by those without a church home on Sunday. 

Mike is taking the zoo to two birthday parties this weekend, so hopefully that will give him some down time while they are entertained and playing. Not sure when I get back on Sunday, but it will most likely be around lunch time.

Off to get ready for the day, take the boys to school, and the girls to dance!

Oh and most importantly get new smoke detectors installed today! Last Thursday night, we had a lot of wind, and they freaked out on Mike. Every single one was going off and he couldn't figure out how to turn them off. Had the neighbor come over, they took out all the batteries and shut off the breaker and they still wouldn't shut off! I'm not sure still how they stopped, but they did.  The frightening part is NONE of the children woke up. And Marco was even in their room fiddling with the alarms!

Our electrician said that he deals with this a lot and what happened is one of the smoke detectors is now faulty due to getting too much dust in it, hence the very windy day, and the best thing is to change them all out and start out fresh. I am like, do whatever you have to do!

Thankfully since they are all wired up together, which is why all sound when one is tripped, I can sleep easier knowing that I will know what's going on throughout the house even though my children do not! I know they make them with voice alarms these days " CADEN GET UP!" instead of the beeping. But honestly I don't think that will get them up either, they sleep like rocks when I want to wake them! How is that, but if they hear other kids playing in the house say during nap time, they wake up?! I think it's because they don't want to miss out on any fun ;-)

One more

Riordan surprisingly has a passionate love for lego building characters! He plays for 2 hours straight usually with his Lego Indiana Jones set.