In 2nd Place

That's where Tate's t-ball team finished their regular season. They won the last game last night! This means that they will go to the city tournament. It's a single elimination tournament that lasts four days. Tate's game is on Tuesday.

Lake's team still has one more game on Friday night. His team is tied with another for first place but due to some factor that I don't understand the other team has the tie breaker. I think it may be the exhibition game that was played on opening day. However, they will atleast place second in the league and go to the city tournament also. Unless something changes his game will also be on Tuesday directly before Tate's game.

As for the girls - Rosie had her last dance class today. She has dress rehearsal on Friday and the recital on Sunday afternoon. Daisy just wants to swim. If the weather permits that's exactly what we plan on doing tomorrow.

Spur of the moment road trip

John Henry and I decided to take a mini vacation with the kids. We have never spent the night away from home with the kids JUST to have fun. We have either gone to family functions, weddings and such.

So, we only had two nights we could be away so we went to Chattanooga, TN. The hotel we stayed at offered a family pass to the Tennessee Aquarium. We spent most of yesterday at the Aquarium. The boys thought it was a race to the finish so we had to explain that we were going to go slow and look at things. They got to touch a sturgeon and a stingray. The stingrays got frisky and started splashing us!

Daisy, of course, loved the turtles. She thought one was trying to get out of his home because he wanted her! I eventually had to coax her away from the turtles.

We went to the IMAX theatre and saw 'Wild Africa'. I enjoyed watching Rosie try to touch the images in 3D.

After dinner last night we swam in the pool with the kids. Rosie is getting braver in the water.

This morning we went to Rock City. It's still pretty much the same place as it was the last time we went - probably ten years ago. It does have a few changes around the entrance. The boys really loved all of the rock tunnels.

Daisy was accident free for the whole trip. Well, potty accident free. Last night she fell off the bed and busted her lip. It bled quite a bit and she cried herself to sleep. Today she says it feels better.

Tonight is Tate's last t-ball game of the regular season. Go Broncos!

First day of summer break

I had originally planned on doing spring cleaning today. I knew this morning that I could easily be persuaded to do something else. Something more fun than cleaning. So, when I received a phone call and invitation to a picnic at the park, I jumped at it. We met some friends at a park roughly three minutes from our house. Today was the opening of the 'splash pad.' It was so cool! All of the kids loved it. They even ate all of their lunch!

While we were there, I called John Henry and told him about it. He's going to check the availability for Tate's birthday party. If it's not already booked we will have his party there!

Last day of school

Today is the last day of school for the boys and it is a bittersweet time for me. Yesterday I found myself with tears in my eyes over a comment on Tate's report card. His teacher wrote, "I'll miss you, little friend." She is known as the teacher that is a little rough around the edges but I am thankful that she's been in our lives. When John Henry's dad died in October she called and checked on us several times. She's also been very sweet with my girls and included them during class parties when I've had to bring them with me.

Even when I was the one in school I was always sad on the last day of the school year. I don't understand why. I know it will pass.

I'm looking forward to lazy days with the kids. We are planning on lots of swimming - it's an activity that we all agree on! I also hope to go the beach at some point - even if it's just for a short weekend trip.

Awards Day

Both boys had award ceremonies yesterday. At the same time. At different schools.

So, John Henry went to Tate's and the girls and I went to Lake's.

Tate received an award for National Physical Fitness. Only two children in his class of sixteen received this award. That is very disturbing to me - do these children go home and play video games and watch TV all afternoon and evening?

Tate also received the Voracious Reader Award for reading almost every book in Kindergarten. That's my boy!!

Lake received the Lt. Governor's Physical Fitness Award. I don't know how many in his class received this. He also received the award for Sportsmanship.

He received an award for Perfect Penmanship, A-B honor roll, and Creative Writing. The Drama Achievement Certificate was awarded to him. No, this was not a "Drama King" award! He has Drama class once a week. The most unique award he received (in my opinion) was the IB Attitude Award for exhibiting an attitude of empathy throughout the school year.

Lake also participated in the Accelerated Reader Program and earned points to be able to attend a swim party on Sunday.

All in all both boys have done very this school year. The last official day of school is tomorrow. I think we are ALL ready for summer!

"Cover my eyes"

Yesterday I took Lake, Tate, Rosie and Daisy to a birthday party. The party was for a friend of Tate's that he met while playing t-ball this year. Most of the friends I have also have large families and we all take into account siblings when planning parties so that all can be included.

This particular party had a pirate theme. A grandparent dressed up like a good pirate, had a story about a shipwreck and stolen treasure, and needed a 'crew' to help find this lost treasure. The party was near the Tennessee River, in fact we could see the water from the pavilion. I have been to another pirate party and this one was much more entertaining.

The boys had a great time. Rosie, suprisingly, enjoyed herself. She even participated in the treasure search and the games.

Daisy was not impressed.

Every time the pirate came near or she THOUGHT he was coming near her, she would grab my hand and say, "Cover my eyes!" I don't know if she wanted me to cover her eyes because she is still not using her left arm at full capacity or if she didn't trust herself to keep her eyes covered until it was safe again...

Please, no repeat of yesterday!

It started out as a normal day. I took Lake to the bus and then John Henry took Tate to school. Both girls slept until after 9:00am. I had agreed to watch Lu (almost three-year-old daughter of a good friend.) She arrived around 10:00am. All three girls were playing and having a fun time.

At one point they all ended up on Lake's bed (he sleeps on the top bunk.) Rosie and Daisy are used to the bunk beds and can climb the ladder without any problems. They also know not to jump or stand on the top bunk. Well, I told my girls to get down - I had to help Lu as she couldn't figure out how to get down the ladder. As I was helping her, I told the girls to stay off the bed. Then off they went down the hall to play in the girl's room. This happened two more times. My girls are NOT perfect by any means; however, when it comes to something like this they would normally obey. I know the bunk beds look like a tree house to a small child, especially someone that hasn't been around these kind of beds. By the third time of getting them off the bed I told them to just stay out of the boys' room. They were playing in the living room and I went to the kitchen to prepare lunch. The living room is right off the kitchen.

In less than three minutes I heard a heavy THUMP!

Immediately my stomach was in a knot. I ran to the boys' room and found Daisy on her left side but face down on the floor. The other girls were on Lake's bed. I know I shouldn't have moved her but I scooped her up and tried to see if she was OK. She was screaming and holding her head and neck with both hands. No tears, just screams. I tried to get Rosie to tell me what happened - I was holding out hope that she had fallen from Tate's bed. Finally she told me that Daisy was sitting on the rail of Lake's bed.

John Henry was near the house. When he came in I called the pediatrician and tried to explain what happened. I remember telling the nurse that I was taking Daisy somewhere and I just needed her to tell me whether to take her to the office or the ER.

The time was 11:40am. Both boys were still at school and Lu was still at my house. Her mom was in Atlanta on a field trip to see "Wicked" with Lu's older sister. John Henry took Daisy to the ER while I franticly tried to find Lu's dad. He left me three numbers but didn't answer any when I called. I called Lu's mom on her cell phone. She tracked down her husband and he came to get Lu. He's a lawyer and works near our house.

I decided to get both boys from school (remember they are at two different schools this year) and take them to my mom. I just kept thinking that I wanted everyone to be together. Thanks to Tee for getting Lake from school and meeting me half way and GiGi for finding my mom at work, I was able to get to the hospital shortly after John Henry and Daisy.

I cannot explain the feeling in my heart when I saw Daisy, my LITTLE Daisy, on that big hospital stretcher. She's been to the ER before with a fever virus when she was only a few weeks old. This was different.

The x-ray technician assistant came to take her to x-ray. This 19 year old bleach blonde with tacky eye shadow (and too much of it!) pointed to John Henry and said, "YOU can come with me." Are you kidding me?! Please.

According to the x-rays and CAT scan Daisy is fine. The ER doctor said she had a concussion by definition because she fell and hit her head. By this time she was no longer holding her head and neck but didn't want anyone near her left shoulder. When I pressed the ER doctor about her shoulder he decided to order one more x-ray of it. This x-ray didn't show any fracture either. So, we were sent home and told to follow up with her pediatrician next week. Oh, and give her ibuprofen for the pain and any swelling.

Last night when I was buckling her into her carseat she said, "Mommy, do it softly, OK?"

*Big heavy sigh*

Tooth on the loose!

Lake lost another tooth yesterday. Literally. While we were at Tate's ball game, Lake kept wiggling is tooth - to the point it started to bleed. John Henry told him to wait until we got home to pull it. Of course when we got in the van he still couldn't leave it alone. He pulled it and there was more blood. Tate, trying to be the kind brother, offered to hold the tooth while Lake dealt with the blood. (Oh, I forgot to mention that it was dark outside and by now we were driving down the road.)
Anyway, the tooth got dropped in the dark van.

After much panic and searching...

still no tooth could be found.

We stopped for dinner and then John Henry looked some more.

Still no tooth could be found.

So, we came home and told Lake that we would look more when the sun was out.

While I was in the house getting everyone ready for bed, John Henry went back out with the flashlight.

And found the tooth.

Now all is well again.


Well, except that Lake gives me a better perspective of the phrase 'snaggle tooth.'

Last day of school for Rosie

Today is Rosie's last day of school for this school year. Last night I was remembering the beginning of the school year when she would cry every Tuesday and Thursday morning. My, oh my, how she's grown this year.

So, what will I do on this last day? Plans are for Daisy and myself to meet John Henry for lunch. I also need to gather some things for Tate's class. I'm putting together 'goodie buckets' for each child. I'm including: sunglasses, a water gun, sidewalk chalk and bubbles. Does anyone have any other suggestions? We're not having a party (I'm still not sure I understand why not) so I thought this would be a nice way to end the year. I have until next Wednesday to get them together.

Yesterday Lake lost another tooth while at school. That's 5 teeth so far for anyone that's keeping up!

Daisy is rolling along with the potty....There were a few accidents yesterday but they happened at home.

Been trying to post for several days!

Every time I start to write either Daisy needs me in the potty, the phone rings or someone shows up at my door! So, I'll try again now....

I wanted to post several updates:

First and most significant to me is that Daisy is now on day six of wearing 'big girl panties.' So, it's a done deal now. There's no turning back. I officially do not have any more babies in my house. I have had diapers in the house for seven years. SEVEN years in case you missed it! That's one of the few things I WON'T miss!!
Also, Daisy has a song for every event - including using the potty, changing her clothes, getting a bath and going somewhere. All the songs have the same sing-song tune she just changes the words to fit the event.

Second, we didn't get to attend the cookout that we'd help plan for Genius' nieces. (Two graduated from college.) Instead we went to Tate's t-ball game. We had originally thought we would go after the game but when we realized the game didn't start until 6:45 it would just be too late. I really wanted to meet the nieces' parents. I've e-mailed their mom on a regular basis for several years - I'm not even quite sure how we got started e-mailing each other. She has six children and has given advice and encouragement to me when I've needed it. Well, after the game, John Henry called Genius and asked if we could come by his house for a few minutes although it was already 8:00pm. I am so glad he did! We ended up visiting until around 10:00pm. Before we left, Ma B (Genius' Mom) said she would come over to play Phase 10 with me. While most of the family has returned to Canada, Ma B and three of the girls stayed behind. I look forward to visiting with them soon!

Oh! In case we weren't busy enough (t-ball, baseball, dance recital coming up soon, the last few days of school, etc.) yesterday I decided to take the carpet up in the living room. The house is 50 years old. We have hardwoods under the carpet! It will take some work but I already love having that old yucky carpet out of here! John Henry is being such a good sport about it, too!

Busy day

This morning I went to Lake's field day. This afternoon I'm off to a 'Very Important Parent Tea' at Tate's class. Then a t-ball game and a cook-out.

That's nothing new.

The good news is this:

Daisy is two and a half years old as of yesterday and has not had any accidents today!! We came home in between the field day and tea and were talking about how well she's done today using the potty. She went to her room and took off her pull-up, got a pair of panties and put them on herself.

Could this be it??

Maybe it's true

One night last week at one of the many ball games I overheard one of the parents talking about me. They said something to the tune of, "She spreads herself too thin."
I started to ask what they meant but got sidetracked taking Rosie to the potty. I've never really had the opportunity to follow up with this parent - the comment was made behind my back. Therefore I don't know if this was a positive or negative comment. However this has really bothered me for the last several days. I am involved with all of the things my children do. I stay at baseball practice rather than drop off my boys. I stay at dance class with Rosie. I try to eat lunch with my boys at school whenever possible. I'm Tate's room mother. I'm co-room mother of Lake's class. I'm the team mom for Tate's t-ball team. I plan to help out with both boys class next year since they will be in the same school. I don't have a job outside of the home. This is what I was meant to do with my life at this moment. Be a mom. I have no doubt about that. Oh the thought has crossed my mind to take everyone out of school and home school them. Things would be (sort of) easier. I would only have to worry about my four children and not the entire class. But I can't teach them everything they need to know. Plus they enjoy the social aspect of school.

This rambling is hopeless. I feel overwhelmed. I shouldn't let that comment bother me. I hope I'm not whining...

Birthday cake and funky socks

Today is John Henry's 36th birthday! He received a coupon book for one-on-one time with each family member. He redeemed the 'date' coupon on Sunday. We went to a movie and an early dinner. My mom kept the kids. We had a fun time and are looking forward to the next date...

He redeemed his coupon for Lake today. He checked him out of school an hour early and they have gone fishing. For the kids' coupons I titled them "Gotcha" meaning I've gotcha for the day - what are we going to do? He can redeem them without the siblings complaining. After all, you can't complain about a gift you've given, right? So far it's working. No one complained on Sunday and Tate and the girls are playing nicely this afternoon.

About the funky socks: I don't usually do these kind of things but I couldn't resist the funky sock swap (thanks to Trixie!) I received my first pair of socks today. They are a dusty blue and cream stripe. Very pretty.