We will just have to live with it

Today I took Rosie for her appointment with the allergy doctor. She was retested for her peanut allergy and it came back positive.

We expected this.

Then the doctor told me that I should not hope for her to outgrow this allergy. I didn't expect to hear that, but I'm not going to let it get me down. We've been living with this for two years now and doing pretty well, I might add.

The good part of today was that I was able to spend several hours with Rosie. We read books at the doctor's office (we were there for two hours), we ate lunch together and then I took her to our favorite toy store. I observed her mimicking my mannerisms several times - something I hadn't noticed before. All in all, it was a very sweet time with her.

Watch out for flying kisses

If you are headed northeast towards South Carolina, watch out for kisses flying through the air.

John Henry is traveling and is in South Carolina now. Yesterday morning I left to take the kids to school before he left for his trip. We said all of our 'goodbyes' before leaving. He was gone when Daisy and I got back home. When we walked into the house I noticed four post cards on the kitchen table. He had left all four children an individual card, each with a special message.

Last night Daisy was still carrying hers around with her. She asked me, "Where did Daddy sign his name?" I reread the card to her, pointing to the words as I read. She the kissed the card on top of "love, Daddy" and then continued to blow kisses and throw hugs around the room. I didn't say anything (she's a silly four year old, remember?) A few minutes later she said, "Those kisses that I was blowing in my room are flying to Daddy." I asked her what they would do when they caught up with him. Her reply was, "They are going to tickle him on his face."

Looks like it will be soccer

I talked with both boys separately without them knowing I had spoken to the brother about the same thing. They both said they do not like to play baseball. They want to play soccer. Tate even said that he would watch Lake play baseball (after our conversation I told him that Lake wanted to play soccer, too.)

So, it looks like we will be doing soccer in the spring.....

New Pajamas

And they had TURTLES on them. We HAD to get them, right?

Baseball vs. soccer

It's almost baseball season around here. In fact, registration is in less than two weeks. Since the age of 4, the boys have played t-ball and baseball in the spring/summer and soccer in the fall/winter. We tried basketball one winter and it just didn't work out very well. John Henry and I think that the boys need organized sports. We also think that they need exposure to different sports while they are young and then they can decide which they enjoy and want to pursue as they get older.

As I was taking Lake to school this morning, he informed me that he wanted to play spring soccer rather than baseball. He moves up this year to the 'kid' pitch league and is apprehensive. He is an incredible baseball player. He's a good soccer player, too.

So, should I let him make this decision? He's nine years old and in the third grade.

I plan on having a conversation with Tate (out of earshot of Lake) to see if he feels the same. I can't make him play soccer just because his older brother didn't want to play baseball this year. Thankfully the soccer fields are adjacent to the baseball fields!

Oh, why does no one warn of us these things when we are wanting to have babies?? All you hear about is sleepless nights when they are little. What about when they start growing up? It doesn't get any easier, does it?

On driving a truck

John Henry is out of town - hopefully he will be back tonight or tomorrow. Last week we put the van in the shop, spent $700, got the van back. It is still not running correctly. So, now it is in the shop for a third time in less than a week.

So, while John Henry is travelling, I get to drive his truck. It's a great truck. It's a 1995 GMC, extended cab that holds all six of us. I don't usually drive the truck. In fact, I don't think I have ever driven the truck outside of moving it out of the way of the van.

Some humor from the kids about mom driving the truck:

Daisy: What's this for, mommy?
...as she grabs the sterring wheel while I am on the interstate.
(the front seat is a bench seat and she was buckled next to me)

Tate: After I picked everyone up from school he said:
Mom, you're doing a really good job of driving Daddy's truck.

Lake: Besides, mom, if you hit someone while your driving the truck it will be OK. I don't think it will do much damage since
it's such a strong truck. Well, you might hurt the other car but alteast we'll be OK.

What about Rosie? Did she have an opinion?

Nah. She needed the potty and just wanted us to hurry up and be home!

Wishing for more

When the kids got out of school Wednesday, they were greeted with a beautiful snowfall.


We only wish it had stuck around a while.


We do have the potential for a little more snow this weekend...

Chosen

First, I am not a cat person. Our family has always had dogs. The one cat my sister had when she was little died as a kitten.

A few days after Christmas we heard meowing in our carport.

Then I caught John Henry taking dog food outside.

Now? Well, see for yourself:





We haven't named this cat but I'm starting to feel like she needs a name. Oh, and when does a stray cat become ours? Is there a waiting period to make sure it stays?

She has the personality of a very gentle dog. Maybe that's why I like her.

Yes, it's that cold outside today!

We were waiting on the water to get hot enough for the hot chocolate and decided to use candy canes rather than spoons to stir. All five of us agreed that it was the best hot chocolate we have ever tasted!

Happy

On Christmas Eve, John Henry's mom kept the kids while we did some last minute shopping. When we returned home, it was time for dinner, baths and bed. The kids had such a great time with Grandma, it was no trouble getting this fun picture out of them before bed.