Nick's First Hair Cut

.........Before.................................................. After

I finally broke down and decided to cut Nick's hair. We always said we'd just shave it like Ryan's hair, but he looks so cute with a little on top, that we had left it alone for a long time. So unlike Ryan where I just use the long setting on the clippers, we used a guard on Nick's to keep it a little longer. He looks so cute and now he can't run yogurt and spaghetti sauce through his hair!

Sleeping

My kids aren't ones who just fall asleep on the couch. It rarely happens. But Emma fell asleep on the floor last week. Ryan and Nick both walked around her and she never moved. In fact, we only woke her up to eat because we were going to church afterward. Ryan has done it once before. It was during Emma's baptism weekend, with a house full of guests. Here are pics:

Ryan Sick/Emma Away

No pics to post, but news to share.

Yesterday, Ryan has his second seizure. We are unsure what the cause of it was. His previous one, which happened with he was 2 was because of a high fever that spiked. Of course, I was by myself and pregnant (Kris was at church). This time, we were at my friend Danielle's house. The kids were playing outside on their playscape. It was hot and we had just mentioned going back inside. Ryan had had an accident and been back outside only a few minutes when he fell to the ground seizing. It was one of the scariest things I've ever seen and I began shouting orders to my friend while I helped him until it stopped and then moved him inside.

My doctor said to take him to the ER, so I got him in the car, where he proceeded to throw up all over himself. About half way there, he finally came around - he had been awake and aware, but not fully there - asking why he was covered in puke! We spent the next few hours resting and having tests done. Ryan was very concerned about going back to Gracie's - which of course we had to do to pick Nick back up - but feeling better. He had a CAT scan done which showed enlarged sinuses (no doubt full of all the stuff he won't blow) but no brain issues. He also had blood work done which showed no signs of dehydration. We were released and told to visit our doctor today.

We went back to pick up Nick and Ryan did get to play a little bit (in the house). Kris got stuck in Michigan on delayed flights, so I was by myself for all this. Thank God for my friend, who did everything I shouted at her and took Nick without even needing to be asked. I am very thankful to have such a wonderful friend. Her daughter was very concerned about Ryan and made him a beautiful card.

Ryan did go to the doctor today, who ordered a stool culture to see if he has Shigella. Otherwise, Ryan has been cleared as just a febrile seizure with a little brain rest for a week. He is back to helping Daddy outside and having fun!

Emma got to miss all this commotion! On Thursday, we drove up to Lima and exchanged her with my mom. She is enjoying some alone time with them and we are enjoying some non-fighting time here. We have Skyped with her twice and she seems to be enjoying herself. We'll get to pick her up tomorrow and start all over again here. Of course, we'll be back in Michigan to visit Nana on Thursday anyway!!

Pool Time and Race Time

We've begun our summer at the Silverlake Waterpark. While we anticipated going to the pool a lot, it hasn't happened due to an outbreak of Shigella in the area which is spread at the pool. In fact, Ryan may have it. Because of it, they won't let any kids that aren't potty trained in the pool, so Nick is unable to go. But we'll live!

We have been to the pool before this happened a few times. The kids love it. Once we showed Nick how to manuever the froggy slide, he is hesitant to ever leave! But he thinks he is a big kid and will follow Emma and Ryan onto the play area where the water is sprayed all over and will even go down the little tube slide. Emma and Ryan have moved onto wanting to do the lily pads all the time, which I am unable to help them with on my own, so they can only do it while Daddy is there! They still manage to have fun and enjoy themselves though!

And it's also begun race season here. While we ran the Flying Pig events at the beginning of May, we now run more 5ks. I ran one a few weeks ago by myself, achieving my best time

ever! 28 minutes and 40 seconds. I place 41 over all and 1st in my division! I wish I would have waited around for the results (but we were going to the zoo later!). Kris ran in a 5k last weekend and made his time in 25 minutes and something. He was happy with his time and we spent the rest of the day at the park and having lunch outside.

Summer is Here and So is the Three Springs Carnival!

We've begun our summer vacation!!

Right before Ryan's last day of school, we spent Memorial Day weekend with the Harpers in PA. We were able to attend the world famous (ok Three Springs famous) Three Springs Carnival! The kids really enjoy it and we enjoy listening to them attempt the word 'carnival' for several weeks. Ryan was able to and did ride every single ride - even the upside down one which they called the 'Spinny Circles'. All the kids, even Nick, had a great time. And although I lost my wallet at the end of the night (probably due to the Spinny Circles), Kris and I had a good time too. We were the last ones there on Saturday night and enjoyed every minute. I found myself saying 'this is why I'm done with baby time' - I really liked doing things with Ryan and Emma. The kids were disappointed that Grammie had to work and wasn't able to ride rides with them, but we did get to have lunch and spend some time at the car show with her.

We attended the outdoor church service at the carnival grounds, which the kids thought was a little bizarre. Of course, Nick and Emma aren't even used to coming to church since they usually stay in the nursery, so it was fun to entertain them. We also attended the Memorial Day service at the church at the cemetary (please excuse the fact that I didn't grow up there and don't know the name of the church). Luckily, that service was shorter!

On Sunday night, we were due to meet the young generation with kids at the Pizza Star for dinner after Kara's birthday party. Emma was so tired after being up late and not napping, that she threw a little fit and didn't want to get ready. So Kris kept her home and while fixing dinner for her, she fell asleep on the floor at 6:30. She never did have dinner and slept until almost 8 the next day! Monday, we were able to have a wonderful lunch at Uncle Harold's and Aunt Lucy's before heading off home. The kids were a little antsy by then, and I managed to entertain them with 'challenges', which is probably the best thing my friend Danielle has ever taught me. It has kept my kids busy everywhere from houses to doctors offices. They have to run around, doing the things in order and come back. It's physical and gets some energy out and uses up time!

The only bad thing that happened was that Ryan decided the DVD player in the car was a perfect place for his dollar coin that Grammie gave him. So they weren't able to watch movies on the way home, which made for a long ride!!! But overall a great weekend!