A Few Good Days

But no men around for it. Kris and I have been passing in the night. Literally! We have been home for an entire 20 hours together in the last 9 days (but will be 12 when we're through) - and all those hours were sleeping. So I am looking forward to our vacation coming this week. I'm getting ready to leave now, just waiting for the babysitter. Then, packing Ryan up and heading out to my parents. I'm leaving Ryan there for a night and I'll meet them at our rental cottage in Grand Haven on Sunday (they are meeting Kris, Emma and Nick on Saturday).

At home, we have basically been doing laundry, packing, going to the gym, school shopping, therapy, workbooks and playing. Ok, that doesn't sound all that different than any other week. But we just smooshed it all into a 3 day week and even threw in a trip to P&G and the museum.

Ryan and Emma were happy to do a little shaving cream play last week and figured out it was a great place to write. They loved it. We also got to have the pool(s) out and Emma got to try on her newest bathing suit. She sure is a bathing beauty!

Fourth of July in PA

Our family had a wonderful time in Pennsylvania for the 4th of July. We traveled out there on Friday, hoping for an early departure, which ended up being 8am, which is still earlier than our normal 10. It was a great drive and we were able to spend the evening with Kris's mom. We made it back to the farm in time to get the kids in their pj's and wait for my parents to get there (and rile Ryan up!)

Saturday, we had a wonderful Hardependence Party (Kevin's name for it, not mine). There was great food and wonderful family. The kids enjoyed their Four-wa-wheewer wides (Ryan's pronunciation) and getting to play with all the other kids. We all started to realize how little they need us to keep themselves busy there and it will only get worse as the years go by. The fireworks were amazing and I was really glad my parents were able to come out and enjoy this day with us!

The kids also got to help Uncle Harold, Doug and Daddy unload some hay bales. Even Nick wanted to help, but he wasn't allowed to climb in the barn! The kids were fabulously dirty most of the week and had a great time of it. I realized why the kids in old pictures always were dirty and in cheap clothes - there is no point in nice clothes at a farm! They really enjoyed feeding the two mama pigs and their 24 piglets!

On Monday, we spent some time at the Three Springs Pool, enjoying the nice weather. Kelli and Rick accompanied us and gave the kids more people to throw water at.

On Tuesday, we visited Lincoln Caverns with Doug. We thought it was pretty cool - literally, it was 50 degrees in the caves. Ryan and Emma had a hard time with the 'No touching' policy, but eventually made it through. They were both happy to get to use their glow sticks another time. We also got to feel like smart parents, when we watched another couple try to carry their 6 month old through the caves (complaining most of the time), while we had our wrap for Nick.

On Wednesday, Kris's mom joined us for a truly beautiful day at Cowan's Gap. We came here two years ago with just Ryan and Emma, where I took one of my favorite (and most beautiful pictures). We took another great rounds of them. We had a picnic lunch first, then warmed ourselves up with a hike around the lake. Ryan and Emma preferred throwing rocks into the water, so what would probably have been a 20 minute hike took 1 1/2 hours. But Nick took a nap, so we were happy anyway. After that, we swam at the lake, enjoying the weather. Even Nick broke down and dug in the sand. He swam for a while, had a snack and then played a rousing game of 'Pour out the Cheez-Its in a bowl, pour it out, and back again'. Later, Kris sped us home in time for Ryan and I to make it to the fire company Bingo. We didn't win at Bingo, but won the door prize of a free round of Bingo!

Thursday, Kris and his mom took Ryan and Emma to see Cars 2, then picked Nick and I up for dinner. We headed home on Friday and have been hearing 'ka-chow' ever since. It was a wonderful trip followed by a great weekend at home.

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!