New Dresses

Last night I sat up and sewed the girls new dresses. I wish I could say they were really difficult, but it really wasn't. The straps took the most time, but even that wasn't bad. I've had this fabric for over a month, but never thought the dresses would turn out so cute.

But I think they are really really cute. I can't wait to make more.

Clipboards

Before the Big Bend trip, I made each of my kids a new clipboard for them to take in the car. It was great. They knew instantly which one was theirs, and limited the fighting over the papers. Now that we're back home, they have continued to be a hit with the kids.

The inspiration for these came from a trip to Canton and then watching Leah make one for Alexander (it is soooo cute) during our last girls' weekend.

Ashley's also has her name, but the letters are a light pink and difficult ot make out on the left side of the clipboard. I learned the letters need to be dark, and that they look better when the paper is busy to hide all the flaws.

While I was at it, I made two for my sister's girls. However, I forgot to get a picture of them before I gave the clipboards to them. Maybe Shelly will take a picture for me.

Bugz & Butterflies

Our Elementary school puts on a 1st grade play called, "Bugz". Ashley was thrilled to be a Butterfly with both a speaking role and dance in "Things Change". For weeks, we heard songs like "Going on a Picnic", "I'm a Lady", and our favorite, "Ants in my Pants" around the house. Daniel and Laurie even learned them!

They worked for almost 2 months at school, learning their lines, dances and songs. Brian and I helped Ashley at home with her lines, keeping it slow, enunciating, and pronouncing the word "synchronize." On Thursday mornings, I would head up to the school to help the "Fire Ants" learn their dance, but never got to watch a full practice or see Ashley perform her Butterfly dance. The butterfly's "Things Change" was the one song we never heard because she wanted it to be a surprise!

Last Thursday night, eight of our family members sat in the audience waiting for Ashley's speaking part and see her dance. We weren't disappointed. She did really GREAT! Her speaking part was understandable and she stood out while on the risers singing. Let's just say, our oldest daughter is a performer. While they were on the risers, the students sang along and perfomed hand dances. It was hard not to notice her big facial expressions. She had a wonderful time.

Did I mention that the play centered around a stinkbug who didn't belong? Yes, the cute little stinkbug danced with the butterflies and flowers at the end of the play.

The performance ended with Ashley standing in the middle of the stage lined up with other students. While the teachers spoke to the crowd, Ashley was posing and dancing around right in the middle of the stage! What a great way to end the night.

We were very proud of her and loved every moment of watching her up there. Ashley was a wonderful butterfly!

Small Successes (4)

Its been awhile since I've written a Small Success blog post, so I thought it was about time I did it again. See a previous post for an explanation if you are new. This week my three came to me easily.

1. Worked with Ashley and Daniel on their At Home CCE class. Yes, I admit, this at home CCE is not going as I had planned. We are very sporadic but it is rewarding to discuss the lesson together. We covered all of the Lenten lessons this week which was great preparation for Holy Week.

2. After our Spring Break Big Bend trip, I came home rejuvinated, wanting to get so many things accomplished. This week, I've kept that feeling and worked hard at getting several things crossed off my perpetual "To Do" list. One of the biggest changes I've made is by spending less time on the computer (you probably noticed my lack of blog posts) and less time watching TV at night.

3. Prayed the rosary. I constantly struggle to prioritize prayer in my everyday life, something that I am working on during this Lenten season. I'm having to take advantage of those rare moments when I'm sitting still, like in the carpool line.

First Haircut

"Before"


Yesterday, Laurie had her first haircut. I know, you're thinking - does the child have enough hair to get it cut? The answer is - Kind of. We weren't getting it cut for length, but really to have it shaped. She did great and sat really still for the stylist.


"During"

"After"

We think it turned out really really cute! She looks more like a little girl than a baby/toddler now.

Generational Visits

The kids and I made a point to visit both my grandmother's this weekend since we haven't been able to see them due to all the illness in the family this last month or so.

We started with a nice visit w/Merr & Aunt Pam on Friday afternoon. It was such a great visit and the kids really had an opportunity to visit one on one with their Great-Grandmother. It amazes me that at age 87 and with 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter, she can recall each of my kids birthdays.

Today after mass, we went over to visit Granny at her assisted living facility. This was a more difficult visit because at times conversation can be challenging with Granny due to her dementia. Still, the kids danced around, made her smile and hopefully brightened her day. She seemed pleased we came by, though I'm not sure she knew who we were, and laughed at all the kids antics.

We need to make these visits more regular since we are so blessed to have both my grandmothers living so very close to us.

Soccer!!!!

Daniel started his Spring Soccer season yesterday with a GREAT Game! First, our boy is the happiest kid in the world when he is on that field. He has stopped running with a big grin (now his tongue kinda sticks out), but the moment they stop running, he is smiling ear to ear. And second, he is really fast. I was really impressed that he could turn up the speed when I already thought he was going fast. As great as he did last season, we were surprised to see him exhibit new ball handling skills (for a 5 yr old) in this game. He managed to stop the ball with his body, stop and change the direction of the ball, and fight to keep the ball in bounds. What a great start to the season! Did I mention that he scored 7 goals?

Rodeo Time

It's Rodeo Time here, so here are my little Texans dressed up for Go Texas day at school.

Since I somehow didn't manage to get a picture of Laurie in her hat and hot pink boots she wore to school, I've included a photo of her on a horse.

And a cute picture just for fun - we found her asleep in her "playroom" with the lights on.

It's Swim Time

As sickness was ravaging our home in February, Laurie was taking her first swim lessons at Houston Swim Club. Everyday for 2 weeks, she worked at getting comfortable with the water, blowing bubbles, diving for rings, going down the slide, kicking her feet and floating on her back. Laurie loved every moment of it with a big smile on her face. Now that she has finished her "Guppy" class, she is attending "Goldfish" classes two days a week until she is ready for her "float test."

As of March, Laurie is still taking at HSC 2 days a week, and Daniel is there one day a week back in the Kingfish class, where he left off last year. Also, Ashley & Daniel are both attending a Stroke Clinic twice a week hosted by our neighborhood year round swim club. Can you believe its already time to sign up for swim team again?

Swim season starts early in TX!

Out of the Woods

It appears that the sickness has left our house. Should I say that out loud, or am I asking for it? With my last post about sickness, we left off with Ashley, then Daniel getting the flu on Thursday. Then, Monday afternoon, Ashley came home from school complaining of a stomach ache. Tuesday, she woke up still a little under the weather, but went to school anyway. I know what you're thinking, I'm a bad mom to send a potentially sick child to school. She had no fever and was complaining of a stomach ache. Impossible to know for sure if she was really sick, and Ashley had just missed 10 days of school.

Tuesday evening the poor child started throwing up again. We ran up to CVS to see if they would do a quick strep test on her, thinking the strep had come back. Evidently, their policy is no quick strep on people who've been on antibiotics within a month. Thankfully, my pediatrician told me we could come in before she opened in the morning to get a quick strep. Unfortunately, that test was negative and Ashley started throwing up again. They sent it off for cultures and we went home wondering what was wrong with her. We thought Wednesday was a miserable day, until we got to Thursday. By early afternoon, Ashley was throwing up every hour. It was terrible. She was in so much pain and there was nothing I could do for her. After talking to the nurse at the Dr. office, she helped me get Ashley's stomach to settle down and get some fluids in her. Nurse Randi is wonderful, so authoritative and comforting.

It was a slow mend over the weekend. Her cultures all came back negative, so Dr. D believes Ashley had a bad stomach bug. Her immune system has been low since being so sick and picked up something else going around school. It was a long slow weekend, but believe she is healthy at the moment. Poor child. She has now missed 13 days of school in 4 weeks for those of you who are counting. Please keep her health in your prayers.

Kids in Pajamas

I finally got a picture of my kids wearing their new pajama pants I made for them.

Small Success (3)

Just a reminder...
Faith and Family Live blog posted ...... It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we’ll do exactly that... Here is my list of "Small Successes" for the week.

1. I went for my first run - 2.5 miles. It was tough, but I feel really good about trying something new. And about being successful at something I really didn't think I could do.

2. My sister and I have started a new blog. I have talked about a new blog for months, but it just wasn't coming together for me till I asked my sister to join me. Once we were working together on it, everything clicked. I am excited about working with her on something we are both passionate about.

3. I spent yesterday and today comforting my sick daughter. This might sound like a strange "success", but I had moments when I really didn't want to sit with her in the bathroom while she got sick over and over again. It is so hard being helpless to stop her pain. To be scared and worried for her but not able to show it. I sat there with her today and just remembered my mom being there for me as a child when I was in pain. And how, her just being there made all the difference to me. So I made a decision to be what she needed, to be strong and supportive even though I felt helpless.

A New Endeavor

Shelly and I have created a new blog together. A place for us to share our thoughts on issues that are a little more serious than the usual things we discuss on our family blogs.

Come check us out at Of Sound Mind and Spirit - "Where Sisters contemplate, reflect, reason and engage in thoughtful perceptions of the changes in our world."

Something I Never Thought I Would Do...

There is something people do that I have always sworn I would never do. Something that just didn't make sense unless you HAD to do it. Well, this thing has become so very popular, and I have so many friends doing it. I know what you're thinking - if they jumped off a cliff, would you? No, but... I was considering it. Against my judgment I mentioned it to Brian and he encouraged me to try it. Said it was something we could do together.

So you know what happened next don't you?

I went for a RUN! Yes, I actually did it. Voluntarily, without being chased. We went out with the kids on Sunday afternoon around the block. I found it pretty tough, but Brian was encouraging and helped me along. He did let me let walk some when I got really out of breath, but made sure I got started again. Brian says we went 2.5 miles and walked less than 1/4 mile! Can you believe it? I thought I wouldn't even be able to make it 1 mile, and he had me over 2. It is surprising that even though it was really hard, I want to do it again. Hopefully, when the kids are all well again we can make it a regular occurence.

Homework Lesson

Tonight, while Brian was helping Ashley with her homework, I sat and watched them. He was so amazing with her. Asking her just the right questions to help her think of what to write for her assignment. Gently guiding her and encouraging her. Sitting there next to him, I wrote him 2 messages. The first was "you just taught me a very important lesson". And the second was "You're a GREAT DAD." What else can I say... He is an awesome Dad. And I'm very lucky he chose me all those years ago.

Be My Valentine

Doctor, Doctor - Give Me the News...

So, after my post below about Ashley, Brian and I all having Strep and loving the CVS clinic, you would think we were out of the woods for illness. Not so fast. Sunday, 2 days after Brian and I got sick, Birdie started throwing up. Luckily, our pediatrician called in antibiotics for her to treat Strep. Then, that afternoon, I noticed Ashley was running a fever of 101. Huh? She hadn't run a fever with Strep for 8 days and now she has one while on antibiotics.

Monday morning, it was back to see Dr. D. Her diagnosis - Strain A of the Flu. Yikes! After 2 weeks of illness in the house, that was the last thing I was hoping for. She gave her Tamiflu and I came home trying to find a way to keep Ashley's germs from infecting the rest of us. It was going well till Daniel popped up with a fever on Wednesday afternoon. Thursday morning Ashley was back at school, and it was back to Dr. D for Daniel and I. Since he hadn't gotten Strep, they wanted to test him for both Strep and Flu, he was positive for Flu. Wow. Thursday was a rough day for us. We'd gotten Ashley back to school after missing 10 days in less than 3 weeks and now we had another kid sick with the flu. I hate to admit that 3 weeks of sick kids and family really put me in a bad funk. I was feeling better from having strep, but had difficulty dealing with so much upheavel and sickness in our house.

I am happy to say that Brian sent me out for an afternoon by myself Saturday and we had a great family day today that has made a huge difference. So, as of Sunday night, there are still 4 of us on medication, BUT, no one is showing any symptoms or signs of illness. Say a little prayer that we have broken this cycle of sick in our house.

Small Successes (2)

I had so much fun thinking of my "small successes" last week, that I'm back for another installment. (Though I didn't quite get to it on Thursday).

1. Cleaned my kitchen cabinets. I mean really cleaned them.
2. Didn't yell at my kids when I thought I was going to lose it with them. I managed to keep my cool and work through the situation to a positive result. Wish I could say the same thing for Thursday night.
3. Went for a long walk with Brian and the kids on Sunday. We need to do that more often. Course, it rained on us three separate times during our walk, which just added to the kids enjoyment.

If you create your own Small Success blog, leave me a comment. I'd love to read yours also.

Green Vegetables!

Everyone knows that I am not a big fan of vegetables. I do fix and eat them due to the kids, but don't have the best recipes since there aren't many veggies that I like. One of the ways I grew up eating green beans that I enjoy is in a casserole. You know, the one with the cream of mushroom soup and french fried onions on top. Wouldn't you know, my kids hate them. Darn!

During my reading of Kraft Food and Family Magazine, I ran across a recipe for Green Beans that sounded easy and interesting. Would you believe that my kids LOVE it? Not only do they eat it, but they ask for seconds and thirds! And, Brian and I love it also. A win/win for everyone.

So easy its crazy!
Place 3 cups frozen green beans on large sheet of foil; drizzle with 2 tablespoons Zesty Italian dressing. Fold foil over and seal edges to form packet. Place bean packet in oven at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.

Gotta love Kraft!

Great Recommendation

I have a great new place to recommend. The Minute Clinic at CVS. Ashley was diagnosed with strep at her pediatrician's earlier in the week and put on antibiotics. After 24 hrs, she felt great. Course this was after a week of being sick with what we thought was a stomach bug. Turns out, she had streph with no fever, no sore throat, no signs of a cold. Her only symptoms were lethargy and throwing up. She missed 7 days of school, poor thing.

Last night, Brian got a killer headache, it was so bad, he was immobilized for several hours. On top of having sinus or cold like symptoms, he started throwing up. Uh Oh. I tried to get him a doctor appointment but today being Friday, it was difficult. While talking to my mom, I remembered hearing about CVS having clinics, so Brian said he would head there in the morning. Around 3 a.m., I woke up sick as a dog. Sick to my stomach and throwing up. Double uh oh. Both of us were sick. So, this morning, I ran Ashley up to school, and went straight to CVS.

Going to the Minute Clinic was a great experience. I met with a nurse practitioner after a negligible wait. She was polite, thorough, and efficient. She gave me a basic exam, ran a strep test and took all my pertinant information all in about 15 mintues. Yes, it was strep.

The great thing - I had antibiotics in my system by 8:30 a.m. Brian went to the Minute Clinic right after me and had his antibiotics by 9 a.m. (His was sinus infection and possible strep. She didn't test him for strep since she was giving him antibiotics anyway for sinus infection and it would wipe out both). All for the same cost of a Dr. appt (they take insurance), but without the hassle of getting an appointment and waiting forever. It was such a great experience, that I would take the kids there when needed on a weekend or for Brian and I again when we have the random illness.