"Daddy, I Don't Want This" / Avery's Birthday

Okay, so my Benjamin is the one who knocked out 2 top teeth, within 3 months of each other, 2 years ago (he was only 3).  At dinner the other night, he was eating chicken.  He says, "Daddy, I don't want this."  Jim held out his hand, thinking he was going to get a piece of chicken.  Instead, he got one of Benjamin's bottom teeth!  We're not sure if it was even loose.  It was the whole tooth, root and all, that came out.  Benjamin just handed over the tooth and kept on eating!

Avery had her 7th birthday last Friday.  Her party was Saturday.  She wanted a girls only swim party at Gramma's house.  Her theme was mermaids.  If you haven't tried out Pinterest....oh, you should.  Now, I'm not one that has the time or the desire to just get on there and look and look and look.  However, if there's something specific I'm looking for, it's a great place to browse.  So, I searched for mermaid party ideas, and got a lot.

Cake/Icrecream:  I didn't get to the make the mermaid cake I really wanted to make because, amazingly enough, I do not own a fish mold.  But I was pretty happy with the cake I made.  I usually make her an icecream cake, but just didn't want to this year.  So I tried a Jello poke cake.  I used a strawberry cake and blue berry jello (I wanted part of the cake to be purple).  It was really moist and good.  The frosting is a recipe a friend gave me.  I won't use any other frosting now.  It's just instant pudding mix and whipping cream.  You can use any flavor.  I used vanilla so I could use food coloring to color it.  It was supposed to be blue, but turned out green.  It worked.  It is the best tasting frosting (IMO), and so easy to manipulate on the cake.  I got the icecream idea from Pinterest.  I absolutely hate the serving mess of icecream at parties, which is why I typically make an icecream cake.  But this idea saved the mess.  It's pre-dipped scoops in cupcake cups.  Just pull 'em out of the freezer when you're ready to serve up the cake!  Fabulous!  (the waves are a bit funky looking, but Avery knew they were waves)

Decorations:  Since it was a swim party, I didn't do a lot with decorations.  We hung blue and green streamers at the front door, so it kinda seemed like they were entering through water.  We also hung a sign welcoming all the mermaids to Avery's party.  Then I made fish balloons that I found on Pinterest and hung them throughout the house.  So cute, and so easy!





Food:  We did the party in the evening (after dinner time) and decided to do snacks.  You guessed it....I found the ocean-related snack ideas on Pinterest, as well as the cute labels (which my mother-in-law made up on her computer).  I actually ended up puting the 'octopops' with the goodie bags instead of on the snack table.  The only thing I forgot to label was the lemonade (which was gonna be 'ocean water').  I put the snacks in sand toys and sand bucket and used shovels for some for scoops.

We had a really good time and everything was so easy to do.  The only things we missed were all her little male friends.  But she sure like all the girly attention!

Avery Saying:  We were in the car and Avery was in the backseat reading.  This is part of what she read out of Purplicious (however it's spelled).  "I wrote with my pink pen in my pink diarrhea."  I laughed so hard I couldn't even tell her what was so funny!



Toothless Benjamin and Brave Avery

So a few years ago I posted about Benjamin knocking out a tooth at the denist office and then less than 3 months later, knocking out the one right next to it on one of our barstools.  I think that happened when he was 3.  He's now 5.  He's gotten quite used to the 2 missing teeth on top.  Well, now he has to get used to a missing one on the bottom.

We were eating dinner the other night (chicken).  Benjamin reached out his hand to his daddy and said, "Daddy, I don't want this."  Jim obviously thought it was just a piece of the chicken.  But upon closer observation, he realized it was a tooth.  Sure enough, we opened his mouth to find a little blood and an empty space on the bottom.  At least this one was harmless and included zero tears.  Benjamin just gave it to his dad and kept on eating.

Avery got a couple shots this morning.  I held off telling her she'd be getting them til last night.  Of course, the questions came flooding.  Here's the conversation in a nut shell:

Mom: Avery, you'll be going to the doctor in the morning.
Avery: Will I have to get a shot?
Mom: Yes, honey, you will.
Avery: How many?
Mom: Two
Avery: Well, one in this arm and one in this arm?  Or two in this arm (point to right arm)?  Or two in this arm (point to left arm)?
Mom: Well, I'm not sure.
Avery: I'm scared.
Mom:  You can bring one of your dolls to help comfort you if you want.
Avery: (giving me a big hug) Mommy, I already have my doll......it's you!

Can everyone say, "AWWWWWW!!"

She did great!  A few tears before the shots began.  But I led her through how to be a little more relaxed. My brave little girl just smiled after each of them (one in each arm, BTW) saying, "I barely even felt that!  Her first words after the last shot were, "Can we go get icecream?"   How could I say no to that?

Stitches and Poster Child

So, I go out with a girlfriend the other night.  We're on our way home and Jim calls me to tell me Avery has cut her eye.  He thinks it might need stitches.  We get home and sure enough, small but deep gash above her eyebrow.  We both freak at the thought of how much she would freak at the thought of stitches.  Shots are horrifying enough for her.  So Jim kindly says, "You take her".  Thanks.  Luckily, my dear friend offers to go with us.  We calm Avery down and she sweetly reminds herself that mommy and daddy will do what they know is best for her.  Fast forward.....

We're at the children's urgent care.  No tears so far.  They have put a numbing gel on the wound.  The stitcher guy is great!  On her level, he basically tells her everything that's going to happen.  He gives her an I-touch to watch.  He never even had to give her a shot of more numbing stuff... the gel did the job.  Fast forward.....

Five stitches later......Avery is standing in front of the door.  I asked her to move away before someone banged the door on her and she had to get more stitches.  She looks at me with this blank stare and asks, "Did I get stitches?"  I say yes.  She says, "I didn't even cry!!"

I was sooooooo proud of her.  So at 11:30pm, I treat her to a Sonic shake.  By the time we got home at midnight, she (we) was one tired little princess.

Who's the poster child you ask?  That would be Ian.  We've dubbed him the new poster child for Costco's Deli Chicken Salad.  We took Ian and Avery shopping at Costco with us (Ian did fabulous!  What a helper!).  They have samples around the store.  We stop to sample the chicken salad.  Typically, Ian like chicken salad, so we let him have the cracker with the salad on it.  He takes a bite.  As the guy is raving about how great the chicken salad is, Ian proceeds to vomit his up....luckily there was a trash can handy.  Yep, people who were on their way to get their sample....walked on by.   :)

Seriously? Vomit the last day?

Well, we are officially on summer vacation today.  Avery's school ended the 15th.  The boys' ended yesterday.

Although I know I'll still see the teachers in the hallways next year, it was so hard to say goodbye to Benjamin's teachers.  We've had this team for 5 years (3 with Ian, 2 with Benjamin).  They are incredible.  Hard to believe there will be no more PPCD for us.  It's on to kindergarten for my little Benjamin.  He walked out of school a happy little guy....no idea it was his last day. :)   He'll start ESY on the 11th and go for a whole whopping 8 or so days.  (Thank you very little to the school 'budget').

Ian went out with a bang.  Well, more like, with a gag.  Jim got a call from his teacher about 2 hours before the end of the school day.  He had vomited at lunch so I needed to pick him up.  I know if a kid vomits, they have to assume he's sick.  Well, joke's on them.  He just vomits....it's what he does.  He probably didn't like a particular smell in the cafeteria (can you blame him?).  So, I went to get him.  I can honestly say that this was the worst school year I've experienced with any of my kids so far.  It's not that the teachers/admins were not nice.  Hard to explain, but I'm sure most of you can relate.  I've learned a lot from the year though.  I took a lot of notes of how to and how not to handle certain things.

But, as for Ian, he had a happy year.  Overall, that makes me happy.  I was sad the last day because coming home early meant he would not get to say bye to the bus driver and assistant.  They were great!  Ian had them cracking up everyday when he got off the bus.  Ian starts ESY in July.  I'll have to be sure to blog about that experience....it's a whole new way for him this year.  It's a collaboration with YMCA camp.  Hmmmmm.  I had a meeting with the lady who heads the program on the school side.  Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet lady!  Loved her!   Jim and I went back and forth about having him go or not, after learning some new information that we weren't informed of in the ARD meeting.  In the end, we decided to give it a try.  If all works well in a couple of areas, I think it'll be great for Ian.  Is there EVER going to be a time when there aren't any worries about the things he does?   Ever?   Yeah, probably not.  :)   That's okay....he's worth every bit of it!

Goals for the summer?

Avery:  Learn to ride a bike (yes, we're slackers!);  Learn to swim (swim lessons start next week)
Benjamin: Potty training (still, argh!) - I'll be happy with pee'ing in the potty.....poop in the potty would be a plus.
Ian:  Wake up later than 5:00 A.M.

Here's a few pics of boys during their awards programs:

7 Years Ago

As the day comes to a close, I reflect once more of this date 7 years ago...the day my life and dreams changed forever....our first (of 3) diagnosis of fully mutated fragile x syndrome.  To this date, I still remember it as if it were yesterday.  I remember my mom in town for Mother's Day, sitting on the couch next to me when I received the phone call.  I remember the confusion, the fear, the anger, the sadness, the unknown.

Now seven years and 2 more diagnoses (sp?) later, I still fight the same thoughts, but only occasionally now.  Our pastor did a teaching last week about the grace of God that was fabulous.  He defined the term on a whole new and more mature level than I had ever heard before.  "Grace is God's empowering presence enabling you to be what God has created you to be and to do what he has created you to do."  I would say this fits perfectly with how I have survived the last 7 years....His empowering presence enabling me.

I hate fragile x.  There, I said it.  But I love, love, love my children; every tiny ounce of them!  While 'typical' families celebrate grand accomplishments because the 'little' things just happen naturally, I have learned to celebrate every accomplishment, knowing that nothing they do is to be taken for granted.  I have learned that I don't have to stop and give excuses to every person that looks at me if Benjamin screams in the store or Ian decides he's going to kiss a trash can (yes, actually happened).  Do I feel a bit uncomfortable?  Ummm, sure.  But I get over it.  And I don't mean to sound rude, but if I can get over it, so can those people looking that know nothing about my child.  I have learned not to 'judge' other parents when I see their child 'misbehaving' in public.  To be totally honest, it kinda makes me feel more normal. :)  I also have a lot more compassion for them, and if they see me looking, I just smile to let them know it's okay.  There's so much more I've learned as well.

There are still so many unknowns, but I try to take them one day at a time.  Some days I even make it through without thinking about one of those unknowns.  I try to remember the 'knowns'.  I know my children were meant for me.  I know I was meant for my children.  I know I love my children.  I know they love me.  Seriously, what more could I ask for?  Just look at those beautiful, happy children at the top of my page!

Benjamin Turned 5

I absolutely cannot believe it. I know we always say our kids grow up so fast. Well, it's true. Yes, I know he's only 5, but he's my baby. That means the last one to turn 5. I really just want to freeze him, as is. Period.

So, on his birthday we all met the grandparents up at McDonald's for dinner and playtime. As usual at McD's, the company was great, food was gross. But kids liked the food, so there you have it. Afterward, we went to grandparents for a swim. My kids love to swim! My goal is to get them out of arm floaties as soon as possible. Not sure how long that will be, but I'll be glad when it happens. I think Avery will be out of them after her swim lessons this summer. After the swim we had icecream sandwiches for dessert. Then the kids were WIPED OUT. Oh, they tried to make out like they weren't tired. But when their heads hit the pillow.....OUT LIKE LIGHTS. For his gift, we got him a tent and little lanterns and a baseball mitt. Grandparents got him a sleeping bag, water cantine, binoculars, and camping chair. Our goal is to camp outside sometime during the weekend. Benjamin is our total outdoor kid.

Last night Benjamin had his 'friends' birthday party. So much fun! We had 20 kiddos come (and parents of course). We planned on it being an outside party, so thank goodness God blessed us with great weather for it. With the bounce house we rented, we also have a trampoline, swingset, and sandbox. So, because the kids were all dispersed out, it went really, really well. We served Benjamin's favorite meal in the whole world...peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fruit, and chips. I made a tent cake and cupcakes for dessert (with icecream of course). We had a great time! Happy birthday my little Boo-Boo!

Those *#!%@#! Fire Ants!

What do I hate about our area of Texas? FIREANTS! They sent Ian to the emergency room several years ago, and they continue to foster fear in my heart and mind every summer! This year, because winter basically decided to skip us, the little useless suckers are out earlier. We have Epipens, Benadryl liquid, and Benadryl cream always on hand...except yesterday.

Avery came running in from the backyard telling me that Benjamin got bit by fireants. I asked her how she knew they were fireants that bit him. She said because she saw him pick up the mound and then heard him screaming. Oh my! I ran out and got him. Sure enough, the mound and the ants were all over his hands. Panic attack! Ran into the bathroom and cleaned him up. Put cream on him. Had no liquid! Instead of overreacting with the Epipen (which can be a dangerous thing), I watched him for a while. When Ian got attacked, every part of his body began to swell tremendously. Benjamin's hands and arms were bit pretty badly. They were all red and swollen. But as time went on (and many, many, many tear), I saw no swelling anywhere else. By the end of the day, all I could see were little bites. Whew!

When I got the full story from Avery, she told me he picked it up thinking it was just dirt to throw. Poor little guy!

Did I mention....I HATE THOSE THINGS!