Family Pictures!

Fall Family Pictures!  Thanks to my sweet friend Michele for taking these!  There's so many I love, just had to post them all :)

Seattle Trip!

Back in August we took a little family vacay to Seattle - just us - and had SO much fun!  First stop was the Aquarium....

 The kids were slightly disappointed that there were no sharks (so was I), but they had fun anyhow.  Even convinced Caiden and Paige to touch the starfish.  Harder task than you might think.

The next day we went to the Pacific Science Center and this was a huge hit.  The kids definitely want to come back here and I highly recommend it.  There's so much hands-on entertainment for all ages.  I quite enjoyed it myself :)

And who knew a simple ramp could provide so much entertainment?  Forget the toys and experiments to play with, how bout a wheel chair ramp?!  Preston laughed and giggled himself silly.  I could really use one of these in the house.  He's such a cute monster.

 

Then for our last day there, we were headed to the Zoo - the main attraction :)  Have to save the best for last, you know.  How excited was Paige to see a zebra? VERY.  And Caiden, the bears - yes, please. . 

Unfortunately, for Preston this marked the third day of really no napping, and it showed.  Lots of stares from strangers - almost like he was his own exhibit, ha.  But once he crashed in the stroller for a bit, he was all smiles.  Like I said, a monster, but a cute one.  Just look at that face

 And I thought it was so funny that of all the animals in the zoo, Caiden was insistent that he see the cranes.  Who actually goes through the bird section?  We did, because "Mom, the crane's my favorite one on Kung Fu Panda".  So here they are with their best impersonations...

And almost as fun as all these events was the swimming pool at our 5 star hotel, not really.  I bid on a hotel through Priceline and we managed a 2 star Holiday Inn, which was actually okay except in was in Renton and that was a bit annoying.  Oh well, that's what you get when you go cheap :) The kids however, couldn't get enough of the pool.

 My other favorite part of the trip was Caiden's comments driving throughout downtown Seattle, aka the "city".  "Dad, don't you love driving in the CITY??" (No.) "Paige, which do you like better - the CITY or the country?"  Really, you'd think we lived in the middle of nowhere and never visit large cities....oh wait, that's slightly true....

School Conferences

Warning: I'm about to do some major bragging about my kids....

Parent/Teacher conferences were today, and it completely made my day.

Caiden:  Straight from his teachers mouth...
..."so, so, so nice!"....."a great listener"..."a great example"..."smiles all day long"..."has never annoyed me in the slightest (haha!)"..."a good friend"..."has a lot of friends"...."I just love him so much!" - and she repeated each thing at least twice.

And that's not including all the comments about how well he is doing academically. 

I feel extra special that he bottles up all of the "not listening" and "annoying behaviors" and saves them for when he gets home :)

Paige:
...."so, so, sweet"...."knows when to be studious"..."always volunteers"...."always listens"...."always outstanding behavior"..."I love talking to her!"  - that one is my favorite, I love talking to her too :)  And it's so good to know that she is coming out of her shell and not as terrifyingly shy as she used to be.  Academically, she is doing AWESOME.

That's it.  Just wanted to document.  I already know they're great, but it's nice when other people see it too. 

Note: Meanwhile, Preston ran around like a freakshow throwing away glue sticks, trying to topple over a stack of chairs, and demanding to play with our keys...loudly. Then topped it off with a tantrum upon leaving and proceeded to hit Casey and yell out for the "th-lide!!!"  Can't wait for his teacher conferences :)

Summer 2012: {Silverwood, Surfing, & Sand Dunes}

To go along with the "S" theme here, everyone is Sleeping again, so here is my very belated Summer recap :)

The kids earned their FREE tickets to Silverwood Theme Park again this year.  (I forgot my camera, but Casey got a few from his phone :)  We love Silverwood, yes we do!  We spent most of our time at the water park this year since we missed out last year.  The kids loved it!  Casey and I loved it!  Then over to the amusement park, where Paige fulfilled her dream of riding the ferris wheel just like Barbie does in her favorite book (don't have a picture of that - darn) but it was very cute seeing her and her dad go round and round.  And I couldn't leave without at least one adrenaline-pumping ride, so the Panic Plunge it was (mostly because it was the shortest line and Caiden and Paige wanted to see me do it - loved it!)

And, of course, lots of time was spent out on the lake.  Mostly the boys and papa getting reeeeeally good at surfing.  The big challenge was a 360 on the surf board, which both Casey and his brother achieved once each after about 300 million tries.  Jason was lucky enough to get his captured on video.

 

My mom and dad and niece also visited this summer.  Caiden, Leah, and PAIGE took a turn on the kneeboard. It was Paige's first time alone on the kneeboard, so a very big moment for her! 

Also played a bit at the sand dunes....I love these pics!!

More of our Summer adventures to come :)

Dear Blog....

It's me.

Kelley.

Just thought I'd inform you on why you are so neglected.  The past month I've been entirely too busy LOSING.MY.MIND.

Why???? 

Well, since you asked...It started about a month ago.  Preston, my very best sleeper EVER (at least 12 hrs a night, 3 hr naps in the day) and who lovingly would say "Ni-Ni" as I'd lay him down and walk out of the room, decided he just wasn't going to do that anymore.

So he quit.

Suddenly, he screamed bloody murder every time we'd try to put him to bed.  He'd throw his blanket out of the crib.  He'd throw his binky out of the crib.  He'd cry until he'd literally lose his voice.  He'd cry until I'd finally cry too.

We did not know what happened to our child!!  No teething.  Not sick.  ......?????.....  Seriously, just decided one day he hated his bed.  No sleep - just cry.  (My theory is a a serious night terror - read about it online).

After a few days of this, I contemplated putting him up for sale.  (I should probably insert a "just kidding" right about here, but I'm not.)

LOOOONG story short, we finally get him to go to bed if we sit in a chair next to the crib playing lullaby's from our phones until he falls asleep.  Annoying, but still better than hearing his terrible, sad yet SHRIEKING cry.

Enter stomach flu.

First, Paige starts throwing up.  Every half hour for SEVEN hours.  Poor thing dry heaved herself to death.
The next day, it hits me.  Same thing.  Two days later, it hits Caiden (in the middle of the night).  And just for fun, he never once got it in the bowl. Next to it, down the side, up and over it, but never IN THE BOWL.

Finally get rid of the stomach flu.

Finally get Preston to not be terrified of his bed. 

Then, guess who starts waking up in the night FREAKING OUT that we are not in the chair next to his bed playing lullaby's like we were when he fell asleep????  Honestly felt like I had a newborn all over again.  Up and up again numerous times in the night trying to get Preston to go BACK to sleep and STAY asleep.  Couldn't let him cry it out because then he'd wake Paige in the next room who needs to go to school.  We're so friggin tired at this point that either Casey or I end up sleeping in the bed in his room.  But not really sleeping as he'd still wake up and not calm down until he heard our voice and knew we were there.  As soon as he heard us he'd lay right down and go to sleep.  This went on for days until we contemplated the idea of putting him up for sale again.  (And again, not really joking.)

Meanwhile, Paige starts barfing in the night.  But not like the stomach flu.  Once a night (a few hours after she'd go to bed) she'd barf.  Every.Single.Night.  And the throw up itself was different - not liquidy, just chunks and chunks of food - TMI, sorry.  She's not at all feeling sick.  No stomach ache.  No fever.  Totally fine.  (Other than the nightly barfing, that is).  Did I mention that every time she'd barf and come to get me Preston would wake up? Oh the INSANITY!!!!!  I just wanted to scream EVERYBODY GO TO SLEEP, STAY ASLEEP, AND QUIT BARFING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, I call the doctor and they say it sounds like Paige has acid reflux and to elevate her mattress and give her tums.  This helps, but not always.  She would still occasionally barf in the night, followed by Preston waking up. Followed by me walking around like a sleep-deprived zombie who does nothing but wash barfy sheets and blankets all the living long day.

Next up - Caiden.gets.the.stomach.flu.  AGAIN!!  Double the barfy sheets and blankets, triple the sleep deprivation.

Casey and I are dying, literally DYING here people!!!!

Finally Caiden gets better.

Paige only barfs occasionally.

But we've totally created a monster by staying in the room until Preston falls asleep (though, in our defense, it was the ONLY thing that worked - and trust me we tried EVERYTHING!) and now we have to break him of this habit.  But can't really let him cry it out......unlessssssss.....he's in the bedroom on the other side of the house where no one can hear him.  Don't judge me.  If you had my dark under-eye circles, you'd do it too.

So the bedroom switching begins.  Along with a sound machine, all-night long baby lullaby machine, and 2 night-lights.  And lo and behold, the boy is SLEEPING!!!!  And NAPPING!!!

AND, Paige is on medication for her reflux.  No more barfing!!!!

Glory be Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Let's all pray it will last longer than the next two weeks....

There they go...

First day of School

Paige, my big beautiful girl.  Going into first grade this year with Mrs.Guenther as her teacher.  She seems incredibly nice.  Paige was EXCITED this morning.  Twice she got in the car thinking it was time to leave.  Funny.  I think she was most excited about her new clothes, shoes and haircut :)  Not that those things aren't something to get excited about...obviously they are!

And Caiden....sheesh he looks old!  3rd Grade this year with Mrs. Rosenow.  I have very good vibes about this teacher.  Last night at the school back-to-school social, she was literally the only teacher that got cheers from the crowd when introduced by the principal.  Awesome!  I think I saw a little bit more nerves in Caiden this year than usual.  Either that, or he really is just not ready for summer to end.  This kid loves his playtime :)

And so it's just me and Preston, home together all day.  I know he's gonna miss them tons.  I'm gonna have to become a better playmate I guess :)  And when he naps, I have almost 3 hours to myself! (Yeah, he's a great napper).  Just think...I might actually be able to get some stuff done - like blog posts, ha.

I can't wait to hear how their day went!

Summer 2012: Paige Conquers All

I just have to give a shout out to my Paige!  This summer she conquered so many of her fears - one after another.  They might not be fears for most kids, but for Paige (who takes after her mama) they are.

First, she completely taught herself how to ride her bike.  Casey and I tried and tried to help her, but she refused (and by refused I mean lept off her bike screaming and running from our very touch, of course).  She insisted on doing it herself, and one day...she did just that!

Second,...KNEEBOARDING!  What the?!?!  Out of the clear blue sky I tell ya, she just decided she wanted to kneeboard!  We were out on the boat while my parents and niece were visiting and Casey says "Who wants to kneeboard?"  Paige volunteered (first, might I add!).  We all kinda looked at each other...and she got out in the water and off we went.  For a LONG time too. Unbelieveable.

Next,...SWIMMING!  More specifically, head-under-the-water-no-floaty swimming!  I've been trying and trying to convince her to put her head under water for years it feels like.  Then one day at the pool...she just started doing it!  So excited was she!  Plus, while on our Seattle trip, she jumped - JUMPED - in the pool. She's even swimming (again, taught herself - Casey and I were not allowed to touch her) and has agreed, no make that she's EXCITED to take swim lessons this fall.

Love that once she decides to do something, not only does she do it, but insists on figuring it out all by herself :)

We also went to Silverwood this summer and she shocked me by going on big waterslides and even a big ferris wheel.

AND my favorite...guess who's not afraid of the ice maker and automatic flushing toilets anymore???  You guessed it - PAIGE!  I just knew this day would come :)

Such a proud mama :)

Pagosa Springs {4th of July}

We celebrated the 4th of July at my parents place in Pagosa Springs, CO once again.  And as usual lots of fun times and memories...

4th of July Day Parade

I also can't go without mentioning how amazingly talented my dad is.  Their outside deck is unbelievable!  Every stone, rock, brick, slab of wood, grain of sand - basically everything you see here - he and my mom built themselves.  (Except for that adorable baby there - that was my skills - hahaha).   And they've got physical proof of their hard work, consisting of the most serious ankle-tan you've ever seen and a suprisingly large bicep for a Grandma :)  Most impressive :)

It's always fun to watch the boys (and girl - go Maddie!) cruise on their dirt bikes. Not to mention the rides on the Ranger...  

I love the bottom 2 pictures of Paige and Jayton.  They were just chattin' it up :)

And a little river tubing action too...

Fun trips. Fun times.  More to come :)

Remember when....

Paige turned SIX...two months ago.  Her kindergarten graduation happened to fall right on her birthday as well.  So for me, it was a doubly special day.

Kindergarten Graduation consisted of both classes putting on a program - 2 songs, walking down the aisle as graduates, and receiving a graduation certificate.  Not a huge production, but for Paige who absolutely loathes being center of attention, (regardless if it's a group or solo), she's not really a fan.  Obvious?

She did not want to go at all, was actually a little stressed about it.  I finally told her that if she didn't go she wouldn't graduate.  Lies, I know, but I didn't know how else to get her there "willingly".

Anywho, back to the topic at hand.  SIX years old!  We celebrated with a party at AIM gymnastics with a bunch of her friends.  So much fun they had :)

Happy Birthday girlie!

Oh nuts.

Look at this boy.  He's adoreable.  And kinda bad. But so cute, it gets over looked.  And kinda fiesty.  But so cute, it also gets overlooked.

He's also allergic to EVERYTHING - and this can not be overlooked.  I wish it could.  The latest is a PEANUT ALLERGY.

When he turned a year old I gave him his first taste of peanut butter.  Minutes later, I notice his cheeks are really, really red and splotchy.  I suspected that it was the peanut butter but didn't know for sure.  (At this point his skin {particularly his cheeks} had finally begun to heal from chronic exczema that lasted nearly 10 months.  He continues even now to have exczema, but no where near as bad as the first year).

Anyway, I decide to avoid the peanut butter for the time being.  Then a few months later, I think "maybe it wasn't really the peanut butter" and I attempt it again.  I gave him the tiniest piece of a PB & J sandwich and instantly his neck and cheeks get red and then hives (big ones!) start appearing rapidly from the neck up.  He is furiously itching at his face too.  I give him Benadryl (oh yeah, and I freak out) and in a few minutes it starts to subside.  (phew).

So....his doc recommends a visit to the allergist.  And it is confirmed that he has a peanut allergy.  (Luckily no other nuts, but the allergist says it's likely he can become allergic to all nuts.  Awesome.)  I'm also instructed to carry an Epi-pen and Benadryl at all times.  He described it as a glass of water being filled each time he has a reaction - meaning each one gets worse.  He said that 80% of kids do not out grow this and have it forever.  (Which means 20% do, and I'm really holding out for that!)

Either way, this whole thing freaks me out a little.  Right now, it's not really a big deal because he's always in my care and I'm always the one preparing his food.  But come school/preschool age, what am I gonna do????  I'd like to tattoo on his head "I HAVE A PEANUT ALLERGY!!!!" but I think I might get in trouble for that.  Of course there's always a permanent marker....haha.

I'm also sad that he'll never enjoy a PB & J sandwich.  What kind of a childhood is that?  And do you know how hard it is to make a PB & J sandwich and not use the same knife for the jelly jar.  Try it.  It's not easy to remember.  He now has his own jelly jar in the fridge so I can be certain no peanut butter has accidentally gotten into it.  It's the only peanut product I have in the house - how do I get rid of it when Caiden and Paige (and my husband) (and me) eat it all the time???

Ohhhhhhhh, it so stresses me.  My poor Preston.