K is for Kindergarten, Kisses, and Kleenex

Last weekend was spent trying to convince my 5 year old that he needed to go to kindergarten.

Trying.

Last weekend my 5 year old spent every waking moment trying to convince us that kindergarten should in fact be canceled.

Indefinitely.

Tuesday morning arrived and a very different child emerged from his room.

An excited child.

An eager to pack his lunch child.

A hurryupIwanttoseemyteacher child.

And so began our first day.

A great start.

A new beginning.


Please note that this post was scheduled to post 3 weeks ago. I have got it together don't I?

One Hot Mess!

Because I have been absent from my little blog for the last few weeks, I will try to catch you up on the crazy that is my life.

Last Thursday Cole developed a fever.

It continued on Friday.

Our family vacation was to begin on Sunday.

Are you still with me?

Good....just checking.

Between Friday and Sunday, Cole saw the doctor twice.

His fever remained over 104 most of the time.

This mommy was freaking.

But only on the inside.

I sent my husband and two other children on to the beach.

With my suburban.

And our boat.

And all the food in our refrigerator.

The plan was that Cole and I would join them on Monday.

That was a great plan.

In my mind.

However, Cole continued with fever.

Shots were administered.

Blood work was ordered.

Tests were given.

The fever continued.

So we stayed.

And snuggled.

And watched movies together.

And ordered out, because our cupboards were bare.

And we dreamed of sunny days playing at the beach.

Finally we got the "go ahead" on Wednesday.

We drove as fast as we could to the beach.

The next morning, we enjoyed 10 glorious minutes at the pool before the rains fell.

And fell.

And didn't let up until late afternoon on Friday.

Do you see where I am going with this?

Yup, one day of sun and fun.

One.

Saturday.

But it was glorious!

Cole?

He is just fine.

They never found any serious reason for his high fevers.

We are just thrilled to have our energetic little five year old back!

Even if our vacation...really wasn't.

My Dark Knight

You know all the princesses.

Sleeping Beauty

Cinderella

Jasmine

Dark Knight

Tinkerbell

Hey. how did he get in there?

That is my Cole.

No, not a princess.

He is Dark Knight.

There could not be a more excited boy than he was this morning.

Getting ready for preschool was a pleasure.

I may have to let him wear his costume every day.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

SO GRATEFUL FOR AIR AND GAS!!!

The past two weeks poor Cole has had a couple of "spots" on his face.

I determined that is was quite possibly a mild case of chicken pox.

Mild meaning he had three "spots" on his face.

Very mild.

Cole's preschool teacher confirmed it.

He continued to go to school as the places were drying in and there was no fever.

Two of the "spots" went away.

The "spot" on his cheek kept getting bigger.

A growing pox? Hmmmm.

When I picked Cole up yesterday from school, he had three new spots.

Tiny, but "spots".

I drove straight to the doctors office to get to the bottom of it.

She would not confirm that he had at any point had chicken pox.

She said it was possible.

But the spot on his cheek was infected.

Nice.

She gave me a prescription for an antibiotic and topical ointment and sent me on my way.

I was relieved to know these "spots" would soon be gone.

Later that evening as we sat waiting for Claire's dance class to dismiss, I noticed Cole felt warm.

By the time we arrived home he was shivering and holding his chest saying he hurt.

When I asked exactly where he hurt he pointed to the area of his heart.

At that point my heart started racing.

Rapidly.

He was better by bed time, but still had fever.

About 2:30am Cole woke up in agonizing pain.

He kept holding his chest and crying.

He could not get comfortable.

A thousand possible case scenarios raced through my head.

I knew one of them was not going to be my four-year-old having a heart attack in my family room.

Chad dressed and whisked him away to the emergency room.

He was gone a few hours.

I was a wreck.

I paced the floor and cried not knowing what was wrong with my baby.

That and I caught up on the days laundry and dishes.

Finally he returned home to me.

He was smiling and excited to show me his hospital bracelet and stickers.

I asked what his diagnosis was.

Chad said that they confirmed the skin infection.

They said to continue the antibiotic.

And to give him Tylenol for the fever.

And the chest pains and trembling?

The chest x-rays showed excessive air.

My child had gas!

I said a prayer of thanks for air and gas.

Never have I been so grateful for either.

It was THIS BIG!!!

I lied.

I said no more vacation stories.

I lied.

Chad was tying the boat to the dock and the kids and I were chatting about their fishing trip.

Cole had caught a rather large fish and was showing us just how large.

Of course each time we asked, his hands were wider apart.

He is just like his Father.

While we were talking I asked what happened to his life jacket.

He looked down.

He saw nothing wrong.

Then he proudly announced that he had buckled it himself.

Really?

Are you sure Daddy didn't help?

I guess the teasing got to be too much when Chase and Claire piped in.

Siblings.

Cole walked down the dock, turned around and gave me "the look".

And then he announced he was walking home.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY!!!

I HEART YOU DADDY! (and that's what it's all about!)

Today my little man, Cole had his Valentine's Day party at Preschool.

Each year they combine a Valentine's Day program with a Daddy's Day Program.
What a great idea since Father's Day is in the summer.
I was there to take plenty of pictures.

Cole did a fine job on stage. He started off the program waving ferociously at us.
We waved back.

He waved some more.
We waved again.

Then he pointed his finger at his chest ( as if to say, "it's me...look at me!")
We oohed an ahhed!

Then he began giving us the "peace" sign.
We followed his lead and gave the "peace "sign back.

The children are now half way through the first song and Cole still can't stop communicating with us.

It was as if it was a private room with just the four of us. (Chad, Me, Chase, and Cole)

He finally realized he was on stage and that he needed to be impressing us with his vocal talents.

In no time at all he was belting out all the Father's Day songs.

He didn't miss a word or an action.

We were so proud!

Following the program, the father's were invited to come up front and do the "Hokie Pokie" with their child.

What fun!

I wish I had video tape footage to show , but alas I have none.

It was priceless.

I am not sure who had more fun...Daddy or Cole?

After all...That's what it's all about!!!

Why Children Should Not Be Allowed To Play With Markers!

I am going to make this post short and sweet! I was catching up on some reading (other blogs) and I noticed it became eerily quiet in my home. Quick..get up! Check on Cole!...Something is wrong...too quiet! I guess this picture says it all...



I won't be leaving a sharpie on the counter anymore!!!

Meet Billy!

Meet Billy! Our family pet . Four feet of synthetic rubber something. If you are me, it is four feet of terror just waiting to happen!

Chase acquired "Billy" several years ago much to my chagrin. Chase's grandparents (my mom and dad) bought him this realistic looking creature from the NC Zoo in Asheboro. (I cannot remember what terrible thing I did to my parents that warranted such a prize.) I won't go into great detail about the exact tone and language used when this rubber-like reptile entered our home. Let's just say that I was not happy! But...(and I have to throw in the but), Chase was ecstatic! He could not have been happier! The look on his face was...well... okay, he batted his big blue eyes at me twice.... and Billy was part of the family! ( Chase must have given my parents "the look" too!)

I vividly remember speaking with my dear husband about our newly acquired pet. I remember making it very clear that I did not want to play with Billy, or hold Billy, or have anything to do with Billy. Billy was to be the boys' toy. I also remember emphasising my distaste for any and all snakes. (Real or not) The last thing I remember saying about Billy was, "Please, no scaring me with that snake!"

For those of you who know my husband, you probably knew his father. For those of you that did not know Amos, let me just say, he was the "King of Teasing". Not teasing for the sake of teasing, but teasing until you cried and screamed "Uncle" teasing! My husband and first born inherited this trait.

I quietly watched as my son carried Billy everywhere. I allowed him to wear him as ornate jewelry around his neck. I even think I let him sleep with the long, black thing. Mostly Billy was quiet and stayed out of my way. The day came when Chase became keenly aware of my fear of snakes. Suddenly, Billy showed up in the oddest of places: in the cupboards, curled up around the base of a flower pot, on top of the toy box. The day my biggest fear became reality was when I was sorting laundry and Billy was found among the "darks". I thought for certain the paramedics would have to be called and the "paddles" would have to be used to bring my heart back to a normal arrhythmia. Somehow I survived the ordeal without intervention. Billy survived too. I do not recall seeing Billy for some time. (years even) One day, without warning, Billy showed his ugly face! I was pruning some bushes outside. Visions of what may lie under these shrubs were already swirling around in my head. Visions that came to fruition as I moved on to the Flowering Magnolia Tree. There, hanging from the limb I was about to cut , was a four foot long, black, Billy! I could hear my heart beat outside my chest. Again, I was certain that all the CPR, "paddles", and nitroglycerin tablets were not going to save me. Heart Attack! Stroke! Laughter! Laughter? Chase was on the ground...laughing hysterically! Not funny! I was looking for the nearest shovel, hoe, or sharp object with which to dissect the long, rubber reptile. Billy got lucky. Billy disappeared.

I have not seen Billy for a very long time. I have had time to recuperate from all the trauma he caused. A few weeks ago, Cole found Billy in one of Chase's drawers. (Obviously, one I do not put clothes in). I really thought I had recycled Billy to Goodwill. I thought wrong! I also thought that my sweet Cole would have no interest in a very long, very realistic looking, very black, snake. Wrong again! He likes him! He too likes to adorn his neck with Billy. I choose to ignore it all. I hope Billy soon will be forgotten and he can end up in the bottom of a box headed to the nearest donation site. A nice tax deduction I think!

Not so fast! Billy reared his ugly head again today! This is what I saw when I opened the freezer to thaw out something for dinner.

Not funny! Not funny at all! Now all the men in my family have "gotten me " with this stinkin' snake! Cole said he was just trying to freeze Billy. I think he was trying to freeze my blood flow. Well, they have all had a good laugh at my expense. Mommy will have the last laugh though! (I am thinking of boxes. Nicely wrapped . Pretty ribbon. With "pieces" of Billy in each one!) I am only kidding, but I have a feeling we may have seen the last of Billy!