Char's Dance

I missed posting this gem for March. Charlotte decided last minute (we're talking a few hours beforehand) that she wanted to dance for our Ward Talent Show. She had seen the stage as we were helping to decorate, and that got her performance skills itching (yes, amidst all the illness, there was some fun moments). I had her show me at home what she wanted to do and I was pretty surprised at her improv skills. She was put on the list and  had her 2 minutes in the spotlight. She cracks me up.

MARCH (oy vey)

March. I sit and stare at the screen, wondering where to start. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Actually, there were no "bests" about it; and frankly, it COULD have been worse, but oh, man. It was not fun. Not. Fun.

I know that many were hit with the flu/nasty cold over the winter, and we skated through healthy as can be when WHAMMO! It hit and hit hard. I hesitate to go into detail - partly because I am weary of the details, I have no desire to relive it, and frankly, it would make this post too long. Let's just say our family accomplished the following in 5 weeks' time: two cases of double ear-infections that would NOT go away, 4 other ear infections,  2 cases of sinus infections (I was one of those cases. Mom+Sinus infection = Lame Sauce) that would NOT go away, one case of epiglottitus (Matt's achievement of the month - luckily, it did go away), 7 eye infections, 9 different treatments of antibiotics,  coughs, fever, (both which lingered for weeks), increased intake of fluids, mastered mucus-suctioning skills (that one is me), perpetual sore throats, round-the-clock essential oil usage and diffusers, black mold (ugh - moving on), 12, yes TWELVE visits to the doctor, lots of Monopoly tickets from Albertsons, and first-name basis with the pharmacy staff at Sav-on. In the words of Sammi (quoting a woman who just discovered her apartment was on fire) - "Ain't nobody got time for that!"

Well, we lived and now it seems like a distant, unpleasant memory. We had some family and my visiting teachers bring us dinners and it was SO appreciated. It helped make those foggy, rather depressing days brighten up.

Amidst all this, we still managed to live a little. Here's March's happenings:

 Matt's birthday was the second day of March and we celebrated in high style! Actually - no. We were all feeling a bit "under the weather" (mostly Matt), so we took him lunch at work and I made him a steak dinner at home. Later that night while we were sleeping, his epiglottis swelled up and shut off his airway. That's something I don't want to relive again. He went into the doctor who was alarmed and surprised - Matt had "epiglottitis" and it is a scary and life-threatening illness. He was given a shot of steroids, a treatment of antibiotic, and a blessing. Thankfully, the swelling went down and he recovered. He had to have an emergency "sleep study" later that week, and we were pleased that he included us by sharing a picture of his set-up there:

 

Needless to say, he didn't get a lot of sleep, but they were able to get some testing done. Apparently, he's one number away from being the worst level of sleep apnea that you can be. So...that chapter o' life has yet to be unfolded.

Here's Charlotte and me on one of the first of many visits to the pediatrician. Sweet girl - she had a double ear infection and we didn't even know it. The goopy eyes were our indication of something amiss...





...and here's me and Henry on another one of our pilgrimages to the doctor. I let Char take pictures to occupy her.









Despite all the yuck, there were some fun times. Eli showed us what he made at Kindergarten for St. Patrick's Day...

We got to see family and cousins over Spring Break.....








and the kids and I kept up the tradition of decorating cookies, albeit a little more subdued than normal. The downside was, because we were still sickly, I didn't want to give them to our friends and neighbors so we ate them ourselves. A LOT of them. I finally had to throw a bunch away because I was drowning my sorrows in a sea of frosting and scrumptious cookies. So good. 

All in all, March drug on and we drug ourselves around, trying to keep up. Poor little Henry just slept and slept. He's such a sweetie - even when he's sick. 

March. Out. (and good riddance to you, sir!!!!!)

Note: It really could have been much worse, and we were  blessed throughout it all. Spring was already blooming and, although allergies probably added to the issues, the warmer days and bluer skies made things much less depressing.

February

My little Maddi turned 10 on February 4th. 10! It still boggles my mind a bit, how fast that decade has gone by. Maddi is a wonder. She is bright, funny, beautiful, intelligent - and as amazing as these qualities are she is also one of the kindest, most considerate, selfless people I know. She is determined and consistent and she has such amazing self-control. Her laugh cracks us up and her spirit warms my heart. She warms our home with her thoughtfulness and awareness of others. Happy Birthday, dearest Maddi! (Yes, again. In case you lost count, that's three times in two weeks.)

Eli celebrated 100 days of kindergarten.

He's so cute.

 About a week later, we all stood in line for 5 hours so Sammi could audition for America's Got Talent. The overall setting and experience was definitely not glamorous. It was essentially waiting in line for five hours outside, around, and through the arena, the line zig-zagging throughout, with a very mixed assortment of the human family. One woman (who had officially changed her name to "Forever Friday" - true story. She showed us her driver's license to prove it) pointed a finger at Sammi and said "YOU! You are that girl in blue that sang at that Valentine-thing and were better than everyone!" Sammi looked perplexed as the woman then swung towards me, pointed and said "YOU! You're that hair lady with a tattoo!" Hahaha. No. We were directly in front of a guy that was a bit "off."He didn't get too close to the kids, but he seemed rather intent on standing as close to Matt as possible, so that gave us a giggle. Matt, however, grew weary of his new "friend" that stood inside his bubble and rapped in his ear. Yes. Rapped. The kids did AMAZING as we waited for 5 hours. Henry just sat and looked at everyone the whole time and Charlotte entertained with song, dance, and awkward questions. Keith and Eli used their V-tech "cameras" to document the occasion - and random strangers - and Maddi read, joked with Matt and I, and took it all in. Sammi did really really well. She got a little nervous right before, but pulled it together. It's like she thrives off of the pressure. I found myself rather surprised at how well she sings her song - I've always known she was good, but it seems like this last week she stepped up a level. Anyway, only one of us could go with her into the audition so we decided Matt should go. He said she did awesome - she sang it the best she has since she's been singing it for us (which is a LOT). She did her own arrangement of "Hanging Tree" from Mocking Jay movie. We weren't allowed to have cameras, but I'll post a video I made of her singing it on here) .  (side note: we assume she didn't make it on the show because they didn't call and have posted on their website that all calls have been made. No worries - it was a fun night and such a good experience for her. We're happy.)

We celebrated Valentine's Day...

Maddi taught Skipper how to play "hide-and-seek"...

And Matt got a camper for his birthday (it was an early gift, and will cover his birthdays for the next decade.)

By the end of this month, most of us were coming down with what seemed to be only the sniffles, but was soon to be the unleashed illness-of-the-century for our clan. *ominous, foreboding music*

January a.k.a. "Monster - Huge Post"

(note: I begin this post with a pointed disregard for my lack of posting. It's an ongoing battle. Those who have been a "fan" of this blog, know the shpeel. There's no need to delve. I like to think of it as a "sporadic-suspense- building blogging technique". You never know when it'll happen, thus - sporadic. You're excited, no? Thus, suspense-building. But I digress...)

January - January was BUSY! By this time we are in full swing of the "Birthday Marathon." Sammi turned thirteen on the 29th of December, (yey Sammi!) and I am now officially the mother of a teenager. Yikes. So far, though, she's a pretty good one. Beautiful, talented, stylish, and hil.ar.i.ous! I'll see if I can convince her to let me post some of her "Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde pictures." Seeriously. So. Funny!)

Anywho, Sammi's birthday marks the beginning of birthday mayhem at our house. I feel like I am in constant planning mode.
But FIRST: the year began with some milestones: Charlotte became a Sunbeam (yes, she still refers to herself as "Princess Mac n' Cheese")

and Henry decided to walk and took his first steps! 

Keith turned 8 on Jan. 14th - it was a fun day and we decided to switch up our traditions a bit by having the birthday child get to go to dinner with dad AND mom. I LOVE this new tradition. The other kiddos get to have mac n' cheese or whatever meal of their choice that makes me cringe, while Matt and I and birthday-little-person eat it up at Red Robin. We had a lot of fun talking to Keith and getting to know more of his deep thoughts. He's such a steady guy, with adorable freckles and incredible intelligence. He's easy-going, loves anything to do with the solar system, Angry Birds, science, and Scentsy Buddies. He loves to write stories and has quite the sense of humor. He wanted a cherry pie for his birthday, and so - I made one. Happy Birthday, Keith!

Five days later, it was Eli's turn! He's such a funny guy - we stuck to our new tradition, and had a blast at Red Robin (yes, again) and opened presents. We discussed his thoughts and where he was at in his life, and it was mighty fun. Eli is such a ball of sunshine. He loves everything, loves to play with Keith (whom he outweighs by a pound) and is always smiling. We are so grateful to have this little guy as our son.

 

 

Keith also became a Cub Scout and his birthday was just in time for him (and Matt) to do the Pinewood Derby! Yahoo! They spent 2 hours watching a physics video on how to build the "perfect" derby car. The lesson was learned. The car was built. And the races were WON - all 8 of them! It was pretty exciting and ended with an award ceremony where Keith was given the 2nd Place ribbon. Only in Cub Scouts can you will all races and get 2nd place. Even the kid that got first place was confused. Ah, well. It was still fun.  

Henry got his first haircut. 

 He wasn't very thrilled. It was sad for me too...but, I gave him lots of hugs and kisses and saved his beautiful locks. The end result was pretty cute - he looked like a little man, less like Bob Ross. Thanks, Dad!

 

 

Finally, the month was topped off by Keith's baptism. On July 31, Keith was baptized the same day as his cousin, Sam. 

 

It was so fun to be able to share this day with my friend and sister, Katy. We had cake afterwards and cute CTR cookies made from my mom's killer sugar cookie recipe. So good. (Side note: They really are good...I once ate 6 of them even when my sense of taste was gone. They're that tasty.) It was a wonderful day and we're so proud of Keith and the person he is.

 

January. Out.

 

January 2014 - Part Two

If this is going to happen, I've got to keep it short! Five days after Keith's birthday, we celebrated Eli's! I can't believe my little guy is five! Since his birthday was on a Sunday, his dad took him to Primo's and Big Al's for bowling on Saturday - he graciously invited Keith to come along, so the boys had a good time. On Sunday, we celebrated with the Birthday Boy's breakfast and dinner of choice and cake!

Our month ended with Charlotte continuing to be adorable, Maddi finishing her final cake for her class and Eli being allergic to something. (He was fine after a day or two).

On that note...Happy January!!