Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Two for Twos-day!

My two-some this week is Todd and I! This picture was taken a few weeks ago on our trip to the local free zoo!!!! We were just outside the Japanese gardens!!!


For more twosome fun, head on over to Who says 8 is enough!


Thursday, June 25, 2009

This has been a crazy week.

This week has really been something. Crazy from start till now!!! I have some pictures to help explain my way through the week.

This first picture is Kaleb and Kendyl at Costco. We hadn't been shopping in a couple months. Seriously, a couple months. We were down to bare cupboards. So we headed out to costco to stock up on some of the things we needed. Well, half way through the trip I noticed Kaleb was getting sleepy. I turned around to get something, and he was out, on Kendyl's shoulder. We kept shopping, because I figured "atleast he had a soft place to lay right?" Well, she kept rubbing his back, kissing him, and just being really sweet. I tried to get the picture of her doting on him, but she caught on and smiled for the picture. Either way its still cute!!!! The bond that twins share amazes me each and every day!!!!
Then, Monday started off just fine. The day was good. Hot, but good. We had dinner, and were cleaning up. Todd was going to go out and mow, and I was going to fold laundry that was piling up in a mountain in my living room. Todd was clearing the table, and I was washing dishes. And then we heard it. The growl, followed by screaming sobs from Kaleb. Swiffer had bit Kaleb in the face. I scooped Kaleb up immediately and got him on the counter to assess the damage while Todd took the dog away to deal with him. When Todd came back in we asked Kaleb what happened, and he wouldn't tell us. We assessed the wounds together and decided that the cut on his upper lip needed to be seen by a doctor. It had a rather big opening, and looked like a "smile" that would't pull back together nice. I was thinking maybe he needed the glue that they use. So off I went while Todd stayed with the kids. My mom met me up at the ER and we were seen rather quickly. They have a "wound clinic" just for things like this. So we got in in no time!!!

They of course asked the usual questions about the dog, and that's when the truth of what happened came out. We've known for a long time that Kaleb is very aggressive with dogs, cats, any animal really. He is an animal lover. He's in their face, kissing, hugging, etc. And when they asked him what happened, he said he layed on Swiffer to give him a kiss. Well, swiffer was on "who's going to drop something" watch. Swiffer felt pinned, and gave the only warning a dog knows how. I'm not making an excuse for the dog. Its not acceptable. But it wasn't an unprovoked attack. And to answer the popular question, yes we still have the dog, and no, nothing is going to happen to him. The ER thought there was no need to do anything with him since he's a family dog and it was a provoked attack. She felt there was no reason to feel threatened at all. And we whole heartedly agreed.

At the ER, they assessed him, and by that time the swelling had pushed the cut pretty well back together, so it didn't really need anything, but we were there so we had them look. They said that their big concern was the bacteria from the dogs mouth. So they put him on antibiotics for 5 days, cleaned the wounds, and sent us home.

Kaleb did so well. He was amazing. Such a big brave boy! He was flirting with the nurses and was quite the little ladies man!!! It was cute to watch!!!

Here are the cuts. One on the cheek, one on the upper lip, and one just under the inside of the upper lip.

Here's my brave boy waiting to be seen. Didn't want mom or Grandma to sit with him. He wanted to do it alone. . .well, him and blankey!!!
All done. All clean!

He was his normal goofy self by the time we got home, as you can see!!! I took this so we could watch the progression of the bruising.

Then, that night when we got home, Gabe pulled out his other upper front tooth. So he now has the nice big two teeth missing hole!!!

Wednesday was a tough one. I woke up in the morning to Dallas flying up the stairs. He came in and told me that "Gabe just peed on the floor in our bedroom." I was like "WHAT ON EARTH?!?!?!?!" So I found Gabe. Apparently he got up, and was putting his swimming suit on and had to pee so bad, so decided to just whip it out and pee right there. Dallas woke up to the sound of him going. He got a swat on his butt, handed a wad of paper towels, and cleaners, and was told he was going to have to clean the mess himself. I feel like the worlds worst mom admiting what my child did. How on earth could he ever have thought that that was on ok choice?? I really struggle with little boys and their fascination with just whipping it out and peeing where ever they see fit. IN most cases its an out door thing. Still not ok, but atleast its not PEEING ON MY FLOOR!!!!!!

The rest of the day was kids not wanting to listen to me. Thats something we're dealing with a lot this week because of the really really hot muggy weather we can't be outside for long extended periods of time. They're going stir crazy. And its wearing on me!!!!


Last night, like many nights before, Kaleb fell asleep at the dinner table. But last night was different because he actually landed IN his food!!!! I had to take a picture!!!! And in this one, you can see the progression of the bruise on his poor little face.

One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn't belong. .. . . (got that song in your head now????)
And then right after that, Gabe crawled on the couch to watch some TV, and sophie crawled up with him. He and sophie have something special. At the old house she'd crawl in with him and he'd pet her till he fell asleep. It got to the point he NEEDED her to sleep. She would happily oblidge him. Well, now that he's down stairs she's more likely to wait for the twins to fall asleep and go crawl in with them than she is to go down stairs and seek out Gabe. But she still loves to snuggle him, and still has the same effect on him as always. . .. this was less than 5 mintues after she crawled up with him. And as you can see, they're BOTH out!!!!

Todd came home from church and still had to mow the lawn. Since Dallas was the only one awake he asked him if he wanted to help. SO for the first time, Dallas got to have fun mowing. Though he wasn't keen on the push mower, he'd have rather helped daddy on the rider than to have mommy working with him on the push mower!!!!

Tonight we are having Todd's boss and her little girl over. I used to do day care for her little girl, and she and Kendyl were very close. So they're coming to play on the water slide, and then we're going to go down the street two blocks to the parade!!!

Saturday night Todd and I get a WHOLE DAY ALONE!!!! Todd's aunt will be taking the kids for the day, and bringing them back at bed time, and putting them to bed for us! WOO HOO!!!!! So looking forward to that after this week I've had!!!!!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Way back When-sday!

Back to the innocent days. . .. the days where they didn't do things that would make their mommy say "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?" Back to the days where a few simple toys, and a mommy and daddy was all that was needed. Back to the simple days.

This is Gabe just before he turned one, about this time 6 years ago. This picture was needed this morning to remind me of simpler times. . . .What I woke to this morning from Gabe was FAR FAR FAR from innocent. SO I needed the reminder. . .




If you'd like to join in the way back fun, head on over to Twinfatuation.

Friday, June 19, 2009

A tooth goes missing, and a video to share!

And it was on PURPOSE!!!! We did the old tie a string around the tooth and around the door, and then slammed the door! Its a first for us, and it worked!!! Here's the video of it happening!

This was Gabe, and his third tooth. A stubborn one that just didn't want to come out!!! The video is mostly of Gabe and Todd, but Kendyl makes an appearance too!






My favorite is listening to the other kids in the back ground! I loved hearing Kaleb tell Gabe it was going to work, and listening to Dallas and Kendyl.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Terrible horrible rotten no good day.

Ever have a day that feels like that??? That would be my day today. I'm just in a rut today. Not in a good mood by any stretch of the imagination. I had such high hopes for today, and have been let down time and time again.

Tomorrow I start day care for an awesome little man. So I thought today I'd take my kids out and about, and do something fun for the, before the dynamic of the group changes. It will be changing in a GOOD way, and a way I'm happy to have it change, but changing none the less, so I figured HEY! Lets do something today!!!

First, I wanted to go to the Mississippi river park. I figured we'd go with my sister in law and her kids. We made the plans to go before I left for swimming lessons with the kids. While I was there, I got a message that she was backing out because her kids were "too tired." Bummer. What now?

So then Todd suggests the kids and I go down to his pool to swim, providing its not cloudy or anything after the recent rains. Ok, so we plan on that. Todd gets to work, and informs me that once he vacuums the pool it WILL be cloudy from the chemicals that he's put in there in the last couple of days so today wouldn't be the best day to go swimming. Bummer. What now?

I got a text from my sister in law. Turns out she was out shopping with the kids. And I have to admit, I was a little down. Too tired to play, but ok to shop. But, to each their own. After that I was bound and determined to do something with the kids. Especially because at this point the kids were crying. Their plans had been canceled TWICE now. So I said forget it!!! We're going to the park, and that's that. I'll suck it up, and sit alone, and let the kids play. So off we went.

When we got to the park we were happy to see that the splash park had been opened. YAY!! Our first GOOD NEWS of the day!! The kids were happy to get to check it out. We went to the gate, partially expecting it to be locked up yet. NO one was in the pool so I thought maybe it was closed. But it wasn't. And once we were int here, people started coming out of the wood work to play, and splash. But it was COLD! The kids splashed for a while, and then decided they were done. Bummer. Only killed one hour of the day.

We headed home with the intentions to set up the water slide again. (Todd's grandma got one last year on clearance for the kids) So I went through all the work to set it up, get it going, and let the kids have fun at home. Dallas, Gabe, and Kendyl went down once. And then just played on the swings. Bummer. Another back fire.

So we came in, gave the kids a snack, and are now cleaning the house before day care tomorrow. Its not in bad shape, I just want their toys picked up so that I can vacuum, and things put away. I really be they're wishing for the water park now! Because my children HATE cleaning.

I just don't like days like this. Where you have the best of intentions, but NOTHING falls into place.

Oh, and then on top of all of that we got notice from Todd's work about health insurance renewal. We currently have the lowest cost plan. We pay 600 per month for family coverage, and have a 5,000 dollar deductable before they pay ANYTHING. And then they only cover 80%. So we pretty much pay to have NO coverage. But we have to have it for the kids. Incase something major happens. We just found out today that we'll be experiencing a 120.00 per month jump in cost, and our coverage will be staying exactly the same. We could up our coverage to a 3,000 family deductable and 40.00 co pay, but also pay 1,100 per month. WE CAN'T AFFORD THIS!!!! Todd and I talked, and would rather cancel the coverage, since we can't even GO to the doctor because we can't afford the full cost. And of course we NEVER make the 5,000 dollar deducatable. Well, the kids are getting some help with their health insurace from the state. They're enrolled int he "cost effective" health care. They help us pay a portion of the kids' coverage and they help with co pays/deductables, etc. Without that we'd be lost. But because of that, we can't get rid of our insurance all together. They pay a portion of TODD'S insurance, and we have to keep enrolled. It stinks. So we suck it up, and pay more money out of pocket.

I think a great big cry would help relieve the stress, and maybe help things feel a little better.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Favorite pictures for Friday!

I was gonna put these in order, but I'm running out of time before my company comes! So instead I'll just tell you what they are!!!!

My niece Kristen, Kendyl, and Kaleb cheering the boys on at field day!

I don't know what it is, but I love this picture of him!
Dallas after swimming

Dallas being Dallas!!

My niece Kristen

My niece Bridgit

One of the MANY faces of Kaleb!

He's such a ham!


Gabe and sophie have decided they're the best of buddies! Here she is giving him a hug and kiss before he leaves for his last day of school! It was so cute!

Gabe at field day! All the classes tie dyed shirts to match! It was awesome!

The many faces of Kendyl!


I love this one! Look at that LOOK!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!!!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

First and last days of school this year!!!

Here they are!! The first and last days of school this year pictures!! I'm in shock that today is the last day Dallas will be a second grader, and Gabe will be a first grader! The time is flying SO fast! I'm ready for some time off, and summer break but man it doesn't feel like we should be in JUNE already!!!!



September 2008

June 11, 2009

Dallas:
September

June
He's grown taller, and his face has matured!


Gabriel:

September

June
I can't believe how much TALLER he is now! HOLY COW!! And his face looks so much more mature now!!!! What huge changes!!!




And just for fun, this is my nephew Kyle. Sophie and Kaleb rode with us this morning. Kaleb ask every day to ride with, so I let him today, and Sophie. . .well, she just sneaks in from time to time! My sister in law Sara told my Kyle was a little sad this morning because he was going to miss first grade, and she was happy to see him smiling in this picture! I think maybe Sophie knew just who needed the hug this morning!!!!

Here's to a crazy, busy, happy summer on its way!!!