High Tea with Friends

This should've been posted a couple of months ago, but if you don't tell, I won't....

Flynn had a playdate with some friends of ours who were moving. So they were able to spend the morning with us. And what better to do when you have a few girls together, but a tea party!

We flipped over the train table, threw on a sissy tablecloth & voila! instant tea party.

They thought I was bizarre, but I had them each choose a hat. And I talked in an English accent.

So basically, the tea party was all about me. Then one of Flynn's friends said, "Do we have to keep having the tea party?" So I started to cry & stomp my foot & said that I wouldn't be her friend.

Then we played with something else.

How a Child Might Describe a Reaction

Children have unique ways of describing their experiences and perceptions, including
allergic reactions. Precious time is lost when adults do not immediately recognize that a
reaction is occurring or don’t understand what the children might be telling them.
The following text contains examples of the words a child might use to describe a
reaction.

In addition, know that sometimes children, especially very young ones, will put their
hands in their mouths, or pull or scratch at their tongues, in response to a reaction. Also,
children’s voices may change (i.e., become hoarse or squeaky), and they may slur their
words.

If you suspect your child is having an allergic reaction, follow your doctor’s instructions.

• This food’s too spicy.
• My tongue is hot (or burning).
• It feels like something’s poking my tongue.
• My tongue (or mouth) is tingling (or burning).
• My tongue (or mouth) itches.
• It (my tongue) feels like there is hair on it.
• My mouth feels funny.
• There’s a frog in my throat.
• There’s something stuck in my throat.
• My tongue feels full (or heavy).
• My lips feel tight.
• It feels like there are bugs in there (to describe itchy ears).
• It [my throat] feels thick.
• It feels like a bump is on the back of my tongue [throat].

Food Allergy News, Vol. 13, No. 2. ©2003 The Food Allergy &
Anaphylaxis Network. All rights reserved.

Like Father, Like Son

Jeff's Grama emailed me this picture she got, after receiving a photo of Gabe in the mail. Here's what she had to say about their likeness,
"Do you see any resemblence?
I do. Lots."

September Goodness

One of the things that the Perrys' love more than fall is camping.
And that's exactly what we did this past September weekend.
We joined Gammy & Gampa & their camper (otherwise known as my weekend sanity)
& probably found themselves 1/2way thru the weekend, wondering what they were thinking by allowing the little sweeties to interrupt their sleep by joining them in their warm camper.

We took out the canoe (I just kept saying "Tippy canoe & Tyler too", cuz I think I heard that in history class back in high school)....and Flynn even got to take a spin around the lake (photos to follow).

We found safe chocolate & made s'mores, sat around the fire, barbqued and caught a walking stick.

How does it get any better? I mean, seriously, can you think of a funner way to spend a weekend???

Now, the 'icky' part is that we spent the last couple hours of our hiatus at the local rural hospital as Flynn had a reaction.
But once again our girl proves courageous, only cried while getting a shot, and then slept for 5 hours.
And also once again, God shows provision with the fact that it was not an anaphylactic reaction, we knew exactly where the hospital was, and made it there w/in 10 minutes.
We also have the absolute best church family around, with one family coming to the hospital to check on us, 2 families calling once we were home, and another family bringing us dinner (along w/ chocolate covered strawberries, which I inhaled w/in 18 hours, and played games w/ Flynn on her floor for 2 hours...Caseys, you rock!).
I had planned on taking a photo of the strawberries as they were beautiful, w/ orange drizzle, but I sat them out to take the picture, and ate them before I could even turn on my camera.

Cool Video

It's a bit long, but if you've got the patience, it's worth it & very entertaining...

9-1-1

I haven't had the best of luck when it comes to staying perfectly healthy. So when I think about Jeff picking me up from the bathroom floor last year, it makes me shudder to think of the fact that it could've been 2 hours later & he could've been gone.

Which would've meant Flynn finding me on the floor, instead of Jeff.



Scary isn't it?



And the fact is that my kids are not allowed to play with the phone. The one time I left Flynn with full access, she dialed someone. It was the pastor's home, and the phone remained off the hook (possibly w/ them on the other line) ALL EVENING.

With us "going about our evening" with them possibly on the other line.

Mom & MIL, quit reading...

"About our evening"

Kids asleep.

Us "not asleep"

Us "not sleeping" in the living room.

Are you following me?

And if you ever have said, "no way, I want to die." It was after a moment like me realizing that the phone was off the hook & the last number dialed (pastor & boss) had heard any or all of what had went on that evening.

Mom & MIL, you can resume...

SO,

From that point on, the phone was off limits for the children. As a matter of fact, I (not always Jeff) make my best effort to keep the phone hung up, on the cradle, which is out of the reach of the children.



Convenient, but not always safe. So it had me thinking. What if I fell down the steps (which I've done before, not surprisingly) & was knocked unconscious. Or had a heart attack. Or just plain old die? Not only do I lay there unattended by emergency personnel, but even more scary is that my children are left to fend for themselves until Jeff gets home? -- possibly 12 hours (or so, dependent upon when this hypothetical emergency happens) later?

That's scary & sad.



So, today was the day I decided to teach Flynn 9-1-1.



It went something like this:



Mommy: Flynn, if there is ever a time where Mommy maybe doesn't wake up, or gets hurt or sick, & you can't get Mommy to answer you... there's something you'll need to do. Do you know what you should do if that happens?

Flynn: No-uh (spoken w/ major inflection)

Mommy: #1 you should find the phone. Where is it?
She knew right where it was, went to where it hangs & pointed to it.

Mommy: But it's too high...what would you do?

Flynn: I would get a chair.

Mommy: That's right, let's do that.

Mommy: Okay, now what?

Flynn: I don't know-uh. (again w/ the inflection)

Mommy: You will have to dial emergency. Press TALK. Press 9. Press 1. Press 1.

(I had turned the phone off before the dialing obviously)

Mommy: Then you say, "My name is Flynn and my mommy is hurt."

Then we talked about different things that are or aren't emergencies.

Then, being the odd-ball I am, I made her a paper phone, fashioned to look identical to ours. And we practiced.

Okay Flynn, here we go...

And I pretended to have some type of attack-arrest-faint. She stood there stunned. And stared, like she was scared & maybe thought it was real.

But not Gabe, he laughed & picked up his really heavy sandal & threw it at me. It hit my chest which delighted him. And I took that opportunity to tell Flynn it was time to call 911 on her pretend phone. Gabe took the opportunity to throw his other sandal, which this time hit me in the face. And so Flynn said that she dialed TALK 9 1 1. And she said, "I'm Flynn. My mom is sick."

Tomorrow I teach her how to sleep in.

I wish.

Memories, Installment #1

There is always guilt to be had when you are a Mom. There's always something you did...or didn't do....or said....or should've said.
And when baby #2 comes along, your time is divided & with that the fact that you can't do all that you did with baby #1.
But for my baby #1, there's something I did for baby #2 that she didn't have at that age, and that's this blog.
From the point at which I started this blog, 18 mos ago, I've been able to anecdote most cute things the kids have done & said. That 18 mos encompasses most of Gabe's life.
But not Flynn's. There are several cute things she's said & done in her life that never got recorded.

The other night I tucked Flynn in. She asked me to tell her a story. One thing that I've learned from my dear nieces is that no story is better than a story about yourself especially from when you "were little".

And so, I searched the dusty corners of my mind for a story about Flynn as a baby, that I thought Flynn as a preschooler would appreciate.

I came up with this one....

It was three years ago. A very hot & sticky September day. Jeff's school district was 'marching' in the town parade & at my urging, we were participating along with his school. The theme was patriotic, so I put Flynn's cute Ralph Lauren red & white striped polo dress (thank you Ms Heather) & sunglasses on her. It was nap time, so less than 10 minutes into our 45 minute walk, Flynn had nodded off in her stroller. It must've been in the 90s & thanks for Missouri humidity, we were all sweating & thirsty. I rested my can of soda in the cup holder, which sat in front of Flynn....because she was after all, asleep.

As we reached the end of the parade route, we spotted someone we knew, a parent of a former student of ours. We detoured off the parade route & started chatting with her. As we were catching up, I motioned toward our baby whom she'd never seen or met. As I drew back the stroller's 'umbrella', there sat 10-month old Flynn, can upside down over her face....

enjoying her first coke.

Your results:
You are Supergirl

You know, I have always said I can get a lot done...multi-task. So perhaps this title is fitting. But can I say, I always liked Wonder Woman a little more. And as you can see, I was also 80% Wonder Woman (& Green Lantern, whoever in the heck that is). But what is funny is that I am not lean at this present season in my life. Nor am I feminine. And if you had seen me at church this morning in my skirt & heels, you would've thought the same thing I did.... Janet Reno. Supergirl 80% Wonder Woman 80% Green Lantern 80% Iron Man 70% Spider-Man 65% Hulk 65% The Flash 60% Superman 50% Robin 30% Catwoman 30% Batman 15%

Lean, muscular and feminine. Honest and a defender of the innocent.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test

Even Without a Turkey Dinner

I thank God today for a thankful spirit He has given me.




Unfortunately, and because of my own downfalls, it often takes hearing of someone's misfortune, to be gracious for my blessings.

The photos I post alone, could display how much God blesses us.

We don't have a lot of money. Our home is modest. Our "possessions" are nothing to brag about. But the more I bask in God's greatness, the more aware I am that those things sometimes just get in the way.

Here are a few of the many ways that God blesses us...

About once a month, someone gives us clothes for one of the kids. They're hand-me-downs, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Did you know, that I only have to buy my kids clothes about twice a year? -- and at that, the spending is usually in the clearance aisle?

About once a month, I find a really great garage sale treasure. Like tap shoes for Flynn, for when she grows out of these. Or a J Crew wool green sweater for Flynn (then, Gabe when she grows out of it). Or dress-up slips, for the few times a year that I 'doll' Flynn up. Or "Marble Works", a Discovery Toys game (the kids' favorite game for the last few months).

An occasional curb-side find. Like our new grill, or the bookshelves which serve as Flynn's "chest of drawers" (chest of baskets).

Or the way certain family members help us out to make sure our kids get to enjoy the extra things. Or that we are always able to get all of Flynn's meds.

We have family, and church family, and tons of friends, who love our kids so much. Our family is showered in affection.

My body, though it's seen its better days & I've had my share of weird diagnoses, was strong enough to bring two babies into the world... and it works well enough everyday to play with and take care of those two babies.

I was raised with the skill & creativity to be frugal & inventive. I'm sure when my mom brought me up the way she did, she had no idea how she was instilling me with values I'd depend on in my adulthood.

And if none of the previous reasons existed,

I'd still be so thankful....

Because of these two.

BucketHead

A Great Quote

"When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen.

When they're finished, I climb out."

--Erma Bombeck

quote brought to you by Lynn McKnight, creator of the Monkey Butts photograph which is portrayed on my bio

Could Have Something To Do With The Binky

Yawn.

We haven't had a good night's sleep in at least three days.
Besides monitoring poor little asthmatic Flynn, who has reacted to the beautiful Fall presence like any fall-allergic person does, we have dealt with Gabe waking in the wee hours and having a crying party.
I'm tired.
And I know Jeff is tired too.
You see, he's the sweet one who will get up & try to get Gabe back to sleep, while I'm the one who figures that he'll cry himself to sleep.

You go through all these questions like,

"Is he cold?"

"Did he have a bad dream?"

"Does he need us?"

"Is he not feeling good?"

"Maybe his tummy hurts."

But the truth is,
it probably has something to do with this...

Oh Binky, we miss you. You made sleeping so much easier.

For everyone.

Sliding

Our first fall-like day and we took outdoors. Spent our whole morning out there (or until Flynn's allergies could take no more).
Gabe & I found a bucket & collected acorns.
I watched him take his bucket to the top of the playset.
Then I hear the acorns sliding down....
he was taking 1 acorn at a time & sending it down the slide.
He'd laugh an evil laugh as they sailed off the end & plummeted to the ground.

I laughed along with him. But in the back of my mind, I had a thought that made me shudder.
It went something like this:


*If you can't see the video above, clicky click here.

Settling It Once & For All

Moms,
Ever notice how your husband's family all thinks your kids look like him; while your family sees your resemblence in your children?
Go to this heritage website & put their idea to the test. They analyze your face & come up w/ a Look-Alike Meter.
These results were no surprise to me...
Jeff & I look so much alike, we always said there'd be very little variance in our gene pool.
Have fun!



I would've thought Flynn looked 15% more like Daddy (& maybe Gabe looked 15% more like me)?

When the Moon Hits Your Eye...

Like a big dairy-free pizza pie...

That's amore!

(and a dirty oven)

While the pizza pies baked,

Flynn & Gabe made a pizza that can not be eaten (well, Gabe might beg to differ)

Can you guess which is the 'real' pizza?

Skunk

Watching a Curious George episode with the kids sparked this memory of mine....

now, mind you, this happened when I was probably 7'ish, so I can not be held responsible for any fabrications or embellishments...

My Grandpa lived next door growing up, the way I think it should be. And he had a part in just about everything we did. Eating supper with us most nights, etc.

My Dad had just finished building our garage. And being in a somewhat rural area, we got a visitor. A skunk had decided to check out our garage & everything in it.

Long story short (only because I don't remember the in between), my Grandpa cornered the skunk in the garage.

And you can only imagine what happened.

Him & everyone around him (don't remember who) was sprayed.

And most likely bathed in tomato sauce that night.

Just like George.

Daddy Will Think This Is Funny

Last night, while I was at work, I called home to check on them. Flynn told me they went to the "movie store & pet store."

Just now, the kids were playing dress up. It's quite the occasion when I bring up the box of dress up clothes (because I know that a good hour of clean up is sure to follow).
I was pulling things out of the box, showing the both of them what they were & what they could be by donning the ensemble.
I found some sunglasses & told Flynn, "You can wear these & be a 'Movie Star'."

Just now, Flynn came in with a pink & shimmery silver boa on.

She told me,

"I look like a MOVIE STORE."

Before I Was a Parent

I used to think that these:

Were cruel.

Now?

Now I think they're practical. ;)

Bubby, the Care-taker

I think it's strange & worth mentioning, that Bubs -- even tho he's younger & "the boy", is always taking care of Sissy.

When he gets his cup out of the fridge, he also gets her's & takes it to her, "Sis, cup! Sis, cup!"

And really, it's not limited to her cup ... anytime he sees ANYTHING belonging to her, he RUNS to her with it, "Here Sis! Here Sis!"



It's cute & certainly a trade of roles.



Too bad Sissy doesn't appreciate it like we do.

B-I-N-K-Y

And the binky is good bye-o!



Yep, day 3 of no binky. And can I tell you? -- aside from the first day, it was easier than I thought. The toughest part of all of it is trying to get him settled down at night. The binky was a sedative of sorts. His nightcap. And now it just takes our strength of 'convincing him' that he's ready for bed.

A little sad I am. It's just yet another step, like weaning from the bottle, like learning to walk... steps closer to boyhood, and steps away from being my baby boy.

Who am I kidding.... he'll always be my baby boy.

Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes

Did you ever know that Aunt G won a car? For real. A brand new Honda hybrid car. I was on the phone with her when the package came informing her of her big win. She thought it was a hoax. I told her, "I'll let you go so that you can go & call & figure out if it's for real."
Well it was.
And I consider her to be one of the luckiest people I know (she wins everything).
But it's worth mentioning that shortly before she won this car, she & her husband helped open an orphanage in India.
For real.

I never win anything.
But you might...
There's a contest going on for a new pair of Ryka shoes.
You have 2 days to get there & enter. And you have 2 chances to win.
Click on both the above blogs to get your 2 chances.

Good luck.
Even tho Angie will probably win.

Meet Lucy

This is Lucy.

She is my new baby.
Not only is she orange, but she will be the reason for me completing so much housework, chores, and maybe doing it all with a little pep in my step.

She's perfect becuz she's small, and won't take up too much room.

Unlike everything else in this house.

She's also perfect because she's a gift from Hot Hubby.

Who I've convinced to name his iPod 'Linus'.

An Interview With My Mom

1. Was I as energetically obnoxious in utero as I am today?
You were very active, especially in my 8th and 9th month of pregnancy. I didn't mind though. I came close to losing you when I was 2 months pregnant; so, it was reassuring to have you kicking around.

2. What were you doing 34 years ago today?
At my last Dr appointment, he decided that I should be induced. So, on August 29th, I was getting ready for my trip to the hospital and getting loose ends tied up for your older siblings while I would be gone. I left very early for the hospital on August 30th. I was to be induced starting at 7:00 AM. Everyone was so excited that you were coming soon. All I had to do was wait for the labor pains to do their job and wonder if I was going to get a boy or a girl.

3. What name would I have, had I been a boy?
It was Christopher Daniel. Everyone in the delivery room thought you were going to be a boy because the heart beat was slower than a girl. As soon as they put you in my arms, you peed all over me. Loren rode through town on his bike telling everyone that.

4. What was the most memorable thing I said or did as a toddler?
Gee I can't remember specifics about one thing you said or did as a toddler. I wish I had kept a journal of you. Just like you are doing with your blog. You and I had such fun everyday with the little record player and your favorite tunes. You would put on something silly to wear and we would dance and have so much fun. We didn't know in addition to the fun it was also good exercise.

5. What makes me different from my sibs?
If a mom had a dozen kids each one would be different. One thing that makes you different than your brother or sister is you are honest with everyone and you speak your mind.

6. When I was 5, what did you think I would be as an adult?
At 5 years of age I don't think I wondered what you would be as an adult. I was concentrating on getting you through kindergarten. I was so concerned about the long bus ride (about 15 or 20 miles each way) to the temporary school that you had to attend all year because of Eureka Elementary burning down. Especially since you had motion sickness everyday on the bus.

7. Did you think I'd be a good mom?
I always knew my children would be great parents. You were shown so much love by all of us. You had the advantage of your dad and I being older and more mature when you came along. I remember the evening I came home from the doctor and we sat down with Loren and Angie at the kitchen table. We told them we had a surprise and would they like to guess what it was. Loren guessed a new car and Angie guessed a washing machine. They were so excited to know they were getting a new baby. They competed constantly for any opportunity to help take care of or play with you. The first thing they did when they got home from school everyday was run to greet you. It was always my prayer that you would be a nurturing and Godly mother.

8. How is my life different from how you'd expected it would be?
Your life is sort of what I expected it to be. Especially what I was hoping it would be. You do an amazing job with your family.

Thanks Mom, for your hard 'work' 34 years ago!

Big Cousin

This is the first time Flynn's a big cousin (or Gabe too for that matter).


And she is so good at it!


Here she holds the new cousin, Jack:

She makes a pretty good big cousin...and will make a great sitter!

A Trip to Build-A-Bear, compliments of Aunt G

When Gabe was born, Flynn was freshly 21 mos. & along with that &
her new title as BIG Sister, she was ready for a field trip without us.

And so, Aunt G & cousins picked up Flynn in true date fashion

(she was sporting braids & her strawberry shortcake backpack).

And off they all headed to the mall to build Flynn's Happy Tappy Elmo

(complete with tuxedo & patten leather shoes).

So, when this same milestone hit with Gabe (not the being a big sib part thank goodness),

G decided a trip to BaB was in order for him as well.

Here he is pressing the peddle for the fluff.

(check out his flip flops)

And choosing a heart.

Bubby built a cute turtle, complete with turtle shell back pack.

He is named, "Trek".

G also bought Trek a birthday ensemble (party hat, sash, blower, you know -- everything a birthday turtle wears for a birthday celebration).

Before we went, Flynn was all, "I'm going to build a bear too."

And I was all, "No you aren't...this is Gabe's special day."

And then, Miss Renee gave Flynn her bear bucks.

And Flynn built a bear too (Reed, the cute curly-haired bear with reading glasses and Cat in the Hat boxers).

Two Things...

Two things I like about Flynn...

ONE is:

and the other is:

Scary Hairy

THIS

(check out the knots)

Is why I decided to cut about 3 inches off Flynn's hair tonight.
May many easy brushings be in the days to come.

Because I Never Claimed to be a Computer Guru

Hence my header.... I'm working on it tho & if I didn't need to go & make dinner for two new moms, I would work on it some more.
For now, you'll just have to contend with it.

And speaking of computer gurus,

I Couldn't Have Planned It Any Better...

Shortly after returning from vacaysh (hence the lack of upkeep on the pool & its mossy water),

Jeff yelled at me from his bathroom.

In an excited tone, he beckoned for me to look out his window.

And THIS is what we saw:

We laughed in glee & high-fived & cheered for the little rodent's death.

My only sadness?

That I didn't see the squirrel fall into the pool, then, well, you know what follows...

But, last Sunday, our wish came through.

Again, from his bathroom (are you starting to follow that he spends a great deal of time in there), Jeff yells for me to look! out the window!

And to my delight, there the pesky, nasty rodent, was doggy-paddling (do you call it doggy paddle when it's a squirrel?), the perimeter of the pool.

Apparently these little guys have been scaling the side of the pool, then plummeting to their death. But this one we got to watch, swimming, then attempting to scale the side, and treading some more.

The really sick thing is that we laughed from the window, giggling, videoing it with the camera phone, giggling some more, high fiving, evil laughter (mm'wa ah ah), & high fiving some more.

All on the Sabbath, nonetheless.

Paul Bunyon

Gabe still sports the olive on a toothpick look....

His stats are a whopping 25 lbs & 36 inches tall.
Putting him at the 95th % for his height, but only the 15th for his weight.

And going by the formula at projecting adult height,
Dr says he'll be at least 6 feet tall.

This makes momma happy....finally, passing on the height gene.

How Can My Baby Be Two?

Dear Gabe,

Where have these last two years gone?

I remember the day you were born. . . I was hanging the letters of your name on the wall, and my water broke. You were stubborn back then, and you took 18 hours to arrive.
The night after you were born, you made noises all night long, and I never slept. I just kept getting up to see you.
And I did that for the next 3 months.

We loved you then, your sensitivity, your presence.
And now you're two.

And you definitely know what you want. And you aren't afraid to let everyone know what you like & what you dislike.
You love to play. You love your sissy. But you really love Momma, and everytime I walk out the door, it breaks your heart.
And it breaks my heart when your heart is broken.

I wonder about what the years hold for you. Will you be good at sports? Will you love to read? Will I cry when I take you to kindergarten or when you ask your wife to marry you?
One thing is for sure. I love being your Momma. And I must've done something pretty great to deserve you as my boy.
Happy 2nd Birthday Gabe.

Love,

Momma