Ava had an allergist appointment today. She is going to be taking another blood to test for even more things, fun fun. Among the list of things she will be tested for, eggs, milk, peanuts (these we already know she is allergic to but they want to see if it is to the same degree as before), plus sesame, shrimp, crab, clam, scallop, codfish, haddock, hazelnut, almond, cashew, pecan, pistachio, and walnut!
The end result we want is that she isn't allergic to anything anymore--now that would sure be nice! She had a reaction earlier this week to a cookie she ate (darn that Chips Ahoy!. . . okay, really it's my fault, she wore me down with her pitiful face so I gave her one, knowing we would pay the price later with itchy skin) so I suspect not everything will go away quite yet. But one can dream!
They also want to give her a food challenge. What this means is that they challenge her allergies to see what kind of a reaction she gets. Giving her wee little bits of milk on her skin, same with eggs, peanuts, etc. Then we get to watch to see if she has a reaction, now doesn't that sound like fun??
I was just reading a parent's complaint about schools policy's about not bringing peanut items to school. Before having Ava I might have agreed, but now that we have Ava, I think, "OH Please, you think you have it bad, try being the parent of a kid with allergies!". This is hard work!
Say a prayer for Ava, will you? Pray that the tests go well and this allergy issue becomes a thing of the past!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Clearing out the attic
We have a lot of toys in our house. Funny how with four kids you really do have four times the toys! Much of our toys have been put away in our attic where they get very little use. The other toys are, well, spread out all through the house. I can go with clutter for awhile, but then I get to the stage where I am fed up, and now I am there. I am on a mission to clean out the toys!
It seems so simple, but it's not. When I was growing up, we would move and all of our stuff would be "lost" in the move (AKA thrown away . . . thanks Dad). My friend Chris' mom actually bought her a bunch of Strawberry Shortcake dolls off Ebay a few years ago because Chris was so upset that her mom had tossed her childhood treasures years ago. So I do think that I want to keep some sentimental things! I have a box I want to fill with those things I want to hold on to, Becca's Jessie doll and Evan and Spencer's Buzz, their first blankets, etc.
Then, I also want to have things on hand for when people come over and bring their kids. Not a lot, but at least a box of baby/toddler toys for guests. The train table, barbie house, things that Ava will love to play with in the future have to stay, too.
Neil's parents had lots of his childhood toys for our kids to play with. I always thought that was so cool, so I want to keep some things for the future.
So basically I am not getting rid of as much as I would like to, or perhaps I should. I thought about doing the typical garage sale thing, but decided to take them to an auction instead. I have been going to a local auction and it is a lot of fun! There are lots of grandparents there, and toys go fast, so I figured we would give it a try.
It really is a breath of fresh air to simplify. The bonus is, the sooner I clean out the attic, the sooner I can move Becca up there. Since we have lived here we have had electricity put in, drywalled, painted, added built in shelves, etc. It looks so great up there now and I am excited to move her in. This will open up her very small current bedroom for Ava. At this point Ava has her crib in the boy's room so I am so excited to get her in her own room! Especially with how whiney she has been today, she needs her own room to cry and whine in . . . but that is another story!
It seems so simple, but it's not. When I was growing up, we would move and all of our stuff would be "lost" in the move (AKA thrown away . . . thanks Dad). My friend Chris' mom actually bought her a bunch of Strawberry Shortcake dolls off Ebay a few years ago because Chris was so upset that her mom had tossed her childhood treasures years ago. So I do think that I want to keep some sentimental things! I have a box I want to fill with those things I want to hold on to, Becca's Jessie doll and Evan and Spencer's Buzz, their first blankets, etc.
Then, I also want to have things on hand for when people come over and bring their kids. Not a lot, but at least a box of baby/toddler toys for guests. The train table, barbie house, things that Ava will love to play with in the future have to stay, too.
Neil's parents had lots of his childhood toys for our kids to play with. I always thought that was so cool, so I want to keep some things for the future.
So basically I am not getting rid of as much as I would like to, or perhaps I should. I thought about doing the typical garage sale thing, but decided to take them to an auction instead. I have been going to a local auction and it is a lot of fun! There are lots of grandparents there, and toys go fast, so I figured we would give it a try.
It really is a breath of fresh air to simplify. The bonus is, the sooner I clean out the attic, the sooner I can move Becca up there. Since we have lived here we have had electricity put in, drywalled, painted, added built in shelves, etc. It looks so great up there now and I am excited to move her in. This will open up her very small current bedroom for Ava. At this point Ava has her crib in the boy's room so I am so excited to get her in her own room! Especially with how whiney she has been today, she needs her own room to cry and whine in . . . but that is another story!
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Evan
I feel like I haven't posted a picture of Evan in awhile so here you go. Evan is very much ready for a break from school. Especially with the heat here we are ready to go swimming!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Spencer's BD Party
Molly & Brenna
Miles, Micheal, Aaron
Evan, Spencer, Isabel
Spiderman Super Soaker from Micheal
The school yard behind our house is the perfect setting for running around games.
The theme was Star Wars, and the cake had Darth Vader on it.
Back: Matt,Nicolas, Evan, Miles, Micheal,Aaron Front: Molly, Isabel, Brenna, Avery, and Spencer
This was that game where you have balloons tied to your ankle, and you have to try to pop each other's balloons. Spencer's friend Evan won . . . he was fast!
This was that game where you have balloons tied to your ankle, and you have to try to pop each other's balloons. Spencer's friend Evan won . . . he was fast!Spencer turned five on Monday, May 21st. He was able to have a birthday party on Saturday, which he was very excited about. Other than taking him and Isaiah to Chuck E Cheese/Build A Bear, this was his first "Friend Party". He was of course so sad that his buddy Isaiah couldn't be there. We invited some friends of his over, then with siblings it suddenly turned into a big crowd! Sadly, we weren't even able to invite everyone that we wanted to! Here are some pictures from the day.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Mothers of Preschoolers (aka MOPS)
Diane & Alexandra
Cory
Nancy (in the middle) won the "Best Hat" award
Me, Stephanie, Sarah, and Lydia
Sarah & Lydia
Crazy hats
Sarah, Natalie, me (stink, this one came out blurry!) These gals are also on my Arbonne team and they are awesome!**************************************
We had our last MOPS last Thursday, and it was a tea party. We dressed up, and had contests for best dressed, best hat, etc. Most ladies wore old lady hats, but my group went for the crazy hats. It was a lot of fun, and a great way to end the year. I won't be returning to MOPS next year, for a variety of reasons . . . I will miss hangin' out with these ladies every other Thursday.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Preschool Sweetness
My Mom by Spencer Bilyeu
My mom is "45" years old.
My mom is the prettiest when "she is in clothes".
My mom likes to make "macaroni & cheese".
My mom always says "I love you".
My mom is the funniest when she "tickles me".
*I added a photo from the mom's tea at Spencer's preschool where he gave me the card with the above quotes.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Addicted to LOST
My brain is spinning. This show is THE. BEST. SHOW. EVER.
Only one more week of LOST for the year. I am going to miss it so much, I will miss my LOST blogs. I will miss laying in bed after the show, telling Neil my theories as he tries to get to sleep. If you don't watch this show, you really should start. We are only in the third season, there is still time to catch up. There will be six seasons, total. Just rent the first two seasons this spring/summer, and then watch the third this fall. It rocks, really. I would not steer you wrong about this.
That's all.
Only one more week of LOST for the year. I am going to miss it so much, I will miss my LOST blogs. I will miss laying in bed after the show, telling Neil my theories as he tries to get to sleep. If you don't watch this show, you really should start. We are only in the third season, there is still time to catch up. There will be six seasons, total. Just rent the first two seasons this spring/summer, and then watch the third this fall. It rocks, really. I would not steer you wrong about this.
That's all.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Homeschooling this fall
Homeschooling is coming up quick. I am skeered! Yes, I do know how to spell and hopefully will be semi-competent in helping Becca learn something in the next year.
Yes, I have been saying for years that I will h'school the kids in Middle School.
Yes, I thought it was a cool idea when I heard it for the first time- *Scott Lash was homeschooling his daughter in Middle School and I adopted the idea for our family.
But . . . that was before I had an eleven year old with pleading eyes asking to go to school with her friends! And a baby who longs for my attention every second. And a business that I love to keep busy with. And a messy house. And the potential to be home with just Ava every day.
Last week all of the fifth graders went for a tour of the middle school (which is huge, by the way), and Thursday night was the Parent Orientation, which we didn't go to obviously. I have been showing my brave face, faking that I am ready for this. Yet deep inside I am wondering if I can do this. Neil, who of course is always supportive and will be okay with whatever, would probably prefer that I don't based on stress or a messier house I would guess. I do get excited when I look at the Sunlight curriculum full of delicious books that we get to read, oh how I love to read! I do not get excited looking at the prices however (shudder).
What if I hate it? What if Becca hates it? What if I spend my days arguing with her? (Talk about making memories!) What if we slack off every day and do nothing? What if I waste our money buying curriculum and end up sending her back to school anyway? What if I fail at this? Will I regret this?
All of these questions plague me daily.
Yes, I have been saying for years that I will h'school the kids in Middle School.
Yes, I thought it was a cool idea when I heard it for the first time- *Scott Lash was homeschooling his daughter in Middle School and I adopted the idea for our family.
But . . . that was before I had an eleven year old with pleading eyes asking to go to school with her friends! And a baby who longs for my attention every second. And a business that I love to keep busy with. And a messy house. And the potential to be home with just Ava every day.
Last week all of the fifth graders went for a tour of the middle school (which is huge, by the way), and Thursday night was the Parent Orientation, which we didn't go to obviously. I have been showing my brave face, faking that I am ready for this. Yet deep inside I am wondering if I can do this. Neil, who of course is always supportive and will be okay with whatever, would probably prefer that I don't based on stress or a messier house I would guess. I do get excited when I look at the Sunlight curriculum full of delicious books that we get to read, oh how I love to read! I do not get excited looking at the prices however (shudder).
What if I hate it? What if Becca hates it? What if I spend my days arguing with her? (Talk about making memories!) What if we slack off every day and do nothing? What if I waste our money buying curriculum and end up sending her back to school anyway? What if I fail at this? Will I regret this?
All of these questions plague me daily.
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