Cute idea

for moms with only 2 hands. LOL

My kids are 7 and almost 5, and I'm tempted to make one.

Proactive

Just some pics of Little Boy at soccer camp. There were a couple that were funny, but I don't want him to think I'm making fun of him. Even though I did laugh. Out loud.

His first attempts at juggling the ball and heading the ball were quite humorous. I'm sure all kids go through it, but it's funny.

I don't know what I'll do tomorrow. Baby has a little ballet show at the end of her class. Little Boy has competition tomorrow and awards at the end of his class. They are at the exact same time.

I called Grandma to see if she and Granddad could come see Little Boy tomorrow. I figured if either kid could draw them, it would be him. She doesn't think they can make it. They are in the middle of building a garage. I understand. Mostly. I never said anything to Little Boy, so he won't be disappointed.

Today I decided to be a little proactive regarding his blood sugar. I had him eat a breakfast bar part way through. He was good when we got home. Thanking the Lord!

He's really excited about tomorrow. He's pretty unimpressed that I took pictures of him today. He's getting excited about his birthday, too. I asked him what he wants. He mentioned the little John Deere set again. I wanted to tell him I already HAVE that - what else? But I couldn't. I'm going to take Baby shopping with me tonight so she can pick something out for him.

I get panicky when I think that I have less than 2 days to get everything done, but seriously, I'm not doing a lot for this party. It is so hard to believe that 7 years ago, I looked and felt like a blimp. LOL

Different isn't always special

We're days away from his birthday. He's pretty excited. I am, too. He doesn't know we're planning a surprise party for Saturday. I have a huge list of stuff to do. I showed it to Baby; she said she'd take care of getting forks and cups. LOL. Yeah, right.

So we were reminded today that Little Boy is different.

He was 2/3 way through soccer camp, and I made him check his blood sugar. 58. sigh

We treated the low (juice box & half a breakfast bar), and he wanted to run right back out there. But that isn't the way it works. And he started crying. And the girl coaching their group was standing out there waiting on him. I told him he had to go tell her he was low, and that he couldn't run around. He didn't want to tell her that.

So I walked out there with him. (And got yelled at for it by another coach - God bless his little heart.) I explained to her what was up. I told her if he was playing back toward the goal where he would be standing more than running, he could come back into the game. She asked if he wanted to just go home.

Of course, he didn't. sigh

It was close to closing time, and she took so much time trying to move kids around that they didn't get to play much. So many of them were tired, they all wanted to play back. (I noticed all day she was struggling with organization.) The kids were all called across the field to the bleachers. I sent Little Boy over with his water bottle, but I told him to walk.

We got into the car. He was far from excited like he was yesterday. He was still feeling cruddy. He was sad. He was discouraged. And besides encouraging him, there wasn't anything I could do to change things. We got to the ballet studio to pick up Baby, and I had him check again.

He was ok. And by the time we got home, he was in a better mood.

Different isn't always better. And it kills me when he has to deal with this.

Camp report

Little Boy started soccer camp today. The coaches said they were expecting about 30 kids. Over 70 kids showed up!

Little Boy is super excited about the whole thing. He was nervous when we first got there; told me he thought he might barf. But I encouraged him to introduce himself to a little boy sitting on a soccer ball in the middle of the field. They kicked the ball back and forth before things got started. There were about 14 or so kids in his group. He ran his little buns off. I had him check his sugar half-way through. He was fine. I made sure he had a really good breakfast. His face was so red; he drank two bottles of water.

Baby and I watched for about an hour, and I took her to ballet camp. I dropped her off, and went back to the soccer field. It rained, and I got wet. :-( His sugar was fine until we were leaving Baby's ballet studio. He said he was feeling low; his sugar was 58. He drank a juice box, and when we got home he was in the low 80s.

After lunch and a shower, I think he is ready for a nap. Baby will get one, too. Even if she doesn't think she needs one.

Busy

I have been busy lately. I'm working on sewing dresses to sell. I sat last Saturday in a shop during the town's "Heritage Days". I sold one. To the lady next to me. I've sold one other to my son's therapist for her niece.

I know they are super cute, and I just need to find the right place to set up.

Baby was not happy to be interrupted to model her dress and shirt, thus the sour face. LOL

Sunday Ballet & Since

Sunday's ballet was good. Baby did a great job. Daddy had a guy fill in for him until he could get there. I'm so grateful!

No grandparents or aunt/uncle showed up. How difficult is it to take one Sunday out of your year to show up? Makes me mad.

Anyway.

Sunday's show was Snow White and Rose Red.

Here's Snow White dancing with Prince Charming.

And where was Baby?

In the wings of the stage.

We were sitting far right, so we could see her, but she really wasn't visible to the other people.

Waiting for her turn.

Baby introducing to Snow White

Baby - half a step behind, but she was beautiful!

Cute Rabbit!

Those ears were tricky.

Exiting the stage

Acknowledged at the end of the show

First year award

Saying good-bye to Daddy

Baby and Little Boy - she loved her flowers!

Night at the Ballet

Little Boy before the show


Pixies guarding Baby Aurora


Malificent and the Good Fairies


Pixies exiting


Aurora & Prince Phillip

Dancing at the Wedding

Little Mermaid

Seahorses

Seahorses in the Finale

My Little Seahorse

Little Boy and Baby

Seahorses after the show

Glad to be Home!

My daughter is a monster

Remember that beautiful picture I posted a couple days ago? Everyone says, "Ohhhh, she's so bee-yooooou-ti-ful!"

YEAH, RIGHT.

Tonight, despite warnings that my tiny sewing scissors are sharp enough to cut her little fingers off (slight exaggeration?) I found her in bed with them. She had cut up a tiny American flag. And the top sheet on her bed. From my very expensive sheet set that was a wedding gift. And when I told her she was very naughty, she smiled.

Argh!

I've started

I've started sewing pillowcase dresses! I think it's going to be fun, except for the math. Ugh. I am capable, but for whatever reason, I dislike measurements. Inches really aren't that bad. When it comes to measurement conversion in the kitchen, my brain goes blank. Four years of teaching measurements to elementary age kids, chanting the charts on a daily basis, and I really can't remember any of it under pressure.

On a completely different note, I had another dream about my dad last night. He and my mom were arguing. I walked in and yelled at both of them for yelling in front of the kids. I don't know what kids, and if it was my siblings, I don't know why they were little and I was my current age. But then my dad asked me to give him a ride somewhere. In the car, he asked me when I got so smart. I didn't know, but I told him that at some point along the way, I've realized that my opinion is valid; that I have valid observations.

I didn't want to wake up. It was so good to see his face, and hear his voice. And the fact that neither parent killed me for speaking up was a good thing, too.

We got haircuts today. Baby's bangs aren't great, but I'll wait until we wash her hair to have a final opinion. Little Boy and I decided he should go a tiny bit shorter than usual. His head gets so hot and sweaty in the summer. Especially when he runs around outside wearing an army helmet!

My husband went back to work today after an eleven day break. I'm sorry to see him go back. But it's been a really nice break.

Fish Killers

They were so excited to go to the lake. They wanted to take their fishing poles. Baby said, "I want to kill some fish!" LOL

Sunday pics

Exceptional Talent

I love my husband. I love to just watch him from across the room. He occasionally sees me and asks, "What?" He does things all day that say, "I love you". Like getting up to fix the kids' breakfast while I sleep a little longer. He oftten cleans up the kitchen. And he does so much more.

He has this exceptional talent that amuses me for the most part.

He's a tea drinker. I think it's cute. (I'd drink it if I added about 3 heaping tablespoons of sugar.) He fills his little tea pot, and turns on the burner. And no matter how high or low he turns the heat, it whistles when he's not in the room.

I don't mind fixing his tea. It's just that I don't always know he's not in the kitchen, and the tea pot whistle is shrill. So it whistles, and I wait a minute or two to hear if he's going to get it. And I get up, and just as I get there, he rushes into the room.

Inside out, upside down and backwards

That's how my sleep routine is right now.

Yesterday I took a nap. Everyone was sleeping, and I was falling asleep with DHs laptop on my lap. So I crawled into bed. And I slept hard, and long. Until DH started pestering me.

Every five minutes or so, he kept telling me what time it was.

"It's five to five."

"It's five."

"It's five after."

"It's eleven after five!"

I finally asked what he was talking about. "Doesn't Baby have ballet?"

"What day is it?!"

We were late.

And last night, after 2 glasses of Diet Coke at Denny's for late supper with Baby after her long practice, and a piece of chocolate, peanut butter silk pie for dessert (my splurge of the century week) I was WIDE awake until after 3:30 am. I started considering getting back up. But eventually I fell asleep.

But that has no bearing on what ungodly time in the morning the kids get up. And start playing fighting pestering their day.

So I'm up. And awake. And the morning is half gone.

My son, the military fanatic, is outside running around in camo and an army helmet with his machine guns. Baby is playing quietly inside. And I am dreaming of a nice, long nap.

But that's how this horrible cycle gets started. So I might have to push through and go to bed early tonight.

Sure.

Kids

Little Boy and Baby were getting a little wild. We asked them to settle down before she got hurt. We listed several incidents where she has ended up hurt. He said, "But that was an accident," or "That was not on purpose." Then we mentioned one incident that definitely wasn't an accident.

As he walked out the door, he said, "You got me on that one!"

At supper, Little Boy was done eating, and Daddy and I were sitting at the table talking. Baby was still finishing up. I asked her, "How'd you get so pretty?" She smiled a sweet, slightly smug smile. Then I asked her, "How'd you get so rotten?"

She pointed at me.

Daddy about fell off his chair laughing.

I told her she was pointing in the wrong direction.

Saturday

We woke up in a typical fashion lately. Daddy and Mommy semi-comatose, Baby up first and wandering around, Little Boy still sleeping until Baby opens his door and then the laughing, fighting and banging around starts. And I get up and stumble to his room and tell them to be quiet, and make it back to bed for a couple more minutes.

Baby and I had to leave the house by 9:30 to go get her pictures taken for ballet. Daddy fixed breakfast for the kids; I grabbed a breakfast bar. Last minute I started looking for hair clips. Why do I do that to myself? But it's a good thing I did; we ended up using them.

We got to the studio to find all-out pandemonium. Little girls (and big girls) running around in costumes, moms, grandmas and even babies. We figured out Baby's first costume and got her ready. And then I had to try to figure out their crazy picture packages. We left there about an hour and a half later.

We came home and I fixed lunch for the kids. I had a Reliv shake, and decided to take a nap. I guess Daddy got the kids down for their nap. I took a long nap, only interrupted a couple times by Baby before she went down.

I woke up dreaming about oven-roasted potatoes. So I got up and got them started. I fixed pork chops with rib rub, a green salad, and left over dinner rolls. We had corn, cottage cheese and green olives, too. Everything was very yummy!

I logged onto our local news site. The headlines were that a local businessman killed his wife and then killed himself. I started reading the article - it was someone I knew. My SIL worked for them for several years. I had interviewed for a job there, too, and turned down the job they offered me. DH and I had been in their home to hook up a computer. My SIL told me tonight that they had lost just about everything they owned, his car dealership was being shut down by GMAC and he had started using drugs again. The worst thing was that their 11 year old son was probably home at the time. I haven't heard, but it's possible their younger daughter was home, too. I don't understand people like that.

SIL asked if we were going to need cat food anytime soon. She works next door to the vet hospital I go to. I told her I was up there Friday. Jack got a steroid shot for irritable bowel, and I got the food then.

G & G moved to the lake house yesterday. Baby was telling them good-bye. Grandma told her she was going to miss her so much. "I'll send you a postcard every day, Grandma." So sweet - a little melodramatic - and without telling Mommy, quite impossible. :0)

Kids are getting ready for bed, I'm watching the NASCAR All-Star race, and DH is somewhere. In the den, I think. I need to look over my Sunday school lesson and figure out what to sing tomorrow for special music.

I feel better right now physically than I have in a while. It's amazing what a good nap can do for you!

My New Best Friend

I am looking forward to waking up one of these mornings without a pounding headache. Hopefully soon.

Last night I fixed spaghetti. Well, first I fixed the sauce. Little Boy came into the kitchen asking what the horrible smell was. I guess he's never been in the kitchen when I saute the onion and garlic. I had frozen sauce that I thawed and added some more tomato sauce and paste. We were browning the garlic bread; DH hit the simmer button on the stove and something POPPED quite loudly. And the stove turned off. He turned the knobs off and went downstairs. He flipped the breaker. We won't be using the simmer button anymore.

I fixed salads - I must say, I like my salads. :0) I was almost done with everything when I realized I hadn't fixed any pasta. DH said he was wondering when I was going to get it started.

We were done eating, and Little Boy had gone next door to see G & G. Baby needed some help finishing up. When I had washed her face, I asked her if she liked the spaghetti. She said, "Thank you for making that yummy spaghetti, Mommy," and she hugged me.

It's so nice to be thanked. And nothing beats her little hugs!

Life After a Cure

Day 7 in Diabetes Blog Week hosted by Bitter Sweet.

I mentioned in an earlier post that when a cure is found, I will fall on my face in complete gratitude to God. And then I'll dance a happy dance! And of course, there will be tears because I'm such a crybaby.

I can only imagine the look of utter amazement on my son's face. And disbelief. And amazement.

I'd be calling everyone I know to share the great news.

We'd have a celebration - a huge party, and he could eat as much as he wanted of whatever he wanted.

His little fingers would heal.

We wouldn't have any fussing before meals when it was time to check his bg.

I wouldn't have anxiety attacks in the grocery store.

My fears for his health would gradually subside.

No more 2 am checks.

No more middle of the night shots for highs or carbs for lows.

We would go back to how we were before his diagnosis, but we would be so aware of the blessings of "normality". And we would look back on the time of insulin shots, highs and lows, and counting carbs as a sad, scary memory. But I would hope I would feel gratitude for the treatment that bridged the gap.

Diabetes Snapshot

Day 6 in Diabetes Blog week.

I don't have pictures of Little Boy testing his blood sugar, or of him when he's been super low.

This is the day after being diagnosed. He was so scared and confused. Baby wanted to love on him, but he didn't want her near his IV ports.

And it got worse. While he was at the hospital he picked up Influenza A in the playroom.

This is Easter Sunday morning. I thank God every day for the treatment of this disease. I wouldn't miss out on this smile for the world!

Let's Get Moving

Day 5 of Diabetes Blog Week hosted by Bitter Sweet.

Little Boy is constant motion. We don't have an organized exercise program for him. He has swim lessons once a week, and other than that he is just a normal can't-be-still-for-a-minute boy. When he's helping his Granddad, he works as hard as any adult. He loves to please him. Obviously this picture isn't recent - taken in January when we were snowed in. He did a great job helping out!

To Carb or Not to Carb?

Day 4 in the Diabetes Blog Week is all about carbs.

My son is quite matter-of-fact about food. I'm thankful he's not emotional about food like I am, and I'm thankful he's not picky and stubborn about food like his little sister. Even before he was diagnosed, I had started cutting out processed foods and sugars. He's super sensitive to caffeine, so he already knew and understood about restrictions - only decaf soda and no chocolate. A year earlier, he had to have oral "surgery" - he had to have two root canals/silver caps and two small fillings under anesthesia. He can't have chewy candy or gum. So when we explained that we needed to make some more adjustments, he was fine with it.

When Little Boy was diagnosed, we met with a nutritionist, the pediatric endo and the diabetic educator. They told us what his caloric intake should be each day. And they converted that into his carb intake. He gets 45 grams of carbs at breakfast, 60 at lunch and 60 at supper. He is supposed to get a morning snack and an afternoon snack (15 cg eac), and then his bedtime snack that depends on his bg. We cut out the afternoon snack because he naps right after lunch. And last month we cut out his morning snack when he was sick. His numbers were way too high. We need to reincorporate the morning snack since his bg has been low at lunch consistently.

I guess since this is what we've been instructed to do it hasn't been a controversy for us. With his current insulin dosage and keeping strict count on his carbs, he seems to be pretty regulated. KNOCK ON WOOD. I include some "empty" carbs in his diet occasionally. He's a kid. He likes to be part of the group. But like I said, he's ok with not getting everything everyone else has. We might let him have a cheeseburger from McDs and some fries, but then I add applesauce or other fruit. He really is a sweet little guy who has adjusted better to this than I would.