Summer 2012 - Week 6

July 2 - July 8

Brenna and Declan came home on Sunday, so I had all my kiddoes back under one roof. That's always such a contented feeling.

Conner was stung by a bee on his foot Sunday night. When he came home from work on Monday, his foot was hugely swollen. We called our pediatrician's office (of course it was after-hours! That's the only time medical emergencies seem to happen in our household), and talked to the triage nurse. She said to keep it elevated and ice it and watch for redness spreading up his foot/leg.

By morning, it was even bigger and blisters were forming near his toes. I called the doctor's office again and took him in. They said it wasn't an allergic reaction -- it was an infection. So he was given steroids and antibiotics, and told to keep it elevated and not to work for a few days.

Thankfully, the next day it was already showing improvement and by Friday, he was able to go back to work. He was rightly frustrated. This is the third medical issue he's had since March. And this is my kid who had never had a broken bone or stitches. I guess he wanted to fit it all in before he left for college.

It's been rough, but I'm so grateful none of the problems were life-threatening. We have insurance, he was able to get good care, and he recovered fully. I know we've been very blessed.

Besides dealing with that, we did also do some fun things this week. On Monday, I picked up my nieces and brought them over to swim. We hadn't seen them since before school got out, so it was really nice for all of us.

Wednesday was the Fourth of July, so Scott had the day off. We didn't want to go to the mountains because of all the fires, and we'd already seen a great fireworks display at the Rockies game in May, so we decided to do something different. And also check a couple items off our summer list.

In the afternoon, we went bowling. I didn't realize until later that it was the first time Zane and Declan had ever bowled. Considering the many hours we've spent in bowling alleys with Conner, that is very surprising. They really enjoyed it and actually, I think Declan won one of the games. :) We won't even talk about how poorly I did. Conner did NOT get his bowling ability from me.

Liam caught a ride on Chase's bowling bag

That evening, we took the kids to the drive-in to see Madagascar 3. We chose not to stay for the next 2 features. We took 2 vehicles so we'd have enough seating and everyone could be comfy.

Chase also got to Water World again one day, and another day I took Aiden, Zane, Declan and Liam to Tiny Town with my friend Charlotte and her family. I have a lot of pictures from when the older kids were little at Tiny Town and really wanted to make sure I had some of the younger set too. After the major heat all week, the cooler mountain air felt amazing.

That evening, the older kids babysat while Scott and I went out for a date. We tried out Lucky Pie in Louisville and then went to the Flatirons Mall. On Saturday, Conner was able to return to work. I got a haircut and Scott worked on the cars. Liam, unfortunately, developed a case of croup so we decided not to go to church.

Sunday Scott and Brenna volunteered at church, Conner had activities with the junior high group he mentors, Chase went rock climbing and later to the movies, and I got to have lunch at Panera with friends.

Later in the afternoon, we went to the library for the kids to turn in their summer reading program papers and get their prizes. There is a great park next door, so we hung out there for awhile. Liam is incredibly fearless and loved the slide. A dinner at 3 Margaritas rounded out our evening.

Summer 2012- Week 5

June 25 - July 1

This week Brenna and Declan were in the mountains at the grandparents. It was definitely quieter without Dex. I kept finding myself looking around for him. He did well up there, overall, but I know Brenna was a little wore out by the end of the week. :)

Zane and Aiden attended a Vacation Bible School all week. Aiden wasn't sure if he wanted to go -- he decided to just try Monday and go from there. He ended up really liking it and attending the whole week. They had theme days so one day they wore their pajamas, one day a costume, one day swimsuits.

Conner had his final follow-up from his appendectomy. It was delayed a couple of weeks because of camps. Liam also had a doctor's appointment for his 1yr checkup. He is doing great, the doctor was very impressed by how easy the visit was. He got 4 immunizations and cried initially, but stopped immediately once the nurse got the bandaids on and I picked him up. She stated, "Best recovery ever."

Chase spent one day at a lake for his friend's birthday. He had a lot of fun, but was a little sunburned and sore from tubing.

We got a bit of break from all the baseball. They had no games this week, only practices. It was really nice to have us all home in the evenings.

I also had a couple outings just for me. I met a friend for coffee one morning and got to hold her precious baby.

Then a few evenings later, I attended a book club meeting at Udi's. Scott also had a day to himself and went golfing with his brother. We've been so busy with stuff for the kids that it was so nice both of us to get to do something fun.

On Saturday morning, I headed out early for the Old Navy $1 flip-flop sale. Stocked up on flip-flops for me and got a couple for Brenna too. Then I went to a couple nearby community garage sales. I didn't find much, but did get a few clothing items for Liam, including some super cute sandals. He wasn't too sure about them and kept trying to pull them off.

The kids also spent time in the pool since it was so incredibly hot outside. Even Liam got to "swim".

Summer 2012 - Week 4

June 18- June 24

This week I felt back to normal -- it was such a relief! But there was a lot to catch up on around the house. I also felt bad that the younger kids were mostly housebound last week while I was sick, so I made sure we went on some outings.

Monday, Conner and Chase left for high school camp in Durango. They were gone until Saturday morning.

Later that day, I took Aiden, Zane and Declan to a nearby spray park. It was not crowded at all, which was very nice.

We also found a car over the weekend -- a Ford Focus. It's a 5-speed and should be so much better on gas for the boys.

Tuesday we went to the park with some friends from my former MOPS group. It was a really great park -- next time I'll have to remember to bring sand toys. Liam had no fear and climbed right in the water.

Wednesday we went to the cheap summer movie -- this week was "Rio". Zane and Aiden also had their usual baseball practices and games. In addition, they each had a Saturday game.

I went to a crop with friends on Saturday night. I'm still working on Conner's book -- I added a layout about his broken thumb and appendectomy, and finished a graduation layout. I still need to do one more on graduation and his party, and then I'll set his book aside for awhile to work on other albums.

Since Scott and I couldn't do a date night on Friday, we went to a movie on Sunday. We saw "Rock of Ages", which was pretty bad. Then we grabbed a quick bite at a European Cafe.

This week felt much more productive.

Summer 2012- Week 3

June 11- June 17

This was a super rough week. I started not feeling well over the weekend and by Monday was very sick. I couldn't keep down even water most the week. Some kind of horrible stomach virus.

Conner and Brenna were both is Nebraska for Jr. High camp (Conner is a leader), so Chase helped me sooo much with the younger boys all week. Scott ended up taking Thursday off so I could just stay in bed the whole day. After that, I started to get better but it was Sunday before I could eat normally again.

I was so thankful nobody else in the house caught whatever it was. Needless to say, nothing really got done all week. Swim lessons were over, but there was still baseball and Scott managed to get the boys where they needed to be.

Summer 2012 - Week 2

June 4- June 10

This week felt very busy. Sunday night, Aiden attended a sleepover at AWANA. I picked him up Monday morning and he was a very tired boy. He got in a nap in the afternoon before baseball practice.

Chase bought a pass for Water World, so he spent the day there on Monday with a friend. Then he went again on Friday with other friends.

Aiden, Zane and Declan had their second week of swim lessons.

Baseball and T-ball practices continued, and the actual games began. So Aiden has practice Monday and Wednesday, with games on Tuesday and Thursday. Zane has practice on Tuesday, and games on Thursday.

Conner worked most the week since he'll be off the next couple weeks for camp.

Scott and I got out for a quick date night -- just dinner this time at Udi's -- but any time alone together is appreciated.

Conner has been driving a Ford Ranger since he got his license. It's been very reliable for him, but it goes through gas very quickly. A big chunk of his paycheck ends up going to pay for gas, so he asked if we'd consider getting a small, gas - efficient car. So last month we put the Ranger up for sale and this Wednesday it sold.

So for the time being, we are driving Conner around again. Thankfully, he'll be at camp next week and that will give us some time to look for a car.

Chase took the Alive at 25 class at the Rec. center this week, so in August he will be able to get his permit. Another driver!! Not sure if I'm ready. :)