Boys will be boys

Braden had a spill on his ripstik and fell in the drive way. The fall itself would not have caused an injury, it was the deck screws that Logan and Larkin had scattered all over the carport that tore up his knee. Braden opened the front door with such a moan that I knew something was wrong. I carried him up the tub and washed out his knee to see the extent of the damage. He didn't cry- not one bit. He would wince, or moan, but not a tear shed. We got the bleeding to stop and figured we could bandage it up quite easily, but then I remembered his scouting assignment- to write a report on a Dr.'s visit. I hadn't taken him yet because I wasn't going unless we needed to. This injury could require a Dr.'s visit. Plus he did fall on a screw, so a tetnis shot was in order.

At the Dr.'s office they informed us that it was going to need stitches. Say waah ??really?? And a if we are giving a tetnis, a MMR booster would be better. Braden sat on a chair filling out his scout paperwork and survey while I discussed with the Dr. his previous reactions to MMR. When he was little his arm swelled twice it size and was hot to the touch for a week. Like every other MD, he dismissed my concerns. We were moved to a different room for the stitches. Braden and I kept the nurse entertained talking in our English accents we had been practicing at home (Thursdays is British days-it is funny how an accent will change how your kids respond to chores and being asked to help...sorry back to Braden). He was so brave as she washed out his wound, gave him his shot, and as the Dr. numbed his knee. Brady watched as the Dr. tied each stitch. He got to choose his bandage color and was given directions to keep it clean and no swimming, squatting, or ripstiking for ten days. Ten days that means field day!!! No water games? no running? jumping? This is where he almost cried.

On the way home we dropped off his prescription at the pharmacy, stopped by home to pick up the rest of his scout paperwork and delivered them to his leader on our way back to get his antibiotics. Whew- at least we got that taken care of.


This is Braden's arm where his MMR booster was given. Two days after the shot and already on antibiotics for his knee. Maybe next time a doctor will believe me.

Nice war wounds Braden! And be safe out there.

Braden-as Hamlet...

(don't forget, you can click on a picture to see it more clearly)










Braden's sixth grade class performed bits of Shakespeare's plays. Braden had a few lines as Hamlet in the ghost scene. He did very well. You could hear and understand what he was saying. He even did a bit of a sword fight. It was hard to get a good picture of him on stage because he was always moving. He looked so small up there with all his classmates, I can hardly believe that he starts Jr. High in the fall.

Morgan is 9

Morgan had her 9th birthday in May. Nine years with the sweet, wonderful girl- I am so lucky!!! The kids got a bit carried away with the heavy heavy hang over game and all ganged up on her at once. She and I had gone shopping for her birthday and bought her some clothes she wanted. The cake we made was hit, you can tell because someone snitched a piece off the back! Of course who would like a cake surrounded in kit kat candy bars. She wanted sauerkraut and cream, one of Shad's favorites, for her birthday dinner. We also planned a night out when Grandpa Cheney could be there to go out to eat. She is such a good girl and always thinks of others first. I love you Morgan- Happy Birthday!!

Logan's Preschool Program

On Logans last day of school they had a "preschool program". The children had been practicing songs and little dances for the parents to see things they had learned all year. My sister Alora was in town and got to come with me. When we walked in the door and he finally noticed us, he ran to give me a hug. It is always one of those arms stretched wide, as far as they can reach, running as fast as you can until you wrap your arms around the one you love, kind of hug. Of course once he got his hug he didn't want to go back and sit on the stage. He cried! So as not to upset other small children, or their parents, I let him sit with me on the floor. We still sang the songs and I tried to get him to do a dance, but he wouldn't. It sure made him laugh to sing "teasing Mr. Alligator, can't catch me..." with me. He has grown up a lot this last year and we are excited for Kindergarten next year.

Logan Dental Surgery

Logan was finally healthy enough to get his teeth fixed. He had so many cavities! We had to wait for quite a while because they were afraid with his past history that sedation wouldn't go well if he hadn't been healthy for over six weeks. That is a lot of healthy for Logan, but we worked hard to keep him well. The day of the surgery he hadn't had anything to eat since dinner the night before, and anything to drink since 7:00 am. We had to report at 11:30, and his surgery didn't start until 2:00 pm. He didn't complain about being hungry or thirsty once. Maybe because they had so many toys and things to keep him occupied. You have to love Primary Children's Hospital for how well they take care of their patients. He now has every tooth capped except his bottom K-9's. Sister Allen from church volunteered to come and help with baby Catelynn so that I could go back into recovery and help him. He was so mad at the nursed when he woke up. He wouldn't even drink juice, he kept pointing at her and making grumpy noises. I asked her to apologize for whatever he thought she did. She obliged and he stopped crying and drank his juice. After the surgery he did not want his picture taken, all he wanted to do was go home. His new teeth look awesome, his brushing habits have improved, and no more sippys at bedtime- no matter how cute his is when he asks! Yay for new teeth!!

A few Saturdays ago we were trying to decide what to do. I suggested planting the garden.

Shad-Then, I need to buy a tiller!!
Me- Why can't we borrow one?
Shad- Because I don't like borrowing- plus then I can have my own. Also I am getting a bonus and I would like to spend some of it on something I want. I wanted a tiller and a deck. If YOU want a garden then I need to buy a tiller!
Me-If we are going to spend money, then why not build a deck and borrow a tiller? That way we have something we can enjoy all summer long. Plus, Logan won't be able to dig in the dirt pile by the back door and dump buckets full in my kitchen and carry it upstairs and flush it down the toilet (yes he did that, twice - ahhh that kid!)
Shad-Ok!!

So, we measured and decided on a size for our deck. He called friends to come and help. It was finish in five hours and that included dinner. (it still needs to be stained, but that is being saved for another Saturday.)

I am loving it. My house has been cleaner and the kids think it is a stage, play house, bike trail, etc. I LOVE IT!! Thanks Shad for borrowing a tiller and building me a deck!

Oh, this is Logan after the deck was built playing "Dog". He is so silly sometimes and I couldn't not share the picture.

I never finished writing about Mothers Day! (I know I said I wouldn't write about old things, but it isn't that old-right?) These are the necklaces we made for the Ladies in our life. The girls helped make the ones for Grandma. Ethan made a few for his girlfriends at school. Of course I made a few for me too.
This is what we made for Grandma Swanson. A tulip bouquet of the children's hand prints in a vase filled with water marbles. (that unfortunately mold after a week- I think I have a solution for that and will let you know if it works)

We had dinner at Grandma Swanson's and I even snuck a nap in that day too. Shad got me a new grey hooded jacket with darker grey flowers on it and some new sweat pants as well. Maybe holidays aren't so bad after all.