Take Out

Helping

Caden's Better

I didn't post yesterday, but poor little Caden was sick. He woke me up early in the morning on Sunday to say "Mommy, I need to throw up." Thankfully he'd been sleeping in the sleeping bag beside my bed so the bag caught it rather than the carpet. He literally laid on the floor in the living room with his trash can all day. Thank God for our DVR and multiple recordings of Clone Wars. He felt so bad. I managed to get a little sprite and saltines in him throughout the day, but when I tried tylenol for his fever, it all came up. He was miserable.

This morning, I woke up to "Mommy, I feel great." He's back to his old self, blasting everyone with his imaginary blaster and slicing things up with his light saber. He ate really well all day. I even managed to get 1 bite each of meatloaf, zucchini and green beans in him for dinner before he asked for something else.

Peek A Boo

Lemon Chicken

An Afternoon Matinee

Play Dates

Today was a fun day (well, except for the huge tantrum Jaelyn threw this morning - hoping the Zyrtec is affecting her badly and we aren't in for another round of issues). Anyway, Caden went to school this morning while I ran errands and then we met Kelley and Alyssa at Chick-fil-a for lunch. It's been a long time since we saw them last so it was nice to catch up in person. Once we were home, Caden and I had an hour to pick up around the house (me) and play (him) until it was time to get the girls off the bus. Today was a 2 1/2 hour early release day. We rushed snacks and headed to the giraffe park for another play date.

Jaelyn has become fast friends with a little girl named Allison in her class. She's been begging for a play date. The girls have actually planned a few themselves, but without Mommy involvement, they haven't worked out. Allison called Jae on the phone last night. The girls giggled for 30 minutes before they let the moms talk to plan a get together.

The park was packed. Allie saw a few kids she knew right off the bat and when we walked on the play ground, I immediately heard several kids yell "Jaelyn." Hmmm...didn't know she was so popular.

Jaelyn and Allison had a great time playing and I enjoyed talking with her mom. We've met a few times in the past (MOPS and around the elementary school). Jen's best friend is also the mom of one of Caden's best school buds, so there was some common ground to chat about.

Dan got off early and met us at the park too. That was a nice surprise.

Metal Mouth

Jaelyn got her braces this week. She's so cute with them in. She's requested Tylenol a few times, but overall, she has adjusted really well. Nothing could be as bad as turning cranky. She's expected to have them about 9 months.

Happy Birthday Dan!

Dan turned 36 today. He's old! We celebrated with filet mignons, potatoes (which he hasn't had in the longest time) and a few green veggies. For dessert, we had Baskin Robbins' World Class chocolate ice cream with home made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Back to the diet tomorrow! I hope you had a nice birthday, Dan. I love you! - K

The Giraffe

Caden's Playdate

Up until now, other than my friend Kelley, school and our family, I haven't left Caden anywhere. He pitches a huge fit when it's time to separate from me and honestly, it's just not worth it. Any play dates we've had have included mom and kids. Today, he had his first play date on his own. Nathan's mom invited him to come over and play and yesterday he was all excited about the idea. This morning, however, he informed me he changed his mind. I talked it up and convinced him he'd have fun. He finally said he'd go, but he asked me if I would speed shop. We do lots of things speedy around our house (speed clean, speed bath, speed shop). Things are more fun when you do them fast. Nathan was waiting at the door for him and Caden went right in without a problem. He took his light saber and a few Star Wars library books and was all set. Krissy told me he got weepy once for a few minutes, but she suggested play doh and he was fine. It's so good to see Caden stretching himself and maturing. If he doesn't, all day kindergarten is going to be so hard next year!

I've Gone Green

A New Admirerer

The same little boy has come and rung our doorbell for the last 3 nights in a row asking if Jaelyn could come out to play. Everytime, we've told him no because Jaelyn was either doing homework or eating dinner. Today, I put the trash out front and I saw Jordan sitting on the curb in front of our house. Maybe he was afraid of being rejected...again. I told Jaelyn he was there and that she could invite him to play in the backyard. I opened the gate and in he came. I'm not sure how I feel about this newest admirerer. I don't think I am ready for little crushes!

Colors

The Perfect Day

We had the best day yesterday. We left our house around 9 and drove to Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware. The kids have flown over the Atlanta a few times, but it was there first time seeing and stepping in the Atlantic Ocean. It was an easy, but kind of expensive, couple hour drive. Thank God for EZ-Pass. We stopped for lunch and a little shopping at an LL Bean outlet and then hit the beach. The weather was perfect - beautiful blue skies, 70 degrees with a cool breeze. I had the kids dressed in shorts, short sleeve shirts and jackets to begin with, but Dan had on pants and long sleeves. If Dan thinks it's going to be cold and covers up, you need to pay attention. I changed all of us into pants. We were a little over dressed, but there were some seriously crazy people under dressed in bathings suits getting in the frigid water. Crazy! Next time, I'm bringing an alternate set of clothing.

Anyway, the state part was really nice. It has easy, short hiking trails and bike trails all over it. We are going to try tent camping there soon. Stay tuned for that post. It might turn out to be a comedy of errors, but it sounds fun now!

We spent almost 3 hours on the beach digging a humungous hole, throwing a frisbee and playing in the surf. I haven't had that much fun in a long time.

I even impressed Dan with my frisbee throwing skills :p. Jaelyn is the one with skills. She can throw and catch the frisbee almost as well as me and Dan. Caden got in a few good throws, but wild child Allie was, well, wild!

We were sad to leave the beach, but we knew the kids would be hungry and we had a 2 hour drive home. Dan cracked me up with his unevenly rolled wet jeans and his white socks. I'll let the picture speak for itself!

We got home a little after 8. We went straight in and put the kids to bed. It was a perfect day. Thanks for planning it, Dan!

I've discovered the continuous mode on my camera. All I have to do it focus, hold down the shutter and it keeps taking pictures until I move my finger. It's been great for capturing action shots and for getting that perfect 1 shot out of the bunch. I took literally 450 pictures yesterday, of which I saved 68 good ones. Here are a few of my favorites...

Pass the Pigs

A Day at the Beach

Toad

The kids came inside screaming a little while ago. They had discovered a huge toad in our yard. By the time I made it outside, the poor thing was covered in cobwebs and sand from where it had most likely been trying to evade my children. I saved his life by scooping him up on a shovel and putting him through a hole in the fence. The kids are sad. No more Toady to play with.

Scarves

I'm going scarf crazy at my house. I grew up in Florida so I have never really understood the need for a warm scarf. 2 winters ago, I remember making fun of my friend, Angie, for her love of scarves. I never saw her with the same one twice; she seemed to have so many. Fast forward to last year, when I was given my first scarf for Christmas. I am now an avid scarf fan and realize their true potential to help you keep warm. I totally get Angie's obsession with her scarf collection. In preparation for this winter, I've been busy. This week alone, I've knitted me a black furry scarf, knitted Caden a varigated blue scarf and sewed the girls boa scarves out of polar fleece. Dan has yet to place his request, but I'm waiting! Watch out, if my momentum holds, everyone on my Christmas list might be getting a scarf for Christmas :p.

Flu Shots