Pool Party

Thanks Brooklin for turning 1. We loved the swimming party. Mom loved that we all crashed on the way home, and slept in until 8am the next morning. I can't believe Brookie is 1. Happy Birthday!!!

Deep thoughts????

So... It looks like he is deep in thought, and he might actually be...

What does a four year old think about when he is deep in thought...

1) how do I get my brother and sister to do what I want them to

2) how do I trick Mario into letting me play with his big truck

3) how do I get gum (at least 4-5 pieces a day)

4) how can I have candy without eating the "healthy food first"

5) how do I take a bath without actually washing anything

In all actuality he was just hoping to be the first one with some of Brooklin's birthday cake. I thought these were cute though. Sometimes, I wonder what a four year old actually thinks. When I figure it out I'll let you know.

What the Heck!!!

What the heck is wrong with my kids these days? This is the question I keep asking myself. Today Juan is crying if you look at him the wrong way. Mario can't seem to walk past someone with out hitting them, and Franny is very weepy. As I pondered this question I realized that... We have been up late every night this week. No wonder they are all a little out of sorts. It also couldn't be that I am also tired, and it is crunch time at school to get things done.

The counselor also told me a couple of week ago, that this is a hard time for kids, their counseling appointment double the 2nd week of January through to the end of Feb. Maybe it's a full moon, I don't know. All I know is that we are all going to be early!!!!!

Doctor Doctor

So.. our kids have been effected by Terry's injury. The other day, I told the kids to go play dress up, and they decided to play Dr. Of course Mario was the Dr., and poor Franny was the patient. (Juan started out as a patient too, but his attention span allowed his injury to heal in less than two minutes =). If you notice Mario felt the need to take Franny's blood pressure on her leg, and by the way she needed to have about eight shots too. I think we need to have some first aid lessons, from Chris Taylor. Can we put that on the family reunion agenda?....

My kids love to play dress up and I never know what they will be, it is so fun to watch their imaginations bloom and experiment. I sometimes wonder if I was that creative?...

Mt. Baker sledding New Years Day

So... this is a little late, but I am taking over for Terry with regards to posting about our kids.

This picture is when we went up to Mt. Baker to go sledding on New Year's Day. We had a blast and nobody was injured. I am not sure Juan every actually went down the hill on the sleds, but he had fun. Mario (is anbody suprised) was the daredevil. He went down more than the rest of us combined.

I am sure enjoying the opportunity of being a mom. It is a blast to play with our kids. I am not sure how I feel about the discipling part of parenting yet, but I LOVE!!!! the having fun part.

Our MJ or should we say Mario Jones

Okay.... so he is not Michael Jordan, but he sure tries. About half way through the season, I actually explained to him why he was holding his hands up, and he looked at me and got a smile on his face, and said,"OH!!!". Most of the season Mario complained about going to the practices and games, and then was so excited (because he had fun) after they were over, he couldn't wait to play again. When we went with the rest of his team to Lafeen's (doughnut shop) after the final game, he told his coach he was sad that they were done playing.

He is going to be starting T-ball mid-March, maybe he will be more interested in practices for that. I am proud of him and his efforts, and trying his best. I also love that he was able to turn the experience into a game of tag. Watch him and the girl he is supposed to be guarding (she has on a yellow wrist band just like Mario's). They had a great game of tag.

I really didn't want to be that mom, that forced their kids to do sports, so I told him that he didn't have to play anything that he didn't want, but that if signed up and committed to a team he needed to finish the season out. I am glad that I stuck to my guns, because I think he really did enjoy it, he was just a little nervous about the experience. He did great. Grandpa Terry would sure be proud.

Nicholle

And so it continues.....

So another update.... I have now seen two Orthopedic surgeons, one in Bellingham and one in Bellevue. Apparently I have a torn MCL and a torn PCL, in other words, one on the inside of my right knee and one in the back. Somehow I hyperextended and twisted at the same time. The guy in Bellingham indicated that I didn't absolutely have to have surgery but that if I wanted to ski or play basketball or anything like that I would have to wear a brace. If I did surgery, I could probably get away with not wearing one after the physical therapy. He then said that noone in Bellingham reconstructed PCLs, and referred me to the Group Health clinic in Bellevue. There the doctor, who by the way hadn't read the Bellingham doctor's report or bothered to look at the MRI, said I didn't need surgery just PT. I am more than a little concerned that he is looking out for the insurance company (his employer) instead of me. He did agree to look at the MRI and the other doctor's report and give me a follow up phone visit. That happens tomorrow at noon. I really hope that I don't have to get a third opinion tie breaker..... Mean time I am wearing a brace with a joint in it that goes from mid thigh to ankle...lovely!

On another front, Franny said something hilarious the other day. She was complaining of her lip hurting, and when we looked at it, she had a canker sore almost the size of a dime on it. When we asked her what happened, she said that it got really big,but when she would bite on it, or rub her tongue on it, it tasted like ketchup!!!!, Nicholle and I just about fell over laughing, and then told her to stop doing that.....