Better Week

This week has been going much better, except for the dumb Ohio weather. Sunday was 81 and beautiful.  Monday it rained a ton and was just dreary and bluck.  I worked from bed and it was actually quite cozy and productive.

And then yesterday it snowed - real snow, not just the little flurries that don't do much.
I have captioned this "The Agony of Defeat" - poor things. They are still all slumped over like they've given up for good.

Silas and I have been butting heads quite a bit for the last couple weeks.  He's been very whiny and quick to lose his temper and I've been lacking patience myself.  He's such a funny kid though.  For example, last week:
Silas: Can I have my vitamin? I've got white bumps on my arm.
Me: White bumps?
Silas: I'm not sure but it could be scurvy...
Me: ???


It's so easy to get lost in and overwhelmed by the millions things that always need to be done. Household stuff, work stuff, friends/family obligations...on and on.  I feel lucky that most often, I have the ability to step back and put things into perspective.  Clean the toilets or spend time outside with Justin and the kids on a (currently rare) sunny day.  I'll go with the latter.  And by the state of my house...I probably make that choice a bit too much!  But oh well...

At least I've got my sanity...right?!?  ??

Jinx...

So, I totally jinxed poor Silas a couple weeks ago when talking with Yasmine. We were chatting about injuries and how Mason had broken his arm and Ella had gotten stitches.  But then I said "I've never had to take Silas to the ER...knock on wood."

Sure as heck, less than 24 hours later, there we were - Children's Hospital.
Poor kid was shooting baskets in the hoop out back, dunking like he's done 100 times and slipped, fell back and landed the wrong way on his arm.
I was working in my office, but heard his crying.  A LOT of crying that wasn't followed by "Ella did (blank)" or "Ella called me a (blank)."  I knew something was pretty hurt.

When I got upstairs I saw he was already laying on the couch, holding his arm and looked to be in a lot of pain. Huge grimace face and teethed clinched.  Not moving the arm and it looked swollen to me.
So...after asking our neighbor doc in our old house and then calling Jodi...to Children's we headed.
It wasn't obvious to me at the time, but what I thought was swelling was actually the bone being all out of whack.

 He had to put a mask on because he had a little allergy cough...

This was post-knock-you-out medicine to get the arm set.  He remembers nothing within seconds of getting the medicine.  He was pretty out of it after for awhile.  He told Ella that she had 4 eyebrows.

After he started coming out of it, he was a little scared because his eyes were all blurry and he couldn't remember what had happened and how the cast got on.  Ella was a really great big sister and was so sweet, talking to him and telling him about it and not to worry.  She was trying to distract him with funny stuff. He was so brave and such a trooper with the doctors and nurses.  Didn't shed a tear or flinch at all with all the poking and prodding.  He was a very brave boy!

He had a rough evening - was tired and out of it but by the next day, he was getting back in the swing of things.

Popsicles definitely made it feel better!

And 3 days later, he was ready for a little fun!  We went to Sarah's graduation party and Si was able to swim with the old XeroSock thing that we had when Mason broke HIS arm.  It is a total pain in the butt but worth it so that he could swim and have some fun.

Now, we go back tomorrow and hope that they can put a 1/2 cast that is waterproof on it in the next 1-2 weeks. Before all the cousins get here for our July party!

:)

A - M Updates

A is for:
Astronaut - Ella got to go to the Dayton (Air Force?) museum over spring break with her friend Addison and hang out like an astronaut. She had a great day and I was happy about that since we really did nothing over Spring Break this year...I was sick as a dog the whole week.

B is for:
Boston - During the April 15th Boston Marathon this year, terrible bombings occurred that killed 3 people and wounded over 180.  Horrific for Boston, heartbreaking for America, and for runners across the world...just unimaginable.  As a newbie runner for the past 3 years, I have ran 3 Half Marathons and maybe 20-30 other races.  The atmosphere at these races is always so amazing.  The feeling when you achieve a goal and cross the finish line is so rewarding.  I just can't imagine being shocked out of such a high by something so terrifying.  A group of us ran in a Support Boston run on Monday night - 1 week after the craziness.  A group that is usually 40 or so turned into a group of 400+ to support the One Fund Boston.  Wonderful to support and be a part of this.

 

C is for:
Cat - We still have one and her name is still Cleo...and she still likes to lay on her back in the middle of any floor. I think she really misses her playmate, Zoe...

D is for:
Dwight - We happened into some concert tickets (thanks for Donna and Lee) to see Dwight Yoakam at the Bluestone.  The Bluestone is a super cool converted Baptist Church in downtown Columbus.  Great place to see concerts now. He was good but not as good as expected. Too much guitar.  Justin said he was probably tuning up for a concert tour and then I just found out he's playing Bonnaroo...good call JPJ.

E is for:
Emotion - After the Boston bombings, I noticed this on one of my race shirts...nothing brings out the emotions of the people and a country like 9/11 or school shooting situations.  It puts people into action.  You go crazy if you sit still.

 

F is for:

Family - I'm so grateful for such a wonderful family.  We don't spend as much time together now that we all go in 1000 different directions but when we do, we have so much fun and it's wonderful to get together. This was the kids at Easter.

 

G is for:

Green - Ella had strep throat a couple weeks ago.  After she started her medicine, we had to throw her old toothbrush out.  She wanted a new electric one.  So, I bought both E and Silas new electric toothbrushes.  They LOVE them.  They light up and and change colors when they are supposed to brush different parts of their teeth and then it shuts off after 2 minutes.  Worth the money!

 

H is for:

Hair - Si had quite the hair day.  He is digging the spiky look these days and then couple that with a VERY windy soccer game...

I is for:

Itchy Eyes - Poor Ella's eyes are killing her because of her allergies.  I finally made an appointment with the allergy doctor and we get in the first week of May.  I feel bad that I didn't take her in the winter so that they could have tested and given her medicine for NOW!

J is for:

Junk - the ongoing battle in our house continues to be a plethora of junk!  It multiplies at a staggering rate no matter how much we sort, trash and donate...I'm pretty sure our front room will never be more than a "sorting room"!

K is for:

pinK concert - kinda cheating, I know. Saw her in March and she was so amazingly incredible.  I totally have a new-found respect for her music and her as an artist and person.  Loved seeing her and gaining a better understanding of what drives  her.

L is for:

Loyal Customers - Justin continues to work his JCS Construction business.  I will tell you: it is tough.  It stresses me to the max because of the inconsistent income, the problems that pop up on jobs, the stress that it puts on Justin and his body.  But I will also tell you - his people LOVE him.  He is fair, he is respectful of their time and their money.  And when he spends a month or three in their home...the kids absolutely adore him...

 

{Dear Mr. Yonger, Thank you for doing our kicken. And thank you for being so nice. You are fast at doing lost of werk. I give you an A++++++  Your friend,Abigail}

M is for:

Mason - and he will graduate in MAY!!  And wow, this year and the last 4 years when he has been in high school have gone so incredibly fast (remember this?).  Yesterday was his Senior night at track. He has ran track all 4 years in high school.   He has worked hard this year to work out, get strong, eat well and get faster.  

I am so...proud...impressed...grateful...for this kid.  I'm so sad on one hand that this baby boy is no longer my baby. On the other - it is so fulfilling to know that he is growing up and growing into what he wants to do with his life.                                  

(And Ella is to my chin now...really??)

Updates N - Z...coming soon.

Admirer...

It appears that Silas has an Admirer at school.  This note was in his backpack :)

She didn't know how to spell his name though...
so cute.

Deja Vu

Justin and I are home tonight with only Silas at home. Ella and Mason have sleepovers this evening. Anytime we just have Si at home we always flash back to the "just Mason" days. Especially tonight since we are in the finished basement which is nice and cozy and reminds us of our old living room across the street.

This boy...I love this kid so much. Even as rotten as he can be...

His ball got run over in the soccer field parking lot. He was not pleased. This face says it all...
but he ended up getting a pretty snazzy neon blue and green ball to replace this one, so that made him happier!






He's been reading like a champ. It's really amazing what he's learned this year. His teacher continues to say how amazed she is with his math abilities and he's been LOVING the science they have been doing in class. He's so excited to come home and tell us all about it!

 Thursday evening Ella had soccer practice and just Silas and I were home.  We hadn't been outside much because it has been pretty chilly and rainy lately. The sun came out and we decided to run down to the school for a little fun and exercise.  The sky was looking beautiful from the mix of the rainy day, sun coming out and setting.  I snapped this picture with my iPhone and I think it will get added to one of my eternal favorites of the kids.

Ella and Silas were looking at the kids' baby books last week and as I was flipping through, I saw this picture.  The fact that Mason can curl up on just 1/2 of the couch...if I could rewind, I'd go back and have a do-over from here.  All 3 little for a while longer.  Hmm, or maybe flash forward a few more months to when Silas is sleeping through the night.  That would be better!

There are lives I can imagine without children but none of them have the same laughter and noise. {Story People}

100th Day of School

Silas and his class celebrated the 100th day of school on Friday, complete with Elton John glasses and hat.




It's a good look for him :)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sticky

As I mentioned yesterday, Silas is always a sticky mess.
This morning he said (after a biscuit and honey with breakfast)
"washcloth please, mommy!"
" you have sticky hands bud?"
"yes", with his devious grin. "sticky, but delicious!!"

- Posted on the go from my iPhone

Silas James - The Birthday Boy!

"Even when freshly washed and relieved of all obvious confections, children tend to be sticky."

Man, isn't that the truth!  Silas James is one of the messiest, stickiest kids I've ever known :)  Especially after licking the spatula with his chocolate birthday cake icing.  On December 26th my baby boy was 6!  SIX!  It really doesn't seem possible.  After all day on Christmas of unwrapping gifts, eating junk, playing with new toys, it's like the movie Groundhog Day - we get up and do it all over again for Silas.  First thing when his eyes popped open, he was all excited and said I'M 6!! I'm 6!! And I blinked my eyes and held back tears because I want to keep him my baby forever.

He is one ornery kid - he loves to tease, torment, poke and push every button - at home.
He's the complete opposite at school and around most others - super quiet, whispers when talking - I'm sometimes not sure if he's being shy or just cautious. Maybe a little of both.

He is a very, very smart kid.  Mrs. Sherwood has said she is amazed by this math abilities - he gets it.
He is a funny kid - he really has a good sense of humor (though he is still learning to laugh at himself!)
He is a kid that loves to learn.  He always wants to read books, ask questions and now, since he's started kindergarten, he loves to draw, color, paint, do mazes.  I love to see this side of him develop!

He's a junkie:  Wii, candy, DS, candy, movies, candy.  He's got a serious sweet tooth that is hard to derail!

He also is a master gift unwrapper - he looks like Fists of Fury unwrapping below!

Even though he's getting to be a very big boy, I'm lucky because he still likes to snuggle. When he has a hard time falling asleep, he still lets me rock him.  When he falls down and hurts himself (which is often!), he'll still let me kiss it and make it all better.  He's still my baby - my Smiley Siley.  I love you sweet boy.

Baby boy, part 2

Silas lost his first tooth last night!! He was brushing his teeth and noticed blood. At first he freaked out and cried a little and then he noticed his tooth was missing. We both panicked a bit thinking he had spit it down the drain but after wading through a little toothpaste spit, I found it clinging to the side of the sink.



Now he has a nice gaping hole and is so excited to have lost his first tooth!
The tooth fairy came and gave him a whopping $5 for this first tooth (but he was warned that the others don't pay out nearly as well!)

- Posted on the go from my iPhone

Baby Boy

Last night Silas had a tough time going to sleep. He was up and down 5 or 6 times - his tooth was wiggling and hurt, his eye hurt, his belly didn't feel good. Just all kinds of ailments that manifested in his body and brain while trying to avoid sleep. Finally I asked him if he'd like me to rock him for awhile. He said yes and crawled up onto my lap.

His legs hang down to my knees and he weighs almost half of me but I was thrilled to have him snuggled up on me in the dimness of his puppy light (that's his night light), rocking together and me rubbing his back. I enjoyed it greatly but almost in a bittersweet way...thinking soon he won't have even this teensy bit of baby left in him. When it was time for him to get back into bed, he hopped off my lap and got in himself. He's really about too big for me to pick up and carry anymore.
Time seems to move at warp speed with him, even more so than with Mason and Ella. I don't feel like it's possible that he's a day over 3 but he'll be 6 in just a few months!!

Luckily, he's doing a great job of recording his own childhood on my iPhone. I have no fewer that 90 self portraits of him stored on it. It eats up a lot of my space but makes me smile when I see them :)








My silly baby boy.

- Posted on the go from my iPhone

Bloggety Blog...

Chapter 1:
Donna - is better and home from the hospital.  She was gonna go Thelma and Louise on them if they didn't let her out when they did.  Yep, the Zuidermeister is a tough one - warrior!

I got her casual text last Friday that she was having a bad day and had clots in both lungs, thus admitted to the hospital. After a few exchanges, I really had a mini-freak-out of "what if something horrible had happened????"  See that smile above?  It's one that I can't live without and I'm thanking God that she is getting better.

Chapter 2:
Jodi - now she is in the hospital.  Gallbladder :(  Really, when we hit 40, does it all have to go to hell in a hand-basket?  Gallbladders, cancer, blood clots - we're 40 for God's sake, not 80!  Hopefully Jodi will be home very soon and feeling much better.  Another dimpled smile I can't do without ;.)

Chapter 3:
Dead Turtle / Sad Siley - Little Turtle man bit the dust.  Uncle Tim found the cute little turtle on the golf course this spring and brought him home to Si...unfortunately, he did not survive our household.  It's survival of the fittest around here - if you can't feed yourself at this point, be prepared to go 2-3 days without eating.  Toughen up.
Silas was very sad though.  It really bummed him out the last couple days. It probably didn't help that we kept the dead turtle in a baggie on the deck for 48+ hours in 96 degree temps.   You've seen CSI and what that can do to remains :(
He's been properly buried with a few kind words and he's with Grandpa J now.

Chapter 4:
Hudson Class Reunion - Last weekend was Justin's 20 year class reunion! Who knew I'd end up with such an older man!  We drove up to Hudson for an overnight stay and Justin reconnected with many friends that he hadn't seen in forever.  I had a great time mingling and seeing people that he's talked about for years!  We both had a fantastic time and Justin was so glad that he went and that they had such a great turnout.

I find it amazing how quickly, 20 years later and worlds apart, the connection can be re-established. I think a great alumni event would be to do a day back in high school.  Backpacks, books, teachers, a happy hour after...hmm...(but no homework!)

Chapter 5:
Chad's Visit - Another fantastic reunion this week was Justin's elementary and post-high school Europe traveler friend visit.  Justin and Chad are T-burg friends and honestly, I feel like I've known Chad as a friend myself all these years because of the stories that I've heard (we know how Justin tends to repeat stories!).  Chad and his girl, Meara AND their two large dogs (Meisha and Bear) stopped for a visit on their drive from the Finger Lakes (NY) to Tuscon (where they live).  I expected complete chaos with all the animals but they were fantastic and Zoe and Cleo were very hospitable hosts.  I wish they had been able to stay a few more days and we'd gotten to catch up more.
Justin and I stayed with Chad in NYC many moons ago (pre-kids).  Chad lived in a tiny apartment above a Greek diner and Justin and I slept on the couch.  Sometime during the middle of the night, I was woken up by mice (quite possibly RATS) rummaging  through the garbage in the tiny kitchen area.  Yeah, it makes me appreciate a rodent-free suburbia!
Chad and Meara are awesome folks - I hope it's not another 15+ years before we can visit again...

(a picture of Meara and Chad that i stole from Chad's Facebook page :)

Chapter 6:
Indian Lake - We had a fantastic time with the Hile's and Lang's a couple weekends ago at Indian Lake.  A weekend of total relaxation, swimming, boating, fire by the lake...greatly enjoyed it and got a terrible sunburn on my back!  The kids tubed and (Silas especially) - were thoroughly exhausted!!

JP all big and burly - he looks like Popeye :)

Coming soon!
BEACH!!!!! One of the things that I love about vacation is the time to take pictures and blog about our trip.  I really hope that I have the time (and internet connection!) to do that this year.

YOSP update - I've been bummed that we were slowing down in our progress but Justin started "officially" on the basement last week and that has been a huge boost in our progress on the house!  Pictures sometime soon :)

Such a Goofball!

I still have a lot of stuff (like my traveling, Ella's first girl scout camp and the 4th of July weekend) to update on but thought I'd share a couple pictures of my youngest goofball first.  Silas has been on a roll lately with his goofiness :)

For the 4th he decided to spike his mohawk and dye it blue 

 

The big mosquito bites on his head looks like the beginnings of either horns or nipples.  Poor kid has been getting eaten alive this summer!  I can't help but think that we might be damaging him now by allowing him to have a blue Mohawk and tattoos!

Yesterday the kids were playing with my phone and when I was scrolling through the pictures I found this one of Silas

His face just cracks me up.

Poor Ella has another black eye from jumping on the trampoline.  You can't see it too well here but it's a good one!