Karma

During the last week it seems like we tried to cover a whole months worth of activities including: celestial circle BBQ party, Park City Coaster, Bees game, swimming, Wheeler Farm, spiderman park, sleepovers at grandmas, mini golf, and several rented movies... so what do we get for all this "fun" ? Clint got a sunburn with blisters and now peeling skin (first time in like 15 years), Carver is having a hard time with bedtime-- oh wait, that's always been a problem-- and now it is a problem for mom and dad because we are trying to be good parents and make our children have a bedtime (arrrrgh), Madalyn has pnemonia (again -- this time the Left lung, last time it was the right lung and other things, double arrrrgh), and I get to take care of everyone. Luckily, Nicalee loves to have long sleeping periods so she helps me set a pretty good schedule. That's Karma.

Mom turned TV Junkie

I have never been much of a TV fan because I have always had numerous books on my list of things I need to do as well as my almost OCD obsession with cleaning. Then, of course, there are the children and their "I need a drink", "I need to go potty", "I'm bored", "I wanna play with ____", "Can we go to the park", "Can we go swimming" etc. Well, with the addition of Nicalee and me taking the summer off from teaching piano, I have had some extra time and I have really enjoyed myself. So, just to let some of you know, I love Food Network and I could probably tell you the schedule of my favorite hosts like Ina, Rachel, Bobby, and some of the funny things they (and many others) do. I especially enjoy the next Food Network Star. And you might think that I am an amazing cook because I do enjoy cooking and watching cooking programs (also those on 7 and 11), but I live with one of the pickiest eaters on the planet (Love you babie) so that sort of inhibits those cooking desires. In my dreams I am a chef -- . Next, I love Burn Notice, NCIS, Royal Pains, Divine Design (candice is the best in the business!). I mean really, after watching so much Disney, Nick, Noggin and public TV-- I basically set a rule that TV has to be a minimum and we can pick a few movies to watch (and not more than 1X per day), I really haven't watched TV in a couple of years-- UNTIL NOW. Yikes, what does that say about me.

Well, it can't be all bad because my list of to do's, that was fairly large at the beginning of the Summer, is almost complete. Sandbox cover sewn, shed painted, wall painted, yard weeded, shrubs trimmed, grass green (all thanks to me :-), dogs groomed and fed (ok we've have a few problems with that one now that they are 100% outdoor animals), clothes that have been waiting about 6 months and a few stuffed animals-- all are mended (the sewing machine and a few needles have really had their use lately), we made it to swimming lessons and Tae kwon Do(whew), and I've just about convinced Carver and Madalyn that it is cool to take Piano lessons and that they have no choice in the matter anyway so they had better practice. Well, kindergarten and preschool and piano lessons all start in the next few weeks so my days as a TV junkie might be coming to an end. But, boy oh boy has it been great!

BFF

Maddie and Rylee are Best Friends Forever. We took them to Sears to get some pictures of them in their twinner outfits, and it was my first experience shopping with little girls-- it is one thing when Maddie comes along with me getting my stuff, quite another taking her and a friend. Hmmm. I think I'll be pushing back the teenage years as long as possible.

swim lessons

July is swim lesson month and Carver and Madalyn are having a blast. They both keep telling me that they already know how to swim and don't need lessons. Too bad.

Children's museum Gateway

Last week we went to the children's museum with Sara, Jack and Oliver (cousins) and had a fantastic time, of course. Well, then we decided to go to the fountain to cool off and my kids were so excited until they realized the water was cold and then they turned into wimps who didn't want to get wet on a hot day. At least I got a few pics out of it.

Baby Nicalee -- 6 weeks

I just can't believe how quickly time goes by. The 4th of July involved a parade, swimming at the neighbor's home, a barbeque (with ribs-- yum), a good nap (hooray), the West Jordan carnival, and fireworks. whew. We are hoping for a rodeo later this month. And by the way-- don't see the movie Year One and don't let anyone you know see it. Worst movie EVER MADE!!

Carver's new passion

TAE KWON DO

Madalyn's primary children's hospital adventure

In June we had a bit of a scare with Maddie and her breathing problems. One day she started wheezing (which she does occasionally) and complained that her chest hurt and started crying and then started to not be able to breathe very well. We called the pediatrition (she wasn't in at the time) we debated trying to wait, but we had already given her 2 breathing treatments with albuterol with no luck. So, we took her to primary children's emergency room and her oxygen was at 80% or lower. I couldn't take her because of the baby-- which was extremely difficult for me. I was an emotional mess. Well, they put her on oxygen and admitted her. She had a swine flu test (negative), a TB test (indeterminate), a cystic fibrosis test (negative). She ended up having pnemonia and acid reflux (which she had as a baby/toddler). And now after visiting an asthma specialist/allergist we have found out that she is incredibly allergic to dogs, a little allergic to mold, dust mites, cats and milk. Which can all cause wheezing. Poor Flash and Leo. We can still keep them, but they need to be almost 100% outside dogs and we have a whole list of things that we need to do to keep her from having breathing problems around them. She has to have another test to see just how allergic to milk she is, but it wasn't as significant as the dogs.