Spring Activities

With the sun finally shining through it is really beginning to feel like spring time. Yesterday the boys and I got to spend most of our time outside while Halle got to spend the day with Grandma and her 3 older girl cousins (Ashley, Rachel, and Lindsey).

Our first big outdoor event for the day was the track meet at Ferris High School. We all decked out in our red Ferris shirts (compliments of Grandma Caviness), found a great sunny spot on the grass, and yelled like crazy for Ferris. I like to think our support helped out with their win over Mead.

Chad and Sean scarfing down popcorn at the Ferris track meet.

Chad getting into his starting position - ready to race.

Sean jumping for joy.

Next is was off to Chad's first soccer practice of the spring season. He was so excited to see his old soccer buddies again. Chad has really enjoyed learning and playing the game of soccer. I was so glad to finally find something that works for him - even if it means competing against cross-country and track season for now.

Chad - running drills at soccer practice.

After all the fresh air I decided to take a spontaneous trip to JoAnn's. I am really needing a new spring dress so I decided to look around. I found some fabric that I fell in love with and so came home with a sewing project with which I have been working on intermittently today.

I used to love sewing - now I hardly get to any more.
And yes - I did have to clean up the laundry powder mess before I got started, and I didn't scream too bad.

I was also extremely grateful for the continued sunshine today. After grocery shopping I took Halle and Sean to the park - which totally delighted them. Once Chad came home from school they all rode bikes and played out in the backyard. I have really missed the kids playing outside - both for the peace and quiet inside and also for how quickly they fall asleep because they are really worn out (instead of just me).

The highlight for Halle today was the total attention and praise from her Grandma, 3 girl cousins, and her Aunt Patsy (who came all the way from Moses Lake) to watch Halle do her gymnastics. Halle thrives on being in the spotlight.

Tomorrow we (the cousins, grandma and us) will all be going to the YMCA for some swimming. I've never been to the YMCA so I am excited to see the pool that everyone is always talking about. Unfortunately I will have to wear a swimsuit - and that could be very scary for everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And believe me, I won't be getting any photos of me tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007 Better Year Than I Thought

I didn't give the new year much thought this time round. 2006 turned into 2007 and in my mind would not be that memorable of a year. I am also prejudice because I do not like the number 7. It is my least favorite number because it is awkward, hard in math, odd, and not exciting (unless you are into gambling of course). In January, I was already looking forward to 2008. 8 is my most favorite number. It is even, symmetrical, you can take the cube route of 8, it is the age when you are allowed to get baptized, double that age and you get to drive and date, and the number 8 turned on its side is the symbol for eternity. But as I was going through my big box of photos that I am trying to organize (yes - one day it will really happen) I came across this photo of Chris and I. The picture was taken in the summer of 1997.

Again, I didn't expect much to happen in the year of 1997 - all odd numbers and with that horrible 7 on the end. But that is the year I meet Chris. So I finally realized that 2007 was a great year too, because this is the year I get to celebrate 10 years of being with Chris. I am getting excited to write about everything from how we meet, the dates we went on, how he proposed, and of course our wedding. So my new goal for blogging is to write about each of these stories on the day it happened 10 years ago.

By the way, I can't believe how young Chris and I look just 10 years ago. Is it kids or marriage that gives you all the gray hairs, wrinkles, and extra inches around the waist?

Kindergarten

Do you ever have those moments when you think - I am a mom? How and when did this happen? You mean the little rug rats grabbing at me right now and calling me "mommy" are mine?!!!

Although I have been a mom for more than 6 years now - I still feel pretty new at this job and often feel intimidated by other moms who seem to have it all down.

I had another one of these "mom" attacks last week when I had to get Halle signed up for Kindergarten.

[Rewind] If you know me you know that kindergarten has been a sore issue with me for the past two years. Why? Because Chad has been going to kindergarten for the past two years. He was blessed with a very late summer birthday (August 23), being a boy, and being the eldest. All qualities the "experts" say qualify him to red-shirt his first year of kindergarten and go when he is a little more "mature."

Chris came from a family where they planned all of their children to be born in the fall so they would have late birthdays and be the older ones in their classes.

I was born in a family with an English mother. In England you rotate into school during the semester when you are 4 1/2. I have a fall birthday and my mother couldn't handle the thought that I wouldn't be starting school until I was almost 6 - and not even real school - half day kindergarten. So she fought with the school board and had me enter kindergarten early at age 4.

So because of our different backgrounds and experiences we could not decide (not come to a mutual decision) about when Chad should start kindergarten. The compromise we came up with was to send Chad to a private kindergarten and then to see how he did - to then again decide if he should do kindergarten again or venture into first grade. He did do fairly well - but was still so in the middle that we decided on doing kindergarten again.

Any how - the whole point of rehashing my negative issues - is that all of a sudden my oldest child was really ready for school. I got to go through the starting of kindergarten twice.

[Fast Forward] Now all of a sudden, my second oldest will now be going to kindergarten and taking the bus to school next year. It is almost too much for my little mommy heart and mind to handle. My kids are getting so grown up on me. Time really does pass so quickly by. Chad will be in first grade, Halle in kindergarten, and Sean will go from toddler to little boy when he starts preschool next year.

It hardly seems possible that my kids can be this old - I still remember kindergarten so well. And in case you are needing a good laugh I thought I would share with you some of my stories from kindergarten.

Shots

As I took Halle to get her immunizations the other day - I told her how brave she was, not at all like her mother. When I got my shots, they did some in my leg and some in my arm. I remember the nurse swabbing my arm with cold alcohol and then telling me to hold still. Then I remember the needle (the BIG, SHARP needle) getting closer, and closer, and closer. I almost couldn't stand it - all the bundled up anticipation of the pain I was about to receive. As soon as the needle punctured my skin my nervous energy let loose. I jumped off the patient bed and starting running around the room and howling like a lunatic. The needle was still in my arm and in my mind I can still see it quickly swaying from side to side as I tried to frantically shake it away from my body. My mom and the nurse finally caught me and pinned me down, got the medicine administered, and then the needle was finally withdrawn from my arm. (And I wonder where my kids get their energy from!)

Why I Am Not an Opera Singer

One day my mother was watching an opera on TV. I was pretty captivated by the costumes and especially the shrill and highly vibrato voices. I tried to sing with them and remember singing myself to sleep that night. The next day I was still pretty obsessed with being able to sing like the opera singers I had heard on TV. As I got to school that was all I could think about - I couldn't wait for recess so I could practice some more. As the day to day mundane routine of kindergarten progressed I got more fixated on being able to sing. I was so fidgety that I could hardly stand it. Finally it was time for play stations. While everyone else went to the different stations (blocks, beauty parlor, house, play dough, etc.) I positioned myself in the middle of the room. I stood tall and straight and slowly inhaled as much air as I could. Then from the top of my lungs I let out the biggest high-pitched melodious (or malodious to be more correct) sound with all the strength my little 5 year old body could muster. I immediately had everyone's undivided attention - especially my teacher's. I don't remember too much after that except that I was not allowed out for recess and that I never again had a desire to sing in public.

Solution for Over-Curly Hair

My mother loved to curl my hair. She would often put those fluffy pink rollers in my hair at night so my hair would be curly in the morning. She would especially do this on Saturday nights so my hair could be pretty for Sunday. Any how, one Sunday my mother had just taken out my curlers but not yet brushed my hair. She was busy trying to get everyone else ready so I decided to help her out by doing it myself. As I tried to brush my hair I got frustrated that the brush wouldn't easily glide down my hair like it usually did when it was straight. The more I tried the more frustrated I got. I told my mom the dilemma and she answered with the usual mommy reply, "I'll be there in a minute."

While I was waiting for the "minute" to arrive a flash of light went off in my head. I had a great solution to my problem - I would just eliminate the problematic curls. I opened my desk drawer and reached in to grab my "Goofy" safety scissors (you know, the kind without a sharp point and can barely cut paper). And then I started chopping away. First this curl, then that. I would show my hair who was boss! I had cut away a good portion of one side of my head when I heard my mother's voice. "Lara, where are you? I can brush your hair now." At the sound of that voice all reason came back to me and I flushed bright red at realizing what I had done. I quickly hid under the bed - coming up with some excuse about needing to find something that had gotten stuck under there.

I was so panicked. I knew my mom would kill me when she had seen what I had done. Finally it was time to go to church. We lived just a few blocks away and always walked. So again, with the rationalization of a 5 year old, I thought that if I just walked backward, my mother would never be able to tell what had happened. (You know - just like when you close your eyes, no one can see you!)

It seemed like it was working. I made it all the way down one street, had crossed the road and was just walking past the park when my mother started starring at me. She just kept starring and starring. Then slowly she stopped walking and her mouth was agape. Then she just started crying. That was the worst!!! I had made my mother cry - that was much more horrible than her being mad at me.

I don't remember what else happened at church - but I do remember the next day back at school that I still insisted on walking backward all the time so people wouldn't notice my hair so much. (May that is what I need to do with my current situation - I'll just walk backward and keep my eyes closed - and no one will notice me.)

My kindergarten picture - before the haircut.

Chad's kindergarten picture.

Halle age 4 and ready for kindergarten next year.

Sunshine In My Hair

There is sunshine in my hair today. I have been in a hair rut lately. I haven't seen a hairdresser since the beginning of October 2006. Why have I been in a rut? Because I have been paralyzed with indecision. I know that I don't like the way my hair is now, but I just don't know what to do. A perm? Grow it longer? Cut it shorter? Bangs or no bangs? Highlights? What to do, what to do, what to do?!?

I've been bordering on highlights, but not sure what kind of cut to get so have been putting it off. After seeing Lucy get a great hair cut and some added blond I decided to go for it. But still not knowing how I wanted it cut I thought maybe I would save some money by doing the color myself and then get it cut when I had finally decided on a style. So as I went to the drug store yesterday to stock up on medicine for the kids, and their numerous ailments, I ended up walking through the "hair" aisle and noticed that most of their hair coloring kits were on sale.

What the hey - I thought - I'm gonna go for it. I carefully selected a box that was labeled, "Subtle Highlights - especially for blond to medium brown hair." I thought I had found the perfect elixir for my hair rut - just a little color to spruce me up for spring. Unfortunately I got a little more than I bargained for!!!!

The third row down shows my hair color and then what it is supposed to look like after the highlights.

I was determined to do my hair this morning (before I chickened out). So as soon as I got Chad off to school, I made sure Halle and Sean had everything they needed and a video to keep them busy while I did my hair. I mixed up the stinky ingredients and started to apply the goop to my hair. I grabbed a strand here and there and made sure I got all the layers of my hair done and then especially applied it around my face and bangs (as suggested by the instructions). Then, wanting to make sure it didn't look too streaky I rubbed my hair around - so that all my hair got just a little bit of the highlighter on it.

Then next step was to wait 30-90 minutes. 90 minutes was the recommended time - but you were supposed to test after 30 minutes and then recheck every 5-10 minutes there after until you achieved the color you desired. Well, even before I started timing I noticed my hair already looked pretty blond - but thought I had better follow the instructions. I checked on the kids, got the dishes done, and cleaned up the kitchen from breakfast. Only 15 minutes had transpired before I peaked in on my hair again. It was really looking blond!!!!! Then I started to panic - that was not quite the look I was going for. So I hurried and got into the shower and started to wash everything off.

After my shower I quickly got dressed and proceeded to blow dry my hair so I could see the results. But even before drying it I could tell it was going to be very blond. After drying it I was in total shock. It was very, very, blond ALL over - no highlights, just blond hair. AAAAGGGGGG!!!!!!!!

A scary picture - no highlights, just blond.

Now I feel like a freak. I am hoping a few days of seeing myself with blond hair will eventually wear off the shock I am feeling right now. If not - I guess I will have to go groveling to my hairdresser to fix the mess I got myself into. Or maybe (to save money again) I could pull a Brittney and just shave off all my hair and get a tattoo on my hand that says, "I will never do my own hair again."

Which reminds me of the last time I did my own hair. While in college I thought it would be fun to give myself a perm. I followed all the instructions (just like I usually do) and after only 6 hours (yes, I am as slow as the student hair dressers) I had lots of lovely curls. Everything seemed great until the day after the first wash. After combing through my hair - I noticed a lot of hair in my pick. Then the next day as I was combing through my hair a big section about two inches wide and about 8 inches long just fell out of my hair. The more I brushed the more hair fell out. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. After a week all the hair from one side of my head had all broken off - necessitating an emergency visit to my hair dresser to get a new very short do. So much for long, curly hair. Why didn't I remember this story before I did my hair this morning? Next time I start talking about doing my own hair - please - somebody do an intervention for me. I may need cosmetology rehab.

So, if it seems extra sunny while you are out and about - maybe it is because I just walked or drove past you and the gleam from my bright blond hair radiated into your eyes.

Pink Eye, Pink Eye

The way I envision "Pink Eye."

Normally when I hear the words, "Pink Eye," I automatically conjure to mind the Dr. Seuss Book named The Eye Book. This week "Pink eye" has been the unpleasant reality of conjunctivitis. It seems that it is never convenient to have a sick child.

My woes began on Friday. I had planned on using Halle's preschool time to run off to Costco to look at Easter dresses for her without her presence. Sometimes I escape during preschool, but mostly I stay at home because that is the safest and least humiliating place to be with Sean - who is a genius at escaping and having tirades while shopping. I don't make it to Costco too often, which is good on the pocket book, so I treasure my time when I can get there to stock up on the usuals and also to look around a little. Sean was actually being somewhat reasonable and sitting in the cart (but not in the seat part). I had already acquired a few very needed items and was looking at the Easter dresses (the whole purpose of my trip) when my cell phone rang. Not recognizing the number of who was calling I was already annoyed that someone was interrupting my shopping time. On the other end of my phone was Lisa Erickson, an old family friend who was substituting for Halle's preschool teacher, Mrs. Crater. She said she was calling because Halle had pink eye and that I had better come and get her.

Pink eye I thought. Was she serious?! Halle looked perfectly fine that morning and had not mentioned any irritation or pain from her eyes. And believe me, she is not one to hide any personal or emotional discomfort she may be feeling at any time. I thought it was probably a false alarm, that she had had a few late nights, we were all recovering still from being sick all last month, and that she had probably had just a tired, dried out eye that was maybe overstimulated by the field trip they had at preschool that day to the horticulture building - where she was probably exposed to an allergen.

I tried to contain my agitation by forcing myself to reply calmly that I had just arrived at Costco, I still needed a few items that I would quickly grab, check out, and then drive back up the hill. It would probably take me another 20 minutes to get there, but that I would come as quickly as I could. Lisa assured that I had no reason to be embarrassed and that they would quarantine Halle from the other children until I arrived.

Still fuming that something had put a wrench into the gears of my "organized" day I quickly ran around Costco, trying to remember all the things that I had needed there and even thought to grab some eye drops - just in case Halle's eye was somewhat red and itchy.

When I arrived at Halle's preschool 18 minutes later (2 minutes before schedule) I was still in denial as a happy, bouncing Halle came bounding up on me. She certainly wasn't in pain and when I looked at her eye I was still very suspicious and holding onto all of my before mentioned rationalizations. But not wanting to risk infecting others, if she did have conjunctivitis, I quickly removed her from the hallway of her preschool and took her home.

At home I finally gave her left eye a good looking at and asked her how she felt. She said she felt fine, that her eye didn't hurt. Her eye was a little red, but not how I imagined pink eye should be - no pus, no watering of the eye, no pain - just a little red streaked. I figured I was right, it wasn't pink eye and that it would be better by evening with a little help of eyes drops and a nap. But by the end of the day - it was not getting better, nor did it look worse. Could it be that my "professional" medical assessment of the situation was wrong? It certainly looked that way, but by that time, it was too late to do anything about it. The Doctor's office was closed, the only other option would be to spend lots of money taking her to the urgent care doctors - which didn't seem logical seeing as she was in no pain. (I don't think I will be getting the "Mother of the Year" award again any time soon.)

I prayed that her conjunctivitis was viral and would remedy itself in a day or so. As Sunday approached, I realized that nothing had changed. Still red-streaked, Chris and I did the Sunday shuffle at church so one of us could be home with Halle. (The last thing I wanted was to have the whole primary blaming me for spreading pink eye around.)

By Sunday evening her eye did start to look a little better. Yea! I thought. I decided I would keep her home from school one more day - just to make sure - but was glad to think that things were finally on the mend and I wouldn't be forcefully homebound for much longer.

Monday morning - shock and dismay. As I went to check Halle's eye, I noticed that the other eye was now infected!!!!! And this one did look like pink eye. It was red, swollen, pussy, sore, itchy, etc. So as soon as the clock clicked to 8:00am I was on the phone calling the doctor's office for an appointment and by late morning my little girl finally got the medical treatment she needed - antibiotic eye drops that she gets to take every 4 hours. They say it will take another 3-5 days to clear up.

She has been pretty brave through all of this - not complaining and enduring the dreaded eye drops (which for Halle are worse than the disease itself). And tomorrow I get to take her back to the doctors for her pre-scheduled immunizations so I can register her for kindergarten. I did try to talk them into giving Halle her immunizations today - but that was not allowed as my appointment today was an "emergency" appointment only. I would still need to come back for a "well" appointment to get her immunizations. Or in other words, we would like to bill you as many times as we are able to.

I will probably be calling the doctor at 8:00am again tomorrow as now Chad seems to have a case of the "Pink Tongue" disease. He has had nasty canker sores on his tongue for over a month now that we just can't seem to get rid of. He is still awake (9:58 pm) and crying as I try to finish this blog. I hope our doctor gets a nice vacation or buys himself an new car from of all our visits.

So now that everyone knows the kind of germs we are harboring at our house - I am sure you will be avoiding the Caviness family like the plague - and I won't blame you - I am ready to escape too.

A really bad picture of Halle's "Pink Eye."