Playing at the Park

He's growing up so fast; such a big boy!

There's a cute western-themed park by our house that the kids love to go to. It's really big and always packed, so I try to avoid it when I'm with the kids by myself. I'm afraid I'll lose one. John was with us today, so why not.

Yes, Coy's at that age.

Poor Coy Coy

Is this really all necessary for one very minor filling? As you can tell by his bright red cheeks, the nitrous oxide was not helping his anxiety at all. I actually think it made the panic a lot worse. He kept saying, "I want this thing off my nose right now!" I thought my kids were immune to cavities, but alas, Coy just had to get the first one of the group. My boot camp style, twice a day brushings have failed. The whole pink balloon thing in his mouth was a new one for me. They said it kept him from swallowing any of the yucky stuff, and it gave the dentist a clear working space. This was a cavity being filled not open-heart surgery. He was very brave, and he survived. I do have to say that Spongebob playing on the ceiling above him helped the absolutely-no-fun situation. There's nothing worse than seeing your baby in pain and panicked at the same time. It's tough being four.

Just so it's clear, I don't enjoy taking pictures of my children in sad predicaments. The dental assistant was trying to explain the pink latex square to Coy. She asked if I had a camera so I could show him what it looked like later. Corinne has been deeply disturbed by this picture. She can't exactly make out what she is seeing, and she's worried about what was being done to her big brother.

Funny Story

Coy is my child who has a fascination with Physiology and Anatomy. He's always asking questions about his body. Some of these endless queries include such topics as the brain, bones, blood, digestion, the respiratory system, and yes, childbirth. I try my hardest to change the subject whenever that one comes up. Well, since we have had our new puppy, Apollo, Coy has been inspecting his little doggy body. John pointed out to him, right after we brought the puppy home for the first time, that Apollo also has a belly button like he does. Coy seemed to be giddy at this new discovery. Since that first time, he's asked several times for me to point out Apollo's belly button; then, he laughs like it's the funniest thing he's ever seen. I say all this to tell you what happened a couple of days ago. As I was taking Apollo downstairs to go outside, Coy walked up to me and said, "mommy, I want to touch his belly button." So, I told him to go ahead. Coy then proceeded to, rather roughly, grab and twist Apollo's little puppy wanker. I quickly pulled Coy's hand away from the poor animal, trying to sound concerned as I told him what he was grabbing. He thought about it for a second; then he said, "ohhhhhh." We both laughed for a long time. The best part was the surprised look on Apollo's face as he was defenselessly being molested. I love this 4-year-old.

For the Love of Donuts.....or Doughnuts

We have a Krispy Kreme addiction around here. It's no secret. There is not a donut in the world that can compete with a "Hot Now" original glazed. I had my first when I was visiting My Aunt Debbie and Uncle Kent in Tallahassee. They are to blame for this new form of gluttony in our family. This was a couple of years before a Krispy Kreme shop was put in Vegas. Christian was 8 months old when he had his first, and he was a changed baby. You know how kids bring cupcakes to school on their birthdays? Well, mine bring a couple dozen original glazed with a Krispy Kreme hat for each classmate. They have scored major friend points with this simple act. Yep, I'm the coolest mom around.

My kids always beg to go to this particular donut shop on our way home from church because they have learned that it is right around the corner- dang that sense of direction. So, this easy request of theirs, that I grant a couple times a month, makes me mother of the year in their precious little eyes. I live for the adoration of my children...what mom doesn't?? They love nothing more than to go into this yummy smelling donut shop and press their little noses against the glass. They are mesmerized as they watch the floating donuts flip onto the grease and then, go through a waterfall of glazed sugar. It is quite a sight for them. I snapped this candid when they weren't looking. It's the simple little things in life that bring them so much joy.

Christian's first- January 2002

Hugs for Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone! We love all of our family and friends very much. Coy Coy had a special hug to give at his preschool's Valentine's Day party. As usual, Coy's voice is easily heard above the others....a true entertainer.

David on Drugs

I came across this video the other day through a forwarded e-mail. This is seriously one of the funniest little videos of a kid that I've ever seen. Anyone who has ever had their wisdom teeth out, or any kind of dental surgery, knows that whatever drug they use to put you under is very unique. I've had other surgeries before when I broke my nose, but that anesthesia did not affect me at all. However, when I had my wisdom teeth removed, I woke up crying, asking where my dog was. Repeatedly, I kept saying that there was water in the peanut butter jar. I was very confused and distraught about it....funny stuff! So, I totally empathize with this poor kid. At least he gave his dad, and the rest of us folks, a good laugh.

My Entertainment For a Lazy Day.

Corinne is all girl, and she loves to dress-up. I was bored, so I made her perform for me. This is how I get my kicks.

Dude, I got a Dell...Again

I'm starting to think John and I repel technology. No matter how careful we are, every single computer we've ever owned has crashed a couple of times. We do everything they say you are supposed to do like having security programs and all that fun stuff. Still, our laptop crashed once again, and this time I am done with it. We've already taken it to the geek squad (our new best friends) a couple of times so they could save all of our files and reboot the computer. I'm not doing it again, even though at some point I will want all my home movies off that stupid thing. Should I have been backing up all my files like my husband said?- Yes. Did I?- No! Those guys charge way to much for computer knowledge. Now, we are back to our old Dell desktop we bought in 2004 after Coy was born. We had it custom made and only used it about six months before it too crashed. At the time, we didn't have the time or money to fix it so it just sat and traveled with us when we moved. After the death of our laptop, we put a new hard drive in the Dell and reinstalled everything. It seems to be working like new except for the fact that it's not allowing me to upgrade to a new version of internet explorer...irritating. Internet Explorer in 2004 was kind o' slow. Let's hope this one will, now, behave for us. I have to get used to going to the desk in my room to get on the computer instead of just sitting on the couch with the laptop. This is probably a good thing; it will keep me from wasting my time on nothing late at night; there's only so many curtains and panels one can look at online at Target. I also wish it had a little slot for my Sony memory stick like the laptop did. How do I get all my pictures onto the computer? Oh yes....the USB cord; like I have any clue where that thing is hiding. That's a scavenger hunt for another day. When I think back about 10 years ago, when AOL was a novelty, and the internet was new and exciting, I realize how impatient technology has made me. Maybe my computers crash to teach me a lesson ;-) Okay, I'm done ranting now.

Humpty Dumpty Fell on Her Head

So, Corinne was our first. We have two boys that have yet to break a bone, need a stitch, or even require a trip to the emergency room for some rough and tumble act. We have relatively calm children compared to all the stories I've heard from friends and family. My kids like to play but not too rough. They like to have fun and do exciting things, but when they feel there is a risk or any anxiety involved, they shy away. I suppose this is actually a blessing. I must be so lucky because of some praise due to me for being such an angelic child :-) We all know it has nothing to do with John's genes (he was THAT boy).

Well, out of my three kiddos, Corinne is the closest thing I have to a daredevil. On Monday, she was enjoying another ride on her daddy's shoulders (something we call a duh, duh duh-an inherited title). Well, dad was holding his princess on his shoulders along with a computer tower in his hands. Corinne pulled one of her circus acts where she just falls backwards. It's so much fun; a thrill because there is always a mommy or daddy to catch her. Sadly, we've encouraged this monkey-like behavior because she is our only child who squeals with joy over the rush of free-falling. It's kind of fun to have a kid who plays rough....so what if she's the little lady of the family. Well, on this particular occasion, daddy, once again, caught her. The problem was the concrete pillar he was leaning against while waiting for me to come out of a store. With perfect aim, she slammed her sweet melon against the perilous pillar, making an inch long gash under her pretty curls. After some examination, John and I decided this was definitely a cut that would require a trip to the doctor's office. Let's be honest, it was John doing the exam; I'm not capable of dealing with trauma. I cover my ears and walk away. And I wanted to be a nurse once upon a time....Ha Ha Ha.

So, the doctor agreed that this was a boo boo that required more than a band-aid and some neosporin. When the doc said staples, I cringed. Staples sound so much worse than stitches, but actually I learned they are less invasive and a much quicker process. I opted for her to have the topical anesthetic instead of a shot to the head (Yikes!!). She was so brave through the whole process, and the only concern she had was that her lollipop was almost gone. The nurse graciously provided her with as many as her little heart desired. The doctor put in four staples, and it wasn't until the third had been put in when Corinne said, "mommy, that boy is hurting me." She was a trooper, and now she has metal in her head for a week. It looks so awful to me, but she hasn't even mentioned it. We can't wash her hair or really brush it this whole week. So, her already crazy, curly hair is now looking like a comfortable home for a family of blue-jays. It's been an interesting last few days; never a dull moment. I guess there has to be a first time for everything.

Waiting for the doctor to prescribe some metal to the head.