Thursday night, Evan and I ran to Target and Kohls. Evan hates shopping with me and usually I wait until Marc is home or if I am just running close by I leave him home and check in with him. My Mom lives down the street so if I get delayed she will come over. He requested popcorn from Target so we picked that up. As we were checking out he saw the display of Coke bottles with names on them. His quest last summer was to find his name. The closest we found was Evans. Well today the first bottle I picked up was Evan and then we found a second. Well we purchased both. Evan is definitely my child that rarely asks for anything except take out food! I always ask before I head to the store to see if the kids or Marc want anything special and Evans requests are Cheese-its, goldfish or Wegmans frozen pizzas. He also picked out a 75% off Sabres hoodie. We declared the Coke bottles the official kick off to an amazing summer. Although we still have almost a month of school left.
This morning we headed to Fort Niagara. The weather was very overcast and Marc was at work. Evan argued about going and did not want to leave the house this morning. Luckily as soon as he was in the car his attitude changed. There is lots of construction going on and we had to take a longer route from our house. We made a small wrong turn and ended up overlooking the rapids and the powerplant below the falls. The kids thought this was great and hopped out of the car to follow the stone wall overlooking the gorge. We watched a jetboat go by with lots of tourists. We discovered a hiking trail that would take you down to the bottom of the gorge. We did not have proper footwear on for that. So I promised to return this summer.
We finally made it to the Fort around 10am and caught the tail end of the informational video. We entered the Fort and the kids were amazed there were soldiers set up from each era along with their camp and attire. At 11 there was a special event where they explained each weapon and then shot the weapon. Evan was in his glory. He is a huge history buff and is very interested in WW2. Sara was not impressed. The even did the Air raid warning and showed the bombs that were dropped all over Europe during the war. We stayed until around 1:00 and could have stayed much longer if the kids were not so hungry. There was a small shop that had a few snacks and burgers but the kids wanted to eat at the Outlet Mall. We went for lunch and purchased a few things at Oshkosh and headed home. I asked the kids to rate the day and they both gave it a 9 out of 10.
It was the perfect morning and we lucked out with the special event day that wasn't to busy. Next day trip is either the Lockport Locks the Cave of the Winds or Niagara Jetboat. There is also the Niagara Power Station where you can enter and see overlook the gorge but the kids declined that experience.
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Monday, May 7, 2018
First Holy Communion
On Saturday we celebrated Sara's First Holy Communion. She woke up so excited that today was the day she made her first communion. She confided it me she wanted to take the wine but didn't want anyone to know. She later told me she likes the wine.
She made it along with 44 other children, 12 from her school and the rest attend the parish. Evan was an altar server during the mass. She truly was a little princess. We met with a photographer early in the day and she told her its paparazzi time! I ended up having it catered by a local restaurant which was very reasonable and now we have a ton of leftovers! No cooking for a few more days.
She made it along with 44 other children, 12 from her school and the rest attend the parish. Evan was an altar server during the mass. She truly was a little princess. We met with a photographer early in the day and she told her its paparazzi time! I ended up having it catered by a local restaurant which was very reasonable and now we have a ton of leftovers! No cooking for a few more days.
Monday, April 30, 2018
The light at the end
I think we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. When Sara was diagnosed with mono. I truly thought she will be tired for a few weeks and she will be back to normal. I never imagined the number of Dr. Appointment and stress is would create for the entire family. We have been to neurologists, had sleep deprived EEG, MRI, a visit to the ER, 2 different eye exams, and count less visits to our Peds. I had slept with Sara or on her floor from the first week of January until last Sunday. She stated out very anxious and needy, then had vision issues Mycropisia (which isn't quite gone yet), 6 days of a high fever and she wasn't herself. We are finally seeing happy, sassy Sara again. There have been many times in the past 3 weeks when Marc and I have looked at one another and said "She's back".
Poor Evan has been a trooper. Last night I told him I miss him coming into Sara's room to cuddle me at tonight. He has played way to many video games as a result of her mono. Last week we picked up a basketball hoop for the kids. We went to Dick's and ran into a former student and she gave us her discount! April was a month of many expensive purchases including a new dishwasher and a new laptop. Sara had Daddy Daughter dance on Friday and will make her first Communion this Saturday. Evan and I went to the Avengers movie on Friday and it was not my favorite movie. Very long, non-stop fighting and just not my type of movie. Evan said it was ok just way to long.
We have been running around for Track the past two weeks. The kids had 2 track meets this weekend. They each received ribbons but it was in the 30's for both meets and very cold. Our weekend was filled with play dates. Play dates have become so easy. We have passed the stage that they need me or that they argue. Hopefully it stays that way.
Monday, February 12, 2018
Hopeful
As of Thursday I thought she had improved. Sara made it to school on Thursday and things went well. She asked for a sub from Wegmans for dinner. We rode over and she complained she was car sick. She was very nauseous and I gave her a bottle of water. She made it home and seemed ok. Then complained her stomach hurt in bed. She fell asleep at 8 and then woke up at 9:15 and said she felt sick. Well she made it to the toilet. She then fell asleep with an icepack on head.
She seemed okay this am. So since Marc was off I asked him to see if Sara was ok. She called me and decided to go into school after Mass. She made it through day! We had her Dr. visit after school and she was released for gym and activities. The Dr. warned her that she will be tired on and off for months. Her lymph nodes are still enlarged but she told us that is normal.
I took my Junior and Senior Academy students on a field trip. After that I left school early picked the kids up. Dropped Evan off ran to the Dr. and then met Marc at church and switched kids. Evan had altar boy training.
I finally made it home around 5:30. Sara and I are curled up on the couch. She is eating her second bowl of watermelon, cantaloupe, and pineapple. We certainly spend a small fortune on fruit! At least they are eating it daily and will ask for it throughout the day. Evan has been taking a container of raspberries for lunch every day for lunch.
Saturday Jim Kelly had his annual Hunters Day of Hope at the Buffalo Bills Fieldhouse. It is a free fun day to celebrate families. Well Jim had his gallbladder out on Wednesday and his wife was hospitalized with pneumonia. Marc took Evan and his friend over, but Sara asked to stay home. We stayed home and caught up on homework and made slime for her valentine exchange.
Sunday was a day of baking cookies, grocery shopping, and finishing book reports.
Today Sara made it to school and to dance class. Of course tonight was parent observation night but her dance teacher is a good friend, her former 2nd grade teacher, and my former student. She spent the entire class getting Sara up to speed on the recital dance. Sara was much more confident and happy when she left.
My mom called me after school and said she wants the old Sara back. Sara is very mopey and not herself. She is usually very witty, fun, and joyful. She is much more subdued, whiny, and nervous since getting mono. We can't wait for old Sara to make her way back and recover.
She seemed okay this am. So since Marc was off I asked him to see if Sara was ok. She called me and decided to go into school after Mass. She made it through day! We had her Dr. visit after school and she was released for gym and activities. The Dr. warned her that she will be tired on and off for months. Her lymph nodes are still enlarged but she told us that is normal.
I took my Junior and Senior Academy students on a field trip. After that I left school early picked the kids up. Dropped Evan off ran to the Dr. and then met Marc at church and switched kids. Evan had altar boy training.
I finally made it home around 5:30. Sara and I are curled up on the couch. She is eating her second bowl of watermelon, cantaloupe, and pineapple. We certainly spend a small fortune on fruit! At least they are eating it daily and will ask for it throughout the day. Evan has been taking a container of raspberries for lunch every day for lunch.
Saturday Jim Kelly had his annual Hunters Day of Hope at the Buffalo Bills Fieldhouse. It is a free fun day to celebrate families. Well Jim had his gallbladder out on Wednesday and his wife was hospitalized with pneumonia. Marc took Evan and his friend over, but Sara asked to stay home. We stayed home and caught up on homework and made slime for her valentine exchange.
Sunday was a day of baking cookies, grocery shopping, and finishing book reports.
Today Sara made it to school and to dance class. Of course tonight was parent observation night but her dance teacher is a good friend, her former 2nd grade teacher, and my former student. She spent the entire class getting Sara up to speed on the recital dance. Sara was much more confident and happy when she left.
My mom called me after school and said she wants the old Sara back. Sara is very mopey and not herself. She is usually very witty, fun, and joyful. She is much more subdued, whiny, and nervous since getting mono. We can't wait for old Sara to make her way back and recover.
Monday, February 5, 2018
The first visit
Today was our first visit to the newly opened Children's Hospital. I was not impressed. Yesterday we were at our Peds again. Sara was on day 6 of a fever and her tonsils are super swollen, red and have white spots again. The Peds tested her for strep again. This time I had a fantastic Dr. and she listened to all of the symptoms without discounting anything. She suggested we see an ENT. She promised to try and get us in Monday. Around 8pm our home phone rang and it was her checking on Sara. She called again this AM at 8. Unfortunately they called 6 ENT's and could not get me in. So we headed to the ER at children's. The plan was to see an ENT there.
Well the plan didn't work out. We arrived at 10am and didn't leave until 3:45. It was run so poorly and of course I had a resident that barely listened. Once she heard Mono she ignored everything else. First they did a flu swab and when that was negative they did a urine analysis. After that was negative they did a strep test. These were not all done at the same time. So they would do a test, we would wait for the results and then they would do the next. It was so inefficient! Finally I expressed my disgust at 1:45 and said I had expected bloodwork and to see and ENT. She then returned and ordered blood and an x-ray. The x-ray tech asked me what they were looking for!!
After all that time I asked for some ice water at 2pm.. never received it. It was horrid we spent the entire day there and didn't find out anything new. I can't wait for my Pediatrician to call. I would have been better off waiting for the next ENT appointment. We left with a hungry, tired child. The only good part of the day was that her fever stayed below 99.2. Of course Murphys Law we go for a fever and it disappears.
At this point the plan is to keep her out of school for tomorrow and then reevaluate.
Well the plan didn't work out. We arrived at 10am and didn't leave until 3:45. It was run so poorly and of course I had a resident that barely listened. Once she heard Mono she ignored everything else. First they did a flu swab and when that was negative they did a urine analysis. After that was negative they did a strep test. These were not all done at the same time. So they would do a test, we would wait for the results and then they would do the next. It was so inefficient! Finally I expressed my disgust at 1:45 and said I had expected bloodwork and to see and ENT. She then returned and ordered blood and an x-ray. The x-ray tech asked me what they were looking for!!
After all that time I asked for some ice water at 2pm.. never received it. It was horrid we spent the entire day there and didn't find out anything new. I can't wait for my Pediatrician to call. I would have been better off waiting for the next ENT appointment. We left with a hungry, tired child. The only good part of the day was that her fever stayed below 99.2. Of course Murphys Law we go for a fever and it disappears.
At this point the plan is to keep her out of school for tomorrow and then reevaluate.
Friday, February 2, 2018
Weekly visits to the Pediatiricians
Since Mid -December I have taken Sara to the Pediatricians 6 times and we are scheduled to go again on Friday. This is crazy. Now she has a virus and is running a fever between 100 -103. Poor Sara is so wiped out. For the second year in a row she has missed Catholic Schools Week. She insisted on dressing up this am and wanted me to send her picture to her teacher. I tried to console her that each year we have made something really fantastic for school spirit day and once she gets to wear them she will have the best costume ever!
She does have a book report due on the 15th and she gets to dress like the character. Sara chose Laura Ingalls Wilder since we had purchased a flannel nightgown and a bonnet last year.
I would have loved to have taken a sick day this week to be with Sara. It was the start of the new semester and my Department had a curriculum day planned for today. So my Mom has had Sara the past few days. Thank goodness for her. She is a lifesaver over and over again.
Evan has been a trooper this month. I feel bad that I make him head to bed early when Marc isn't home and Sara is crying that she needs to sleep with me or fall asleep with me. Part of the Mono has made her very clingy. I have missed looking over his homework a few times this month. He has a very intense teacher this year. Her grading is not very forgiving. For example if they are late (4th graders forget their homework) or if they don't put their name on it, or do anything except math in pencil she takes off 5 points. She is teaching them responsibility but is very strict for a bunch of 9 year olds. I am the opposite as a teacher and am very flexible. But... I do teach electives.
This afternoon I called Sara and asked if anything sounded good. She said Chipotle might. So I picked it up on my lunch and she ate 2/3 of a very small taco. Tonight she ate 1 3/4 more tacos. That is the most she has eaten in days. I am desperate to get anything into her. Our freezer is filled with her favorite ice cream treats, frozen yogurt, and popsicles. She has been living on Chicken noodle soup and bread this past month. Its not because I don't make my own soup, I do. She has been extremely hard to feed and only a few things appeal to her. Luckily one of them has been apples. I'm crossing my fingers that she is back to school next week. I did make sub plans for Monday just in case.
She hasn't been to dance or gymnastics in a month and I originally planned on having her return to dance this week but unless there is a huge improvement in the next two days we will be waiting even longer.
She does have a book report due on the 15th and she gets to dress like the character. Sara chose Laura Ingalls Wilder since we had purchased a flannel nightgown and a bonnet last year.
I would have loved to have taken a sick day this week to be with Sara. It was the start of the new semester and my Department had a curriculum day planned for today. So my Mom has had Sara the past few days. Thank goodness for her. She is a lifesaver over and over again.
Evan has been a trooper this month. I feel bad that I make him head to bed early when Marc isn't home and Sara is crying that she needs to sleep with me or fall asleep with me. Part of the Mono has made her very clingy. I have missed looking over his homework a few times this month. He has a very intense teacher this year. Her grading is not very forgiving. For example if they are late (4th graders forget their homework) or if they don't put their name on it, or do anything except math in pencil she takes off 5 points. She is teaching them responsibility but is very strict for a bunch of 9 year olds. I am the opposite as a teacher and am very flexible. But... I do teach electives.
This afternoon I called Sara and asked if anything sounded good. She said Chipotle might. So I picked it up on my lunch and she ate 2/3 of a very small taco. Tonight she ate 1 3/4 more tacos. That is the most she has eaten in days. I am desperate to get anything into her. Our freezer is filled with her favorite ice cream treats, frozen yogurt, and popsicles. She has been living on Chicken noodle soup and bread this past month. Its not because I don't make my own soup, I do. She has been extremely hard to feed and only a few things appeal to her. Luckily one of them has been apples. I'm crossing my fingers that she is back to school next week. I did make sub plans for Monday just in case.
She hasn't been to dance or gymnastics in a month and I originally planned on having her return to dance this week but unless there is a huge improvement in the next two days we will be waiting even longer.
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Recovery
Sara is slowly recovering. She is still pretty emotional and wants Mom, claims she will miss me when its time to go to school and has cried many mornings. She missed 3 days the first week. The second week was a four day week and she made it for 2 whole days, went in late once, and came home early another day. This week so far she has survived 3 full days, and came home early yesterday. I ended up taking her back to the Pediatricians yesterday. The good news is her lymph nodes are not as enlarged, her spleen seems okay, her tonsils no longer are swollen with white spots. The bad news she has a new virus or cold. She is very congested and her throat hurts. Normally this wouldn't be so bad but her immune system is so weak after Mono.
Sara has only left the house for school, Drs visits, dinner out last Saturday and 2 trips to Target. I feel like we are all hibernating!
Poor Evan is getting the short end of the stick. We rush through his homework because Sara wants me to lie down with her as she falls asleep.. that's another story. She has been falling asleep with me and then either Marc or I carry her to bed. This weekend I need to end this! The other night I climbed in Evans bed to say goodnight and he said "Mom do you realize I'm Evan and you only do this with Sara" Poor kids has been abandoned!
Marc is out of town tonight.. Selfishly its so much easier to feed just the kids. I put a roast in the crock pot and I can make Sara acorn squash in the Instant Pot and Evan mashed potatoes and corn or peas and call it done. Marc usually comes home much later so I feel like the kitchen never gets cleaned up.
Next week I start with new students. I can't believe half of the year is over. Hopefully the second half goes by just as quickly. If only the summer would go slower! So far no plans yet.
Marcs sister is getting married and has asked Sara to be the flower girl. She still hasn't set a date but possibly next Easter or next summer. Hopefully we can turn it into a vacation at Myrtle Beach or one of the beaches surrounding Charleston.
Sara has only left the house for school, Drs visits, dinner out last Saturday and 2 trips to Target. I feel like we are all hibernating!
Poor Evan is getting the short end of the stick. We rush through his homework because Sara wants me to lie down with her as she falls asleep.. that's another story. She has been falling asleep with me and then either Marc or I carry her to bed. This weekend I need to end this! The other night I climbed in Evans bed to say goodnight and he said "Mom do you realize I'm Evan and you only do this with Sara" Poor kids has been abandoned!
Marc is out of town tonight.. Selfishly its so much easier to feed just the kids. I put a roast in the crock pot and I can make Sara acorn squash in the Instant Pot and Evan mashed potatoes and corn or peas and call it done. Marc usually comes home much later so I feel like the kitchen never gets cleaned up.
Next week I start with new students. I can't believe half of the year is over. Hopefully the second half goes by just as quickly. If only the summer would go slower! So far no plans yet.
Marcs sister is getting married and has asked Sara to be the flower girl. She still hasn't set a date but possibly next Easter or next summer. Hopefully we can turn it into a vacation at Myrtle Beach or one of the beaches surrounding Charleston.
Thursday, January 11, 2018
New year... not starting out so well
As 2018 rolls in we are starting out on a rough path. Sara has been diagnosed with Mono. She went to the doctors twice the week before Christmas with a cough, and sore throat. I assumed she had strep throat since she is extremely prone to is. She complained on and off during Christmas and also complained on and off that her stomach hurt. She went to Gymnastics a few days before Christmas and when I picked her up she was crying. She told me she cried the entire class and didn't know why she was crying. The crying and emotions increased during break. She became very clingy and wanted dozens of hugs and kisses before bed. She then became very anxious when it was time to return to school last Wednesday. She told me she didn't feel herself and was an emotional wreck. I chalked it up to the change in routine. Well it only became worse. So bad that I had read about PANDAS online and was convinced she had it.
I finally called a friend that is a child psychologist and she suggested the possibility of Mono. Well I took her in Monday afternoon and she tested positive. Since she didn't feel that bad I sent her to school Tuesday and I guess that was a mistake. She was exhausted. She hasn't napped at all but has laid around all week and doesn't have much of an appetite. Her tonsils are huge and very red and now are starting to become covered in white spots. Today is the first day that I thought she perked up. When I ask her she says she doesn't feel any better.
She has managed to keep up with her homework. Her teacher sent all her work for the rest of the week. Thank goodness that Monday is a holiday so that will extend the rest period.
Last Friday we had a day off for the cold temperatures and today I was running around in a sweatshirt. This weather is crazy. I did manage to take down and store all the outside lights at 8am this morning! Last week I made the kids clean the basement and we have a giant box of toys to sell and donate. I packed away all the Legos, dollhouse, and sorted through tons of books. Surprisingly Sara let me get rid of all the play dough. Now she has progressed to the slime obsession. Our one tip on slime is to combine glue with sta-flo starch. It is much easier than any other recipe.
Our exciting news of the day is Marc's sister is getting married. She had told Sara a long time ago she could be a flower girl. Sara is thrilled, although no wedding plans have been made yet. We will have another trip to Charleston at some point for the wedding.
I finally called a friend that is a child psychologist and she suggested the possibility of Mono. Well I took her in Monday afternoon and she tested positive. Since she didn't feel that bad I sent her to school Tuesday and I guess that was a mistake. She was exhausted. She hasn't napped at all but has laid around all week and doesn't have much of an appetite. Her tonsils are huge and very red and now are starting to become covered in white spots. Today is the first day that I thought she perked up. When I ask her she says she doesn't feel any better.
She has managed to keep up with her homework. Her teacher sent all her work for the rest of the week. Thank goodness that Monday is a holiday so that will extend the rest period.
Last Friday we had a day off for the cold temperatures and today I was running around in a sweatshirt. This weather is crazy. I did manage to take down and store all the outside lights at 8am this morning! Last week I made the kids clean the basement and we have a giant box of toys to sell and donate. I packed away all the Legos, dollhouse, and sorted through tons of books. Surprisingly Sara let me get rid of all the play dough. Now she has progressed to the slime obsession. Our one tip on slime is to combine glue with sta-flo starch. It is much easier than any other recipe.
Our exciting news of the day is Marc's sister is getting married. She had told Sara a long time ago she could be a flower girl. Sara is thrilled, although no wedding plans have been made yet. We will have another trip to Charleston at some point for the wedding.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)