Strep Throat

Poor Ty. A few days ago he didn't want to eat breakfast because his "fwoat hurt." The day before I had noticed that his breath smelled funny. No runny nose. Yep, had to be strep. Rob checked his throat and sure enough. I took him in just to make sure and when the rapid strep test came back positive, I opted for the one-time shot instead of ten days of antibiotics. Ty was hysterical (he actually punched me in the face he was so mad--nice kid :)) The shot in his bum was super viscous and painful, so the nurse suggested that we heat it when it gets sore. This is of my sweet Ty, who fell asleep while heating his bottom!

He's been loving it, actually. He gets yummy Tylenol and Rob bought him popsicles . . . he gets to watch movies under blankets--being sick is a real treat! Today he is back to his normal self and his throat finally looks normal.

Just Another Day . . .

What did I ever do with my time before I had kids? My days are filled with adventures, mishaps, messes, brother battles, and yes, much laughter. This week, I thought I would capture just a glimpse of one day in my life (and mind you, I didn't get all the meal spills, all the times Jimmy emptied drawers or undid everything I put in the dishwasher, or all the millions of clothes Ty threw on the floor and then barricaded against his door to keep Robbie away. . .)

It started when I couldn't find my phone. Seriously, how can I make in through the day without a phone? Fortunately, Rob called me early in the morning and I heard it in the trashcan--deep. Jimmy had conveniently put it away for me!:) I cleaned it off, headed downstairs to look something up for Rob online, only to come back and find this:

And this: Cocoa everywhere!

So I quickly vacuum the stairs before heading to the kitchen to tackle that disaster. But when I make it back downstairs, I find this: Really, Jimmy?

Then Ty created this (which doesn't bother me at all, this is normal, but just in case the state of my house needs an explanation)
And then Ty changed into his 7th outfit for the day.

Only to find Jimmy found the boys toothpaste and toothbrushes.

And ate it. And then I caught Robbie shaving . . . again!

It's all part of everyday life here, but I love it, I honestly do! I'm glad the boys explore and don't just stare at a TV. They are my little gems and I am grateful for each day with them. I am not looking forward to the day that I can read all day in my perfectly clean house. Well, maybe a little bit! :)

St. Louis Zoo

Rob took two days off to make a long weekend, so we headed to St. Louis for a temple/zoo trip--probably the last one in a LONG time, since the KC temple will be done in a month and we have a zoo here. So, we stayed in a hotel and made it a party! It was overcast and cool so all the animals were active! The gorillas came right up to us, the leopard was pacing, the baby giraffe running . . . it was great! Jimmy was just plain giddy pointing at every animal and squeaking with excitement saying, "Dat! Dat!" (that's how he says THAT). Another perfect St. Louis trip!

Project

Rob built it; I painted it--and now I have a darling chalkboard in my kitchen! Oh, and Jimmy helped!

Curls for the Girls

I love them! Now that it is getting hotter, his curls are getting even better! Though they have all had them, Jimmy has the tightest little curls and I just LOVE them! You can't see it in the picture, but shiny blonde hair is coming in too--now the trick is to keep the clippers away from Rob! :)

30!

I've been 30 for about a week now, and I feel great! Hopefully I am young at heart--I still swear high school was yesterday, and yet in between I have had a decade of huge changes! I got married, graduated from college, got my first "real" job--the kind with a salary, moved 6 times, had three children, was put into the hospital way too many times, bought my first car and house . . . it's been a great ten years! I hope the next ten are healthy and happy. I'll have teenagers then--crazy. It makes me realize that I need to delight in each moment. I want to start doing things for me--working out, decorating, painting, finishing my book, taking up new hobbies. Who knows! I have so much to be grateful for and to look forward to. Happy Birthday to me!

I had a great, laid back party--just my closest friends so it was hassle-free. We just hung out and ate my favorite foods (cheese and chocolate fondue with yummy cakes, fruits, veggies, bread). A spinach/bacon salad (that I was deprived of for a year while on coumadin), Better-Than-Sex Cake, Izzies to drink . . . it was lovely. The boys bought me a "SuperMom" card, describing me as a Mom-like superhero--it's the finest compliment I could get from them, really. And Rob likes to let the boys just pick whatever they want--no steering them in directions. So, I got Nanny McPhee Returns :) (note my trying to stop cracking up look) and a hot pink work out shirt from Ty (it always got to be hot pink for him--the only color for girls in his view). Rob made it an outfit and got me an iHome. I am so grateful for my amazing family and friends. I've a blessed life indeed.

Little Activists

I finally got the bug this year--I'm into politics. My kids are all too well aware of the GOP candidates, so when I told them that Mitt Romney was coming, they were star-struck! "Is he really real?" It was so cute. We got to get amazingly close, and though it was a stump speech, I loved it. He is exceedingly handsome, much more so in real life, and, I hope he gets the nomination. Robbie made this darling sign for "Mint" and it was just a great time!