Bad dreams with a little magic

For the past week or so, Eligh has woken up with bad dreams.  Not necessarily waking up in the middle of the night, but as soon as he is up he tells me about the craziness he just dreamt about.  I remind him it is all just a dream, and to think happy thoughts instead - like playing soccer, Mickey Mouse, etc.  Hubby and I realized after some digging that we believe Eligh is sleeping more soundly than he ever has (due to his tonsils and adenoids being removed - he falls asleep faster and does not snore any more) and thus, is actually having dreams more regularly.  

At the beginning of this week as I tried to close the door to Eligh's room  he is upset and worried about having a bad dream.  I made up a ridiculous amount of excuses trying to help deter his attention.  While doing so, I grabbed his Fantasmic Mickey Mouse and told him that Mickey would use his magic to rid his room of bad dreams.  This then spiraled into me coming into his room with a magic wand (which I do not have) and shooing away the bad dreams.  At first he wanted me to do create this magical spell right then and there, but I weaseled my way out of it explaining that I can only do my magic spell with my wand (can't forget the wand) when Eligh is completely asleep.  And....it is working.  He has been waking up telling me he no longer has bad dreams and then goes on to share some ridiculously off the wall story of his newest dreams.  

Whatever works...right?  

Family day

Yesterday we decided to hit up the outlet stores (an hour drive) and Target.  A neighbor of ours is having boy/girl twins in just a couple of days and I am passing along by amazing diaper bag and just had to fill it with goodies.  Thank goodness I do not have a baby or planning on having any more as all of the gear and clothing are beyond cute.

The kids did great walking around from store to store, and as a reward we took them to a fun indoor place.  It has a train roller coaster (goes in a circle through a cave), a wagon themed ferris wheel, bumper cars, arcade games, and a giant indoor playground.  We spent HOURS letting them play, explore, ride, etc. We are the mean parents, though, who only let them play $1 worth of arcade games, as I just find them a complete waste of money.

On the update front - we may all be going to Korea, not just Cody.  This requires us to store 50% off our house hold items.  And, I desperately need new running/workout shoes.  

Picture Rundown of Addy's 6th Birthday

My mom came down for the weekend to help while Eligh had his tonsils out, so on a whim I made a themed cake to celebrate Addyson's birthday.  Plus, my mom made a comment about how she always misses celebrating and the cake, blah, blah, blah.

The cake is far from perfect, nor did I care as it was only for our family plus one.  Addyson, though, thought it was amazing and kept thanking me.

On her real birthday I had to make another cake, but went super simple.  

Reflection.....because I need it

The twins are napping on this misty, dreary day and I just stumbled upon Rebecca's post and I am feeling so many of the same raw emotions she shared.  Read it.  You must.   

A little reflection....

Yesterday when my phone alerted me with the news, Cody happened to be off early from work and we instantly turned on the t.v. (something we rarely do during the day).  We both sat, listening, and watching just as so many others were doing.  What just happened?  Why?  Who?

For the remainder of the day we continued to keep the news on waiting for updates.  Each one saddening, especially the 8-year old child.  I thought of my own three children and my stomach just ached.  Ached for the families involved.  What is happening to our country, the world?  Is this what life is going to continue to be like in America?  Tragedies?  

Once we put the kids to bed and had a moment to talk, Cody asked aloud, "I thought about what I would do in this situation if we were there.  I would immediately kick into gear.  Race you and the kids to safety and start working on people."  

I could not respond.  I cannot think of more tragedies.  Instead, I simply sighed as Cody and I both heard soldiers at the range shooting.  The loud booms just did not seem "normal."  I wanted them to stop.  It was just too much.  

Soon after at 9 p.m. just like every single other night I heard TAPS playing over the loud speakers, but last night it was definitely louder and clearer.  

Addyson is SIX

1. What is your favorite color? Pink
2. What is your favorite toy? Kit & Ruthie (American Girl dolls), Legos, and Scooter
3. What is your favorite fruit? Apples
4. What is your favorite tv show? Sofia, all the shows 
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Spaghetti (The child loves leftovers)
6. What is your favorite outfit? Giraffe shirt that shows my back and the one piece pink and white flower one (a romper)
7. What is your favorite game? Sorry
8. What is your favorite snack? Ritz Bits and Bars 
9. What is your favorite animal? Giraffes
10. What is your favorite song? Twinkle, Twinkle - it helps me fall asleep and Katy Perry
11. What is your favorite book?  All of them
12. Who is your best friend?  Alainna and Jaelyn (cousins)
13. What is your favorite cereal?  Mommy's cereal - Special K with yogurt
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Ride new scooter (electric scooter she got for her birthday)
15. What is your favorite drink?  Lemonade
16. What is your favorite holiday?  Easter
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Kit and Ruthie 
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?   Orange rolls
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?  Fettucini Alfredo (and indeed I did make it)
20. What do you want to be when you grow up?  A doctor

Trying to push through it

Every time I get into a good routine of working out some injury flares up.  Last week I had injection in my arm to help the carpal tunnel and tennis elbow acting up in my arm.  I fought through and altered my work out routine, and even the trainer at the gym changed up the class to go around my injury (as I was not supposed to pick up or use weights with that arm at all).

While also trying to treat the arm issues, my feet have been tingling for just as long.  I finally got into the podiatrist yesterday and she informed me that I have some pinched nerves in between my toes, and gave me two injections in one foot, and if it gets rid of the tingling, two more in the other foot in two weeks.  Doctor informed me the best way to get it to heal is to rest and stay off my toes (jump rope, etc).  Well....I don't listen, because I am tired of resting and want to keep up with my routine and with the crappy news we received last week I need something to help me get through it all, even if it is only an hour out of the day where my mind is on something else, I will take it.

Is age 30 when things start to go down hill?  Am I being punished?

Eligh surgery update and some bullets

• My mom came down Thursday night to help with the kiddos and she just left this afternoon.  It's been quite the busy weekend.  
• Eligh's surgery went amazing.  Scariest part was when he was trying to wake up from anesthesia.  Not cool seeing your little one with his eyes closed, just waiting, waiting, and more waiting.  Then, when he woke up he was shivering non-stop and crying about his arm (IV spot).  Not his throat, just his arm.  
• Since surgery he has been just like himself.  We actually have to tell him to slow down, take a drink, and relax.  No easy task.  
• The girls played their first soccer game of the season and Grandma got to watch it.  Kinsley was quite the aggressive little thing.  
• We celebrated with Grandma a few days early Addyson's birthday.  We attempted to make a Friends Lego girl cake since we had an extra adult to share with.  The child has a new summer wardrobe of neon.  
• Just three short days and the little stink pot will be turning SIX!!!  Sigh. 
• On the eve of Eligh's surgery, Cody received orders.  Order that will send him away after the new year.  More than likely alone.  As we go to celebrate Addy's birthday this week, I will be holding back tears knowing that next year on her birthday daddy will not be here to celebrate with us.  
• So many thoughts and emotions about this news, but to be completely honest....I am defeated.  

Easter roll

Saturday was complete madness.  I woke up with the kiddos +1 from a voluntold sleepover.  Once the little girl left, I was able to let the kiddos open their Easter gifts from Grandma and Grandpa.  As soon as they finished, it was a dash to get Addyson ready for a dance performance.  Just as we are finishing up her prep, Cody texts that he will be able to leave work in ten minutes.

Just as we get 10 minutes into our 45 minute drive it starts pouring down rain.  I assumed the performance was inside, but upon arriving realized it was in a covered pavilion.  It was cold, rainy, and plain yucky.  As we were waiting and shivering for this lame (it was totally lame and a waste of time) performance to begin the event coordinator is explaining how it might not happen for another hour unless she can convince the band to push back their performance.  If we were going to have to wait, we were leaving.  It simply was not worth it.  A few minutes later we find out we are able to perform and move on from this day.  Phew.  They perform and we make a mad dash out of there and head home for warmth.


After lunch I have to run to the store for a couple quick items, then dash back to make roll out sugar cookie dough and begin coloring Easter eggs.

As we finish dying eggs, I'm whipping up some type of dinner and starting the process for making sugar cookies.  I could not have planned all of this to actually work better than it actually did.  As we finished cutting out cookies, dinner was finishing and the cookies went in the oven once we sat down to eat.  Frosting and decorating began after dinner.  

All of the kiddos needed baths, and had some time to run off some energy, which is exactly what they did.  They started playing tag up and down the stairs, as I am getting into my pajamas.  And then IT happened.  Kinsley and Eligh are both crying, Cody is running upstairs to check on them, and he yells, "BABE, come here NOW!"  

Fuck.  

"Ummm...we may need to take Kinsley in."

"Why??????"

I look at Kinsley and immediately have to turn away so I don't barf.  I don't do well with injuries.  She had a giant puss looking bubble on the top of her forehead from where her and Eligh ran into each other.  Eligh, on the other hand, had some redness.  As we are scurrying around the house getting everything situated to take her in, all three (yes, now Addyson too) are crying and shouting.  

An hour later (when it takes me four flippin hours most visits), Cody is home and reporting that Kinsley has a mild concussion.  Yep, the Easter Eve, because that's just how we roll.