Only a tiny pinch...

I took the boys to see the doctor yesterday for their well checks. A routine visit turned into a traumatizing event for poor Ethan. He had 3 vaccinations due. Kaden had one, and he was a real trooper. He asked me if it was going to hurt. I told him it would be "a pinch like this", and I pinched his arm. When the nurse came in to administer his shot, he quickly told me, "Mommy, don't forget to pinch my other arm so the shot won't hurt!" The nurse and I were laughing, and all Kaden let out was an "Owe."  He got 2 Toy Story 3 stickers, and we were on to Ethan. Ethan was already on edge because he doesn't like strangers touching him. When the nurse pulled out the alcohol pad to swipe his arm, he was already in tears! He saw the syringe and immediately began wriggling around, trying so desperately to get out of my grasp. He looked up at me with his beautiful brown teary eyes, and let out a heartbreaking, ear piercing shriek, that I am positive was heard across the valley. Two needle sticks later, he was finally free from the nurse but still trying to catch his breath. He just wanted mommy to carry him out of that place but there was one more thing... Flu shots. I was undecided about whether or not to give my children flu shots. I had hesitated years past, and never have any of us gotten them. This year with Kaden in Kindergarten, I had decided the seasonal flu shot would probably be a good idea, but I did not want them to have the H1N1. I was sad to hear that this year they combined the two. Our new pediatrician made my mind up for me when she told me the story of her time doing hospital rotations, where she witnessed 6 pregnant women die from the flu, and several infants and young children all from the flu. She told me about her 4 month old son, and how she wished he was old enough to get the shot too. As a mother, it is scary putting your kids health in the hands of others. You want to protect them, keep them healthy. You hear horror stories about new medications, and the long lasting side effects they could cause. All these people talking about the H1N1 causing your children to become sterile, or about it being a secret government plot for an ingenious genocide. If thats the case, why wouldn't they be putting that harmful substance into everyday common medications such as Tylenol, or one of the other dozen vaccinations we already administer to our children? Basically anything could be harmful. I do the best I can, thats all I can do. The boys are doing well tonight. Kaden has no reactions so far. Ethan has been running a low temp fever most of the day. 100 degrees or lower. I don't think he'll be excited for his next visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, he has a dentist appointment on Monday. Poor kid.

The ants go marching one by one...

Today was Kaden's school family picnic. It was a great way to end his last day of classes before October break, or as us parents refer to it as, " What the heck are we going to do with the kids for a whole week?" week.  There were lots of kids, parents, and food sprawled across the still damp ground. The weather was quite beautiful. A cool 87 degrees. Yes that is cool for us. We sat together with Aunt Desi and Matthew. To make things even more special, we brought Mama and Papa along with us. The kids all ate their lunches, and Kaden bought his much anticipated Jamba Juice. Over all it was a fun day until I pulled out my super-mommy treat...Ice cream. Then it was a very special day. :)

Kaden taking a bite of his lunch, not his brother...

Kaden decided the chair would be better else where

Kaden hanging with his buddy

Working his Jamba Juice

To recap...

Over the last few months, we've had some exciting changes.  In May, Kaden turned 5! We had a Star Wars birthday party with all of our favorite people in attendance. He's growing like a weed. Already almost as tall as mommy! Ethan celebrated his 2nd birthday in August. He's such a big boy now. There's no doubt he is a special little boy.  Cathy came over and we baked Blue's Clue's cupcakes. Along with grandparents, aunts, cousins, and brothers, we all wished him a very happy birthday.

Birthday dinner at Rainforest Cafe

 The very next day, Kaden  hit a major milestone. Kindergarten! Our little man was so excited to go to school with his new Star Wars back pack.  He got on the bus without looking back. It was I who had to wipe away the tears! He has really come a long way. He is doing wonderful in school, learning lots, and making lots of new little friends.  He's making us very proud.

First day of Kindergarten

Waiting for Kaden at the bus stop

This past weekend we got to go to Home Depot's Kids Workshop. This month we made fire boats and got to meet real fireman, paramedics, and even a sheriff!  The kids had a blast in the firetruck. They even got to try on a real helmet. The sheriff gave them each an "official" badge, and the paramedic let the kids try out the stretcher.

Ethan, Kaden, and Jaqaiaya 

Kaden in the driver's seat of the sheriff's cruiser

Ethan in the back seat of the sheriff's cruiser

The kids got to try on a real helmet

Some people...

Everyone who has ever had children knows there are certain truths in life. You will work 24-7. You will be sleep deprived. You will have more love in your life than you ever imagined possible. And you will experience temper tantrums. No matter how well behaved your children are, there are days that are not as great as others. That being said, let me tell you about my day today.


 I was heading to Walmart for some groceries, shopping on a budget means going to the bargains. Anyhow, Ethan, my sweet little 2 yr old fell asleep on the car ride over. I felt bad, but I only had a few hours to finish my errands before having to pick up Kaden at school. I decided to head in any way. Mistake #1, I admit. While we were there, the tantrum begins. He insisted I carry him the entire visit.  I refused to give into him. He weighs 35 lbs mind you. 35 pounds which quickly begins to feel like 100. I understand he was tired and cranky, but after all, we have to teach our kids that they can't get what they want by throwing a fit, right? So I let him yell and cry for a bit like I normally do. Mistake #2 probably. I started to ignore people's stares and snickers. Usually this behavior subsides after a few minutes. Not today. A few women smiled, probably pitying me. One even admitted she was glad her kids are past this terrible two stage and wished me luck. The tantrum continued and in the midst of Ethan's ear piercing screams, I saw an elderly woman approaching.  She rolled up to me in her electric scooter and in what looked like her over sized night shirt, she began to demand that I needed to make "him" stop. I was taken off guard at first. I was expecting another sweet lady offering me to stay brave and not give in. Instead, she began to tell me how, mine and my sons behavior was a nuisance and that everyone across the entire store was sick of it. I didn't know what to say other than offer an apology. I would have been fine to end it there. But the old hag insisted on giving me a verbal lashing. She told me to leave and go home. There was a moment I envisioned what it would be like to push her scooter out the door and into on coming traffic, but then I was brought back to reality and calmly told the woman to mind her own business and suggested she move along if I was disturbing her. I should have told her to turn her hearing aid off but I didn't want to be rude...Mistake # 3.  She continued to demand that I leave. She did everything short of grabbing me and physically force me out the aisle. I just couldn't believe how some people think its so ok to tell others how to "handle" their children. Wicked old wretch.

Welcome to my life...

So I won't start my new blog by giving you all the boring details of my life. I won't introduce myself or my entire family because if you're reading this, you should already know all of that. I will tell you that the reason I decided to start a blog was well, it seems like everyone else has one so... why not? That and pure boredom. :)

It is now 12:03 AM and I just got home from the ER. One of my best friends for many, many years now had some issues today. She is a few months pregnant, and obviously needed to see someone right away. She called me because she couldn't find her husband and needed someone to help her with her 4 yr old son. Of course I couldn't not help her. Her husband showed up just in time for the nurse to call her back. I stayed with her son for a few hours and his daddy came out to tell me that so far all they had managed to do was take some blood. She  still had to wait for an ultrasound and it would probably be a few more hours. He was going to take her son home, and I was told to head home and leave her their alone. I didn't want her to have to be alone. I wish I could have stayed. I had to come home. Kaden was at home sleeping, Ethan was at my parents house, and Nick has to go to work in the morning. I had to leave her there. I hope she will call me and tell me that everything is fine. So I am waiting.

This is really not how I wanted to start out my blog. I really wanted to update everyone on the goings ons of our last few months including some of summer and Kaden's first few days at school. Check back for updates on my bestie and for that other stuff which right now doesn't seem as important as it did a few hours ago.