Sunday, February 27, 2011

Sinus Infection, Cavity, Date Weekend, and Stitches

This week began with Pesident's Day.  There was no school but I had workshops.  Jo graciously offered to watch Zane since there was no school for him...he was really excited to go there!  Mason hadn't been sleeping well so we took him to the doctor Monday and he had a sinus infection, ear infection, and red throat...so he's on an antibiotic!  That morning he told me "Mom, my eye feels all crazy!"  He seems to "carry" his colds in his eyes so that didn't surprise me to hear him say...and the next day the poor kid looked like someone punched him in the eye!  Tuesday I took Zame to the dentist to get yet another cavity filled...he had one in between his top teeth that are fused together.  I could not believe how well he sat and listened to everything she said!  He even had it filled with no numbing...brave little guy!

Waiting for the dentist...watching Spongebob!

He sat on his hands the whole time...check out the glasses they let him wear!

Mason has seemed to be really interested in trying to go to the bathroom in the toilet lately...but never seems to go when he sits down...but he sure knows when he's going!!!  He's in the phase where he will hide when he needs to poop...then will come out and either tell us he pooped or will go get a diaper, wipes, and lay down to wait...like the picture here (the wipes are my face cleaning wipes...).  I wish he'd just go to the toilet instead...but we'll get there!

Mom I need a new diaper...
Thursday we got out of school one hour early due to the sleet/snow...and then we ended up with a snow day Friday.  This puts us up to 8 snow days!  If we make them all up right now our last day of school will be June 3rd.  All this is doing is taking away precious summer days!  Dear witer...UNCLE!

This weekend Matt and I were busy!  We are so lucky that we have his parents...they came down Friday to watch the boys all weekend for us!  Friday night we went to the Kid Rock concert.  It was fun!  Then Saturday night we had my school's Christmas party...yes...in February...it's easier to do afterwards so you avoid all the other holiday stuff!  Before the party, we went to supper with Jamie (my college roommate) and Brian.  It was so nice to go out with them!  We had 2 fun date nights in a row (and need more of them)!

At the concert

Rockin!

At the Christmas party

Katy and I

Matt slow dancing with Amy...he didn't even slow dance with me!  LOL!

One of Mason's favorite pooping spots...the closet!  He went in there tonight then came out and said "I think I pooped."  Notice him holding his behind...another of his new things!

And because I didn't feel like we'd had an exciting enough weekend already, I decided to cut my fingers bad enough that I had to get stitches!  It hurt!!!  I was cutting pineapple and when trying to get the core out of the cutter, the knife slipped and got me GOOD!  Zane was a good little nurse to me...he was hugging me, kissing me, rubbing my back...it was sweet!  He went to get me a bandaid and even put my boots on for me!  When he was trying to get my boots pulled up I laughed and he said, "See Mom, I knew it would cheer you up!"  He's such a great kid with an amazing heart!  Lucky for us we have amazing friends and Matt called Mary to come sit with the boys so we could go to urgent care.  THANK YOU MARY

As soon as we got there and the nurse saw my fingers she took me right back...I felt bad for those waiting in the front...but I guess cutting your fingers to the bones warrants jumping ahead in line!  They took good care of me and I ended up with 5 shots (2 in each finger plus a tetanus shot) and 5 stitches!  The only other two times I have had to be in the hospital was during childbirth...so I was scared!  Thank you Matt and Zane for taking care of me!  I love you boys!!!

Thank goodness it's my left hand!

So stitches on two fingers are a little annoying...and typing this post has taken me twice as long..ugh!  Luckily it won't last long...I have them taken out in 7 days...so just a short-term annoyance.  Good lesson for Zane...who told me I should have been more careful!

Zane-isms
  • This coming week is Dr. Seuss' birthday and Zane's school is celebrating all week.  Zane saw the email from school that I printed and he said, "It's Dr. Seuss' birthday.  It's, like, a miracle!"
Mason's Marvels
  • We were reading The Grinch one night and Mason pointed to a Who on the back cover and said, "It's Dr. Seuss!"
  • Mason's really good at counting to 13...but then gets it jumbled and says "16, 14, 11, 12, 13, 16..."
  • Tonight Mason fell on a toy and began crying.  I brought him upstairs and he said, "That's enough crying" and stopped.  Then he said "I'm better now."  I smiled and told him I was glad, to which he said, "You make me laugh!"
  • Tonight Zane was upset and Mason sat right by him and said, "What's wrong Zaner?"
  • One day when Matt and Mason dropped Zane off at school, Mason leaned over, hugged Zane, and said, "I love you Zaners!"

Monday, February 21, 2011

Happy Heart Day!

Our week began with Valentine's Day!  Every year we plan a meal that contains everything red, pink, or heart shaped!  So...I gave Zane the choice of pancakes or pizza, and he chose pizza.  His special request was that I use pepperoni to make a smiley face on top (even though he only eats cheese pizza).  Both boys enjoyed celebrating at school/daycare.  Jo fixed all red and heart-shaped food, and Zane had heart shaped chicken nuggets and his classroom party.  I think his friends liked his monster truck box!  It was a beautiful day, so we enjoyed playing otuside when we got home and the boys opened their gifts from us, which they loved!

Mason showing his gifts

Zane posing with his gifts
Heart-shaped pizza

RED strawberries

Heart-shaped strawberry cupcakes

All served on heart-shaped plates!
YUM!

The week seemed to drag on at school...our Valentine's Day party was also on Monday, which just made for a long week!  The only saving grace was the amazing weather!  I just wish it would stick around!  Our evenings went so much smoother when we were able to play outside instead of being trapped in the house!  I have a hard time getting these boys inside on nice evenings!  Oh spring and summer, we're ready for you!

Hey Mason, what did you find?  Toothpaste?  Oh!
This weekend we just hung out around home.  We did a little shopping...got the boys some new shoes...went to church...grilled out...and Uncle Brent stopped by on his way home from Tulsa!  It was all Mason could talk about on Sunday..."Brent coming!"  But...when he got here...he would barely look at him and was pouting...apparently he thought that Papa was coming with Brent, so he was a little upset that it was only Brent!  He eventually warmed up to him and wouldn't leave him alone...the reaction I thought he'd have!

Zane-isms
  • I was out and about running errands this weekend and while I was gone the boys had taken a shower with Matt.  When I got home, Zane came up to me and said, "Look Mom, we took a shower!  I'm sparkly clean!"
Mason's Marvels
  • Mason had to spend a little time in time-out one day.  He cried the whole time he was sitting there, and all of a sudden he said, "OK.  That's enough crying!"  Then he quit!
  • We were watching the Daytona 500 yesterday during lunch and when one of the many wrecks occurred, Mason, with his hands on his cheeks (imagine Kevin in Home Alone when he is putting the after shave on), said "Oh no!  It's broken!  What should we do?" 

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Time on the Farm and Monster Jam 2011

This week began with me welcoming some eager little ones to school.  We had our first kindergarten "transition" meeting and had 31 kids there!  It's so fun to meet them each year!  I always hope that I help ease a little bit of their anxieties, and the excitement they show reminds me why I continue to teach kindergarten each year!

Monday at the end of the day Jo emailed me to say Mason wasn't feeling well, so I ended up getting a sub and staying home with him Tuesday.  He was telling her his head hurt and couldn't sleep.  We had a nice day cuddling and playing, and he was much better after that!

Jo also called on Monday night to let me know her father-in-law passed away (prayers for the family are much appreciated) unexpectedly, so she would be closed Thursday and Friday.  So I called Grandma Farmer and she was more than willing to help us out!  So Wednesday evening the boys and I headed to St. Joe to meet Grandma/Papa (Matt has been so busy at work that he couldn't go with us...he only put in 65 hours last week...).  We met and ate at McDonald's, the boys briefly hugged and kissed me, then they were off (as Mason said, "Go Mom!")  It's so nice to know they are well taken care of and having the time of their lives!

Zane doing some painting

And Mason tried his hand painting too...

King of the (snow) mountain!
It was really strange to have the boys gone...so quiet!  I almost didn't know what to do with myself in the morning when I only had to get myself ready and at night when I didn't have to rush out of work to go pick them up!  I got a few odds-and-ends done that don't usually happen with kids around.  Matt actually came home at a decent time Thursday, so we enjoyed going to supper together.  Friday we went out with Jason and Mary (whose kids were at her brother's).  We went to eat at bd's Mongolian (our favorite) and then to Howl at the Moon.  We had an AMAZING time and can't wait until we can go again!  We definitely need to do that more often!    Thanks for asking us to go guys!

Jason & Mary

Mary and I...sisters from another mother :o)

Valentines...
This weekend the monster trucks were in town!!!  This is the 4th year in a row Zane has gone to them, and it was Mason's first year!  I knew Mason had NO IDEA what the monster trucks were going to be, and we were very anxious to see his reaction.  Grandma/Papa and the boys got home around 5:30.  We hustled to 5 Guys to have a burger, then the boys went on to the monster trucks.  I really wanted to know how they were going, so I texted Matt, and he sent me a picture of Mason...just sitting in his seat with his little hands in his lap, and Matt said he just sat there like that the whole time!  I think he liked them, but really liked the motorcycles, 4-wheelers, and tractors best!

Masers watching the monster trucks

This picture looks like they're cheering, but Matt said they were throwing out t-shirts, so Zane raised his hand for one...and copycat Mason did the same!

Cotton candy!

Nice Grave Digger hat!
Today we went out for brunch, then headed back home and soaked in some of the AMAZING sunshine!!  It was a gorgeous day!  We even got so warm we had to take our coats off...no complaining here!  I was so glad that we could get out and get some fresh air...it's been needed!  The boys had fun riding their bike/4-wheeler, throwing snowballs, locking Grandma's keys in the car (whoops) and just having fun!

"Drawing" on the driveway

Whatcha thinking Mason?

Buddies!

So glad to be outside!

Snowball fight!

Maybe we should get Papa a bigger bike...
Matt has been working on Zane's Valentine Box while he was gone (it was Zane's idea, Matt just had to get the body built and painted before Zane could decorate it).  If you've followed us the last couple of years, this is a big thing for Matt and Zane.  The first year of preschool they made Wall-E.  Last year they made a race car, and this year a monster truck.  The preschool teachers are always anxious to see what they have come up with, I'm sure they'll like this year's!!!  Matt was trying to get Zane to make the decorations to glue on his monster truck, and he was acting like typical Zane...mad at himself when he didn't make things "just so" and throwing fits when they weren't perfect, so we finally had to ask him to go to his room to take a break and think about his actions.  About 5 minutes later I went to his room to talk to him about it, and this is what I found...

What a time out!  :o)
The boys working on El Toro Loco

Zane was "posing" for me!
Wall-E from 2009 (look how young Zaner looks)!

Race car from 2010

This year's El Toro Loco!

El Toro Loco

The boys and their Valentine Box!
Zane-isms
  • As Zane and Matt were working on the Valentine Box, Zane said "Dad, we are doing teamwork!"
Mason's Marvels
  • I found one of the boys' Santa hats the other day, put it on, and Mason said, "Oh, you're cute!"
  • Mason's buddy Braeden (from Jo's house) celebrated his birthday on Friday.  We were looking at pictures his mom sent of him eating his birthday cake, which was on his face.  Mason looked at the screen and said, "Oh, look at Braeden's face...it's gross!"
  • Tonight as Mason was brushing his teeth before bed, he looked at himself in the mirror.  He could see his hair sticking up in the back, and he said, "Oh.  My hair looks crazy!"

Monday, February 7, 2011

Snow, Snow, Go AWAY!

This is your fair warning...this post is long and has a ton of pictures!  This stems from being home for THREE snow days IN A ROW!  This puts us at having 7 snow days and now going to school in June...bluck!  I treaure the summer days that I have with my boys, and now we have just had 2 weeks of summer taken away...BOO HOO!  So I decided that the only way I was going to learn how to use my new camera better was by practicing...what a better time to do that than when we are stuck inside together!

Monday we finally got to celebrate the 100th day of school, I always look forward to that day with my kids!  Then, becuase they were calling for lots of snow and cold temperatures Tuesday, they called school off Monday evening.  Good call...because we got about 12-14 inches of snow that day!  It was crazy and didn't let up all day long!  Matt learned from the last snowstorm and headed home early.  Good thing, because it didn't let up and he wouldn't have made it home if he had left any later.  He even had to stay home Wednesday and work from home because we couldn't get out of our driveway and they didn't plow our cul-de-sac until 4:30 Wednesday!  Matt and I enjoyed some quality time shoveling the driveway both Tuesday and Wednesday!

A nightly thing at our house these days...cushions off...jumping/crawling/climbing/fort building to follow. 
Hey Mom (and Adam), does this look familiar to you at all?  :o)

Mason trying to crawl through the "tunnel"

All wrapped up in his blankie...whenever he's sad/tired/hurt/in trouble he starts crying for "Bankie!"  Little Linus!

Measuring the snow...he kept saying "Can I measure it?  Miss Courtney said it would be all the way up to the top of the ruler!"  He sure wanted it to happen so kept going to the door to measure throughout the day!  It got there!

Mason looking at the snow...in amazement!

Usually Mason says "no take picture mom" but he sat there and said "take my picture!"

Jammie day at home!

Zane and I snuck out during naptime...catching snowflakes on his tongue!

Matt throwing snowballs at the door.  They laughed SO hard!

Lately when Mason wakes up from a nap or in the morning, we will hear him saying (very loudly I might add), "Mom!  I'm ready to get out of my bed now!"  He will wait a little bit, then say it again (louder).  Wait.  Repeat.  Wait.  Repeat.  Why, you may ask, don't I just go get him?  Because it's so stinkin cute to hear him!  The other morning I videoed him doing it!  Don't forget to pause our playlist at the bottom so you can hear Mason!

Mom...I'm ready to get out now!

It makes me laugh to watch Zane play some of his wii games...he's very animated!  Watch him play this game:


Thursday has become my grocery shopping day, and since we were itching to get out of the house (and only needed a few items), we ventured out together (it's usually best and easiest to go alone).  Luckily the Home Depot cart was available so we snagged it and headed down the aisles.  I soon remembered why I usually go alone..."sit down, don't touch that, leave your brother alone" is what those around me heard...

On your marks...

Ladies...wait in line!  HAHA!

When we went out to eat pizza, this is all that was lit up at the Good Year store!  FUNNY!

Remember pop rocks...Zane loves them and we can't get Mason to try them!
Friday it was back to our routine/schedule.  It's hard to get my kids (both my own and students) back into a routine when we only have 2-3 days of school every week!  Last week we only went on Monday and Friday!  At the end of the day Friday, just as I was getting ready to leave, my phone rang and I didn't recognize the number.  It was the nurse at Preschool calling to say Zane was in her office and he had a fever.  Poor guy!  So I headed that way and by the time I got there he was sound asleep!  He was warm and you could tell he didn't feel well.  These two boys have been battling a cold/sinus issues for a week or so now.  We got home and found a package from Old Grandma in the mail!  The boys couldn't WAIT to tear it open...and the contents (candy hearts especially) didn't last long!  Thanks Old Grandma!

What is it?  What is it?

I told Mason to hold the hearts by his face so I could see them in the picture...

As soon as Zane got his candy and Motrin, he cuddled up under the blanket...didn't take long for the Motrin to kick in and he was playing wii and telling me "the medicine worked...my head doesn't hurt anymore!"

Movie anyone?

We've also realized that Mason has to have eyes on him at ALL times!  He can get up on or up to anything!  He will just push a chair, stepstool, or bar stool up to anything!  I caught him getting into things he shouldn't be a few times this week...

Let's see what I can find in the treat cupboard...

"I getting cheese Mom!"

The boys playing wii

Zane started writing a "morning message" like his teacher does...but got frustrated because he didn't know how to spell "morning."  It says "good friends"

"Mom, can you get me a yellow paper?"  Done all by himself!

Going fishing!  (Old Papa...they're practicing for this spring)!

Glad you could dress up for pictures Matt!

I hate pictures of me, but here's to prove they DO exist!
Sunday we went to church.  I'm happy to report this is the second week in a row Mason stayed downstairs and didn't cry!  It's so nice to be able to focus on the message and not worry if he is down there crying!  When I went to get Zane, he had these "sheep ears" on.  His teacher, along with the kids, started "baa-ing" when we walked in.  It's so fun to hear what they have learned at Sunday School!

Baaa...my little sheep!
So...I guess my next newest project is to learn how to decorate cupcakes/cakes...just for fun!  I tried and can tell that it's going to take lots of practice!  Here are the cupcakes I did first round...


Then I realized they weren't what I was trying for AT ALL, so I googled tips and videos, got the supplies I needed, and these were the second round.  Better, but still need some practice!


I hope they are best buds forever!

Yucky dirty feet...after playing in the garage.  Spring, where are you?


Having a picnic and watching Toy Story while Matt and I watched the Super Bowl!


We had a great message at church this week...it just really spoke to me!  In honor of the Super Bowl, our assistant pastor was relating following God to following your favorite team.  She challenged us...are you an avid follower of God or do you just a "fair weather fan?"  Do you praise Him at all times, or only when times are good?  When the going gets tough, do you get going also?  I can tell you that lately I've become quite "addicted" to reading other people's blogs and have met some amazing people (who I hope to someday meet in person and some of who don't even know they are inspiring me...Jodi I know you'll read this you are one of them).  Some of their stories, their losses, will bring tears to anyone's heart...and still they PRAISE HIM for the blessings they have received, even in their darkest hours.  Talk about inspiring!  If you get a chance and want to read any of the blogs of these amazing people, see my blog list at the bottom right.  You'll be glad you did! 

Zane-isms
  • After Zane opened his package from Old Grandma, he said "I love Old Grandma!"
  • Zane reminds me so much of my own students!  He is super interested in writing right now.  When he asks me how to spell something, I sound like his teacher because I tell him to "try to sound it out and write the sounds you hear."  As with my kids at school, he digs in his heels and just wants me to do it for him...and I don't.  So then he asks Matt, because usually Matt will spell it for him.  I said, "No Zane, you need to sound it out yourself.  That's what five year olds do."  His response was, "Well, Dad doesn't know that!"
  • I was getting ready to make cookies the other day and I was about 1/4 of a cup short of sugar.  I told Matt I needed some sugar so either he or I needed to go to the store quickly.  Zane came up to me, arms stretched out, and said, "I'll give you some sugar!"
  • The other day Zane said, "I want to see Buzz!"  (Our Elf on a Shelf...we really get attached to him!  If you have small kids and don't have an Elf on the Shelf...you should get one!)
  • Zane and Matt have been playing Mario Brothers and trying so hard to rescue the princess.  The other night they did it and Zane said to Matt, "That's why I call you a genius!"
Mason's Marvels
  • "Oh, you care (scare) me!"  When I opened Mason's door to get him one morning.
  • "Zane, that naughty!"
  • "Why, why, why?"  With head shaking side to side as I tried to suction out his nose!
  • When Mason tried one of my cupcakes yesterday he said "Yum!"  I asked if he liked them and he said, "Yea Mom!" and began clapping!
  • Mason has been "hiding" to poop lately.  One day he was by the t.v. and I asked if he was pooping.  He said "No."  But after a little grunting and a red face, he walked over to me and said, "Poop.  Dare.  Done."  But he STILL told me he didn't poop!
  • At night I tell Mason over and over that I love him.  One night he said, "Stop!  No love me."
  • Before we go to bed each night I tell Mason to tell Zane good night.  The other night he said, "Good night Zaner.  I love you sunshine!"
  • "No picture."  This is what I hear when the camera comes out these days...
  • "Mom, you go downstairs.  Go!  I getting something."
  • As I was shoveling the other day, Mason kept watching me from the front storm door and every once in a while he'd open the door to holler "Mom, be careful!"
  •  Mason is already taking after his brother...he has started climbing up the outside of our steps while holding onto the railing.  Every time he does this, he looks at me and says, "Mom, I be careful!"

Sorry for such a long post...lots to say when you're home most of the week!  Another great quote from church..."Kindness is love that shows up with its work boots on."  Who can you make a difference for today?