The not so fun things in life

 Let me just start by saying our family has been blessed with healthy bodies. We have not broken any bones or sprained anything. With that being said around a month ago Rylan came down with an ear ache.  Normally we treat ear infections with garlic oil. It works really well but the day after he complained of ear hurting puss started coming out of it. We read up about it and asked my sister-in-law and decided to take him to the doctor.  It was on a Saturday so we didn't get our normal doctor. He said it was swimmers ear.  We don't know how that worked because we hadn't been swimming for two weeks. We were given some drops and that was all. Out of a whole week Rylan made it to school once. I noticed he had spots on his face around his nose. I didn't think anything of it but a day later they were turning into little blisters. On top of that Rylan's ear was not getting better. He was on pain reliever almost 24 hours a day or he would be whining and wake up crying.We decided to take him back to the doctor, this time it was our regular one. She diagnosed Rylan with impetigo. What? We have never heard of that and had to do our research.  The pictures looked painful.  We were told it is highly contagious and he was given some medicine to take religiously. So Rylan should not have gone to school and I disinfected the house as much as I could. Rylan was ordered to wash his hands every time we caught him touching his nose. Rylan's ear turned out fine. It was just a ruptured ear drum that took longer to heal and he was okay to go back to school the next week. And as far as we know no one else got impetigo.  It is still a mystery as to how he caught it.

On to the story of Camden. We were at Wheeler farm early last week and this boy touched everything he could. I noticed Wednesday morning his finger had a spot on it.  I just thought something smashed it. I told Mike and didn't think more of it. Thursdsay night Camden woke up screaming. I got up with him a few times in the night. We rocked in the dark but he couldn't settle down and wouldn't tell me what was bothering him except to say throw up. I didn't want that in my bed but after being up many times I ruled that out and he ended up sleeping with me in bed. That's one more reason why our children don't sleep with us. It was horrible. Camden kept moving and laying on my stomach and face. As a result I tried to move away from him and almost pushed Mike out of bed. He was ready for work when 3:15am rolled around. Friday Camden had a low fever and his little finger looked huge. It was twice as big and the redness was spreading down his finger. By this time Camden was favoring his hand. I called my sister-in-law and asked her opinion because she was a nurse. My worst fear was a spider bite and he was going to die. She told me to get it checked out. I am so grateful Mike was working mornings and I could leave the kids with him. We made it to the doctors okay but not with our normal one. This doctor was very frustrating. She said his finger was infected, abscessed, and that it would need to be drained.  She said she wouldn't do it on a young child and he needed restraints to do anything. She recommended Primary Children's care or Riverton Hospital where they had the proper sleeping medicine and tools. Our insurance doesn't cover those and after talking to Mike he found a place close by. What that doctor said scared me and I really, really didn't want to be holding my son down while not being strong for him. I came home and when Mike asked if I wanted him to take Camden, I did not hesitate to say yes. He is my hero. I busied myself with laundry and said many prayers that Camden would not be in pain. When Mike got back, Camden was happy with a popsicle in hand. Mike said it went really fast, the doctor was really nice and helpful. He said Camden only cried for 30 seconds and that was it. I don't know how his finger got infected but it may have been all his exploring at Wheeler farm or from a hang nail. I never knew something so little could cause so much trouble.

To end on a happy note, here are all the boys watching Curious George on Mike's cell phone. I don't know why they think it's great to watch on a little screen but it sure had them excited.

Fun at Wheeler Farm

We went on a search for the best photo spots at Wheeler farm. The boys were so excited and it was so beautiful. We walked around so much I wore them out. First we saw the animals, and then went exploring. I went in the morning and now that I think about it maybe we should have done an afternoon because we did pictures in the afternoon and the lighting is very different. We did find some great spots though.

We really liked this bridge.  There was no water around so that was good.  

Boys will be boys. They had to touch everything they saw.  

I have to say the sheep were the highlight of the farm. If you ask Camden about the farm he will tell you about the sheep peeing.  

Sadly, the horses came in second next to the sheep.

It is so different going places with two children. I thought I prepared well for the outing. I got snacks because I knew we would be there a while. I brought water to drink, and  had Camden's diapers because he always goes when I don't want him to. We each had our own backpacks to carry and that was the mistake.  Camden didn't like carrying his pack so I ended up carrying that and his sweater. Next time I need to carry a bigger backpack.

Loving the Sand

A week ago we had a big storm where it started snowing.  Because it wasn't cold enough the snow melted when it hit the ground.  That evening we headed out to the church sand pit to play.  The boys love the sand and we never have time to just play.  Elsie had the great idea to go dig in the sand.  It was perfect after the storm, nice and wet sand.  The boys carried their own toys over happily.  

Camden had a few problems throwing the sand and had a little break.  He was very sad.

The kids all got along well and worked together.  I was so pleased.

Elliot thinks it is still shorts weather.  He went to play with one sock on and one off.  

The boys were reluctant to leave but with Camden's freezing nose and hands we had to wrap it up.  Elsie shared her sweater with Camden.  He loves his big sis.

Walk Along the River

It has been so fun finding places to explore.  All the while Elsie is complaining and the boys loving it.  

We took Camden's bike so he could keep up with us but most of the time the big kids had their fun.  

Afternoon Outside

Camden loves to run around outside with no shoes on.  He will do it with socks and it drives me crazy.  I have given up on telling him to get shoes on and just tell him to take his socks off.  He quickly sheds them.

Camden with no shoes on again.  He is getting really fast on his bike with training wheels.  When we go on bike rides I am the last one on foot.  I think I can start riding my bike with them now.  It's so wierd to have all kids riding bikes and I don't need a stroller.  

Uncle Keith taught the kids what an outie and an innie is.  Camden loves to show his tummy and tell us what belly button he has.

This year the kids have actually started enjoying our zucchini and squash.  I have tried it in a casserole, boiled it and put in with cheese and rice.  The way they like it is cooked in a pan for a few minutes still crunchy with salt and pepper.  I would have never dreamed that would work.

Camden can have such a sad face sometimes.

Boy Adventures: Bike jumping

The boys have tried making their own jumps out of wood this summer.  Rylan has been the most ambitious and enjoys it.    Elliot made a small ramp to start off with and is loving it.

Rylan makes his jumps as high as he can get it without it falling down.  Kaden was very scared at first.  He didn't jump but when he saw Rylan he tried.  Now he says he can do it but is very timid. Rylan's double jump. He was so proud of himself.

Random photos

One evening the kids were fighting a lot so Mike decided they had to make up.  In order to get treats Kaden had to give Elsie a kiss.  Elsie tried to get a way but Kaden conquered.

The kids love it when Mike gets the bb guns out and they all get turn.

The kids think that when it rains it is cold.  They put on sweaters when it is 85 degrees.  They must take after me. The other night our power went out from lightning and the boys were scared.  Even though they were in bed and it was dark the thunder scared them.  That night they didn't get to sleep until 10:00.

 

Here are a few photos I took on my phone camping.  I am very happy Mike invested in a camping trailer.  It's just perfect, although Mike wants one with a toilet.  I don't. It's just one more to clean.  He can get it set up in 15 minutes or less.  My job is to keep the kids out of his way.  So we went on a walk to check things out.

Elsie had a run in with her scooter.  She went face first right into the cement and was in a lot of pain.  My biggest worry was the scar it would leave.  But we kept ointment on it as much as we could and it has healed very well.  She was scared to ride her scooter for a while after that.

Another big thing this year is Kaden got his own bedspread and sheets this summer.  After a long time Kaden finally decided to work at staying dry at night.  We bought an alarm clock for him and went to work.  It wasn't anything wonderful to start with.  I am so glad Mike helped out.  At first I would try waking Kaden up. The first few nights he did great but as time went on he wouldn't get up.  So Mike started doing it and Kaden would hop up and go.  We would have the alarm set for the middle of the night and he started getting up with that.  I was so tired I would sleep right through it.  After Kaden was getting up with an alarm he eventually didn't need it and now goes on his own.  After a month of staying dry he was awarded a lego set and his own sheets. We searched  many stores but everything was expensive.  We finally found what Kaden wanted at Ikea.  Out of everything he picked cars and trucks!  That boy wants nothing else.  We are hoping the other 2 will follow Kaden and be out of diapers soon.  Although I still have Camden to work on, I hope it won't be so hard.

Camden has started doing this thing in his carseat where he pulls his arms up and out of the belt.  It doesn't look very comfortable but he seems to like it.  He didn't want to smile for me.

Rylan made his very own monster box.  He used an old diaper box and spent several days working on it.  His greatest joy was scaring the boys.  Camden was really scared of it at first.