SHOTS

Oh, yes today was the day to bring the kids to get their shots. A day that I was wishing would never come. A few weeks ago Scott and I received our shots for disease prevention in Africa (Yellow Fever, Hep A, Typhoid, etc). About 2 hours after we got the shots, I called Scott to see how his arm felt (hoping I was not the only whimp). We both could not lift our arm for the rest of the day. It was painful. I actually almost fainted (did I mention I do not like shots). So anyway, I now had to convince Maddie and Alex that it was a piece of cake and that it didn't hurt. Alex was OK with it, but Maddie knew better. She was telling Alex - "It does hurt, I remember when I was 3 like you and it does hurt!" So I had to prepare them (and bribe them with candy and dollar store gifts if they were brave). We arrived at the doctors and they asked who wants to go first and Alex raises his hand and says ME ME ME! OK he gets his first one - all his says is OUCHY and that was that - bandaide on - sucker in mouth. Maddie was a little weary, but OK with the first. Then we had to go to the Travel Doctor to get the last two (also the most painful). Again Alex ME ME ME (he was so excited to get a spiderman bandaide). He did not like those too much, but again only a little cry and done after the bandaides were on. Maddie on the other hand did not like the first and was certain to not get the next two. She hid behind a chair and was holding on to it for dear life (MOM is so sad here). After prying her from behind the chair, I sat her on Scott's lap. He held her tight and I also was holding her very tight. SCREAM SCREAM SCREAM. It was so much torture for her. After the shots were done, nothing was going to help her. The funny thing is (if there is anything funny about putting your kids through this) there were two people in the waiting room who could obviously hear Maddie's bloody murder screams. We went out of the room and Scott told them, "It really isn't that bad" So Maddie is still crying and Alex is showing off all of his bandaides and ready to go. WOW, Mom is at a verge of a massive breakdown (not just from the shot episode, but from how real this is all becoming) Scott took the kids with him and I had to drive to work. It is a good thing we can wear sunglasses so no one could see the tears. I felt so bad for Maddie and Alex and all the stuff they have to go through for this trip. I just love them so much, I hate to see them cry. But the day is at an end and Maddie and Alex are sleeping. Tomorrow is another day. Little does Maddie know she will have to get another shot in South Africa before she goes to school. I will wait for another day to tell her. :) Well, another thing checked off our list of things to do before we leave.

Alex still showing off his bandaides - Spiderman, Sponge Bob, and a "regular" one.

Maddie exhausted from the crying - takes a little rest.

MADDIE GRADUATES KINDERGARTEN

MADDIE AS CATINA CAT

IT WAS THE CUTEST PROGRAM

"My Name is Catina Cat and My Favorite Words are......."

Maddie and her friend Zoe

Phoebe -- Maddie -- Emma

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Maddie sure has grown this year. She loved kindergarten!!! She is sad to be leaving behind her friends here, but she is also excited to meet new friends. I have loved watching her blossom this year. The best is when I walk through the house and I find a note saying "Maddie and Mom Love" She is learning to read and write. She loves to take a book off the shelf and copy the words. She has been truely blessed by her wonderful teachers. They wrap their arms around our children and give them so much love.

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The Kindergarten Program was so great. They sang songs that I did not even know Maddie knew. There is nothing better than hearing your daughter sing your favorite song "Amazing Grace" She has grown and learned a lot at school. She truely is a blessing to us. What a Gift!!! CONGRATULATIONS MADDIE ON YOUR GRADUATION!!

OUR DOG RILEY

Along with saying goodbye to family and friends, we are also going to have to say goodbye to our 72 pound Golden doodle - Riley. He brings many smiles to our family. (and there are many times he can make me so mad! like when I tell him come - and he runs the opposite way, when he is missing for a while and when I find him he decided it would be fun to rub himself in a dead carcass ) The kids absolutely adore him. When we come home from anywhere they are always shouting "Where's my boy? Where's Riley?" It will be hard for them to go into a new routine without him. We are not allowed to have a pet in the house we are renting. Riley will be going to Scott's sister's house while we are gone. I know they will give him the same love we do. We will miss him!!

Here is Riley before his haircut for the summer:

And here he is after his haircut:

LAUGHTER IS ALWAYS GOOD!!

This brought a smile to my face - OK a big laugh - Laughter really is contagious

Blogger Definitions

It has been over 10 days since my last blog (WOW - I feel like I am in confession). Just thought this may be of interest to all the bloggers out there.


Blinking Also called b-linking" or b'linking. - This is a synonym of blog hopping, or moving from blog to blog by clicking on the links on the page, often links found on the sidebar

Blogiversary - The anniversary of a blog's founding

Blogoholic - A blogger addicted to blogging, to such a large extent that it detracts from other areas of the blogger's life.

Blurker
1. A reader of blogs that leaves no trace of the visits behind. (blog + lurker)
2. A reader of blogs who has no blog of his or her own. See also "blog voyeur."

Momosphere - Describing blogs written by mothers

WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME

I HAVE BEEN TAGGED

I have been tagged by my sister-in-law Michelle to reveal 6 things you may not know about me. Here it goes - ENJOY THE LAUGHS.

1) I am the biggest procrastinator. (I think I thrive on the chaos and busyness of last minute).

2) I love to find cute things for the day (or month). When I was in Africa the cute thing was this 4" x 3" x 2" little bag of sugar. It looked exactly like a 5lb bag of sugar that you would buy, but micro. I am still trying to figure out why anyone would buy such a small bag. Other things items I loved have been the small binder clips, a single flower, my daughter saying that our dog Riley is clever, Alex saying out of the blue - Mom I love you as high as the moon and back, anything that is a small replica of something.

3) I love to watch cheesy chick flicks and cry at them all. (the latest movies have been Step Up and The Holiday)

4) I hate doing garage sales - yet I am having one this Friday.

5) I am obsessed with fresh breath - I will brush my teeth about 6 times a day along with mouth wash if I can. (But you will never catch me flossing).

6) I have texture issues - I love apples and the pie crust, but I can not eat apple pie. The worst texture food item is definitely bananas. Peanut butter (I can not stand it when people suck the top of their mouth because they have PB on the top). I will not eat lettuce salad if it is wet. Sand is also the weirdest feeling in my toes, under my nails - AHH.

I think I have issues, but the cool thing is - it makes me me and I know I am loved.

I would love to tag - Denise (Eight is Enough), Katie (Me & My Boys), and Aunt Marva.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to my husband and my best friend

Yes, Scott turns 34 today. This is a little dedication to him for being such a great husband and dad. I couldn't ask for anything better. He puts up with all of my craziness!! I remember back in the day when he wrote the sweetest cards that would make any girlfriend melt - Like the time when the movie Show Me The Money with Tom Cruise was big - Scott wrote in a card that "you complete me" and of course I told him "shh ... you had me at hello" - What funny memories (we laugh hard about that card). He still can write the sweetest of cards. (Sorry if you get crap for this Scott - everyone was bound to find out that you are sensative). I just want to say THANK YOU to him for everything he does for me and the kids. We all love you very much. I hope you have a great Birthday.

Scott and his other best friend Riley

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD - WE LOVE YOU!!