What I'm Doing Today

I finally *finally* finally finished this quilt. I struggled with this one for quite a while... First with the design, then the fabrics, and when I had it put together just the way I had envisioned-

I took it apart.

Yes. You read that correctly. I took the whole thing apart and restarted from scratch. And I think it worked out perfectly, don't you?

I am so in love with this quilt that if it wasn't destined for a very sweet friend, I would just "forget" to ship it. The problem is, my friend is in love with it too, so... to the Post Office I go.



And cooling and awaiting frosting is carrot cake for my dear husband's birthday celebration tonight (the actual bday is tomorrow, but he leaves in the morning for a trip to Washinton DC). We are having a crawfish boil with some of his buddies this evening... but I hope the highlight will be this yummy cake. I'm just waiting for the layers to cool, then they'll be flipped, stacked, and spread with cream cheese frosting.

yum

Yee-outch!

Poor Owen had to undergo allergy testing this week- this is all related to the asthma/no asthma issue, and we were all concerned that he may have to start on allergy shots.  Well, we took him into the allergist, he had his back poked up like a pin cushion, but he was incredibly stoic and brave.

Anyone for connect-the-dots??

You can see that he reacted to just about everything that they stuck him with- but the doctor felt that he could treat him with allergy meds instead of him needing to be on allergy shots. Unfortunately, he had bad reactions to at least two or three allergens from each different season... which at least explains why he has a year long struggle with allergies!

This was the biggest reason that we replaced all the carpeting in our new house with laminate wood flooring before we moved in!

One especially good thing that came out of this appointment... the allergist had Owen blow into a tube to measure his lung function, and the results came back great! He for sure doesn't have asthma. Whew- breath of relief from momma. :)

Let me tell you what... Owen at the allergist last week, Jacob at the dentist this week, Evelyn at the doctor the week after (18 month check up). Having 3 kids, sometimes it feels like we LIVE at the doctor's office!

Overheard Today

The boys are out back playing in our hot tub (today it's a "cold tub" because the temps are in the 80s and they needed to cool off after Jacob's soccer game!). Owen comes in and tells me, "Mom, you'll never guess what just happened! Cleo (our cat) was balancing on the side of the hot tub and she fell in! But, we didn't push her in! I swear!"


Do you believe him? Nah, me either.



Check back in a bit, I swear I'll update more later today- I have some great stories and pictures for you all! :)

Right now...

It must be getting close to summer... the boys are outside playing in the hose in their underwear.


Tonight I'll update you all on the allergy testing that Owen had done yesterday, but right now I'm going to go sit in the sun and watch my silly kids. :)

Wrestling With Daddy...

Poor, poor Daddy. Even his baby girl beats up on him.

It was a dark and stormy day....

Today was awful gloomy and gray, yet I started today with a long to-do list anyway.  You know what they say about "best laid plans"?  Well, that's pretty much what happened today.  Of course, having all 3 home all week (the boys are on Spring Break) meant that we've been playing it by ear all week. 

Anyway- on our list today was a trip to Ross (discount store) for a birthday present we need for this weekend, and a trip to the grocery store (because Old Mother Hubbard's cupboards are bare bare BARE), as well as stops at the library and the barbershop for the boys.

Well, we made it to Ross. Jacob brought his birthday money from his Nana and Poppop and found this cool remote controlled car that was just the right price...

And of course, I found a little something for Evelyn... I remember having a pair or two of these as a girl.

She is *such* a girl... she loves shoes :)

And with the shoes on... She loves to have her picture taken, and is saying "Cheeeeeese!" to me

After our one stop at Ross, I said, "Ok, I get it you guys. Shopping is NO FUN for anyone" and I made the executive decision to skip the grocery store and the rest of the list for today (and that means I get to go this weekend without any munchkins. Sounds like a deal to me!).


Of course, our cupboards are still bare.  But a little scrounging around through the freezer and pantry produced a yummy Bean and Bacon Soup that we enjoyed with a simple tossed salad on the side.

Jealous, aren't ya?

Reminding me that sometimes, the best meals... and days... come about because you let all your plans go and decided to take the day however it presents itself.

And as long as you have a cute pair of shoes on, who cares if you stick to your plan?

Doctor's Visit (OR... Why My Head Hurts Today)

Two weeks ago, Owen had a "breathing attack" at school. He came in from recess and began coughing. His teacher became concerned when he couldn't catch his breath, and I decided to take him to the doctor. The doctor diagnosed him with asthma and set us up with a multitude of inhalers and medicines to take.

Today, we went in for a follow-up appointment, and now the doctor thinks that Owen doesn't have asthma- as his chest sounds clear yet he still is suffering from his cough. He recommended that we take him off of the inhalers and all asthma-related meds.

SO- good news I suppose... although I would like to have a cut-and-dried reason why my kid has trouble breathing sometimes. We have an appointment now to get him allergy tested, hopefully we can find out more then.

Now, maybe you are asking... "So what's with the headache today, Kerry? The one that you mentioned in the title of this post?"

Have you ever sat in an 8X8 room while 3 children played tag?

Next time, I'm hiring a sitter for the siblings.

Wish I had taken a picture. :)

Little Entrepreneurs

I love when my kids work together to solve their problems- in fact, I seriously encourage independant thinking. So, this afternoon, while I mowed the front yard, they worked to come up with a solution to today's big dilemma.

Problem: "I want money."

Solution: "I know, let's drag some stuff to the end of the driveway, set up shop with year old Boy Scout microwave popcorn, and have people who pass by GIVE us money!"

Brilliant.

Keep in mind, however, that we live at the end of a cul-de-sac. A very quiet cul-de-sac. Were my children discouraged? Heck, no.  They sat out there for 2 hours, and by-gum they came in the house at the end of the day with a net profit of $3.75 (and only $1.50 was from their daddy).

The boys and their "popcorn stand"

Their very first customer

Owen made himself a box and walked the sidewalk calling "Popcorn for sale! All you have to do is microwave it!"

I have to admire the way they stuck with it, and you should have seen their faces when our next-door neighbors pulled up and bought a pack of popcorn.

Of course, tonight the boys went to bed dreaming of what else they can sell tomorrow... Oh boy. I'd better hide my jewelry!