Here we go again....with kiddo number 1

The week of fair Jackson wasn't feeling well. We ended up at urgent care again for an asthma flare for Addie and abdominal pain for Jackson. As urgent care is limited in what they can do, we were referred to the ED for further testing because his X-ray didn't tell them enough. Dave drove out to pick up Addie and I took Jackson over to the ED. It was a LONG night. More frustrating, there was never a great answer as to why his abdomen was hurting. 

He got fluids and we were discharged in the middle of the night with instructions to call his GI and let him know. 

Dave had a hotel room waiting for us, which we checked into quickly. We slept a little and then the next morning picked up a tack box for fair before heading home for an exhausting week of Fair. 

Jackson had abdominal pain all throughout fair, which took us to the GI after fair who wanted an upper and lower GI to see if it would help him determine what the cause was.

Farmhand

Beginning of March brought us almost to Fair time. Jackson was busy on the farm, keeping up with Sheldon and his other responsibilities there.

Like Jackson, Sheldon was a bit stubborn. It was fun to see them work together. I didn't always know who would win (but Jackson truly was awesome with Sheldon).

The farm is definitely one of Jackson's elements. Though Sheldon could cause stress, the farm brought tranquility. Almost made me want to live on one....

My go-getter!

Dear Addison,

I am SOOO proud of you. You choreographed two dances on your own (jazz and tap) plus one with Carley (Acro) then performed them in your dance school's competition. Winners of the competition get to perform their solo/group dances at recital in the spring. 

Though you didn't win, you finished each and every dance with pizzaz and a smile. This was the first time you participated in this competition, and you didn't care if you won or lost. You were having fun.

Those are the moments that are important. The ones that you put yourself out there and grow. The ones you learn something from. Winning isn't always in the form of an additional performance or a trophy. Winning is in knowing you set out to do something new and you did. Completely. That is winning. 

I cannot wait to see what you continue to do love. Both in dancing and in whatever else you set your mind to. Addison, you are limitless. The more you try, the more your confidence grows. Keep shooting for the stars love. You've got it,

Love, Mom

Post birthday backup

When you get a call from the school nurse saying your kiddo is complaining of her stomach hurting and has a low grade temp. As you talk with the nurse, she tells you you probably need to take her to be checked out because she has had kiddos like this who ended up with appendicitis you sigh. Pick her up, talk with hubby and decide that's probably the best thing to do. 

So we head on over to Urgent Care, realizing that they aren't open for a few more hours and she is miserable. This realization lands us in the ED after a quick call to her GI also. This is a big deal. Addison HATES anything related to more than a quick Dr. appointment. I don't blame her, but for her to think this was a good idea I knew she wasn't feeling okay. The nursing and Dr. staff were great. We waited a bit but not too long and then they had her back in a room. 

It took some convincing, but they were able to get her IV in with minimal stress. Remember, needles are NOT her thing at all. They were ruling out appendicitis, which sent us to get an X-ray. 

Xray tech was nice, which helped since she was starting to get tired and still didn't feel well. They let her have some ice chips, which she appreciated. 

Surprise this trip, pleasant actually. We had a backup to cleanout. Surprised us all because it kind of came out of no where. Thankfully though they were able to give her something to help start that process. If you had told me before I was a parent that talking about poop would occur EVERY day since having kids I would have looked at you like you were crazy.

But it has. If not with a kid, it's been with another adult. Who knew there was so much to talk about?

We were both super excited (can't you see it on her face??) that this was something we could take care of on our own. Not the way one thinks of celebrating turning 11. 

Happy 11th birthday Addison!!!!

Happy, happy birthday Addison!!! She turned 11 years old with a full house of family here to help her celebrate. Addie continues to be our independent, spunky, passionate, creative, sensitive and friendly kiddo. She lights up a room when she walks in, just with her presence. She is passionate about everything she is doing, and everything she is feeling. Addie is growing up into a strong young lady, with her own thoughts and ideas. She brings us an adventure for sure, and one that I wouldn't change in a heartbeat. 

She woke up to presents, decorations and her cousins here to help celebrate.

LOL dolls are still a favorite here. Jackson was very adamant that he get her this doll house because he KNEW she would LOVE it. And she did!!! (Now, almost a year later, this doll house gets played with almost daily. It's one of her zen spots.)

It was a gorgeous day out, so jumping on the trampoline was a definite must!

Addie wanted a pineapple cake. Whew. This one was a humorous challenge to make, but she loved it!

Make a wish and blow out your candles sweetheart!!! 

And like that she is 11. There are many times I wish time would stop...just for a moment. Instead I just savor these moments and take them all in, knowing that in the next blink of an eye she will be a teenager wanting to drive off to college. Her wings are growing, but thank goodness it's not time yet. 

Dancing Oobleck

Addie's entire grade was required to do a science fair project last year. (I am secretly praying that she doesn't have to do it this year). I honestly don't know if Addie or Dave had more fun with this one. They made oobleck (corn starch and water) then put it on a speaker to make it "dance" to the vibrations. Addie tested different frequencies. At one point, Dave was "trying" something and walked out of Addie's room with oobleck all over him. Whatever he had done, the oobleck exploded ALL OVER HER ROOM. 

She won her division at her school and made it to the District level Science fair.

She didn't win at the District level, but she was completely okay with that because she didn't want to have to go to the County Fair. Dave and I are just proud of her for trying and doing her best. 

Oh, and Dave got to clean the oobleck off of Addie's walls. There are some things that are just worth the experience.

Goat practice

February also had Jackson working extra hard with Sheldon, though he got pneumonia which made the end of February a bit of a challenge for Jackson to get in the practice with him that they both needed.

February Fun

February was no less busy than any other month. It started off with a surprise at work from my Principals and a fantastic sign from my students. That sign definitely stayed up the remainder of the school year. 

Jackson practiced his trumpet some, and when he was feeling super inspired he would play for us in the family room. 

We were still doing sub-Q infusions, and while those really weren't fun, they were pretty easy. We saw some good movies during this time.

The weather in February was good, and one day there was a double rainbow. Once the rain cleared, the kids enjoyed jumping on the trampoline then were in awe with the rainbows. It was a sight!

It's always a treat when your teen will stop to take a picture with you. He even smiled!

When we play hard we sleep hard. Both Addie and Zoey embody this thought.

She even fell asleep on our crash pad one day. That was a surprise as Charlie is usually the only one who does that.

Charlie always sleeps right next to Jackson's bed. I think if Jackson had a super king sized bed, Charlie would make herself right at home on top.

During one infusion, Dave was showing Jackson a joke (probably not the most appropriate joke if I can guess). But whatever it was, they both thought it was HILARIOUS!

And what would the end of a school party be without frosting? Addie and her class had their last Valentine's Day party. She had fun!