I never want this to happen again!

Spring break is supposed to be lazy, fun time with great weather and playing with kids. We had 2 days of good weather where we got to go to the park with friends, ride bikes, go for walks, and just play. Then the weather got cold and Ramble got sick. His stomach had been hurting him off and on for a long time but nothing serious. Tuesday he said it really hurt and by Wed. he was in a lot of pain and didn't want to do anything. He ended up in the Emergency Dept Wed. night (thanks friends who watched Raptor and friends who let their husband come up to the ED even with his crazy schedule). They watched him, thought it was his appendix and then let him come home since daddy could take care of him. Thursday morning it was back to the hospital and out came his appendix. He was so brave! I was a nervous wreck but held it together until they wheeled him off to have the surgery. That's when I lost it. He's doing okay--not very hungry still but eating and will get up when we make him walk. He's such a sweet, kind kid who loves to move that it's hard to stay still.

This has really made me think about how we act towards one another. I love my kids dearly--they are my life, along with my husband. I realized on Thursday how much I still wanted to tell Ramble, how much there is for him to learn and experience, how I know he knows that God loves him and is there for him. I think that Ramble teaches me much more than I think I teach him at times. It's made me realize that even when we think we don't have lots of close friends we really do. Each one of us is loved--whether we think we deserve it or not--our friends are always there waiting to help, we just have to ask sometimes. This is not something I am good at. I really stink at asking for help so thank you to everyone who loved us enough to help from saying prayers to bringing food to bringing toys for my Ramble and taking care of my Raptor.

Here's what I hope--that we all learn to love one another. Hug our dear ones tight, think before we say harsh or cutting words, teach with kindness, and laugh often. I realized I don't laugh as much as I should. We all need to laugh and love and hold our loved ones tight.

Okay, enough maudlin talk. Raptor is sooooooo happy that Nanny came to see her (to help really but don't tell Raptor that). They are out "DOWING SOPPIN POR N OWTIT AN DEWREE" (translation--imagine Raptor yelling: Going shopping for an outfit and jewelry!). This because she has gotten into absolutely everything that was a no no in the house but did it with a smile on her face! Peace for Ramble and I for a little while and fun for Nanny and Raptor.

Daddy's Shop

Daddy loves working with wood and tools. He has passed this on to Ramble and it looks like Raptor is starting to get interested. I came home the other day and opened the garage door. This is the picture that greeted me:

Daddy is just out of sight of the camera--he was keeping a close eye on her. Thank goodness!
Ramble at his workbench:

Mounds of whipped cream

For dessert for Mon. night's FHE (Family Home Evening) we had strawberry shortcake. Raptor was very worried--she did NOT want to eat Strawberry Shortcake because that is a doll! When she saw that it was a dessert with strawberries and whipped cream, she quickly changed her mind.

Daddy was in charge of the whipped cream. Yummy!

Rainy day play

Last week we had a rainy day and then lots of sunny days in a row. On the rainy day, we had a break in the weather so Ramble and Raptor got to go out and play. I had the windows open, listening to them play. They were having so much fun. Then I looked out the window and this is what I saw--


They were having so much fun playing in the rain! I hadn't even heard the rain yet neither one wanted to come in. Thank goodness for hot cocoa! It got them in out of the cold, but fun rain.

Here's what they did later:

Cheerios and New Bed

Raptor loves Apple Jacks and Cheerios. For a treat, I let her watch a tv show and eat some dry Apple Jacks. She thought it was so funny that they would stick to her face!




Also, Daddy finally finished her 'bi-dirl teebuh' bed. Translation: Big girl Tinkerbell bed. She loves it. We've rearranged her room since this picture and I love how her room turned out. It is definitely a little girl's room

Chinese New Year

Ramble takes Chinese at school. The Chinese classes were asked to sing at a local Chinese New Year celebration. He was so excited. Mrs. C had costumes for each child. Here he is at home and then getting ready to go out and sing and finally on stage. They did a great job!

Teeth

Ramble finally lost 2 teeth! Well, the dentist pulled them because Ramble had 'shark teeth'--that's where the permanent teeth come in behind the baby teeth. In theory, the baby teeth then become loose and fall out on their own. Over 3 months after we noticed the 'shark teeth' those baby teeth were still hanging in. I called the dentist today and some numbing gel and a video game of Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader later, out came the teeth. Yes, the dentist has video games available for those who are having work done. No fair! When I was a kid the dentist HURT us!! Nope, I'm not posting pictures of his mouth--don't even ask. If you really want to see, I'll show you the picture when we see you. I will post a pic when he has 'windows' from the next tooth to be lost.