as if 2 weren't enough...

Is this where they get the term "CONEY DOG?" (j/k)

Our little CONEHEAD...

You would think we would have scheduled a third family member's surgery at a later date - like after the girls have fully recovered, maybe?! Well, actually, yes, we would have - but this one had been scheduled for a couple months...the girls' surgery was not planned to be this month originally. ANYWAYS - details all aside - our little buddy, Charlie, had all of his baby teeth removed today, as well as another very important "puppy procedure" - so he's a slow moving chump to say the least. We were told a 5-day recovery for him. So - hopefully he & the girls will all 3 be feeling better around the same time - whew! Let's hope!
Earlier this summer, I told a friend that we really didn't have a busy summer planned at all. She warned me right there on the spot to never say that!! She was sooooooo right... :-)

6 years ago...

So, 6 years ago, we were going through tonsillectomy surgery with our son. For some reason (??) I thought it would be neat to post a couple pictures from G-man's recovery time. Not as much to do when he had his done - he was only 2 years old...but still kinda fun to see! The girls thought these were neat to look at, too.

can you say CABIN FEVER?!

Well, the past week has been anything but eventful. My parents are living with us right now, and it must be hard to be in the same house with our moody bunch! Grumpy moods (from everyone - not just the girls)...junk food galore...lots of movies and TV watching...just basically CABIN FEVER! The best parts of the days are when we sit outside on the patio (I'm so glad it's summer not winter during this recovery) or can take a walk (and hope to not get eaten by mosquitos). If we have to watch the movie Spirit one more time...or eat more Cheetos...it will be too soon! We did spend most of thd day yesterday in the backyard doing some yardwork...the kids stayed somewhat "mellow" out there with us...that was nice being outside for a chunk of time...and luckily today, SH & I get to take G-man to a good friend's birthday party - but the girls don't get to come and they're not too happy about that...honestly - I'm THRILLED to get to go somewhere and be around people at a fun event! Here are some pictures of our "fun" (ha ha) week:

Ms. K LOVES JumpStart computer games...

Ms. P LOVES the movie Spirit...

the girls had fun doing my hair...

G-man loves his new cactus "Leo"

Hanging out on the patio...

Dad is tired from getting up every couple hours to one of two whimpering, hurting tonsillectomy patients...

NEXT WEEK WILL BE BETTER...NEXT WEEK WILL BE BETTER...

NEXT WEEK WILL BE BETTER...

tonsillectomy X 2!!

We've been dreading it for weeks...but it has finally come and gone - and relatively WELL - so far! We have been pleasantly surprised at how good the girls are doing after both of them got their tonsils out. We had a rough time with Mr. G-man when he had his tonsils out - but we're thinking now that was because he was only 2 years old...and the doctor that did his surgery at that time did NOT keep him overnight in the hospital and really should have for a 2 year old...or so we've been told by EVERYONE. That recovery was a total nightmare...but that was the past. As for the present - we're doing great! Much better than any of us expected and for that, we're so thankful! More pictures as the days go on, I'm sure...

PRE-OP FUN WITH DAD...


POST-OP FUN WITH DAD...
SSSHHHHH.....DON'T WAKE THE SLEEPING DRAGON...

ON OUR WAY HOME!

RECOVERY BUDDY, CHARLIE!

MS. P *LOVES* HER BIG BROTHER - WOW - THAT PAIN MEDICINE WORKS MIRACLES! :) (just kidding)
I THINK DAD IS MORE TIRED THAN PATIENT #1...

Father-Daughter Dinner

SH & Ms K went to a Father-Daughter Dinner at church last week. I knew there would be a photographer taking pictures of each father-daughter duo (or trio!), but I had no idea just how good the picture would turn out. I just love this picture of my sweet couple, though!

Can you say $2 8x10 from shutterfly.com?! I think so...

into the woods...

We went camping with some friends and had so much fun! The kids (9 total) all played so well together: riding bikes around the campsites, walking in the creek, fishing, swimming, campfire stuff, and just basically playing and getting DIRTY! We're looking forward to making this an annual tradition with friends...here are some of the many pictures that were taken...

swim fun!

The Jump

#1

#2
#3
Cannonball-
Ms. K getting ready to jump in-
Warming up-

We were thrilled to be able to go to a friend's "poolside fellowship" at her home this week. It was a fun time. This year, I'm enjoying some freedom when we go swimming since G-man is becoming quite the fish and doesn't need much assistance anymore, and Ms. K is getting there, too - it's great! She'll jump off the diving board this year without her life jacket and swim to the edge no problem. So, I was actually able to float around the pool with Ms. P. We had about 4 different flotation devices around us so that we could stay in the deep-end and relax. Of course, we don't have a picture of that lovely sight! Paige had her life jacket on, then was inside a tube, then we had a kickboard AND a swim noodle! We also had a plastic baseball and a floating fish we were toting around with us on the kickboard - wow!!

Thank you, Heather for having us over!! :-)

carseat or no carseat?!?!

I have received SO MANY different answers on this question (even between pediatricians), it is ridiculous. I FINALLY got the "real scoop" from an EMT who used to help with the carseat inspections around town. So - if you have always wondered: "WHEN DOES MY CHILD NO LONGER NEED TO RIDE IN A BOOSTER SEAT?" - here is THE ANSWER (from the EMT's email to me):

This unfortunately is an area that confuses people because there is more than one answer. So, I am just going to address the booster seat crowd for now, since that is what you asked me about. Ok, so here it is:

all children need to be in a booster seat until they are:

4' 9" tall,

8 years old,

and/or 80lbs

The reason there are a couple of measurements is because children come in all sizes, I will try to explain:

4' 9" because they need the height to fit into the seat correctly, they need to be able to sit with their butt and back against the back of the car seat and still have their knees bend (90 degrees) at the edge of the front of the seat. The height also helps to keep the shoulder belt across their shoulder and not their neck.

8 yrs old, because they need the neck strength, muscle control, and the average 8 year old size fits into the other categories.....

80 lbs again, an average of size needed to stay in the belt in an accident. Most carseat manufacturers max out at 80 lbs.

A little more information everyone should know:

• even when using a booster seat always use a shoulder & lapbelt combo never just a lapbelt.
• If you are using a booster seat that does not have a high back, the back of the car seat must have a head support. Otherwise in an accident the child's neck will not be protected.
• If you still have questions you can call me or check out this website, they have a ton of info and you should be able to look up car seat checks (inspections) by zip code. There are places and people that do checks year-round, it is always better to keep your precious cargo safe than take a chance.
  http://www.nhtsa.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.9f8c7d6359e0e9bbbf30811060008a0c/
• There is a program called WHALE (We Have A Little Emergency). As an EMT, I highly recommend this!!! It is an identification program for children that helps emergency personnel to have correct information about your child quickly. It is a way of attaching your child's info to their car seat so that in an accident if you or your child cannot speak we can know their names and other emergency information and are able to comfort them easier. You can find out more and have a kit sent to you by contacting your local transportation department.

bike parade!

Our neighborhood had a 4th of July bike parade that the kids were so excited to participate in. Toes were the first order of business ... Ms. P requested silver & pink stars-

Charlie really needed his toes done...but all he got was a dunk in the kiddie pool--

Uncle Sam---

What a fun way to start a GREAT DAY!

WE LOVE AMERICA!!!