Disney

We had a really good time visiting Disney World in November. Our first true "vacation" in a long time was not without problems, but overall it was good to get away and give the girls the Disney experience.

We took in many of the shows and rides including the Playhouse Disney show:



Of course, we saw Mickey:

Minnie:

And danced with Donald:

We dined with princesses:

And posed in front of lots of stuff:

Each night we returned to our room to put the tired girls to bed, but fortunately we didn't have to miss the fireworks because they were visible from the balcony:

And we didn't miss the armadillos either:

Of course there are over 1,000 other pictures and numerous videos, but I won't bore you with them here. It was a very good time indeed.

A Snow Storm in November?

Today, I was awakened by the gentle melody of the telephone letting me know that someone thought it important to share information at 6:00 AM. I glanced at caller id to see who was going to make an early exit from the christmas gift list, and found that it was a computer. The county schools automated dialing to be exact. Perhaps they wanted to let us know that Camdyn's standardized testing was going well and wanted to remind us that she should be sent out with a hearty breakfast and a can do attitude for the last day.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think they were calling to announce a two hour delay due to snowy conditions. Snow... in North Carolina... in November... impossible. So, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. And yes there in the yard, I saw it. What Northerners refer to as "a light dusting" was again plaguing us and throwing the region into chaos with cancellations and delays.

As you can see the conditions were pretty treacherous.

As a responsible parent, I already had an action plan to deal with this situation. I woke-up Camdyn to let her know she could sleep in.

Yes, she too didn't understand the logic behind this, and so we shared a moment trying to make sense of the illogical decisions being made today by folks that should be more intelligent.

Fall Leaves

Today most of the leaves have fallen from our trees and when I went out to take care of them, Camdyn eagerly wanted to help pile them. She worked diligently using mostly her hands to collect a bundle of leaves at a time and add them to the pile. Her goal was to make a pile larger than the one she has seen on the way to school. Around here, the residents pile their leaves along the road and the city comes by in trucks that suck them up and haul them away. While the leaves wait, this creates a condition along the neighborhood roads similar to snow banks after plowing. Here in North Carolina, its the closest thing we have to snow banks along the roads, and just as annoying to drive through. Anyway, in short order, her pile was made and a picture taken of her accomplishment.

She performed the ceremonial dive.

And then was joined by her sisters for a group dive.

Once they were done I prepared to mulch the leaf pile, but Camdyn did not want this to happen and made her stand.

However, she soon saw that the mulching was inevitable, even without the need to sing "The Circle of Life". She decided if she can't beat them, join them.

And so with this fall tradition behind us, it is almost time to move on to the next one. That's right, we are packing up and heading to sunny Florida for a week.

SciWorks

Nearby is a science center/children's museum called SciWorks. Camdyn has had a sleep over there with her Brownie troop and also attended a friend's birthday party that was held there. I've wanted to get back there because they also have traveling exhibits and the current one is about dinosaurs. The exhibit features animatronic dinoasaurs in various displays designed to educate and entertain.

The building is laid out over various levels, so some areas have an overlook. In this case we entered the room where we could see everything and then needed to walk down a ramp to see the exhibits close-up. Who would have guessed that everyone under the age of 30 in our group did not find the dinosaurs either educating or entertaining, but down right frightening. Keeghan could not bear the sight.

I'm sure it wasn't the teeth that bothered them, because they loved the next area that is all about the human body, and includes a giant set of teeth that they could play on.

I felt that they had already been traumatized enough so I didn't tell them about flossing or (shiver) gum disease.

Outside there is a nature walk with a tank of otters, a butterfly garden, and a farm area with cows, goats, sheep, and so on. This time, an outside stable had brought a pony to give rides for the kids. So Camdyn rode it.

Keeghan rode it.

And McKenna didn't.

Though she did ride the lift chair when we got back inside.

And I got to ride a Segway.

Marcey didn't ride the pony, the chair lift, or the Segway despite my urging. Nor did she even want to take a spacewalk like Camdyn and I.

Maybe she wanted to ride the dinosaur?

ThreeWitched

Halloween this year had a change of venue since we traveled to Indiana at the end of the month. The girls enjoyed hotel life, and especially the luggage cart.

There we participated in Trunk-or-Treat. A variation of going door to door where participants instead go from car to car in a parking lot. In this case, an event hosted by a church that offered treats, games, and dinner.

Here is a group photo of the kids in Marcey's extended family before they undertook the festivities:

And of course, here are close-ups of each of the girl's costumes from when they first tried them on:

I think we all had a really fun time made all the more special by spending it with family.

Nursemaid's Elbow???

The things you learn. People assume when you have 3 children you have seen it all. Right after we moved to Winston-Salem, the pediatrician's office had an open house for prospective parents. (Around here, they have to court new patients, I guess!) I decided to go just to get the lay of the land. During the introductions, I mentioned I had 2 daughters and a 3rd on the way and the doctor responded "well, you've been through it all." I sassily answered "no, each one has something new to teach me." How right I was! Camdyn, being the first, everything was new. McKenna explored all the various viruses from Hand, Foot and Mouth to rotovirus which landed her in the ER to get an IV because she was dehydrated. Keeghan apparently has decided to find her own path through minor medical oddities as well.

Monday night, Camdyn and I returned home from Irish Dancing to hear Keeghan crying (not the pitiful whine but the I'm trully hurt cry) and holding her left arm in a "L" shape tightly against her stomach. She said "Sissy did it" and McKenna admitted to pulling on her arm just above the wrist.

Keeghan can work any drama to her advantage so I attempted the "buck up, you're fine" approach. She continued to hold her arm in this stable position and I sat down with her at dinner. Not once did she move her arm, not to pick up her cup (as she always does with 2 hands), not to reach for anything she wanted. Sports Trainer Daddy is getting more concerned -- having me turn her this way and that, insisting ice be placed on her fingers because there appears to be swelling and maybe some bruising.

Do we take her to the ER? Do we wait until the morning? We decide to call the after hours care line and see what they say. After 17 minutes of talking with a very sweet woman who can't remember what I've said -- no, I haven't given her anything and yes, it is her arm -- she announces that there advice is to see a doctor within 12 hours! Well, duh! I got that but I really want to know whether or not to take her to the ER. The woman doesn't know, she isn't from here so has no concept of the services available here.

We are very fortunate to have 2 hospitals here, one of which is a very good children's hospital. But I have heard the wait can be horrendous so if I am going to have to wait -- why not wait at home. Camdyn is bummed because she thinks a trip to the hospital sounds like an adventure and McKenna is upset because she just wants to do the opposite of what the family needs to do.

Keeghan is still hurting, we give her some motrin. She is fine if she is being held and her arm is not moved in any way. I decide not to change her shirt not wanting to cause her any more harm or another reason to cry. After trying the sleeping thing, about 11 p.m. we cave in and give her a pacifier (we took them away last week) and I try to rock her. Eventually she settles down some and manages to get some sleep. Fitful sleep but we get through it...

Next morning, she is still really cranky, not wanting to move her arm and wants to be held. Unfortunately, she gets to spend time crying in a chair because being part of a family means sometimes you don't get attention. Camdyn goes off to the bus. At this point, I decide Keeghan needs her clothes changed -- 24 hours in the same shirt does not portray the image I want the pediatrician's office to have -- so I very carefully move her arm and change her shirt. I quickly grab something for her to eat and take her down to the car so we can make it to the clinic at the pediatrician's office that starts at 8. I put her in her car seat, open her snack and notice she is moving her arm, grabbing her snack. I consult with Don who is trying to get McKenna settled in his car and we decide I should go ahead and take her to the doctor.

I take her to the doctor's office, telling the receptionist something is wrong with her arm as she is climbing on furniture, eating her snack, drinking with 2 hands her drink. I feel ridiculous sitting there -- they are going to think I am nuts!

We finally get into the back and I explain to the nurse what had happened, apologizing for wasting their time. The nurse says "sounds like Nursemaid's Elbow." Huh? She walks out and the doctor walks in. He explains that it is fairly common, what it is, how it got its name and that I probably popped the bone back under the tendon (EEEWWWWW!) when I changed her shirt earlier, she will likely have it happen again, bring her in anytime.

So there you go, you learn something new every day (and with every kid)!

Busy, busy, busy...Extracurriculars have begun...

My how time flies! It seems as just yesterday was Camdyn's birthday and yet we have done so much since then -- Started school, traveled to Pittsburgh, and started the extracurriculars that come with the start of school.

Last night was the start of gymnastics. Camdyn is taking "Funtastics" which is a low key approach to gymnastics. McKenna is taking "Tumbleweeds", age-appropriate gymnastics. She was so cute to watch -- no hesitation in her participation or in her approach to the things the teachers were asking her to do. You'd think she had done it before! Summersault? no problem! Hang on the bars like a monkey? No problem! Jump into the foam pit? No problem. She loved every minute of it! Thank goodness.

I didn't see as much of Camdyn's class. Partially because of their location in the middle of the gym and class size, mostly due to Camdyn's disgust when she does find me watching her. I have to be careful with my "mommy-gazing"with her. She did do well. At the end, she came out pouting. I immediately thought she didn't like it but it turns out she was upset it was over already.

It was cute to watch Camdyn and McKenna when they were in the same general area -- they would wave, smile and claim each other as sisters to their classmates.

Keeghan enjoyed watching. So much so that when it was time to leave, she was climbing the gates saying "I do it, I do it." I guess we'll have to sign her up too.

7 things about being 7

By Camdyn

1. My favorite colors are pink, purple and green (NEW in 2008!).

2. My favorite activities are Brownies and Soccer.

3. My favorite things to do are drawing, coloring and art.

4. My least favorite thing to do is listening to McKenna sing.

5. My favorite foods are tacos and chinese food.

6. My favorite state is Florida because of Disney World (she's never been there but we are headed there in November.)

7. The coolest thing about being 7 is that I'm older than my sisters.

7 things we LOVE about Camdyn

By Mom & Dad

1. She loves her dresses! (still won't wear buttons, zippers or jeans)

2. She is willing to try new things -- starts Irish Dancing next week.

3. She is very creative and spends hours creating books, drawings and cool shapes out of pipe cleaners.

4. She listens and absorbs what is going on around her.

5. She loves school - can't believe it starts in just 2 weeks!

6. She is independent -- not easily influenced by trends or friends.

7. She is inquisitive -- loves to know the hows and whys of everything!

We love her!

Another Birthday Countdown

Six!

Five!

Four!

Three!

Two!

One!

Zero!?!

Hear ye, hear ye, the princess is turning seven today!

Keeghan Turns Two Today

The last two years have gone by in the blink of an eye, but looking back she's really made the most of that time bringing us so much joy and laughter.

Can't wait to see what she does next!

School's Out for Summer

This week, the school year finally ended and Camdyn is free to lay around and watch TV. At least until next Monday, when she starts the first of many camps that will keep her (and us) busy. We've had to try out some new calanders just to keep out with the hectic summer schedule. Of course, we should have full coverage of all the interesting stuff here throughout the hot, hazy, and crazy days of summer.

Once we meet her at the bus stop, the three of us went out for some ice cream to celebrate.

McKenna's Birthday Celebration

We brought in one of Santa's elves who had been furloughed to give McKenna her presents.

Camdyn had prepared a card from the family:

And McKenna made a wish surrounded by her presents:

Because Camdyn has a "summer birthday", she also had a birthday celebration at her school. We had lunch with her and then I got volunteered to read a story to her class: