A First

About a week ago I notice a little blister like bump on Cardon's knee. It looked infected and he oftentimes gets a sliver or something and we have to get it out. So I tried to do just that. Only I couldn't get any of the infection out and didn't seem to make a lot of progress. That night Jer noticed a few rash like bumps around his bottom. We put him to bed and then noticed many more when he woke up the next morning.  At that point we knew it was something and decided it was probably chicken pox.  Even though he had been vaccinated I have heard that people can still get mild cases of them.  I called off the little boy I watch on Wednesdays and we took him to the doctor.  She told us it was hand foot and mouth disease.  She acted like it wasn't a huge deal and it would probably get a little worse over the next couple days and then start to heal.  It is a virus so there wasn't much to do about it but let it run its course.  Cardon had had a fever and had said his throat hurt a couple days before but I just assumed he was maybe getting a cold.  I guess it starts in the throat and that part can be pretty painful.  We also notice at the doctor that Chambers was also starting to get the bumps, mostly around his mouth.  She said he would probably get it worse because he was younger.  Luckily she said not to worry about he older kids.  They probably wouldn't get it because they had already been exposed and said virtually no adult gets it so we didn't have to worry about my grandparents who we had all spent a few hours with the night before.  As it turns out, the whole thing wasn't bad at all.  Cardon' hardly seemed to notice and didn't get too much worse.  And Chambers hardly got it at all.  I don't even think I would have notice he had something except that Cardon had it.  I kept them away from other kids...skipped the gym, library, and church that week and now they are both well.  I wish I would have gotten some shots of just the bumps, but here are some pictures from the doctor.

A Bear

Since Truman has turned 9 he moved up in scouts from a wolf to a bear.  He finished his wolf months ago so for a while he has been just enjoying going to scouts and earning belt loops to go on his scout belt.  His last week before moving on he earned 4 belt loops.  I am really liking scouting so far.  At first it was a little overwhelming because it was all so new, but I'm learning and liking that Truman has such a great time going.

Haircuts

The kids finally got some much needed haircuts.  Only baby Chambers was spared.  I am still not ready to cut by baby's hair.  I actually don't mind their hair a little longer but when it starts to warm up we usually make sure we do a short cut.  Cardon was first on the list and he was so excited.  We did in the day after they had a sleepover at Grandma's and they didn't have school.  Grandma said he had been talking about it all morning.  It started off great, but by the end Grandma was frantically cutting and I was desperately trying to soothe a very sad 3 year old.  Next time I think I will need to put something over his shoulders because he did not like the hair falling on him.

An Easter Birthday

Truman shared his 9th birthday with Easter Sunday this year.  Mine was the day before so I knew it was going to be a little crazy trying to fit it all in.  Saturday evening we took Truman to Pirate Island pizza because he had been wanting to go there for a long time.  Pretty disappointing.  I couldn't believe it that a place that is geared toward kids and fun didn't do one single thing for birthdays.  The kids had a fun time but it was less than they expected as well.  Sunday morning we got ready and headed off to Easter Sunday church.  After lunch we attempted to take some much needed naps.  Only about half of us were successful so we started to dinner preparations.

Jer grilled an amazing ham and make dutch over potatoes.  I make deviled eggs for the first time and a spin on a caprice salad.  It all turned out really yummy.  We had everyone over to celebrate Easter and Truman's birthday.  Truman didn't have to do his "jobs" for the day which thrilled him.

At Pirate Island Pizza Cardon was more than content to play the driving video game without putting any money in.

I had to laugh at the look for pure terror on poor Chambers' face.

Truman made and decorated his own cake this year with an Easter theme.  I wouldn't mind making his a tradition once they get older.  He wanted to do it and had a lot of fun and I didn't have to stress about what to do.

L'Deane gave Truman a little bronze turtle she made.

After dinner, presents, and cake Truman went out for a photo shoot with his Aunt Monique and I loved how some of them turned out.  I'm sure I'e said it before, because I know I think it all the time, but he sure does have a special bond with Monique.  Being the first grandchild they have become good friends.  I love and appreciate how much time and effort she spends with him.  She is a wonderful part of his life.  I can always count on her to put a smile on his face and do those special things that I wish I could do but just don't have time with 3 other kids.  He would rather be with her than just about anyone.  He couldn't have been happier this weekend up late at night catching toads and watching movies with her.

Later that evening we decided to go outside since it was such beautiful weather and watch the kids play.  Most all of us got in on riding scooters and just hanging out.

Easter Weekend

My brother Anton and his family were able to stay at our house and join us for Easter break and weekend.  I didn't catch all the excitement with my camera, but here is our weekend in photos.

We were able to:
let the kids play and play
have some fun games of basketball
decorate Easter eggs
have an Easter egg hunt
go to the art festival
go to the sand dunes
swim at the pool
go out to dinner as adults

I think we had more fun than ever dying Easter eggs.  They liked it so much I boiled some more for them to do.  I think Anton may have had the most fun of all.

Saying goodbye Easter morning.

Chambers really enjoyed the pool for the first time.  Unfortunately I didn't wear my bathing suit, so it was a little tiring letting him play, but I'll for sure wear it next time.  The pools were so busy with everyone visiting for Easter but the kids still had a lot of fun.

The kids had a blast hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa.  Truman helped Aunt Monique catch almost 30 toads that the kids had fun holding.

Kite Festival 2014

The kids have been working on filling up their reading charts for months so they could get a kite at the annual Kite Festival.  It is a great program and reading incentive for the kids.  Although we have quite the kite collection piling up at our house.  Truman has 3 and Tacy has 2.

Last Saturday started with Jer moving our neighbor early in the morning, me picking up the Bountiful Basket with the kids, and then off to our first soccer game by 11.  We then headed over to Truman's soccer game that was in a different location at 1.  This is their last weekend of soccer games so we will have free Saturdays for a while now which we are excited about.  After Truman's game we grabbed a bite to eat and then headed to the Kite Festival.  Of course the little boys were exhausted at this point so fell asleep as we were driving to the Festival.  Jer decided to stay in the car with them while I took the kids to get their kites at the festival.  Tacy got a butterfly kite and Truman got a falcon.  I took them on a few of the inflatables and we headed back to Jer and the little boys.  It was a warm day with perfect weather.  The kids love going, and it always gives us an excuse to fly a kite with them.

We have to ride a bus from the parking area to the actual Festival.  A hot stuffy bus that the kids love and me not so much.

We didn't actually have time to fly their kites that day, but the next day after watching Conference we took them out and flew them for a while.  It was actually a little too windy so Jer had to control the kites most the time.  I hope we can make the time to fly them a little more often.