This week, I want to remember: (4/2-4/6)

Monday, April 2

This day was pretty much wrapped up and all consumed by Lola's surgery....and I think I've given enough detail about that!

Tuesday, April 3

Lola was a much, much happier camper, and her eye was already looking much better!

Most importantly--her mood was greatly improved!

We even were able to take a trip to my kids' favorite place on earth: the park. While we were there, I overheard Ethan whispering to Lola: "If we play and dig in the rocks, Mommy will have to let us take a bath tonight Lola."

And later that night, guess what? *grin*

Then, a few moments later, I heard Ethan:
"Mom!! Lola just peed in the bathtub!"
Now, I will admit, I was tired and didn't really feel like dealing with too much else at the moment (as I happened to be "putting out a fire" elsewhere) so I yelled to Ethan, "It's okay, buddy."  I was hoping to pacify him, but a moment later, I heard:
"NO!......it's NOT!!"
*giggle*
So, the bathtub was drained and on went the shower.

After the bath, we took Lo's bandage off, and her eye was starting to open up again!

Wednesday, April 4

Each day we are seeing progress!

A little more open, and a little less bruised today.

Since Lola was feeling better, we decided to do our errands. You know how that goes--a whole morning and half the afternoon was gone before we knew it. Then came dinner, church, church cleaning, then back to bed to get up and start all over again!


Thursday, April 5

Overheard Ethan whisper to Lola: "I love you so much baby....you make me happy." Melted my heart.

We welcomed the Cubs back on opening day....

(which unfortunately did not help them win.)

.....and we did a few puzzles.

The boys came home from school at 11:30. Cameron brought me something special his class had made!

I took Lola to the potty and when she finished, she said: "I get my MM!!" I just looked at her and didn't say anything, because this is becoming her thing....now that she really is fully trained, the M&M's are really a bonus for her and not something enticing her to actually go on the potty. I continued looking at her and smiling, that knowing smile like I know you are playing me little girl! And she bursts out in the funniest high pitched silly voice with, "Yes, you do get an MM Lola!" It was soooo funny.

Colin's best friend Colden came over for a few hours so the kids could play. I just love little Colden. He is such a good kid, and he not only loves and gets along well with Colin....

 ....but he also loves the rest of our family too! This was a game they named 

"Four Man Rumble". It went on for quite a while, and miraculously, no one was hurt!

 Friday, April 6

Once again, our wonderful library came through for a glorious morning of entertainment! Just like our yearly morning with Mrs. Claus, they also do a hunt for Easter eggs--along with craft time, story time, and playtime--and you just can't beat it for a great morning of activities for the littles!

Lola played for a looooong time with the stuffed Veggie Tales characters!

This is her "Mom, I sure would love to have a collection like this at my house" look! *giggle*

Cameron read for a while about all kinds of sea life....

....and then created an Easter chick.

He was very proud to be different from everyone else--his chick had four eyes.

 E did the same thing!

Miss Paula read to all the little ones while the bigger kids went and started their hunt for eggs.

E and LoLo were such good little listeners....

...and after a minute, Lo gave me a really, really cute picture!

Then it was the little ones' time to do some hunting. Cameron helped Lola for a while.

She loved it!

Col came over to show his bounty....

....and then began to help LoLo grow her basket.

Colden was there too, and also helped Lo--I think she got more candy than any other child at the hunt!

Colden, Colin, and Sam showing off their goodies

We took a trip to the park, then came home for lunch. Then, it was back outside to play some more games that the boys had invented.

Cameron made sure to show and explain to me the difference between a play gun....

....and a play taser. 

(That would be one finger, if you didn't catch that.)

Another great week for the books!

This week, I want to remember: (3-12/3-16)

Monday, March 12

We headed back to the doc for a checkup. Lola's ears were much better, but still not clear--

which surprised our doc, considering how powerful the shots were that she received.

 Lola may have to see an ENT if things don't improve.  We are giving her some zyrtec to help
with her fluid and will go back in two weeks to check things out again. If she is still not clear,
we will not get the go ahead for her surgery--so please pray with us that this medicine helps her
and that she is all better by next week!

Another beautiful afternoon led to some more baseball practice after school.

Lola watched from her bike. She loves this bike and could ride for hours....

Such concentration and power :)

That night, we had Tortellini Soup and sandwiches for dinner. This in itself is nothing big, but the fact that Colin repeatedly kept asking for more "toot-el-ini" had me cracking right up. Under my breath, of course--because I am pretty sure I don't ever want him to say it the right way.

Before bed, we had some fun with Colin's new light saber. It's pretty realistic!!

Tuesday, March 13

I wanted to snap a picture of the kids outside, since it was so beautiful!

Yeah. It was also so bright. *grin*

We took a trip to the park! Such a gorgeous day.

Some fun on the hippo....

....and on the slide!

Ethan was so good with Lo. He was careful to "help" her on everything!

Then, that night, Grandma Jane came out for bike rides and a family dinner. I was having way too much fun to snap any pictures--so Mom, since I know you are reading this, please come out again this week so I can snap a few! *grin*

Wednesday, March 14

Lola and Ethan spent a good part of the morning out in our field....

 searching for dandelions sticks rocks treasures.

Then it was time for her Lola's new favorite adventure: the climbing wall.

I'm sure it's hard to notice, but she donned her brother's special mohawk hat 

for most of the morning and refused to take it off.

Up....

 ....she....

....goes!

So proud of her little self.

 My daffodils are getting awfully close!

That night, for a special treat, we went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner!

I've made a deal with the boys. 

I will take a shot (or six) like this....

....and they, in turn, will give me a shot like this.

Pretty fair trade, I'd say!

 Lola and I enjoyed scarfing some chips and salsa!

Mmmmmmmmmmm.

I really appreciated Shane taking us out....sometimes, it is just so nice to 

have a night off of cooking and cleanup duty!

Thursday, March 15

I've been trying to be an early riser to exercise and have my quiet time with God before the 

kids wake and the stress of the day begins....and was treated to a beautiful sunrise this morning!

We did a few errands, and had some great friends over to play!

Colin showed Aiden how to use the light saber....

....he was a pro in no time!

 Brooklyn had some fun swinging with Lola.

Snapped this picture of Ethan....I don't know what it is, but I absolutely love this shot!

And, one day later, my daffodils were in full bloom and gorgeous.

Friday, March 16

My sweeties looking a bit tired before heading off to school.

Someone was up too late the night before watching March Madness!

*grin*

Lola and Ethan and I went to another park during the morning. It is just so beautiful that it is hard not to be outside!  Lola likes to give Mommy heart attacks on the playground equipment.

Ack!

Eeeeeeeeek!!

She is always so excited when she gets to do things just like her big brothers, but 

I am just not sure I am ready for her to be this grown up!

It was an absolutely perfect morning with my babies!

After the park, it was home for rest time and packing for this Momma.....I was headed to Hearts at Home!!