Um, no, you're not immune.

I have always thought I was immune to strep throat...I'm almost 40 years old, and I've never had it.  Um, the mystery is solved, I am not immune.  I'm not, but I wish I was, now that I know what strep feels like.  Holy mother of God.  I went in Monday to be swabbed and confirmed positive the middle of that night (which I knew, before the results even came back...)  I have NEVER had a sore throat like this.  Monday night, I woke myself many times, gasping for air because my tonsils were so swollen... scary.  My glands are still swollen up to my ear.  If I NEVER get strep throat again, it will be too soon.  My poor boy, Lincoln, has had it 3 times this winter.  He is much stronger and more tolerate for discomfort than his mama... that's for sure.  So far, Lily, Brandon, and Lucy have avoided this *thank goodness*... Today, 3 doses into Penicillin, it still hurts like hell to swallow and my voice sounds like I have laryngitis. I have been keeping my talking to an absolute minimum.  *difficult to do at work.  I'm not running a temp today though, so that's good.  Ok, I'm done complaining.  *on my blog.  About that.  :)

Sunday I took Lily to the movies.  Did you know that you can get a combo deal of 2 medium sodas and a medium bag of popcorn for only $14.75?  Holy killing.  I think they should take the word "deal" right out of the picture.  Fountain drinks and popcorn?  About the two CHEAPEST things you could serve at a theater and they're charging $15?!?  No wonder we NEVER go to the movies.  We watched the Lorax, a Dr. Seuss story, one that we pretty regularly read to her at bedtime.  The movie did not disappoint.  For any of you that have read the book, in the movie, you SEE THE ONCE-LER'S FACE!!!!  "*Gasp!* Oh. My. Gosh... Mom!!!! LOOK!!!!  That's the Once-ler!!!"  That in itself more than made up for paying almost $15 for popcorn and 2 sodas... *(insert eye roll with a shake of head.)  Lily did say that she wanted to buy the movie when it comes out in the stores... which we will... it was good.  But I'm totally smuggling in my own snacks if we go again.  That's RIDICULOUS.

So I've been trying to expand my horizons and reach way out to prove to myself that you can do anything if you set your mind to it.  When I was little, my Grandma Olson (my mom's, mom) made me my favorite blanket, and to this day, I still really remember it.... I loved it.  It was yellow, with little white kitties all over it.  So... I've decided since we needed lighter blankets for the cooler, but not cold spring nights... and air conditioned summer nights, I was going to make them.  The last time I had my sewing machine out, I put it away smoking... but when there's a will... there's always a new machine at Walmart.  :)

Lucy's new blanket. The red side is the back .   :)

              Lincoln's new blanket.  The brown side is the back.                       

I must admit, I'm pretty proud of myself.  The machine wasn't smoking when I was done.  And the blankets turned out pretty cute, if I can reach over and pat myself on the back!  :)  I have two more to make.  Lucy's has stuffing and I'm going to make her another one that doesn't.  Lincoln's doesn't, and I'm going to make him one that does.  I hope they like these, like I liked mine.  ♥

Sunday, we also went to Milli's house to play.... or as Lucy calls her, "Ana" (her middle name)... Lucy proudly says it, while walking around their house.... and Milli says, "I'm right here!"  *it is adorable.  :)  They were playing dress up and Mills was a princess (naturally).... she is the cutest.... headband and all.  Little diva.


Tomorrow, we pick up my ring.... had the 10 year anniversary band made to match the engagement ring.  Can't wait to get it back... was missing it for the last 2 weeks.  I know it's going to be worth it though... I know I'm going to love it.  Brandon and I also decided that we're going to go away for a weekend in April.  Leave on a Friday night, come back on Sunday, just us.  Thanks to Grandma Sandee for watching babies so the trip can happen.  :)   Can't wait!!

We've been hard at work this week in the Buckingham Palace...

The crayons have been worked hard.... they were dropped on the floor multiple times (only the first few times were accident), the table was inadvertently involved... but I'm proud to proclaim, not one was eaten.

This silly girl might be an artist, like her big sister.  Her creation was intentional and she was proud.  We have it hanging on the cabinet in the kitchen currently -- our fridge is full of big girl art.

The boy, he was online for a couple hours this week.  He was researching (with his assistant, Lucy) ways to avoid 'Corner Time'.  Mom and Dad were both pleased to see this interest, and hope there is a light at the end of the naughty tunnel.... *Please, dear Lord.*   The rest of his browsing included accepting multiple friend requests on FB, which was a task in itself.  The boy is popular.  (hahahahah.... well, he is, but the FB thing, no.  He doesn't have an account.  I'm a firm believer they should be able to maintain it themselves, and they're age appropriate before they have one.... maybe next year, Buddy.)  Oh, and speaking of "Buddy", that is how Lucy now addresses him.  For a while, she was saying, "Boy."  Now, it's evolved: "Buddy".  ♥

We have been going on walks/bike rides, around town -- to the park, getting out and enjoying the beautiful, unseasonably warm weather... the kids are going to be SO disappointed, if our typical weather returns... I heard on the news this morning our average last frost is MAY 7.  I admit, I told the weatherman to bite his tongue.   The other night, Aunt Connie called and asked if she could take the kids for a walk, I told her we'd all go and so we loaded up.  Lily had already had a bath that night, so she was in her jammas, but happily ran back to her room to change.  Without any concern, returned in the following outfit claiming she was R-E-A-D-Y.....  It was all that I could do not to help her change into something that matched... but she's seven and she just doesn't care about that stuff yet.  Why should I?

I'm off this weekend... thinking a date night might be on the horizon.  If not this weekend, definitely by next.  I'm looking for a new reason to show off my new hair.  Oh, I'm a blond.  :)

10 years and counting....

Feels like we blew by spring and were slammed into summer.... I was seriously contemplating turning my air conditioner on yesterday.  See, we live in this old house, that you physically have to take the storm windows off the window and replace all with the screen windows, so we weren't of the lucky ones that were able to open the windows and have this lovely breeze going through the house.  -for the record, I didn't turn it on.  Our house was a balmy 79 degrees.  *insert several beads of sweat*.  On the bright side of the weather, my kids have been outside everyday... getting their clothes, hands, and knees as dirty as they can.  And have been LOVING it.  Do you remember when your kids were little (or maybe you're still in this stage too) when you have to drag them inside kicking and screaming, because they don't want to come in yet.... yet.  Every. Single. Day.  :)

Lincoln is such a better listener this year outside, than he was last year.  When I call his name, he will stop, turn around and say, "What?"  Enough time for me to catch up with him, or clearly tell him to come back to where we're playing.... and so far, he's been pretty good about coming back.  Once, he realized I was after him and he took off running down our gravel driveway... which you know the mom in me was like, "Oh, holy crap.... please don't fall."  He didn't.  But we went inside until after nap time because we don't run away.  Period.  And talked about it all the way into the house and for a good 5 minutes inside.  I love when he intently listens and then will point his very flexible little finger bent so far it looks double jointed, into the air and will say, "no, no, no!"  Sternly.  He knows what I'm telling him.

Lucy... that girl has one speed... mama's term for it is "HEART ATTACK".  :)  She doesn't walk anywhere... she is running from the moment her feet hit the earth.  She is my independent child... she wants help with NOTHING.  "Lucy, do you want mama to help you?"  "NO!"  :)  So this is the result of her independence... She is pretty good about staying with the group (me, Lincoln and Lily) outside too.  She LOVES to follow Lily around the yard and try to do all the stuff Lily does.  Lily is forever saying, LUCY!  Stop following me!.... and I can only chuckle knowing this is just the beginning of that complete adoration. Lily would probably insert "annoying" before adoration... but that's what being a little sister (or brother) is all about.  ♥

And Lily....  we had the "Locks of Love" talk again last night... there are a few kids in her school that have been diagnosed with cancer, and I was trying to tell her how they would love to have pretty hair like hers made into a wig, so they didn't have to go to school bald, but my big girl isn't down with cutting her hair... She keeps telling me she's going to grow it as long as Rupunzel's.  I'm going to buy stock in Biolage Conditioner. I remember when I was little and my mom would comb the snarls out of my long hair and how much it hurt and how much I hated it... but like Lily, I did not want to cut it off.  Not sure how long we're going to grow it out, but I told her last night we could talk about it again some other night... girl had big tears welled up at the thought of cutting those beautiful long locks...

Brandon and I are good.... we'll be celebrating 10 years (!!) of marriage in April.  We're having my original wedding band melted into a new anniversary band that has a row of channel set diamonds - I can't wait to get it back... I keep thinking, "MY RING IS GONE!" and have that moment of panic... only to remember oh, yeah -- it's at the jeweler's getting magnificent.   Brandon asked me what do guys get for anniversary gifts.  I told him I thought they got cards, but I would poll my friends to make sure.  ;)  I told him to start thinking of what he'd like.   10 years... wow.   Love you, babe.  Here's to many more!

I got this...

"I got this" has kind of become my 'slogan' lately... my funny colleague, on his day off, sent an email to the front desk girls at work, letting them know I'd be right down to pick up a box they emailed our group, alerting us it was delivered, and my response: "Dude, I got this."  When Brandon was FED UP with Lincoln's intentional pushing of the buttons, and needed a break... "Daddy, I got this."  When Lily was sternly correcting Lucy for stealing her food, right off of her plate.... "Lily, I got this."....  When the school delivered my kid to the wrong place again, after I called and alerted the bus director of the change... that's when I asked, "Who's got this???"  Who is watching out for the safety of my child?  When my kid TELLS YOU, "No, there's a change and my dad's home.  I'm supposed to go home today." And you, as the adult tell her no, that's not what the schedule says.  First of all, wouldn't her use of the word "change" indicate it won't be on the schedule?  And 2ndly, why would you completely disregard what she is saying, when she says, "But...."  And you rudely interrupt that with, "Lily... there are no buts."  and put her on the wrong bus. 

This morning, I got a note from her teacher saying she forwarded my email on to the principal and would email me her response, so she's sure I'm getting the latest.  The principals response was it is the mom's responsibility to alert the teacher, since at the end of the day, it's the teacher's responsibility to get the child on the right bus.

So my original instructions of calling the bus director, apparently, that is no longer applicable.  Since "he would not be able to take time to contact" the teacher.  Are you kidding?  I called him at 3:19p on Thursday regarding a change for 24 hours later.  He had a full school day to alert the teacher of the change and it didn't happen.  Because he didn't have time?!?!?  Really?  That's what you've got?  LAME.

I sent her teacher a note back and said, "To clarify, I no longer need to call Larry (bus director), instead I only need to alert you of any changes?"  Her response, "That's my understanding."

So at the end of the day... my kid better not get put on the wrong bus again. 

And please know, I'm not going to just let it rest.  There was still a mistake made.  There was still an event that potentially endangered my child's safety.  I still fully intend on writing the Superintendent a letter, alerting him/her of the situation, the multiple recurrences and the complete disregard of my child's voice.  How at least the last TWO times, she's tried to tell the adult in the situation that there was a change and she was disregarded, and put on a bus that potentially was dropping her off at a empty house.  At seven years old.  I have a problem with that.  Because it's happened FIVE times, I'm not letting it rest.  I got this.

Lincoln has a OT appointment tomorrow morning with a Food Therapist.. We have a county appointed one, and frankly, I'm not her biggest fan.  If you aren't willing to step up for my son, I got this.  Moving on.  He turns 4 in August and he's still not eating table food.  I don't know what the reasoning is behind it, but just waiting to see when he is ready to do it, isn't working for me anymore.  All it's seeming to encourage is a continued stubbornness to oppose.  Dude, you need to eat.  4 yr olds aren't supposed to be wearing 2T pants.  And I don't want this to become anymore of a health concern than it is.

The weather is changing... Spring is in the air... we have been going for walks and playing outside... looking forward to getting the kids outside more and more.... I've already seen the "I don't want to go inside" meltdown, a few times... ♥

I'm on call tonight, then off the rest of the week.  Getting my Easter shirts finished up for the kids... laundry up the wazoo.  House cleaning.  Sounds like a great week ahead.  Looking forward to being just a wife and mom for a few days. 

Yeah, that scared me

Glad to be through the last week.  That's all I got to say about that.

Lily had a scrapping party (scrap book) the day of our polar plunge -- she made 2 or 3 pages, and I seriously was impressed...my girl has some mad skills with scrap booking... way better than me... and I'm proud to say that.  She has been studying hard in school... and you know -- I'm going to just exhale this and be done with it... I am totally going to be ok with whatever grades she brings home, as long as I know she's trying her best.  I love how she loves going to school now.  I love how she comes home and tells me little snapshots of her day... and it's like a puzzle for me to put together and see the whole picture... she's a happy girl.. and I love that.

Lincoln... oh, my poor boy -- as you probably read on FB, I totally nailed him with the harmonica... *sigh.  He still loves me and was completely over it minutes after it happened, but I'm still holding myself a hostage of guilt.  It was unintentional (for him to get hit), but completely intentionally thrown (on my part) .... and that was just a bad choice.  Need to work on walking the walk.  Otherwise, I think we're FINALLY getting over the crud... strep, cold symptoms, snotty nose galore... ugh.     I'm looking forward to spring / summer / fall -- when he seems SO much healthier... and I also think we're on the brink of transitioning to table food... 2012, baby... *please!

Lucy -- whew!  That girl is COMPLETELY in the, 'Pushing your buttons to the limit' stage right now.  Oh. My. God.  I swear she KNOWS she's being naughty and she's going from one 'NO!" to the next... testing to make sure it's still a 'No!', ??  I don't know... and I'm sure I won't remember this when she's bigger, like I don't remember Lily ever going through this -- but right now... ugh... most of our days are guarding the time out corner, to ensure time is fully served and not cut short by (her) choice...  All I can say is, it's a good thing she's so cute.  :)

One additional comment (again, that I shouldn't even be blogging about... but -- since we're coming clean).... we recently received a letter in the mail from a relative that sent a obit clipping of a guy that had DS that had died... ok... completely sent with good intentions, the man was 68, which is fairly old for an individual to live with DS, and the eulogy was very touching, saying that how in 1943 when this person was born, it was typically recommended to put children born with DS in a home, to be with someone that could properly care for them, but this individuals parents were told by their doctor to take him home and treat him like their other children.  Which they did.  And how "most would think that having DS is a challenge.  Being different, slow, it would be a struggle his whole life.  Well, those of us who loved him know differently."  It was touching... but creepy to get a obit.  I probably won't make a habit of sending obits to anyone, especially if they have a disease, genetic disorder, illness, or anything else - that someone else in my friend/family might have... just sayin...

*breathe.

Ok.  Move on.

Freezin BUTT, baby!

Saturday we are Polar Plunging.... jumping into a frozen lake, and wading out, all for Special Olympics... and you know what the coolest part of it is?  The National Anthem.  Because, it's belted out with heart felt passion by someone that has Down Syndrome. Cool?  Cooler than cool.  WAY cool.  I wish more people knew how cool it really is, to watch someone that has put that kind of time and dedication to learn an ENTIRE song... and sing it with pride.  The kind of pride that makes your eyes water.... because he (or she) did it! 

The most daunting moment is standing on the dock, looking down at the lake you're about to jump into, but it's also the most exhilarating.  I NEVER thought I would be one of those people that jump into a frozen lake.... but like many times true in my life.... NEVER SAY NEVER.

My husband, (allow me to brag for a minute) is the THIRD highest fund raiser, in the STATE of Minnesota.  In the state.  I'm not talking just our event... I mean like, 3rd in the S-T-A-T-E.  Proud of you, Love.  Bringing recognition and understanding to more and more... one day / one year at a time.  ♥

Cindy B.... thank you for watching our babies and making sure Lily gets to her scrap book party... means a lot to us to have friends that help us, so we can help others.  I know you're going to do great... and if you need a color on Sunday, I know this guy David, that does an EXCELLENT job.  I'll hook you up.  :)

In other Buckingham news, Sunday Lily and I will be making a trip to the mall.  Just the two of us.  And she's looking forward to it.  I think I might do a little pampering on my girl... she needs to know that I appreciate all the hard work she's been doing in school, improving her reading and math last quarter, and just generally being a mature, respectful little girl.  We're definitely hitting Claire's... and then ??  get our toes painted?  I'm not sure she's ready for that *she has a little bit of a shy streak* -- but if not, that's cool... this mom is game for whateva that girl is ready for.

I'll make sure to post some pictures of the plunge.  Think warm thoughts for us on Saturday!

Hot Mess

He was hot and I was a mess.... when I took his temp and it was 104.9.... holy crap... all I could think of was he's going to start seizing... *what I found out at the ER: febrile seizures usually happen when the fever is rising, not after it's peaked.  I called the Ask Mayo Clinic nurse line and also the Kasson Clinic, and they both said go to the ER, after I told them his fever was 104.9. 



"Mamaaaa?  Boo!"

When we got to the ER, the waiting room was pretty full... but when I told the receptionist that he was strep positive confirmed that morning and he'd only had one dose of antibiotics, that granted us a room in isolation -- no waiting. *The silver lining in this whole thing? We were seen almost immediately after being roomed and they gave him (gave me) a syringe of Motrin to give him, to help comfort his symptoms associated with the fever. Within 30 minutes, he was playing 'Boo' with the curtain and mama... telling the doctors and nurses 'Baaaaa-bye!' as they came and went to check on us...

And this morning, when I got him up, I could tell in his eyes... the second I walked into his room... my boy was back.  And he's been playing all morning. 





Tomorrow, we have conferences with Lily's teacher to hear how our girl is doing in school... we're working on math and reading both at home and after school tutoring, and I know it's paying off... I'm looking forward to talking to the teacher and hearing how awesome my kid is.  She loves school.  She strives to be a good girl and respectful of others.  She makes a mama proud.  She told me last night that tomorrow 2/1, starts "I love to read" month.  We have a separate calendar to document our reading minutes and there are all new incentives for meeting your reading goals, including watching their school principal play basketball against two other kids in the gym, in high heels.  :)  Lily thought that was going to be pretty funny to watch.

10 days and we're plunging.  I'm still trying to figure out what we're going to do with the kids... our regular babysitters are going to be out of town, and Brandon's mom is already watching Mills, while Chris and Fal jump with us....  if anyone is interested in tackling a day full of three kids.... let me know.  :)  Lily's also supposed to be going to a scrap booking party that day, and I have to try to figure getting her there too.  The mom was kind enough to say if Lily needed to hang out there for a while after the party, she could - they didn't have anything else going on... but I'm not sure what time our closing celebrations will conclude... maybe this year, we'll have to come home earlier...

Lincoln's little hand keeping extending toward the keyboard... he's trying desperately to interject his opinions here... I think it's time to call it a wrap and go play.  :)

Hopefully, the next 2 days off will be a little less stressful.  <3