Happy May Day!

With Love, From Lila

Team Small But Mighty

We did again!  Daddy pushed, I pushed, and Savannah rode her bike.  Things were a little different this year because we were caring for Charlotte and Henry the day of the walk.  I tried to push them the whole five miles but realized that my pushing a 100+ pound stroller days are over!  Daddy took my girls the whole way.  It was strange running without my girls, and I missed being recognized as a family by our shirts but the finish line made up for it.  Lila and Adeline hopped out of the stroller, locked hands and proudly crossed the finish line together.  They were so cute and received much recognition.  They are absolutely amazing!

Thank you for your generous donations and support!

Don't Play on Stools

I could bore you with all of the ugly, and I do mean ugly, details but I won't. I will leave it at a fall after dinner turned into an entire night in the ER (arrived home at 5:00 a.m.). There was a papoose and straight board involved because my girl really does differ from typical kids. She has sensory issues, especially when it comes to medical establishments. Next time, we will sedate her - even the doc agreed with that. Adeline was a trooper, never once fussed about spending the night in the ER. She saved all of her horrific fussing for the stitching itself. My poor baby girl. . .

Here she is sporting her dark blue stitches. . .

Six days later, we were back in the ER strapping her down with the papoose so that the docs could yank the stitches out. There is just no reasoning with a little girl who can't process medical procedures properly. Most kids go to their pediatrician but Adeline likes to keep it real and require a papoose, straight board and three adults when removing two measly stitches (one fell out on its own).

That's my girl!

Easter Happenings

This was our first Easter at home in a couple of years. Typically, we are with friends in North Carolina.  While being home was nice, even nicer because Grammy was here, we missed North Carolina.  Next year, we will travel South again.  Everything seems to happen for a reason though, and if there was ever a year to stay home, this was it.  A nasty stomach virus ran through all three of my kids and was just wrapping up by the time Sunday rolled around.  Savannah was the last one hit and it took the wind out of her.

We were all a little low on energy which made the quiet holiday a much needed reprieve.  We took the morning slow which allowed the girls to check out their baskets and do some egg hunting.  (I find the whole Bunny thing so far fetched.  It is hard for me to try and pull it off with my pensive, Savannah.  And really, how did the Bunny  become apart of this holiday?)  After a great egg hunt, where my girls made sure that they helped each other look and not just grab as many as they could, we dressed up and went to church.  It is always interesting bringing our children into the adult service (no Sunday School on Easter.)  Rhetorical questions were answered by Adeline.  She also got right in there for the "greet your neighbor," wishing all a Happy Easter.  When the word, "peace," was said, Adeline misunderstood it for, "pizza," and announced to everyone that she really likes pizza!  When Peter was mentioned, she really needed to know who he was.  The girl obviously listens!

After church, we went to a gourmet brunch at the Applebee's fine dining.  It was nice to have the place to ourselves and, hey, kids eat free on Easter!  We rounded out the day with a trip to Longwood Gardens which gave us an opportunity to soak up some sun and beautiful flowers.  We all came home very tired and had oatmeal for Easter dinner.  Classic!  I was just too tired to cook.

Please ignore the sweaty workout gear. . .

Eggs are serious business!



Apparently, Adeline knows her nursery rhymes. . .

Happy Easter

So Much For Screen Free

While we are a predominately screen free house, when kids are sick, we are not.  This week both Savannah and Adeline were hit hard with a stomach virus and high fevers.  Fevers so high that they didn't make it out of bed for the first day of being down.  When my kids are this miserable, I bring them into my bed and turn on the TV.  Somehow it seems better than laying their own beds staring at a wall. 

Since both kids have been down, our screens have been on.  Better luck next time I guess.

Going Screen Free

It is National Screen Free Week starting April, 18.  Visit here to see the supporters and data that stand behind going screen free.  Certainly, many children and adults could benefit from less screen time. 

We are taking the pledge to be screen free this week (for Alex and those who make a living using the screen, it means no recreational screen time).  While the TV stands in the off position in our house, our girls watch movies in the van.  I would say they watch them 35% of the time we are driving which isn't a major concern of mine.  Regardless, we are flipping up the van TV.  I will only use my phone for talking and email.

I am really proud that the TV stays off inside the house.  I can't imagine watching my girls sitting passively on the couch watching TV each afternoon.  When talking to Savannah about it, she commented on how she isn't interested in watching TV after school and has no desire to learn how to play video games.  She followed it up with, "Did you raise me to be like this since you don't watch TV either."  You bet I/we did! 

You won't hear from me for at least a week. . . .