Tickets, Please

There is the Midland Elementary School carnival (which we just attended Friday evening)...then there's OUR carnival. Well, the boys' version of it, anyway.

For just five tickets (this time they didn't charge actual money) you can enter the Haunted House (at your own risk, of course). There were a few different versions of it, but here are a few of the characters...cue the music...oooo-weeee-oooo (Garrett provided the ambiance).

AARRHHHH! Watch out for the scary Pirate, Matey (complete with sock peg-legs)!!! He's going to get you with his hook hand...

What is that knocking and banging in the corner??? AAHHH! It's a ghost! (Or, Blake and his favorite multi-purpose "non-toy", the tripod...you can't appreciate the full effect from the picture)

Then there is the faceless cowboy with the ax...okay, this one was a little scary (where do they get this stuff?)

And the crazed gorilla with the a crowbar...who will scare you then help you with home improvements?

Ironically, the boys were too scared to go through the Haunted House at the school carnival, which explains their interesting choice of scare tactics. The scariest part, however, was not he costumes...it's how trashed their room was from "creating" the Haunted House (they must have been going for authenticity).

On the less scary (and much neater) side was the Water Bottle Bowling. Ten water bottles, one baseball and hours of fun! And it's free! Who can complain about that? At least until a water bottle explodes...

This is how the boys entertain themselves at home on the weekends...I can't imagine what summer is going to be like. Somehow going to the park with two crawling babies and all four kids in the scorching heat of summer doesn't sound so bad...play date anyone?

A Memorable Memorial Day Weekend

You know it's a good weekend when...

• Your kids ask you if THEY can sleep in...and tell you they're tired from having fun and WANT to go to bed

• You fire up the "camping" bbq at least once...

(Added bonus: eating smores)

• You can finish your beverage of choice while it's still cold

• The tv doesn't get turned on all weekend long

• You have to REAPPLY sunscreen because of the amount of time you are spending outside

• If your bathing suit is not hanging up to dry, then you're wearing it

• Your feet get a tan

• Your list of things you want to do is longer than your list of things you have to do...and you get to cross most things off BOTH lists

• You make lemonade out of fresh lemons

• You spend hours filling and throwing water balloons

• And, of course, you take a moment to reflect on how lucky we are and give gratitude to those who paid the greatest price for these simple freedoms

That pretty much sums up our Memorial Day. I have finally realized that having four kids will never be relaxing, but that doesn't mean it can't be fun! Even the babies found time for some R&R.

Peek-a-boo

Who can resist a fun game of peek-a-boo? Obviously not me. And now I know why little girls' dresses always come with matching underwear/diaper covers...

Where's Ella?

There she is! Peek-a-boo! I see you!

It turns out that I'm not the only one who found this amusing. Chase was sitting next to Ella on the floor laughing his sweet, squeaky little heart out.

And so she kept doing it again and again. Peek-a-boo anyone?

Garrett Post-Surgery Update: 3 Months

We have the car ride down a science. The dvd player, his favorite movies, a pillow and blanket, the medical "folder" of reports and information we've collected and the stroller he barely fits in (but he's too heavy to carry). And of course plenty of treats and toys. We made the trip to UCLA yet again for Garrett's 3 month post-surgery VCUG, which is the study that detects and measures any urinary reflux. The goal of the surgery in February was to correct the reflux so as to spare his badly damaged kidney in hopes of allowing it to grow and develop as much as possible and to justify not removing it.

The good news is that his condition is improved. The bad news is that it's not gone. The results of his VCUG show that Garrett still has VUR Grade II (which is an improvement from the previous Grade IV). This, his doctor explained, is not a totally uncommon outcome from this particular (reimplantation) surgery. Unfortunately, it means that there is still significant urinary back-up in his left ureter and it does reach the left kidney (which is already impaired). Long term, it is not advised to leave this untreated, but for now we have decided to "wait and see". There is a possibility that as Garrett's body continues to heal and grow that his condition could improve. If it doesn't, then we will have to re-evaluate our options and weigh those against removing the kidney.

So, we will continue to give Garrett his antibiotics prophylatically and hope for the best. We will follow up in six months and undergo another similar study as the VCUG (called a Urodynamic study) that also measures the pressure being applied by his bladder to ensure that is not contributing to the problem. The information we gain from the study will help determine the future steps we take.

Thanks again for the thoughts and prayers. Garrett continues to amaze us with his courage and resiliency...and growing collection of Transformers (at this rate, I think they will have to create a line extension to keep up with us). We will post any new information as it comes.

Quiet, Please

The boys came to me yesterday afternoon...whispering. This made me suspicious. Then they told me to be quiet. This made me worry. It turns out that they had made their own makeshift library...in my room. They were very excited and what parent doesn't want to encourage their kids to get excited about books? AND they were being quiet. So I had no choice but to play along. As I quietly entered the bedroom, or "library", I noticed that ALL their books from their book shelf were strategically displayed around the entire room.

There was even a "baby section".

They were categorized (somewhat) and organized. After browsing, I selected a book (which, incidentally, was the ONLY book they would allow me to "check out") and then they charged me. It was cute until they asked for real money.

I played along again and produced some change for the register. Then the OTHER librarian informed me that I had to pay him too.

It was an expensive trip to the "library" but the best part is that the boys took me seriously and did a great job when I told them that part of the librarian's job is to put the books away. This got me thinking...we could play gardener, housekeeper, babysitter...this could be so much fun! I'm in!

The Big 0-5

A hug, a kiss, a cuddle. Even for animals. Stories about cowboys and sharks and flowers. And songs about anything. Or nothing. But they're catchy because they rhyme. His imagination, creativity and curiosity. And his knack for dressing himself inside out or backwards. Or both. His HUGE , compassionate heart. His jokes. His big blue eyes and freckled nose. The things that come out of his mouth. Usually in a good way. His profound questions and astounding logic. His hand-made drawings, pictures and little "gifts" he gives away. Constantly. His ability to make friends with anyone, anywhere. His love for his family.

There are so many reasons to love and be proud of Garrett and these are just a few. Adding to this list are his birthday wish ("for all his family to be happy") and unsolicited "this was the besterest birthday ever!". There is an indescribable feeling of joy when, as a parent, you have made your child feel as special and loved as you know they are...and they thank you for it.

It's hard to believe my baby (which he was for so long that I still think of him that way) is turning FIVE! To celebrate this milestone, Garrett was given the opportunity to "read" to his friends at school (his favorite silly book about dust bunnies... not too telling)

we spent "the big day" having fun at Legoland

and have been celebrating with a week long series of mini parties with family.
Note to self: much more low key than a "friend party" and he actually appreciates the gifts (like this one-of-a-kind car made of popsicle sticks by his creative Aunt Renee), which were spread out rather than all at once.

But Garrett's birthday wouldn't be complete without more Transformers...

As Garrett turns the big 0-5, he "graduates" preschool and looks forward to embarking on the "big kid" world of kindergarten and "real school". He is ready and eager to make this transition. For me that means hugging him a little tighter, sneaking in a few extra kisses and being extra generous with the "I love you's". And making him promise to never be too old or too cool to love his mommy. Thankfully, he's agreed. Happy Birthday, Garrett!

Rock 'N Roll

I'm not talking about a rock concert (now I know I'm getting old), I'm referring to Chella.

Not the noise level of the twins (although that could apply) but their attempts at crawling. Ella rocks. Chase rolls. They have figured out how to get where they want to go, just not that quickly.... for now. Ella, figuring out how to sit up on her own, is the ever-proud princess. And Chase continues to flash his charming smiles while proceeding to steamroll over any obstacle in his way... including his sister! I'm sure it's just a matter of time before they are having carpet races.

They pay more attention to each other these days, but mostly while tug-of-warring over toys. Ella tends to win and when she doesn't she screams to loud it startles her brother who inevitably drops the toy she wants and she picks it up... pretty shrewd for a nine month old!

All in all, I'm very fortunate to have healthy, generally happy and easy babies. Here are their latest stats: at nine months old, Ella is 22 lbs., 4 oz. and is 30" long while Chase is 24 lbs. and is 30 1/2" long.

5/20 Update: And....they're off! The carpet races have officially begun as both babies are crawling now. Ella is off to an early lead making her move first, while Chase is coming around the corner at a slow but steady pace, ready to make his move when we least expect it.

Full Speed Ahead

Is it really already May? Time is moving at an all-time warp speed these days and I barely have had a moment to catch my breath (or blog). Here is a synopsis of our recent life: tax season ended but within hours Brian got REALLY sick (thankfully the rest of us were spared, but I'm pretty sure now that I don't want FIVE kids); the desktop computer crashed...that makes TWO! I must be computer cursed...so no access to pictures and limited access to everything else; then there's the usual end-of-the-year frenzy with school stuff, summer camps, Mother's Day, birthdays (and the required annual doctor's appointments)...and, oh, did I mention the babies are trying to crawl? Which means rearranging at least half of our cramped house to give them safe space (and getting creative with furniture placement), building tolerance to the crying child who is NOT happy about being put in a seat and adjusting to the excitement of sleeping on the top bunk bed (and getting things dropped on you in the bottom bunk...only one black eye so far, no broken bones). And this is just the last two weeks. Life is a little crazy, but wouldn't it be boring if it wasn't? Hopefully I'll have the computer situation straightened out soon so I can go back to my regular blogging...getting back to a regular life? I'm pretty sure that will happen in about 17 and a half years (but who's counting?)...