He's a hard working man.

Andrew was hard at work in his room this afternoon. He was using his Melissa and Doug wooden tools to build with. I took a peek on my was past and smiled at how busy he looked. I was laying on my bed reading when Michael came in stifling a laugh. He caught Andrew in the middle of *working*. He was watching him build when all of the sudden Andrew picks up his cell phone( one of our old Verizon phones he carries with him all the time) and goes " Hello? What do you want.. I am busy building Hedicoptors. Okay Bye"

Took cute! Michael said he was so serious he had to laugh. That boy can make us laugh some days!

I am Thankful for my Pediatrician and her great staff!

I loved my old pediatrician but when Michael got his new job in March 07 our current office took every insuarance.. BUT our new one... GRRR! I had been very happy there with the staff and our primary Ped. Having to change against our wishes really bummed me out. With my background in CPS I have an intimate knowledge of the local Medical staff.. Whom I might be willing to go to and those whom I would not trust a stuffed animal too. I knew getting into one I wanted would be hard. But I had no problem whining and begging and using my life lines.... I am really pleased with Dr Kungle and Childrens Physicians. If I want my child seen it will happen. If I call with a question I get an answer.. No hemming and hawing.. No " WOW the Dr really needs to see your child".. cannot answer that on the phone kind of answers.

I will admit it. I am cheap. But on the other hand I am very intelligent and down to earth. WHY should I spend $20 per child to be told to buy an OTC medication for a cough. I can diagnose that myself. Recently I called in b/c i was wondering if this Upper Respiratory Junk was going on too long. I caved and called in. It was going on 3 weeks and Andrew was sounding like a little smoker. She said if I did not hear from the Dr then call my pharmacy after 12pm.. Within the hour the Dr called. Asked what was going on with the kids. What they were doing. I told her about the clear snot, the colored snot, the smokers laugh, bouncing Andrew on my knees and using his back ans my drum set, the elevated mattresses and humdifier. Instead of the " Bring them in" I was bracing myself for her response was " Sounds like your doing all you can.. this is the season.. Use Delsym if the cough is really causing him distress and of course call back if you get symptoms like ear infction of sore throat!" YEAH! Confirmation that I was on the right track and it was FREE!

Which brings me to today..... Yesterday afternoon Andrew fell asleep on my and when he woke he had huge gunk in his eyes.. I thought nothing of it.. Then later they start looking blood shot and gunky.. yeah... This morning his eye is more bloodshot and although I don't see gunk( he might have wiped it out himself) is is dull and off looking. I call the office hoping to get in since the copay for an office visit is $15.oo less then urgent care. I talk to a wonder nurse who patiently listens to my symptom list while I am chasing Andrew and the booger he is trying to blow on me. Her response to me. "Oh yuck that is no good.. Lets call you in a prescription.." and proceeds to get my info.. WHAT? No visit that I have to race through Belden traffic to get to? no picking up germs from sick waiting room kids? No getting there to see the eye looking 75% better? NOTHING but the meds.

I know if I sounded unsure of what was going on I could get in. If the symptoms were more pressing I would be seen and necessary attn received.. BUT I called in with questions and descriptions related to conjunctivitis/Pink eye and I will get... a medication!

I am so grateful for that! Now I guess I should go check on the coughing child huh?

Bumper sticker

I saw this bumper sticker on a car today and it just cracked me up! Obviously I find humor in the little things.

Chat Chat Chat Chat

Where are we going mama? Why mama? What are we going to do? Why is the ground white? Is it because it is snowing? Why is it snowing mama? Can I wear these shorts? Why not? Is it because it is cold? Can I watch tv? I want kid shows? Not that one. Not that one. Not that one.. YESYESYESYEY. MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAM.. I pooped.. Wipe my butt.. not too hard. Mama.. I want a juice. not that kind. Yes that kind. Do cats have eyes? Do dogs have eyes? Do trees have eyes? Why not? To potatoes have eyes? They do? Where? How? Does leaves have eyes? Why is Ben going to the Dr? Is it b/c he is sick? Can I go? I want some of his medicine. I am sick too. (cough, cough) Can I have a vitamen then? I want to play with that. I want to see it. You have better listen or santa will not bring you any toys andwew..........
Wemember.. God is watching you...

** A brief overview of what I hear in any random 60 minute time frame if my day coming out Maddies mouth**

How daddy maintains control of the kids in the afternoons

A few weeks back I was busy folding and putting laundry away and left the kids in the living room where Michael was studying for some computer exam. The kids were being really calm and I did not hear him yelling at them so I continued to work and get things done. When I finally came out this is what I found. Crayola Washable markers are great for tattooing and pedicuring.

Monday in Ohio...esp. for thos who are not here..

The snow is flying. It looks much more dramatic through the window. I promise. Kids are amazed at the corn field next to us having snow on the stalks still standing.. Not sure WHY that is so fascinating but it works for them!

Not Me!

Not me! Not me! That is all I hear these days.. at least when they are not blaming someone else for their faults. The latest was just this morning. I went to clean up the bathroom. I know 'nuff said! So I go in and grab a bag to dump the trash. Clean off the bathroom counter putting away toothpaste, brushes and combs. I go to open the window to get fresh air in there and I feel the wetness seep into my sock... EWWWWWWWWW! The grout in front of the toilet is discolored and wet. Nice. I look around and yes.. the entire side of the toilet is nasty.. I think we need to plan a toilet training seminar this weekend. So I pick up the trash can and the toilet brush and move them. I turn to put the stool into the tub to get it out of my way... and what do I see? YELLOW all over the inside of the tub.. I storm into the living room and ask Andrew if he peed in the tub.. He looks at me.. quiet and guilty like.. and says.. NOT ME. ARG!!!!!!

So the bathroom has had a total scrub down. It no longer has a urinal smell.... What am I going to do with these boys???

Funny things they say...

Saturday Andrew ran across the street and asked our neighbor Maria if she wanted mushrooms. She looked at him funny so he questioned her.. "Don't you want to come burn mushrooms with me?" I laughed and clarified he meant to toast marshmallows!

Just now driving home from the gym Maddie was looking into the sky and said.."OH! I see the plump.. I see plump." I looked where she was looking and had no idea what she was saying.. I also looked for a pump of some sort.. Then I saw it. The Gooodyear Blimp! She saw it again and was so excited to see the PLUMP following us home...