Snow Fun

Not only was last Sunday Owen's 6th birthday, it was also a beautiful day to go sledding. We located all the boots, hats, mittens, snow pants, scarves, and coats, then loaded the boys up and headed to Grandma and Grandpa Stine's house. They have a nice hill in their backyard that is perfect for little boys on their sleds to go whooshing down. The giggles and laughter from the boys was unmistakable as they had many near misses with the tree at the bottom of the hill and as they took spill after spill into the snow. David's knee was the only casualty of the day; he sacrificed it so that the three of them wouldn't plow head first into said tree. He made the sled swerve, and in the process, clipped his knee. What's a little fun if no one gets hurt? Thankfully, there was plenty of the fluffy white stuff on hand if he needed to ice it.

You might want to call an ENT

Last Wednesday, one day after the puking incident, Gav had yet another doctor's appointment. His appointment was planned ahead of time to make sure the antibiotic for his sinus and ear infections was working; Owen's appointment was not. He woke up that morning what the icky green snot we thought the antibiotic he'd been on had taken care of. Wrong. Thankfully, the doctor could see them both at the same time. She thinks that the boys like to do a little bit too much together... both needed to be stepped up to yet another antibiotic and decongestant because their sinus infections looked worse than they did in the beginning of December! As she handed me their four (!?!) prescriptions, she said she'd recommend we consult an ENT and discuss our options as far as their adenoids and tonsils. We have an appointment for January 12, and it cannot come soon enough. I'm so tired of having to pour horrible tasting medicine after medicine down their throats and try to convince them it is helping.

This isn't what I had planned.

Gavin is on his second round of antibiotics for his sinus and ear infection. He detests the taste of it, so I had it flavored with the bubblegum flavoring thinking that would help. It did - for about a day. Since then, I've tried putting it in his OJ, mixing strawberry or chocolate syrup in it, and letting him drink it with a straw. I've even tried telling him that if he doesn't take his medicine, he could get everyone else sick. His response: I'll let you take my medicine then. Grrrrr. So not the response I was looking for! Arguing with him over taking his medicine is torture, especially when you add in the Owen factor.

Owen was strangely cooperative yesterday and actually asked to take a nap. Are you seeing a red flag? I did. He woke up afterwards with a headache and sniffles. Then during the middle of the night, he woke up with a stomachache and promptly puked on the floor. Lovely. There is nothing like cleaning up puke in the middle of the night to really wake you up! He puked again this morning, but is eating and drinking. He still has a runny nose and a little temp, but nothing serious at this point. I'm hoping just a little rest is all he needs.

I'd just like to point out playing nurse isn't what I had planned for break. I wish I could just snap my fingers and make both boys instantly better so we can get back to having fun!

The Princess & the Frog

Today, Gavin went to his first ever movie at Movies 14. Originally, we were all going to go as a family, but the plan hit a little snag when Owen decided today should also be National Grumpy Boy Day. Nothing was making him happy, so he stayed home with David. After asking me at least 20 times if we were there yet, Gav and I got to the theatre, bought our tickets, and spent a small fortune on small popcorn and a medium Sprite. We found our seats and Gav promptly set about devouring the popcorn. He loved the Toy Story trailer and doesn't quite understand he can't see it now! He was quiet and sat still for the entire movie. I'd say he enjoyed the whole experience as he walked out like he owned the place or at least had been to 20 movies before now. And yes, he ate the whole bag of popcorn by himself.

What is THAT?

When we went to bed last night, the ground was green. Six hours later, it was white. Winter has officially arrived and, along with it, my good mood has vanished. You see, I despise the white fluffy stuff unless it is in a picture of a place far, far away. However, the boys and their father do not share my sentiments (they may be slightly mentally ill, if you ask me) and were excited to go out and play this afternoon. They had a snowball fight, played with the neighbor girl, and forced David to drag them all around the yard on the sleds. Now, they are collapsed, watching television, and almost ready to zonk out and it is only 7:00! Hum, maybe snow isn't so bad after all...

I go on the good list!

I'm in charge of dropping Gavin off at daycare every morning. We really enjoy our daily commute, where we talk about all kinds of important things like whether or not snowmen like hot chocolate. (We decided that was a negative, because of the melting factor, but they do enjoy marshmallows.) He loves daycare and preschool, but loves hanging out with me more. He's the self-elected president of my fan club and has recently decided he should just go to school with me instead of daycare. When we get to his school, there are usually few tears and clingy moments, before Grandma Gwen peels him off of me, and I dash for the door. Obviously, I feel less than happy afterwards and have been racking my brain for a way to get him to not be upset, because face it, there is no such thing as waterproof mascara! (I didn't say the tears were just from him.)

Enter the man in red, the one, the only: Santa Claus! Yep, yesterday afternoon I resorted to telling Gav that when he cries when I leave, it makes me and Grandma Gwen sad, and when we are sad, Santa is sad. When Santa is sad, the elves have to cheer him up and can't work in the toy shop. The look of confusion on his poor little face was like he was thinking "Shoot, if I make Santa sad, there go my toys for Christmas!" He was strangely silent the rest of the way home.

This morning, I dropped Gav off as usual. However, as we got out of the van, he saw a flashing red light and some white lights in the sky. He automatically thought it was Santa and Rudolph coming to check on him. He started jumping up and down, yelling, "I'm a good boy. I go on the good list, not the rock list." I didn't have the heart to tell him it was a helicopter. He walked into daycare, helped put his things away, gave me a hug and kiss, and practically ran to Grandma Gwen - leaving me in the dust. This time it wasn't him crying at the door with me; it was just me, because I was so proud of my little man and thankful for the helicopter that chose today for a flyover. I think the man in red had a little something to do with the timing.

Oh, Facebook, how I love thee.

I kept meaning to post something new, but time seems to have slipped away from me- that and my new technological addiction took over. I love Facebook. It is the quick and easy way to update the masses on what is going on in the Stine house.

My most recent FB posts all seem to relate to Gavin, who has become quite the one liner kiddo lately. Take for example what he told me last Friday when I caught him trying to comb both dogs' hair with his brother's comb. He looked up at me with the biggest, widest brown eyes and said "because I don't want to use mine on the dogs!" This was quickly followed by the My Mom is the Dumbest Woman Ever look. Today, he told Owen, his sharing impaired brother, that he "Really should share, because Santa is watching. Do you want rocks for Christmas?" Pretty good logic, if you ask me!

So, yes, I fully intend to get back to this blogging business, and I have made it is my New Year's resolution. It seems much more plausible than exercising!