Cullen's History Project

Cullen's History class is studying Mesopotamia. His teacher assigned groups to build their own version of this City-State. Of course these groups were formed while Cullen was out of school for his arm! So Cullen had to work alone. We (okay, mostly me) chose for him to complete his project at home (so I could make sure he worked hard on it and didn't just throw something down and yell done) while the class worked in their groups during school time. Cullen did an amazing job!!! He designed the city by himself and the buildings, layout, and all things associated with it were his ideas! My participation was to paint what he told me to paint, with the colors he told me to use and to man the glue-gun (Cullen used it twice and burned himself twice - that was enough for me!). I also asked many questions to see if he really understood what he was doing. Yes, the kid knows his stuff! Cullen and I gathered all the stuff (we did have some of the items left over from other projects), worked on it over the weekend, and delivered it to the school on Monday morning. Of course, in our usual style, the city-state known as Spiritopia was too large to fit in my HHR. We had to borrow Uncle Mark's Ford Explorer. It was almost too big for that too! (We left the Temple unattached so we could tip the board to get it through the door.) The kid got so much attention from the High School and Jr. High kids just walking down the hall - they were in awe of it's size and details! All the 5th and 6th Grade Classes applauded him! It really made his day.

I'm very proud of you, Cull!!!

I present to you: SPIRITOPIA!

The Sunflower Field

Every Monday thru Thursday, Kieren and I drive past this sunflower field on the way to and from school. (They were so much prettier before Ike flattened the field!)

And every day she says the same thing, "Picture, Mommy. Take. Please?" So today we stopped on the way home from school.

Here are your pictures, sweet Kieren! I wish life could always be so simple...

Silly Sunday - HA! I didn't forget after all!

Ballet Class - The First Three Weeks

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Video sent by drewnsam

These are the photos I was able to take (through a window and with no flash allowed!) of Kieren's first three weeks of ballet class. Kieren is very focused in ballet and acts like she was born to dance. She is always on her spot, waiting patiently in First Position, while the rest of the class runs around like wild Indians! Dance is a very serious event...

"Red Day"

Today is "red day" at Kieren's school. The whole week was dedicated to the color red, but today the kids were to wear red, bring something red for the class collage, and bring a red snack to share. Yes, I made her a red skirt. Kieren decided to take a red ladybug and grape tomatoes. I asked Kieren if I could take a picture of her before we left for school.
Here is the diva putting on her fashion show:

Next week is yellow week...

Kieren's Pony Ride II

Last Friday, Kieren looked at me and said "Horsey...ride?" Oh! Kieren wanted to go ride the ponies at Carriage Hill Farm. The farm has ponies to ride on Saturdays and Sundays so we told Kieren we would go after church. She was a very happy little girl!!! She kept checking all weekend to make sure we remembered!

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Kieren is a veteran at the Pony Ride. Here she is suited up and waiting patiently.

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This time she rode Sandy. Mira (the pony Kieren rode last time) is Sandy's mother.

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Kieren is a very serious rider. She usually won't crack a smile. Next to ballet, this is a huge love in her life!

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After riding, Kieren and Cullen decided to check out the lower pastures. We, the old people, decided it was too stinking hot to hike down and back. I just love a good zoom lens and a bribe-able big brother!!!

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The horses scared Kieren when they started talking to her LOUDLY!!! Big brother to the rescue! Cullen carried her most of the way back.

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Either Kieren decided it was safe to walk again or Cullen told her he wasn't carrying her anymore!

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Here comes the very hot, happy and tired equestrian!

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So tired after visiting the horses! Thank Heavens for AC and a soft seat!

Hello, I'm Sam And I Have A Problem...

(A teaser photo of Kieren's latest Pony Ride! She was waiting very patiently.)

Okay, I'm a slacker! Did you here me, people (you know who you are so don't make me name names!)?!?! I know I haven't given you more than "fluff" lately. I know I've left you hanging about Cullen's arm. I know I'm a bad mommy - oh wait! I forgot my children don't read this! Anyway, and I know I'm reading blogs and not commenting. So I will say it loud and say it proud: I AM A SLACKER!!!! I am in need of a 12 Step Program for slackers. Please beat me with a wet noodle - but only if you are serious because I may really like it! (Are you blushing, Chan?!)





Okay, enough of that. For the big question - and to get "some people" off my back: NO, CULLEN'S ARM IS NOT BROKEN - ummm...maybe. The X-rays didn't show anything out of the normal, but that doesn't mean there isn't damage in there. Cullen is learning to "suck it up, buttercup" (my favorite phrase when dealing with those I love) and deal with the wrist brace. If his wrist is still hurting at the end of next week, he will need an MRI. My bank account says it better not be hurting next week! BTW, Cullen falls into a coma-like sleep shortly after taking Codeine (just like Aunt Heather), unlike his mother and grandmother who pace the floor all night and drive everyone crazy because their brains won't shut up!!!





What has been keeping me too busy to be polite and comment on blogs or post anything other than "fluff" on my own? My children, schools, ballet, soccer, my husband, lack of electricity, sewing, doctors' appointments, bad reactions to new medications, being there for a friend who needs my support, watching Ian again, helping my parents, and other stuff I'm too tired to remember. It hasn't been all work. Heather and I (ummm...and I also went shopping with my parents, Andy, and the kids) had a bit of retail therapy last week and got the kids some great clothes (awesome sale at Old Navy last weekend!!!!)! We also ate out way too much. Now that it's safe to buy groceries again, looks like I will be cooking.





I have a very exciting thing to report!!! Most of you won't care or understand why it's such a big deal, but some of you (LaLa, Kerri, Colleen and so many more) will see why I'm so happy! Kieren said her first full sentence (clear as a bell) this morning!!!! Kieren was sitting at her little table eating brunch (cold pizza w/ ranch dressing - it's the only thing she would eat) and she was watching an old episode of the Doodlebops (she can't stand the new episodes - neither can I!). After the show was over, Kieren looked at me and said "You're my friend, Mommy." OMG!!!! After over two years of near-silence, babbling, and single words, she chose to tell me I'm her friend!!!! Then this evening Kieren came into the bathroom (Heaven forbid I potty alone!) and said "I love you!" (She usually just says "love you" and it's hard to understand if you aren't a family member.) I am totally amazed! She did these without prompting or anything!!! She is finally starting to move forward! Of course the rest of the evening was back to babbling, single-words, and hard to understand two-words. It's exciting to see her develop her speech!!! I know for those who don't have a speech-delayed child this seems like it's not noteworthy, but to those of us who ache for our child to catch-up, it's HUGE!!! Hang in there, my friends, I see a little light in that long dark tunnel!





Well, that's about all I can blog tonight. My pills are starting to make me feel sick again so I need to head off to bed. (New meds suck!) I will try to get myself into a program and get back to commenting on your blogs! Until then, I will remain the silent stalker...

Kieren & Pink Milk

One of Kieren's favorite cartoons is "Charlie and Lola". Lola LOVES pink milk!!! It seems that Kieren does too! Of course you just have to have pink bubbles to make it perfect!

Silly Sunday - Oh! It's Sunday?!

Splish Splash Fun In The Bath

We are watching Ian again while Heather and Mark are working. It works out pretty well. Heather works two days a week and Mark's schedule rotates. So some weeks we have Ian, some weeks we don't. Since Kieren goes to school in the afternoon Monday-Thursday, Ian plays with us, then we take Kieren to school, then I take Ian home for his nap and Heather comes home in time for me to go get Kieren. Works great! The other morning Kieren needed her bath before school. Ian went nuts!!! He just had to have a bath too! Why not?! It's just as easy to clean two munchkins as it is one. This has now become a routine! They are just too funny!!!

Stand Up 2 Cancer - "Be OK"

Because I just want you to "Be OK"...

Chan, About That New Car...

Hey, Chan! Forget about getting a new car and go for the Harley!!! You know you wanna!!!!
(These are photos are Chantele's 1st Harley ride. Yes, I'm just now posting them! You just never know what you will do when you visit me!!!)

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"You want me to take a ride...on THAT?!"

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"Sam, you had better not be taking pictures!!!"
(Who me? I don't know what you are talking about!)

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...And they're off!!!

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Look! Chan survived her first Harley ride!!! See? My dad didn't let her fall off or anything!

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...And she LIKED it!!!!

A Preview For Her Adoring Fans...

Okay...So It Might Be Broken

We are waiting to hear if Cullen's arm is really broken. He is in A LOT of pain. We went to our family doctor this morning and then went to a different hospital for more x-rays. Dr. Tammy removed Cullen's splint and replaced it with a brace. It is more comfortable and can be removed to ice his arm. Cullen, who is not a baby, was sobbing again this morning from the pain. Something needs to be done! Tammy has started Cull on Tylenol 3 with codeine. I just hope he's not allergic to codeine like me and my mom. We should find out sometime tomorrow if the arm is truly broken. I'll let you know when I find out!

It's Not Broken - This Time!

We're home. We're tired. Cullen's arm is NOT broken. It is sprained and bruised. Cullen will be wearing this delightful little number for 2-3 days. The splint is hard as a regular cast on the bottom, but then wrapped with a bandage to keep Cullen comfortable. Cull will be staying home tomorrow to elevate and ice it!