Taking the time...

It seems as though once again this summer is flying by. In the process, I feel as though I have been devoting a lot of time to doctor's appointments, school work, work, and boring stuff. By the time Tuesday rolled around I could feel myself slipping into a small depression, and I knew that I needed some sun and some fun. I decided that night that Wednesday would be devoted to just having good old fashioned fun, and I was going to get out of the house. I took the kids to the beach. This particular beach has no waves, but lots of stuff to explore from crabs to other sand animals and shells. There is also a small stream that they can ride their boogie boards down. It is a lot of fun for them. Also, the ENT had asked if I was taking Weston to the beach. Now, I can fail at other aspects of his treatment regiment, but how can I fail in this area.

So we played there all day, and just so I didn't feel as though I was wasting my afternoon, I did bring some research studies to read for my power point presentation that was do today. The kids played great together (for most of the time) and really enjoyed themselves. They even got some ice cream from the ice cream man. That is a must. I remember how special that was as a kid.

After the beach we went home to eat some dinner and then back out to the Magic show on the beach! The kids enjoyed some rides and of course some more ice cream (it is summer and the extra calories are great for Weston). The magician was great. I took some pictures of the kids laughing, and realized that this was exactly the sight and sound that I hadn't heard in a while and that I needed it.

Yesterday I had to work and finish that power point. I was all geared up to have another fun filled day today, but Weston woke up at 1:30am and vomited. Sigh. It will have to wait for another day. In good news, one more paper and one more class and summer classes are DONE!

VBS!

The kids started Vacation Bible School again yesterday. It was supposed to start on Sunday, but I completely forgot and thought it started on Mondays. Weston was nervous to go again. He asked Ella if they would be in the same group and she agreed that she would stay with him after he pleaded with her "Ella will you please help me not miss mom." He stayed the whole time and really enjoyed himself. When I picked them up he kept saying the word "butt crack" in sentences. I asked him if he had said that in church and he replied "Just once, but don't worry no one heard me...no one but God." The kid cracks me up even if he is a little bugger. Yesterday we had Weston's GI appointment in the morning which went well. Then Ella had a pool party at her friend Morgan's house in the afternoon. I would have forgotten about that if I hadn't looked at my calendar. Thank god I did because I needed a few hours without one of the kids. This past weekend we had the outdoor movie night over the Williamson's house for CF. The kids had a blast!!!! They both knew kids there and played on the trampoline, tree house (which freaked Andy out), the pool, and roasted hot dogs on the fire. Then they watched Chipwrecked on the outdoor projector. Fun times!

Just Beachy!

Today will be the first time this summer we have gone to the beach. I cannot believe it! I am very much looking forward to it after a long, stressful week of doctors appointments, birthday parties, and being on the phone with RI DMV waiting to see if my driving privileges are back (as of Tuesday they weren't). Carina slept over last night, so the kids should have fun. We were planning to go to Misquimicit with Missy and her friends but then I remembered about the driving. Oh well, hopefully they will have just as much fun in CT. Tonight I get to go out with the moms from Weston's pre-school. I am really looking forward to it. This week involved two trips to CCMC. One for CF clinic and the other for a CT scan. CF clinic was an exhausting appointment filled with disappointment. He is in the concerning category for height, weight, and BMI. Plus, his cough was junky and so his PFT's weren't good. There is also a polyp in his nose that justified the CT scan. I really hated CF this week. Summertime gives me a break usually and makes it feel as though CF isn't in our lives, but this just ripped that band aid off again. I can't wait to have fun with them today. We set up a station in Weston's room for his vest. I got him headphones for his Nook and my mom picked him up a chair to sit in. Thursday he really enjoyed it, but last night I couldn't get the darn Nook to charge. I just ordered a new charger online last night. Let us hope that works faster because I thought I had finally figured something out that would get him to do treatments without complaint. Off to the beach!

I called and was cleared to drive in RI, so we ended up going to Misquamicut. It was a blast (other than Katie getting sick and Missy having to leave). The kids really enjoyed it and I forgot how much I loved the beach. I can't wait to go again!

Three day birthday extravaganza!

Yesterday was Ella's family birthday party. What a long, busy day. I had two papers to turn in, so I had to finish them (can we say procrastination anyone?), then I had to clean the house from top to bottom (thank god it wasn't as horrifying as it can be sometimes), run to get the cupcakes I ordered from Rachel (so worth the money and drive), dropped off three cases of soy milk to my friend Corinne at Dairy Queen (her father gave the kids free ice cream so it was so worth it), stop at Aldi's for some extra bday party supplies, and run out again to get pizza from Dominos (went all the way to Norwich so I could use my buy one, get one coupons). During all of the above, the children were driving me nuts. Last week was a full week of pure bliss with no fighting, crying, whining, etc. Yesterday was the first day with two kids again and it sucked! It wouldn't have been bad if I didn't have so much to do. It is essential to keep these kids busy and entertained. The birthday party itself went very well. We had the grandparents and my sister and Scott. Will and Ben came with Mammy, Poppy, and Aunt Anne. The pizza was good (even thought it was Dominos) and the weather was perfect. It was a great night to eat outside. The boys were so busy playing that they didn't eat. Then it was tie dye time! Ella has been so excited for this part. Only Ella, Brady, and Griffin wanted to tie dye though. Which was fine because it was less work for me. I did succeed in tie dying my hands. Ella tie died her feet. Then we did cupcakes and presents. Ella got a camera, itunes cards, and girly stuff. It was fun, relaxing, and enjoyable. Ella said it was her best birthday ever. :)

It's my party...

Today we had Ava, Lillian, and Carina over our house before the party. The girls played well, and I drove them to Michael's Craft store.

At the party we first painted these pretty wooden boxes...

Then we worked with beads to make different shapes and animals...

Then it was cupcake time, so we decorated those too...

Then it was time for presents...

After that we had a few minutes to spare to make bracelets, but didn't get to finish them. Everyone had a good time and left with their creations. I now have a very tired nine year old after this full, jammed packed week. Is it time for bed yet?

Baby you're a firework!

Last night we had planned to go to the New London fireworks, but Ella had gotten invited to Ava's birthday party which lead to our whole family being invited. The neighbor does a huge fireworks display every year. It was a lot of fun. The kids got to play and even Andy enjoyed himself. The huge bonus was that we didn't have to get stuck in traffic. I love impromptu events like that. Ella was home for a few hours and ended up sleeping over Ava's house. We can't even hang onto her on her birthday! I love that she has made so many good friends and was having a good time though. I'm going to go get the three of them and then Carina is getting dropped off her at 12 for Ella's birthday party today. It should be a fun filled couple of days. Too bad I still need to tweak two papers by tomorrow. Ugh.

She's back...

Happy 9th birthday to my Ella Bella! I picked her up this morning at camp. As we thought, she had a blast, made lots of friends, and didn't miss us at all. Well she said she thought of us once when another camper was throwing up and crying because she was home sick. I am glad that she is the type of kid who could be without us.

She went horseback riding every day and learned how to gallop on here own. She even went bare back. At camp they are required to clean the horse stalls and take care of the horses. Her favorite horse was Applejack. They also went boating every day and swam every day. She earned a white cap in swimming, but is hoping next year to improve her skills so she can swim in deep water. She also says that she never wants to go to the pool again and would much rather prefer a pond. They also did archery at camp. Today since it was her birthday she got to wear a birthday sombrero, and everyone sang to her. She can't wait to go back next year! Today she has a birthday party for her friend Ava and later tonight we are hoping to make the fireworks in New London. Tomorrow is her friend party at Michaels and Monday night is her family party at our house. We are going to have pizza and tie dye shirts.

Happy 4th!

Here it is again. One of my most favorite holidays. The fourth of July! There is something about dressing up in all red, white, and blue, watching a parade, and hanging out with family on a summer day that is just glorious. We attended the annual Canterbury parade this morning. Weston got a bunch of loot (candy ofcoarse). I am really missing Ella. I wish she didn't like to go away on the Independence Day, but I would just be fighting with her over her outfit choice anyway (that girl hates to wear red, white, and blue). Tonight we are off to have dinner at my sisters house. Right now I am doing everything in my power to avoid school work. LOL.

Off to camp!

Today we send Ella off to her first FULL week of overnight camp. She also gets to participate in the horseback riding program. She is so excited. I'm actually going to miss her, but it will be nice to have some time with just Weston. Yesterday we went to Ashlyn's birthday party. The kids had a blast in the bouncy house and slip and slides. Weston played with Jayden for most of the day. At one point he told me to go get his bathing suit and then slapped me on the butt. I have NO idea where this came from, but he was very apologetic when he saw my reaction. We also went to the library and played the game for the first time this summer. The kids both got a free book. This morning I jogged to bootcamp with Missy and Courtney. Lynn kicked our butt and then we walked back. It is also 94 degrees and humid outside already. I'm tired but glad I did it. later... I dropped Ella off at camp. It was in the middle of a thunder and lightening storm. Thankfully we arrived during a lull in the storm and it got much worse after she was at her unit. She is really excited. However, Andy and I already miss her. Weston has since gone through her room to make sure she isn't hiding anything and watched shows he can't watch when she is here.