Spring Break

This week was spring break. It was also Jake's off Friday so we decided to go on a "camping" trip with some friends. We stayed in a little cabin at a KOA campground in Abilene. 

The cabin had bunk beds for the girls and a double bed for Jake and I. There was just enough room for the pack n' play. The cabin sure beat staying in a tent!

 We got there on Thursday with enough time to play around, eat dinner and roast marshmallows before getting the kids ready for bed. They didn't get to bed until after 9:00 which is way past their bed time! After they were in bed we went out and talked with our friends. It was so fun!

 

None of us slept much that night. Austin woke up 2-3 times. I had to take Kaylee to the bathroom 3 times during the night (luckily the bathroom was nearby.)

 

The kids had a great time playing in the "riverbed" and at the playground.

After a late breakfast we headed to the Abilene zoo. It was a small zoo but everyone had a great time.

Brooke was so tired so ended up sleeping in the cart the whole time.

We spent a couple hours at the zoo and headed back to the camp for lunch. After a little more play time our friends the Smathers had to go home, but the Ross family stayed one more night with us.

We enjoyed roasting marshmallows and eating smores again that night.

We all slept much better the second night. In the morning we had breakfast and let the kids play while we packed up to head home.

 Our van was pretty crowded. It's amazing how much stuff you have to bring camping!

 

We had such a fun weekend despite our lack of sleep it was a great trip!

Winter?

Yesterday it was 87 degrees outside. That is HOT for March. We decided that was warm enough to run through the sprinklers.

Today it is only 57 degrees. You never know what winter weather you'll get in Texas but I LOVE the warmer winters here!

Kaylee came home from school Thursday with watery eyes and mucus coming out (like this picture of Brooke).
We kept her home from school Friday (her eyes were looking much better that day, no more mucus).

  It was also Jake's off day so in the late afternoon we went to the zoo.

 Near the end of our time at the zoo Brooke started with symptoms (that's when I took the top picture.) Kaylee's eyes never really got pink inside but Brooke's got pink inside. So.. pink eye! We've never had pink eye before but my sister had it the week before (maybe she passed it through the Internet? ;) ) My sister went to the doctor and got eye drops.

I hate going to the doctor and avoid it at all costs. I did some google research and found that several pediatricians recommended good ol' Neosporin for pink eye. I decided to try it. I put it around their eyes, NOT IN the eyes and it worked like a charm! Then next day there was a HUGE improvement! Kaylee's pink eye was gone yesterday and Brooke's seems to be gone today.


As much as I don't like to go to doctors, sometimes we have to. I took Kaylee back for more hearing tests after 2 weeks of antibiotics and there was no improvement in hearing. Her doctor recommended we see and ENT. After calling some different offices the earliest appointment I could get was March 19. A few days ago she stared to say her ear hurt and felt like there was water in her ears. I called tried to get an eariler appointment but they are all booked and double booked. Poor girl just has to live with limited hearing for a while.

I have to talk loud, make sure I say her name first when I talk to her so she really pays attention and most of all BE PATIENT and remind myself she probably doesn't hear me and isnt' just ignoring me. (Although I do think she's using it a little to her advantage and using "selective hearing".)

Hopefully we can figure out what we need to do to get her hearing back on track.

Valentine's day

Valentine's day was a few weeks ago but I still want to post the pictures.

I went to Kaylee's class party. They decorated Valentine's bags. Kaylee always like to stick as many stickers/decorations on things as possible. I think she had the most decorated dog at her table.

I hosted a playgroup cookie decorating party. Everyone brought cookies, frosting or sprinkles/candy to decorate with. It was fun and with 10+ kids the mess actually wasn't bad. I forgot to take pictures when all the kids were actually there decorating.

We all got little mailboxes this year. In the future we'll use them for "love notes" leading up to Valentine's day...

Kaylee and Brooke had a good time checking out their stash of candy and valentine's from their class parties. Lots of candy! (some of it may have made it's way to the garbage when the girls weren't looking)

This is what I love! My kids all playing together. When the weather is warm the kids all go out in the backyard while I cook dinner. Kaylee and Brooke are great big sisters making sure Austin stays safe and doesn't put anything in his mouth. I sure love these kids!

And my amazing husband who got me these! He's a keeper.