Mother's Day

Here is what I received for mother's day. Michael got me a very huge bouquet of flowers and Esther made a service card in nursery. I was so excited about the card from Esther. I remember giving a card like to my mom for mother's day. It made me feel more like a mother than anything else on that day. We will see if I get my kiss and huge though. It is a rare occasion to get a kiss from Esther, unless you are the doll she is constantly carrying around.

Saint George May

Since Michael has some time off we thought it would be fun to get out of the cold and take a trip to Saint George and visit Michael's parents. We left after church on the 2nd. The drive was very pleasant on the way down and the kids were angels in the car to both of our surprise. That night I was a little worried that we would have some sleeping issues from Henry and Esther since they were in a new place but to my surprise again they both slept through the night without a peep. On Monday we just hung out at the house. I was excited for Monday night baths because the kids would get to bath in a real bathtub and not the kitchen sink. Well it did not go so well. They both hated it. I got the water a little to hot and that turned them off to the whole idea of the tub. Even after we cooled the water neither one of them liked the tub. I was very sad. On Tuesday Michael and I attended a session at the temple while the kids took there afternoon naps. On Wednesday we took the kids to the library where they have a water fountain and a little stream to play in. It was about 85 degrees and gorgeous. Henry and Esther had a blast. Esther just jumped right in the fountain and as you can see got soaked. I wasn't sure Henry would like the water. At first he did not want to put his feet in but once he did he wanted to sit down and splash. Esther had a great time following the other kids up and down the stream. On Wednesday Michael's mom took us shopping for kids clothes. Esther was wearing shorts and fell on the sidewalk and got her first official skinned knee. Later that day we went back to play in the water at the library. On Thursday we packed the car and came home. We didn't have as much luck in the car this time. Henry and Esther cried from about Payson till we pulled the the drive way. Esther would cry for a bit then take a breath while Henry cried and visa versa. It was a long drive home but it was worth it.

Time for Bed

Here is the response we get when we tell Esther and Henry it is time for bed.

Graham crackers and Chocolate

Here is what happens with graham crackers and chocolate.

Surgery?

It has been a couple of crazy days. It all started on Thursday morning. Henry had just finished drinking his bottle and was sitting on my lap when I noticed a red spot on the left side of his jaw just below his ear. Not only was it red but it was a huge lump. Henry has had a runny nose for the the last couple of days but nothing serious. We decided to call our pediatrician and get it looked at. After two hours in the Doctors office, later that day, Henry was found to have strep throat and our pediatrician wanted him to see an ear, nose and throat Doctor about the large cyst on his neck. So the next morning at the ENT office it was decided to be a very large puss filled cyst that needed to surgically drained. Yes, surgery at 8am the next morning. So we got up at 5am this morning to be at the hospital at 6am so they could operate at 8am. Through all this Henry has been a good sport.
Here is what the cyst looked like on Thursday.


Here is Henry in his snazzy hospital gown.

Here is what the cyst looked like right before surgery. It had grown noticeably in size since Thursday.

This was taken after the surgery and after Henry finally got something to eat.

Michael was able to go in and watch the surgery since he is an employee of the hospital and he loves to watch big zits explode. I did not want to see the surgery. Michael said the Dr. made a small incision and puss came oozing out. Then the Dr. squeezed it and more came out. The surgery took all of 5 min. Henry got a shot of antibiotics at the Dr.s office and after the surgery and is on an antibiotic at home. He is doing well a little crabby but I don't blame him. We just have to change the dressing on his neck for the next couple of days and hope that this is the end of his big zit. Esther through all this has had a great time because she has spent the last 2 days with Grandpa(my dad)and has loved it.

How to get tapioca pudding out of the microwave.

I had to buy tapioca pudding this weekend for a plum crisp that I was making for a family get together. This morning I thought since I have left over tapioca I would make some. It has been years since I have had tapioca pudding and I have never made it before. Keep in mind this is instant tapioca so it can't be that hard. I read the directions and decide to try the microwave recipe. I put all the ingredients in a bowl and stir it up. The bowl I am using is a little small but it is the only glass bowl I have clean at the moment, it will be OK. I am supposed to cook it for 10-12 min stirring every 3 min. I put it in the microwave set the timer and go down stairs where Esther is, Henry is napping. After a couple of minute I return upstairs to stir and then return back down stairs. Do you see where this is going. After a couple more minute I return back upstairs and open the microwave to reveal tapioca everywhere. The bowl that I thought would be OK was of course way to small and all the tapioca boiled out all over. I have to use oven mitts to get the bowl out of the microwave and wait till the tapioca cooled before I can start the clean up. After about 15 min I return back to the microwave. I pull out the glass plate which drips all over the floor as I move it to the sink. Then I have a brilliant idea. I will just scoop all the tapioca out onto a plate. Of course as I am pushing it out of the microwave onto the plate it runs all down the microwave into cracks that I have no idea how I am going to get it out. Then the piece that the glass revolving platter sits on has tapioca underneath it so I just pull it out. Now there is tapioca inside the inside of the microwave. Finally after 20 minutes of cleaning I get most of the tapioca taken care of. The kitchen smells like tapioca and I don't have any to eat. I return downstairs to find Esther licking the mouse to the computer. This is just how my days go and today it just 10am.

11:30
I am fixing lunch for Esther and Henry who are not the most patient kids when it comes to food. Sometimes if a need a moment to get things ready I give them gold fish crackers. In the past I have given Henry half of one but Michael gave him a whole one the other day and he did just fine, do you see where this is going. I give him a whole one and he does just fine so lunch continues. After about 20 minutes Esther starts throwing her food on the floor so get her down which produces an outburst. I give Henry another gold fish to keep him busy while I deal with Esther. Now Henry is very sensitive to textures and has gaged/coughed before but nothing real serious. So of course this time he didn't chew enough and starts to choke. I encourage him to keep coughing but this time he starts to go dusky, thank goodness I know the Heimlich. With Esther continuing her fit and Henry going blue I give one quick thrust to his back and out comes the goldfish. After tears and noses are wiped everyone is back to their happy selves. I can't wait to see what the rest of the day has instore.

PS. I have lost my cell phone

A hint of spring

As many of you know we have a tangerine tree in our house and we are very fortunite to have it bloom twice in the last 6 month. Right now there are about 5 blossoms opened and our back room smells like a tropical island. In a couple of days more will open and the sweet smell can be smelt through the entire first floor. I love to just sit on the couch in the sun and take in the smell. It makes me long for spring even more. If you would like to come for a visit you might just catch the sweet frangrance.

New Pictures

We had family pictures taken after christmas. Here is a small sample.

New Rooms

We have always planned on switching Esther and Henry's rooms. The plan was to finish the basement, before Henry came, then move Esther into the old guest bedroom and Henry into her bedroom. Well the basement took a lot longer than planed so non of the above happened. It has been bothering me for quite some time so, a couple of weeks ago I decided to just get it done. I moved Henry into the new guest bedroom so that we could finish mudding walls and painting. Then Esther was moved into that room. Next Esther's old room was painted blue for Henry. Now all the cute decorations that I purchased months ago are up and everyone is in the correct room. It has been great and such a relief that it is finally done. Esther's room still needs the floor refinished along with our bedroom floor but it has to wait till it is warmer and we can have the windows open all day.

Why 2 kids are better than 1

It is so much fun to have two children. I know that once Henry becomes mobile the fun will only get better. Henry and Esther will have such a blast chasing each other around.

Eating buddies

I have been feeding Henry solid foods for a month or so now and he has really taken a liking to it, mostly because of Esther. Henry wants to do everything Esther is doing. If I am feeding Esther and Henry is watching he cries till he gets some food too. So we decided it was time to buy Henry his own feeding chair. We bought the same chair as Esther's just a different color. Henry gets so excited when I put him in his chair. Esther is not too happy about the whole thing. Solid food was her thing and she does not like having to wait while I give him a bite. Henry is a little more gracious and patient with food. Come on, we have all seen Esther eat.

The Aliens have landed!

My house has been overtaken by Aliens! They drool all over the house and emit smells that can not be explained. They have an intoxicating giggle that makes me do what ever they want and only feed them candy. I think they have taken over my brain. They keep me up all hours of the night and expect me to feed and entertain them. I guess I will just have to love them and hope that one day they will depart from my house.