Photo Rewind

Ainsley is the student of the week at school this week, which means she gets to complete a poster and take some pictures to share with the class.  We were looking through pictures as a family last night, searching for photos for the poster, and I came across this.  I LOVE this picture and several others from Halloweens past. This was a few years ago and the back story is that Bennett really wanted to be a color guard girl, twirling a flag.  Grandma D. and I attempted to make a tiny color guard costume from an old velvet dress-up dress.  We failed.  Miserably.  When finished, the suit looked more appropriate for a bull fighter, so we coaxed Bennett into being a matador.  It was not an easy sell, but she went with it.  Ainsley was a tiny, happy little friend back then, so she was totally down with being a little bull.  We have some hilarious pictures of the "bull" charging the "matador" in attempt to run through her red cape, but they are blurry.  Shoot!  Ah well.  Enjoy this little photo rewind!

Record Breaker

Well this has just been a crapper of a week in the health department.  I don't know what this illness is that Bennett has, but it's a record breaker.  It has produced her highest fever ever (104.3) and caused her to miss a record-breaking number of consecutive days of school (5.)  It has also resulted in the use of a record number of Kleenex (probably 6,000.)  And due to a poor reaction to amoxicillin, it has caused her to mess her pants a record number of times for a "big kid" (7 times.)  Too much information, I know.

 Today is Friday and I am seeing a couple of glimmers of hope on the road to recovery.  First, Bennett asked for and actually ate all of her breakfast for the first time this week.  She just ate all of her lunch as well.  Yes!  She also wanted to watch a documentary on Alcatraz and/or Al Capone this morning.  This is a good sign because for the past 4 days she has just laid on the couch and stared at the wall, basically.  I found a documentary on an education website and while she watched it she made lots of little "popcorn" out of a clean tissue.  The making of tiny objects is also a sign of the return to normalcy.

This is also a sign of improved health.  She actually had the energy to make a sign telling me to keep the tiny popcorns.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel!

Ho Hum, Still Sick

Bennett is still sick.  I am glad to report that her fever is coming down, but it is still present.  Her symptoms are less severe but she still looks and feels yucko.  The crazy comments are still rolling in, but at a lesser rate.  Yesterday's quotes:

"My hands feel like an elderly couple."

"I see fifteen Oklahomas." (while staring at some wall decor while laying on the couch)  Hmmm.

Bennett has been doing three things.  Laying on the couch with a blank look on her face, sleeping, and watching Dad or me play the DS.  She has repeatedly requested that we attempt to pass world 8 of Super Mario Bros. for her.  Now, watching someone else play a video game is generally torture.  Bennett is obviously not feeling well if she wants someone else to do the playing.  Let me just say that world 8 is super hard.  Even a healthy person has trouble passing it.  Dad and I are not very good video gamers, so yesterday while laying on the couch, Bennett played a super easy level repeatedly and earned me 38 lives, hoping that would be enough for me to succesfully pass world 8.  After about 15 attempts and 15 lives lost I told her I simply had to do better things with my time, no offense.  In the above photo, Dad gave world 8 his best shot.  No luck. 

Here is Miss Bennett this morning.  The first thing she said when she came down from her bedroom was, "I feel like I look like I was in a freedom march with Martin Luther King where I was attacked by water hoses and dogs and police officers."  I don't think she looks quite that bad.  And compared to the other day, I think she's feeling better.  I know I would prefer a freedom march attack vs. having a baby through my mouth any day!  Things are looking up!

Break Out the Fire Bowl!

Is this the best winter of all time, in regards to weather, or what!?!?!  It's the end of January, there is NO SNOW on the ground and temps are in the 50s/60s.  We simply had to get the fire bowl out for a little while last night.  Dad, Ainsley and I enjoyed a little time around the fire.  Bennett was too ill to participate.  She was on the couch with a temp of 104, and she was mumbling nonsense about seeing a giant frog face and Kung Fu Panda characters kissing chickens when she looked at various objects in the room.  She also talked about people swimming in her head and a blue bird working in a factory.  It was really bizarro.  I am glad to report that while not absent, her fever has come down considerably this morning.  No more crazy talk.  And weather wise, the next day or two look to be rather mild yet, so maybe we'll enjoy some time by the fire again.  Maybe some smores this time, and maybe Bennett will join us!

Bennett Is Sick A.K.A. Crazy Talk

After what has been a really good winter in terms of health, Bennett has finally fallen victim to a relatively miserable illness.  Unsure as to whether it is viral or a sinus infection, I took her to the doctor.  The doctor confirmed that it is....either a virus or a sinus infection.  Good, thanks. 

 Here is the little lady waiting for the results of her blood work (via ouchy finger prick) and influenza nasal swab.  Not lookin' so good, Bennett.

 A pretty good indicator that your child is ill comes when they fall asleep on the hard kitchen floor at 11:00 a.m.

 You can also assume illness when your non-napper decides they need a second nap at 3:30 in the afternoon.  This one was taken in a softer location.   She went to bed at 8:30 with a fever of 104, her eyes hurting horribly, super stuffy nose and a terrible headache.  Poor little thing.

I am glad to report that while still feverish with painful eyeballs, she is looking a tad better this morning and the Motrin seems to be effective today.  Notice, the bathrobe is off, her eyes are open and she is wearing her blanket as a scarf or boa of sorts.  Let's hope today is a better day!

Now, not to make light of illness, but when Bennett is sick she is crazy hilarious. She is not trying to be in any way. But she always has this really pleasant disposition, although physically miserable, and she says really whacked out stuff.   I have documented several quotes from the past 36 hours in the book above.   If you are a parent, I highly recommend getting this journal to write down all the fun stuff your kids say.  Ours is full of little gems!  The following statements have been made, in all seriousness, by Bennett during this current bout with illness:

"If you could take the temperature of my eyelids, it would be boiling.  My tears are like hot steam."

(right after a violent vomiting episode) "OH!  That hurt SO bad!  I feel like I just had a baby through my mouth!"

"I think I should write a book.  I would call it I Survived the Finger Prick...or maybe I Survived Influenza."

"I feel like E.T. when he was dead!"

"Mom, I think I have that disease that Helen Keller's teacher had where her eyelids got connected to her eyes."

"Mom, I feel like I look the way you did in that picture from when you were a kid and Uncle Charlie is attacking you."

(unrelated to illness, but related to her get well treat) "How I feel about cheesecake is the same way that Chappy (grandpa) feels about mayonnaise."

(unrelated to anything) "Mom, here's a hard one...What is the angular momentum of a particle rotating about a fixed axis?"  (I kid you not.  She really asked me this.)

Goodness me!  I hate when my kids are sick, but I must admit that dialoging with Bennett brings a bit of joy to the fact that she's under the weather.   She cannot go back to school until she's been fever-free for 24 hours, which means I should have today and even tomorrow to log crazy comments.  I am actually looking forward to it!

Decorate Your Dollhouse Day

The girls decorate the outside of their dollhouses very regularly.  In fact, I'd say they decorate the outside more than they play with the inside these days.  The theme of the decor is ever changing, and yesterday was the day to redecorate and retheme!

Ainsley decided to go with an art school theme.  I enjoy how she taped many an art supply to the roof of the dollhouse.  Scissors and a row of push pins taped to the shingles.  I love it!  Can you tell we go through a fair amount of tape at our house?

 Bennett has Kung Fu Panda on the brain.  It's an obsession right now.  It's borderline out of control.  She chose to do a Kung Fu Panda theme for her dollhouse decor.  Surprise, surprise.  You will notice, not only action figures, but also Kung Fu Panda masks and a hand-drawn picture of Master Uguay. 

Ainsley has been suckered into participating in the Kung Fu Panda craze. She and Bennett have been wearing these masks (printed at Grandma and Grandpa's house over the weekend) to play Kung Fu Panda several times a day.

   And here is the entire masked crew from the weekend, where the masking began.  Grandma and Cousin S even got in on the action! 

Recreating Memories - Braids, Milli Vanilli and the Dump

Lately I have not done well with updating this blog.  Technical difficulties with photo loading/editing software really zap my motivation to post.  I will try to overcome and do better.  Here we go...

 Some know that I am very nostalgic and loved my childhood days.  Probably because my mom and dad were awesome.  Probably also because it was the 80s.  The 80s were the best decade ever.  In a moment of nostalgia, I offered to braid the girls' hair after their baths.  My mom did this to me and my sister and we enjoyed the look.  Why not recreate the memory, right?  Yeah, well I didn't realize it would take me FORTY MINUTES just to braid Bennett's hair.  Sheesh!  By the time I got to Ainsley, I kind of wussed out and did bigger braids.  Sorry, second child....jipped again!

 Bennett got a new knit headband from my cousin.  She loves it and has been wearing it nonstop, including with her braids.  This kind of reminded me of Milli Vanilli.  So fitting, as the "do" we were going for was 80s inspired.  Girl you know it's true...ga, ga, ga, ga, girl!  Oooh, oooh, ooooooo....I love you!  Milli Vanilli was awesome.

 Aaaand....the frizzy, crimpy 80s hair.  Oh dear.  It looks as nutso now as it did back then, but the girls love it!  Bennett feels it really makes her look like the mean mom in the movie "Tangled."  Yep, I should say.  And I also should say that as I look at this picture, I am pretty sure that someday she will look back on this photo and really dislike it.  

 And on to another 80s memory, a vague one, and that is going to the dump.  I can only recall going to the dump once during my childhood.  It was with my dad.  I am pretty sure we drank Pepsi on the way and I remember I felt terrible because I was coming down with the stomach flu.  Weird recall, but anyway, Dad and I needed to dispose of our old treadmill so we thought, "Hey, let's experience something new as a family!  Let's go to the dump!  The girls will love it!  We'll let them drink pop on the way!"  As you can see in the above photo, they were enjoying the idea as we left the driveway. 

 Ahh, the dump!  The only mountain in our area of the country.  Doesn't look so bad...

 Uh...the top of the dump.  Apparently in my recollection of visiting the dump as a child, my brain chose to block out memories of the extreme and horrid stench.  Here is a view from up top of the impressive dump mountain, and here is the heavy equipment moving crap around.  And nope, that's not dust.  That is pure stank of rotting steam trash in what is really a gigantic compost pile.  So, so incredibly nasty was the smell up there! 

And oh, how the faces have changed!  I am so glad we grabbed Ainsley a face mask before we left home.  She cannot handle bad smells and gags super easily.  I brought the mask, you know, just in case it was a tad bit stinky.  Woah.  Insanely stinky.  Can you see the concern and disgust in their little eyes.  It was in my eyes as well.  Never in all my days have I smelled or walked in the likes of that mess.  We were on that hill for less than two mintues total, and we had to air our car out for a full day.    Yikesies!  Here's what I have learned:  1) I had an awesome childhood.  2) The 80s were so great.  (already knew both of those) 3) It's fun to try recreate memories with your kids  4) The experience is not the same as the memory after 25 years.  5)  Dump workers earn their pay  6)  One trip to the dump every 25 years or so is plenty!

Candle-Kazaam Challenge #8

We wrapped up Candle-Kazaam 2011 with the eighth and final challenge last night...dress as an old-time, woman caroler and sing some Christmas songs at the city bandstand!  Yes!

 Here is Dad, trying to talk Ainsley into allowing him to skip this one.  She would hear nothing of it!

 Here is Dad and the girls in a stoic pose before our stroll to the bandstand.  Bennett said they had to be as serious as possible because the pioneers were serious people.  Okay then.

 Upon our arrival to the bandstand we saw that the staircase was blocked off with a locked gate.  Dad climbed it and sang part of a song from up top.  The girls were terrified that he would be arrested for climbing the gate to the clearly prohibited bandstand.  While he sang they sat in horror and then begged him to come down.   He came back down and did the rest of his singing on the ground where it was legal, much to the girls' relief.

The girls actually did a lot of singing with him!  It was delightful!  Only one lonely soul wandered throught the town square to witness the performance.  He looked confused.  Dad waved at him and he did wave back...I think that's a good sign.

And here is some video for you to enjoy!  This was a snippet from the first song Dad sang while he was breaking the law up on the bandstand.  He also sang "Away In a Manger" and "Silent Night" with the girls.  Heartwarming.  Ear piercing, but heartwarming.

Candle-Kazaam 6 and 7 Highlights

Dad completed Candle-Kazaam challenges 6 and 7 over the past few days!  Here are some photos...

 Challenge #6 was to wear candy canes on his ears while fueling up at a gas station.  We let him get buy with just paying at the pump.  He did a good job.  Easy peasy.

 Challenge #7 was to wear tattoos all over his arm while shopping for stocking stuffers at the local big box retailer.  Tattoos are so out of character for this man, so it was fun to see him inked up. 

 Even better to run into people you know while shopping with your sweet tats!  Our friend Ed and Mary appear to be intrigued by Dad's awesome body art.  Bennett, thank you for catching these things with the camera!

 Maybe Ed and Mary did not like or approve of the body art, as they appear to be trying to scrub it away with a loofa sponge they must have found in the health and beauty section. 

Dad has been such a good sport yet again this year.  And do you know why?  It's because he is a kid at heart.  I was gone this evening while he and the girls shopped, and when I came home they were all sleeping snuggly in their beds.  But Dad left me this delightful "scene" to welcome me home...giant Easter bunny, wearing Christmas stockings, the sweet arm tats, a fake mustache and a weird hat.  The bunny is relaxing and reading Relevant magazine by light of the Christmas tree.  Dad is so good at just having fun and being silly, and for that I am so very grateful.  It does our family a lot of good.  And come Thursday night, we'll have a final Candle-Kazaam challenge that should allow him great opportunity for silliness.  Stay tuned!

Candle-Kazaam #5 - Hip Hop Toy Is Humbled By Jesus

Alright.  I have been trying to upload video from Candle-Kazaam Challenge #5 for days now.  It simply will not work.  Too bad, because I have some fine footage of this challenge: Write and perform a Christmas skit with the girls.  Bravo, Dad!!!!

Here are the two main actors in the skit.  Dad was G.I. J-O, the egotistical, hip hop toy who thought he was THE BEST toy ever.  Bennett was the narrarator/level-headed, hip hop toy that talked some sense into G.I. J-O.  I don't remember what her name was in the skit.  I also have no idea why the toys are hip hop toys.  What does hip hop have to do with anything?  Nothing.

Man, I wish I had a video clip on here.  This is an action shot taken during the play.  Hip hop toy Bennett is SO disgusted with prideful G.I. J-O.  He thinks he's so awesome and that Christmas is all about him.  Bennett, with the assistance of a giant toy Easter bunny, tells him the true meaning of Christmas.  This causes G.I. J-O to have a change of heart.  It was a touching story.  I'm sure the Hallmark channel will be calling us soon.  What was Ainsley's role in the skit you may wonder?  She did not want a speaking part, so she decided to sit a be a calm, normal-acting toy.  She was instructed not to move much.  She did a fantastic job!  And the giant bunny...I almost threw him out in the trash this week, but it's a good thing I didn't.  The skit would have been nothing without him.  Easter and Christmas collide!  Beautiful!