Ho, Ho, Ho

Last Sunday the kids finally got to see Santa. Rion asked for a Wii plus a game. Torii asked for Bakugan. Cordelia just wanted to leave. Luckily she is easily bribed with a candy cane. Will Santa come through for them? They only have a week to wait and then they'll find out!

Christmas program

All the kids had their letters to Santa on the wall.
Rion had to unroll his long list and then check it twice. I had recorded the afternoon program and Rion watched it when we got home. When he saw himself unroll his list he said, "I did it!"

Rion got to play Santa in the first grader's Christmas program. He did a great job. The whole program was really good. In the afternoon the kids did the program for the entire school and then the evening program all the parents and relatives got to see it. We actually went to both performances. The kids were more goofy at the evening program. The music teacher actually had to hush them a couple of times. They were probably goofy because their parents were there. But both programs were very good and all the kids did a great job. A few days ago after school a kid came up to Rion and asked if he was Santa at the program. Rion said he was and the kid said, "that was awesome!"

Happy Holidays

I really don't know what's been keeping us so busy, but we must be because I haven't posted anything in awhile. There has been many things I've wanted to post, but just haven't got around to it. I know I should write down all the funny things the kids say, but I never do.

We had a really good Thanksgiving at my parents' house. The kids as usual kept everyone entertained. Torii was rough housing with someone, I can't remember who at the time because he rough housed with everyone at least once during the day. Anyway, Torii is studying the Lord's Prayer in church school and as he was rough housing he came running up to me shouting, "Save me from the time of trial! Save me from the time of trial!" Ummm, Torii I don't think that line means save you from whoever is rough housing with you.

Grandma Norma is here visiting until tomorrow. The kids have kept her entertained as well. Torii is teaching her how to play all kinds of games. I'm enjoying the break from Candyland and all the other games he likes. The kids have been good for the most part, but now are starting to act "normal" around Grandma Norma. Torii was a bit of a pill today and then kept picking on Rion while we were at Pride of Dakota. This evening we took Grandma Norma down Northview and saw all the pretty lights. We also passed by the Capitol and got to see the tree displayed on the side too.

School has been going well for the boys. Rion has his Christmas program on Tuesday. Rion says he has the role of Santa so that should be a lot of fun. Rion made me laugh yesterday when I cleaned out his Friday Folder. His spelling test was in it and he only got one wrong, but only because he didn't capitalize June. But the funny part was that he put Torii's name on the test. His teacher had "Fred?" written by it. I had to ask Rion if he was thinking of his brother at the time. What can I say, the kid gets distracted easily.

Other than the normal everyday activities we are in full swing of the holiday season. My mom and I went out bright and early on Black Friday so I could get a new washer and dryer, which arrived earlier this week. I now can't believe I put up with the old set for so long. I love having a delicate cycle. And little things like having a light in the dryer absolutely delight me. We were also out of a computer for awhile as we had a virus that we had to get cleaned up. That happened right before Thanksgiving so we out of a computer during the long weekend. When we got it back, Rion said it was the best day of his life. Other that all that, I can't recall anything really exciting happening. I've been busy crafting and making some handmade gifts. I'm also easily distracted and have made way too many things for myself. Oh well. And I really should get going on those Christmas cards. Nah, craft projects are more fun.

Feeling better

Fred Rion is feeling much better. He went back to school on Tuesday. Everyone was so glad to see him. The kids in his class made get well soon cards for him when they found out he was in the hospital. Rion really likes his cards and all the kids did such a great job on them. That was really sweet of them. Rion is pretty much caught up with the school work he missed and it doesn't appear that he has fallen behind at all. Teacher conferences are next week so I guess I'll get the full report then.

Sick of being sick, part 2

After feeling really great for a few days, Rion started to feel real crummy again on Monday. After school he planted himself in front of the TV and looked like he was going to fall asleep. He finally went to bed at 6:00 and was asleep in no time. He stayed home from school for the next two days and was really tired, didn't have much of an appetite, had chills and a fever. On Thursday I decided to take him in after his temperature got to 103 degrees. Since Torii and Cordelia have been feeling really well I dropped them off at Grandpa and Grandma's house so they wouldn't pick something up at the clinic. I'm so glad they were not with because we ended up being at the clinic for three hours. I thought Rion would be diagnosed with the flu, we would get medicine and we would be on our way, but something was off and a battery of tests were ordered. His blood work showed a high level of white cells and an ultrasound showed some concern in his intestines. Therefore, we were booked a night in the hospital and Rion was scheduled for a CT scan in the morning. Rion felt pretty bad in the morning, but the CT scan came back normal so more tests were ordered. His white cell count came down and he was feeling better so they sent us back home. I now have the privilege of collecting some poop because the doctor didn't think to order this test until after he had a movement in the hospital. We still don't know what was causing him all this pain. This hospital visit has provided no answers, just another large "donation" for their services. (Sorry I'm just a little grumpy right now). Rion thinks the "sleepover" was fun because people brought him whatever food he wanted and he got to play new video games all day. He was a super good kid and didn't complain much, even when they put the IV in. As we sat in the clinic last night I told Rion we would get something to eat on the way home as it just kept getting later and later. He had it on his mind that he wanted Big Boy and told every nurse about the plan. He didn't get Big Boy yesterday, but it was our first stop after being released from the hospital tonight. I told him he deserved it because he was such a big brave boy at the hospital. He said, "I try my best."

Sick of being sick

Things are finally returning to normal around here. After having a four day weekend, the boys remained home for a few more days due to illness. I took Rion to the clinic and the doctor thought he more than likely had swine flu. I felt so dumb at the clinic because the nurse and then the doctor were asking me all the usual questions about when symptoms started and what his symptoms were. Some things I simply could not remember. I didn't even know what day it was. Between taking off days from work, the four day weekend and all three kids sick I couldn't remember who started what medicine when, who had the highest temperature, or when all of this started. In the end the doctor determined it was more than likely swine flu and that he was on the tail end of it, therefore he didn't need any medications. Rion did start to feel better by Wednesday afternoon. On Tuesday he laid in front of the TV all day and didn't move. The next day he was running around and arguing with Torii again so I knew he was better. He went back to school on Thursday and the teacher said he complained of still being sick. However, when we got home he was magically better. Besides not really wanting to go back to school I think he was pretty tired too. We are all suffering from a terrible cough that really comes on at night.

Torii had also been feeling pretty bad and he just went back to school today. I didn't take him to the clinic, but it's probably a good chance he had the flu as well. He was mad that he missed his class's pajama party yesterday and didn't want to go to school today either. I told him they were having a Halloween party, but he still didn't want to go. I told him his teacher missed him, but that didn't work either. Then I told him "A" and "B" probably missed him and he said "OK" and got dressed. I didn't hear either boy cough much last night so hopefully they are getting over being sick. Cordelia seems to have missed all this. I noticed her coughing a little yesterday and some today, but it isn't bad. Hopefully she can escape being really sick. I hope we are all feeling better really soon because we want to go trick or treating tomorrow and see that little Heidi who has been in town for a week and we haven't seen yet!

OMG

I have this really bad habit of saying "Oh, my God." I know I do it, but it's out of my mouth before I can even think. I notice it more now, because I routinely get busted by Torii. He's the "don't take the Lord's name in vain," cop around here. And he loves busting me. I've tried to stop, but it's hard. I guess Torii can keep on my case until I stop. The thing about Torii is that he really listens. Rion does his time in school, leaves, and doesn't talk about it. Torii absorbs it all and lets us know all about it too. We may have talked about not taking the Lord's name in vain, but I think it was after he learned about it in church school. Torii is also our prayer for dinner leader. Neither Fred nor I grew up in a house where a prayer was said before dinner and so we've never said it with our family either. Until Torii started busting us for that too. He makes sure we say a prayer before eating and he usually leads it. I still forget often, but he always reminds me.