Okay Girl Scout Cookies, broken arm, missing dog, and snow... I may be a little behind on blogging, but not low on stories...
Being the leader of a unit of 21 first grade Girl Scouts has its pros and cons. I am in it for the fun times with the girls and Caitlin seems to enjoy me as the leader of this pack. I am not in it for the paperwork, the money losses, or the sales, but you have to do ALL or NONE. So I am taking the "all" route, and when the 1800 boxes of cookies have to be picked up and delivered, I may decided to take the "none" route. Caitlin sold her goal of 250 boxes and that is wonderful, especially since her goal was 1500 all because she wanted the tickets to Cedar Point. She is now settling for a nice "hoody."
I made it to Carson's preschool open house last week. Once again I enjoyed being the parent and not the teacher. I sat there trying to figure out just how to pry his little fingertips from his carseat come September. He did ask me to tell the teachers "it is okay to wear shorts under my pants." We have hit the same development stage that Caitlin went through, SHORTS. Shorts no matter what the temperature, situation, or snowfall amount. Just this morning, I picked him up at the neighbors and he came out in shorts, but he had on snowboots, winter coat, and hat! Just a phase I am sure. He convinced me that he was okay to shovel the new 9 inches of snow in shorts, but I did some bargaining and got him in the house.
Caitlin has started Upward basketball, and her father has decided to be the assistant coach since no one really expressed interest. I am fine with the practices, it may the games that I am not into so much with the one-armed bandit running around the gym. The basketball program is great, they have nice uniforms (very important to Caitlin), they learn a bible verse each week, and they do a lot of team prayer. She is the youngest on the team, but seems to catch on quick, and she loves it.
Yesterday in the car Carson informed me that he is going to have boobies just like his daddy when he grows up... nice conversations we have inside the doors of the van. I did get more detail from Jason that they had this conversation about boy boobies at Y after swimming last week. The anatomy part of parenting is not always easy, it seems right up there with discipline.
Oh, did I mention above that the dog ran away? Four and half years here at Woodworth Drive and the dog has never left the yard, and he left.... crossed railroad tracks and all. He was collected by the dog warden and we had to "retrieve" him. It was the scariest hour for the kids. They were all in a panic. It was snowing and mommy was out searching the neighborhood on foot, then driving, then recruiting the neighbors. We got him back and that is what is important, but what next?
Carly is doing well with her broken arm, with the exception of the fit she threw on Sunday night and threw herself over her crib side and onto the floor. It is amazing what that child can do, Houdini I tell you... She is our first to escape the crib, but I think she scared herself by how hard it hurt. Thank goodness she did not damage the broken bone any more, and did not create any more broken bones. We had a great check at the doctor today, only three of four more weeks in the cast. She has a new cast on and it smells so much better. I am so in awe of her behavior at each of these visits. She is small, brave, and friendly... not a tear or a yell. She did not even have food or drink (in case Dr. Mike needed to do surgery) this morning and she was still awesome after being awake for two hours. I finally have a BRAVE one... sometimes good, sometimes bad, I just have to keep a good eye on this one.
That is all I can think of on this snow day... need to get back into the blogging habit... just have found many other interesting things to do on these cold winter days.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Don't worry someone is standing beside her!
This is Carly right after Dr. Mike put her splint on while she was laying on the kitchen counter. I know looks like we are headed for disaster with a baby on the counter with a candle burning and scissors in the background, but I promise she was in good hands during this photograph. Everyone is picking on me and saying, children's services are on the way, but she is my baby and I take good care of her ;) You cannot stop a train, and she is a full-steam engine (in dire need of a haircut)!
Headline News: 18 Month Old Red Head Breaks ARM!
Okay the news of the week is that Carly, our youngest red-head, has fractured her arm. The break is on her radius mid-way between her thumb and elbow. She is our child with no fear, and we were beginning to think she could not feel pain, until Tuesday night. She was standing next to Caitlin on the bench, where Caitlin was reading a book, and she lost her balance and tumbled to the floor. She became the puppy with an injured paw that evening. We were not sure if it was nerve damage, bruise, or a break, but we waited until yesterday morning to take her in. She put on a show for the doctors, nurses, and x-ray girls. She was sooooo good. There were not any tears shed at all. It was a crazy day with making appointments and making our way through the snow to get to where we needed to be. A great thing happened with one phone call, Dr. Mike (family friend who happens to be an orthopedic surgeon) came to our house to put a temporary splint on her until he puts her cast on Monday. I have to laugh because everyone knows how rough Carly can be and we have already been warned that she will use the cast as a weapon (I however had to be the one with the cast to the temple at 6:45 this morning). I don't know how we got two older wimps and one young brute. She has managed to continue through life just fine, even learning to use her left-hand as if she was left-handed. The tough part is finding clothes and coats to fit over the cast. Well, here is looking to the next four weeks with a positive outlook on health insurance for the whole year... since we managed to meet Carly's deductible in the first month of 2009.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Snow FUN!
Snow catchers...
Loving the big white flakes!
big sister giving little sister a tow....
the THREE MUSKETEERS!Winter time fun...
We made it out to the reservoir on Saturday with friends. It was a packed house considering it was our first major snowfall of winter. The kids had purchased snow tubes with their Christmas cash and we thought we would put them to good use. It was a blast! Caitlin's tube can hold four kids easy and Carson's is a double rider. Caitlin's motto, "the more the merrier" (like her mother). Carson's motto, "no I am good with one other rider or just by myself." Carly enjoyed the sledding festivities. She survived the winter conditions for about one hour and twenty minutes. She got to go down the hill just like the big kids! There is nothing like the giggles that come out of the mouths of the kids when they are flying down the hill. I love winter and all that comes with it, even the wet clothes and the wet tracks through the house. We are now expecting frigid conditions for the next couple days, which brings school delays and cancellations, YIPPEE!
Out of the mouths of babes...
Okay so this might not be the most kid friendly entry, but I cannot go another day without mentioning the funny things that Carson says... and they are only funny to adult ears.
Carson was splish splashing in the tub on Sunday and I see that he has taken outdoor play balls in the tub with him. I am okay with that because this is what boys do. I then see them flying out of the bathroom door and rolling across the hall with water spraying all over. The best part is the boisterous words that flew out of the bathroom, "my balls are washed, I am all done."
Carson was casually eating peanuts with his father, when he belts out, "I hurt my nuts." You can imagine Jason's reaction to this... (we only use "toot" in our house, so this was bad) Carson had bit down and hurt his teeth, but instead thought he was injuring the peanuts he was eating. NICE!
Carson was splish splashing in the tub on Sunday and I see that he has taken outdoor play balls in the tub with him. I am okay with that because this is what boys do. I then see them flying out of the bathroom door and rolling across the hall with water spraying all over. The best part is the boisterous words that flew out of the bathroom, "my balls are washed, I am all done."
Carson was casually eating peanuts with his father, when he belts out, "I hurt my nuts." You can imagine Jason's reaction to this... (we only use "toot" in our house, so this was bad) Carson had bit down and hurt his teeth, but instead thought he was injuring the peanuts he was eating. NICE!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
SURPRISED LOOK...
"C-A-R-S-O-N" as he read from his beanbag chair to his little sister... Carson was proclaiming to the housetop that Carly needed to move over one beanbag chair and she would be on her own. I then asked him since he was creating a teachable moment for himself, "when is your birthday?" "February 16th." I then proceeded to ask him his phone number, just to see what he would say. He rattled it off without hesitation, area code and all! Yes, you can say that there was a suprised look involved. School is right around the corner... but who needs school? Carson exclaims, "Caitlin TEACHED me!"
Monday, January 5, 2009
The 2008 Holiday Photo Spread
Caitlin preparing for her Christmas program at school...
Carson and Caitlin showing off their projects at Lowe's Build and Grow
Griffin and Carly playing in the ball pit
Carson and Daddy taking a ride on the Christmas train.
Morgan cutting Carly's hair for the first time.... good-bye MULLET!
At the Zoo checking out the Christmas lights.
Riding the carousel at the Toledo Zoo
Caitlin and Olivia getting ready for their half time performance at the University of Findlay Men's basketball game.
The Koomen and Swaney kids running the Jingle Bell kids run.
Angie celebrating NO CAVITIES for Caitlin!
A boy and his dog!
Caitlin and mommy at the tubing hill!
Caitlin and Ellie heading down the hill!
Auntie Sandy and Carson getting ready for a big ride down the hill!
Caitlin and Ellie being snow babes!
Best cousins going for a skate...
See any resemblance?
Carson loving his ride on the GO train in Ontario.
Carson and Sam waiting for the GO train to arrive
Carson and Uncle Tim working on the train
The cousins enjoying a New Year's Eve skate
Chief Carson enjoying his new fire suit from Uncle Jeff and Aunt Lauri...
Elle and Cee posing for the camera.
Julie and Chrissy saying "CHEESE"
Emily and Chrissy
The kids enjoying their beanbag chairs on Christmas night. Thank you Grandpa and TT!
Sarah and Carson making Christmas Eve dessert...
Caitlin and Rachel at Bob Evan's for breakfast.
Carson with a hitchhiker on his new bike!
The brothers going for a ride on the HOTSEATS
Some of the Koomen clan at the tubing hill 
A dad and his dog preparing for a big ride on the hill
Ellie and Carson loving on each other!
Best friends and cousins!
The Partees over to PARTY with the Koomens
Father Rick over to offer some spiritual guidance to a somewhat possessed looking Carson.
The best picture of Uncle Tim (Koomen Godfather) and Carson!
A picture from the ice storm in Findlay. The trees were amazing, but the picture from a 70 mph moving car does not do it justice.
Carson and mommy cheesing for the camera.
The Swaneys and the Koomens prepare for the big Marathon Christmas Party. The Twelve Days of Christmas
On the first day of Christmas (many days ago)... it was Christmas Eve...EVE... We were at the Bowers house in Indiana (continued from previous blog), and little Carly was running a fever. A Christmas flu you might say? Now being sick at home is one thing, but being at someone else's house with a house full of people is quite different. It was evening time and Father Rick from St. Patrick had come over for a visit. Carson still quite content with the Wii and the train in the bonus room insisted the "UNCLE" Rick as he continued to call him join him upstairs to watch the train go around. It was quite a hoot as Carson took him by the hand to "train-ville". Yes, I do have pictures. Now, as it was time to settle in to bed it did not seem to be a long night until 2:30 arrived.
This takes us to the second day of Christmas... on Christmas Eve. Then 2:45, then 3, then the crying took us to the car at 4:45. We drove the city streets of Terre Haute until 6:15 and then sat in the driveway for another hour to try to get some sleep. It made for a long day, but she seemed to rebound in time for Christmas Eve Mass when sitting still was not an option. She ran through the aisles, the pews, and we finally found ourselves in the empty nursery sliding down a slide. After mass we left for home, yes 4 1/2 hours away home. The first hour was fine, but considering that there were 3 more to go a bit of trouble was headed our way. We hit Indy and the crying began.... until interstate 75. Yes 97 minutes of straight crying, but who cares about safety and rules... Jason removed her seat belt and she fell fast asleep on her daddy until we arrived home at 1:00 a.m.
Ah yes the third day of Christmas... CHRISTMAS! We arrived home before Santa came, Caitlin sleepily put out the cookies, milk, and carrots for Santa. Everyone slept, and slept and slept. I believe at 8:40 a.m. on Christmas morning I asked Jason, "is this really how Christmas morning is supposed to be?" The little sugarplums finally emerged from their slumber to see what Santa had left them. Aunt Lauri, Uncle Jeff, Chelsea, and Abbi arrived to bring gifts and prepare breakfast. We ripped through the gifts and tried on the twirling skirts and within minutes of putting on the beautiful skirt, Carly blessed her dad and the skirt with a little Christmas cookie toss. And that is the story for the day... It was a relaxing day...
On the fourth day of Christmas (Boxing Day in Canada) we actually had Christmas dinner, and enjoyed being at home. We had a spectacular meal that I would like to have every month!
On the fifth day of Christmas (Saturday) we were supposed to have Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa, but Carson came down with the flu first thing in the morning. He was slightly ill and then fine the rest of the day. We managed to venture out for Dani's varsity basketball game. Carson fell fast asleep at the beginning of the game and within 10 minutes was ready to re-visit the bathroom. Unfortunately we were headed back home and did not even see a minute of Dani in the game.
On the sixth day of Christmas was supposed to be another travel day, but the parents of house were down with what the kids had so Canada needed to be postponed until the next couple of days. I managed to get Carson and Caitlin to see the movie "Bedtime Stories" at the theater. It was Carson's very first movie at the theater. It went well for the most part, he was just more thrilled with the whole setup and how it all worked.
On the seventh day of Christmas (Monday), Jason returned to work that was supposed to be a planned vacation day, but since we stayed home he went back to work. The kids and I enjoyed the Christmas gifts and putting things away.
On the eighth day of Christmas (Tuesday) we decided to journey up to Canada with everyone on the clear of the illness. Caitlin escaped it, so we thought (stay tuned to another day of Christmas to see what happens).
On the ninth day (BIGGEST DAY) of Christmas in Canada it was Christmas again (New Year's Eve)... we opened gifts again. This time a John Deere tractor and trailer for Carson, "girlie" items with sparkles and diaries for Caitlin, and a very cute set of Maracas and sweater for Carly. They enjoyed having a final morning to rip through wrapping paper. As if the excitement of gifts was not enough. We went to a really nice pool to swim in the morning. It had very strict rules about 2 children per parent have to be within arm's length at all times. Caitlin was able to "test out" of parent watch by passing a test of swimming and water treading. It was a proud moment when she received her paper bracelet that showed she could be at the water slide, warm pool, or diving board without a parent. We also ran a multitude of errands after the swimming event. It was Carson in boots, Auntie Sandy in a borrowed winter cap from me, and me well.... it is a secret because I forgot one very important undergarment for myself after the swimming, but desperately needed to help out with groceries. We happened to stop at Tim Horton's for a coffee and Carson was thrilled with his 10 honey dip TIMBITS. That must of been lunch because I had a couple and then I blinked and they were gone. Carson had his usual antics that were so funny I should of written them down, but he just continued on our vegetable dip mix errands with a smile. (LONG STORY, another day, CRAZY CANADIANS...) At 4:20 I boarded the GO transit train with Sam and Carson. It was another amazing train adventure for Carson. We went two stops and Carson would of ridden all night, but we were just sneaking on for a quick ride (it was not an honor system lesson by any means). Another smiling from ear to ear moment for Carson. We eventually made it home to prepare for the New Year's Eve festivities. We went to the Magna center for a night filled with FREE activities. There were jumpers, clowns, and free ice skating. We all managed to pile on the ice in our skates, with the exception of Carly. She was happily escorted around the ice in the arms of mom and dad. We then made it home in time (8:30) for the bash to begin and the guests to arrive. A night of food and fun... and not all made it until midnight, but Caitlin of course waved the white flag at 12:01. Carson and Carly rang in the New Year with a few snores. It was a fun filled day...
On the tenth day of Christmas it involved a wee bit of recovering from all the activities we had on New Year's Eve. Sandy and I did manage to go to see the Tale of Despereaux (SCARY) with the girls and Marc and Jason took Sam and Carson to Chuckie Cheese. The boys had a blast there! Carson's dream for his birthday was to get to Chuckie Cheese. He told everyone he had already celebrated his birthday in Canada at Chuckie Cheese (grinning from ear to ear) and his birthday is 6 weeks away.
On the eleventh day of Christmas we headed out to the Upper Canada Mall in the morning to hit the play area and for the girls to use their Claire's gift cards. a six and seven year old in Claire's for 40 minutes is a great experience, and I highly recommend it ;). The best part of the day is when we piled in the car and headed to Barrie to go snow tubing. We took both vans loaded with snow gear to go to Snow Valley. We did not know that EVERYONE had the idea to go to Snow Valley. Needless to say a couple hours in the car, and 45 minutes in line did not get us an $80.00 trip down the tubing hills so we took our business back to the original point of departure and had some fun on a local hill. The kids loved the tubing and it even snowed while we were there to give it the full effect. Carly and Philly even joined in the fun. That night we went "duck pin" glo bowling. That was fun, interesting, and expensive. It was a great way for the kids to spend our last evening in Canada.
On the twelfth day of Christmas we piled Caitlin, Carson, Carly, Philly, Jason, and Chrissy all back in the car and headed for home. We stopped to watch Sam and Ellie do well at their swimming lessons, then we continued on home. The border was eventful for the kids since someone was arrested in the next lane right in front of us. The kids never spoke a word through the border as they thought that would happen to them! We added in a stop at Sam's. As if the car were not loaded enough with three kids and a dog... imagine all the paper products and diapers, and food added into the mix. We made it home in time to breath in and go to bed!
That is all I could think of for now and not so many days will come before the next blog since my memory only holds so much.
This takes us to the second day of Christmas... on Christmas Eve. Then 2:45, then 3, then the crying took us to the car at 4:45. We drove the city streets of Terre Haute until 6:15 and then sat in the driveway for another hour to try to get some sleep. It made for a long day, but she seemed to rebound in time for Christmas Eve Mass when sitting still was not an option. She ran through the aisles, the pews, and we finally found ourselves in the empty nursery sliding down a slide. After mass we left for home, yes 4 1/2 hours away home. The first hour was fine, but considering that there were 3 more to go a bit of trouble was headed our way. We hit Indy and the crying began.... until interstate 75. Yes 97 minutes of straight crying, but who cares about safety and rules... Jason removed her seat belt and she fell fast asleep on her daddy until we arrived home at 1:00 a.m.
Ah yes the third day of Christmas... CHRISTMAS! We arrived home before Santa came, Caitlin sleepily put out the cookies, milk, and carrots for Santa. Everyone slept, and slept and slept. I believe at 8:40 a.m. on Christmas morning I asked Jason, "is this really how Christmas morning is supposed to be?" The little sugarplums finally emerged from their slumber to see what Santa had left them. Aunt Lauri, Uncle Jeff, Chelsea, and Abbi arrived to bring gifts and prepare breakfast. We ripped through the gifts and tried on the twirling skirts and within minutes of putting on the beautiful skirt, Carly blessed her dad and the skirt with a little Christmas cookie toss. And that is the story for the day... It was a relaxing day...
On the fourth day of Christmas (Boxing Day in Canada) we actually had Christmas dinner, and enjoyed being at home. We had a spectacular meal that I would like to have every month!
On the fifth day of Christmas (Saturday) we were supposed to have Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa, but Carson came down with the flu first thing in the morning. He was slightly ill and then fine the rest of the day. We managed to venture out for Dani's varsity basketball game. Carson fell fast asleep at the beginning of the game and within 10 minutes was ready to re-visit the bathroom. Unfortunately we were headed back home and did not even see a minute of Dani in the game.
On the sixth day of Christmas was supposed to be another travel day, but the parents of house were down with what the kids had so Canada needed to be postponed until the next couple of days. I managed to get Carson and Caitlin to see the movie "Bedtime Stories" at the theater. It was Carson's very first movie at the theater. It went well for the most part, he was just more thrilled with the whole setup and how it all worked.
On the seventh day of Christmas (Monday), Jason returned to work that was supposed to be a planned vacation day, but since we stayed home he went back to work. The kids and I enjoyed the Christmas gifts and putting things away.
On the eighth day of Christmas (Tuesday) we decided to journey up to Canada with everyone on the clear of the illness. Caitlin escaped it, so we thought (stay tuned to another day of Christmas to see what happens).
On the ninth day (BIGGEST DAY) of Christmas in Canada it was Christmas again (New Year's Eve)... we opened gifts again. This time a John Deere tractor and trailer for Carson, "girlie" items with sparkles and diaries for Caitlin, and a very cute set of Maracas and sweater for Carly. They enjoyed having a final morning to rip through wrapping paper. As if the excitement of gifts was not enough. We went to a really nice pool to swim in the morning. It had very strict rules about 2 children per parent have to be within arm's length at all times. Caitlin was able to "test out" of parent watch by passing a test of swimming and water treading. It was a proud moment when she received her paper bracelet that showed she could be at the water slide, warm pool, or diving board without a parent. We also ran a multitude of errands after the swimming event. It was Carson in boots, Auntie Sandy in a borrowed winter cap from me, and me well.... it is a secret because I forgot one very important undergarment for myself after the swimming, but desperately needed to help out with groceries. We happened to stop at Tim Horton's for a coffee and Carson was thrilled with his 10 honey dip TIMBITS. That must of been lunch because I had a couple and then I blinked and they were gone. Carson had his usual antics that were so funny I should of written them down, but he just continued on our vegetable dip mix errands with a smile. (LONG STORY, another day, CRAZY CANADIANS...) At 4:20 I boarded the GO transit train with Sam and Carson. It was another amazing train adventure for Carson. We went two stops and Carson would of ridden all night, but we were just sneaking on for a quick ride (it was not an honor system lesson by any means). Another smiling from ear to ear moment for Carson. We eventually made it home to prepare for the New Year's Eve festivities. We went to the Magna center for a night filled with FREE activities. There were jumpers, clowns, and free ice skating. We all managed to pile on the ice in our skates, with the exception of Carly. She was happily escorted around the ice in the arms of mom and dad. We then made it home in time (8:30) for the bash to begin and the guests to arrive. A night of food and fun... and not all made it until midnight, but Caitlin of course waved the white flag at 12:01. Carson and Carly rang in the New Year with a few snores. It was a fun filled day...
On the tenth day of Christmas it involved a wee bit of recovering from all the activities we had on New Year's Eve. Sandy and I did manage to go to see the Tale of Despereaux (SCARY) with the girls and Marc and Jason took Sam and Carson to Chuckie Cheese. The boys had a blast there! Carson's dream for his birthday was to get to Chuckie Cheese. He told everyone he had already celebrated his birthday in Canada at Chuckie Cheese (grinning from ear to ear) and his birthday is 6 weeks away.
On the eleventh day of Christmas we headed out to the Upper Canada Mall in the morning to hit the play area and for the girls to use their Claire's gift cards. a six and seven year old in Claire's for 40 minutes is a great experience, and I highly recommend it ;). The best part of the day is when we piled in the car and headed to Barrie to go snow tubing. We took both vans loaded with snow gear to go to Snow Valley. We did not know that EVERYONE had the idea to go to Snow Valley. Needless to say a couple hours in the car, and 45 minutes in line did not get us an $80.00 trip down the tubing hills so we took our business back to the original point of departure and had some fun on a local hill. The kids loved the tubing and it even snowed while we were there to give it the full effect. Carly and Philly even joined in the fun. That night we went "duck pin" glo bowling. That was fun, interesting, and expensive. It was a great way for the kids to spend our last evening in Canada.
On the twelfth day of Christmas we piled Caitlin, Carson, Carly, Philly, Jason, and Chrissy all back in the car and headed for home. We stopped to watch Sam and Ellie do well at their swimming lessons, then we continued on home. The border was eventful for the kids since someone was arrested in the next lane right in front of us. The kids never spoke a word through the border as they thought that would happen to them! We added in a stop at Sam's. As if the car were not loaded enough with three kids and a dog... imagine all the paper products and diapers, and food added into the mix. We made it home in time to breath in and go to bed!
That is all I could think of for now and not so many days will come before the next blog since my memory only holds so much.
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