Pounding Rocks

Rocks, rocks, rocks!! This was a weekend of rocks.

First, we got together with a friend of mine from middle school and our four kids took straight to the rocks. This one was really high and I was nervous having Ryan up there so I couldn't step back far enough to show how high this was. He was over my head!! Tyler was smart (like a computer) and stayed on the ground. It was a bit windy up there!

Ryan is our adventurer. Nothing is too high for him.

This rock was safe enough for Tyler.

Today we checked another adventure off of our list. The Herkimer Diamond Mines!!

This was one of my ideas that we should have ignored. This is it... rocks everywhere!

Tyler took a turn at pounding on the rocks.

But only Dan found crystals.

Two hours, two blisters, sticky and dirty... and here is what we got.

I don't need to go back there. That was A LOT of work!

So, we decided we earned a ride on the boat.

It was a beautiful day. Sunny, hot and sticky. I won't complain... it didn't rain!

Family Fun Day

Tyler has been looking forward to Family Fun Day at his school for weeks. And, he was very secretive about the planned activities. Usually he's not good at keeping anything secret, but this was special.

When we arrived, all the kids were arranged in the front of the room. Their presentation consisted of each child reading a short piece that he wrote about his family. Every 5 kids or so they would stop and sing a different song.

Here is Tyler front and center.




I have a video of Tyler's family story below where he talks about liking Lego's and always doing something fun. I hope that means he appreciates all of our adventures!! He also read his simile. He said "When I am as smart as a computer, you don't help me because I am so smart." No self esteem problems here!!

It was then activity time and due to the wettest spring ever, we were in the gym. First we had a hoola hoop race. Dan quickly volunteered me for this race. Tyler had to put a shirt on me and then I had to run across the gym, hoola hoop, run back and put the shirt on Tyler so he could do the same.

Who thinks of these things? Tyler's Kindergarten Teacher, Mrs. Joseph, is behind me in the black capri's. He loves his teacher. I hope we get as lucky next year.

Dan got to do an egg race... with plastic eggs!

Overall it was a great day at the school.

Fluke?

Ryan pooped on the potty tonight!! I know it is probably a fluke, but I'm still very excited.

Here is our proud boy...



Over the last couple of weeks "I poop" has changed from meaning "I pooped" to meaning "I have to poop." We've sat him on the potty before without success, but tonight was his night. So exciting!

And as a reward... ice cream.

Hopefully this is a first step to being diaper-free.

Cancer-Free

Today was my first post-treatment follow-up appointment. Appointments actually.

First I met with the radiologist for a skin check. She said everything looks excellent... I've had the best recovery she's seen. Yay! Then she scared me about sun exposure in the radiated area and sent me on my way. I'll be shopping for 100 SPF this weekend, although with the amount of rain we've been getting I'm not sure if we're ever going to see the sun again!

Next I met with my oncologist. Dan was with me for this appointment as I have a tendency to hear what I want to hear. It was a fairly ordinary appointment and rather anti-climatic... so I asked what my status is. Am I cancer-free, or what?? According to Dan her response was "as far as I know." I heard "YES." She asked me if I've experienced any side effects from Tamoxifen, the medication I'll be taking for at least the next 59 months. I said none and went on to say that I was concerned about that because I've read that a lack of side effects could mean that the medication isn't metabolizing. Her response was "not really," meaning that's not really true... it is like people who say rain on your wedding day is good luck (although I happen to believe that one because it poured on our wedding day and we've had lots of luck... except for the whole cancer thing, but you know what I mean! Cancer is minor in the grand scheme of things.). Then I asked her if I should change how I'm eating, like not eating red meat. She said that not eating red meat is healthier, but she eats it every day. Hmmm.

We walked out and Dan said he felt like he just had a conversation with a weatherman. Maybe, sort of, not really... Ha!

Here is the really exciting part... I don't have to go back until OCTOBER for a mammogram and then not again until APRIL 2012 for an MRI. Can you believe it? Only 2 cancer-related doctor appointments in the next year!

I walked out with a smile. I am, and will continue to be CANCER FREE!!

My Day

It was a beautiful Mothers Day and we took full advantage of it. After a really lazy morning, we headed out to walk around Hoyt Lake. I've driven by this area of the city every day for the last ten years and have never stopped. I have been missing something special.

We took a few pictures, although a beautiful sunny day isn't such a good thing for pictures. Add a couple of goofy boys and well, this is what you get...



Two of my three favorite guys. The third wasn't willing to stop enjoying himself.

Not even to pose by this cool sign for me.

Oh, there he is!! Caught you!

We spotted quite a few turtles around the lake.

And flowers.

More sillies.

Yes, I had a great day.

They picked out their own clothes today. And, matched each other.

Tyler has become very cooperative for pictures. And, enjoys taking them himself. Maybe he'll figure out how to use my camera for me!

This boy ran into the kitchen this morning yelling "Happy Mud Day Mommy!!" Love him. How could you not??

How much longer will there be such joy in just running? How much longer will he say "I yost my shoe. Hep me peas." Or "Yay down wit me. Yay down my bed." How much longer until kissing my nose is no longer hilarious? I know it will seem like a long time ago very soon. In the meantime, I will enjoy my mud day.

When we got home I wanted to try for a nice family shot. Here is an example of the result. The sillies got us again.

The shadows didn't cooperate, but I think you can still see the smiles. Yes, we had a fabulous day doing a whole lot of nothing. Perfect.

I hope Dan's Fat Day is as fun as my Mud Day!!

A Day Out w/Thomas

Toot Toot! All aboard Thomas... we didn't learn our lesson when we took Tyler.


So we had to take Ryan. Doesn't he look like he's having fun? He's looking at Thomas and asking for a ride... again.

Tyler was having a great time with the non-ride activities like temporary tattoos. He picked Harold the Helicopter... fitting since Harold is the reason that Ty wanted to name Ryan "helicopter blade."

Ryan did enjoy the rice table and the train tables they had set up.

Tyler loved the bounce house slide. Ryan also expressed interest in the bouncy house... in the car on the way home!

Finally, it was time to get on the train.

Getting ready to go.

Ryan really enjoyed his ride.

Classic.

Waving to the crowd.

Full cooperation. Love this kid!!

Ok, that's better.

He did have a great time. What could be better than falling asleep with a train in each hand and your cup between your knees?? What you can't see is his seat full of fishy nemo crackers. Fun stuff!!

I won't say we won't do it again. But I am sure that one more time is my max.