Real sadness this time.

I can't remember when I first came across this blog and began praying for little Madeline. It's so hard to see children suffer. It's exponentially worse once you're a parent. When you have a little one the same age, it's nearly unbearable. Little Maddie is almost exactly Brennen's age.

Today, her parents had to say "good-bye". I want to rejoice. I know her heart is now whole, but I just can't. I cannot imagine the pain of losing one of my precious children. So, tonite I'm just going to be sad for her mom and dad and grieve for a baby girl I've never met.

Here's the link to her blog: http://madelinelester.com/

It's a sad, sad day here...

(Warning: You may not make fun of me about this post. It's not funny. It's sad. Really sad.)

Rhys had an obsession at age three. He loved the movie, Toy Story. Loved it! He liked Woody. He loved Buzz Lightyear. He wanted to be Buzz. Buzz (the home version) travelled with Rhys everywhere. I grew to love Buzz too.

Imagine my joy when George recently discovered, not one but two, Buzz Lightyears and a Woody doll downstairs! They quickly became his most favorite toys. Buzz is Brennen's constant companion.

And then... George was playing over enthusiastically... and he broke...

He was not leaping from the railing trying to escape the mean neighbor kid, like in the movie. George was helping him fly- into a wall.

I cried. Real tears. I clearly remember Rhys playing with this toy. Brennen loves it just as much. I had hoped that one day I'd be reminding Cael that although I said he could bring Buzz in the car, Buzz is not allowed in church!

Alas... he's succumbed to too much loving by three year old boys.

No, I don't think I'll throw him out. I was going to, but isn't that the whole point of the Toy Story movie? Woody's arm was ripped off and Andy still loved him. Who am I to say that a one-legged Buzz is worthless?!

Note: look at the bottom of Buzz's shoe. See 'Rhys' written there. Seven years ago, I had a flash of inspiration and marked Rhys' toy just like Andy's name was inscribed in the movie.

Now he's treading on daddy's turf...

Yes, he's discovered the VCR. He found the TV the other day. The on/off button is particularly enticing!

201 posts?! Crazy...

When I went to post this evening, I noticed that this will be my 201st post. 201 posts about nearly nothing! Good grief... I'm chatty even in print.

Smiles after a long day!

Monday is co-op day. I get precious little done after co-op. Here's some shots of Cael standing next to the laundry basket. Such a happy little thing!


He's got hair! Unfortunately, it's not as visible in real life!


There's the tongue.


Dripping drool.


Thumbs up.


Gee... think he looks like his daddy?!

He's back, mom!!! He's back!!!!

Yes... he's returned! Rhys got to spend TWO nights at his good friend Zack's house for Zack's birthday. They went to a movie, roller skating, and had a birthday party as well. Busy weekend for Rhys. And boy, do the other kiddos miss him when he's gone! (So does the mama!)

Yes, in the picture he's looking at the TV. It wasn't even the football game. It was a commercial! Grrrr... Where does he get that from? Huh, Jason?!

Cael

Here's Ole enjoying homemade applesauce mixed with oatmeal. Have I mentioned, he's a very good eater?


Look how his tongue come up and over the lip. He sucks his lip that way often. More often when he's eating. It's very cute and he rarely leaves "leftovers" on his face. If his tongue can reach, he'll find it!

Project 365?

What is that, you ask? You might have noticed the link to the right. If you click "previous" or "next", you can go thru the ring of fellow homeschoolers on my Support 4 Homeschool loop who are doing this Project 365 as well. A picture a day- all year long.

If you click below it, under "blogging friends" on "366 Glimpses of Life in 2008," you'll see our other blog. There, I'll be posting a picture a day for the entire year. So far, so good.

You have to go see today's post. Cael and the Cheerio. Poor kid.

Need a Cael fix?

Well, I do. He's just too cute.

Rhys' embellishment...

Before Christmas break, our co-op class made teddy bear magnets after studying Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt. This is Rhys'. Care to guess what the pink dot on the left side might be?

Anyone?

No? Well, duh! It's a gunshot wound. Teddy Roosevelt might not shoot cute little bears, but Rhys would!
(It's a wonder they keep us in co-op!)

Guess what we're doing today?

We're finally taking down Christmas! Boy the living room is going to look empty, but the tree has overstayed it's welcome for this Christmas season. Standing is less problematic now (had stitches out yesterday) so, I was finally up to pulling ornaments off branches. By Saturday, we should be back to normal... Yeah, right!

You had what for dinner!?!

"We had stoop, mama! And I ate it!!!!"

This from George. He and Kjersten go to Grandma's church on Wednesday for their mid-week kids program. And, yes, they have a soup dinner first.

Seems he likes "stoop" as long as mama's not serving it. Glad to hear it.

I know, I know... he doesn't look sick...

He's happily eating some puffs after a filling dinner of applesauce. Jason took him to the pediatrician tonite because the kid is still sick! He's so cranky. He isn't sleeping. (Oh... maybe that's the mama...) Anyhow, he's fine. No ear infection. No obvious illness. Doctor said the bug has been lasting 12-14 days and we should give him a few more days. $80 advice. Fabulous.

You must be kidding...

Cael is the last one to recover from the illness here. He's still on the cranky end of it and we're out of ideas. The baby wants to be held all the time (not a problem) but not just held... Held in the exact right position. Problem is we don't know what that position is and once we think we've figured it out, it changes... Poor baby. Poor parents.

Here was a thought. Put baby in swing. I know he thought we were joking. He promptly grabbed either side and put a stop to that annoying rocking motion. Then he spent some time telling us that he wasn't too fond of that parking spot.

We let Rhys rescue Ole on the condition that Rhys could try to decipher what baby wants (with Cael's input, of course)!

"The" tongue.

My kids have a "tongue" thing. Hard to explain but easy to show in person. For now, you just have to see Cael's tongue. I'll spare you the details of what he can do with that tongue. Just remember, he's had his first cold, complete with a very runny nose, this week! Ewwwwww!

He looks almost skinny in this picture. Minus the rolls on his arms... And his cheeks... And his ankles...

New Year's Eve

We're a pretty low-key bunch. We got together with some friends for snacks and games. Midnight is much too late for me these days and we didn't get home and into bed until 2:00am. That is beyond late. Next year, we're staying home and going to bed at 8:30! Honest!


Cael and the green onions. His choice off the relish tray. He loved sucking on them.


Bret (eating something normal, no doubt) and his mama, Carol.


Big boys (dads) playing Wii.


Mamas visiting upstairs.


Kids having their own New Year's Eve feast!

Entertaining baby...

Put baby and his pacifier near one another on the hardwood floor. Watch baby try to "catch" pacifier.

Cael and his buddy Bret

Cael loves Bret. His bald head, specifically. (I know... it's not like Cael has hair...) Bret does NOT like his head being grabbed and sucked on. You can see he's anticipating a mauling by Cael.


Bret's mama, Carol, is helping Bret (an only child) return the favor. Cael, obviously the youngest of four, doesn't even notice.


"Oh look!!! There's Bret and his head!"


"Fine. You touch my head? I'll steal your pacifier!"


Here they are, actually playing!

Christmas 2007

Christmas Eve.
We boogied home from church to have dinner and exchange gifts with Uncle Eddy and Grandpa Tom. It was a really fast celebration as my dad had to be to work at 6:30. It did, however, allow us to have kids to bed nice and early.


Uncle Eddy with the kiddos.


Grandpa Tom with Lou.


Cael couldn't resist that tree!


Christmas morning is always torture for me! I'm usually up HOURS before the kids. I have been know to make a bit of noise to wake them. This year, they did better. The kids and I did have to wake Cael (and Jason, of course!).


Rhys got 30 (yes, thirty) books. All individually wrapped...


Kjersten has her own MP3 player now. My iPod is mine once again!



His own Leapster and Heelys for the big kids.


Cael and his Tabbie. I found this via a link from my cousin Colleen's blog. Click here to see these cute little blankets. Cael is fascinated with tags. All tags. Likes to chew them. This is just the thing!


Ahhhh... banana!!!! Love this thing! Cael got a new one in his stocking. It allows me to give Cael any food I want WITHOUT mashing it up. Just stick a piece in the net, screw it onto the handle, and let baby have at it!

Two sick parents + four sick kiddos= Looooooong days

This is the first time I can remember our entire family being sick at one time. Nasty colds. I think I have it worst, but then again, I'm probably just having a pity party.

Having foot surgery right after Christmas seemed like a good idea. After all, I've met my insurance deductibles & out of pocket limits. Having a baby will do that. So... why not have the necessary surgery while we're on break from co-op and while Cael is not totally mobile?

I'll tell you why. I'm terribly sore right now. The Christmas tree and other decor that looked so nice two weeks ago, looks like total clutter now. The downstairs (including the laundry room) is down the longest staircase ever! And I have a terrible cold. (sniff, sniff)

Okay, enough pouting! I have pictures to post. We've made a bit of space on the hard drive. We're trialing an off-site storage company and I'm being judicious in what pictures I allow to reside on the hard drive. For now, I have some stability and that means I'd better get to posting...