Under Control

My mom actually managed to snap a picture of the travelling circus as we came out of the airport.

Through past traveling experience I actually have a system down pat where I can manage it all by myself. Security of course is always an adventure first because of the narrow aisles to be navigated, and then because absolutely everything must go through the belt including the kids shoes, toys, and the stroller without them in it. Bathroom pit stops are another fun challenge due to the cramped quarters and narrow entry ways often involving hair pin turns and other passengers who fail to realize that the travelling circus is coming and thus comprehend that whichever way we are going is by necessity now a one way street. We also often find that the bathrooms won't accomodate the double stroller much less the luggage that you are frequently extorted to remember not to let out of our your sight.

At least on this trip both the security personnel and airline staff were patient, friendly, and helpful getting us and our train of belongings through the process and settled on the plane.

Travelling

You can't imagine what a human freak show we are traveling in all our glory. Between the stroller, the car seat, the bags, and the bags, and of course the boys themselves we are quite a sight to see. I managed to navigate the airport without losing anyone, or anything despite a close call with our luggage. The boys were perfect angels on the flight much to my relief. An extra blessing given that we sat on the runway for almost an hour before actually being cleared for take-off.

A change

My grandfather's health took a turn for the worse and he was moved to Hospice House this past weekend.

He came out to visit in April of this year. It was his first trip out here since before the boys (now 2 and 1/2) were born. His Alzheimers had been getting progressively worse preventing them from traveling. While he was here he was in great spirits and though a little off balance from time to time was in great shape for someone who was 88. Before the trip he still visited the gym 3 times a week doing cardio and weights. In early May after they returned home my grandfather caught some kind of bug and ended up with pneumonia. It would turn out to be the first in a series of health issues that would land him in the hospital over the coming months. In June he suffered from what we now know was a stroke where he lost mobility in his right side. He had all the classic signs of a stroke, but the various tests showed no evidence of a stroke. I went out and spent a week without the kids visiting with him and the rest of my family. And then over the coming weeks would go back out again first with Ryan, and then with Connor after his second stroke left him paralyzed a couple of weeks ago. Though it was tough to see him like that I am thankful that we got to spend a little more time with him and the delight on his face at seeing us was apparent.

With the latest turn of events I have debated whether or not we should go back out. I finally made up my mind today and booked flights for us to go.

Dentist

One of Connor's teeth is an odd yellowish color. It came in that way, and it has never seemed to bother him, but I thought we should probably visit the dentist to make sure that it was okay. Our pediatrician recommended a pediatric dentist and we made an appointment to go in.


Turns out the tooth has malformed enamel, nothing to be fixed, just something we will need to keep an eye on. The dentist was great with him. He got down in the floor and took a look at his teeth while Connor read a book. He was patient and gentle and it was over before we knew it.

The only picture I managed to remember to take was while we were in the waiting room as Connor played and I filled out paperwork. Luckily the dentist's assistant did a better job and snapped a picture to send home with us as a memento of his first visit. ;) Hopefully someday I will remember where I put it...

Cake

Who says you can't have your cake and eat it, too?

The Party

The pool house was an absolutely perfect venue for the party. There was ample room for everyone and the AC was a welcome relief from the summer heat. Not to mention the conveniently located lake, with boat launch, park playground, and of course the pool itself. There was something for everyone.

The only thing Kevin could say about the decorations was that they were "black." Ummm... Yeah??? :) Oh, that, and "when did you have time to do this?"


He was even a good enough sport to wear the hat. Though Connor was clearly more taken with it than Kevin. I wasn't sure he was going to give it up. :)




My little fish was also the first one to settle into one of the kayaks. He was ready to hit the water the second we mentioned taking a boat out.

Several folks spent time out on the lake in one of the canoes or kayaks.

Including the boys who got to go on their first canoe ride. Connor absolutely loved it. Only the lure of the swimming pool caused him to wrench his little fingers off the bar and set foot on dry land again. Ryan enjoyed it for a while, then was ready to see what else was going on.

Cameron had a blast in the kayaks.

Several of the children played at the park while waiting for others to return with boats or for the pool to reopen after some thunder off in the distance. Coincidentally the last big birthday party we had for Kevin also included a trip to our neighborhood pool before the festivities got started at our house and we were kicked out of the pool just minutes after arriving as the pool was closed due to the thunder then, too.

When the pool finally re-opened we had the entire place to ourselves. The kids had a great time in the pool.

Everyone was having so much fun in the pool we stayed far longer than I had intended. We did eventually drag ourselves out of the pool and back inside to enjoy some cake and open presents.

Uncle Randy taught the boys how to blow their party horns.

As we were opening presents a massive storm blew in with pouring rain and a constant stream of lightening and thunder directly overhead. Luckily we had enough warning to get most everything inside before it really hit. Though several of the guys and I got drenched getting the canoes back in the boat house and loading up our kayaks. Good thing we were still in our swimsuits and had plenty of towels on hand.

While we were working on loading up the boats everyone pitched in to clean-up and help us pack up everything so that by the time we finally called it a night there was very little left for us to do. A real blessing given that it was already 10:30 - well past the boys' bedtime and Kevin had an early flight out to China first thing in the morning.

Over the Hill

I spent the evening wrapping up some of the loose ends before the birthday party. One of which was decorating. Natalie and I had the decorations (except for the balloons that we just aren't going to talk about) up in no time at all.

I was really pleased with how it all turned out.

Happy 40th Birthday

It was Kevin's 40th Birthday. Though we will celebrate with a party this weekend I wanted to pick up a little treat for him to enjoy when he got home from his fishing trip.

The boys were still up when he got home so they eagerly helped him polish it off.

My precious angel

Connor took a nap with me at Grannie's house. He snuggled up between me and my pillow and much to my surprise dozed off. He opened his eyes for half a second as he rolled with me as I tried to sneak out of bed to finish packing, but re-settled and went back to sleep in the big bed all by himself.

Grannie