Letters to Santa

Emma's

Dear Santa,
        For Christmas I would like a pack of mechanical pencil's, the seventh book of Harry Potter, I would also like some movies.  I would also like the Harry Potter movie seris.  I want a dsi.  I think that is all I want this year for Christmas.
Sincerly,      Emma

Nathan's

Dear Santa,
         How r the randir.  I am glad you mac presisnts.
Love,       Nathan

Nathan-1st Grade Picture

Nathan is now in 1st grade.  He has made the transition to going to school all day long.  His teacher is a first year teacher, Mrs. Brinkerhoff.

Kid's Triathlon

I am one proud mom right now!  This morning at 7am we went to the park so Emma and Nathan could participate in the kids triathlon for UBIC.  They did a fantastic job!  They swam, biked, and ran hard and did a great job.  Nathan was one of the youngest kids.  They had to be at least 6 to participate.  Nathan turned 6, 1 month ago today.  Emma finished second place in her group.  She is speedy and so is Nathan.  They did the sprint while the older kids did the Olympic.  Only 1 more year before Emma has to do the Olympic tri.  It was very chaotic!  So Nathan swam, biked, and then ran the Olympic run instead of the sprint.  We wondered what happened to him, but he was all smiles when he came in.  Great job Emma and Nathan!

Emma - Phase 1 Swimming

Nathan - Phase 1 Swimming

Emma at the transition

 Emma - Phase 2 the bike

 Nathan - Phase 2 the bike

Emma - Phase 3 Running

Nathan - Phase 3 Running

Emma crossing the finish line

Emma

Nathan coming across the finish line.

All of the kids

 Nathan and Emma 

Nathan's Friend Birthday Party

Nathan asked for a friend birthday party, only once or twice.  I thought he didn't care but thenI didn't think it was fair that he shouldn't have a party because he wasn't demanding.  So this morning we bought invitations and made a cake.  At 3:30pm his friends started showing up.  All they wanted to do was play.  As you can see in the pictures below there were plenty of weapons to go around.  

Nathan's cake- Cars 2

 All of his friends

Kason, Austin, Brandon, Mason, Nathan, Cody holding Aaron, Devin, Alec, Paul 

 Allie was upset because Nathan got to open presents and she wanted some for her birthday, so we caved and gave her a present, the camping chair.

 All of Nathan's loot

 Blowing out his candles

 Everyone has a weapon

 More weapons

 And more weapons.  However, notice the little boy with a broom, these guys will use anything as a weapon!

Nathan's Birthday Breakfast

My friend Kendra had a great idea and that is to have a birthday breakfast for the birthday kid. They get to pick what the menu will be for breakfast.  Nathan picked eggs, bacon, sausage, and blueberry muffins.  I can't believe he is 6 years old!!

Sleep Over

Cody & Austin spending the night 

Nathan's Skin- Update 3

This was Nathan's shoulder a few days ago.  His scab came off in chunks.  Now the scab is gone and his skin is still red.  In this picture he still had infection but by the time we went to see Staker today the redness had calmed down and the infection was gone.  Staker said that we all have bacteria on our skin.  But since Nathan always has open sores from his eczema that his chances of getting this strep on his skin is greatly increased.  He gave us a topical cream and an anti biotic that is on standby in case he gets this again, so we won't have to go to the doctor.  Poor baby!  It's a good thing he is so tough!

Update on Nathan's Skin

So this morning I received a call from Dr. Graham with the results from Nathan's culture.  He doesn't have MRSA but he does have strep.  They switched his anti biotic and told me to continue putting the cream on his skin 3 times each day.  The infected area on his back is starting to dry out and crack but it is so slow to change.  Hopefully the scab will fall off soon.  He has to be careful with his shoulder.  He babies it because it is still sensitive.  When I put on the cream I put gauze pads on top and then wrap it with an ace bandage.  He likes the bubblegum flavored anti biotic rather than the metallic tasting anti biotic he was taking.

More Skin Problems for Nathan

 So these first 2 pictures are of Nathan's shoulder when he woke up this morning. Last night he had a temperature and threw up.  Dusty and I had gone to the temple but my babysitter said he had fallen asleep on the couch and didn't feel good.  This morning when he woke up he said that his shoulder was hurting.  I had to peel off his shirt and found his shoulder looking like this.  Dusty told me that we needed to get him to the doctor.  Well luckily my friend and neighbor is a doctor.  Her husband is too.  She hasn't been practicing for a few years but is current, so I thought I'd get her opinion.  She knows Nathan's skin history.  After she saw it she was very concerned and called to get me an appointment today.  As it turns out so many doctors weren't in and the only one that was in was double booked, but was gracious enough to get Nathan in.   Before his appointment I stopped by the pharmacy that we use and got a list of all the drugs Nathan that had, a long list I might add.  He is also a friend and I asked him what he thought about Nathan's skin.  He thought it  could be MRSA and also thought I should ask to have it cultured.  At the doctors office Dr. Graham thought the same thing.  He is treating Nathan as thought he has MRSA  and also wants to culture it, however, he said it might not work since the bacteria grows underneath the puss and crusted goo, so without a biopsy it probably won't work and Nathan is too little for a biopsy, he only swabbed it for the culture.  He wants it to be checked out tomorrow to make sure it isn't any worse and if it is that he will have to get antibiotics through an iv.  I also have to bring him back next week  before the antibiotics are all gone.  He prescribed a topical ointment and then an antibiotic he has to take by mouth, not tasty either.  He also can't be in the sun because it will irritate it, no swimming or going to the park for awhile.
Because he did such a great job at the doctor I took him to Maverick for an Icee.  While we were there this lady grabbed his shirt and it hurt him.  I'm not sure why she did but seriously people keep your own hands to yourself!

This is his infection with the topical cream on.

Last Day of School

The last day of school Nathan had a pizza and pj party.  He had a great year and had the best kindergarten teacher!!!  He had to work hard.  He wasn't as interested in school but Mrs. Riser said that while he was there he worked really hard.  He was a perfectionist!  He is now an awesome reader, thanks Mrs. Riser!

On the last day of school Emma only had to go half day.  She was super sad and cried the night before wishing it was the first day of school and not the last.  Mrs gordon was a great teacher for Emma and pushed her and encouraged Emma to do her best!  Thanks Mrs. Gordon! 

Nathan's Show and Tell

Nathan wanted to show his class his new baby brother. He was a proud big brother!

Easter Scripture Cookies

E, N , & A beating the chocolate chips.

Sealing the oven.

Sunday morning, ready to unseal the oven and get the cookies.

This is one of our favorite Easter traditions!

Easter Scripture Cookies

1 cup pecan halves wooden spoon wax paper

1 tsp vinegar ziploc baggy cookie sheet

3 egg whites mixing bowl tape

1 tsp salt Bible

1 cup sugar

*Preheat the oven to 300 degrees (this is important to do first so the oven is completely preheated)

*Place pecans in baggy and let the children beat them with a spoon to break them into small pieces. After Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by Roman soilders. Read John 19:1-3.

*Let the children smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp of vinegar into the mixing bowl. When Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

*Add the egg whites to the vinegar. The eggs represent life. Jesus gave His life for our lives. Read John 10:10-11.

*Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand, let them taste it. Add a dash of salt. The salt represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

*So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. The sweetest part of this story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and follow Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

*Beat with a mixer on high speed for 11-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. The color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

*Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matt. 27:65-66.

*Put the cookie sheet in the oven. TURN OFF THE OVEN. Close the oven door. Give each child a piece of tape to seal the oven door. Jesus’ tomb was sealed.

*Go to Bed.

*You may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

*On resurrection morning open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! One the first resurrection day, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9.

Dying Easter Eggs

Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny came to our house Friday night instead of Saturday. We decided that we would enjoy the Easter goodies Saturday so we could focus on the Savior all day Sunday. Nathan, Allie, and Emma got some candy and a church outfit. They were so excited!

Emma wrote the Easter bunny a note so he wouldn't get the baskets confused. I'm a little confused but she did say thank you.

Nathan's 1st Lost Tooth

I picked Nathan up from school and he told me that he had lost a tooth. We didn't even know he had a loose tooth. That night he left his tooth in a cup for the tooth fairy. When he came downstairs for breakfast the next morning he found $5 in the cup and the tooth was gone. Lucky boy!

Nathan's Spring Art Show

My 4 Kids

This is what happens when you have a baby, the other kids get neglected and look like they live on the streets.

Finally Getting to Meet Aaron

After waiting patiently to see Aaron they finally got to when we came home from the hospital Saturday night.