safe and sound

We arrived home Saturday afternoon. It would have been sooner, but we decided to add a *bonus* state onto our trip. We were happily driving along through West Virginia when all of a sudden a sign welcomed us to Kentucky.

We were not suppose to go through Kentucky. Oops.
The kids are off of school for one more day and then it's back to normal around here. I'm looking to do a full vacation post (full of pics that probably only family cares to see) and an Easter post, because we had an AWESOME Easter yesterday.

But right now, I've gotta run to Pilate's class. Because I'll tell you what, it's a really good thing I don't live down South. With all those crab legs and Hush Puppies, I'd be up to 400 lbs in no time!

But I wanted to post a few pics just to prove we were at the beach. It already seems a million miles/years away.

Also, about two days into the trip we changed verbage. We no longer called it family vacation, it became the family trip. Because the beach with three kids is no vacation. But it sure is a ton of fun!!

An ocean runs through it

Greetings from the beach. Just a quick note to say hello from South Carolina. We've been having a blast. The resort we are staying is perfect for our family. With an indoor water park, activities for the kids, an outdoor pool and a view of the ocean from our apartment, we are pretty much in heaven. The weather could be a *touch* better. I had to wear Capri's and a sweatshirt to the beach the other day (boo hoo, I know!) but somehow my kids were brave enough (dumb enough?) to play in the ocean while I sat shivering. I guess that's how you can seperate the southerners from the mid-westerners... we're the ones who let their kids play in the ocean, risking pneumonia.

The looks on my kids' faces the first time they saw the ocean was priceless. Although I have to keep telling Quinn it's called the ocean NOT the river.

The first night we were here, I was getting the kids off to bed and Olivia took one last look out off the balcony and she asked me, "Mom, does the ocean stay on all night?" Yes my dear, God doesn't turn it off while we sleep. For that I'm thankful! Only two full days left... why do I not live here???

It's better at the beach

The plan is to get up at 4:30am and be on the road by 5. We're headed to Myrtle Beach. Our first true family vacation to a destination other than family (no offense, family. But you know what I mean.) The kids have been telling everyone they know, and even a few they don't, for several weeks that we are going to Myrtle Beach. Mind you, they have no idea what they are talking about. But they are excited. Bonkers, in fact. And so am I. Steve keeps telling me to adjust my expectations. Honestly, I'm not sure they can be adjusted. I just love the ocean. I love being anywhere that I don't have to worry about dusting or vacuuming. I've packed so much dang stuff that we ought to just go ahead and move to Myrtle Beach. We are staying right on the beach. Sand, surf and 50,000 other spring breakers from Ohio are just what we need to relax after the year we've had. Now all we have to do is make it through the 11 hour van ride without us killing each other. We really are THAT family. Wish us luck!

Pearly whites

Well, looks like Quinn WOULD be better off with steak knives for teeth. Especially since the ones he has are apparently rotting out of his head. I took the kids to the dentist about a month ago when we found out he had 9 cavities. N.I.N.E.

Oh my word. Does that make me a hillbilly mom, or what? Poor guy. There are so many cavities in his head he needed three separate appointments to fill and cap them all. Yesterday was installment number one. We go to a pediatric dentist in town and up until now he's been more than happy to go. At the end of each appointment the kids get tokens that they can use in the gumball-like machines filled with toys. Parents are not allowed to go back with the kids. He always walks happily back with the hygienist.

Yesterday was no exception. About 10 minutes later the dentist called me back. Every time they went at him to do anything he became hysterical. They tried to give him laughing gas but he was so worked up he refused to breathe through his nose so it was not effective. They intended to take care of three things and were only able to do one. So, after 45 minutes they called me into a room where I met a tear-stained Quinn. The dentist told me it would be impossible for them to do all they needed to do and they were going to book me an operating room at Children's Hospital. So in May we will go for oral surgery.

Sweet boy. Dental problems will plague him for a lifetime, I fear. For someone born with a cleft lip, braces are a guarantee. For someone who spent nearly two years in an orphanage, cavities are no surprise. (The other two have no cavities. Same care, different start/different genes.) In the scheme of things, he got off lucky. But it looks like his career as a vampire may be in jeopardy!

What's up, Doc?

Today, two outta my three kids had their annual wellness visits at the Pediatrician. Here's a weird thing... my kids like going to the doctor and to the dentist.

They did well. No tears. No fights.

Turner is 78 percentile in height and 60 percentile in weight. When the doctor asked him what he wants to be when he grows up, he answered a fireman. (When asked the same question, his brother answered, a vampire. "With teeth like steak knives." I'm anticipating a visit from the authorities any day now.)
Turner did, however, fail his eye exam. Olivia did similarly at this age. When I took her to the optometrist she passed with flying colors. The nurse said I could wait and bring Turner back for a nurses visit in 6 months when he is a bit older and try again. I'm glad I said yes to that because when we got to the car, I asked him if he has trouble seeing. He said no. So I asked if he had trouble seeing with the nurse. He said yes, "Because she had me cover up my eye with a paper cup. I couldn't see anything through the paper cup." Seems he didn't *quite* get the concept. Not to mention... a paper cup??? Hmmm... budget cuts? Didn't they used to have a little black paddle thing they had you hold up over one eye? I'd be confused too!

My sweet 6 year old is 79 percentile in height and 60 percent in weight. When asked what she is learning in Kindergarten she was quite excited to tell him, "Cursive." His eyes bugged out of his head and he raised his eyebrows. Yep, he did hear right. Last week her teacher started teaching her class cursive.

She can also read chapter books and has beautiful handwriting.

Although, her teacher freaked me out by telling me she is having trouble copying all the words from the board to her notebook. But her 20/25 eyesight is not the problem. Probably the fact that she is 6 has something to do with it. The doctor was very reassuring! The poor girl was a little worked up after she heard her teacher and I talking about this challenge last week after school. O even followed up with several questions about a few friends who have had eye surgery and eye patches. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. She did inform the doctor she wants to be a nurse when she grows up, because she is not afraid of blood and likes to help people.

I think she would make a perfect nurse. But I'm not biased. Obviously!

Leap month

We are on our fourth day of 80 degree weather. And since mother nature decided to fore go winter, so did I here on my blog.
Although I was in a deep freeze emotionally in February, I did manage to capture my blur of a life in a few photos. So, here, on this weird 80 degree March day, I thought I'd make it even weirder by posting winter pics. Why not? It's all a meteorological mess around here anyhow.
Steve and O went to the Father/Daughter dance a million years ago and these are the highlights. Note, Steve is nowhere to be seen. It was more of a daughter/daughter dance. She did indulge him once or twice though. I volunteered. (Which was the only way I could get my butt in the door to spy.)

Is this not the cutest thing ever?

Some other time in February we loaded up the fam and headed to the Great Wolf Lodge. Oh my, what a good time!

We got there after school on a Thursday and were one of three families in the pool that night. It was like we had rented the whole thing out or something. We had a ball.

We stayed up super late ('til 10 or something) and slept in ('til 7:30 or something.) What can I say? We like to live on the edge.

Obviously, this was the point in the winter in which mama had NOT yet gotten the kids haircuts. What a bunch of shaggy ragamuffins. Wowzersz.

Also omitted in the month of February (or is it that I omitted the actual month?) was Olivia's sixth birthday. She had her birthday party at her gym. Several of her best little friends came and they had a special gymnastics class. She loved every second of it. As did I.

Perhaps the best birthday moment was when O opened her brand new American Girl Doll, Addy. She and I had a very special few weeks reading the book at the beginning of February in honor of black history month. We both fell in love with Addy. So much so, I broke down and decided to surprise her for her birthday. She had NO CLUE. The look on her six year old face when she opened the gift was worth every expensive penny. She expressed so much gratitude, it brought me to tears.

Who knew February added an extra 22 days this year? It's the month that keeps on giving, isn't it? Happy Leap year everyone!

A tight family

While Grandma was here, things were super fun. We are in full on recovery mode.

Olivia gave up her bed for the week so that Grandma didn't have to sleep on the couch for 7 nights. The boys have bunk beds and we thought O would enjoy sleeping in her sleeping bag on the floor.

Little did we know that the sleeping bag on the floor would be the coveted spot. So we had to institute a rotation. Finally on the last night, they took matters into their own hands.

When I went to check on them before I went to bed, this is what I found. Ahhh... the family that sleeps together stays together. Who says we need a bigger house?