Labor Day

We had such a fun Labor Day over at my mom and dad's house! Last year, my parents started a yearly tradition of swimming, dinner, fire pit with s'mores and an outdoor movie! Tons of fun! The little kids got to stay up this year for Madagascar 2, one of our families favorites. They loved the s'mores and everyone had an awesome time! Here's some of the fun moments:

The kids decided to hop on daddy for a little ride this morning. Don't they look like they're on one of those banana things you see behind a ski boat? Too funny! What's even funnier is the look on Ryan and Dylan's faces! Totally giving me the stink eye!


I met my mom tonight at Costco for some shopping. We were in desperate need of everything so I called in for help! Thanks mom!! I couldn't resist the table full of winter footie jammies so I picked up a pair for each of the kids. I think Jacob decided he was too old for footie's and got some space ship jammies instead. He thinks it looks like Star Wars! Of course, as soon as we got home from Costco, Jacob put his on and the little kids wanted to wear theirs to bed. Mind you, it was probably close to 100 degrees at our house today, but oh well! They'll probably wake up dripping in sweat! Good thing with have air conditioning! I can't wait for the fall weather to kick in.

Pizza picnic and the park

Yesterday we decided to pick up pizza and head to the park for a pizza picnic! It turned out really fun and the kids had a great time. We ate and then played frisbee. (As a side note, frisbee's purchased at the Dollar Tree don't fly worth a darn!). Dylan was still munchin' on his slice of pizza while we were trying to play frisbee and the ducks were about ready to pounce on him! It was pretty funny (only because it didn't happen!). The kids had a blast chasing the ducks around and thankfully nobody ended up in the little lake they have at the park! The kids were laughing and running around like crazy! Such a joy to watch. I got choked up watching them because we've had a rough summer and I just cherish those moments when everyone is happy, healthy and just running their little hearts out. After frisbee and duck chasing, we headed over to the play structure. This park has a pretty high and fast slide, which Jacob, Megan and Ryan loved - but Dylan - not so much. He did it one time and the look on his face was priceless! Poor little guy was terrified! So he stuck to the smaller twisty slide from then one. After that, we loaded up the van and headed home for baths and bedtime.

Jon and I were talking at the park how easy it is to just stay home and eat pizza and play in the backyard... but that's not what life is about for us. We want our kids to be out in the world, experiencing life and having fun. Not that we don't do those things at home, but it's too easy to not put in the extra work it involves to take four kids four and under out for a picnic. We're slowly figuring this whole thing out I guess! The greatest thing is that we are doing it together. Jon is such a supportive and understanding husband. He really gets how tough it is for me at home 24/7 with the kids and wants to spend his free time away from work with us doing family things together. I couldn't ask for a better husband, partner, father and friend... Ok, here come the tears again... I better stop typing! What a sap I am!

Railroad Museum

We took the kids to the Railroad Museum yesterday morning. We've been wanting to go check it out, so we were excited to finally get to go. The first floor is full of real trains and historic information. We got to walk through an original mail train, a dining car and a sleeper car. Very neat! Then the second floor has a bunch of Thomas the Train train tables set up for kids to play with. Needless to say, this was a hit with our four kiddos! I had to bribe them with salt water taffy to get them to leave for lunch! They were having a great time. It's fun to see them just loving life and being kids. We finally got them out of the museum and headed into Old Town for a picnic lunch. We got to see 3 trains go in and out of the train station while we ate, which the kids thought was pretty cool! After lunch, Jacob and I hit the candy store for some taffy and then we headed home for naptime. Thankfully, the kids stayed awake on the way home and then took a great nap. We had a fun family day and were exhausted by the time we got home!

First week of preschool

Jacob started his new preschool on Monday! He's going MWF mornings and so far, it's going good! Monday was a welcome day where mom's and dad's were able to stay with their kid to adjust to the new classroom. I went with Jacob and had a great time. We did puzzles, colored, played kitchen and lots of other fun things. Wednesday morning was the actual first day of class. He went in with no problem! I gave him a hug and kiss goodbye and off he went! We got his medical bracelet a few days before school started, as well as a new pair of Spiderman light-up sneakers - he was all set! I'm not a fan of the shoes ... I wanted to get the cute, stylish pair at Target, but Jon told me to let it go - "he's a boy"! So, I'm letting it go (even though they are ugly!). It's hard to believe that once this school year is over (on Jacob's 5th birthday), he's going to Kindergarten! The little kids were with me when I dropped Jacob off on Wednesday and when I got back in the car they kept asking - "where Jakey?" I think they asked me that about 100 times that morning - so cute! When we got home, Dylan found one of Jacob's Star Wars toys and he said - "Jakey, Star Wars". I told him to play his little heart out because Jacob wasn't here to tell him no! I think they enjoyed the alone time with mommy (and Jacob's toys!).

Update

It's been over two weeks now and no seizures for Jacob!! Yeah!! It appears the medication is working, thankfully! 80% of people who start on anti-seizure medication respond to it well. I'm so relieved we're in that 80%! We hear stories of others who go 2 or 3 years and can't find the right medication for them. Very frustrating I'm sure. We're just praying every day that it continues to work and keeps his little body safe and seizure-free. It's still a daily struggle for Jon and I... always wondering if he'll have a seizure or if the falling activity will start again. It's been hard for me being home with the kids all day. I'm constantly assessing every situation and thinking to myself, "ok, if he has a seizure right now, what would I do?" And I guess that's good and bad... good to be prepared, but probably not the healthiest way to spend my day. I worry about keeping Jacob safe, yet still taking care of three 2-year-olds. I can't watch him all the time and I have to let go of the fact that I can't control this situation. I think that's what it boils down to for me... I have no control of this and it sucks (to put it simply). As a mom of 4 small children, I've always tried to keep our lives under control in order to keep some sanity and calmness around here. But this situation is completely out of my control. I know that's the bigger lesson for me and I'm really trying to accept that and change, but it's a tough one. It is getting easier as the days go by, but it's always on my mind. I think it will always be on my mind.

I signed Jacob up today for an account with Medic Alert and ordered him a medical bracelet. I'm hoping that will give me a little bit of peace when he's not with Jon or I (mostly at school). I talked to his new preschool today and they were very supportive and will work together with us to make it the best possible environment for Jacob. That is a huge comfort for me. It's hard enough shipping your 4-year-old off to preschool 3 days a week, let alone your 4-year-old who has just been diagnosed with Epilepsy. Again, letting go of the control... who knew I was such a control freak!? :o)

Diapers and Duct Tape

How do you keep a diaper on a 2-year-old who doesn't want to keep her diaper on?

Two words = Duct Tape