Preschool Carnival

Today was Ryker's preschool carnival.  We were there right as the fun all began.  Robert took the first working shift and handled the bounce house.

The boys headed straight to the bounce house and had a great time.

Ryker got his face painted by my friend Elizabeth.

Then it was time for  the ever-popular fish game.  He won two and was so happy!

This little guy kept us busy.  I chased him around and wrangled him for the first hour we were there.  I worked a game the second hour and he still managed to end up with me some of the time.  There was a sucker tree game nearby that was too tempting to pass up. (Read: He screamed and threw a fit until we let him get a sucker- two different times).  He was VERY happy with his suckers though. :-)

Lunch at Grandma and Grandpa's

Last night, as I put Ryker to bed, he looked at a picture of Grandma and Grandpa Sheepie in his room and said, "I just love them so much.  Can we go there soon?"  So, as soon as he was tucked in, I called Grandma to ask her if she and Grandpa had lunch plans today.  They didn't so I offered to pick up lunch and bring it over.  We had some subs from Subway and really enjoyed visiting.  The boys adore them and love to play at their house.  I so enjoy spending time with them and just talking with them.  They are so precious and dear to me and I treasure these times so much. 

Camden was a trouble maker as usual.  He found Zeke's protective collar and thought it was a great toy.  While I was changing Hudson, Grandma heard water running and we went to investigate.  Camden had climbed in their spa tub and turned the water on.  His socks and pants were soaked!  That child keeps me on my toes for sure. ;-)

I ADORE this picture of the two of them.  Ryker loves telling them stories and they are always such great listeners.  I am so blessed that my boys get to have close relationships with their great-grandparents!

Sledding with Daddy

We got a good amount of snow Tuesday night.  Ryker couldn't wait to get out in it.  I'm not a huge fan of playing in the snow, so I told him when Daddy got home he'd take him out.  Ryker decided he really wanted to go sledding.  So, they got suited up and went over to Paul Ruster Park for some sledding. Camden was NOT happy they went without him at all.  He threw a huge fit as they were leaving and was inconsolable for a good 10 minutes after they left.  Poor buddy wanted to be big and go too!  They had a great time and walked away with just one scratch, which is pretty good in my opinion.

So excited for a sledding adventure!  (Yes those are last year's snow pants with this year's coat.  Oh well, he was warm and dry, right?!)

Daddy and his Mini-Me :-)

There might have been a few crashes.  One of them might've involved Ryker running into a tree and scratching his face, but they still had a great time and he didn't mind it one bit!

Camden's Ultrasound

This morning started off with a bang.  I woke up extra early to get ready and Robert did too in order to dig us out of all the snow we got overnight.  I was ahead of schedule when I went in to wake up Ryker.  That all changed when I opened his door.  Tucker had thrown up all over the carpet.  One huge spot and several smaller ones.  After scrubbing, spraying, and scrubbing some more, it was time to call it good for right then.  Then Ryker told me his sheets were wet. Yay!  So, after stripping his sheets, getting him cleaned up and dressed, we were now behind schedule.   After rushing around getting Camden ready and breakfast done, we loaded up in the car to meet my brother in transit since his morning went a bit different than planned too.  We picked up Hudson and headed for Camden's ultrasound appointment.  Originally I scheduled it while Ryker would be at school but since we had a 2-hour delay this morning due to snow, I ended up taking all 3 kids with me.  It went better than I had imagined.  They got us back to our room quickly and the room itself was really spacious.  The technician was very friendly and got right to work.  Camden, surprisingly, held really still for the most part.  He got a bit squirmy toward the end but I was able to distract him with snacks. Ryker was as curious as ever and asked the tech all kinds of questions.  Hudson was good as gold and just chilled in the stroller.  We were in and out really quickly.  They told us there that the results probably wouldn't be in until Friday, but we got a call an hour or so later saying that Dr. Anderson had reviewed them and everything looked great.  What a relief!

He seriously did such a great job holding still. :-)

Three Things

Last weekend, Ryker spent the morning helping Robert and my dad chop down a tree in my dad's backyard and another one in our yard.  Ryker was mainly excited to get outside and explore.  Papaw, on the other hand, had some jobs for him.  Ryker wasn't too keen on the idea at first.  Papaw then explained that there are three things he needed to learn in life.  They are:

1) Learn to love Jesus with all your heart.

2) Learn to obey and respect your parents and elders.

3) Learn to work hard.

He went on to explain that if you learn those three things, there is nothing in life you can't handle.  I love my Dad so very much for so many reasons, but the fact that he shares these things with my son just makes me love him even more.  They say it takes a village to raise a child, and I'm so fortunate to have so many willing caretakers and mentors for my children in our lives.  I couldn't agree with my father more and sincerely hope that some of his wisdom rubs off on my kids!

Love you Dad!

SSMT: Verse 5

I decided to memorize the boys' life verses so that I could pray them over them at any time.  Currently, they are both displayed in their rooms, and before bed or sometimes after they've fallen asleep and I go in to check on them, I will place my hands on them and pray their verse over them.  I'd love to be able to do this from memory.  So, I'm starting with my firstborn, Ryker. :-)

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.  And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."

- Colossians 1:9-10 NIV 84

Update on the Germs

Well, Ryker battled a low-grade fever Thursday and basically laid around all day.  His energy level was low and so was his appetite.  He had a rough night last night.  He woke up several times and came into our room with his fever up again and a stuffy nose.  He finally slept in a bit after Robert left for the gym and he joined me in bed.  Neither his appetite nor his energy level have picked up much this morning, but his fever has been gone since he woke up 9:00.

As far as Camden goes, I got a call from the pediatrician's office this morning saying that although his initial urine analysis came back clear, his urine culture had grown E. Coli which is a clear sign of a UTI.  UTIs in boys are very rare.  Because of this and his age, Dr. Anderson scheduled him for a renal ultrasound next week to rule out any kidney abnormalities and/or bleeding in the kidney.  Since he is responding to his medication well now we're hoping that fights it off.  If his fever returns, he will have to go on yet another antibiotic. I am more nervous than I would like to admit, but I am trusting in our God and trying not to worry too much.  :-)

Yesterday was mainly spent cuddling on the couch...it was what they both seemed to need (that and a little goofiness)

Here he was this morning cashed out in our bed....even Camden didn't wake him up!

Sweet brothers reading together. :-)