A little irreverence

I blew it tonight. I totally lost it and laughed throughout family prayers. I was biting my tongue, my cheeks, my lips and shaking uncontrollably. Greer was giving the prayer and she is in this phase where she goes on and on and on and on. Tonight was no exception. Her voice gets all earnest -- and in her most heartfelt way, she thanks Heavenly Father for just about everything you can imagine. Tonight's highlights were the chairs we sit on, the table we eat at, the toys we play with, the grass we walk on, the flowers we smell etc, etc, etc. I lost it when she thanked the Lord for the cleaning supplies we have in our house.
I think I'm in good company. God must be up there giggling too!

365 days since....

Today marks a dubious anniversary. It was one year ago that I rushed down to St. Luke's hospital to begin my 75 day "staycation". I'm having a hard time believing that so much time has already passed. Guess it shouldn't be too surprising. Kean is getting so big and is 9 months old. Wow.
I'm just thankful that chapter of my life is behind me and that I survived and so importantly, that Kean survived to become such a blessing and joy in our lives. I wish all of you could be around him. There is something very sweet and special about him.
And you know what? I wouldn't change that experience-- as difficult and utterly draining as it was.
I'm a much better person. I learned so much about myself and I learned the true meaning of service from so many of you who I consider to be giants! I learned that miracles happen quite regularly and that the Lord is very much aware of each of us-- our fears, our hopes and our heart's urgent desires.
I learned there is an overwhelming amount of kindness that exists out there-- people from every walk of life and level of society. I learned that in spite of out of control health care costs-- some of the most caring, talented and compassionate nurses, doctors and technicians work right here in Boise, Idaho.
I learned, I learned, I learned and I'm still learning what I learned from that experience.

Seven is Heaven!

The birthday partying continues... today was Greer's real birthday. Reese and I took "fruit kabobs" down to her classroom this afternoon. And then tonight, after her requested favorite meal of ribs-- Grandpa and Grandma Bodily joined us for the present extravaganza. Since I had already made a cake for her party, Greer requested homemade milkshakes (blackberry and peach). I think everyone enjoyed the homemade lipstick.

Greer was very spoiled-- lots of fun gifts and phone calls from cousins. She was most excited about getting an Easy Bake Oven.

Kean was a bit mad he didn't get a taste of cake or a sip of the berry shake...

The girls made their first concoction-- a cake with vanilla frosting and lots and lots of sprinkles...

It was a bit tricky for them to frost-- but the girls were thrilled. We each got about a nibble. It's the experience that counts, right?

Happy birthday sweet Greer!

A little update...

Maybe you'll find this interesting. I spent much of yesterday on the phone talking to school officials, bus supervisors and GiGi's teacher. While they are trying to figure out who the kid is who slapped Greer on the bus-- he walked up to her during lunch recess and apologized "for what I did yesterday". Fascinating. You can't help but wonder what made him feel bad enough to say he was sorry. Maybe the kid isn't Satan's spawn after all! I'd still like school leaders to talk with him-- if we can figure out who he is...

Ouch!

I'm clearly more upset about what I'm about to tell you than Greer.
She went home after school today with one of her little friends from first grade for a play date. I had to write a note so she could ride a different bus.
When I picked her up-- we played the rose and thorn game-- you know where she has to tell me something good that happened and something bad.
She told me on the way to Addie's house, a bigger boy on the bus told her she wasn't supposed to be on their bus. Then he told her he was going to hit her. And are you ready for this? He did. He slapped her on the face. She said it wasn't very hard but it scared her.
Poor GiGi told me she wanted to cry really bad but didn't.
She asked her friend to swap places with her. Once on the inside, near the window, she was left alone.
I'm so mad, I'm spitting venom out of my eyeballs.
Was this child raised by a pack of wolves?
If it had happened to Holland or Reese-- this kid would need a stretcher-- but Greer is my sweet, sensitive child.
I plan on calling the principal and the transportation department to make the bus driver aware. But, alas, I will stop it at that. I promise not to hunt down some punky grade schooler and slap him back.

Oh to be turning Seven!

Okay, we are crazy. We threw Greer the mother of all birthday parties over the weekend and I'm still exhausted! I think, subconsciously, I'm trying to make up for being stuck on my back-- for her birthday last year. Thanks to my sister-in-law, Rachel for the cool idea-- we did a "Spy Party". We sent out invitations in manila envelopes marked "top secret". The invites had part of the words written backwards - so the girls had to hold them up to a mirror to read them.
Once they arrived, we had them make their spy identification cards-- complete with a picture, fingerprints and a made-up spy name. Greer's was Roxy Skyline. Reese was Lexie Butterfly.
While they were busy making their ID's, someone stole the birthday presents! So all the girls had to go to Spy Training to help them solve the crime. We started with an agility relay-- push ups, jumping jacks, hula hooping, jump roping etc. (unfortunately, it was cold and pouring outside-- so agility was inside).

The girls had to squeeze into the bathroom for weapons training (they shot squirt guns at empty water bottles-- knocking them into the tub). Reese was on one of the teams-- but really served as a mascot.

Next the girls went to their disguise making course.

And finally, the last course was bomb detonation! It took them 86 seconds to pop some 70 balloons.

Inside one of the balloons was a "clue" note sending them on a short treasure hunt.

They found a packet with a puzzle inside the BBQ--- the puzzle was actually a treasure map leading to the neighbor's house and a secret code phrase they would have to use to get the gifts back.

My darling next door neighbor, Nancy answered the door with a thick Russian accent "Vhat do yu vant?". She made them give her the code: "Spy Girls Rock" before she let them in, where they had to find the scattered presents around her house. Nancy was a star!

We gathered the presents and headed home where one of Greer's friends serenaded her. Sophia learned how to play Happy Birthday especially for GiGi's party. So cute!

I made a cake shaped like a present (since they were stolen).

And finally, Greer got to tear into the gifts.

She loved it, the kids loved it and Byron and I collapsed after it was over. This was her last, big party blow out. Thank goodness!

Donut Boy

Look what Miss Greer made for her little brother? A "donut hat". Since we all laughed, she's now taken it upon herself to make one for him out of a napkin every single night! So he may look like he has rolls of fat on him-- and he is by far, the chunkiest baby of our kids-- but at weigh - in last week (he's 15 pounds)-- he is charting at about in the 10 percentile UNDER the growth chart. No worries-- Reese was just under the growth charts too.
And take a look at this picture from his last therapy session.

This is Kean's new and most favorite position. In fact, he'd rather be arched over hanging upside down. We've had a new therapist come out and observe him and she thinks it's tied to what's called his "vestibular". Something to do with his equilibrium and balance and maybe, just maybe, his eye issues settle down when he's in that position.

So he will start seeing another new therapist to help him with this-- and I get to do a number of new "exercises" with him.... which entail spinning and swinging to a classical music CD that has been "warped" on purpose (don't ask me what that has to do with it) and swinging outside on the swings. Hard stuff, eh?

Major Drama

Gappy Greer lost her second tooth yesterday. But here's the deal. She lost it on the bus on the way home from school. And then she really lost it in the grass on the way up the hill. Let me put it this way, there was a lot of crying, sobbing, sniffling and genuine 6 year old angst. We never found it. So we wrote a heartfelt letter to the Tooth Fairy... and guess what? She still came! Greer asked her at the end of the letter "what is your name?"... so for those of you who have always wondered, are you ready? It's Twinkle. She even left some twinkly glitter.

Ahhh, crisis solved.

Take A Seat

Hey... he's sitting up again. For a second, anyway.

And we're back.

The girls all got their "summer cuts". Greer's hair was so long, they asked if they could try and use it for Locks of Love (real hair used to make wigs for cancer survivors). If it was not long enough, they were going to send it to Louisiana to be used in containers that are soaking up oil. Pretty crazy stuff).

Every day Reese asks me if its time to go swimming yet. Boy are we ready for su-su-summer. (If you haven't been lucky enough to see High School Musical 9000 times like me-- you won't get that summer reference-- sigh, your loss)!

Kean's "I'll show them" new trick

Today Kean was able to sit up against a chair for the first time. Big stuff for the little man. Of course, Reese had to muscle in and get in the pictures with him. But just look at him-- he's holding his head and body up. It's interesting how quickly things can click. On Friday, I was a little discouraged as I talked to Kean's doctor. I had just gotten a written report from a new therapist who came to observe Kean-- since he's been arching his back and neck consistently. In a nutshell, the report rated Kean on his "skills" (grasping, strength etc.)-- the highest he scored was a 4-- meaning at the level of a 4 month old. Most of his marks where 2's with a few 1's mixed in. When you consider he is 9 months old (8 months adjusted)-- it was a bit depressing. So today's milestone of being able to hold himself in a sitting position when propped in the corner of a chair is a big deal to me. By the way, he weighs 15 pounds (and just like Reese was) -- he's not on the typical growth charts-- he's in the negative 10 to 20 percentile.

We had a crazy, busy weekend. Saturday night we went to our our friends' house for a Persian dinner and big party (one friend turned 50, another 21 and Holland's teacher graduated with her advanced degree)-- so we put on a "Live From Las Vegas" variety show. I somehow got roped into being the emcee. The girls sang a tribute song-- complete with solos. I think Reese stole the show. We danced, we laughed, we ate way too much and stayed up way too late.

Here are a few more pics of the girls from last week.

As Byron says-- they're pretty cute for ugly girls. HA!

Calling the Tooth Fairy

As you know, we call Greer "GiGi". Well now it can stand for "Gappy Girl". She finally lost her first tooth. Byron snapped off a few befores...

And afters...

She lost her tooth while we were at church. You've never seen a child so excited to start the "snaggle tooth" phase.

Mother's Day

I looovvee Mother's Day. Do you want to know why? I absolutely adore all those homemade gifts the kids make. I tell ya, there's nothing better. Take this little goodie from Greer: She made a book at school- here are a few highlights:

This is my personal favorite: did you know I am 15 feet tall and weigh 100 pounds?

And did you know my favorite TV show is the NOS (News)?

And check out what I love to eat: Bens (or beans).

Classic! And here are just a few of my Mother's Day treasures. GiGi made me the bookmark out of clay and the hot pink fan for hot flashes. Holland made the heart pin (which I proudly wore to church yesterday)!

We had dinner with my favorite mom of all-- my mom. It was a lovely, lovely day. Happy belated Mother's Day to all the moms out there. Actually, Happy Mother's Day to all the women out there-- I have several friends who are not moms per se... but they are still great role models to me and my girls.

Byron Barker's Bizarre Busy Bee Bonanza (Part II)

There was nothing restful about Sunday. We were like busy little bees preparing for the great bee transfer. Sorry for the cheesy writing. I couldn't resist! Some of the girls' friends came over and helped us paint our bee box. I venture to say, we have the cutest bee box in the country. If the bees don't like their new home-- they have no taste!

Last night around 7, Grandpa Bodily helped us prep the bee box with some honey.

He then "coached' Byron on how to do the big transfer--- move about 20 thousand bees from a sealed cardboard box into the bee hive.

Can you see all the bees in the box? This is about as close as I dared get. (I think you can click on the picture to get a bigger look at the massive amount of bees).

In fact, Byron had quite the audience.

Even the horses were intrigued.

Who would've ever guessed watching Byron put his life at risk could be such a party?

Anyway, I'm happy to report another successful operation-- meaning no stings. Byron did have a bit more professional attire this time around. We borrowed a real hat from our friend Susan (thanks)!

Honey, sweet honey-- here we come!