How Wicked

Life keeps churning doesn't it?

Today marked the final day of school for the Barkette's.

Holland tearfully said goodbye to her group of friends- the ones

she has gone through with from first grade through 8th grade.

Greer successfully kisses 6th grade goodbye

and Reese, geez, she will be in 4th grade next year.

(She still is the size of a kindergartner and weighs only about 4 

pounds more than Kean).

Speaking of Kean, he had a decent day today for as much

junk as they put in his body yesterday.

He wanted me to hold him and cuddle for most of the time-

no complaints here.

Grandpa Bodily treated him to a lawn mower ride

first thing this morning.

Man, that child is spoiled (and loved)!

I still have to struggle through each day getting 

this child to eat.  

At the hospital yesterday, he was down two pounds.

But the good news is he's back on the dreaded Steroids

so his appetite should kick in big time in a few days.

For those of you who have asked, here is the video my friend

Wendy shot of Greer doing her big solo in front of her school yesterday.

She's singing the song "Popular" from the musical Wicked.

I think you'll agree she has a future on the big stage someday.

That girl cracks me up.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bw83FGF9BbNdUFQwZEd1OFMwVFE&authuser=0

A Pap Smear and a Prayer

Today has been all about trying to keep Kean from 

being too miserable and getting him to eat something!!!

Stupid Chemo.

It stresses me out.

He did seem happier to be outside and sitting in the garage

on Byron's old tractor.

 I have purposely never taken Kean for a ride on a tractor,

motorcycle or four wheeler.

Otherwise, I'd be hounded all day every day by you know who.

 When Byron got home from work he took Kean on a real

four wheeler ride-- and look who he let drive part of the time!

Yikes!

 I, by the way, this afternoon had a doctor's appointment

with a new doctor for a physical and annual exam--

yes that female one.

I really, really liked the new doctor and had quite the unusual

experience.

After I got dressed, she came back in and asked if she could

say a prayer for my family.

She then held my hands and said the most beautiful prayer--

petitioning the Lord to bless my marriage, my husband, myself,

the three girls and especially Kean.

It was really sweet and the most unique doctor's visit I think I've 

ever had.

We are feeling the love.

Tonight we came home to a box full of Valentine's treats

from Grandma Kay.

 As I said, feeling the love.

Watch Out For What You Wish...

As I write this, Byron and Kean are out giving the lawn a hair cut.

 It just makes me happy to see the two of then out there together.

(And Kean happy too).

We went over to my parent's house for the morning.

That boy, I tell ya.

What was I thinking all these years wanting and wishing for him to walk?

He walked all over today... walked right into the bathroom, climbed in the tub

and turned the water on -- clothes, shoes and all.

He's gonna make me earn my money chasing after him.

Here's the sweetest sounds of the day- Kean's giggles

with Grammy.

Bet you can't not smile.

Bliss

Kean had a cheering section this morning for his regular Physical Therapy date

with Grandpa Bodily.

(Lee's daughter, her husband and granddaughter are visiting from Boston).

 Our boy was quite willing to walk up and down the long driveway

to get the much coveted lawn mower ride with Grandpa Bodily.

 Have you ever seen such a blissful look on a boy's face?

 Oh, and Holland got home from Girls Camp late this afternoon.

Kean was so happy to see his "Hottie".

The Festival of the Moths

So last night's birthday party had a little hitch.

On top of one of the girls having a reaction from having too much dairy (ice cream),

another having an allergy attack and still another having a headache-- our part of 

the valley has  been inundated with swarms of moths.

Thousands, thousands and thousands.

It's gross and icky and freaky all at once..

A few of the girls were spending the night and they freaked out at the number of moths

in the barn (a few sneaked into the little loft apartment and that was  a few too many).

I guess some of the girls called their parents they were so rattled.

We finally got them settled down and moved into the house and onto the couches.

But poor Greer felt bad and felt like those dang moths ruined her party.

Dunt, dunt, da da... Byron to the rescue.

He came up with the idea of turning lemon into lemonade, well, actually,

the moth fiasco into the 2014 Festival of the Moths.

For breakfast this morning, we lit candles and let the girls

dance around the table and the light.

 We also made moth shaped  pancakes and sang moth themed songs.

 It seemed to work, Greer was all smiles...

as were all the girls.

 We voted Kean the Moth King.

Hey, every festival has to have a king.

And doesn't it say somewhere that your hair is your crowning glory--

well, check out that crown!

 Kean's royal reign continued after his nap

when Byron's good friend Shane Harris came by to 

pick up the tractor he keeps stored at our place.

 Guess who got a ride?

The Moth King had a good day.